O impacto da pandemia da Covid-19 na saúde mental de estudantes universitários / The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the mental health of university students / El impacto de la pandemia de Covid-19 en la salud mental de los estudiantes universitarios

A pandemia pelo SARS-CoV-2 é um dos maiores desafios sanitários em escala global. Devido estado de emergência, uma série de medidas de controle e prevenção foram adotadas, como distanciamento social e redução das reuniões públicas. Nesse cenário, buscou-se avaliar a saúde mental de estudantes de uma instituição privada de Ensino Superior diante da pandemia. Esta pesquisa trata-se de um estudo transversal descritivo desenvolvido na Faculdade do Vale do Jaguaribe, localizada em Aracati-CE. A coleta de dados ocorreu de dezembro de 2020 a fevereiro de 2021, utilizando formulário eletrônico contendo variáveis sociodemográficas, epidemiológicas e relativas aos diferentes aspectos da saúde mental do estudante frente a pandemia da COVID-19. A análise foi baseada no cálculo de frequências absolutas e relativas das variáveis além de medidas de tendência central e dispersão. Dos 333 discentes que participaram do estudo, a média de idade foi 25, com variação entre 18 e 56 anos, sendo maioria do sexo feminino (72,7%), autodenominação de cor/etnia parda (72,7%) e não estarem trabalhando (53,8%). A taxa de positividade entre os graduandos para COVID-19 foi de 9% (30). Ao serem questionados sobre como a pandemia alterou seus níveis de estresse ou saúde mental, 75,5% responderam que houve piora. Dentre os sintomas mais relatados no período da quarentena, estavam medo e ansiedade (ambos com 74,2%), seguidos por insegurança (69,7%). Baseados nos achados deste estudo, recomenda-se a incorporação de ações multiprofissionais na atenção aos estudantes dentro da academia. Sugere-se a implantação de um serviço qualificado buscando desenvolver um olhar holístico para os discentes.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has presented itself as one of the greatest health challenges on a global scale. Given the state of public health emergency, a series of control and prevention measures have been adopted, such as social distancing and reduction of public meetings, as in universities. Faced with this scenario, we sought to evaluate the mental health of students from a private institution of Higher Education in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, this research was a descriptive cross-sectional study developed at the Faculdade do Vale do Jaguaribe, located in the City of Aracati- CE. Data collection occurred from December 2020 to February 2021, using an electronic form containing sociodemographic and epidemiological variables, as well as variables related to the repercussions in different aspects of the student's mental health when facing the pandemic of COVID-19. The analysis was based on the calculation of absolute and relative frequencies of the variables, as well as measures of central tendency and dispersion. Of the 333 students who participated in the study, the mean age was 25 years, with ages ranging from 18 to 56 years, the majority being female (72.7%), self- denominated as Brown (72.7%), not working when answering the form (53.8%). The positivity rate among undergraduates for COVID-19 was 9% (30/333). When asked how the pandemic altered their stress levels or mental health, 75.5% responded that it had worsened. Among the symptoms most reported by students during the quarantine period were fear and anxiety (both 74.2%), followed by insecurity (69.7%). It is suggested the implementation of a qualified approach service seeking to develop a holistic look for the students.

La pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 es uno de los mayores desafíos sanitarios a escala global. Debido al estado de emergencia, se han adoptado una serie de medidas de control y prevención, como el distanciamiento social y la reducción de reuniones públicas. En este escenario, se buscó evaluar la salud mental de los estudiantes de una institución privada de educación superior frente a la pandemia. Esta investigación es un estudio descriptivo transversal desarrollado en la Facultad de Valle de Jaguaribe, ubicada en Aracati-CE. La recopilación de datos se llevó a cabo de diciembre de 2020 a febrero de 2021, utilizando un formulario electrónico que contiene variables sociodemográficas, epidemiológicas y relacionadas con los diferentes aspectos de la salud mental del estudiante frente a la pandemia de COVID-19. El análisis se basó en el cálculo de frecuencias absolutas y relativas de las variables, además de medidas de tendencia central y dispersión. De los 333 estudiantes que participaron en el estudio, la media de edad fue de 25 años, con variación entre 18 y 56 años, siendo la mayoría del sexo femenino (72,7%), autodenominación de la raza / etnia morena (72,7%) y no trabajando (53,8%). La tasa de positividad entre los estudiantes de pregrado para COVID-19 fue del 9% (30). Cuando se les preguntó cómo la pandemia había alterado su nivel de estrés o salud mental, el 75,5% respondió que había empeorado. Entre los síntomas más comunes durante el período de cuarentena, se encontraban el miedo y la ansiedad (ambos con un 74,2%), seguidos de la inseguridad (69,7%). Basados en los resultados de este estudio, se recomienda la incorporación de acciones multiprofesionales en la atención a los estudiantes dentro de la academia. Se sugiere la implementación de un servicio calificado que busque desarrollar una mirada holística hacia los estudiantes.

Efecto del Aprendizaje Basado en Problemas en habilidades de Gestión del Cuidado: Estudio cuasiexperimental / The effect of Problem-Based Learning on Care Management skills: A quasi-experimental study / O efeito da Aprendizagem Baseada em Problemas nas habilidades de Gestão do Cuidado: Estudo quase-experimental

Objetivo: evaluar el efecto preliminar del Aprendizaje Basado en Problemas en habilidades de Gestión del Cuidado. Método: cuasiexperimental pretest-postest, con alumnos de la carrera de Licenciatura en Enfermería de una institución educativa. Muestra de 29 alumnos (Grupo Experimental) y 74 (Grupo Control). El Grupo Experimental solucionó cuatro escenarios bajo el método de Aprendizaje Basado en Problemas con los 7 pasos propuestos por la Universidad de McMaster, en un programa de Gestión del Cuidado en modalidad a distancia. El instrumento autoinformado evaluó las habilidades de Gestión del Cuidado pretesty postesten ambos grupos. Se obtuvieron valores medios y se realizó estadística descriptiva e inferencial (t de Student, t pareada, regresión lineal). Resultados: el Grupo Experimental obtuvo puntuaciones más elevadas en habilidades analíticas, de acción y globales que el Grupo Control (p<0,05). No se registraron diferencias en las habilidades interpersonales ni en el uso de la información. El Grupo Control no presentó diferencias significativas antes y después de la enseñanza habitual, mientras que en el Grupo Experimental sí se reportaron diferencias (p<0,05). Conclusión: a pesar de que existe poca evidencia en el desarrollo de habilidades de Gestión del Cuidado en Enfermería, el presente estudio demuestra que el Aprendizaje Basado en Problemas es un método efectivo y significativo en educación a distancia.

Objective: to assess the preliminary effect of Problem-Based Learning on Care Management skills. Method: a quasi-experimental pre- and post-test conducted with students attending the Bachelor's Degree in Nursing offered by an educational institution. The sample was comprised by 29 (Experimental Group) and 74 (Control Group) students. The Experimental Group solved four scenarios under the Problem-Based Learning method with the 7 steps proposed by McMaster University, in a Care Management program in distance mode. The self-reporting instrument assessed the pre- and post-test Care Management skills in both groups. Mean values were obtained and descriptive and inferential statistics were performed (Student's t, paired t, linear regression). Results: the Experimental Group obtained higher scores in analytical, action-related and global skills than the Control Group (p<0.05). No differences were recorded in interpersonal skills or in use of the information. The Control presented no significant differences before and after usual teaching, whereas differences were in fact reported in the Experimental Group (p<0.05). Conclusion: despite the fact that there is little evidence on the development of Nursing Care Management skills, the current study shows that Problem-Based Learning is an effective and significant method in remote education.

Objetivo: avaliar o efeito preliminar da Aprendizagem Baseada em Problemas nas habilidades de Gestão do Cuidado. Método: pré e pós-teste quase experimental, realizado com alunos do curso de Bacharelado em Enfermagem de uma instituição de ensino. A amostra foi composta por 29 (Grupo Experimental) e 74 (Grupo Controle). O Grupo Experimental resolveu quatro cenários sob o método de Aprendizagem Baseada em Problemas com os 7 passos propostos pela McMaster University, em um programa de Gestão do Cuidado na modalidade à distância. O instrumento de autorrelato avaliou as habilidades de Gestão do Cuidado pré e pós-teste em ambos os grupos. Valores médios foram obtidos e estatísticas descritivas e inferenciais foram realizadas (t de Student, t pareado, regressão linear). Resultados: o Grupo Experimental obteve escores mais elevados em habilidades analíticas, de ação e globais do que o Grupo Controle (p<0,05). Não foram registradas diferenças nas habilidades interpessoais ou no uso da informação. O Grupo Controle não apresentou diferenças significativas antes e depois do ensino usual, enquanto as diferenças foram de fato relatadas no Grupo Experimental (p<0,05). Conclusão: apesar de haver poucas evidências sobre o desenvolvimento de habilidades de Gestão do Cuidado de Enfermagem, o presente estudo mostra que a Aprendizagem Baseada em Problemas é um método eficaz e significativo na educação à distância.

Perceived Physical Education Teachers’ Emotional Support and its direct interrelation to Learners’ Academic Resilience / Apoyo Emocional Percibido de los Profesores de Educación Física y su interrelación directa con la Resiliencia Académica de los Alumnos

Academic resiliency is a learner's ability to overcome scholastic setbacks. Additionally, it was discovered that instructors' emotional support can boost academic resilience. However, these studies are predominantly vast in the elementary and secondary level, and are not connected to Physical Education in the Higher Education Context. This study has utilized two distinct questionnaires: Teacher’s Emotional Support Scale (TESS) and Academic Resiliency Scale (ARS-30). After performing Multiple Regression, it was observed that Teacher’s Emotional Support predicts Academic Resiliency, suggesting that teacher’s emotional support has a direct and significant influence to academic resiliency. Furthermore, it was discovered that Teacher’s Sensitivity and Regard to Adolescent Perspective has a direct influence to learners’ academic resilience, except positive climate. Physical education teachers may be able to help learners who are struggling academically by providing them with emotional support. The results emphasized the necessity of college learners' access to emotional support from teachers in building resilience. Finally, the results were examined, with an emphasis on how the development of learners' personal and contextual resources can have a positive effect on their well-being. (AU)

La resiliencia académica es la capacidad de un alumno para superar los contratiempos escolares. Además, se descubrió que el apoyo emocional de los instructores puede potenciar la resiliencia académica. Sin embargo, estos estudios son predominantemente amplios en el nivel elemental y secundario, y no están conectados con la Educación Física en el contexto de la Educación Superior. Este estudio ha utilizado dos cuestionarios distintos: Escala de Apoyo Emocional del Profesor (TESS) y Escala de Resiliencia Académica (ARS-30). Tras realizar una regresión múltiple, se observó que el apoyo emocional del profesor predice la resiliencia académica, lo que sugiere que el apoyo emocional del profesor tiene una influencia directa y significativa en la resiliencia académica. Además, se descubrió que la sensibilidad del profesor y la consideración de la perspectiva del adolescente tiene una influencia directa en la resiliencia académica de los alumnos, excepto en el clima positivo. Los profesores de Educación Física pueden ayudar a los alumnos con dificultades académicas proporcionándoles apoyo emocional. Los resultados subrayaron la necesidad de que los estudiantes universitarios reciban apoyo emocional de los profesores para desarrollar su resiliencia. Por último, se examinaron los resultados, haciendo hincapié en cómo el desarrollo de los recursos personales y contextuales de los alumnos puede tener un efecto positivo en su bienestar. (AU)

Want-to, have-to, amotivation, grit, self-control, and tolerance ambiguity among university students: latent profile analysis.

The current study adopted a person-centered approach to identify distinctive university students' profiles based on three variables (i.e., three academic motivations, grit, and self-control), regress multiple covariates (i.e., gender, age, study level, and college) on profile membership, and estimate differences on ambiguity tolerance across the estimated profiles. Data on 525 university students were modeled using Latent Profile Analysis. The findings found three latent profiles, which were: [1] Unmotivated and undisciplined students with low grit, [2] Moderately motivated and disciplined students with average grit, and [3] Highly motivated, gritty and disciplined students. Gender, study level, and college significantly predicted profile affiliation, identifying the characteristics of students within each profile. Significant differences were revealed in the ambiguity tolerance among the obtained profiles. These valuable results offer customized recommendations and prospective initiatives, strengthening the constructive effect of proper academic motivation types, purposeful grit, and intentional self-control (143 words).

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Lebanese university students related to sexually transmitted diseases: a cross-sectional study.

AIM: To appraise Lebanese university students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in March and April 2020. A total of 402 students (67.9% women) from ten universities located in different Lebanese regions were recruited through convenient sampling. RESULTS: Pursuing a major in non-health sciences compared with a major in health sciences (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=0.08) was significantly associated with lower odds of having better knowledge of STDs. Older age (aOR=1.09) was significantly associated with higher odds of having better knowledge of STDs. Having good vs poor knowledge (aOR=3.88) was significantly associated with higher odds of having favorable attitudes toward STDs, whereas pursuing a major in non-health sciences compared with a major in health sciences (aOR=0.28) was significantly associated with lower odds of having favorable attitudes toward STDs. Women compared with men (aOR=2.21) had higher odds of having healthier practices related to STDs. Attitude did not mediate the association between knowledge and practice. CONCLUSION: Attitude did not significantly mediate the association between knowledge and practice. Therefore, educational programs and awareness campaigns should be implemented in secondary schools and among vulnerable non-medical students. Such efforts can help students identify the symptoms of STDs, seek medical attention, and make informed decisions to protect themselves.

[Evolution of Research Related to Macrophage Polarization in Atherosclerosis:A Visualization Analysis].

Objective To explore the research status,hotspots,and development tendency of macrophage polarization (MP) in atherosclerosis (AS) by systematically reviewing and visually analyzing the articles published recently in this field,so as to provide new ideas for the basic research and translational research on MP in the prevention and treatment of AS.Methods SCI-Expanded was used as the data source for the retrieval of the articles involving MP in AS from 2012 to 2022.CiteSpace 6.1.R3 was employed to visualize the node information of the publishing country/region,institutions,authors,keywords,and citations.Results A total of 381 papers were included.The number of publications in the world showed an increasing trend year by year.China and the United States were leading this field in the number and centrality of publications,and Shandong University in China contributed the largest number of publications.The analysis of the key words and citations showed that the hotspots and frontiers in this field mainly included the pathogenesis of AS,MP markers,macrophage plasticity regulation,and potential therapeutic targets for AS.Conclusions The research on MP in AS was booming during 2012-2022.The differential gene expression and the molecular mechanism of targeted therapy of MP in AS are the research trends in this field,which will provide new measures for the prevention and treatment of AS.

Impact of COVID-19 mitigations on anxiety and depression amongst university students: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: While much research has addressed mental health concerns related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there remains a scarcity of studies specifically exploring the changes in anxiety and depression among university students before and after the implementation of COVID-19 mitigation measures. Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched databases including MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE (Ovid), PsycINFO (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCO), ERIC (EBSCO), the WHO COVID-19 database, Scopus, and Science Citation Index (Web of Science) as of 15 February 2023. We included studies that used a validated tool to measure changes in anxiety or depression at two distinct time points - before (T1) and during (T2); during (T2) and after (T3); or before (T1) and after (T3) COVID-19 mitigation. The quality of studies was assessed using an adapted Joanna Briggs Institute Checklist for longitudinal studies. Utilising random-effects models, we synthesised changes in continuous outcomes as standardised mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and binary outcomes as risk difference (RD) with 95% CI. Results: In total, 15 studies were included in this review, with eight of moderate and seven of high quality. In most of the included studies (n = 13), the majority of participants were women. Eleven studies analysed mental health outcomes between T1 and T2 of COVID-19 mitigations. Continuous symptom changes were a minimal or small improvement for anxiety (SMD = -0.03, 95% CI = -0.24 to 0.19, I2 = 90%); but worsened for depression (SMD = 0.26, 95% CI = -0.01 to 0.62). However, the proportions of students reporting moderate-to-severe symptoms, defined by specific cut-offs, increased during COVID-19 mitigation measures for both anxiety (RD = 0.17, 95% CI = -0.04 to 0.38, I2 = 95%) and depression (RD = 0.12, 95% CI = 0.03 to 0.22, I2 = 72%). Sensitivity analyses, which distinguished between baseline periods based on awareness of COVID-19, demonstrated an exacerbation of both symptoms when comparing the period before the global awareness of the COVID-19 outbreak (before December 2019) with the period during the implementation of mitigation measures. Conclusions: Mental health outcomes, especially depressive symptoms, were observed to worsen in university students during COVID-19 mitigations. Despite considerable heterogeneity requiring careful interpretation of results, the impact of COVID-19 mitigations on mental health in university students is evident. Registration: PROSPERO (CRD42021266889).

Exploring the structure of the university-students obsessive-compulsive tendency scale in Iranian university students: a network analysis study.

INTRODUCTION: A risk factor for developing obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in non-clinical samples is obsessive-compulsive tendencies (OCT). An OCT scale has recently been developed for university students (UOC) and showed promising psychometric properties. However, no validated Persian language scale evaluates OCT in non-clinical samples. Accordingly, this study aimed to validate the Persian version of the UOC in Iranian university students. METHODS: Three hundred sixty-eight university students (54.6% females, mean ages: 22.4 ± 4.51) entered the study. The Persian version of UOC was evaluated concerning the structure of Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and Exploratory graph analysis (EGA). Regarding the construct validity, the concurrent validity was assessed between the UOC and The Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R), Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), and Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). We calculated Cronbach's alpha to evaluate the reliability of the UOC. All statistical calculations were done in R programming language (in R-Studio Desktop version 4.2.1). RESULTS: The Persian version of UOC showed a convenient internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the total scale 0.88. UOC scores were significantly correlated with OCI-R, K-10, and YBOCS. The EFA and EGA showed four and three-factor solutions with 25 and 28 items, respectively. Also, CFA showed that these two solutions were reliable, and the three-factors solution showed higher fit indexes. Finally, the results showed that item-27 was the most central item in the UOC network structure. CONCLUSION: The findings from the present study indicated that the Persian version of UOC has acceptable psychometric properties. So, this scale can be used for examining obsessive-compulsive tendencies in Iranian university students.

Effect of an online Workplace Vocal Health and Low Stress Levels Promotion Program implemented in a Colombian university during COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of an online Workplace Vocal Health and Low Stress Levels (WVHLS) Promotion Program implemented in a Colombian university during COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This research was a quasi-experimental study. Twenty-nine professors participated in this study within two groups: (1) intervention group (n=17) or (2) non-intervention group (n=12). Participants in the intervention group took part in four virtual sessions about how to improve vocal health and strategies to reduce stress levels during their homeworking and online classes. Teachers filled in a questionnaire including questions about working conditions, work-related stress, and the voice functioning (including the Vocal Fatigue Index-VFI). They also recorded a voice sample of a sustained vowel on two separate occasions (before and after the follow-up). RESULTS: At the end of the follow-up, there was a tendency to reduce Factor 1 of VFI in the intervention group. Although, all participants had a longer MPT at the end of the study compared with the baseline measures, males in the intervention group had longer MPT compared with other participants. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest a positive effect of a WVHLS promotion program on reducing vocal fatigue perception measured by means of the Vocal Fatigue Index and improving coordination and control of breathing speech measured MPT. These changes at the end of the follow-up may indicate that holistic programs that include voice care recommendations, breathing exercises, vocal warm-up, cold-down and laryngeal relaxation vocal exercises, and stress management may be beneficial for reducing work-related stress and voice symptoms among professors.

Psychosis in adults with autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder at acute psychiatric wards

Background and objectives Psychotic symptoms, such as delusions and hallucinations, in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have been increasingly reported in recent literature. In the present study, the prevalence and duration of psychotic symptoms, comorbid psychotic disorders, and clinical characteristics of adults with ASD and ADHD were retrospectively examined via a chart review. Methods The participants were 98 adults (mean age, 28.5 years; 72 men) who were admitted to the psychiatric emergency wards of Showa University Karasuyama Hospital, and who were diagnosed with ASD and/or ADHD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision criteria. Results Among 69 individuals with ASD, 21 (30.4%) experienced psychotic symptoms, and among 29 individuals with ADHD, 5 (17.2%) exhibited psychosis. While all psychotic symptoms were classified as transient and none had comorbidity with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders in adults with ADHD, 38.1% of psychosis was classified as prolonged and 10.3% had comorbidity with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders in adults with ASD. Conclusion The results showed that a significant proportion of adults with ASD and ADHD experience psychosis during their course of illness, and provide evidence for the existence of a shared etiology between neurodevelopmental and psychotic disorders. (AU)

Prevalence of alloantibodies associated with haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn in pregnant women at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Southwest Nigeria.

Haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) is caused by maternal alloimmunization against red blood cell antigens, which could result in fetal anaemia, hyperbilirubinaemia, kernicterus, and death. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of alloantibodies against erythrocyte antigens in blood samples of pregnant women during the first trimester which may cause HDFN. A total of 123 consenting pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of Ekiti state University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti participated in the study which lasted three months. The participants were within the ages of 16 to 45 years old across the major ethnic group in Nigeria. ABO/Rh typing, screening and identification of red blood cell alloantibodies were carried out using standard protocols. 15 (12.2%) subjects had detectable antibodies known to cause haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN). The specificity of the antibodies was as follows: anti-K (5, 33%), anti-k (3, 20%), anti- Jsa (2, 13%), anti-C. (3, 20%), and anti-E (2, 13 %). Based on ethnicity, the prevalence of Kell antibodies was highly significant among the Yorubas as well as anti-C and anti-E. The observation was similar in the Igbo and Hausa groups. There is a need to determine these antibodies and monitor their titre in pregnant women to manage or prevent the morbidity and mortality associated with HDFN during routine antenatal care.

Sexual exposure, awareness, and knowledge of long-acting reversible contraceptives among female university students in Ekiti State, Nigeria.

Unplanned and unintended pregnancies have become major medical, social and public health issues worldwide. The objective of this study was to determine sexual exposure, awareness and knowledge of long active reversible contraceptives (LARC) among female undergraduate students in public and private universities in Ekiti State, Southwest Nigeria. A comparative cross-sectional study was carried out among 428 female university undergraduates in Ekiti State (208 students in public and 210 students in private) using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were obtained using a semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23. P-value <0.05 was taken as significant. The mean age of respondents was 21.1±2.5years in public and 19.3±2.1years in private university. 53% of public university students and 30% of private university students have had sexual intercourse. While 41.3% of public university students were aware of LARC, 37.1% of the private university students were aware. The knowledge of LARC among the public university students was lower (23.6%) as compared to those in private university (33.3%). We conclude that while sexual exposure is higher among public university students than in private, the awareness of LARC was higher in public than private universities. Continuous campaign programmes to university students on the benefit of LARC is recommended.

Health literacy education at the time of COVID-19: development and piloting of an educational programme for university health professional students in 4 European countries.

BACKGROUND: Health literacy has a strong influence on individual health outcomes and the sustainability of healthcare systems. Healthcare professionals often overestimate patients' health literacy levels and lack adequate competencies to address limited health literacy effectively. Therefore, promoting understanding through effective health communication between professionals and citizens is becoming increasingly important. Although health literacy has recently gained more attention, health literacy educational programmes targeting future healthcare professionals are still scarce, especially in Europe. This study describes the piloting process of a pan-European health literacy educational programme and shows how the educational material is being used during time of crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: The educational programme was developed through the definition of an educational philosophy and iterative co-creation processes consisting of stakeholders' consultations, material development and pilots with students. The evaluation was carried out in Italy through four pilot tests involving 107 students of health-related degrees. An evaluation questionnaire and a pre-post test were developed and used to collect students' and educators' feedback (quantitative and qualitative) and assess changes in health literacy awareness, respectively. Three additional pilots were organized in Italy and Germany mostly during the COVID-19 pandemic to evaluate the feasibility of the educational programme through online and hybrid learning, respectively. RESULTS: The pilots received positive feedback from both students and educators. Students were highly satisfied with the courses, reported their relevance for their future profession and appreciated the interactive teaching methods. The pre-post test showed a significant improvement in health literacy awareness after the training. Educators reported the adequacy and flexibility of the training material, the ease of transferability of the content of the lessons into practice, and the validity of the tested options to integrate the educational programme into the curricula. CONCLUSIONS: Our comprehensive, evidence-based educational programme contributes to addressing the existing challenges in Europe, and its flexibility allows for easy integration in the curricula, through different options, hence supporting a widespread uptake in the European Union and maybe beyond. Health literacy education is a useful tool to improve citizens' access to healthcare information and services, achieve better health outcomes and support healthcare systems' sustainability.

Serum C-terminal telopeptide of Type-I collagen (CTx) concentration and myocardial hyperechogenicity in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Objective: This study sought to determine the serum concentrations of C-terminal telopeptide of Type-I collagen (CTx), a marker of collagen degradation, in a hospital population of cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The study also evaluated the prevalence of myocardial hyperechogenicity of the left ventricle (LV) in the same cats. Animals and procedure: Cats brought to a university veterinary cardiology service entered the study when they had an echocardiographic diagnosis of HCM; echocardiographically normal cats served as controls. Serum CTx concentrations were assessed using ELISA. Results: There was no difference in serum CTx concentrations between cats with HCM and controls (HCM: median 0.248 ng/mL, controls: median 0.253 ng/mL; P = 0.4). Significantly more cats with HCM (60%) showed echocardiographic LV myocardial hyperechogenicity compared to normal controls (17%; P = 0.0057), but serum CTx concentrations were not different between these 2 groups. Conclusion and clinical relevance: These results indicate that, as in human patients with HCM and in contrast to earlier feline studies, there was no evidence of enhanced collagen degradation indicated by serum CTx concentrations in cats with HCM compared to normal controls.

Concentration sérique de télopeptide C-terminal du collagène de Type I (CTx) et hyperéchogénicité myocardique chez des chats atteints de cardiomyopathie hypertrophique. Objectif: Le premier objectif de cette étude était d'évaluer le taux sérique d'un marqueur de dégradation de collagène, soit le télopeptide C-terminal du collagène de Type-I (CTx), chez les chats atteints de cardiomyopathie hypertrophique (CMH). Le deuxième objectif était d'évaluer la prévalence de l'hyperéchogénicité du myocarde du ventricule gauche chez ces mêmes chats. Animaux et procédures: Les chats participant à l'étude avaient été présentés pour soins à un service de cardiologie vétérinaire universitaire, et ces chats avaient un diagnostic échocardiographique soit de CMH, soit d'aucune lésion cardiaque (groupe témoin). Le taux sérique de CTx a été évalué de façon immuno-enzymatique par ELISA. Résultats: Les résultats n'ont démontré aucune différence entre le taux sérique de CTx chez les chats atteint de CMH et le taux sérique de CTx chez les chats sans lésion cardiaque (CMH : médiane, 0,248 ng/mL; groupe témoin : médiane, 0,253 ng/mL; P = 0,4). Plus de chats atteints de CMH (60 %) que de chats dans le groupe témoin (17 %) ont démontré une hyperéchogénicité du myocarde du ventricule gauche à l'échocardiographie (P = 0,0057), quoique les taux sériques de CTx n'étaient pas différents entre ces 2 groupes. Conclusion et signification clinique: Ces résultats n'indiquent aucune augmentation de la dégradation de collagène chez les chats atteints de CMH, ce qui s'apparente aux résultats provenant d'études antérieures de la CMH chez l'humain mais non pas à ceux provenant d'études de la CMH féline.(Traduit par les auteurs).

The Stride program: Feasibility and pre-to-post program change of an exercise service for university students experiencing mental distress.

Rates of mental illness are disproportionately high for young adult and higher education (e.g., university student) populations. As such, universities and tertiary institutions often devote significant efforts to services and programs that support and treat mental illness and/or mental distress. However, within that portfolio of treatment approaches, structured exercise has been relatively underutilised and greater research attention is needed to develop this evidence base. The Stride program is a structured 12-week exercise service for students experiencing mental distress. We aimed to explore the feasibility of the program and assess pre- and post-program change, through assessments of student health, lifestyle, and wellbeing outcomes. Drawing from feasibility and effectiveness-implementation hybrid design literatures, we conducted a non-randomised feasibility trial of the Stride program. Participants were recruited from the Stride program (N = 114, Mage = 24.21 years). Feasibility results indicated the program was perceived as acceptable and that participants reported positive perceptions of program components, personnel, and sessions. Participants' pre-to-post program change in depressive symptomatology, physical activity levels, mental health-related quality of life, and various behavioural outcomes were found to be desirable. Our results provide support for the feasibility of the Stride program, and more broadly for the delivery and potential effectiveness of structured exercise programs to support university students experiencing mental distress.

Effect of day time on smartphone use posture and related musculoskeletal disorders risk: a survey among university students.

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are one of the most important problems among young smartphone users worldwide. Portability leads to a wide variety of postures during the different activities of the day. The objective evaluation of these postures coupled with ergonomic tools allows evaluating the level of MSD risk to which users are exposed. METHODS: The purpose was to investigate the effect of the time of day on the posture adopted during smartphone use among university students. The study was conducted through a cross-sectional survey of 263 university sports students. Four time of day, i.e. morning, afternoon, evening and night, and a taxonomy of 41 postures called SmarTaxo were considered. SmarTaxo included 18 sitting, 11 standing, 10 lying and 2 walking postures and their ergonomic score. After checking the normality of the data, a non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test was used to study the effect of the time of day on the use duration of the different postures. RESULTS: The total mean duration use per typical weekday was 5.39 ± 2.19 h for males and 5.15 ± 1.60 h for females with maximal duration during evening. The average smartphone use durations were statistically longer in afternoon and evening for all sitting (9.44 and 9.22 min respectively, p < 0.05) and calling (3.38 and 3.33 min respectively, p < 0.05) postures. The longest duration for standing postures was recorded for afternoon (8.91 min, p < 0.05). The lying postures were significantly more present in evening (19.36 min). Some postures were more used during a time of day. The side-lying posture was used more in evening and has an ergonomic score of 6, i.e. a high MSD risk. CONCLUSIONS: The survey showed that users are exposed to MSDs regardless of posture and time of day. Sitting postures are used more in the morning and afternoon while lying postures are used more in the evening. As long as the rate of use is so high (> 5 h per day), young people will remain highly exposed to MSDs.

Who believes in cross-age friendship? Predictors of the belief in intergenerational friendship scale in young adults.

Intergenerational contact is beneficial for both younger and older adults, but friendships that span across generations are uncommon. While this is partially due to situational factors, people's beliefs about the possibility of intergenerational friendship may also affect how they approach potential intergenerational interactions. In a sample of 209 students from a Canadian university, we validate the Beliefs in Intergenerational Friendship (BIGF) scale. Young adults were more likely to believe in intergenerational friendship if they had less ageist attitudes and if they were more conscientious, open, agreeable, and emotionally stable. Number of non-kin intergenerational social contacts (but not number of kin contacts) and closeness of an existing relationship with an older adult also predicted greater belief in intergenerational friendship. BIGF scores predicted willingness to regularly spend time with older adults and were a better predictor than either hostile or benevolent ageism. While not everyone believes that intergenerational friendships are possible, this novel scale may uniquely capture people's willingness to form relationships across generations.

The legacy of William (Bill) A. Anthony: Past, present and future.

William (Bill) A. Anthony was a pioneer in the field of psychosocial/psychiatric rehabilitation and recovery. He established the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation at Boston University and served as the editor/coeditor of the Psychosocial Rehabilitation Journal (later Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal). He helped to clarify ideas, principles, policies, and practices that promoted the right and ability of people living with psychiatric disabilities and mental health challenges to aspire to and achieve their own vision of a meaningful life. This introductory article briefly overviews Bill's contributions to psychiatric rehabilitation and recovery of people with mental health challenges and his influence on recent work in this field, a sample of which is presented in the current special section dedicated to him. To conclude, the article overviews this special section, which reports on studies in the United States and elsewhere, addressing supported education, recovery colleges, photovoice to promote community integration, and policy developments in Israel. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Gender Disparities in First Authorship at Three Medical Universities in an Area Affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake.

The Great East Japan Earthquake that occurred on March 11, 2011, was one of the largest natural disasters in modern times. Publication in medical journals is important aspects of the academic promotion process, and is thus important for all scientists. However, little is known about whether and how substantial natural disasters affect gender disparities in academic productivity in disaster-affected areas. We hypothesized that the Great East Japan Earthquake widened the existing disparities in scientific publishing between male and female researchers. To test this hypothesis, this retrospective observational study using existing databases was conducted. We extracted from the MEDLINE database all types of biomedical articles published from March 11, 2007, to March 11, 2015, by three medical universities in a disaster-affected area of Japan. Differences in the proportion of female first authorship during the 4 years before and after the Great East Japan Earthquake were compared. A total of 5,873 papers were analyzed. The proportion of female first authors significantly declined after the Great East Japan Earthquake (20.5% vs. 14.1%; odds ratio 0.64; 95% confidence interval 0.56-0.73). A similar trend was identified across all prespecified subgroups, including clinical department; original article; public medical university; and prestigious journal with impact factor >6. Reference data from two medical universities minimally affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake showed the opposite trend. These results collectively suggest that large natural disasters can reinforce existing gender disparities in first authorship in biomedicine.