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European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Jul 2024Irritability is a common and clinically significant symptom associated with a wide range of negative outcomes. Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) is a valuable tool...
Irritability is a common and clinically significant symptom associated with a wide range of negative outcomes. Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) is a valuable tool for capturing experiences, such as emotions, social interactions, and substance use in real-time, and may be useful in understanding how irritability is related to everyday functioning. We investigated cross-sectional associations between a widely used self-report irritability rating scale and affect dynamics, social interactions, and substance use captured with EMA (5 surveys daily for 14 days) in 349 18-year-olds. We also examined the associations of self- and parent-reported irritability at ages 12 and 15 with the age 18 EMA variables to explore whether these relationships persist over time. Youth-reported irritability at age 18 was linked to greater intensity, variability, and inertia of irritability, sadness, and anxiety, less positive and more negative interpersonal experiences, and greater cigarette and drug use. Most effect sizes were in the medium-small range. Associations of youth- and parent-reported irritability at ages 12 and 15 with the age 18 EMA measures were generally similar, although smaller in magnitude. Findings contribute to understanding how irritability is manifested in real-time affect dynamics and interpersonal functioning, as well as daily substance use. Most effects were evident over the course of up to 6 years - that is, early adolescent irritability, reported by both youth and their parents, was associated with similar real-time affect dynamics and interpersonal experiences at age 18. This study contributes to the literature on the developmental psychopathology of irritability by extending findings to everyday functioning.
PubMed: 38954054
DOI: 10.1007/s00787-024-02504-9 -
Emerging Microbes & Infections Jul 2024SARS-CoV-2 has been evolving into a large number of variants, including the highly pathogenic Delta variant, and the currently prevalent Omicron subvariants with...
SARS-CoV-2 has been evolving into a large number of variants, including the highly pathogenic Delta variant, and the currently prevalent Omicron subvariants with extensive evasion capability, which raises an urgent need to develop new broad-spectrum neutralizing antibodies. Herein, we engineer two IgG-(scFv) form bispecific antibodies with overlapping epitopes (bsAb1) or non-overlapping epitopes (bsAb2). Both bsAbs are significantly superior to the parental monoclonal antibodies in terms of their antigen-binding and virus-neutralizing activities against all tested circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants including currently dominant JN.1. The bsAb1 can efficiently neutralize all variants insensitive to parental monoclonal antibodies or the cocktail with IC lower than 20 ng/mL, even slightly better than bsAb2. Furthermore, the cryo-EM structures of bsAb1 in complex with the Omicron spike protein revealed that bsAb1 with overlapping epitopes effectively locked the S protein, which accounts for its conserved neutralization against Omicron variants. The bispecific antibody strategy engineered from overlapping epitopes provides a novel solution for dealing with viral immune evasion.
PubMed: 38953857
DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2024.2373307 -
Journal of Clinical Research in... Jul 2024To determine inequalities in access to diabetes technologies and the effect of socioeconomic factors on families with children with type 1 diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
To determine inequalities in access to diabetes technologies and the effect of socioeconomic factors on families with children with type 1 diabetes.
METHODS
In this multicenter cross-sectional study, parents of children with type 1 diabetes completed a questionnaire about household sociodemographic characteristics, latest HbA1c values, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and insulin pump use of children, the education and working status of parents. These characteristics were compared between technology use (only-CGM, only-pump, CGM+pump, no technology use).
RESULTS
Among 882 families, only-CGM users, only-pump users, and CGM+pump users compared with no technology users, adjusting for age, sex, region, education levels, number of working parents, and household income. Children living in the least developed region had lower odds of having only-CGM (OR=0.20, 95%CI 0.12-0.34) and having CGM+pump (OR=0.07, 95%CI 0.03-0.22) compared with those living in the most developed region. Children with parents who had not finished high school had lower odds of having only-CGM (Mothers: OR=0.36, 95%CI 0.19-0.66; fathers: OR=0.32, 95%CI 0.18-0.60) or both CGM+pump (OR=0.27, 95%CI 0.11-0.64; fathers: OR=0.34, 95%CI 0.15-0.79) rather than no-technology compared to children whose parents has a university degree. Every $840 increase in the household income increased the odds by 5% for having only-CGM (OR=1.05, 95%CI 1.02-1.09) and CGM+pump (OR=1.05, 95%CI 1.01-1.08).
CONCLUSION
Socioeconomic factors such as education, regions, and income were associated with inequality in access to technologies. The inequalities are more prominent in access to CGM while CGM had a bigger contribution to glycemic control.
PubMed: 38953734
DOI: 10.4274/jcrpe.galenos.2024.2024-4-6 -
Operative Neurosurgery (Hagerstown, Md.) Jul 2024The surgical treatment of trigonocephaly has undergone significant evolution, with an increasing use of a minimally invasive technique. The endoscope-assisted metopic...
The surgical treatment of trigonocephaly has undergone significant evolution, with an increasing use of a minimally invasive technique. The endoscope-assisted metopic suturectomy is currently considered a valid surgical option for the correction of metopic craniosynostosis.1-5 In this video-article, we present our surgical technique performed on a 5-month-old patient with type III (Genitori's classification6) trigonocephaly. The computed tomography (CT) scan showed fusion of the metopic suture with bitemporal narrowing and hypotelorism. The patient underwent endoscope-assisted metopic suturectomy, the width of the suturectomy is 1 cm, and an Esmarch sheet was used to protect the dura mater while drilling. Bridging veins are coagulated under endoscopic vision. The suturectomy is considered complete when the nasal cartilages are exposed, deconnecting thus completely the orbits. The postoperative CT scan showed the extent of the suturectomy. The patient did not present any neurological deficit or complications after surgery and was discharged on postoperative day 2. No helmet was used postoperatively. The patient repeated a head CT at age 11 years after head trauma and was seen at consultation. Interestingly, once the bone gap created after the metopic suturectomy reossifies, the frontal sinus develops normally. The long-term result was quite satisfying. The advantages of the mini-invasive technique consist in a smaller surgical scar, lower blood loss, shorter surgical time, and shorter hospital stay with good long-term results. The parents provided written consent for the publication of the patient's picture, the institutional research board approved the submission of this video article. In the video, the tips, tricks, and pitfalls of the technique are discussed.
PubMed: 38953669
DOI: 10.1227/ons.0000000000001247 -
Journal of Bacteriology Jul 2024causes a serious diarrheal disease and is a common healthcare-associated bacterial pathogen. Although it has a major impact on human health, the mechanistic details of...
causes a serious diarrheal disease and is a common healthcare-associated bacterial pathogen. Although it has a major impact on human health, the mechanistic details of intestinal colonization remain undefined. is highly sensitive to oxygen and requires anaerobic conditions for growth. However, the mammalian gut is not devoid of oxygen, and tolerates moderate oxidative stress . The genome encodes several antioxidant proteins, including a predicted superoxide reductase (SOR) that is upregulated upon exposure to antimicrobial peptides. The goal of this study was to establish SOR enzymatic activity and assess its role in protecting against oxygen exposure. Insertional inactivation of rendered more sensitive to superoxide, indicating that SOR contributes to antioxidant defense. Heterologous expression in conferred protection against superoxide-dependent growth inhibition, and the corresponding cell lysates showed superoxide scavenging activity. Finally, a SOR mutant exhibited global proteome changes under oxygen stress when compared to the parent strain. Collectively, our data establish the enzymatic activity of SOR, confirm its role in protection against oxidative stress, and demonstrate SOR's broader impacts on the vegetative cell proteome.IMPORTANCE is an important pathogen strongly associated with healthcare settings and capable of causing severe diarrheal disease. While considered a strict anaerobe , has been shown to tolerate low levels of oxygen in the mammalian host. Among other well-characterized antioxidant proteins, the genome encodes a predicted superoxide reductase (SOR), an understudied component of antioxidant defense in pathogens. The significance of the research reported herein is the characterization of SOR's enzymatic activity, including confirmation of its role in protecting against oxidative stress. This furthers our understanding of pathogenesis and presents a potential new avenue for targeted therapies.
PubMed: 38953644
DOI: 10.1128/jb.00175-24 -
Journal of Bacteriology Jul 2024It is well established that can incorporate exogenous straight-chain unsaturated fatty acids (SCUFAs) into membrane phospho- and glyco-lipids from various sources in...
UNLABELLED
It is well established that can incorporate exogenous straight-chain unsaturated fatty acids (SCUFAs) into membrane phospho- and glyco-lipids from various sources in supplemented culture media and when growing during infection. Given the enhancement of membrane fluidity when oleic acid (C18:1Δ9) is incorporated into lipids, we were prompted to examine the effect of medium supplementation with C18:1Δ9 on growth at low temperatures. C18:1Δ9 supported the growth of a cold-sensitive, branched-chain fatty acid (BCFA)-deficient mutant at 12°C. Interestingly, we found similar results in the BCFA-sufficient parental strain, supported by the fact that the incorporation of C18:1Δ9 into the membrane increased membrane fluidity in both strains. We show that the incorporation of C18:1Δ9 and its elongation product C20:1Δ11 into membrane lipids was required for growth stimulation and relied on a functional FakAB incorporation system. Lipidomics analysis of the phosphatidylglycerol and diglycosyldiacylglycerol lipid classes revealed major impacts of C18:1Δ9 and temperature on lipid species. Growth at 12°C in the presence of C18:1Δ9 also led to increased production of the carotenoid pigment staphyloxanthin. The enhancement of growth by C18:1Δ9 is an example of homeoviscous adaptation to low temperatures utilizing an exogenous fatty acid. This may be significant in the growth of at low temperatures in foods that commonly contain C18:1Δ9 and other SCUFAs in various forms.
IMPORTANCE
We show that can use its known ability to incorporate exogenous fatty acids to enhance its growth at low temperatures. Individual species of phosphatidylglycerols and diglycosyldiacylglycerols bearing one or two degrees of unsaturation derived from the incorporation of C18:1Δ9 at 12°C are described for the first time. In addition, enhanced production of the carotenoid staphyloxanthin occurs at low temperatures. The studies describe a biochemical reality underlying membrane biophysics. This is an example of homeoviscous adaptation to low temperatures utilizing exogenous fatty acids over the regulation of the biosynthesis of endogenous fatty acids. The studies have likely relevance to food safety in that unsaturated fatty acids may enhance the growth of in the food environment.
PubMed: 38953643
DOI: 10.1128/jb.00187-24 -
Psychology & Health Jul 2024This research aimed to construct and psychometrically test a measure of multiple sociocultural dimensions (i.e. family, peers, media) theoretically associated with...
OBJECTIVES
This research aimed to construct and psychometrically test a measure of multiple sociocultural dimensions (i.e. family, peers, media) theoretically associated with exercise behaviours/attitudes in adolescents; the Sociocultural Influences on Exercise Behaviours in Adolescents Questionnaire (SIEBAQ).
METHODS AND MEASUREMENT
Part 1 of this study focused on measure construction and psychometric testing, involving item generation and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to refine the item pool, with 905 adolescents (age 13.66 years (SD = 0.94); girls = 442). Part 2 sought to explore the convergent validity of the SIEBAQ ( = 846; = 414 girls).
RESULTS
EFA resulted in a 47-item measure with a nine-factor structure (including social media modelling, parent exercise expectations, peer co-participation; α = 0.72-0.92). Correlations revealed weak-moderate significant relationships between the SIEBAQ and related constructs (e.g. compulsive exercise, sociocultural attitudes towards appearance). Regression analyses with the SIEBAQ identified social media modelling of exercise as a significant predictor of compulsive exercise in boys and girls. Proving exercise ability to significant others also significantly predicted compulsive exercise outcomes.
CONCLUSION
This newly developed measure holds promise. Further psychometric testing and validation of the SIEBAQ is the recommended next step to confirm the measure's nine-factor structure identified through EFA.
PubMed: 38953588
DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2024.2372644 -
Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics : the... Jul 2024The prevalence of myopia in Scandinavia tends to be lower than in other parts of the world. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of myopia and its predictors in...
PURPOSE
The prevalence of myopia in Scandinavia tends to be lower than in other parts of the world. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of myopia and its predictors in Swedish children to characterise this trend.
METHODS
A 2-year longitudinal study was conducted following a cohort of schoolchildren aged 8-16 years. Myopia was defined as a spherical equivalent refraction (SER) ≤ -0.50 D. The study enrolled 128 participants, 70 (55%) females with a mean age of 12.0 years (SD = 2.4).
RESULTS
The cumulative incidence of myopia during the follow-up period was 5.5%, and the incidence rate of myopia was 3.2 cases per 100 person-years. Participants with myopia at baseline exhibited a faster increase in refractive error during the follow-up period. Likewise, participants with two myopic parents exhibited a more marked change towards myopia, regardless of their initial refractive error.
CONCLUSION
In the current study, similar to prevalence, the incidence of myopia was low when compared with other parts of the world. These results lead us to formulate a new hypothesis that the normal emmetropisation process may be protected by low educational pressure practised in Sweden during early childhood. Further research is necessary to test this new hypothesis.
PubMed: 38953568
DOI: 10.1111/opo.13359 -
Child: Care, Health and Development Jul 2024A substantial proportion of children have a physical illness; these children commonly experience physical-mental comorbidity. To assess child mental health, brief scales...
BACKGROUND
A substantial proportion of children have a physical illness; these children commonly experience physical-mental comorbidity. To assess child mental health, brief scales that can be used in clinical and research settings are needed. This study assessed the validity and reliability of parent-reported Ontario Child Health Study Emotional Behavioural Scale-Brief Version (OCHS-EBS-B) scores.
METHODS
Data come from a longitudinal study of children aged 2-16 years with a physical illness recruited from outpatient clinics at a pediatric hospital. Confirmatory factor analysis and McDonald's coefficient assessed the factor structure and internal consistency reliability of the OCHS-EBS-B, respectively. Point biserial correlations assessed agreement between the OCHS-EBS-B and Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents (MINI-KID), a structured diagnostic interview. The Wilcoxon rank sum test compared OCHS-EBS-B scores between children with versus without physical-mental comorbidity (known-group validity).
RESULTS
The three-factor structure of the OCHS-EBS-B was replicated in this sample of children with physical illness (χ = 196.23(272), p < 0.001; CFI = 0.98; TLI = 0.98; SRMR = 0.06; RMSEA [90% CI] = 0.034 [0.027, 0.044]). It had excellent internal consistency reliability (ω = 0.86-0.92) and was moderately correlated with the MINI-KID (baseline: r = 0.43-0.51; 6 months: r = 0.55-0.65). OCHS-EBS-B scores were significantly higher among children with versus without physical-mental comorbidity.
CONCLUSIONS
Findings confirm psychometric evidence that the OCHS-EBS-B is a valid and reliable measure of mental health in children with chronic physical illness. Its brevity and robust psychometric properties make the OCHS-EBS-B a strong candidate for routine use in integrated pediatric physical and mental health services.
Topics: Humans; Child; Male; Female; Reproducibility of Results; Child, Preschool; Chronic Disease; Adolescent; Ontario; Psychometrics; Longitudinal Studies; Factor Analysis, Statistical; Mental Disorders; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Comorbidity; Mental Health
PubMed: 38953538
DOI: 10.1111/cch.13300 -
Research in Nursing & Health Jul 2024Adolescent health research with biomarker data collection is limited due to difficulties in recruiting and engaging this age group. Thus, successful recruitment,...
Adolescent health research with biomarker data collection is limited due to difficulties in recruiting and engaging this age group. Thus, successful recruitment, engagement, and retention of adolescents in translational research are necessary to elucidate factors influencing mental and physical health conditions, uncover novel biomarkers, and expand prevention and treatment options. This paper describes strategies for effective recruitment and retention of adolescents in a research study, using a project examining depressive symptoms and the microbiome to illustrate these approaches. This cross-sectional study collected electronic self-reported survey data and self-collected biospecimens (stool and salivary samples) from adolescents 13-19 years old. All but two participants completed the questionnaires, with few missing responses. 94% provided at least one salivary sample and 89% supplied a stool sample. Participants were able to adhere to the study instructions. Using a participant-centered approach, our study successfully recruited and engaged the targeted 90 participants in self-collection of electronic survey data and biospecimens. Successful strategies of recruitment and retention included: 1) on-site clinic recruitment by research team, 2) active involvement of parents as appropriate, 3) use of electronic surveys and self-collection of biospecimens to foster control and ease of participation while addressing privacy concerns, 4) noninvasive collection of data on biospecimen, 5) frequent texting to communicate with participants, 6) flexibility in the pickup and transferring of biospecimens to accommodate adolescent schedules, 7) developmentally appropriate research, 8) participant reimbursement, and 9) sensitivity toward discussing stool sample materials. As a result of these strategies, adolescent participation in the research proved feasible.
PubMed: 38953164
DOI: 10.1002/nur.22412