METHODS: The locomotor activity, learning, and memory were assessed by using open field test and water T-maze test. This study also examined changes in neuronal cell morphology using cresyl violet and apoptosis staining. We also performed immunohistochemical study to analyse the expression of the glutamate AMPA receptor (α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid) GluA1 subunit and the GABA receptor (γ-Aminobutyric Acid) subtype GABAA α1 subunit in the hippocampus of the same animals.
RESULTS: We found no significant changes in locomotor activity (p > 0.05). The water T-maze data showed that 30 mg/kg dose significantly (p 0.05). Histological data revealed no neuronal morphological changes. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed increased expression of the AMPA GluA1 receptor subunit but there was no effect on GABAA receptor α1 subunit expression in the CA1 and CA2 subregions of the hippocampus.
CONCLUSIONS: The C. asiatica extract therefore improved hippocampus-dependent spatial learning and memory in a dose-dependent manner in rats through the GluA1-containing AMPA receptor in the CA1 and CA2 sub regions of the hippocampus.
METHODS: Male Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to normal condition, REM sleep deprivation and control wide platform condition for 72 hr. During this procedure, saline or nicotine (1 mg/kg) was given subcutaneously twice a day. Then, Morris water maze (MWM) test was used to assess learning and memory performance of the rats. The rats were sacrificed and the brain was harvested for immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis.
RESULTS: MWM test found that REM sleep deprivation significantly impaired learning and memory performance without defect in locomotor function associated with a significant increase in hippocampus DREAM protein expression in CA1, CA2, CA3, and DG regions and the mean relative level of DREAM protein compared to other experimental groups. Treatment with acute nicotine significantly prevented these effects and decreased expression of DREAM protein in all the hippocampus regions but only slightly reduce the mean relative level of DREAM protein.
CONCLUSION: This study suggests that changes in DREAM protein expression in CA1, CA2, CA3, and DG regions of rat's hippocampus and mean relative level of DREAM protein may involve in the mechanism of nicotine treatment-prevented REM sleep deprivation-induced learning and memory impairment in rats.
METHODS: CJ57BL/6 breeder F0 mice were fed with EBN (10 mg/kg) from different sources. After 6 weeks of diet supplementations, the F0 animals were bred to produce F1 and F2 animals. At 6 weeks of age, the F1 and F2 animals were tested for spatial recognition memory using a Y-maze test. The sialic acid content from EBN and brain gene expression were analyzed using HPLC and PCR, respectively.
RESULTS: All EBN samples contained glycoprotein with high level of sialic acid. Dietary EBN supplementation also showed an upregulation of GNE, ST8SiaIV, SLC17A5, and BDNF mRNA associated with an improvement in Y-maze cognitive performance in both generations of animal. Qualitatively, the densities of synaptic vesicles in the presynaptic terminal were higher in the F1 and F2 animals which might derive from maternal EBN supplementation.
CONCLUSION: This study provided a solid foundation toward the growing research on nutritional intervention from dietary EBN supplementation on cognitive and neurological development in the generation of mammals.
METHODS: In May 2015, 15 epilepsy experts attended a Consensus Development Meeting to assess the clinical trial data for perampanel, specific to the adolescent age group (12-17 years) and develop consensus treatment recommendations.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Analysis of the adolescent subgroup data of three pivotal placebo-controlled, double-blind, phase 3 trials investigating perampanel in patients with ongoing focal epileptic seizures despite receiving one to three antiepileptic drugs found that perampanel 4-12 mg was superior to placebo. The tolerability profile of perampanel was generally acceptable. Adolescent patients receiving long-term treatment with perampanel in an open-label extension study maintained improvements in seizure control compared with baseline, with a favorable risk-benefit profile. A phase 2 study showed that perampanel had no clinically important effects on cognitive function, growth, and development.
CONCLUSION: Perampanel is a welcome addition to the armamentarium of existing antiepileptic drugs as it represents a new approach in the management of epilepsy, with a novel mechanism of action, and the potential to have a considerable impact on the treatment of adolescents with epilepsy.
METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among PWE receiving treatment from two tertiary care hospitals of Pakistan. The HRQoL and adherence were assessed with Urdu versions of Quality of Life in Epilepsy-31 (QOLIE-31), and Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS). Relationship between HRQoL and adherence was assessed by Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficient. Forced entry multiple linear models were used to determine relationship of independent variables with HRQoL.
RESULTS: 219 PWE with a mean (±standard deviation) age, 34.18 (± 13.710) years, participated in this study. The overall weighted mean HRQoL score was (51.60 ± 17.10), and mean score for adherence was 6.17 (± 2.31). There was significant association between adherence and HRQoL in PWE (Pearson's correlation = 0.820-0.930; p ≤ .0001). Multiple linear regression found adherence (B = 16.8; p ≤ .0001), male gender (B = 10.0; p = .001), employment status (employed: B = 7.50; p = .030), level of education (Tertiary: B = 0.910; p = .010), duration of epilepsy (>10 years: B = -0.700; p ≤ .0001), and age (≥46 years: B = -0.680; p ≤ .0001), and ASM therapy (polypharmacy: B = 0.430; p = .010) as independent predictors of HRQoL in PWE from Pakistan.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest PWE from our center have suboptimal adherence which affects HRQoL. Independent factors such as male gender, employment status and duration of epilepsy are predictors of HRQoL.
METHODS: To achieve this goal, a systematic literature search was conducted in several databases, including Web of Science, ScienceDirect (EBSCO), SpringerLink, PubMed, and Wiley Online Library. The inclusion criteria were strictly implemented to ensure the quality of the studies included in the meta-analysis. In the end, a total of 5 studies, with 139 participants diagnosed with IGD and 139 healthy controls, were included in the analysis.
RESULTS: Meta-analysis revealed large effect sizes of N2 and P3 amplitudes in individuals with IGD, indicating that these two ERP components could be potential indicators of inhibitory control ability. Specifically, the N2 and P3 amplitude was significantly larger in individuals with IGD than in the healthy control group, suggesting deficits in inhibitory control function and increased impulsivity in the IGD group. In the inhibition control task, the IGD group required more cognitive resources to suppress impulsive responses.
CONCLUSION: Overall, the findings of this meta-analysis shed light on the potential use of N2 and P3 amplitudes as reliable indicators of inhibitory control ability in individuals with IGD. The results provide crucial insights into the neural mechanisms underlying inhibitory control impairment in IGD, which could inform the development of effective interventions for this condition. Further research is needed to explore the functional significance of these ERP components and their potential clinical applications in the diagnosis and treatment of IGD.
METHODS: Utilizing a cross-sectional design, the research was conducted in April and May 2023 with 1348 LBCs from a total sample of 4049 students inZhejiang. A two-step random, stratified, cluster-based sampling strategy was employed, and structural equation modeling was used to examine the hypothesized relationships among the constructs.
RESULTS: The statistical analysis demonstrated significant positive effects of intellectual engagement (IE), AUT, COM, and RE on both REL and PTG (p .60) underscoring their importance. Notably, REL was found to moderate the relationships among RES, COM, and PTG, highlighting its critical role in the psychological adaptation of left-behind children.
CONCLUSION: The study underscores the importance of nurturing intellectual and REs, AUT, and COM to enhance psychological REL and well-being among LBAs. These elements are crucial for supporting the mental health and developmental needs of children facing the challenges of parental migration. The findings advocate for targeted interventions that can address the unique needs of this vulnerable population, emphasizing the potential for growth and adaptation despite adversities.
METHODS: Using datasets collected from Asian regions of Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Pakistan, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam, data from 10,397 participants (mean age = 22.40 years; 44.8% men) were used for analyses. All participants completed the SABAS using an online survey or paper-and-pencil mode.
RESULTS: Findings from confirmatory factor analysis, Rasch analysis, and network analysis all indicate a one-factor structure for the SABAS. Moreover, the one-factor structure of the SABAS was measurement invariant across age (21 years or less vs. above 21 years) and gender (men vs. women) in metric, scalar, and strict invariance. The one-factor structure was invariant across regions in metric but not scalar or strict invariance.
CONCLUSION: The present study findings showed that the SABAS possesses a one-factor structure across nine Asian regions; however, noninvariant findings in scalar and strict levels indicate that people in the nine Asian regions may interpret the importance of each SABAS item differently. Age group and gender group comparisons are comparable because of the invariance evidence for the SABAS found in the present study. However, cautions should be made when comparing SABAS scores across Asian regions.
AIM: The mediating role of epistemic justification was investigated regarding its relationship between COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs and COVID-19 vaccine conspiracy beliefs.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted incorporating a multifactorial correlational design. Using convenience sampling, 690 participants (55.7% females, Mage = 32.24 years, SD = 9.75) from different regions of Türkiye completed an online survey via Google Forms.
RESULTS: The results demonstrated a strong and statistically significant correlation between beliefs in COVID-19 conspiracy theories and beliefs in COVID-19 vaccination conspiracy theories. The mediating effects of justification by authority and personal justification were statistically significant between COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs and COVID-19 vaccine conspiracy theories.
CONCLUSION: Using the COVID-19 pandemic as an example, the present results indicated the complex relationships between conspiracy beliefs and epistemic justification. The present results indicate the importance of authorities in taking early action to provide scientific evidence and information to the public to avoid individuals believing false information.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to elucidate the relationships between food fussiness, fresh fruit and vegetable consumption, and anthropometric indices of children residing in Klang Valley, Malaysia.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted to recruit 179 pairs of consenting caregiver-child. Caregivers were required to report the surveyed child's sex, date of birth, and ethnicity. The six-item food fussiness subscale from the Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ) was used to assess food fussiness in children. In addition, caregivers were asked to report whether their child had consumed fresh fruits and vegetables over the past month and to list all those they consistently refused to consume. For anthropometric measurements, children's body weight was measured with a digital bathroom scale, and height was measured using a portable stadiometer. Height-for-age z-scores (HAZ) and BMI-for-age z-scores (BAZ) were determined using the WHO Anthro software version 3.2.2 (for children below five) or the WHO AnthroPlus software version 1.0.4 (for children above five). The relationships between the studied variables were analyzed using IBM SPSS statistics version 27.0.
RESULTS: This study revealed that one in two children (54.2%) were fussy eaters, 9.5% did not consume fresh fruits, and 32.4% did not consume fresh vegetables over the past month. The findings from path analyses indicated that food fussiness was negatively correlated with fresh fruit and vegetable consumption. However, there were no significant direct and indirect relationships between food fussiness and anthropometric indices as indicated by HAZ and BAZ of children.
CONCLUSION: The findings of this study demonstrated that food fussiness was negatively correlated with fresh fruit and vegetable consumption. Interventions can be carried out by encouraging children to consume fruits and vegetables they typically reject, such as bean vegetables, pear, papaya, and tuberous vegetables, to prevent nutrient deficiency.
METHODS: This study leverages genetic variation data from genome-wide association study (GWAS) datasets and employs a bidirectional two-sample MR analysis. The analysis incorporates MR Egger, weighted median, weighted mode, and inverse variance weighted (IVW) methods to assess the bidirectional causal relationship between cognitive abilities and WMH volume, FA, and MD.
RESULTS: This study employed MR to explore the causal relationships between WMH volume, FA, MD, and cognitive outcomes. Most MR methods yielded nonsignificant p values (>0.05) and wide confidence intervals. Heterogeneity tests indicated no significant heterogeneity or pleiotropy between WMH volume and cognitive performance or intelligence. However, significant heterogeneity was found between WMH volume and cognitive function, FA with cognitive performance and intelligence, and MD with cognitive performance and intelligence. Reverse analysis also revealed no significant causal relationships.
CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the bidirectional causal effects between cognitive abilities and WMH volume, FA, and MD are minimal or nonsignificant and highlights data heterogeneity as a concern.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk of EDs and its associated factors among medical students in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
METHODS: A web-based cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students in the MENA region during the months of June and July 2024. The primary data collection instrument was a comprehensive questionnaire that contained the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) and sociodemographic and clinical features and designed using Google Forms and distributed via social media platforms.
RESULTS: The total number of participants was 5061. The mean age in our population was 22.58 ± 3.27. Our population's average EAT-26 score was 13.87 ± 10.7, with ranges varying from 0 to 72. Based on their EAT-26 scores being 20 or above, 1254 people (24.8%) were deemed to be at risk of EDs. Among the participants, 8% were underweight. The multivariable logistic regression model revealed several eating disorder risk factors such as T1DM, schizophrenia, autism, female gender, IBD, and daily exposure to thin body ideal. Regular sports practice and weight satisfaction were protective factors.
CONCLUSION: There exists a higher prevalence of individuals at risk for the development of EDs in the MENA region especially females, students with comorbidities, and those having conflictual relationships with their parents. Regular sports practice and weight satisfaction are protective factors.