The Impact of Exercise on the Mental Health of College Students in the United States

Student mental health and well-being are a significant and growing concern on college campuses across the United States. As a result, to better meet students\u27 mental health demands and decrease strain on existing services, the current quantitative research focused on exploring the impact of exercise on a college student’s mental health. An online survey involving Kean University students was conducted and information was primarily gathered through an online questionnaire. Approximately, 40 students were randomly selected to participate in this research study. The results of the study revealed that participants felt that consistent exercise was beneficial in helping reduce their mental health symptoms. Additionally, the students reported that stress and anxiety were the most commonly experienced mental health conditions. When asked if they felt their academic performance gets impacted due to their symptoms, many participants agreed. Based on the results, the study then concluded that a college student’s mental health can be positively impacted (improved) with exercise. Therefore, the study recommended that to better meet the mental care demand on college campuses, students are encouraged to engage in more moderate or vigorous exercises to boost/improve their mental health. Future research studies should consider expanding to a larger sample size to allow the generalizability of results. Also, a mixed-method approach can help reinforce the results of previous research studies

A new antifungal labdane diterpene from the leaves of <i>Saraca indica</i>

<div><p>A new labdane diterpene, along with 10 known sterols and flavonoids, was isolated from the hydroalcoholic extract of the leaves of <i>Saraca indica</i>. The chemical structure of the new compound was identified as 6,9-epoxy marrubiinic acid on the basis of spectroscopic analyses including two-dimensional NMR. The antimicrobial potential of the new compound was evaluated against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as fungi. It showed a significant antifungal activity against <i>Geotric</i><i>h</i><i>um candidum</i> with MIC 0.48 μg/mL. It also showed potential cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines with IC₅₀ ranging from 1.07 to 1.29 μg/well.</p></div

Risk factors, clinical presentation and 1-year outcome of ischemic stroke caused by small artery disease

Abstract Background The prevalence of ischemic stroke (IS) caused by small-artery disease (SAD) is increasing recently. The present study aimed to report the risk factors, clinical presentations and outcome in patients presented with IS due to SAD with follow up for one year. The present study included 100 patients with IS due to SAD diagnosed on the basis of clinical and radiological findings. All patients were submitted to careful history taking, thorough clinical examination and standard laboratory work-up. Assessment of neurological functions was achieved using the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Cognitive functions were evaluated using Trail making test, Stroop color word test, Arithmetic test, Vocabulary test, Wechsler adult intelligence scale IV digit span forward assessment and backward assessment. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was done using a standard 1.5 Tesla unit. According to radiological findings, patients were classified into three groups: GI (n = 40) with IS due to SAD, GII (n = 30) with IS due to SAD plus internal watershed infarcts and GIII (n = 30) with IS due to SAD plus large artery infarctions (n = 30). Results Comparison between the three groups regarding the reported risk factors identified significantly lower frequency of hyperlipidemia in GI patients as compared to GII and GIII patients (35.0% versus 60.0% and 66.7% respectively, p = 0.018). Clinically, it was shown that GI patients had significantly higher frequency of dizziness, dysphasia and tinnitus in comparison to the other two groups. It was also shown that those patients had significantly lower mean cortical thickness at the end of follow up (3.12 ± 0.9 versus 2.22 ± 0.8, p = 0.031). Finally, MRI brain volumetric study showed significantly decreased total cerebral cortical volume (TCCV) (589,456 ± 1689 versus 559,152 ± 1459) and total cerebral white matter volume (TCWMV) (521,546 ± 1785 versus 501,306 ± 1259) at the end of follow up. Conclusions Ischemic stroke caused by small artery disease is related to poor outcome with deterioration of cognitive functions