Sexual Minorities and Loneliness: Exploring Sexuality through Social Media and Gender-Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Supports.

We examined online and offline social supports for sexual minority adolescents, underscoring the understudied developmental period of early adolescence and the mental outcome of loneliness. Stemming from a larger study in the northeast U.S., 967 youth participants were 26% sexual minority, 53% female, 45% male, and 2% other/nonbinary (mean age = 13.1, SD = 1.52). LGBTQ+ youth reported significantly higher levels of loneliness compared to their heterosexual counterparts. To understand potential sources of social support while exploring their sexual identities, we compared the experiences of LGBTQ+ youth at both ends of the loneliness spectrum. Gaining knowledge about their sexual orientation from LGBTQ+ organization websites, participating in gender-sexuality alliances, and using TikTok or Instagram were associated with lower levels of loneliness. Providing social support to online friends was associated with lower loneliness; however, receiving online support was not associated with lower loneliness. Furthermore, proactive social media engagement such as posting uplifting content, joining online communities, or raising awareness about social issues were associated with lower levels of loneliness. The results provide guidance on specific youth behaviors and online communities beyond a focus on screen time while highlighting the continued need for social support to ameliorate loneliness, such as gender-sexuality alliance networks.

The role of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in the diagnosis of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease.

OBJECTIVES: Upper gastrointestinal (UGI) tract involvement is frequently reported in pediatric Crohn disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Aside from granulomas, most findings are nonspecific. The aims of this study were to review the prevalence of UGI tract findings in pediatric patients with CD or UC at diagnosis and to describe differences in endoscopic and histologic features. METHODS: Patients with CD and UC aged 2 to 17 years diagnosed between 2000 and 2015 who had upper and lower endoscopy at diagnosis were randomly chosen from the BC Children's Hospital inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) registry. Pathology review of the UGI biopsy specimens was blinded to IBD diagnosis. RESULTS: Of the 198 patients, 102 with CD and 96 with UC were included, with a mean age of 11.7 years (range, 2.3-17 years). Patients with CD were more likely to have aphthous ulcers (20.4% vs 3.5%, P = .002) and erosions (16.3% vs 3.5%, P =.018), most commonly affecting the antrum. Macroscopically normal UGI endoscopy was present in 60% of patients. Microscopic disease was reported in 100% of patients with CD and 87% of patients with UC. In both groups, nonspecific inflammation was the most common finding. Chronic deep, superficial, and diffuse inflammation were more frequent among patients with CD than UC (42% vs 4%, P < .001; 60% vs 17%, P < .001; 50% vs 34%, P = .04, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The UGI tract macroscopic changes were common in pediatric IBD, especially in CD. Despite macroscopically normal endoscopy, histologic abnormalities were frequent. Although chronic inflammation was more often reported in patients with CD, aside from granulomas there were no unique histologic abnormalities unique to CD.

Risks for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among Asian men who have sex with men in Vancouver, British Columbia: a cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Individuals of Asian heritage represent the largest ethnic minority in Canada. Approximately 10% of the new HIV diagnoses in men in British Columbia occur among Asian-Canadians. However, the HIV risk patterns of Asian men who have sex with men (MSM) have not been extensively studied. METHODS: Participants aged ≥ 19 years were enrolled in a venue-based HIV serobehavioural survey of MSM in Vancouver, Canada. We compared the demographic characteristics, risk behaviours, and prevalence of HIV and other sexual and blood borne infections between Asian and non-Asian MSM using bivariate analysis and logistic regression confounder modelling. RESULTS: Amongst 1132 participants, 110 (9.7%) self-identified as Asian. Asian participants were younger than non-Asian participants (median age 29 vs. 32 years; p < 0.001), but otherwise did not differ from other study participants. HIV prevalence was lower among Asian MSM compared to Non-Asian MSM (3.7% vs 19.0%, p <0.001). Among men who self-reported as HIV negative or unknown we found no differences in unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) with a discordant or unknown serostatus partner in the previous six months (11 vs. 13%; p = 0.503). However, Asian MSM were less likely to report ever using injection drugs (10.8% vs. 19.2%; p = 0.043) or using alcohol before having sex (52% vs. 64.4%; p = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: Asian MSM in our study reported similar rates of UAI as non-Asian MSM, but had a lower prevalence of HIV infection. Other factors, such as the use of drugs and alcohol, in relation to sex, may partly explain these differences. However this requires further investigation.

Detection of protein structure of frozen ancient human remains recovered from a glacier in Canada using synchrotron fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy.

We previously used synchrotron infrared microspectroscopy to describe the biochemical signature of skeletal muscle (biceps brachii) from the frozen ancient remains of a young man. In this current paper, we use light microscopy to assess the state of preservation of cellular components in the trapezius muscle from these same ancient remains and then use mid-infrared analysis at the Canadian Light Source synchrotron facility to further analyze the tissue. We compare spectra between the trapezius samples from the ancient remains and a recently deceased cadaver (control). Infrared spectra indicate preservation of secondary structure, with the α-helix being the principal component, along with triple helical portions of the protein backbone. Our mid-infrared analysis indicates an energy reserve in the skeletal muscle in the ancient remains.

Land-use change is associated with multi-century loss of elephant ecosystems in Asia.

Understanding historic patterns of land use and land cover change across large temporal and spatial scales is critical for developing effective biodiversity conservation management and policy. We quantify the extent and fragmentation of suitable habitat across the continental range of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) based on present-day occurrence data and land-use variables between 850 and 2015 A.D. We found that following centuries of relative stability, over 64% (3.36 million km2) of suitable elephant habitat across Asia was lost since the year 1700, coincident with colonial-era land-use practices in South Asia and subsequent agricultural intensification in Southeast Asia. Average patch size dropped 83% from approximately 99,000-16,000 km2 and the area occupied by the largest patch decreased 83% from ~ 4 million km2 (45% of area) to 54,000 km2 (~ 7.5% of area). Whereas 100% of the area within 100 km of the current elephant range could have been considered suitable habitat in the year 1700, over half was unsuitable by 2015, driving potential conflict with people. These losses reflect long-term decline of non-forested ecosystems, exceeding estimates of deforestation within this century. Societies must consider ecological histories in addition to proximate threats to develop more just and sustainable land-use and conservation strategies.

Predicting Performances on Processing and Memorizing East Asian Faces from Brain Activities in Face-Selective Regions: A Neurocomputational Approach.

For more than two decades, a network of face-selective brain regions has been identified as the core system for face processing, including occipital face area (OFA), fusiform face area (FFA), and posterior region of superior temporal sulcus (pSTS). Moreover, recent studies have suggested that the ventral route of face processing and memory should end at the anterior temporal lobes (i.e., vATLs), which may play an important role bridging face perception and face memory. It is not entirely clear, however, the extent to which neural activities in these face-selective regions can effectively predict behavioral performance on tasks that are frequently used to investigate face processing and face memory test that requires recognition beyond variation in pose and lighting, especially when non-Caucasian East Asian faces are involved. To address these questions, we first identified during a functional scan the core face network by asking participants to perform a one-back task, while viewing either static images or dynamic videos. Dynamic localizers were effective in identifying regions of interest (ROIs) in the core face-processing system. We then correlated the brain activities of core ROIs with performances on face-processing tasks (component, configural, and composite) and face memory test (Taiwanese Face Memory Test, TFMT) and found evidence for limited predictability. We next adopted an multi-voxel pattern analysis (MVPA) approach to further explore the predictability of face-selective brain regions on TFMT performance and found evidence suggesting that a basic visual processing area such as calcarine and an area for structural face processing such as OFA may play an even greater role in memorizing faces. Implications regarding how differences in processing demands between behavioral and neuroimaging tasks and cultural specificity in face-processing and memory strategies among participants may have contributed to the findings reported here are discussed.

Fecal microbiota transplantation for recurrent clostridium difficile infection in children.

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a relatively simple, promising treatment for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection. While there are a wide variety of approaches including mode of delivery, the results are nonetheless encouraging, even amongst younger children. Experience with FMT in the pediatric population is increasing, showing similar success compared to adults. This article will provide an overview of C. difficile infection along with review of the rationale, methods and complications of FMT including the current experience of FMT in children.

Seizures Related to Hypomagnesemia: A Case Series and Review of the Literature.

OBJECTIVE: Childhood seizures have various nonneurological etiologies. The patient's magnesium levels should be measured when evaluating afebrile seizures. The purpose of the current case series is to describe a systematic approach for diagnosing hypomagnesemia using 3 recent patient cases. METHODS: This case series describes 3 patients with unprovoked hypomagnesemia-associated seizures. The authors describe the differential diagnosis, pathophysiology, and the workup of hypomagnesemia-associated seizures. RESULTS: Hypomagnesemia contributed to the cause of the seizures in all 3 cases. Various causes of hypomagnesemia were investigated, including genetic etiologies. All 3 patients were maintained at a magnesium level >0.65 mmol/L, which improved or eliminated the seizures. SIGNIFICANCE: Magnesium levels should always be measured when trying to determine the etiology of seizures. Hypomagnesemia and afebrile seizures should be treated with the goal of maintaining a magnesium concentration >0.65 mmol/L. Although rare, genetic causes of hypomagnesemia should be considered, once common causes of hypomagnesemia are ruled out.

Assessment of Liver Stiffness in Pediatric Fontan Patients Using Transient Elastography.

Background. Hepatic fibrosis is a potential complication following Fontan surgery and heralds long-term risk for cirrhosis. Transient elastography (TE) is a rapid, noninvasive method to assess liver fibrosis by measuring liver stiffness. Objectives. To compare liver stiffness and liver biochemistries in pediatric Fontan patients with age- and sex-matched controls and to determine patients' acceptance of TE. Methods. Patients were recruited from British Columbia Children's Hospital. Twenty-two Fontan patients (15 males) were identified. Demographic information and cardiac data were collected. TE was measured using size-appropriate probes. Results. The median age of the Fontan cohort was 13.7 (5.9-16.8) years. Time from Fontan surgery to TE was 9.6 (1.0-12.9) years. The median Fontan circuit pressure was 13 (11-14) mmHg. TE values were higher in Fontan patients versus controls (18.6 versus 4.7 kPa, p < 0.001). There was no association between TE values and patient age (r = 0.41, p = 0.058), time since Fontan surgery (r = 0.40, p = 0.062), or median Fontan circuit pressure (CVP) (r = 0.35, p = 0.111). Patients found TE to be nonpainful, convenient, and safe. Conclusions. TE is feasible to assess liver stiffness in children following Fontan surgery. Pediatric Fontan patients have markedly elevated liver stiffness values. TE may have important utility in liver care follow-up of pediatric Fontan patients.