-
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth Jun 2024In the United States, maternal health inequities disproportionately affect Global Majority (e.g., Asian, Black, and Hispanic) populations. Despite a substantial body of...
In the United States, maternal health inequities disproportionately affect Global Majority (e.g., Asian, Black, and Hispanic) populations. Despite a substantial body of research underscoring the influence of racism on these inequities, little research has examined how experiences of gendered racial microaggressions during pregnancy and birth impact racially and ethnically diverse Global Majority pregnant and birthing people in obstetric hospital settings. We evaluated the psychometric properties of an adapted version of Lewis & Neville's Gendered Racial Microaggressions Scale, using data collected from 417 Global Majority birthing people. Findings from our study indicate that our adapted GRMS is a valid tool for assessing the experiences of gendered racial microaggressions in hospital-based obstetric care settings among Global Majority pregnant and birthing people whose preferred languages are English or Spanish. Item Response Theory (IRT) analysis demonstrated high construct validity of the adapted GRMS scale (Root Mean Square Error of Approximation = 0.1089 (95% CI 0.0921, 0.1263), Comparative Fit Index = 0.977, Standardized Root Mean Square Residual = 0.075, log-likelihood c2 = -85.6, df = 8). IRT analyses demonstrated that the unidimensional model was preferred to the bi-dimensional model as it was more interpretable, had lower AIC and BIC, and all items had large discrimination parameters onto a single factor (all discrimination parameters > 3.0). Given that we found similar response profiles among Black and Hispanic respondents, our Differential Item Functioning analyses support validity among Black, Hispanic, and Spanish-speaking birthing people. Inter-item correlations demonstrated adequate scale reliability, α = 0.97, and empirical reliability = 0.67. Pearsons correlations was used to assess the criterion validity of our adapted scale. Our scale's total score was significantly and positively related to postpartum depression and anxiety. Researchers and practitioners should seek to address instances of gendered racial microaggressions in obstetric settings, as they are manifestations of systemic and interpersonal racism, and impact postpartum health.
Topics: Humans; Female; Psychometrics; Racism; Pregnancy; Adult; United States; Reproducibility of Results; Surveys and Questionnaires; Hispanic or Latino; Male; Young Adult; Healthcare Disparities; Aggression; Black or African American; Delivery, Obstetric
PubMed: 38943057
DOI: 10.1186/s12884-024-06642-5 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Metacognitive biases have been repeatedly associated with transdiagnostic psychiatric dimensions of 'anxious-depression' and 'compulsivity and intrusive thought',...
Metacognitive biases have been repeatedly associated with transdiagnostic psychiatric dimensions of 'anxious-depression' and 'compulsivity and intrusive thought', cross-sectionally. To progress our understanding of the underlying neurocognitive mechanisms, new methods are required to measure metacognition remotely, within individuals over time. We developed a gamified smartphone task designed to measure visuo-perceptual metacognitive (confidence) bias and investigated its psychometric properties across two studies (N = 3410 unpaid citizen scientists, N = 52 paid participants). We assessed convergent validity, split-half and test-retest reliability, and identified the minimum number of trials required to capture its clinical correlates. Convergent validity of metacognitive bias was moderate (r(50) = 0.64, p < 0.001) and it demonstrated excellent split-half reliability (r(50) = 0.91, p < 0.001). Anxious-depression was associated with decreased confidence (β = - 0.23, SE = 0.02, p < 0.001), while compulsivity and intrusive thought was associated with greater confidence (β = 0.07, SE = 0.02, p < 0.001). The associations between metacognitive biases and transdiagnostic psychiatry dimensions are evident in as few as 40 trials. Metacognitive biases in decision-making are stable within and across sessions, exhibiting very high test-retest reliability for the 100-trial (ICC = 0.86, N = 110) and 40-trial (ICC = 0.86, N = 120) versions of Meta Mind. Hybrid 'self-report cognition' tasks may be one way to bridge the recently discussed reliability gap in computational psychiatry.
Topics: Humans; Metacognition; Female; Male; Adult; Psychometrics; Reproducibility of Results; Middle Aged; Young Adult; Depression; Bias; Anxiety; Smartphone; Cross-Sectional Studies
PubMed: 38942811
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64900-0 -
Aging Jun 2024Two recent seminal works have untangled the intricate role of tumor-associated senescent cells in cancer progression, or regression, by guiding our immune system against...
Two recent seminal works have untangled the intricate role of tumor-associated senescent cells in cancer progression, or regression, by guiding our immune system against cancer cells. The characterization of these unique, yet diverse cell populations, should be considered, particularly when contemplating the use of senolytics, which are drugs that selectively eliminate senescent cells, in a cancer framework. Here, we will describe the current knowledge in this field. In particular, we will discuss how the presence of senescent cells in tumors could be used as a therapeutic target in immunogenic cancers and how we may hypothetically design an adaptive anti-aging vaccine.
PubMed: 38942604
DOI: 10.18632/aging.205975 -
Journal of Dairy Science Jul 2024The objective was to evaluate the effects of separate offering of feed ingredients (SF) and frequency of concentrate feeding versus offering a TMR, on lactational...
Separate offering of forages and concentrates to lactating dairy cows: Effects on lactational performance, enteric methane emission, and efficiency of nutrient utilization.
The objective was to evaluate the effects of separate offering of feed ingredients (SF) and frequency of concentrate feeding versus offering a TMR, on lactational performance, ruminal fermentation, enteric CH emissions, nutrient digestibility, N use efficiency, milk fatty acid profile, and blood variables in mid-lactation dairy cows. Twenty-four Holstein cows (12 primi- and 12 multiparous) averaging (±SD) 141 ± 35 DIM and 43 ± 6 kg/d of milk yield (MY) at the beginning of the study were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design experiment with 3 periods of 28 d each, composed of 7 d for adaptation to the diets, 11 d for estimation of net energy and metabolizable protein requirements, and 10 d for data and samples collection. Cows were grouped based on parity, DIM, and MY into 4 Latin squares. Treatment allocation was balanced for carryover effects, and cows within square were assigned to (1) basal diet fed ad libitum as TMR; (2) basal diet fed as SF with forages fed ad libitum and concentrates fed 3×/d (SF×3); or (3) basal diet fed as SF with forages fed ad libitum and concentrates fed 6×/d (SF×6). Compared with TMR, SF decreased total DMI by 1.2 kg/d. Treatments did not affect MY, milk components, or ECM yield, except for a decrease in milk fat concentration and an increase in milk urea N by SF×3, compared with TMR. Feed efficiency (kg of MY/kg of DMI) was increased by 7% in SF, compared with TMR. Ruminal molar proportion of acetate and acetate-to-propionate ratio were decreased, whereas molar proportion of propionate was increased by SF×3, compared with TMR and SF×6. There was a 9% decrease in daily CH production by SF, compared with TMR. Enteric CH yield (per kg of DMI) was not affected by treatments in the current study. Methane intensity per kilogram of MY tended to be decreased by 10% in SF, compared with TMR. The sums of odd- and branched-chain, odd-chain, and anteiso milk fatty acids tended to be or were increased by SF, compared with TMR. Intake of nutrients tended to be or were decreased by SF, compared with TMR. The digestibility of amylase-treated NDF tended to be decreased and ADF digestibility was decreased by 3% in SF, compared with TMR. Urinary and fecal N excretions were not affected by treatments. As a percentage of total N intake, separate offering of feed ingredients increased milk N secretion, indicating an increased N use efficiency by SF, compared with TMR. Blood total fatty acid concentration was decreased by SF relative to TMR. Compared with both TMR and SF×6, SF×3 increased blood urea N concentration. Overall, feed and N use efficiencies were increased by separate offering of feed ingredients, and increasing the frequency of concentrate feeding promoted ruminal fermentation effects similar to those obtained by feeding a TMR.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Lactation; Female; Milk; Diet; Methane; Animal Feed; Digestion; Nutrients; Rumen; Fermentation
PubMed: 38942562
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-24261 -
PloS One 2024This study began as a single-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) to investigate the efficacy and safety of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for severe... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
OBJECTIVE
This study began as a single-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) to investigate the efficacy and safety of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for severe treatment-refractory agitation in advanced dementia. The aims are to assess agitation reduction using the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI), evaluate tolerability and safety outcomes, and explore the long-term stability of agitation reduction and global functioning. Due to challenges encountered during implementation, including recruitment obstacles and operational difficulties, the study design was modified to an open-label format and other protocol amendments were implemented.
METHODS
Initially, the RCT randomized participants 1:1 to either ECT plus usual care or simulated ECT plus usual care (S-ECT) groups. As patients were enrolled, data were collected from both ECT and simulated ECT (S-ECT) patients. The study now continues in an open-label study design where all patients receive actual ECT, reducing the targeted sample size from 200 to 50 participants.
RESULTS
Study is ongoing and open to enrollment.
CONCLUSION
The transition of the ECT-AD study design from an RCT to open-label design exemplifies adaptive research methodologies in response to real-world challenges. Data from both the RCT and open-label phases of the study will provide a unique perspective on the role of ECT in managing severe treatment-refractory agitation in dementia, potentially influencing future clinical practices and research approaches.
Topics: Humans; Electroconvulsive Therapy; Psychomotor Agitation; Dementia; Single-Blind Method; Female; Male; Treatment Outcome; Aged; Aberrant Motor Behavior in Dementia
PubMed: 38941338
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303894 -
PloS One 2024Drought stress following climate change is likely a scenario that will have to face crop growers in tropical regions. In mitigating this constraint, the best option...
Identifying critical growth stage and resilient genotypes in cowpea under drought stress contributes to enhancing crop tolerance for improvement and adaptation in Cameroon.
Drought stress following climate change is likely a scenario that will have to face crop growers in tropical regions. In mitigating this constraint, the best option should be the selection and use of resilient varieties that can withstand drought threats. Therefore, a pot experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions at the Research and Teaching Farm of the Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences of the University of Dschang. The objectives are to identify sensitive growth stage, to identify drought-tolerant genotypes with the help of yield-based selection indices and to identify suitable selection indices that are associated with yield under non-stress and stress circumstances. Eighty-eight cowpea genotypes from the sahelian and western regions of Cameroon were subjected to drought stress at vegetative (VDS) and flowering (FDS) stages by withholding water for 28 days, using a split plot design with two factors and three replications. Seed yields under stress (Ys) and non-stress (Yp) conditions were recorded. Fifteen drought indices were calculated for the two drought stress levels against the yield from non-stress plants. Drought Intensity Index (DII) under VDS and FDS were 0.71 and 0.84 respectively, indicating severe drought stress for both stages. However, flowering stage was significantly more sensitive to drought stress compared to vegetative stage. Based on PCA and correlation analysis, Stress Tolerance Index (STI), Relative Efficiency Index (REI), Geometric Mean Productivity (GMP), Mean Productivity (MP), Yield Index (YI) and Harmonic Mean (HM) correlated strongly with yield under stress and non-stress conditions and are therefore suitable to discriminate high-yielding and tolerant genotypes under both stress and non-stress conditions. Either under VDS and FDS, CP-016 exhibited an outstanding performance under drought stress and was revealed as the most drought tolerant genotype as shown by ranking, PCA and cluster analysis. Taking into account all indices, the top five genotypes namely CP-016, CP-021, MTA-22, CP-056 and CP-060 were identified as the most drought-tolerant genotypes under VDS. For stress activated at flowering stage (FDS), CP-016, CP-056, CP-021, CP-028 and MTA-22 were the top five most drought-tolerant genotypes. Several genotypes with insignificant Ys and irrelevant rank among which CP-037, NDT-001, CP-036, CP-034, NDT-002, CP-031, NDT-011 were identified as highly drought sensitive with low yield stability. This study identified the most sensitive stage and drought tolerant genotypes that are proposed for genetic improvement of cowpea.
Topics: Cameroon; Droughts; Genotype; Vigna; Adaptation, Physiological; Stress, Physiological; Crops, Agricultural; Seeds
PubMed: 38941312
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304674 -
JMIR Research Protocols Jun 2024The lack of regular physical activity (PA) in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) in the United States is an ongoing health crisis. Regular PA and exercise-based... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
mHealth-Based Just-in-Time Adaptive Intervention to Improve the Physical Activity Levels of Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.
BACKGROUND
The lack of regular physical activity (PA) in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) in the United States is an ongoing health crisis. Regular PA and exercise-based interventions have been linked with improved outcomes and healthier lifestyles among those with SCI. Providing people with an accurate estimate of their everyday PA level can promote PA. Furthermore, PA tracking can be combined with mobile health technology such as smartphones and smartwatches to provide a just-in-time adaptive intervention (JITAI) for individuals with SCI as they go about everyday life. A JITAI can prompt an individual to set a PA goal or provide feedback about their PA levels.
OBJECTIVE
The primary aim of this study is to investigate whether minutes of moderate-intensity PA among individuals with SCI can be increased by integrating a JITAI with a web-based PA intervention (WI) program. The WI program is a 14-week web-based PA program widely recommended for individuals with disabilities. A secondary aim is to investigate the benefit of a JITAI on proximal PA, defined as minutes of moderate-intensity PA within 120 minutes of a PA feedback prompt.
METHODS
Individuals with SCI (N=196) will be randomized to a WI arm or a WI+JITAI arm. Within the WI+JITAI arm, a microrandomized trial will be used to randomize participants several times a day to different tailored feedback and PA recommendations. Participants will take part in the 24-week study from their home environment in the community. The study has three phases: (1) baseline, (2) WI program with or without JITAI, and (3) PA sustainability. Participants will provide survey-based information at the initial meeting and at the end of weeks 2, 8, 16, and 24. Participants will be asked to wear a smartwatch every day for ≥12 hours for the duration of the study.
RESULTS
Recruitment and enrollment began in May 2023. Data analysis is expected to be completed within 6 months of finishing participant data collection.
CONCLUSIONS
The JITAI has the potential to achieve long-term PA performance by delivering tailored, just-in-time feedback based on the person's actual PA behavior rather than a generic PA recommendation. New insights from this study may guide intervention designers to develop engaging PA interventions for individuals with disability.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05317832; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05317832.
INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)
DERR1-10.2196/57699.
Topics: Humans; Spinal Cord Injuries; Exercise; Telemedicine; Male; Female; Adult; Middle Aged; Exercise Therapy; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 38941145
DOI: 10.2196/57699 -
Nursing Open Jul 2024Family resilience and healthy family functioning are crucial for stroke survivors' rehabilitation. This study aimed to determine the mediating effects of self-efficacy...
AIM
Family resilience and healthy family functioning are crucial for stroke survivors' rehabilitation. This study aimed to determine the mediating effects of self-efficacy and confrontation coping on the relationship between family resilience and functioning among patients with first-episode stroke.
DESIGN
A cross-sectional design was applied.
METHODS
288 patients with first-episode stroke were recruited from 7 hospitals in Shangqiu and Shanghai, China, from July 2020 to October 2020. A shortened Chinese version of the Family Resilience Assessment Scale, family adaptation, partnership, growth, affection and resolve questionnaire, Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire, and Self-efficacy for Chronic Disease 6-item Scale were used to collect the self-reported data. The relationships among the studied variables were studied using spearman correlation and structural equation model.
RESULTS
The average level of family functioning among stroke patients was 7.87 (SD = 2.32). About 26.8% (n = 76) of patients reported family dysfunction. The structural equation model showed that family resilience directly affected patients' satisfaction with family functioning (r = 0.406, p < 0.001) and indirectly affected the mediating role of patients' self-efficacy and confrontation coping style (r = 0.119, p < 0.001). The model was with good fit (χ/df = 2.128, RMSEA = 0.065, GFI = 0.956, AGFI = 0.919, NFI = 0.949, and TLI = 0.956).
CONCLUSION
Family resilience and functioning among patients with first-episode stroke are positively associated with the mediating effects of the patients' confrontation coping style and self-efficacy between family resilience and functioning. The findings indicate that the professionals should pay special attention to families exhibiting poor family resilience or with patients who rarely use confrontation coping styles or with poor self-efficacy since they are more likely to suffer from low functioning.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Self Efficacy; Adaptation, Psychological; Cross-Sectional Studies; Middle Aged; Resilience, Psychological; Stroke; Survivors; Surveys and Questionnaires; China; Family; Aged; Adult
PubMed: 38940513
DOI: 10.1002/nop2.2230 -
Bioinformatics (Oxford, England) Jun 2024High-throughput RNA sequencing has become indispensable for decoding gene activities, yet the challenge of reconstructing full-length transcripts persists. Traditional...
MOTIVATION
High-throughput RNA sequencing has become indispensable for decoding gene activities, yet the challenge of reconstructing full-length transcripts persists. Traditional single-sample assemblers frequently produce fragmented transcripts, especially in single-cell RNA-seq data. While algorithms designed for assembling multiple samples exist, they encounter various limitations.
RESULTS
We present Aletsch, a new assembler for multiple bulk or single-cell RNA-seq samples. Aletsch incorporates several algorithmic innovations, including a "bridging" system that can effectively integrate multiple samples to restore missed junctions in individual samples, and a new graph-decomposition algorithm that leverages "supporting" information across multiple samples to guide the decomposition of complex vertices. A standout feature of Aletsch is its application of a random forest model with 50 well-designed features for scoring transcripts. We demonstrate its robust adaptability across different chromosomes, datasets, and species. Our experiments, conducted on RNA-seq data from several protocols, firmly demonstrate Aletsch's significant outperformance over existing meta-assemblers. As an example, when measured with the partial area under the precision-recall curve (pAUC, constrained by precision), Aletsch surpasses the leading assemblers TransMeta by 22.9%-62.1% and PsiCLASS by 23.0%-175.5% on human datasets.
AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION
Aletsch is freely available at https://github.com/Shao-Group/aletsch. Scripts that reproduce the experimental results of this manuscript is available at https://github.com/Shao-Group/aletsch-test.
Topics: Algorithms; RNA-Seq; Software; Humans; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; Sequence Analysis, RNA
PubMed: 38940157
DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btae215 -
IET Nanobiotechnology 2024The desire to reduce reliance on oil resources arises from the concerns about carbon footprint and nonrenewability. Conversely, the global presence of over 100 million...
The desire to reduce reliance on oil resources arises from the concerns about carbon footprint and nonrenewability. Conversely, the global presence of over 100 million palm trees poses a significant challenge due to the substantial amount of biowaste generated annually. Additionally, the use of nanocellulose (NC) as a cost-effective material is steadily gaining recognition for its growing adaptability over time. The main goal of this study is to biosynthesized NC from Iraqi date palm leaves waste with low-concentration acid-alkali treatment. The date palm leaves waste yields 20 g of NC from 100 g of leaves before acid hydrolysis treatment. The chemical components of biosynthesized NC were 47.90%, 26.78%, and 24.67% for -cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, respectively. In order to study their properties, NC from raw date palm leaves was studied by microscopic techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, and atomic force microscope (AFM). SEM results revealed rod-like structured NC as well as combined long-fine fibrous structures rather than compacted bundles with sizes ranging between 31 and 74 nm. With EDX, all spectra exhibit the peaks of carbon and oxygen as the main elements with 63.8% and 10.44%, respectively, in their compositions, which relate to the typical composition of cellulose. The 3D image of AFM NC with a tapping mode presented a highly uniform distribution of NC with a size of ∼15 nm. The statistical roughness analysis shows that the obtained roughness average is 7.20 nm with the root-mean-square roughness value of 21.56 nm, which corresponded relatively with the micrographs of SEM. The results of this study demonstrate the promise of using date palm waste as raw material to produce NC as green nanocomposite from biodegradable nanomaterials for water purification and sustained drug delivery for biomedical applications. In this regard and because of the insufficient reports about the extraction of NC from palm tree leaves waste, the objective of this study was designed to fabricate NC biologically from fibers sourced from the waste of Iraqi date palm leaves that left in agricultural lands or burned, which can be an ecological and health problem as a bionanocomposites in the medical and industrial field and as alternative resources of wood materials.
Topics: Cellulose; Phoeniceae; Plant Leaves; Nanostructures
PubMed: 38938743
DOI: 10.1049/2024/7867463