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Molecular Diagnosis & Therapy Jan 2024The genetic background of inflammatory bowel disease, both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, has been known for more than 2 decades. In the last 20 years,... (Review)
Review
The genetic background of inflammatory bowel disease, both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, has been known for more than 2 decades. In the last 20 years, genome-wide association studies have dramatically increased our knowledge on the genetics of inflammatory bowel disease with more than 200 risk genes having been identified. Paralleling this increasing knowledge, the armamentarium of inflammatory bowel disease medications has been growing constantly. With more available therapeutic options, treatment decisions become more complex, with still many patients experiencing a debilitating disease course and a loss of response to treatment over time. With a better understanding of the disease, more effective personalized treatment strategies are looming on the horizon. Genotyping has long been considered a strategy for treatment decisions, such as the detection of thiopurine S-methyltransferase and nudix hydrolase 15 polymorphisms before the initiation of azathioprine. However, although many risk genes have been identified in inflammatory bowel disease, a substantial impact of genetic risk assessment on therapeutic strategies and disease outcome is still missing. In this review, we discuss the genetic background of inflammatory bowel disease, with a particular focus on the latest advances in the field and their potential impact on management decisions.
Topics: Humans; Genome-Wide Association Study; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Colitis, Ulcerative; Crohn Disease; Azathioprine
PubMed: 37847439
DOI: 10.1007/s40291-023-00678-7 -
Communications Biology Sep 2023Biofilms have conventionally been perceived as dense bacterial masses on surfaces, following the five-step model of development. Initial biofilm research focused on... (Review)
Review
Biofilms have conventionally been perceived as dense bacterial masses on surfaces, following the five-step model of development. Initial biofilm research focused on surface-attached formations, but detached aggregates have received increasing attention in the past decade due to their pivotal role in chronic infections. Understanding their nature sparked fervent discussions in biofilm conferences and scientific literature. This review consolidates current insights on non-attached aggregates, offering examples of their occurrence in nature and diseases. We discuss their formation and dispersion mechanisms, resilience to antibiotics and immune-responses, drawing parallels to surface-attached biofilms. Moreover, we outline available in vitro models for studying non-attached aggregates.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Biofilms; Molecular Weight
PubMed: 37658117
DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05281-4 -
Journal of Counseling Psychology Oct 2023Reports the retraction of "The triadic effect: Associations among the supervisory working alliance, therapeutic working alliance, and therapy session evaluation" by...
Reports the retraction of "The triadic effect: Associations among the supervisory working alliance, therapeutic working alliance, and therapy session evaluation" by Judith A. Gerstenblith, Kathryn V. Kline, Clara E. Hill and Dennis M. Kivlighan Jr. (, 2022[Mar], Vol 69[2], 199-210). The following article is being retracted (https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000567). This retraction is at the request of coauthors Kivlighan and Hill after the results of an investigation by the University of Maryland Institutional Review Board (IRB). The IRB found that the study included data from between one and four therapy clients of the Maryland Psychotherapy Clinic and Research Laboratory (MPCRL) who either had not been asked to provide consent or had withdrawn consent for their data to be included in the research. Gerstenblith and Kline were not responsible for obtaining and verifying participant consent but agreed to the retraction of this article. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2021-88607-001.) Several theorists (Bandura, 1969; Hackney & Goodyear, 1984; Searles, 1955) suggest parallels between the relationship in supervision and the relationship in therapy. We examined supervisor and therapist trainee ratings of supervisory working alliance (SWA) in 1 week predicting client-rated therapeutic working alliance (TWA) and client-rated therapy session evaluation (TSE) in the following week as well as TWA and TSE ratings in 1 week predicting SWA ratings in the following week. Our data included 663 weeks of therapy nested within 28 trainees nested within 15 supervisors, disaggregated into differences between supervisors, differences within supervisors, and differences within trainees. At the between-supervisor level, when supervisors' trainees rated the SWA higher on average compared with other supervisors' trainees' average SWA ratings, their clients' average TWA rating was higher. In contrast, when supervisors rated the SWA higher on average compared with other supervisors' average SWA ratings, their trainees' clients' average TSE rating was higher but the average TWA rating was lower. At the within-supervisor level, when trainees rated a higher SWA on average compared with other trainees' average SWA ratings with the same supervisor, their clients' average TSE rating was higher. The theoretical prediction of parallel relationships in supervision and therapy was supported, but only for between-supervisor and within-supervisor differences in SWA. We found no evidence that week-to-week changes in SWA or client-rated TWA or TSE reflected parallel relationships. We provide suggestions for further research, including exploring the mechanisms through which supervision relates to the therapy process and outcome. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
PubMed: 37747529
DOI: 10.1037/cou0000700 -
Immunological Reviews Sep 2023Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies act through blockade of inhibitory molecules involved in the regulation of T cells, thus releasing tumor specific T cells to... (Review)
Review
Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies act through blockade of inhibitory molecules involved in the regulation of T cells, thus releasing tumor specific T cells to destroy their tumor targets. However, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) can also lead to a breach in self-tolerance resulting in immune-related adverse events (irAEs) that include tissue-specific autoimmunity. This review addresses the question of whether the mechanisms that drive ICI-induced irAEs are shared or distinct with those driving spontaneous autoimmunity, focusing on ICI-induced diabetes, ICI-induced arthritis, and ICI-induced thyroiditis due to the wealth of knowledge about the development of autoimmunity in type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. It reviews current knowledge about role of genetics and autoantibodies in the development of ICI-induced irAEs and presents new studies utilizing single-cell omics approaches to identify T-cell signatures associated with ICI-induced irAEs. Collectively, these studies indicate that there are similarities and differences between ICI-induced irAEs and autoimmune disease and that studying them in parallel will provide important insight into the mechanisms critical for maintaining immune tolerance.
Topics: Humans; Autoimmunity; Immunotherapy; Autoantibodies; Neoplasms; T-Lymphocytes
PubMed: 37493210
DOI: 10.1111/imr.13247 -
Advanced Healthcare Materials Jan 2024Brain organoids are 3D in vitro culture systems derived from human pluripotent stem cells that self-organize to model features of the (developing) human brain. This... (Review)
Review
Brain organoids are 3D in vitro culture systems derived from human pluripotent stem cells that self-organize to model features of the (developing) human brain. This review examines the techniques behind organoid generation, their current and potential applications, and future directions for the field. Brain organoids possess complex architecture containing various neural cell types, synapses, and myelination. They have been utilized for toxicology testing, disease modeling, infection studies, personalized medicine, and gene-environment interaction studies. An emerging concept termed Organoid Intelligence (OI) combines organoids with artificial intelligence systems to generate learning and memory, with the goals of modeling cognition and enabling biological computing applications. Brain organoids allow neuroscience studies not previously achievable with traditional techniques, and have the potential to transform disease modeling, drug development, and the understanding of human brain development and disorders. The aspirational vision of OI parallels the origins of artificial intelligence, and efforts are underway to map a roadmap toward its realization. In summary, brain organoids constitute a disruptive technology that is rapidly advancing and gaining traction across multiple disciplines.
PubMed: 38252094
DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202302745 -
BMC Medicine Jul 2023A dietary pattern (DP) may impact on cancer incidence more strongly than individual foods, but this association remains uncertain. Here, we aimed to broadly explore the...
BACKGROUND
A dietary pattern (DP) may impact on cancer incidence more strongly than individual foods, but this association remains uncertain. Here, we aimed to broadly explore the associations of an obesity-related DP with overall and 19 site-specific cancers.
METHODS
This study included 114,289 cancer-free participants with at least two dietary assessments. A total of 210 food items were classified into 47 food groups, and the mean amount of each food group was used in reduced-rank regression to derive the obesity-related DP. Cox regressions were conducted to explore the associations of the obesity-related DP with overall and 19 site-specific cancers. The parallel mediation model was constructed to quantify the mediating roles of potential mediators.
RESULTS
During a median follow-up period of 9.4 years, 10,145 (8.9%) incident cancer cases were documented. The derived-DP was characterized by a higher intake of beer and cider, processed meat, high sugar beverages, red meat, and artificial sweetener, and a lower intake of fresh vegetables, olive oil, tea, and high fiber breakfast cereals. Observational analysis showed that a higher obesity-related DP Z-score was linearly associated with an increased risk of overall cancer (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.04 per 1-SD increase, corrected P < 0.001). For site-specific cancer, positive linear associations for six cancer sites (oral, colorectal, liver, lung, endometrium, and thyroid) and nonlinear associations for six cancer sites (esophagus, malignant melanoma, prostate, kidney, bladder, and multiple myeloma) were observed. The paralleled mediation analysis suggested that the association between the obesity-related DP and overall cancer is mediated by the body mass index (BMI), the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), C-reactive protein, high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), and triglycerides.
CONCLUSIONS
The developed obesity-related DP is strongly associated with overall and multiple cancer sites. Our findings highlight the complicated and diverse associations between an obesity-related DP and cancers and provide clues for future research directions.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Incidence; Prospective Studies; Obesity; Diet; Neoplasms; Risk Factors; Body Mass Index
PubMed: 37424008
DOI: 10.1186/s12916-023-02955-y -
Pharmacological Reports : PR Dec 2023There has been increasing scientific and clinical interest in studying psychedelic and meditation-based interventions in recent years, both in the context of improving... (Review)
Review
There has been increasing scientific and clinical interest in studying psychedelic and meditation-based interventions in recent years, both in the context of improving mental health and as tools for understanding the mind. Several authors suggest neurophysiological and phenomenological parallels and overlaps between psychedelic and meditative states and suggest synergistic effects of both methods. Both psychedelic-assisted therapy and meditation training in the form of mindfulness-based interventions have been experimentally validated with moderate to large effects as alternative treatments for a variety of mental health problems, including depression, addictions, and anxiety disorders. Both demonstrated significant post-acute and long-term decreases in clinical symptoms and enhancements in well-being in healthy participants, in addition. Postulated shared salutogenic mechanisms, include, among others the ability to alter self-consciousness, present-moment awareness and antidepressant action via corresponding neuromodulatory effects. These shared mechanisms between mindfulness training and psychedelic intervention have led to scientists theorizing, and recently demonstrating, positive synergistic effects when both are used in combination. Research findings suggest that these two approaches can complement each other, enhancing the positive effects of both interventions. However, more theoretical accounts and methodologically sound research are needed before they can be extended into clinical practice. The current review aims to discuss the theoretical rationale of combining psychedelics with mindfulness training, including the predictive coding framework as well as research findings regarding synergies and commonalities between mindfulness training and psychedelic intervention. In addition, suggestions how to combine the two modalities are provided.
Topics: Humans; Hallucinogens; Mindfulness; Meditation; Emotions
PubMed: 37926796
DOI: 10.1007/s43440-023-00551-8 -
Nurse Researcher Sep 2023Quantitative methods and statistical analysis are essential tools in nursing research, as they support researchers testing phenomena, illustrate their findings clearly...
BACKGROUND
Quantitative methods and statistical analysis are essential tools in nursing research, as they support researchers testing phenomena, illustrate their findings clearly and accurately, and provide explanation or generalisation of the phenomenon being investigated. The most popular inferential statistics test is the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), as it is the test designated for comparing the means of a study's target groups to identify if they are statistically different to the others. However, the nursing literature has identified that statistical tests are not being used correctly and findings are being reported incorrectly.
AIM
To present and explain the one-way ANOVA.
DISCUSSION
The article presents the purpose of inferential statistics and explains one-way ANOVA. It uses relevant examples to examine the steps needed to successfully apply the one-way ANOVA. The authors also provide recommendations for other statistical tests and measurements in parallel to one-way ANOVA.
CONCLUSION
Nurses need to develop their understanding and knowledge of statistical methods, to engage in research and evidence-based practice.
IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE
This article enhances the understanding and application of one-way ANOVAs by nursing students, novice researchers, nurses and those engaged in academic studies. Nurses, nursing students and nurse researchers need to familiarise themselves with statistical terminology and develop their understanding of statistical concepts, to support evidence-based, quality, safe care.
Topics: Humans; Nursing Research; Analysis of Variance; Research Design; Students, Nursing; Correlation of Data
PubMed: 37317616
DOI: 10.7748/nr.2023.e1885