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BMC Public Health Jun 2024Loneliness affects individuals of all age groups, and mobile fishers are susceptible to loneliness due to the nature of their occupation. However, there is no study...
BACKGROUND
Loneliness affects individuals of all age groups, and mobile fishers are susceptible to loneliness due to the nature of their occupation. However, there is no study examining loneliness and risky behaviours among fishers in Ghana. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine fishers' mobility history, prevalence of loneliness, predictors of loneliness, effects of loneliness on fishers, coping strategies to address loneliness, and prevalence of risky behaviour among fishers in Elmina, Ghana.
METHODS
This is a convergent parallel mixed-method study involving 385 fishers in Elmina. A questionnaire and interview guides were used to collect data from respondents. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's chi-square and Fisher exact tests, and binary logistic regression were used to analyse the quantitative data, while the qualitative data were analysed thematically.
RESULTS
From the quantitative findings, most fishers were mobile (54.5%) and travelled alone (45.7%). Approximately 83% of the fishers experienced loneliness. Male fishers (AOR = 0.049; 95% CI = 0.003-0.741; p-value = 0.030), fishers affiliated with the African Traditionalist religion (AOR = 0.043; 95% CI = 0.002-0.846; p-value = 0.038), and fishers who travelled with their working colleagues (AOR = 0.002; 95% CI = 0.000-0.023; p-value = ≤ 0.001), were less likely to be experience loneliness. Feeling bored, isolated and worried/anxious were the main perceived effects of loneliness. Alcohol consumption and finding a companion to spend time with were the main strategies fishers used to cope with their loneliness. Most male fishers consumed alcohol (92.5%; p-value = ≤ 0.001) and spent time with companions (73.5%; p-value = ≤ 0.001) to cope with their loneliness. The quantitative and qualitative findings showed that fishers engaged in risky behaviours (excessive alcohol consumption, casual sex, and smoking marijuana and tobacco). From the quantitative findings, more male fishers engaged in excessive alcohol consumption (97.6% vs. 74.5%; p-value = ≤ 0.001), casual sex (88.2% vs. 61.7%, p-value = ≤ 0.001), smoking marijuana (43.0% vs. 13.0%, p-value = ≤ 0.001) and tobacco (49.4% vs. 19.1%; p-value = 0.001) than female fishers.
CONCLUSIONS
Loneliness and risky behaviours were common among fishers. Therefore, there is an urgent need to design interventions to help reduce loneliness and risky behaviour among fishers.
Topics: Humans; Ghana; Loneliness; Male; Female; Adult; Middle Aged; Risk-Taking; Young Adult; Surveys and Questionnaires; Adaptation, Psychological; Alcohol Drinking
PubMed: 38951857
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-19243-w -
Journal of Experimental & Clinical... Jun 2024During targeted treatment, HER2-positive breast cancers invariably lose HER2 DNA amplification. In contrast, and interestingly, HER2 proteins may be either lost or...
BACKGROUND
During targeted treatment, HER2-positive breast cancers invariably lose HER2 DNA amplification. In contrast, and interestingly, HER2 proteins may be either lost or gained. To longitudinally and systematically appreciate complex/discordant changes in HER2 DNA/protein stoichiometry, HER2 DNA copy numbers and soluble blood proteins (aHER2/sHER2) were tested in parallel, non-invasively (by liquid biopsy), and in two-dimensions, hence HER2-2D.
METHODS
aHER2 and sHER2 were assessed by digital PCR and ELISA before and after standard-of-care treatment of advanced HER2-positive breast cancer patients (n=37) with the antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) Trastuzumab-emtansine (T-DM1).
RESULTS
As expected, aHER2 was invariably suppressed by T-DM1, but this loss was surprisingly mirrored by sHER2 gain, sometimes of considerable entity, in most (30/37; 81%) patients. This unorthodox split in HER2 oncogenic dosage was supported by reciprocal aHER2/sHER2 kinetics in two representative cases, and an immunohistochemistry-high status despite copy-number-neutrality in 4/5 available post-T-DM1 tumor re-biopsies from sHER2-gain patients. Moreover, sHER2 was preferentially released by dying breast cancer cell lines treated in vitro by T-DM1. Finally, sHER2 gain was associated with a longer PFS than sHER2 loss (mean PFS 282 vs 133 days, 95% CI [210-354] vs [56-209], log-rank test p=0.047), particularly when cases (n=11) developing circulating HER2-bypass alterations during T-DM1 treatment were excluded (mean PFS 349 vs 139 days, 95% CI [255-444] vs [45-232], log-rank test p=0.009).
CONCLUSIONS
HER2 gain is adaptively selected in tumor tissues and recapitulated in blood by sHER2 gain. Possibly, an increased oncogenic dosage is beneficial to the tumor during anti-HER2 treatment with naked antibodies, but favorable to the host during treatment with a strongly cytotoxic ADC such as T-DM1. In the latter case, HER2-gain tumors may be kept transiently in check until alternative oncogenic drivers, revealed by liquid biopsy, bypass HER2. Whichever the interpretation, HER2-2D might help to tailor/prioritize anti-HER2 treatments, particularly ADCs active on aHER2-low/sHER2-low tumors.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
NCT05735392 retrospectively registered on January 31, 2023 https://www.
CLINICALTRIALS
gov/search?term=NCT05735392.
Topics: Humans; Female; Breast Neoplasms; Receptor, ErbB-2; Liquid Biopsy; Middle Aged; Ado-Trastuzumab Emtansine; Aged; Trastuzumab; Adult; Biomarkers, Tumor
PubMed: 38951853
DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03105-9 -
Prevention Science : the Official... Jul 2024In June 2022, the NIH Office of Disease Prevention (ODP) issued a Call for Papers for a Supplemental Issue to Prevention Science on Design and Analytic Methods to...
In June 2022, the NIH Office of Disease Prevention (ODP) issued a Call for Papers for a Supplemental Issue to Prevention Science on Design and Analytic Methods to Evaluate Multilevel Interventions to Reduce Health Disparities. ODP sought to bring together current thinking and new ideas about design and analytic methods for studies aimed at reducing health disparities, including strategies for balancing methodological rigor with design feasibility, acceptability, and ethical considerations. ODP was particularly interested in papers on design and analytic methods for parallel group- or cluster-randomized trials (GRTs), stepped-wedge GRTs, group-level regression discontinuity trials, and other methods appropriate for evaluating multilevel interventions. In this issue, we include 12 papers that report new methods, provide examples of strong applications of existing methods, or provide guidance on developing multilevel interventions to reduce health disparities. These papers provide examples showing that rigorous methods are available for the design and analysis of multilevel interventions to reduce health disparities.
PubMed: 38951424
DOI: 10.1007/s11121-024-01676-9 -
Ophthalmology and Therapy Jul 2024A novel technique is described employing scleral grooves to facilitate sutureless scleral fixation of the Carlevale intraocular lens (CIL). We describe its use in a...
INTRODUCTION
A novel technique is described employing scleral grooves to facilitate sutureless scleral fixation of the Carlevale intraocular lens (CIL). We describe its use in a series of 47 patients with aphakia.
METHODS
A retrospective study of all patients with aphakia who underwent CIL implantation with the new technique by a single surgeon during 1 year. The novelty of this technique consists in the creation of two partial-thickness linear sclerotomies (grooves), 180° apart, 2 mm from and parallel to the limbus. In the middle of each groove a full-thickness sclerotomy is performed to facilitate externalization of the CIL anchors. The groove allows the anchor to plug the full-thickness sclerotomy and to rest within the sclera without protrusion. Reported outcomes include pre-operative/post-operative visual acuity, post-operative spherical equivalent and surgical complications. Follow-up was a minimum of 6 months.
RESULTS
Forty-eight eyes of 47 patients with aphakia with a mean age of 74 years (range 31-90 years) are included. The commonest causes of aphakia were intraocular lens (IOL) subluxation,with or without exfoliation (54.2%), complicated cataract surgery (29.2%), crystalline lens luxation (6.3%) and trauma (4.1%). All CILs inserted with the new technique stayed successfully in situ during follow-up. Median pre-operative best-corrected visual acuity (0.75 logMAR; range 0.1-2.7) significantly improved to 0.5 logMAR post-operatively (p < 0.001). Moreover, 78% and 65% of the operated cases were within 1.0 and 0.5 diopters, respectively, from intended refraction. The most common complications were transient cystoid macular oedema (8.3%) and transient intraocular pressure rise (8.3%), all of which resolved within 2 months.
CONCLUSIONS
The proposed modification of sutureless scleral fixation of the CIL appears safe and effective. In our experience it is less time consuming and easier to perform than previous techniques and may therefore offer a useful future option.
PubMed: 38951315
DOI: 10.1007/s40123-024-00986-z -
Supportive Care in Cancer : Official... Jun 2024This study aimed to compare the effects of a mobile health intervention based on social cognitive theory with standard care on maximal mouth opening, exercise... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
PURPOSE
This study aimed to compare the effects of a mobile health intervention based on social cognitive theory with standard care on maximal mouth opening, exercise compliance, and self-efficacy in patients receiving proton and heavy ion therapy for head and neck cancer.
METHODS
This open-label, parallel-group, randomized, superiority trial involved a self-developed "Health Enjoy System" intervention. We assessed maximal mouth opening, exercise compliance, and self-efficacy at baseline (T), post-treatment (T), and at 1 month (T) and 3 months (T) after radiotherapy. Generalized estimating equations were used to analyze differences between the groups over time, with results reported as P values and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
RESULTS
The study included 44 participants. At T, the intervention group showed a 6 mm greater increase in maximal interincisal opening than the control group (mean difference = 6.0, 95% CI = 2.4 to 9.5, P = 0.001). There was also a significant difference in exercise compliance between the groups (mean difference = 31.7, 95% CI = 4.6 to 58.8, P = 0.022). However, no significant difference in self-efficacy was found between the groups.
CONCLUSION
This study demonstrated that an mHealth intervention incorporating behavior change theory could effectively enhance or maintain maximal mouth opening in patients undergoing proton and heavy ion therapy for head and neck cancer in China. This approach provides valuable support during and after treatment.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
ChiCTR: ChiCTR2300067550. Registered 11 Jan 2023.
Topics: Humans; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Female; Proton Therapy; Self Efficacy; Telemedicine; Trismus; Heavy Ion Radiotherapy; Exercise Therapy; Aged; Patient Compliance; Adult
PubMed: 38951291
DOI: 10.1007/s00520-024-08679-w -
Archives of Microbiology Jul 2024Ionic liquids (ILs) are interesting chemical compounds that have a wide range of industrial and scientific applications. They have extraordinary properties, such as the...
Ionic liquids (ILs) are interesting chemical compounds that have a wide range of industrial and scientific applications. They have extraordinary properties, such as the tunability of many of their physical properties and, accordingly, their activities; and the ease of synthesis methods. Hence, they became important building blocks in catalysis, extraction, electrochemistry, analytics, biotechnology, etc. This study determined antifungal activities of various imidazolium-based ionic liquids against yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae via minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) estimation method. Increasing the length of the alkyl group attached to the imidazolium cation, enhanced the antifungal activity of the ILs, as well as their ability of the disruption of the cell membrane integrity. FTIR studies performed on the S. cerevisiae cells treated with the ILs revealed alterations in the biochemical composition of these cells. Interestingly, the alterations in fatty acid content occurred in parallel with the increase in the activity of the molecules upon the increase in the length of the attached alkyl group. This trend was confirmed by statistical analysis and machine learning methodology. The classification of antifungal activities based on FTIR spectra of S. cerevisiae cells yielded a prediction accuracy of 83%, indicating the pharmacy and medicine industries could benefit from machine learning methodology. Furthermore, synthesized ionic compounds exhibit significant potential for pharmaceutical and medical applications.
Topics: Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Ionic Liquids; Imidazoles; Antifungal Agents; Cell Membrane; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
PubMed: 38951200
DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-04043-y -
Advances in Biochemical... Jul 2024Iron is a common contaminant in source water and wastewater. The mining and metallurgical industries in particular can produce and discharge large quantities of...
Iron is a common contaminant in source water and wastewater. The mining and metallurgical industries in particular can produce and discharge large quantities of wastewater with high iron concentrations. Due to the harmful effects of iron on organisms and infrastructure, efficient technologies for iron removal from water and wastewater are needed. On the other hand, iron is a valuable commodity for a wide range of applications. Microorganisms can facilitate iron removal and recovery through aerobic and anaerobic processes. The most commonly utilized microbes include iron oxidizers that facilitate iron precipitation as jarosites, schwertmannite, ferrihydrite, goethite, and scorodite, and sulfate reducers which produce hydrogen sulfide that precipitates iron as sulfides. Biological iron removal has been explored in various suspended cell and biofilm-based bioreactors that can be configured in parallel or series and integrated with precipitation and settling units for an effective flow sheet. This chapter reviews principles for biological iron removal and recovery, the microorganisms involved, reactor types, patents and examples of laboratory- and pilot-scale studies, and full-scale implementations of the technology.
PubMed: 38951134
DOI: 10.1007/10_2024_255 -
Genome Research Jul 2024Single-cell genomics permits a new resolution in the examination of molecular and cellular dynamics, allowing global, parallel assessments of cell types and cellular...
Single-cell genomics permits a new resolution in the examination of molecular and cellular dynamics, allowing global, parallel assessments of cell types and cellular behaviors through development and in response to environmental circumstances, such as interaction with water and the light-dark cycle of the Earth. Here, we leverage the smallest, and possibly most structurally reduced plant, the semi-aquatic to understand dynamics of cell expression in these contexts at the whole plant level. We examined single cell resolution RNA sequencing data, and found cells divide into four principal clusters representing the above and below water-situated parenchyma and epidermis. While these tissues share transcriptomic similarity with model plants, they display distinct adaptations that has made for the aquatic environment. Within this broad classification, discrete subspecializations are evident with select cells showing unique transcriptomic signatures associated with developmental maturation and specialized physiologies. Assessing this simplified biological system temporally at two key time-of-day (TOD) transitions, we identify additional TOD-responsive genes previously overlooked in whole plant transcriptomic approaches and demonstrate that the core circadian clock machinery and its downstream responses can vary in cell-specific manners, even in this simplified system. Distinctions between cell types and their responses to submergence and/or TOD are driven by expression changes of unexpectedly few genes, characterizing as a highly streamlined organism with the majority of genes dedicated to fundamental cellular processes. provides a unique opportunity to apply reductionist biology to elucidate signaling functions at the organismal level, for which this work provides a powerful resource.
PubMed: 38951025
DOI: 10.1101/gr.279091.124 -
BMJ Open Jul 2024The objective of this study was to investigate how kinesiophobia and self-efficacy explain the relationship between fatigue and physical activity (PA) in post-coronary...
Fatigue and physical activity in post-CABG patients: the parallel mediation model of kinesiophobia and self-efficacy : a prospective multicentre and cross-sectional study in China.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of this study was to investigate how kinesiophobia and self-efficacy explain the relationship between fatigue and physical activity (PA) in post-coronary artery bypass grafting (post-CABG) patients over the age of 45.
DESIGN
A prospective multicentre and cross-sectional study.
SETTING
The study was conducted in four public tertiary hospitals in China.
PARTICIPANTS
A total of 1278 patients who underwent CABG surgery were selected from the case pool, with their surgeries occurring between 3 and 19 months prior to selection. Out of 1038 patients who met the inclusion criteria and were invited to participate in the study, 759 patients agreed to participate and complete the questionnaire. Ultimately, 376 questionnaires were deemed eligible and included in the analysis.
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES
The questionnaire included the following scales: the Chinese version of the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20), the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia Heart (TSK-SV Heart), the Cardiac Exercise Self-Efficacy Instrument (CESEI) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Long (IPAQ-L). A serial mediation model was used to test whether the association between fatigue and PA was mediated by kinesiophobia and self-efficacy, in the overall sample and subsamples defined by age.
RESULTS
The results confirmed that fatigue was directly (95% CI (-5.73 to -3.02)) associated with PA. Higher kinesiophobia (95% CI (-0.16 to -0.05)) or lower PA self-efficacy (95% CI (-0.11 to -0.02)) were parallel pathways through which higher fatigue impediment reduced PA levels. In both subgroups, the street pathways of kinesiophobia and self-efficacy were altered. In the age, 45-60 years group, kinesiophobia (Boot 95% CI (-0.19 to-0.05)) was a mediator of fatigue on PA levels, while in the 61-75 years age group, self-efficacy (Boot 95% CI (-0.17 to -0.04)) was a mediator of fatigue on PA levels.
CONCLUSIONS
A clear relationship between fatigue and PA was mediated by both kinesiophobia and self-efficacy. Furthermore, our findings highlight the importance of adapting the intervention according to the age of the patients, mainly by reducing patients' kinesiophobia in patients aged 45-60 years and increasing patients' self-efficacy in patients aged 61-75 years. It may be possible to improve PA levels in post-CABG patients over 45 years of age by eliminating kinesiophobia and increasing self-efficacy.
Topics: Humans; Self Efficacy; Cross-Sectional Studies; Male; Prospective Studies; Female; Middle Aged; China; Exercise; Fatigue; Aged; Coronary Artery Bypass; Phobic Disorders; Surveys and Questionnaires; Kinesiophobia
PubMed: 38951011
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-082576 -
BMJ Open Jul 2024Milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) is a complex lipid-protein structure in mammalian milk and human milk that is largely absent from breastmilk substitutes. The objective... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Infant formula supplemented with milk fat globule membrane compared with standard infant formula for the cognitive development of healthy term-born formula-fed infants: protocol for a randomised controlled trial.
INTRODUCTION
Milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) is a complex lipid-protein structure in mammalian milk and human milk that is largely absent from breastmilk substitutes. The objective of this trial is to investigate whether providing infant formula enriched with MFGM versus standard infant formula improves cognitive development at 12 months of age in exclusively formula-fed full-term infants.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS
This is a randomised, controlled, clinician-blinded, researcher-blinded and participant-blinded trial of two parallel formula-fed groups and a breastfed reference group that were recruited in the suburban Adelaide (Australia) community by a single study centre (a medical research institute). Healthy, exclusively formula-fed, singleton, term-born infants under 8 weeks of age were randomised to either an MFGM-supplemented formula (intervention) or standard infant formula (control) from enrolment until 12 months of age. The reference group was not provided with formula. The primary outcome is the Cognitive Scale of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, Fourth Edition (Bayley-IV) at 12 months. Secondary outcomes are the Bayley-IV Cognitive Scale at 24 months, other Bayley-IV domains (language, motor, emotional and behavioural development) at 12 and 24 months of age, infant attention at 4 and 9 months of age, parent-rated language at 12 and 24 months of age, parent-rated development at 6 and 18 months of age as well as growth, tolerance and safety of the study formula. To ensure at least 80% power to detect a 5-point difference in the mean Bayley-IV cognitive score, >200 infants were recruited in each group.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION
The Women's and Children Health Network Human Research Ethics Committee reviewed and approved the study (HREC/19/WCHN/140). Caregivers gave written informed consent prior to enrolling in the trial. Findings of this study will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
ACTRN12620000552987; Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry: anzctr.org.au.
Topics: Humans; Glycolipids; Infant Formula; Lipid Droplets; Glycoproteins; Cognition; Infant; Child Development; Female; Infant, Newborn; Male; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Dietary Supplements; Breast Feeding; Milk, Human
PubMed: 38951000
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-083399