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Children (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Food insecurity is a public health concern that affects children worldwide, yet it represents a particular burden for low- and middle-income countries. This study aims...
Food insecurity is a public health concern that affects children worldwide, yet it represents a particular burden for low- and middle-income countries. This study aims to utilize machine learning to identify the associations between food insecurity and nutrient intake among children aged 5 to 18 years. The study's sample encompassed 1040 participants selected from a 2022 food insecurity household conducted in the West Bank, Palestine. The results indicated that food insecurity was significantly associated with dietary nutrient intake and sociodemographic factors, such as age, gender, income, and location. Indeed, 18.2% of the children were found to be food-insecure. A significant correlation was evidenced between inadequate consumption of various nutrients below the recommended dietary allowance and food insecurity. Specifically, insufficient protein, vitamin C, fiber, vitamin B12, vitamin B5, vitamin A, vitamin B1, manganese, and copper intake were found to have the highest rates of food insecurity. In addition, children residing in refugee camps experienced significantly higher rates of food insecurity. The findings emphasize the multilayered nature of food insecurity and its impact on children, emphasizing the need for personalized interventions addressing nutrient deficiencies and socioeconomic factors to improve children's health and well-being.
PubMed: 38929205
DOI: 10.3390/children11060625 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2024This study presents the outcomes of a 5-year personalized integrative coaching program for adults with obesity (body mass index BMI ≥ 30 kg/m), based upon a systems...
Two-Year Results of a Five-Year Personalized Integrative Obesity Coaching Program (IBO) Based upon a Systems Health Perspective and an Evolutionary Longitudinal Study Approach.
This study presents the outcomes of a 5-year personalized integrative coaching program for adults with obesity (body mass index BMI ≥ 30 kg/m), based upon a systems health perspective, during the first 2 years. This longitudinal study, which had an evolutionary design, included all adults who enrolled in the program. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was measured with the Short Form-36 (SF-36), and physical outcomes included weight, waist circumference, aerobic capacity, lipid profile, and HbA1c. Subsequently, participants completed questionnaires (e.g., the Symptom Checlist-90 (SCL-90) and the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS)). Seventy-nine adults with a mean BMI of 39.5 kg/m (SD 5.3) were included. Forty-four participants completed 2 years in the program. Compared to baseline, there were significant improvements in the SF-36 subscales 'physical functioning' (MD 9.9 points, 95% CI: 2.1-17.5, = 0.013) and 'general health perceptions' (MD 9.3 points, 95% CI 2.9-15.7, = 0.006). Furthermore, significant improvements in physical outcomes and psychosocial questionnaires (e.g., weight loss (MD 3.5 kg, 95% CI: 1.2-5.7, = 0.003), waist circumference (MD 5.1 cm, 95% CI: 2.4-7.8, < 0.001), and CIS fatigue (MD 6.8, 95% CI: 3.1-10.5, = 0.001) were observed. This study highlights the importance of a systems health perspective supporting the development of a personalized integrative coaching program for adults with obesity in a 'real-world' setting.
Topics: Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Obesity; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Adult; Quality of Life; Mentoring; Surveys and Questionnaires; Body Mass Index
PubMed: 38929053
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21060807 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2024This prospective cohort study, conducted from pregnancy to six months postpartum and grounded in STROBE methodology, quantitatively explores the relationship between...
BACKGROUND
This prospective cohort study, conducted from pregnancy to six months postpartum and grounded in STROBE methodology, quantitatively explores the relationship between antenatal breastfeeding intentions and subsequent breastfeeding outcomes among high-risk pregnant women, compared to a low-risk pregnancy group.
METHODS
The study was conducted in one of the largest public hospitals in Attica that provides care to pregnant women, enrolling 380 participants divided into high-risk ( = 200) and low-risk ( = 180) cohorts. Data were collected over 20 months (starting from the end of May 2020 until January 2022), spanning from pregnancy to six months postpartum, via comprehensive questionnaires.
RESULTS
Statistical analysis revealed a pronounced correlation between prenatal breastfeeding intentions and actual breastfeeding behaviors across both groups. Specifically, 81.1% of women in the high-risk group and 82.5% in the low-risk group expressed intentions of exclusively breastfeeding during pregnancy. By six months postpartum, 54.9% of the high-risk and 64.3% of the low-risk pregnancy group managed to sustain breastfeeding. Extended antenatal hospitalization emerged as a statistically significant factor ( = 0.045) negatively impacting exclusive breastfeeding intentions among high-risk pregnancies.
CONCLUSION
The findings illuminate the critical influence of antenatal intentions on breastfeeding outcomes, particularly among high-risk pregnancies. Moreover, the study identifies the detrimental effect of prolonged hospital stays on breastfeeding aspirations. These insights underscore the necessity for nuanced, supportive interventions aimed at bolstering breastfeeding rates, thereby advancing maternal and neonatal health objectives aligned with World Health Organization recommendations.
Topics: Humans; Female; Breast Feeding; Pregnancy; Prospective Studies; Adult; Intention; Greece; Postpartum Period; Young Adult; Pregnant Women; Surveys and Questionnaires; Pregnancy, High-Risk
PubMed: 38929000
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21060755 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2024Previous studies on health in prison facilities have determined that imprisonment has adverse effects on both physical and emotional well-being. Therefore, the... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
Previous studies on health in prison facilities have determined that imprisonment has adverse effects on both physical and emotional well-being. Therefore, the introduction of public health measures is encouraged. This study aimed to (a) evaluate the levels of physical activity and the health condition of a sample of Brazilian prisoners and (b) determine the predictors of low physical activity. An observational and cross-sectional study was developed following the STROBE checklist. Data collection took place between June and November 2019 in a maximum-security Brazilian prison institution. This study's final sample included 220 people selected through convenience sampling, of which 115 (53.2%) were aged 18 to 29 years, followed by 79 (36.6%) aged 30 to 44 years and 22 (10.2%) aged 45 to 59 years old. Overall, 64.3% of participants failed to meet the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation for physical activity [at least 150-300 min of moderate-intensity or 75 min of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity per week]. The majority reported unhealthy food consumption (116; 53.7%). Regarding body mass index (BMI), 50.2% of individuals were classified as eutrophic, 38.1% were overweight and 11.6% were obese. Older age (AOR: 0.95; CI95%: 0.92-0.99; = 0.01) and sitting time (AOR: 0.74; CI95%: 0.65-0.85; < 0.01) were associated with low adherence to physical activity. Our results highlight the importance of practicing physical activity within the prison context and the need for institutional programs that promote regular physical activity.
Topics: Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Brazil; Adult; Middle Aged; Male; Exercise; Prisoners; Young Adult; Adolescent; Female; Body Mass Index
PubMed: 38928994
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21060748 -
International Journal of Environmental... May 2024Standardized health-data collection enables effective disaster responses and patient care. Emergency medical teams use the Japan Surveillance in Post-Extreme Emergencies...
BACKGROUND
Standardized health-data collection enables effective disaster responses and patient care. Emergency medical teams use the Japan Surveillance in Post-Extreme Emergencies and Disasters (J-SPEED) reporting template to collect patient data. EMTs submit data on treated patients to an EMT coordination cell. The World Health Organization's (WHO) EMT minimum dataset (MDS) offers an international standard for disaster data collection.
GOAL
The goal of this study was to analyze age and gender distribution of medical consultations in EMT during disasters.
METHODS
Data collected from 2016 to 2020 using the J-SPEED/MDS tools during six disasters in Japan and Mozambique were analyzed. Linear regression with data smoothing via the moving average method was employed to identify trends in medical consultations based on age and gender.
RESULTS
31,056 consultations were recorded: 13,958 in Japan and 17,098 in Mozambique. Women accounted for 56.3% and 55.7% of examinees in Japan and Mozambique, respectively. Children accounted for 6.8% of consultations in Japan and 28.1% in Mozambique. Elders accounted for 1.32 and 1.52 times more consultations than adults in Japan and Mozambique, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Study findings highlight the importance of considering age-specific healthcare requirements in disaster planning. Real-time data collection tools such as J-SPEED and MDS, which generate both daily reports and raw data for in-depth analysis, facilitate the validation of equitable access to healthcare services, emphasize the specific needs of vulnerable groups, and enable the consideration of cultural preferences to improve healthcare provision by EMTs.
Topics: Humans; Female; Japan; Mozambique; Male; Aged; Middle Aged; Adult; Disasters; Adolescent; Young Adult; Child; Child, Preschool; Infant; Emergency Medical Services; Aged, 80 and over; Age Factors; Infant, Newborn; Sex Factors
PubMed: 38928942
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21060696 -
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024To evaluate the amide proton transfer (APT), tumor blood flow (TBF), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) combined diagnostic value for differentiating intracranial...
A Combination of Amide Proton Transfer, Tumor Blood Flow, and Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Histogram Analysis Is Useful for Differentiating Malignant from Benign Intracranial Tumors in Young Patients: A Preliminary Study.
PURPOSE
To evaluate the amide proton transfer (APT), tumor blood flow (TBF), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) combined diagnostic value for differentiating intracranial malignant tumors (MTs) from benign tumors (BTs) in young patients, as defined by the 2021 World Health Organization classification of central nervous system tumors.
METHODS
Fifteen patients with intracranial MTs and 10 patients with BTs aged 0-30 years underwent MRI with APT, pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL), and diffusion-weighted imaging. All tumors were evaluated through the use of histogram analysis and the Mann-Whitney U test to compare 10 parameters for each sequence between the groups. The diagnostic performance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.
RESULTS
The APT maximum, mean, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles were significantly higher in MTs than in BTs; the TBF minimum (min) was significantly lower in MTs than in BTs; TBF kurtosis was significantly higher in MTs than in BTs; the ADC min, 10th, and 25th percentiles were significantly lower in MTs than in BTs (all < 0.05). The APT 50th percentile (0.900), TBF min (0.813), and ADC min (0.900) had the highest area under the curve (AUC) values of the parameters in each sequence. The AUC for the combination of these three parameters was 0.933.
CONCLUSIONS
The combination of APT, TBF, and ADC evaluated through histogram analysis may be useful for differentiating intracranial MTs from BTs in young patients.
PubMed: 38928651
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14121236 -
Brain Sciences Jun 2024Schizophrenia is a mental disorder affecting approximately 0.32% of the global population, according to the World Health Organization. Antipsychotic medications are used...
BACKGROUND
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder affecting approximately 0.32% of the global population, according to the World Health Organization. Antipsychotic medications are used to treat this condition by inhibiting D2 dopamine and 5HT2 serotonin receptors. The selection of the appropriate mode of delivery for these drugs is based on factors such as patient adherence, clinical presentation, and patient preferences. However, additional drivers of treatment selection are required in clinical practice. Mounting evidence suggests that neuroinflammation plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. NLR, a cost-effective biomarker of inflammation, has increased in several psychiatric conditions and may represent a valid method for studying the inflammatory stage in schizophrenia, relapse, and the first episode of psychosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether there are any variations in NLR values between patients given oral antipsychotics and those given long-acting antipsychotics.
METHODS
The study included 50 individuals with schizophrenia, either acute or in the follow-up phase. NLR was obtained by calculating the ratio of absolute neutrophil count (cells/μL) and absolute lymphocyte count (cells/μL).
RESULTS
Patients on long-acting antipsychotics exhibited significantly lower mean NLR scores (1.5 ± 0.7) compared to those on oral antipsychotics (2.2 ± 1.3) ( < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
NLR appears promising as a neuroinflammatory biomarker. This study reveals significantly lower NLR values in patients on long-acting antipsychotics, which may signify reduced systemic inflammation and improved adherence.
PubMed: 38928602
DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14060602 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024We review the importance of monocytic differentiation and differentiation induction in non-APL (acute promyelocytic leukemia) variants of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a... (Review)
Review
Monocytic Differentiation in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells: Diagnostic Criteria, Biological Heterogeneity, Mitochondrial Metabolism, Resistance to and Induction by Targeted Therapies.
We review the importance of monocytic differentiation and differentiation induction in non-APL (acute promyelocytic leukemia) variants of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a malignancy characterized by proliferation of immature myeloid cells. Even though the cellular differentiation block is a fundamental characteristic, the AML cells can show limited signs of differentiation. According to the French-American-British (FAB-M4/M5 subset) and the World Health Organization (WHO) 2016 classifications, monocytic differentiation is characterized by morphological signs and the expression of specific molecular markers involved in cellular communication and adhesion. Furthermore, monocytic FAB-M4/M5 patients are heterogeneous with regards to cytogenetic and molecular genetic abnormalities, and monocytic differentiation does not have any major prognostic impact for these patients when receiving conventional intensive cytotoxic therapy. In contrast, FAB-M4/M5 patients have decreased susceptibility to the Bcl-2 inhibitor venetoclax, and this seems to be due to common molecular characteristics involving mitochondrial regulation of the cellular metabolism and survival, including decreased dependency on Bcl-2 compared to other AML patients. Thus, the susceptibility to Bcl-2 inhibition does not only depend on general resistance/susceptibility mechanisms known from conventional AML therapy but also specific mechanisms involving the molecular target itself or the molecular context of the target. AML cell differentiation status is also associated with susceptibility to other targeted therapies (e.g., CDK2/4/6 and bromodomain inhibition), and differentiation induction seems to be a part of the antileukemic effect for several targeted anti-AML therapies. Differentiation-associated molecular mechanisms may thus become important in the future implementation of targeted therapies in human AML.
Topics: Humans; Cell Differentiation; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute; Mitochondria; Monocytes; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Antineoplastic Agents
PubMed: 38928061
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126356 -
Biomedicines Jun 2024The 2021 edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of central nervous system tumors introduces significant revisions across various tumor types.... (Review)
Review
The 2021 edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of central nervous system tumors introduces significant revisions across various tumor types. These updates, encompassing changes in diagnostic techniques, genomic integration, terminology, and grading, are crucial for radiologists, who play a critical role in interpreting brain tumor imaging. Such changes impact the diagnosis and management of nearly all central nervous system tumor categories, including the reclassification, addition, and removal of specific tumor entities. Given their pivotal role in patient care, radiologists must remain conversant with these revisions to effectively contribute to multidisciplinary tumor boards and collaborate with peers in neuro-oncology, neurosurgery, radiation oncology, and neuropathology. This knowledge is essential not only for accurate diagnosis and staging, but also for understanding the molecular and genetic underpinnings of tumors, which can influence treatment decisions and prognostication. This review, therefore, focuses on the most pertinent updates concerning the classification of adult diffuse gliomas, highlighting the aspects most relevant to radiological practice. Emphasis is placed on the implications of new genetic information on tumor behavior and imaging findings, providing necessary tools to stay abreast of advancements in the field. This comprehensive overview aims to enhance the radiologist's ability to integrate new WHO classification criteria into everyday practice, ultimately improving patient outcomes through informed and precise imaging assessments.
PubMed: 38927556
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12061349 -
Biomedicines Jun 2024According to the World Health Organization, ischemic stroke is the second leading cause of death in the world. Frequently, it is caused by brachiocephalic artery (BCA)...
According to the World Health Organization, ischemic stroke is the second leading cause of death in the world. Frequently, it is caused by brachiocephalic artery (BCA) atherosclerosis. Timely detection of atherosclerosis and its unstable course can allow for a timely response to potentially dangerous changes and reduce the risk of vascular complications. Omics technologies allow us to identify new biomarkers that we can use in diagnosing diseases. This research included 90 blood plasma samples. The study group comprised 52 patients with severe atherosclerotic lesions BCA, and the control group comprised 38 patients with no BCA atherosclerosis. Targeted and panoramic lipidomic profiling of their blood plasma was carried out. There was a statistically significant difference ( < 0.05) in the values of the indices saturated fatty acids (FAs), unsaturated FAs, monounsaturated FAs, omega-3, and omega-6. Based on the results on the blood plasma lipidome, we formed models that have a fairly good ability to determine atherosclerotic lesions of the brachiocephalic arteries, as well as a model for identifying unstable atherosclerotic plaques. According only to the panoramic lipidome data, divided into groups according to stable and unstable atherosclerotic plaques, a significant difference was taken into account: value < 0.05 and abs (fold change) > 2. Unfortunately, we did not observe significant differences according to the established plasma panoramic lipidome criteria between patients with stable and unstable plaques. Omics technologies allow us to obtain data about any changes in the body. According to our data, statistically significant differences in lipidomic profiling were obtained when comparing groups with or without BCA atherosclerosis.
PubMed: 38927486
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12061279