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Journal of Pediatrics. Clinical Practice Sep 2024To compare adolescent and caregiver reports of adolescent adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their relationship with current adolescent depression and to analyze...
OBJECTIVE
To compare adolescent and caregiver reports of adolescent adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their relationship with current adolescent depression and to analyze the relationship between ACEs and depression.
METHODS
We recruited 46 adolescent-caregiver dyads from a large, inner-city medical center's adolescent medicine clinic. Adolescents and caregivers completed the Center for Youth Wellness ACE questionnaire, encompassing traditional ACEs (eg, abuse, neglect, household dysfunction) and nontraditional ACEs (eg, foster care, parental death, exposure to community violence). Adolescents also completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-9A (PHQ-9A) depression screening tool.
RESULTS
Among adolescents, 14 (30%) reported no traditional ACEs, 11 (24%) reported 1, and 21 (46%) reported more than 1. Regarding nontraditional ACEs, 16 (35%) reported none, 11 (24%) reported 1, and 19 (41%) reported more than 1. Caregiver reports consistently indicated lower ACEs compared with adolescent self-reports ( < .005). For the PHQ-9A scores, 26 (57%) of adolescents showed no or minimal depression, 14 (30%) mild, and 6 (13%) moderate depression. A moderate positive correlation emerged between PHQ-9A scores and self-reported traditional ACEs (r = 0.5, < .001) and nontraditional ACEs (r = 0.49, < .001). In addition, a positive correlation was observed between the absolute differences in adolescent and caregiver reports of traditional ACEs and PHQ-9A scores (n = 46, ρ = 0.51, < .001).
CONCLUSIONS
As the differences in ACE reports between adolescents and caregivers increased, there was a corresponding increase in adolescent depression scores. It is essential to incorporate comprehensive ACE screening and encourage open communication between adolescents and caregivers, which may improve mental health outcomes.
PubMed: 38948383
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedcp.2024.200113 -
Clinical Ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.) 2024An estimated 13 million Australians live with one or more chronic eye conditions, with prevalence increasing. Eye care services today and in the future rely on effective...
PURPOSE
An estimated 13 million Australians live with one or more chronic eye conditions, with prevalence increasing. Eye care services today and in the future rely on effective workforces, in which nurses play a pivotal role. Despite nurse involvement in eye care, there is no information describing their engagement, deployment, training, and opinion. This paper offers the first review of nurse engagement in eye care in Australia.
METHODS
We conducted an e-survey on Australian nurse engagement in eye care. Quantitative questions were analysed by descriptive, chi-square and bivariate correlation coefficients with assumed power of 0.80, and significance of =0.05. Grounded theory, sentiment and saturation analysis extracted key themes, meaning and opinion from the qualitative questions.
RESULTS
There were n=238 Australian nurse participants. Results indicated they were satisfied with their role, engaged in a wide range of healthcare and eye care setting and organisations, and adapted to their employer. Task-shifting "to" and "from" nurses was not universally supported but recognised by participants as necessary. Of concern, the results suggested that 68.6% of our participants would exit eye care over the next ten years, with insufficient entry pathways into the field for graduate and early-career nurses.
CONCLUSION
For Australia to meet and sustain eye care services for its population, steps must be taken to improve exposure and entry to the field for students, graduates, and early-career nurses. Strategies to train and prepare nurses for task-shifting are urgently required and the eye care nursing sector must professionalise to achieve positive change.
PubMed: 38948343
DOI: 10.2147/OPTH.S463743 -
Bio-protocol Jun 2024Human babesiosis is a tick-borne disease caused by pathogens. The disease, which presents with malaria-like symptoms, can be life-threatening, especially in individuals...
Human babesiosis is a tick-borne disease caused by pathogens. The disease, which presents with malaria-like symptoms, can be life-threatening, especially in individuals with weakened immune systems and the elderly. The worldwide prevalence of human babesiosis has been gradually rising, prompting alarm among public health experts. In other pathogens, genetic techniques have proven to be valuable tools for conducting functional studies to understand the importance of specific genes in development and pathogenesis as well as to validate novel cellular targets for drug discovery. Genetic manipulation methods have been established for several non-human and species and, more recently, have begun to be developed for human Babesia parasites. We have previously reported the development of a method for genetic manipulation of the human pathogen . This method is based on positive selection using the hDHFR gene as a selectable marker, whose expression is regulated by the ef-1aB promoter, along with homology regions that facilitate integration into the gene of interest through homologous recombination. Herein, we provide a detailed description of the steps needed to implement this strategy in to study gene function. It is anticipated that the implementation of this method will significantly improve our understanding of babesiosis and facilitate the development of novel and more effective therapeutic strategies for the treatment of human babesiosis. Key features This protocol provides an effective means of transfection of , enabling genetic manipulation and editing to gain further insights into its biology and pathogenesis. The protocol outlined here for the electroporation of represents an advancement over previous methods used for [1]. Improvements include higher volume of culture used during the electroporation step and an enhancement in the number of electroporation pulses. These modifications likely enhance the efficiency of gene editing in , allowing for quicker and more effective selection of transgenic parasites.
PubMed: 38948263
DOI: 10.21769/BioProtoc.5016 -
Bio-protocol Jun 2024Aphthovirus, within the family Picornaviridae. Early detection and characterization of FMDV strains are key factors to control new outbreaks and prevent the spread of...
Aphthovirus, within the family Picornaviridae. Early detection and characterization of FMDV strains are key factors to control new outbreaks and prevent the spread of the disease. Here, we describe a direct RNA sequencing method using Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) Flongle flow cells on MinION Mk1C (or GridION) to characterize FMDV. This is a rapid, low cost, and easily deployed point of care (POC) method for a near real-time characterization of FMDV in endemic areas or outbreak investigation sites. Key features • Saves ~35 min of the original protocol time by omitting the reverse transcription step and lowers the costs of reagents and consumables. • Replaces the GridION flow cell from the original protocol with the Flongle, which saves ~90% on the flow cell cost. • Combines the NGS benchwork with a modified version of our African swine fever virus (ASFV) fast analysis pipeline to achieve FMDV characterization within minutes. Graphical overview Schematic of direct RNA sequencing of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) process, which takes ~50 min from extracted RNA to final loading, modified from the ONT SQK-RNA002 protocol (Version: DRS_9080_v2_revO_14Aug2019).
PubMed: 38948261
DOI: 10.21769/BioProtoc.5017 -
A Flow Cytometry-Based Method for Assessing CAR Cell Binding Kinetics Using Stable CAR Jurkat Cells.Bio-protocol Jun 2024Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) are synthetic fusion proteins that can reprogram immune cells to target specific antigens. CAR-expressing T cells have emerged as an...
Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) are synthetic fusion proteins that can reprogram immune cells to target specific antigens. CAR-expressing T cells have emerged as an effective treatment method for hematological cancers; despite this success, the mechanisms and structural properties that govern CAR responses are not fully understood. Here, we provide a simple assay to assess cellular avidity using a standard flow cytometer. This assay measures the interaction kinetics of CAR-expressing T cells and targets antigen-expressing target cells. By co-culturing stably transfected CAR Jurkat cells with target positive and negative cells for short periods of time in a varying effector-target gradient, we were able to observe the formation of CAR-target cell doublets, providing a readout of actively bound cells. When using the optimized protocol reported here, we observed unique cellular binding curves that varied between CAR constructs with differing antigen binding domains. The cellular binding kinetics of unique CARs remained consistent, were dependent on specific target antigen expression, and required active biological signaling. While existing literature is not clear at this time whether higher or lower CAR cell binding is beneficial to CAR therapeutic activity, the application of this simplified protocol for assessing CAR binding could lead to a better understanding of the proximal signaling events that regulate CAR functionality. Key features • Determines CAR receptor cellular interaction kinetics using a Jurkat cell model. • Can be used for a wide variety of CAR target antigens, including both hematological and solid tumor targets. • Experiments can be performed in under two hours with no staining using a standard flow cytometer. • Requires stable CAR Jurkat cells and target cells with stable fluorescent marker expression for optimal results.
PubMed: 38948258
DOI: 10.21769/BioProtoc.5021 -
Bio-protocol Jun 2024The intricate composition, heterogeneity, and hierarchical organization of the human bone marrow hematopoietic microenvironment (HME) present challenges for...
The intricate composition, heterogeneity, and hierarchical organization of the human bone marrow hematopoietic microenvironment (HME) present challenges for experimentation, which is primarily due to the scarcity of HME-forming cells, notably bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). The limited understanding of non-hematopoietic cell phenotypes complicates the unraveling of the HME's intricacies and necessitates a precise isolation protocol for systematic studies. The protocol presented herein puts special emphasis on the accuracy and high quality of BMSCs obtained for downstream sequencing analysis. Utilizing CD45 and CD235a as negative markers ensures sufficient enrichment of non-hematopoietic cells within the HME. By adding positive selection based on CD271 expression, this protocol allows for selectively isolating the rare and pivotal stromal cell population with high precision. The outlined step-by-step protocol provides a robust tool for isolating and characterizing non-hematopoietic cells, including stromal cells, from human bone marrow preparations. This approach thus contributes valuable information to promote research in a field that is marked by a scarcity of studies and helps to conduct important experimentation that will deepen our understanding of the intricate cellular interactions within the bone marrow niche. Key features • Isolation of high-quality human non-hematopoietic bone marrow cells for scRNAseq • Targeted strategy for enriching low-frequency stromal cells.
PubMed: 38948257
DOI: 10.21769/BioProtoc.5020 -
Journal of Clinical & Translational... Jun 2024Gut microbiota influences energy homeostasis in part through circulating hormones. Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein (IGFBP)-2 is a biomarker whose increase in...
BACKGROUND AND AIM
Gut microbiota influences energy homeostasis in part through circulating hormones. Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein (IGFBP)-2 is a biomarker whose increase in systemic circulation is associated with positive effects on body weight and metabolism. In a recent clinical trial, probiotic HA-114 supplementation showed positive effects on eating behaviors and insulin resistance in overweight participants undergoing a weight-loss intervention. In this context, this ancillary study aimed at assessing the impact of HA-114 supplementation on plasma IGFBP-2 levels in these individuals, and whether this modulation correlated with changes in fat mass, energy metabolism, and eating behaviors.
METHODS
Fasting plasma IGFBP-2 concentrations were quantified in 100 overweight or obese men and women enrolled in a 12-week diet-based weight reduction program (-500 kcal/day), in combination with probiotic or placebo supplementation. Baseline and changes in circulating IGFBP-2 concentrations were correlated with anthropometric parameter, glucose and lipid metabolism, cardiorespiratory function and eating behaviors.
RESULTS
On average, the intervention reduced BMI by 4.6 % and increased IGFBP-2 by 13 %, regardless of supplementation group. Individuals who presented an increase in IGFBP-2 levels had significantly greater reductions in BMI. Changes in IGFBP-2 levels were correlated with loss in fat mass (r = 0.2, p < 0.001) in the probiotic-supplemented group, but not with other metabolic parameters or eating behaviors. Baseline IGFBP-2 levels were not associated with weight loss or improvements in cardiometabolic parameters.
CONCLUSION
Probiotic supplementation with did not modulate plasma IGFBP-2 levels. Changes in IGFBP-2 levels were correlated with greater reductions in BMI, but not with other metabolic parameters or eating behaviors, indicating that the benefits of HA-114 on eating behaviors are likely independent of IGFBP-2. Additional changes in microbiota might be required to modulate IGFBP-2 and observe its associations with eating behaviors and cardiometabolic improvements.
PubMed: 38948244
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcte.2024.100357 -
PeerJ 2024Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are a fatal neurogenerative disease that include Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans, scrapie in sheep and goats, bovine...
Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are a fatal neurogenerative disease that include Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans, scrapie in sheep and goats, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), and several others as well as the recently described camel prion disease (CPD). CPD originally was documented in 3.1% of camels examined during an antemortem slaughterhouse inspection in the Ouargla region of Algeria. Of three individuals confirmed for CPD, two were sequenced for the exon 3 of the prion protein gene (PRNP) and were identical to sequences previously reported for . Given that other TSEs, such as BSE, are known to be capable of cross-species transmission and that there is household consumption of meat and milk from , regulations to ensure camel and human health should be a One Health priority in exporting countries. Although the interspecies transmissibility of CPD currently is unknown, genotypic characterization of may be used for predictability of predisposition and potential susceptibility to CPD. Herein, eight breeds of dromedary camels from a previous genetic (mitochondrial DNA and microsatellites) and morphological study were genotyped for and compared to genotypes from CPD-positive Algerian camels. Sequence data from indicated that Ethiopian camels possessed 100% sequence identity to CPD-positive camels from Algeria. In addition, the camel genotype is unique compared to other members of the Orders Cetartiodactyla and Perissodactyla and provides an in-depth phylogenetic analysis of families within Cetartiodactyla and Perissodactyla that was used to infer the evolutionary history of the gene.
Topics: Animals; Camelus; Prion Diseases; Algeria; Prion Proteins; Genotype; Phylogeny; Prions
PubMed: 38948234
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17552 -
PeerJ 2024Iron deficiency is known to impair muscle function and reduce athletic performance, while vitamin D has been reported to induce iron deficiency. However, the mechanism...
BACKGROUND
Iron deficiency is known to impair muscle function and reduce athletic performance, while vitamin D has been reported to induce iron deficiency. However, the mechanism underlying exercise-induced changes in iron metabolism and the involvement of vitamins in this mechanism are unclear. The present study examined changes in biological iron metabolism induced by continuous training and the effects of vitamin D on these changes.
METHODS
Diet, physical characteristics, and blood test data were collected from 23 female high school students in a dance club on the last day of each of a 2-month continuous training period and a 2-week complete rest periods.
RESULTS
Serum hepcidin-25 levels were significantly lower during the training period than the rest period ( = 0.013), as were the red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit (all < 0.001). Serum erythropoietin was significantly higher ( = 0.001) during the training period. Significant positive correlations were observed between 25(OH)D levels and serum iron, serum ferritin, and transferrin saturation during the training period. Multiple regression analysis with serum 25(OH)D level as the dependent variable and serum ferritin and iron levels as independent variables during the training period revealed a significant association with serum ferritin.
CONCLUSION
Continuous training may promote hemolysis and erythropoiesis, contributing to the suppression of hepcidin expression. The relationship between serum 25(OH)D and iron may be closely related to metabolic changes induced by the exercise load.
Topics: Humans; Hepcidins; Female; Adolescent; Vitamin D; Ferritins; Athletes; Iron; Exercise
PubMed: 38948227
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17566 -
PeerJ 2024In the present study, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) were synthesized using neem leaf aqueous extracts and characterized using transmission electron microscopy...
In the present study, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) were synthesized using neem leaf aqueous extracts and characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ultraviolet visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Then compare its efficacy as anticancer and antibacterial agents with chemically synthesized ZnO-NPs and the neem leaf extract used for the green synthesis of ZnO-NPs. The TEM, UV-vis, and particle size confirmed that the developed ZnO-NPs are nanoscale. The chemically and greenly synthesized ZnO-NPs showed their optical absorbance at 328 nm and 380 nm, respectively, and were observed as spherical particles with a size of about 85 nm and 62.5 nm, respectively. HPLC and GC-MS were utilized to identify the bioactive components in the neem leaf aqueous extract employed for the eco-friendly production of ZnO-NPs. The HPLC analysis revealed that the aqueous extract of neem leaf contains 19 phenolic component fractions. The GC-MS analysis revealed the existence of 21 bioactive compounds. The antiproliferative effect of green ZnO-NPs was observed at different concentrations (31.25 µg/mL-1000 µg/mL) on Hct 116 and A 549 cancer cells, with an IC50 value of 111 µg/mL for A 549 and 118 µg/mL for Hct 116. On the other hand, the antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria was estimated. The antibacterial result showed that the MIC of green synthesized ZnO-NPs against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria were 5, and 1 µg/mL. Hence, they could be utilized as effective antibacterial and antiproliferative agents.
Topics: Zinc Oxide; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Plant Extracts; Humans; Plant Leaves; Antineoplastic Agents; Azadirachta; Metal Nanoparticles; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Green Chemistry Technology; Particle Size; Cell Line, Tumor
PubMed: 38948224
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17588