-
BMJ Open Jun 2024Occupational health challenges are changing, emphasising the need for a more comprehensive approach. This study examines how a subjective well-being assessment can be...
OBJECTIVES
Occupational health challenges are changing, emphasising the need for a more comprehensive approach. This study examines how a subjective well-being assessment can be used to identify target groups for work well-being interventions and brings insight into how survey-based well-being evaluations are linked to clinical health indicators (ie, anthropometric measurements and blood tests).
DESIGN
A cross-sectional survey study using results from the Virta1 randomised controlled trial and a third-party well-being questionnaire database.
SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS
Online well-being survey data from 2990 respondents was used to identify target groups for work well-being interventions and clinical health indicator data from 713 respondents was used to examine how subjective evaluations are linked to physical health.
RESULTS
We identified five groups of employees with different well-being challenges and presenteeism levels: , , , s and . The subjective evaluations correlated with clinical health indicators, showing that the well-being groups differed significantly in their average clinical health profiles. Especially people in the group had multiple physical health challenges, while people in the and groups did not.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results show that a subjective well-being assessment can identify different groups with distinct characteristics and health risks and that subjective evaluations of well-being correlate strongly with physical health. Online well-being assessment offers potentially a cost-effective way for occupational health providers to screen large populations to target physical health examinations to groups that need them the most and simultaneously get a better understanding of their well-being needs.
Topics: Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Finland; Male; Female; Adult; Middle Aged; Occupational Health; Surveys and Questionnaires; Health Status; Presenteeism; Internet
PubMed: 38926144
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-079708 -
Cancer Medicine Jun 2024Sarcopenia is highly prevalent among patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Computed tomography (CT)-based assessment of low skeletal muscle index (SMI) is widely used...
BACKGROUND
Sarcopenia is highly prevalent among patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Computed tomography (CT)-based assessment of low skeletal muscle index (SMI) is widely used for diagnosing sarcopenia. However, there are conflicting findings on the association between low SMI and overall survival (OS) in CRC patients. The objective of this study was to investigate whether CT-determined low SMI can serve as a valuable prognostic factor in CRC.
METHODS
We collected data from patients with CRC who underwent radical surgery at our institution between June 2020 and November 2021. The SMI at the third lumbar vertebra was calculated using CT scans, and the cutoff values for defining low SMI were determined using receiver operating characteristic curves. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the associations between clinical characteristics and postoperative major complications.
RESULTS
A total of 464 patients were included in the study, 229 patients (46.7%) were classified as having low SMI. Patients with low SMI were older and had a lower body mass index (BMI), a higher neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and higher nutritional risk screening 2002 (NRS2002) scores compared to those with normal SMI. Furthermore, patients with sarcopenia had a higher rate of major complications (10.9% vs. 1.3%; p < 0.001) and longer length of stay (9.09 ± 4.86 days vs. 8.25 ± 3.12 days; p = 0.03). Low SMI and coronary heart disease were identified as independent risk factors for postoperative major complications. Moreover, CRC patients with low SMI had significantly worse OS. Furthermore, the combination of low SMI with older age or TNM stage II + III resulted in the worst OS in each subgroup analysis.
CONCLUSIONS
CT-determined low SMI is associated with poor prognosis in patients with CRC, especially when combined with older age or advanced TNM stage.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Colorectal Neoplasms; Sarcopenia; Aged; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Prognosis; Middle Aged; Muscle, Skeletal; Postoperative Complications; Retrospective Studies; Body Mass Index; ROC Curve
PubMed: 38924332
DOI: 10.1002/cam4.7328 -
Cancer Reports (Hoboken, N.J.) Jun 2024Though cancer is more prevalent in the older population, this patient group are underrepresented in phase I oncology trials.
BACKGROUND
Though cancer is more prevalent in the older population, this patient group are underrepresented in phase I oncology trials.
AIMS
We evaluated the use of a geriatric screening tool (SAOP3) in patients of 70 years of age or older who attended a Phase I Clinical Trials Unit, with the aim of assessing the feasibility of the tool and identifying potential unmet needs in this patient group.
METHODS
Twenty-two patients over the age of 70 completed the SAOP3 questionnaire. Geriatric impairments and needs were analysed with descriptive statistics. Qualitative responses were grouped in themes using structured thematic analysis.
RESULTS
All of patients triggered at least 1 geriatric domain, most commonly mobility. Six core themes were identified as being important to the patient including family, friends and positivity. On cognition assessment over 20% of patients triggered as requiring further cognitive assessment. The group had a relatively high screen fail risk.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, routine geriatric screening withSAOP3 was feasible and identified areas of patient need. Results highlight the prevalence of psychological distress and cognitive impairment. Geriatric screening offers an opportunity for prehabilitation prior to trial and support during trial participation to optimise safety and improve trial access.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Female; Male; Geriatric Assessment; Aged, 80 and over; Neoplasms; Clinical Trials, Phase I as Topic; Surveys and Questionnaires; Cognitive Dysfunction; Feasibility Studies; Mass Screening
PubMed: 38923791
DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.2083 -
JAMA Network Open Jun 2024Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an often-asymptomatic complication of type 2 diabetes (T2D) that requires annual screening to diagnose. Patient-level factors linked to...
IMPORTANCE
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an often-asymptomatic complication of type 2 diabetes (T2D) that requires annual screening to diagnose. Patient-level factors linked to inadequate screening and treatment can inform implementation strategies to facilitate guideline-recommended CKD care.
OBJECTIVE
To identify risk factors for nonconcordance with guideline-recommended CKD screening and treatment in patients with T2D.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This retrospective cohort study was performed at 20 health care systems contributing data to the US National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network. To evaluate concordance with CKD screening guidelines, adults with an outpatient clinician visit linked to T2D diagnosis between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2020, and without known CKD were included. A separate analysis reviewed prescription of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors in adults with CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] of 30-90 mL/min/1.73 m2 and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio [UACR] of 200-5000 mg/g) and an outpatient clinician visit for T2D between October 1, 2019, and December 31, 2020. Data were analyzed from July 8, 2022, through June 22, 2023.
EXPOSURES
Demographics, lifestyle factors, comorbidities, medications, and laboratory results.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Screening required measurement of creatinine levels and UACR within 15 months of the index visit. Treatment reflected prescription of ACEIs or ARBs and SGLT2 inhibitors within 12 months before or 6 months following the index visit.
RESULTS
Concordance with CKD screening guidelines was assessed in 316 234 adults (median age, 59 [IQR, 50-67] years), of whom 51.5% were women; 21.7%, Black; 10.3%, Hispanic; and 67.6%, White. Only 24.9% received creatinine and UACR screening, 56.5% received 1 screening measurement, and 18.6% received neither. Hispanic ethnicity was associated with lack of screening (relative risk [RR], 1.16 [95% CI, 1.14-1.18]). In contrast, heart failure, peripheral arterial disease, and hypertension were associated with a lower risk of nonconcordance. In 4215 patients with CKD and albuminuria, 3288 (78.0%) received an ACEI or ARB; 194 (4.6%), an SGLT2 inhibitor; and 885 (21.0%), neither therapy. Peripheral arterial disease and lower eGFR were associated with lack of CKD treatment, while diuretic or statin prescription and hypertension were associated with treatment.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
In this cohort study of patients with T2D, fewer than one-quarter received recommended CKD screening. In patients with CKD and albuminuria, 21.0% did not receive an SGLT2 inhibitor or an ACEI or an ARB, despite compelling indications. Patient-level factors may inform implementation strategies to improve CKD screening and treatment in people with T2D.
Topics: Humans; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Retrospective Studies; Aged; Guideline Adherence; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Mass Screening; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; Risk Factors; Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors; United States; Glomerular Filtration Rate
PubMed: 38922613
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.18808 -
Toxins May 2024Zearalenone (ZEN) is a prevalent mycotoxin found in grains and grain-derived products, inducing adverse health effects in both animals and humans. The in-field...
Zearalenone (ZEN) is a prevalent mycotoxin found in grains and grain-derived products, inducing adverse health effects in both animals and humans. The in-field application of microorganisms to degrade and detoxify ZEN is a promising strategy to enhance the safety of food and feed. In this study, we investigated the potential of three actinobacterial strains to degrade and detoxify ZEN in vitro and in planta on wheat ears. The residual ZEN concentration and toxicity in the samples were analysed with UHPLC-MS/MS and a bioluminescence BLYES assay, respectively. subsp. LMG19352 could completely degrade and detoxify 5 mg/L ZEN in LB broth within 24 h, along with significant reductions in ZEN concentration both in a minimal medium (MM) and on wheat ears. Additionally, it was the only strain that showed a significant colonisation of these ears. sp. R25614 exhibited partial but significant degradation in LB broth and MM, whereas sp. LMG16995 degraded and detoxified ZEN in LB broth after 72 h by 39% and 33%, respectively. Although all three actinobacterial strains demonstrated the metabolic capability to degrade and detoxify ZEN in vitro, only subsp. LMG19352 showed promising potential to mitigate ZEN in planta. This distinction underscores the importance of incorporating in planta screening assays for assessing the potential of mycotoxin-biotransforming microorganisms as biocontrol agents.
Topics: Zearalenone; Triticum; Biological Control Agents; Streptomyces; Actinobacteria; Food Contamination; Tandem Mass Spectrometry
PubMed: 38922147
DOI: 10.3390/toxins16060253 -
Toxics May 2024A community engaged research (CER) approach was used to provide an exposure assessment of poly- and perfluorinated (PFAS) compounds in North Carolina residential...
A community engaged research (CER) approach was used to provide an exposure assessment of poly- and perfluorinated (PFAS) compounds in North Carolina residential drinking water. Working in concert with community partners, who acted as liaisons to local residents, samples were collected by North Carolina residents from three different locations along the Cape Fear River basin: upper, middle, and lower areas of the river. Residents collected either drinking water samples from their homes or recreational water samples from near their residence that were then submitted by the community partners for PFAS analysis. All samples were processed using weak anion exchange (WAX) solid phase extraction and analyzed using a non-targeted suspect screening approach as well as a quantitative approach that included a panel of 45 PFAS analytes, several of which are specific to chemical industries near the collection site locations. The non-targeted approach, which utilized a suspect screening list (obtained from EPA CompTox database) identified several PFAS compounds at a level two confidence rating (Schymanski scale); compounds identified included a fluorinated insecticide, a fluorinated herbicide, a PFAS used in polymer chemistry, and another that is used in battery production. Notably, at several locations, PFOA (39.8 ng/L) and PFOS (205.3 ng/L) were at levels that exceeded the mandatory EPA maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 4 ng/L. Additionally, several sites had detectable levels of PFAS that are unique to a local chemical manufacturer. These findings were communicated back to the community partners who then disseminated this information to the local residents to help empower and aid in making decisions for reducing their PFAS exposure.
PubMed: 38922083
DOI: 10.3390/toxics12060403 -
Veterinary Sciences May 2024In the present case report, we describe the clinical course and postmortem findings of a 12-year-old Labrador retriever dog with a third-degree atrio-ventricular block...
In the present case report, we describe the clinical course and postmortem findings of a 12-year-old Labrador retriever dog with a third-degree atrio-ventricular block that developed a chronic cough, and later dyspnea and weakness as a result of massive pulmonary thromboembolism 3 years after implantation of a transvenous permanent pacemaker. A large soft tissue mass was seen in the right ventricular chamber around the pacing lead with echocardiography. Initially, this was thought to be caused by mural bacterial endocarditis based on hyperthermia, severe leukocytosis and the appearance of runs of ventricular tachycardia, the latter suggesting myocardial damage. While blood culture results were pending, antibiotics were administered without a positive effect. Due to clinical deterioration, the owner elected for euthanasia and a post-mortem examination confirmed a right ventricular thrombus and surrounding myocarditis, without signs of bacterial infection, and a massive pulmonary thromboembolism. We conclude that pulmonary thromboembolism should be considered in dogs with a cough that have an endocardial pacing lead implanted. Serial screening for proteinuria before and after implantation of an endocardial pacing lead would allow timely initiation of prophylactic antiplatelet therapy. Local myocarditis can develop secondary to an intracavitary thrombus, which can subsequently lead to runs of ventricular tachycardia.
PubMed: 38921984
DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11060237 -
Marine Drugs Jun 2024Bioprospecting the secondary metabolism of underexplored Actinomycetota taxa is a prolific route to uncover novel chemistry. In this work, we report the isolation,...
Bioprospecting the secondary metabolism of underexplored Actinomycetota taxa is a prolific route to uncover novel chemistry. In this work, we report the isolation, structure elucidation, and bioactivity screening of cellulamides A and B ( and ), two novel linear peptides obtained from the culture of the macroalga-associated CT-R177. The host of this microorganism, the Chlorophyta , was collected in the northern Portuguese coast and, in the scope of a bioprospecting study focused on its associated actinobacterial community, strain CT-R177 was isolated, taxonomically identified, and screened for the production of antimicrobial and anticancer compounds. Dereplication of a crude extract of this strain using LC-HRMS(/MS) analysis unveiled a putative novel natural product, cellulamide A (), that was isolated following mass spectrometry-guided fractionation. An additional analog, cellulamide B () was obtained during the chromatographic process and chemically characterized. The chemical structures of the novel linear peptides, including their absolute configurations, were elucidated using a combination of HRMS, 1D/2D NMR spectroscopy, and Marfey's analysis. Cellulamide A () was subjected to a set of bioactivity screenings, but no significant biological activity was observed. The cellulamides represent the first family of natural products reported from the Actinomycetota genus , showcasing not only the potential of less-explored taxa but also of host-associated marine strains for novel chemistry discovery.
Topics: Humans; Peptides; Actinobacteria; Antineoplastic Agents; Aquatic Organisms; Biological Products; Cell Line, Tumor; Anti-Bacterial Agents
PubMed: 38921579
DOI: 10.3390/md22060268 -
Marine Drugs May 2024Tuberculosis, a persistent illness caused by , remains a significant global public health challenge. The widespread use of anti-tuberculosis drugs has resulted in the...
Tuberculosis, a persistent illness caused by , remains a significant global public health challenge. The widespread use of anti-tuberculosis drugs has resulted in the emergence of drug-resistant strains, which complicates treatment efforts. Addressing this issue is crucial and hinges on the development of new drugs that can effectively target the disease. This involves identifying novel therapeutic targets that can disrupt the bacterium's survival mechanisms in various environments such as granulomas and lesions. Citrate lyase, essential for the survival of species at lesion sites and in granulomatous conditions, is a potential target for the treatment of tuberculosis. This manuscript aimed to construct an efficient enzyme inhibitor screening platform using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF MS). This system can accurately identify compounds with enzyme inhibitory activity from a library of marine terpenoids and phenolic compounds. Utilizing the screened herbal enzyme inhibitors as a starting point, we analyzed their chemical structures and skillfully built a library of marine compounds based on these structures. The results showed that all of the tested compounds from the phenolics library inhibited citrate lyase by more than 50%, and a significant portion of terpenoids also demonstrated inhibition, with these active terpenoids comprising over half of the terpenoids tested. The study underscores the potential of marine-derived phenolic and terpenoid compounds as potent inhibitors of citrate lyase, indicating a promising direction for future investigations in treating tuberculosis and associated disorders.
Topics: Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Enzyme Inhibitors; Antitubercular Agents; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; ATP Citrate (pro-S)-Lyase; Aquatic Organisms; Terpenes; Humans; Phenols; Chromatography, Liquid
PubMed: 38921556
DOI: 10.3390/md22060245 -
Metabolites May 2024For either healthy or diseased organisms, lipids are key components for cellular membranes; they play important roles in numerous cellular processes including cell... (Review)
Review
For either healthy or diseased organisms, lipids are key components for cellular membranes; they play important roles in numerous cellular processes including cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, energy storage and signaling. Exercise and disease development are examples of cellular environment alterations which produce changes in these networks. There are indications that alterations in lipid metabolism contribute to the development and progression of a variety of cancers. Measuring such alterations and understanding the pathways involved is critical to fully understand cellular metabolism. The demands for this information have led to the emergence of lipidomics, which enables the large-scale study of lipids using mass spectrometry (MS) techniques. Mass spectrometry has been widely used in lipidomics and allows us to analyze detailed lipid profiles of cancers. In this article, we discuss emerging strategies for lipidomics by mass spectrometry; targeted, as opposed to global, lipid analysis provides an exciting new alternative method. Additionally, we provide an introduction to lipidomics, lipid categories and their major biological functions, along with lipidomics studies by mass spectrometry in cancer samples. Further, we summarize the importance of lipid metabolism in oncology and tumor microenvironment, some of the challenges for lipodomics, and the potential for targeted approaches for screening pharmaceutical candidates to improve the therapeutic efficacy of treatment in cancer patients.
PubMed: 38921447
DOI: 10.3390/metabo14060312