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Cell Reports Jul 2023
PubMed: 37440407
DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112849 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2023The Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5) is a self-report measure of personality pathology designed to measure pathological personality traits outlined in the DSM-5...
INTRODUCTION
The Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5) is a self-report measure of personality pathology designed to measure pathological personality traits outlined in the DSM-5 alternative model of personality disorders. Within the extensive literature exploring the relationship between personality and disordered eating, there are few that explore the relationship between the PID-5 and disordered eating behaviours in a non-clinical sample of males and females: restrictive eating, binge eating, purging, chewing and spitting, excessive exercising and muscle building.
METHODS
An online survey assessed disordered eating, PID-5 traits and general psychopathology and was completed by 394 female and 167 male participants aged 16-30. Simultaneous equations path models were systematically generated for each disordered eating behaviour to identify how the PID-5 scales, body dissatisfaction and age predicted behaviour.
RESULTS
The results indicated that each of the six disordered behaviours were associated with a unique pattern of maladaptive personality traits. The statistical models differed between males and females indicating possible differences in how dimensional personality pathology and disordered eating relate.
DISCUSSION
It was concluded that understanding disordered eating behaviour in the context of personality pathology may assist formulating potentially risky behaviour.
PubMed: 37434891
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1113142 -
The Lancet. Global Health Jun 2023Smokeless tobacco, used by more than 300 million people globally, results in substantial morbidity and mortality. For smokeless tobacco control, many countries have...
BACKGROUND
Smokeless tobacco, used by more than 300 million people globally, results in substantial morbidity and mortality. For smokeless tobacco control, many countries have adopted policies beyond the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which has been instrumental in reducing smoking prevalence. The impact of these policies (within and outside the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control) on smokeless tobacco use remains unclear. We aimed to systematically review policies that are relevant to smokeless tobacco and its context and investigate their impact on smokeless tobacco use.
METHODS
In this systematic review, we searched 11 electronic databases and grey literature between Jan 1, 2005, and Sept 20, 2021, in English and key south Asian languages, to summarise smokeless tobacco policies and their impact. Inclusion criteria were all types of studies on smokeless tobacco users that mentioned any smokeless tobacco relevant policies since 2005, except systematic reviews. Policies issued by organisations or private institutions were excluded as well as studies on e-cigarettes and Electronic Nicotine Delivery System except where harm reduction or switching were evaluated as a tobacco cessation strategy. Two reviewers independently screened articles, and data were extracted after standardisation. Quality of studies was appraised using the Effective Public Health Practice Project's Quality Assessment Tool. Outcomes for impact assessment included smokeless tobacco prevalence, uptake, cessation, and health effects. Due to substantial heterogeneity in the descriptions of policies and outcomes, data were descriptively and narratively synthesised. This systematic review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020191946).
FINDINGS
14 317 records were identified, of which 252 eligible studies were included as describing smokeless tobacco policies. 57 countries had policies targeting smokeless tobacco, of which 17 had policies outside the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control for smokeless tobacco (eg, spitting bans). 18 studies evaluated the impact, which were of variable quality (six strong, seven moderate, and five weak) and reported mainly on prevalence of smokeless tobacco use. The body of work evaluating policy initiatives based on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control found that these initiatives were associated with reductions in smokeless tobacco prevalence of between 4·4% and 30·3% for taxation and 22·2% and 70·9% for multifaceted policies. Two studies evaluating the non-Framework policy of sales bans reported significant reductions in smokeless tobacco sale (6·4%) and use (combined sex 17·6%); one study, however, reported an increased trend in smokeless tobacco use in the youth after a total sales ban, likely due to cross-border smuggling. The one study reporting on cessation found a 13·3% increase in quit attempts in individuals exposed (47·5%) to Framework Convention on Tobacco Control policy: education, communication, training, and public awareness, compared with non-exposed (34·2%).
INTERPRETATION
Many countries have implemented smokeless tobacco control policies, including those that extend beyond the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The available evidence suggests that taxation and multifaceted policy initiatives are associated with meaningful reductions in smokeless tobacco use.
FUNDING
UK National Institute for Health Research.
Topics: Adolescent; Humans; Tobacco, Smokeless; Tobacco Control; Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; Smoking; Policy
PubMed: 37202029
DOI: 10.1016/S2214-109X(23)00205-X -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2023Despite strong historical records on the accuracy of saliva testing, oral fluids are considered poorly suited for pneumococcal carriage detection. We evaluated an...
BACKGROUND
Despite strong historical records on the accuracy of saliva testing, oral fluids are considered poorly suited for pneumococcal carriage detection. We evaluated an approach for carriage surveillance and vaccine studies that increases the sensitivity and specificity of pneumococcus and pneumococcal serotype detection in saliva samples.
METHODS
Quantitative PCR (qPCR)-based methods were applied to detect pneumococcus and pneumococcal serotypes in 971 saliva samples collected from 653 toddlers and 318 adults. Results were compared with culture-based and qPCR-based detection in nasopharyngeal samples collected from children and in nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal samples collected from adults. Optimal C cut-offs for positivity in qPCRs were determined via receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and accuracy of different approaches was assessed using a composite reference for pneumococcal and for serotype carriage based on isolation of live pneumococcus from the person or positivity of saliva samples determined with qPCR. To evaluate the inter-laboratory reproducibility of the method, 229 culture-enriched samples were tested independently in the second center.
RESULTS
In total, 51.5% of saliva samples from children and 31.8% of saliva samples from adults were positive for pneumococcus. Detection of pneumococcus by qPCR in culture-enriched saliva exhibited enhanced sensitivity and higher agreement with a composite reference compared to diagnostic culture of nasopharyngeal samples in children (Cohen's κ: 0.69-0.79 vs. 0.61-0.73) and in adults (κ: 0.84-0.95 vs. 0.04-0.33) and culture of oropharyngeal samples in adults (κ: 0.84-0.95 vs. -0.12-0.19). Similarly, detection of serotypes with qPCR in culture-enriched saliva exhibited enhanced sensitivity and higher agreement with a composite reference compared to nasopharyngeal culture in children (κ: 0.73-0.82 vs. 0.61-0.73) and adults (κ: 0.90-0.96 vs. 0.00-0.30) and oropharyngeal culture in adults (κ: 0.90-0.96 vs. -0.13 to 0.30). However, results of qPCRs targeting serotype 4, 5, and 17F and serogroups 9, 12, and 35 were excluded due to assays' lack of specificity. We observed excellent quantitative agreement for qPCR-based detection of pneumococcus between laboratories. After exclusion of serotype/serogroup-specific assays with insufficient specificity, moderate agreement (κ 0.68, 95% CI 0.58-0.77) was observed.
CONCLUSION
Molecular testing of culture-enriched saliva samples improves the sensitivity of overall surveillance of pneumococcal carriage in children and adults, but limitations of qPCR-based approaches for pneumococcal serotypes carriage detection should be considered.
PubMed: 37138599
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1156695 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Apr 2023With the continued growth of human populations, rural urbanisation and habitat degradation are on the rise, resulting in the displacement of native wildlife and an...
With the continued growth of human populations, rural urbanisation and habitat degradation are on the rise, resulting in the displacement of native wildlife and an increase in human-wildlife conflicts. The presence of human habitation and waste often attracts rodents and thereby, snakes, leading to increased snake sightings in homes. To address this problem, snake handlers, who are volunteers that remove and relocate snakes away from human development areas, are called upon. However, snake removal is a high-risk task that poses a risk of envenomation, particularly when dealing with spitting snakes. Several cobra species have the ability to spit venom. If the venom enters a person's eye, it can result in ophthalmic envenomation, which can have serious consequences for their eyesight. Therefore, snake handlers should take precautions, wear suitable eye protection, and use appropriate tools to ensure their safety and that of the snake. In this case, an experienced snake handler was called to remove a spitting cobra, but they were ill-equipped. During the removal, the venom was sprayed across the handler's face, and some of it entered their eye, resulting in ophthalmic envenomation. The handler promptly irrigated their eye, but medical treatment was still necessary. This report highlights the risks and consequences of ophthalmic injury and the importance of wearing appropriate eye protection and taking due care when dealing with venomous species, particularly those that can spit venom. It serves as a reminder that accidents can happen at any time and experienced snake handlers are not exempt from the risks.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Snake Bites; Elapidae; Elapid Venoms; Antivenins; Snake Venoms
PubMed: 37099489
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011264 -
Metabolites Mar 2023Saliva is an easily sampled matrix containing a variety of biochemical information, which can be correlated with the individual health status. The fast, straightforward...
Saliva is an easily sampled matrix containing a variety of biochemical information, which can be correlated with the individual health status. The fast, straightforward analysis of saliva by vibrational (ATR-FTIR and Raman) spectroscopy is a good premise for large-scale preclinical studies to aid translation into clinics. In this work, the effects of saliva collection (spitting/swab) and processing (two different deproteinization procedures) were explored by principal component analysis (PCA) of ATR-FTIR and Raman data and by investigating the effects on the main saliva metabolites by reversed-phase chromatography (RPC-HPLC-DAD). Our results show that, depending on the bioanalytical information needed, special care must be taken when saliva is collected with swabs because the polymeric material significantly interacts with some saliva components. Moreover, the analysis of saliva before and after deproteinization by FTIR and Raman spectroscopy allows to obtain complementary biological information.
PubMed: 36984834
DOI: 10.3390/metabo13030393 -
International Journal of Microbiology 2023(Puff adder), (Egyptian cobra), and (Red spitting cobra) venoms were tested for antimicrobial activity. This evaluation employed disc diffusion and microbroth...
(Puff adder), (Egyptian cobra), and (Red spitting cobra) venoms were tested for antimicrobial activity. This evaluation employed disc diffusion and microbroth dilution techniques. Gram-positive bacteria ( and ) and Gram-negative bacteria (, , and ) were used. Aztreonam (30 g), cefpodoxime (10 g), cefoxitine (30 g), streptomycin (25 g), ceftriaxone (30 g), nalidixic acid (30 g), tetracycline (30 g), and sulfamethoxazole (25 g) were used as controls. All tests were conducted in triplicate ( = 3). . The activity of venom against Gram-negative bacteria was significantly lower ( < 0.001) than that of controls. The efficacy of venom and sulfamethoxazole against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was not significantly different ( > 0.9999). The efficacy of venom against Gram-positive bacteria was significantly lower ( < 0.001) than cefoxitin, streptomycin, and tetracycline. The efficacy of venom against Gram-negative bacteria was significantly lower ( < 0.001) than that of controls. There was no significant difference in the antimicrobial efficacy of venom and controls against Gram-positive bacteria (=0.3927 to =0.9998). There was no significant difference in the efficacy of venom and controls against Gram-negative bacteria (=0.3061 to =0.9981). There was no significant difference in the efficacy of venom and controls against Gram-positive bacteria (=0.2368 to > 0.9999). . Of all the tested venoms, only venom showed good efficacy against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
PubMed: 36908982
DOI: 10.1155/2023/7924853 -
Journal of International Society of... 2022This study aimed to evaluate the salivary calcium level and its correlation with salivary pH, salivary volume, and calcium intake in hypertensive female patients with...
AIMS
This study aimed to evaluate the salivary calcium level and its correlation with salivary pH, salivary volume, and calcium intake in hypertensive female patients with different blood sugar levels.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This cross-sectional study included 49 female subjects with hypertension. Subjects were divided into three groups based on the HbA1c test: normal, prediabetes, and diabetes. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected using the spitting method. Salivary calcium levels were evaluated using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Salivary pH was obtained using a universal indicator pH paper test. Calcium intake was assessed by a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare salivary parameters and total calcium intake within study groups. Spearman rank correlation and multiple regression analysis were used to evaluate the correlation between salivary calcium levels and all variables in the study.
RESULTS
No significant difference in salivary calcium, volume, pH, and total calcium intake was observed within the study groups. However, a significant correlation was found between salivary calcium levels and salivary pH in hypertensive females with normal blood glucose levels. Moreover, salivary calcium levels have a significant correlation with systolic blood pressure in prediabetes and diabetes groups.
CONCLUSIONS
This study found a decrease in all salivary parameters (calcium, pH, and volume) as well as a low calcium intake in hypertensive females, despite no significant difference found in groups with different blood glucose levels. Blood glucose levels appeared to be a confounder in the relationship between salivary calcium with salivary pH and systolic blood pressure.
PubMed: 36777009
DOI: 10.4103/jispcd.JISPCD_122_22 -
Nutrients Jan 2023(.; previously ) has been shown to influence gastrointestinal (GI) tolerance. This study was a secondary analysis of GI tolerance data from a multi-country,... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
(.; previously ) has been shown to influence gastrointestinal (GI) tolerance. This study was a secondary analysis of GI tolerance data from a multi-country, cross-sectional, observational study in healthy infants using the validated Infant Gastrointestinal Symptom Questionnaire (IGSQ) and a gut comfort questionnaire. Breastfed infants (BFI; = 760) were compared to formula-fed infants receiving either -containing formula (FFI + LR; = 470) or standard formula without any probiotic or prebiotic (FFI-Std; = 501). The IGSQ composite scores (adjusted mean ± SE) in FFI + LR (22.17 ± 0.39) was significantly lower than in FFI-Std (23.41 ± 0.37) and similar to BFI (22.34 ± 0.30;), indicating better GI tolerance in FFI + LR than in FFI-Std. Compared with FFI-Std, FFI + LR had lower reports of difficulty in passing stools (11% vs. 22%; adjusted-odds ratio (OR) (95%CI) = 0.46 (0.31-0.68)), fewer hard stools (mean difference = -0.12 (-0.21, -0.02)) and less physician-confirmed colic (OR = 0.61 (0.45-0.82)), and similar to BFI. Parent-reported crying time (mean difference = -0.15 (-0.28, -0.01)), frequency of spitting-up/vomiting (mean difference = -0.18 (-0.34, -0.03)), volume of spit-up (mean difference = -0.20 (-0.32, -0.08)) and fussiness due to spitting-up/vomiting (mean difference = -0.17 (-0.29, -0.05)) were lower in FFI + LR versus FFI-Std and similar to BFI. In this study, -containing formula was associated with improved digestive tolerance and behavioral patterns.
Topics: Female; Humans; Infant; Colic; Cross-Sectional Studies; Double-Blind Method; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Infant Formula; Limosilactobacillus reuteri; Probiotics; Vomiting
PubMed: 36771237
DOI: 10.3390/nu15030530