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Environmental Management Jul 2024Despite significant advancements in ichthyoplankton collection and data processing, challenges persist in the taxonomic identification of these organisms, particularly...
Despite significant advancements in ichthyoplankton collection and data processing, challenges persist in the taxonomic identification of these organisms, particularly their eggs. To overcome these challenges, a novel technique has been developed to facilitate the identification of live eggs collected directly in wild. This user-friendly technique includes the collection, processing of the material, and field incubation. Sampling must be conducted using a pelagic net towed at low speed, preferably during early evening. The material processing involves pre-sorting and sorting to remove eggs and larvae. The separated eggs, kept in an aerated bowl, can be identified based on their morphological and meristic characteristics. Unidentified eggs can be placed in plastic bags with oxygen and incubated directly in the aquatic environment for 48-72 h. After this incubation period, the hatched larvae at the yolk-sac or preflexion stage, are identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level. Depending on the study's purpose, hatched larvae and field-collected larvae can be transported to research centers for further development, released back into the natural environment, or fixed to complete the collection. The application of this technique supports management and monitoring programs by identifying spawning areas through egg identification, forming broodstock, and replenishing threatened species, thereby enhancing scientific collections of ichthyoplankton. Additionally, it reduces mortality in ichthyoplankton techniques, including endangered species. Therefore, we believe that this novel taxonomic technique for identifying live ichthyoplankton represents a paradigm shift in the monitoring, management, and conservation of fish, as well as in ecological stewardship and advances in this area of research.
PubMed: 38955870
DOI: 10.1007/s00267-024-02010-3 -
East Asian Archives of Psychiatry :... Dec 2023Asthma is a common respiratory disease in children. Family factors play a role in its incidence and severity. This study investigated the effect of parental...
BACKGROUND
Asthma is a common respiratory disease in children. Family factors play a role in its incidence and severity. This study investigated the effect of parental psychological flexibility, parental psychological adjustment to the child's illness, and parental psychological distress on the severity of asthma symptoms of children through mediating child anxiety.
METHODS
A total of 216 parents of children with asthma were asked to complete the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire, the Parent Experience of Child Illness, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale - 21 Items, and the parent-report Spence Children's Anxiety Scale. Severity of asthma symptoms was assessed by spirometry.
RESULTS
The highest path coefficient was between parental psychological flexibility and the severity of paediatric asthma symptoms (β = 0.34). Parental psychological distress was found to affect the severity of asthma symptoms of children (β = -0.21) and also mediate child anxiety and then affect the severity of asthma symptoms of children (β = -0.25).
CONCLUSION
Parental psychological flexibility, parental psychological adjustment to the child's illness, and parental psychological distress had significant effects on the severity of asthma symptoms of children through mediating child anxiety.
Topics: Humans; Asthma; Child; Male; Female; Parents; Anxiety; Adaptation, Psychological; Adult; Models, Psychological; Severity of Illness Index; Stress, Psychological; Parent-Child Relations; Surveys and Questionnaires; Psychological Distress; Child, Preschool; Adolescent
PubMed: 38955782
DOI: 10.12809/eaap2336 -
Zhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi [Chinese... Jun 2024To explore the implementation strategies for promoting healthy longevity among the elderly population in China based on the Delphi method. Through literature review...
To explore the implementation strategies for promoting healthy longevity among the elderly population in China based on the Delphi method. Through literature review and expert discussion, a framework for implementation strategies to achieve healthy longevity among the elderly was determined, and a preliminary checklist of implementation strategies was developed. The Delphi method was employed from August to December 2022, inviting 25 experts from various disciplines such as clinical medicine, public health, basic research, and the elderly care services industry. Experts were sent consultation questionnaires via email to assess the importance, feasibility, judgment basis and familiarity of each implementation strategy. Active coefficient, authority coefficient, and harmony coefficient were analyzed to ultimately determine the important and feasible implementation strategies for healthy longevity that were suitable for the Chinese elderly population. The expert active coefficients of the two rounds were 96.00% (24/25) and 79.17% (19/24). The authority coefficients were (0.76±0.19) and (0.77±0.17). The average scores of importance were (4.32±0.84) and (4.36±0.82), and the corresponding scores of feasibility were (3.72±1.04) and (3.80±0.92). The harmony coefficients for the importance score were 0.269 (=594.084, <0.001) and 0.159 (=193.624, <0.001). The harmony coefficients for feasibility scores were 0.205 (=452.008, <0.001) and 0.167 (=202.878, <0.001). The final eight implementation strategies were identified after two rounds of consultation. Through two rounds of Delphi consultations, eight important and feasible implementation strategies for promoting healthy longevity that are suitable for the Chinese context have been proposed.
Topics: Delphi Technique; Humans; Longevity; Aged; China; Surveys and Questionnaires; Health Promotion
PubMed: 38955737
DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112150-20230804-00056 -
Zhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi [Chinese... Jun 2024To explore the impact of whole blood organophosphate esters (OPEs) flame retardant exposure on thyroid function-related hormones in healthy older adults. In this panel...
To explore the impact of whole blood organophosphate esters (OPEs) flame retardant exposure on thyroid function-related hormones in healthy older adults. In this panel study, five repeated population-based epidemiological surveys and biological sample collection were conducted from September 2018 to January 2019, with 76 healthy older adults aged 60-69 years in the Dianliu Community of Jinan, Shandong Province. Information on the sociodemographic characteristics, diet, and health status of the respondents was systematically gathered through questionnaires and physical examinations. Fasting venous blood was collected to determine the levels of OPEs, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T), and thyroxine (T). A linear mixed-effects model was used to analyze the impact of OPEs exposure on thyroid function-related hormones in healthy older adults. Each of the 76 subjects participated in at least two follow-up visits, resulting in a total of 350 person visits. The age of the study participants was (65.07±2.76) years, with 38 participants of both sexes. A total of eight OPEs were included with a detection rate exceeding 50%, and the (, ) for ∑OPEs was 3.85 (2.33, 5.74) ng/ml, with alkyl-OPEs being the major type of OPEs with an (, ) of 1.27 (0.64, 2.50) ng/ml. The (, ) for TSH, T, and T was 3.74 (2.55, 5.69) μIU/ml, 1.32 (1.10, 1.60) ng/ml, and 45.04 (36.96, 53.27) ng/ml, respectively. Linear mixed-effects model showed that TSH was significantly decreased by 9.93% (95%:-15.17%, -4.36%) and 11.14% (95%:-15.94%, -6.06%) in older adults for each quartile level increase in TnBP and TEHP exposures, respectively. Gender-stratified analysis indicated that TEHP exposure was negatively associated with TSH levels in male older adults, whereas a decrease in TSH levels among female older adults was associated with TnBP exposure. Exposure to whole blood OPEs is associated with decreased TSH levels among healthy older adults, with notable gender differences.
Topics: Humans; Flame Retardants; Aged; Middle Aged; Thyrotropin; Esters; Thyroxine; Organophosphates; Triiodothyronine; Environmental Exposure; Thyroid Hormones; Male; Female; Surveys and Questionnaires; Thyroid Gland
PubMed: 38955732
DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112150-20240217-00126 -
The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry Jul 2024Three-dimensional (3D) printing has had extensive applications across dentistry, but a comprehensive bibliometric analysis relating to the application of 3D printing in...
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Three-dimensional (3D) printing has had extensive applications across dentistry, but a comprehensive bibliometric analysis relating to the application of 3D printing in dentistry is lacking.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the scientific literature concerning the application of 3D printing in dentistry from 2012 to 2023.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The literature search was conducted in the Web of Science Core Collection Database. The retrieved literature data were downloaded as plain text file in "full record and cited references" format, with software programs (VOSviewer, CiteSpace, Biblioshiny, RStudio, Carrot2, and Microsoft Excel) used for bibliometric analysis and quantitative assessment.
RESULTS
The bibliometric analysis incorporated 1911 publications. Revilla-León, Marta was the most productive author. Zurich University had the highest number of publications and citations. The United States dominated the research landscape with the highest publication volume and H-index. The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry was the leading journal in both publication volume and citation frequency. Co-occurrence analysis of keyword and co-cited analysis of reference indicated a robust research environment, characterized by a strong focus on the pursuit of accuracy in dental restorative solutions, biocompatibility of materials, and clinical applications.
CONCLUSIONS
Research on 3D printing in the field of dentistry continues to grow. Collaborations with leading organizations and countries have been established, with Revilla-León, Marta et al playing a pivotal role. Top journals represented included the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry and Dental Materials. Main research domain resided in prosthodontics and implantology. Hot research topics included improvements in accuracy, dental materials, and clinical applications centered on implant guide design.
PubMed: 38955600
DOI: 10.1016/j.prosdent.2024.06.002 -
JMIR Research Protocols Jul 2024The aging population and increased disability prevalence in Spain have heightened the demand for long-term care. Informal caregiving, primarily performed by women, plays...
BACKGROUND
The aging population and increased disability prevalence in Spain have heightened the demand for long-term care. Informal caregiving, primarily performed by women, plays a crucial role in this scenario. This protocol outlines the CUIDAR-SE study, focusing on the gender-specific impact of informal caregiving on health and quality of life among caregivers in Andalusia and the Basque Country from 2013 to 2024.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to analyze the gender differences in health and quality of life indicators of informal caregivers residing in 2 Spanish autonomous communities (Granada, Andalusia, and Gipuzkoa; Basque Country) and their evolution over time, in relation to the characteristics of caregivers, the caregiving situation, and support received.
METHODS
The CUIDAR-SE study uses a longitudinal, multicenter design across 3 phases, tracking health and quality of life indicators among informal caregivers. Using a questionnaire adapted to the Spanish context that uses validated scales and multilevel analysis, the research captures changes in caregivers' experiences amid societal crises, notably the 2008 economic crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. A multistage randomized cluster sampling technique is used to minimize study design effects.
RESULTS
Funding for the CUIDAR-SE study was in 3 phases starting in January 2013, 2017, and 2021, spanning a 10-year period. Data collection commenced in 2013 and continued annually, except for 2016 and 2020 due to financial and pandemic-related challenges. As of March 2024, a total of 1294 participants have been enrolled, with data collection ongoing for 2023. Initial data analysis focused on gender disparities in caregiver health, quality of life, burden, perceived needs, and received support, with results from phase I published. Currently, analysis is ongoing for phases II and III, as well as longitudinal analysis across all phases.
CONCLUSIONS
This protocol aims to provide comprehensive insights into caregiving dynamics and caregivers' experiences over time, as well as understand the role of caregiving on gender inequality in health, considering regional variations. Despite limitations in participant recruitment, focusing on registered caregivers, the study offers a detailed exploration of the health impacts of caregiving in Spain. The incorporation of a gender perspective and the examination of diverse contextual factors enrich the study's depth, contributing significantly to the discourse on caregiving health complexities in Spain.
INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)
DERR1-10.2196/58440.
Topics: Humans; Caregivers; Quality of Life; Spain; Male; Female; Longitudinal Studies; Sex Factors; Middle Aged; Aged; Surveys and Questionnaires; COVID-19; Health Status Disparities; Adult
PubMed: 38954809
DOI: 10.2196/58440 -
PLoS Genetics Jul 2024The drug floxuridine (5-fluorodeoxyuridine, FUdR) is an active metabolite of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU). It converts to 5-fluorodeoxyuridine monophosphate (FdUMP) and...
The drug floxuridine (5-fluorodeoxyuridine, FUdR) is an active metabolite of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU). It converts to 5-fluorodeoxyuridine monophosphate (FdUMP) and 5-fluorodeoxyuridine triphosphate (FdUTP), which on incorporation into the genome inhibits DNA replication. Additionally, it inhibits thymidylate synthase, causing dTMP shortage while increasing dUMP availability, which induces uracil incorporation into the genome. However, the mechanisms underlying cellular tolerance to FUdR are yet to be fully elucidated. In this study, we explored the mechanisms underlying cellular resistance to FUdR by screening for FUdR hypersensitive mutants from a collection of DT40 mutants deficient in each genomic maintenance system. We identified REV3, which is involved in translesion DNA synthesis (TLS), to be a critical factor in FUdR tolerance. Replication using a FUdR-damaged template was attenuated in REV3-/- cells, indicating that the TLS function of REV3 is required to maintain replication on the FUdR-damaged template. Notably, FUdR-exposed REV3-/- cells exhibited defective cell cycle arrest in the early S phase, suggesting that REV3 is involved in intra-S checkpoint activation. Furthermore, REV3-/- cells showed defects in Chk1 phosphorylation, which is required for checkpoint activation, but the survival of FUdR-exposed REV3-/- cells was further reduced by the inhibition of Chk1 or ATR. These data indicate that REV3 mediates DNA checkpoint activation at least through Chk1 phosphorylation, but this signal acts in parallel with ATR-Chk1 DNA damage checkpoint pathway. Collectively, we reveal a previously unappreciated role of REV3 in FUdR tolerance.
PubMed: 38954736
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011341 -
PloS One 2024Sleep is critical to a person's physical and mental health and there is a need to create high performing machine learning models and critically understand how models... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
IMPORTANCE
Sleep is critical to a person's physical and mental health and there is a need to create high performing machine learning models and critically understand how models rank covariates.
OBJECTIVE
The study aimed to compare how different model metrics rank the importance of various covariates.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
A cross-sectional cohort study was conducted retrospectively using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which is publicly available.
METHODS
This study employed univariate logistic models to filter out strong, independent covariates associated with sleep disorder outcome, which were then used in machine-learning models, of which, the most optimal was chosen. The machine-learning model was used to rank model covariates based on gain, cover, and frequency to identify risk factors for sleep disorder and feature importance was evaluated using both univariable and multivariable t-statistics. A correlation matrix was created to determine the similarity of the importance of variables ranked by different model metrics.
RESULTS
The XGBoost model had the highest mean AUROC of 0.865 (SD = 0.010) with Accuracy of 0.762 (SD = 0.019), F1 of 0.875 (SD = 0.766), Sensitivity of 0.768 (SD = 0.023), Specificity of 0.782 (SD = 0.025), Positive Predictive Value of 0.806 (SD = 0.025), and Negative Predictive Value of 0.737 (SD = 0.034). The model metrics from the machine learning of gain and cover were strongly positively correlated with one another (r > 0.70). Model metrics from the multivariable model and univariable model were weakly negatively correlated with machine learning model metrics (R between -0.3 and 0).
CONCLUSION
The ranking of important variables associated with sleep disorder in this cohort from the machine learning models were not related to those from regression models.
Topics: Humans; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders; Male; Female; Machine Learning; Middle Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; Adult; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Nutrition Surveys; Logistic Models; Aged; Models, Statistical
PubMed: 38954735
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306359 -
PloS One 2024Depression is a prevalent and debilitating mental illness affecting young women worldwide. This study aimed to identify psychosocial determinants of major depressive...
INTRODUCTION
Depression is a prevalent and debilitating mental illness affecting young women worldwide. This study aimed to identify psychosocial determinants of major depressive disorder (MDD) among young women in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, India.
METHODS
Data from "Understanding the Lives of Adolescents and Young Adults" (UDAYA) study (2018-19) for young women aged 12-23 years, both married and unmarried was used for this paper. MDD was evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire PHQ-9 with a cut-off score of ≤10. The determinants of MDD were identified through multilevel binary logistic regression analysis.
RESULTS
The prevalence of MDD was 13.6% (95% CL 12.2-15.2) and 5.1% (95% CL 4.2-6.1) for young married women and unmarried girls, respectively. Among the young married women, community-level variables like dowry-related humiliation (1.74, 95% CI 1.15-2.64), and sexual assaults (2.15, 95% CI 1.24-3.73) were significantly associated with MDD. For unmarried girls, reporting of family violence <10% of participants (0.45, 95% CI 0.24-0.85), family violence (≥10% of participants) % (0.35 95% CI 0.19-0.68) and interpartner violence (>25% of participants) (0.42; 95% CI 0.23-0.74) remain significant predictors of MDD. At individual level, for both the groups, age, participation in decision making (on education), social capital (currently attending school/educational course and number of friends), self-efficacy, telephonic harassment, and physical activity were associated with MDD. Wealth index, job seeking, participation in decision making (on health-seeking), parental interactions and physical abuse (for unmarried girls only) and education, reported last sexual intercourse, pressure from the in-laws' to conceive (for young married women only) were associated with MDD.
CONCLUSIONS
For young married women, community level targeted interventions should focus on the social ecology to foster a sense of safe community environment. For unmarried girls, additionally, interventions should aim to optimize their family environment for effective mental health outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Female; Depressive Disorder, Major; Adolescent; Young Adult; India; Prevalence; Marriage; Child; Surveys and Questionnaires; Adult; Single Person
PubMed: 38954722
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306071 -
PloS One 2024A number of seroprevalence studies in Zambia document the extent of spread of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, yet knowledge gaps still exist on symptoms and conditions that...
Clinical characteristics and factors associated with long COVID among post-acute COVID-19 clinic patients in Zambia, August 2020 to January 2023: A cross-sectional and longitudinal study design.
INTRODUCTION
A number of seroprevalence studies in Zambia document the extent of spread of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, yet knowledge gaps still exist on symptoms and conditions that continue or develop after acute COVID-19 (long COVID). This is an important gap given the estimated prevalence of long COVID in other African countries. We assessed factors associated with long COVID at the initial visit to a post-acute COVID-19 (PAC-19) clinic and longitudinally among a cohort of patients with ≥2 review visits.
METHODS
We implemented a cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis of PAC-19 clinic patients from Aug-2020 to Jan-2023. The study outcome was long COVID; defined as the presence of new, relapsing, or persistent COVID-19 symptoms that interfere with the ability to function at home or work. Explanatory variables were demographic and clinical characteristics of patients which included sex, age group, presence of new onset medical conditions, presence of pre-existing comorbidities, vaccination status and acute COVID-19 episode details. We fitted logistic and mixed effects regression models to assess for associated factors and considered statistical significance at p<0.05.
RESULTS
Out of a total 1,359 PAC-19 clinic patients in the cross-sectional analysis, 548 (40.3%) patients with ≥2 PAC-19 clinic visits were in the longitudinal analysis. Patients' median age was 53 (interquartile range [IQR]: 41-63) years, 919 (67.6%) were hospitalized for acute COVID-19, and of whom 686 (74.6%) had severe acute COVID-19. Overall, 377 (27.7%) PAC-19 clinic patients had long COVID. Patients with hospital length of stay ≥15 days (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 5.37; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 2.99-10.0), severe acute COVID-19 (aOR: 3.22; 95% CI: 1.68-6.73), and comorbidities (aOR:1.50; 95% CI: 1.02-2.21) had significantly higher chance of long COVID. Longitudinally, long COVID prevalence significantly (p<0.001) declined from 75.4% at the initial PAC-19 visit to 26.0% by the final visit. The median follow-up time was 7 (IQR: 4-12) weeks.
CONCLUSION
Factors associated with long COVID in Zambia were consistent both cross-sectionally at the initial visit to PAC-19 clinics and longitudinally across subsequent review visits. This highlights the importance of ongoing monitoring and tailored interventions for patients with comorbidities and severe COVID-19 to mitigate the long-term impacts of COVID-19.
Topics: Humans; Zambia; COVID-19; Male; Female; Cross-Sectional Studies; Longitudinal Studies; Adult; Middle Aged; SARS-CoV-2; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome; Aged; Young Adult; Adolescent; Comorbidity; Risk Factors; Prevalence
PubMed: 38954717
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306131