Socioeconomic disparities in mammography screening in the United States from 2012 to 2020.

The potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on socioeconomic disparities in mammography uptake remain poorly understood. We used repeated cross-sectional data from the 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2020 waves of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, focusing on the U.S. women aged 50-74 years and investigated the relationships of educational attainment, employment status, and household income with a missed mammogram in the past two years. We ran Poisson regression analyses accounting for survey weights. The sample numbers were 139,761 in 2012, 137,916 in 2014, 140,000 in 2016, 116,756 in 2018, and 102,774 in 2020, respectively. Women with the lower educational attainment and lower household incomes reported higher proportions of missed mammography screening. Self-employed women were most likely to miss a mammogram. Accounting for other covariates, there was an increase in the adjusted prevalence ratio (PR) of missed mammography from 2018 to 2020 (pre-pandemic versus post pandemic onset) for self-employed women compared to women in waged work. Non-Hispanic Black women who were self-employed (PR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.16, 0.51) and employed for wages (PR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.47, 0.73) were at lower risks of missing a mammogram compared to non-Hispanic White women in the same categories. The findings suggest that disparities for mammography uptake widened after the pandemic onset, especially for employment status, which varied by race/ethnicity.

Revealing the evolution of local structures in the formation process of alkaline earth metal cation-containing zeolites from glasses.

Alkaline earth metal cations are ubiquitously present in natural zeolites but less exploited in synthetic zeolites due to their low solubility in water, and hence it remains elusive how they contribute to zeolite formation. Herein, harmotome, a PHI-type zeolite with Ba2+, is readily synthesized from a Ba-containing aluminosilicate glass. This glass-to-zeolite transformation process, in particular the structure-regulating role of Ba2+, is investigated by anomalous X-ray scattering and high-energy X-ray total scattering techniques. The results demonstrate that the steady Ba2+-aluminosilicate interactions not only help prevent the precipitation of barium species under alkaline synthetic conditions, but also dictate the local structures with distinct interatomic distances between the Ba2+ and the surrounding aluminosilicate species throughout the transformation process, which lead to the successful formation of harmotome without detectable impurities. This study highlights the usefulness of the comprehensive X-ray scattering techniques in revealing the formation scheme of the zeolites containing specific metal species. In addition, a promising alternative approach to design and synthesize zeolites with unique compositions and topologies by using well-crafted glasses with suitable metal cation dopants is demonstrated.

TIP60 is required for tumorigenesis in non-small cell lung cancer.

Histone modifications play crucial roles in transcriptional activation, and aberrant epigenetic changes are associated with oncogenesis. Lysine (K) acetyltransferases 5 (TIP60, also known as KAT5) is reportedly implicated in cancer development and maintenance, although its function in lung cancer remains controversial. Here we demonstrate that TIP60 knockdown in non-small cell lung cancer cell lines decreased tumor cell growth, migration, and invasion. Furthermore, analysis of a mouse lung cancer model with lung-specific conditional Tip60 knockout revealed suppressed tumor formation relative to controls, but no apparent effects on normal lung homeostasis. RNA-seq and ChIP-seq analyses of inducible TIP60 knockdown H1975 cells relative to controls revealed transglutaminase enzyme (TGM5) as downstream of TIP60. Investigation of a connectivity map database identified several candidate compounds that decrease TIP60 mRNA, one that suppressed tumor growth in cell culture and in vivo. In addition, TH1834, a TIP60 acetyltransferase inhibitor, showed comparable antitumor effects in cell culture and in vivo. Taken together, suppression of TIP60 activity shows tumor-specific efficacy against lung cancer, with no overt effect on normal tissues. Our work suggests that targeting TIP60 could be a promising approach to treating lung cancer.

Remote cognitive behavioral therapy for older adults with anxiety symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: In-person cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can reduce self-reported anxiety in older adults. However, studies are limited for remote CBT. We assessed the effectiveness of remote CBT in mitigating self-reported anxiety in older adults. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis based on a literature search of PubMed, Embase, PsycInfo, and Cochrane databases up to March 31, 2021, for randomized controlled clinical trials comparing the effectiveness of remote CBT versus non-CBT controls on mitigating self-reported anxiety in older adults. We calculated within-group pre-to-post-treatment standardized mean difference using Cohen's d, obtained the difference between a remote CBT group and a non-CBT control group as our effect size for cross-study comparison, and conducted a random-effects meta-analysis. Changes in scores on self-reported anxiety symptoms (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 item Scale, Penn State Worry Questionnaire, or Penn State Worry Questionnaire - Abbreviated), and self-reported depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 item Scale or Beck Depression Inventory) were primary and secondary outcomes, respectively. RESULTS: Six eligible studies, containing 633 participants with a pooled mean age of 66.6 years, were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. There was a significant mitigating effect of intervention on self-reported anxiety, favoring remote CBT over non-CBT controls (between-group effect size: -0.63; 95% CI: -0.99 to -0.28). We also found a significant mitigating effect of intervention on self-reported depressive symptoms (between-group effect size: -0.74; 95% CI: -1.24 to -0.25). DISCUSSION: Remote CBT is more effective in reducing self-reported anxiety and depressive symptoms than non-CBT control in older adults.

Is early-onset cancer an emerging global epidemic? Current evidence and future implications.

Over the past several decades, the incidence of early-onset cancers, often defined as cancers diagnosed in adults <50 years of age, in the breast, colorectum, endometrium, oesophagus, extrahepatic bile duct, gallbladder, head and neck, kidney, liver, bone marrow, pancreas, prostate, stomach and thyroid has increased in multiple countries. Increased use of screening programmes has contributed to this phenomenon to a certain extent, although a genuine increase in the incidence of early-onset forms of several cancer types also seems to have emerged. Evidence suggests an aetiological role of risk factor exposures in early life and young adulthood. Since the mid-20th century, substantial multigenerational changes in the exposome have occurred (including changes in diet, lifestyle, obesity, environment and the microbiome, all of which might interact with genomic and/or genetic susceptibilities). However, the effects of individual exposures remain largely unknown. To study early-life exposures and their implications for multiple cancer types will require prospective cohort studies with dedicated biobanking and data collection technologies. Raising awareness among both the public and health-care professionals will also be critical. In this Review, we describe changes in the incidence of early-onset cancers globally and suggest measures that are likely to reduce the burden of cancers and other chronic non-communicable diseases.

Exploring Hydrothermal Synthesis of SAPO-18 under High Hydrostatic Pressure.

The effect of external hydrostatic pressure on the hydrothermal synthesis of the microporous silicoaluminophosphate SAPO-18 has been explored. The crystallization of the SAPO-18 phase is inhibited at 150 °C under high pressures (200 MPa) when using relatively diluted synthesis mixtures. On the contrary, the use of concentrated synthesis mixtures allowed SAPO-18 to be obtained in all the studied conditions. The obtained solids were characterized with XRD, SEM, ICP-AES, TG and 27Al and 31P MAS NMR spectroscopy. The results highlight the importance of the external pressure effect on the hydrothermal synthesis of molecular sieves and its influence on the interaction between the organic molecule and the silicoaluminophosphate network.

Swallowing Function Evaluation in a Patient with Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker Disease with Pro105Leu: A Case Report.

Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker disease (GSS) is a genetic prion disease. Swallowing function evaluation in patients with GSS remains unclear. Here, we describe a case of videofluoroscopic examination of swallowing (VF) to facilitate continued oral ingestion in a patient with P105L GSS. A 67-year-old woman developed gait disturbance and Parkinsonism symptoms at the age of 54 years. Since her family wanted her to continue oral ingestion, we performed VF, which revealed impairment and preservation of the oral and pharyngeal phases, respectively. Moreover, the impairment of the oral phase was improved by adjusting the patient's posture and food consistency. A swallowing function evaluation based on the condition of a patient with GSS may facilitate continued oral ingestion.

Reaction Kinetics Regulated Formation of Short-Range Order in an Amorphous Matrix during Zeolite Crystallization.

The crystallization of zeolites, a disorder-to-order transformation of aluminosilicates, has not been thoroughly understood because the nucleation events in the amorphous matrix are difficult to recognize from the diverse structural changes, especially for the dense hydrogel systems. Therefore, relationships between the synthesis conditions, the generated amorphous species, and the crystallization behavior of zeolites remain unclear. Herein, by comparatively investigating the structural evolution of the aluminosilicate matrix in a dense hydrogel system when different Si reactants (fumed silica and silicate solution) are employed, we demonstrate that the reactivity of the reactants and the kinetics of the condensation reaction is critical to the formation of short-range order in an amorphous matrix, which greatly influences the nucleation frequency of zeolites. It was revealed that an amorphous solid containing plentiful Al-rich four-membered rings and Si-rich six-membered rings could be produced when fumed silica gradually reacted with sodium aluminate solution at 80 °C. It is considered that the interaction between these rings promotes the construction of the essential building units of zeolite X (FAU). In contrast, a complex aluminosilicate matrix was formed immediately when sodium silicate solution was mixed with sodium aluminate solution due to the intense condensation reaction. Furthermore, this complex matrix became more stable when the reactant mixture was hydrothermally treated at 80 °C, which significantly impedes the crystallization process. Aging the reactant mixture at ambient temperature before heating, instead, facilitated the formation of short-range order in the amorphous matrix, which increases the nucleation frequency of zeolites.

Malignant lymphoma of the cervix in a bicollis uterus considered to be a post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder in a patient after renal transplantation: A case report.

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) refers to a group of diseases, characterized by abnormal proliferation of lymphocytes, that develop after organ transplantation. PTLD is associated with poor prognosis, and has become a major problem for transplant patients. In this report, we described a case of malignant lymphoma of the cervix in a bicollis uterus considered to be a PTLD in a patient after renal transplantation. The incidence of this disease is expected to increase as the survival rate of transplant patients improves. Hence, it is very important for gynecological oncologists to consider the presence of PTLD when examining such patients.

Unique crystallization behavior in zeolite synthesis under external high pressures.

The function of pressure has long been overlooked in the hydrothermal synthesis of zeolites, which is typically carried out under an autogenous pressure (below 2 MPa). We herein report, the first of its kind, a detailed investigation on the hydrothermal synthesis of zeolites under external high pressures, where crystallization behaviors contradicting the common observations were generated.

Multilocus Sequence Typing of Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Japan, 2002-2016.

In Japan, Mycoplasma pneumoniae resistance to macrolides is high. To compare sequence types (STs) of susceptible and resistant isolates, we performed multilocus sequence typing for 417 isolates obtained in Japan during 2002-2016. The most prevalent ST overall was ST3, for macrolide-resistant was ST19, and for macrolide-susceptible were ST14 and ST7.

Genotypic characterization of Haemophilus influenzae isolates from paediatric patients in Japan.

Purpose. ß-lactamase-negative ampicillin-resistant (BLNAR) Haemophilus influenzae is frequently isolated from respiratory samples and is particularly problematic in Japan. The aim of this study was to characterize circulating isolates of H. influenzae genotypically by BLNAR-PCR and multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and to determine any associations between them.Methods. H. influenzae isolates (n=191) were collected from paediatric patients (1 month to 12 years old) between 2000 and 2011 for three types of infections: pneumonia (n=61), acute otitis media (AOM) (n=68) and meningitis (n=62). All were characterized for capsular type by agglutination tests, and for ß-lactam resistance by real-time PCR. The sequence types (STs) determined by MLST were analysed using eburst v3.Results. Eighty-eight out of 191 (46.1 %) H. influenzae isolates were BLNAR by PCR; 37 of 61 (60.7 %) from pneumonia; 33 of 68 (48.5 %) from AOM and 18 of 62 (29.0 %) from meningitis cases. MLST identified 40 and 44 STs among isolates from pneumonia and AOM, respectively. BLNAR were found in singletons such as ST156 in pneumonia, and ST161 and ST396 in AOM. In contrast, eight STs were identified in meningitis, of which seven were genotypically closely related, while ST54 was the most frequent (62.9 %), unlike in the MLST database registrations, where ST6 predominated.Conclusion. Non-typeable H. influenzae (NTHi), mostly derived from pneumonia and AOM, were genetically diverse, in contrast to the predominance of H. influenzae type b (Hib) among meningitis cases. The associations between certain STs and ß-lactam resistance among NTHi were confirmed.

Ultrafast synthesis of high-silica erionite zeolites with improved hydrothermal stability.

High-silica erionite (ERI) zeolites are conventionally synthesised via a so-called charge density mismatch (CDM) approach, and a typical synthesis takes several days to complete. We herein demonstrate an ultrafast route to synthesise high-silica erionite zeolites in as short as 2 h at 210 °C. The fast-synthesised ERI has been proved to show higher hydrothermal stability compared with the conventionally synthesised product.

The structure of a new cardenolide diglycoside and the biological activities of eleven cardenolide diglycosides from Nerium oleander.

A new cardenolide diglycoside (1) was isolated from Nerium oleander together with ten known cardenolide diglycosides 2-11. The structure of compound 1 was established on the basis of their spectroscopic data. The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of compounds 1-11 was examined on the basis of inhibitory activity against the induction of the intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Compounds 2-5 were active at an IC(50) value of less than 0.8 µM. The cytotoxicity of compounds 1-11 was evaluated against three human cell lines normal human fibroblast cells (WI-38), malignant tumor cells induced from WI-38 (VA-13), and human liver tumor cells (HepG2). Compound 3 was active toward VA-13 cells, and compounds 2-5 were active toward HepG2 cells at IC(50) values of less than 1.3 µM. The multidrug resistance (MDR)-reversal activity of compounds 1-11 was evaluated on the basis of the amount of calcein in MDR human ovarian cancer 2780AD cells in the presence of each compound. Compounds 1 and 8 showed moderate effects on calcein accumulation.

Three new cardenolides from methanol extract of stems and twigs of Nerium oleander.

Two new cardenolide monoglycosides, cardenolides B-1 (1) and B-2 (2) were isolated from Nerium oleander, together with oleagenin (3) which is the first isolated compound from natural sources. The structure of compounds 1-3 were established on the basis of their spectroscopic data.

Halide-stabilized LiBH4, a room-temperature lithium fast-ion conductor.

Solid state lithium conductors are attracting much attention for their potential applications to solid-state batteries and supercapacitors of high energy density to overcome safety issues and irreversible capacity loss of the currently commercialized ones. Recently, we discovered a new class of lithium super ionic conductors based on lithium borohydride (LiBH(4)). LiBH(4) was found to have conductivity as high as 10(-2) Scm(-1) accompanied by orthorhombic to hexagonal phase transition above 115 degrees C. Polarization to the lithium metal electrode was shown to be extremely low, providing a versatile anode interface for the battery application. However, the high transition temperature of the superionic phase has limited its applications. Here we show that a chemical modification of LiBH(4) can stabilize the superionic phase even below room temperature. By doping of lithium halides, high conductivity can be obtained at room temperature. Both XRD and NMR confirmed room-temperature stabilization of superionic phase for LiI-doped LiBH(4). The electrochemical measurements showed a great advantage of this material as an extremely lightweight lithium electrolyte for batteries of high energy density. This material will open alternative opportunities for the development of solid ionic conductors other than previously known lithium conductors.

Synthesis and properties of hexakis(6-octyl-2-azulenyl)benzene as a multielectron redox system with liquid crystalline behavior.

[structure: see text] This paper describes the cyclotrimerization reaction of di(2-azulenyl)acetylenes (2a,b) catalyzed by Co2(CO)8 to produce hexa(2-azulenyl)benzene derivatives (1a,b). The cyclooligomerization of 2a and 2b utilizing CpCo(CO)2 as a catalyst produced (eta5-cyclopentadienyl)[tetra(2-azulenyl)cyclobutadiene]cobalt complexes (3a,b). The redox behavior of hexakis(6-octyl-2-azulenyl)benzene (1b), bis(6-octyl-2-azulenyl)acetylene (2b), and the cobalt complexes 3a and 3b along with 6-octyl-2-phenylazulene (19) was examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The reduction of compound 1b exhibited multiple-electron transfers in one step upon CV with a reduction potential similar to that of compound 19. However, the CVs of compounds 2b, 3a, and 3b were characterized by stepwise waves because of the reduction of each azulene ring. The mesomorphic behaviors of 1b, 2b, and 19 were also studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarizing optical microscopy (POM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. A new series of azulene derivatives, 1b, 2b, and 19, substituted by a long alkyl chain at the 6-position shows mesomorphism with crystalline polymorphs. Compound 1b showed a large temperature range of hexagonal columnar mesophases (Col(ho)) from 115.5 to 199.9 degrees C. Compound 2b has rectangular columnar (Col(ro)), smectic E (S(E)), and nematic (N) mesophases. Compound 19 exhibited an S(E) mesophase.