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Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics : the... Jan 2023Myopia severity has a profound impact on visual impairment in later life. A patient's final level of myopia may be lowered by myopia control, but also by delaying onset....
PURPOSE
Myopia severity has a profound impact on visual impairment in later life. A patient's final level of myopia may be lowered by myopia control, but also by delaying onset. Here, we evaluate the influence of the age of onset on the final recorded level of myopia.
METHODS
Data were extracted from: (1) Three prospective cohort studies of myopia progression in East Asia and the United States where the final recorded level of myopia is presented as a function of the established age of onset. (2) Four retrospective studies of myopia progression in Finland, India, the Netherlands and China and two cross-sectional studies in Argentina and the UK where the age of onset was based on self-report of age at first spectacle prescription. (3) A cohort study of Finnish subjects originally recruited for a clinical trial and followed into adulthood. Subjects were divided into five groups according to age at recruitment that was used as a surrogate for the age of onset.
RESULTS
Final recorded level of myopia was plotted as a function of age of onset for all studies. Among the three East Asian studies, the slopes are between 0.68 and 0.97 D/year, meaning that each later year of onset is associated with between 0.68 and 0.97 less myopia at the final recorded refraction. For six of the seven non-East Asian studies, the slopes are substantially flatter, with slopes between 0.23 and 0.50 D/year. By contrast, the slope for the Finnish study was 0.87 D/year. Increasing age of final recorded refraction tended to be associated with higher levels of myopia.
CONCLUSION
Among East Asians, delaying the onset of myopia by 1 year has the potential to lower the final myopia level by 0.75 D or more-equivalent to 2-3 years of myopia control with existing modalities. The benefit is lower, but meaningful, among non-East Asians.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Cohort Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies; China
PubMed: 36197452
DOI: 10.1111/opo.13058 -
PloS One 2022Simulation modeling methods are an increasingly common tool for projecting the potential health effects of policies to decrease sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake....
INTRODUCTION
Simulation modeling methods are an increasingly common tool for projecting the potential health effects of policies to decrease sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake. However, it remains unknown which SSB policies are understudied and how simulation modeling methods could be improved. To inform next steps, we conducted a scoping review to characterize the (1) policies considered and (2) major characteristics of SSB simulation models.
METHODS
We systematically searched 7 electronic databases in 2020, updated in 2021. Two investigators independently screened articles to identify peer-reviewed research using simulation modeling to project the impact of SSB policies on health outcomes. One investigator extracted information about policies considered and key characteristics of models from the full text of included articles. Data were analyzed in 2021-22.
RESULTS
Sixty-one articles were included. Of these, 50 simulated at least one tax policy, most often an ad valorem tax (e.g., 20% tax, n = 25) or volumetric tax (e.g., 1 cent-per-fluid-ounce tax, n = 23). Non-tax policies examined included bans on SSB purchases (n = 5), mandatory reformulation (n = 3), warning labels (n = 2), and portion size policies (n = 2). Policies were typically modeled in populations accounting for age and gender or sex attributes. Most studies focused on weight-related outcomes (n = 54), used cohort, lifetable, or microsimulation modeling methods (n = 34), conducted sensitivity or uncertainty analyses (n = 56), and included supplementary materials (n = 54). Few studies included stakeholders at any point in their process (n = 9) or provided replication code/data (n = 8).
DISCUSSION
Most simulation modeling of SSB policies has focused on tax policies and has been limited in its exploration of heterogenous impacts across population groups. Future research would benefit from refined policy and implementation scenario specifications, thorough assessments of the equity impacts of policies using established methods, and standardized reporting to improve transparency and consistency.
Topics: Beverages; Computer Simulation; Consumer Behavior; Humans; Policy; Sugar-Sweetened Beverages; Taxes
PubMed: 36191026
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275270 -
Journal of Dietary Supplements 2023L-Beta-amino isobutyric acid (L-BAIBA) is a myokine produced in skeletal muscle during exercise and has been shown to impact carbohydrate and fat metabolism in both... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
L-Beta-amino isobutyric acid (L-BAIBA) is a myokine produced in skeletal muscle during exercise and has been shown to impact carbohydrate and fat metabolism in both animals and humans. This study was designed to determine the rate and extent to which L-BAIBA appeared in human plasma after oral ingestion. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover fashion, six males and 6 females ( = 12; 24 ± 5 yrs; 173.6 ± 12.0 cm; 72.3 ± 11.3 kg; 21.0 ± 7.0 body fat %) completed a single-dose supplementation protocol of placebo (PLA), L-BAIBA at 250 mg (B250), 500 mg (B500), 1,500mg (B1500), and 1,500mg of valine (V1500). Participants fasted overnight (8-10 h) and consumed their dose with 8-12 fluid ounces of cold water. Venous blood samples were collected 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240 and 300 min after ingestion and analyzed for L-BAIBA. Complete blood counts and comprehensive metabolic panels were analyzed 0 and 300 min after ingestion. Peak concentration (C) and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated for all variables. Baseline L-BAIBA levels were not different between conditions ( = 0.46). The observed AUC for B1500 (30,513 ± 9190 µM•300 min) was significantly higher than B500 (11,087 ± 3378 µM•300 min, < 0.001), B250 (7081 ± 2535 µM•300 min, < 0.001), V1500 (2837 ± 2107 µM•300 min, < 0.001), and PLA (2836 ± 2061 µM•300 min, < 0.001). Similarly, L-BAIBA C for B1500 (278.1 ± 52.1 µM) was significantly higher than all other supplement conditions: B500 (95.4 ± 33.5 µM, < 0.001), B250 (63.3 ± 61.1 µM, < 0.001), V1500 (10.1 ± 7.2 µM, < 0.001), PLA (11.0 ± 7.1 µM, = 0.001). AUC and C for B500 was significantly higher than B250 ( < 0.001), V1500 ( < 0.001), and PLA ( < 0.001). BAIBA AUC for B250 was significantly higher than V1500 ( < 0.001) and PLA ( < 0.001). No clinically significant changes in blood-based markers of health or adverse events were observed across the study protocol. L-BAIBA doses of 250 mg, 500 mg, and 1500 mg produced significantly greater concentrations of plasma L-BAIBA across a five-hour measurement window when compared to a 1500 mg dose of valine or a placebo. Follow-up efficacy studies on resting and exercise metabolism should be completed to assess the impact of L-BAIBA supplementation in normal weight and overweight individuals. Retrospectively registered on April 22, 2022 at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT05328271.
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Aminoisobutyric Acids; Dietary Supplements; Polyesters; Valine; Young Adult; Adult
PubMed: 36184601
DOI: 10.1080/19390211.2022.2128141 -
Neurogastroenterology and Motility Apr 2023Swallow and cough dysfunction are possible surgical complications of lung transplantation (LT). We examined voluntary cough strength, sensorimotor reflexive cough...
OBJECTIVES
Swallow and cough dysfunction are possible surgical complications of lung transplantation (LT). We examined voluntary cough strength, sensorimotor reflexive cough integrity, and swallow-related respiratory rate (RR) across swallowing safety and aspiration response groups in recovering LT recipients.
METHODS
Forty-five LT recipients underwent flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing indexed by the validated Penetration Aspiration Scale. RR before and after a 3-ounce water drinking task was measured. Voluntary and reflexive cough screening were performed to index motor and sensory outcomes. T-tests, one-way ANOVAs, and chi-square (odds ratios) were used.
RESULTS
60% of patients exhibited laryngeal penetration (n = 27) and 40% demonstrated tracheal aspiration (n = 18); 72% (n = 13) demonstrated silent aspiration. Baseline RR was higher in aspirators versus non-aspirators (26.5 vs. 22.6, p = 0.04) and in silent aspirators compared to non-silent aspirators (27.9 vs. 20.7, p = 0.01). RR change post-swallowing did not differ between aspiration response groups; however, it was significantly higher in aspirators compared to non-aspirators (3 vs. -2, p = 0.02). Compared to non-silent aspirators, silent aspirators demonstrated reduced voluntary cough peak expiratory flow (PEF; 166 vs. 324 L/min, p = 0.01). PEF, motor and urge to cough reflex cough ratings did not differ between aspirators and non-aspirators. Silent aspirators demonstrated a 7.5 times higher odds of failing reflex cough screening compared to non-silent aspirators (p = 0.07).
CONCLUSIONS
During the acute recovery period, all LT participants demonstrated some degree of unsafe swallowing and reduced voluntary cough strength. Silent aspirators exhibited elevated RR, reduced voluntary cough physiologic capacity to defend the airway, and a clinically distinguishable blunted motor response to reflex cough screening.
Topics: Humans; Cough; Deglutition Disorders; Prospective Studies; Deglutition; Lung Transplantation
PubMed: 36168190
DOI: 10.1111/nmo.14458 -
BMC Public Health Sep 2022Flavored tobacco products are highly appealing to youth. The Federal government lacks a comprehensive flavored tobacco products policy and states have adopted different...
BACKGROUND
Flavored tobacco products are highly appealing to youth. The Federal government lacks a comprehensive flavored tobacco products policy and states have adopted different approaches restricting these products. This study analyzes the impact of Massachusetts' comprehensive prohibition and New Jersey's partial restriction on the sale of flavored tobacco products.
METHODS
NielsenIQ Retail Scanner data were used to construct four log per capita dependent variables: e-liquid milliliters, cigarette packs, cigars, and smokeless tobacco ounces for products flavored as fruit, menthol, mint, tobacco and other. All models used difference-in-differences regressions, with Virginia and Pennsylvania serving as controls. The models controlled for state level product prices, population percentages by race/ethnicity, proportion male, median household income, unemployment rate, minimum legal sales age, tobacco 21 policies, and cumulative cases and deaths of COVID-19; the models accounted for time-specific factors by using 4-week period fixed-effects.
RESULTS
There was a significant decrease in sales across all flavored tobacco products in Massachusetts, including fruit [-99.83%, p < 0.01], menthol [-98.33%, p < 0.01], and all other flavored [-99.28%, p < 0.01] e-cigarettes. The cigar group "all other-flavors" [-99.92%, p < 0.01] and menthol flavored cigarettes [-95.36%, p < 0.01] also significantly decreased. In New Jersey, there was a significant decrease in per capita sales of menthol-flavored e-cigarettes [-83.80%, p < 0.05] and cigar group "all other-flavors" experienced a significant increase in per capita sales [380.66%, p < 0.01].
CONCLUSIONS
This study contributes to the growing body of evidence demonstrating the impact of sales prohibitions on reducing sales of flavored tobacco products. Statewide comprehensive approaches appear more effective than partial restrictions and should be prioritized.
IMPLICATIONS
Results from this study support emerging research that demonstrates the promising effects of comprehensive flavoring sales prohibitions. This study can be used to inform future flavored tobacco product policy solutions developed by advocates and policy makers to curb overall tobacco initiation and use by youth and adults.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; COVID-19; Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; Flavoring Agents; Humans; Male; Menthol; Tobacco Products
PubMed: 36138373
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14172-y -
BMJ Open Sep 2022The COVID-19 crisis has led to the adoption of strict and coercive preventive measures. The implementation of these measures has generated negative impacts for many...
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure-the arts as a vehicle for knowledge translation and exchange (KTE) in public health during a pandemic: a realist-informed developmental evaluation research protocol.
INTRODUCTION
The COVID-19 crisis has led to the adoption of strict and coercive preventive measures. The implementation of these measures has generated negative impacts for many communities. The situation is especially worrisome for Indigenous communities in Peru. Therefore, it is necessary to recognise the contribution of the experiential knowledge of Indigenous communities and to implement innovative approaches. The use of art can be a promising avenue for working in partnership with Indigenous communities.The goal of this research is to (1) develop an intervention promoting barrier measures and vaccination to limit the transmission of COVID-19 among Indigenous communities using an arts-based and community-based knowledge translation and exchange (ACKTE) model; and (2) understand the contextual elements and mechanisms associated with the process of developing a preventive intervention using the ACKTE model.
METHODOLOGY AND ANALYSIS
This research will take place in Indigenous communities in Peru and will be based on a developmental evaluation guided by the principles of realist evaluation. Members of two Indigenous communities, local authorities, health professionals and artists will participate in the intervention development process as well as in the developmental evaluation. For data collection, we will conduct modified talking circles and semistructured individual interviews with stakeholders as well as an analysis of documents and artistic works produced.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION OF RESULTS
This research received the approval of the 's research ethics board. In addition to scientific articles, the results of this research will be disseminated through videos and during an artistic performance.
Topics: Art; COVID-19; Humans; Pandemics; Public Health; Translational Science, Biomedical
PubMed: 36123098
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-058874 -
Journal of Nutritional Science 2022Some consider potatoes to be unhealthy vegetables that may contribute to adverse cardiometabolic health outcomes. We evaluated the association between potato consumption...
Some consider potatoes to be unhealthy vegetables that may contribute to adverse cardiometabolic health outcomes. We evaluated the association between potato consumption (including fried and non-fried types) and three key cardiometabolic outcomes among middle-aged and older adults in the Framingham Offspring Study. We included 2523 subjects ≥30 years of age with available dietary data from 3-d food records. Cox-proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) for hypertension, type 2 diabetes or impaired fasting glucose (T2DM/IFG), and elevated triglycerides, adjusting for anthropometric, demographic and lifestyle factors. In the present study, 36 % of potatoes consumed were baked, 28 % fried, 14 % mashed, 9 % boiled and the rest cooked in other ways. Overall, higher total potato intake (≥4 . <1 cup-equivalents/week) was not associated with risks of T2DM/IFG (HR 0⋅97, 95 % CI 0⋅81, 1⋅15), hypertension (HR 0⋅95; 95 % CI 0⋅80, 1⋅12) or elevated triglycerides (HR 0⋅99, 95 % CI 0⋅86, 1⋅13). Stratified analyses were used to evaluate effect modification by physical activity levels and red meat consumption, and in those analyses, there were no adverse effects of potato intake. However, when combined with higher levels of physical activity, greater consumption of fried potatoes was associated with a 24 % lower risk (95 % CI 0⋅60, 0⋅96) of T2DM/IFG, and in combination with lower red meat consumption, higher fried potato intake was associated with a 26 % lower risk (95 % CI 0⋅56, 0⋅99) of elevated triglycerides. In this prospective cohort, there was no adverse association between fried or non-fried potato consumption and risks of T2DM/IFG, hypertension or elevated triglycerides.
Topics: Aged; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Glucose; Humans; Hypertension; Middle Aged; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Prospective Studies; Solanum tuberosum; Triglycerides
PubMed: 36117546
DOI: 10.1017/jns.2022.65 -
Talanta Jan 2023Accurate discriminating nerve fibers is a prerequisite for right suturing nerves in nerve transfer operation. Various methods have been developed for identification of...
Accurate discriminating nerve fibers is a prerequisite for right suturing nerves in nerve transfer operation. Various methods have been developed for identification of motor and sensory fibers, but no simple method meets the requirements in clinic. In this study, a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) lever strategy is designed and developed to detect Acetylcholinesterase (AchE) ultrasensitively, in which using produced thiocholine with weak intrinsic Raman activity (four ounces) to adjust absorbance of Rhodamine B with strong intrinsic Raman activity (thousand catties) on SERS-active substrates is to increase the sensitivity. Employing a miniaturized SERS substrate, SERS-active microneedles, is to decrease the volume of enzymolysis systems. Adopting an internal reference is to increase the repeatability of collected signal. The ultrasensitive AchE detection method discriminate samples with four times of difference in enzyme activity between 1-1 × 10 U/mL in about 10 min of enzymolysis time. AchE amounts in 2-mm-long segments of ventral and dorsal roots were about 0.00025-0.001 U and 0.01-0.02 U, respectively. The developed method would be a reliable method met the requirements of identifying motor and sensory fibers in clinic.
Topics: Spectrum Analysis, Raman; Acetylcholinesterase; Thiocholine; Nerve Fibers
PubMed: 36041317
DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2022.123867 -
Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry Apr 2023Anxiety disorders are among the most common psychiatric disorders in childhood and can develop as early as the preschool years. Therefore, providing young children who...
BACKGROUND
Anxiety disorders are among the most common psychiatric disorders in childhood and can develop as early as the preschool years. Therefore, providing young children who display early signs of anxiety with skills to prevent the development of later psychopathology is invaluable. The current study evaluates the effectiveness of Fun FRIENDS, an anxiety prevention and resilience program for young children.
METHOD
Fifty-seven kindergartners across three classrooms participated in a 15-week anxiety prevention program and teachers completed a behavioral screening measure and anxiety questionnaire at pre, post, 3 month, and 10-month follow-up assessment points.
RESULTS
Anxiety positively correlated with emotional symptoms peer difficulties, and total difficulties at pre-intervention. Anxiety symptoms decreased from pre-intervention to follow-up. Additionally, prosocial behaviors improved and moderated the relationship between pre-and post-intervention anxiety symptoms.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings yield promising implications regarding the effectiveness of prevention and intervention programs on increasing social emotional skills and reducing anxiety symptoms in young children.
Topics: Humans; Child; Child, Preschool; Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders; Emotions; Schools
PubMed: 35996946
DOI: 10.1177/13591045221121595 -
Journal of Applied Biomechanics Oct 2022Long-term training effects of weighted ball throwing programs have been well documented. However, the mechanisms that facilitate these effects are poorly understood. The...
Long-term training effects of weighted ball throwing programs have been well documented. However, the mechanisms that facilitate these effects are poorly understood. The purpose of this study is to investigate within-session effects of throwing overload and underload baseballs to provide mechanistic evidence for weighted baseball training methods. Twenty-six collegiate- and professional-level baseball pitchers aged 20-30 years (mean age 23.5 [2.7] y) participated in a biomechanical evaluation while pitching a series of leather weighted baseballs. A 1-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to evaluate the intrasubject effect of ball weight on a total of 15 kinematic, kinetic, and performance parameters. Ball weight significantly affected pitch velocity, maximum elbow flexion, maximum pelvis rotation velocity, maximum shoulder internal rotation velocity, maximum elbow extension velocity, and anterior trunk tilt at ball release. None of the measured arm joint kinetics were significantly affected by ball weight. Training with 3- to 7-ounce (85- to 198-g) baseballs can be used to work on increasing pitching velocity without increasing throwing arm joint kinetics.
Topics: Adult; Arm; Baseball; Biomechanical Phenomena; Elbow; Elbow Joint; Humans; Kinetics; Shoulder Joint; Young Adult
PubMed: 35981710
DOI: 10.1123/jab.2021-0339