A two-year longitudinal evaluation of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pre-existing mental health service attenders.

BACKGROUND: To examine if the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a differential effect longitudinally in relation to its psychological and functional impact on patients with bipolar disorder and Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD). METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 29 individuals attending the Galway-Roscommon Mental Health Services with an ICD-10 diagnosis of either bipolar disorder (n = 18) or EUPD (n = 11). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was assessed in relation to anxiety and mood symptoms, social and occupational functioning, and quality of life utilising psychometric instruments and Likert scale data, with qualitative data assessing participants' subjective experiences. RESULTS: Individuals with EUPD exhibited significant anxiety and depressive symptoms and increased hopelessness compared to individuals with bipolar disorder. Repeated measures data demonstrated no significant change in symptomatology for either the EUPD or bipolar disorder group over time, but demonstrated an improvement in social (t = 4.40, p < 0.001) and occupational functioning (t = 3.65, p = 0.03), and in quality of life (t = 4.03, p < 0.001) for both participant groups. Themes attained from qualitative data included the positive impact of the discontinuation of COVID-19 mandated restrictions (n = 19), and difficulties experienced secondary to reductions in the provision of mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 17). CONCLUSION: Individuals with EUPD demonstrated increased symptomatology over a two-year period compared to those with bipolar disorder. The importance of face-to-face mental health supports for this cohort are indicated, particularly if future pandemics impact the delivery of mental health services.

Does frequency of resistance training affect tibial cortical bone density in older women? A randomized controlled trial.

SUMMARY: This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effect of resistance training frequency (0, 1, and 2 times/week) on cortical volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) at the tibia in older women. There was no mean difference in change in tibial cortical vBMD in older women who engaged in resistance training (RT) one or two times/week compared with the control group over 12 months after adjusting for baseline values. INTRODUCTION: National guidelines recommend RT two to three times/week to optimize bone health. Our objective was to determine the effect of a 12-month intervention of three different RT frequencies on tibial volumetric cortical density (CovBMD) in healthy older women. METHODS: We randomized participants to the following groups: (1) 2×/week balance and tone group (i.e., no resistance beyond body weight, BT), (2) 1×/week RT (RT1), and (3) 2×/week RT (RT2). Treatment allocation was concealed, and measurement team and the bone data analyst were blinded to group allocation. We used peripheral quantitative computed tomography to acquire one 2.3-mm scan at the 50 % tibia, and the primary outcome was CovBMD. Data were collected at baseline, 6 and 12 months, and we used linear mixed modeling to assess the effect at 12 months. RESULTS: We assessed 147 participants; 100 women provided data at all three points. Baseline unadjusted mean (SD) tibial CovBMD (in milligrams per cubic centimeter) at the 50 % site was 1,077.4 (43.0) (BT), 1,087.8 (42.0) (RT1), and 1,058.7 (60.4) (RT2). At 12 months, there were no statistically significant differences (-0.45 to -0.17 %) between BT and RT groups for mean difference in change in tibial CovBMD for exercise interventions (BT, RT1, RT2) after adjusting for baseline tibial CovBMD. CONCLUSION: We note no mean difference in change in tibial CovBMD in older women who engaged in RT one or two times/week compared with the control group over 12 months. It is unknown if RT of 3× or 4×/week would be enough to promote a statistically significant difference in change of bone density.

Association between inhibited binding of folic acid to folate receptor alpha in maternal serum and folate-related birth defects in Norway.

BACKGROUND: Folic acid intake during pregnancy can reduce the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) and perhaps also oral facial clefts. Maternal autoantibodies to folate receptors can impair folic acid binding. We explored the relationship of these birth defects to inhibition of folic acid binding to folate receptor α (FRα), as well as possible effects of parental demographics or prenatal exposures. METHODS: We conducted a nested case-control study within the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study. The study included mothers of children with an NTD (n = 11), cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P, n= 72), or cleft palate only (CPO, n= 27), and randomly selected mothers of controls (n = 221). The inhibition of folic acid binding to FRα was measured in maternal plasma collected around 17 weeks of gestation. On the basis of prior literature, the maternal age, gravidity, education, smoking, periconception folic acid supplement use and milk consumption were considered as potential confounding factors. RESULTS: There was an increased risk of NTDs with increased binding inhibition [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0-1.8]. There was no increased risk of oral facial clefts from inhibited folic acid binding to FRα (CL/P aOR = 0.7, 95% CI 0.6-1.0; CPO aOR = 1.1, 95% CI 0.8-1.4). No association was seen between smoking, folate supplementation or other cofactors and inhibition of folic acid binding to FRα. CONCLUSIONS: Inhibition of folic acid binding to FRα in maternal plasma collected during pregnancy was associated with increased risk of NTDs but not oral facial clefts.

A unified call to action from Australian nursing and midwifery leaders: ensuring that Black lives matter.

Nurses and midwives of Australia now is the time for change! As powerfully placed, Indigenous and non-Indigenous nursing and midwifery professionals, together we can ensure an effective and robust Indigenous curriculum in our nursing and midwifery schools of education. Today, Australia finds itself in a shifting tide of social change, where the voices for better and safer health care ring out loud. Voices for justice, equity and equality reverberate across our cities, our streets, homes, and institutions of learning. It is a call for new songlines of reform. The need to embed meaningful Indigenous health curricula is stronger now than it ever was for Australian nursing and midwifery. It is essential that nursing and midwifery leadership continue to build an authentic collaborative environment for Indigenous curriculum development. Bipartisan alliance is imperative for all academic staff to be confident in their teaching and learning experiences with Indigenous health syllabus. This paper is a call out. Now is the time for Indigenous and non-Indigenous nurses and midwives to make a stand together, for justice and equity in our teaching, learning, and practice. Together we will dismantle systems, policy, and practices in health that oppress. The Black Lives Matter movement provides us with a 'now window' of accepted dialogue to build a better, culturally safe Australian nursing and midwifery workforce, ensuring that Black Lives Matter in all aspects of health care.

Degradation rates of CFC-11, CFC-12 and CFC-113 in anoxic shallow aquifers of Araihazar, Bangladesh.

Chlorofluorocarbons CFC-11 (CCl(3)F), CFC-12 (CCl(2)F(2)), and CFC-113 (CCl(2)F-CClF(2)) are used in hydrology as transient tracers under the assumption of conservative behavior in the unsaturated and saturated soil zones. However, laboratory and field studies have shown that these compounds are not stable under anaerobic conditions. To determine the degradation rates of CFCs in a tropical environment, atmospheric air, unsaturated zone soil gas, and anoxic groundwater samples were collected in Araihazar upazila, Bangladesh. Observed CFC concentrations in both soil gas and groundwater were significantly below those expected from atmospheric levels. The CFC deficits in the unsaturated zone can be explained by gas exchange with groundwater undersaturated in CFCs. The CFC deficits observed in (3)H/(3)He dated groundwater were used to estimate degradation rates in the saturated zone. The results show that CFCs are degraded to the point where practically no (<5%) CFC-11, CFC-12, or CFC-113 remains in groundwater with (3)H/(3)He ages above 10 yr. In groundwater sampled at our site CFC-11 and CFC-12 appear to degrade at similar rates with estimated degradation rates ranging from approximately 0.25 yr(-1) to approximately 6 yr(-1). Degradation rates increased as a function of reducing conditions. This indicates that CFC dating of groundwater in regions of humid tropical climate has to be carried out with great caution.

Characterizing Microscopical Invasion Patterns in Canine Mast Cell Tumours and Soft Tissue Sarcomas.

Stromal invasion is identified commonly in cutaneous malignancies; however, invasive patterns are defined inconsistently and their clinical relevance is uncertain. This study aimed to define objective, quantifiable histomorphological invasive patterns in low-grade canine mast cell tumours (MCTs) and grade I/II soft tissue sarcomas (STSs), and correlate invasive patterns with overall excisional status. Haematoxylin and eosin-stained glass slides prepared for routine histopathology of surgically-excised tumours from client-owned dogs were evaluated for invasion beyond their subgross edge, asymmetrical invasion, satellite lesions, lymphovascular invasion, perineurovascular growth, growth along fascial planes, intramuscular invasion and multicompartmental involvement. Digital histological tumour-free margins <1 mm in any direction were considered to represent an incomplete excision. Fifty-one dogs with 69 tumours (50 MCTs and 19 STSs) were included in the study. Invasion in both circumferential and deep directions was significantly greater in MCTs compared with STSs (exact 2-tailed P <0.0001 circumferential; P = 0.0095 deep). Within the MCT group, circumferential invasion was greater than deep invasion (P = 0.0076). Multivariate logistic regression analysis found two variables that were significantly associated with incomplete MCT excision: intraoperative grossly normal circumferential surgical margin size (odds ratio of 0.776, 95% confidence interval: 0.651-0.925) and asymmetry invasion index (odds ratio of 1.318, 95% confidence interval: 1.039-1.671). These data may help create evidence-based strategies for planning surgical resections of cutaneous malignancies. Presence of asymmetrical microscopical invasion might prompt pathologists to perform more comprehensive surgical margin evaluation.

Validation Of The HAS-BLED Tool In Atrial Fibrillation Patients Receiving Rivaroxaban.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (Afib) patients are at an increased risk of stroke. Patients at moderate to high risk of stroke typically receive antithrombotics, placing them at an increased risk of bleeding. The HAS-BLED tool has been validated in Afib patients receiving warfarin for prediction of major bleeding events. Although HAS-BLED has been researched in patients receiving warfarin, this tool has not been validated with the novel anticoagulant rivaroxaban. Methods: The trial design was retrospective case-control approved by the Institutional Review Board at University of Tennessee Medical Center. Patients who were identified as having a bleeding event were cross-referenced with a list of patients receiving rivaroxaban. Inclusion criteria were adult patients with atrial fibrillation who were taking rivaroxaban for at least six months, with a CHA2DS2-VASc score greater than or equal to 2 OR CHADS2 score greater than or equal to 1. The primary endpoint is the predictive ability of HAS-BLED as measured through the c-statistic. Secondary endpoints include correlation of HAS-BLED and bleeding risk. Results: After reviewing 9621 medical records, 15 patients met the inclusion criteria for major bleeding. Ninety patients were randomly selected for inclusion as the matched control group. The predictive ability of HAS-BLED was not statistically significant (c statistic = 0.68; p = 0.07), but did show some diagnostic ability to predict major bleeding events. Patients with major bleeding were more likely to have a history of bleeding and use concomitant antiplatelet agents. There were significantly more patients with a HAS-BLED score greater than or equal to 3 in the patients that experienced a major bleeding event. Conclusion: HAS-BLED demonstrated some diagnostic ability to predict major bleeding events in patients receiving rivaroxaban but this was not statistically significant due to limited sample size.

Differential effects of creatine depletion on the regulation of enzyme activities and on creatine-stimulated mitochondrial respiration in skeletal muscle, heart, and brain.

Guanidinopropionic acid (GPA), an analogue of creatine (Cr), is known to inhibit Cr uptake by cells. The metabolic effects of chronic Cr depletion on brain, heart and soleus muscle of rats were studied. In GPA hearts and soleus muscle, total specific creatine kinase (CK) activity was decreased by approx. 40% compared to controls, whereas in brain this same activity was elevated by a factor of two. Immunoblot analysis of soleus mitochondria from GPA rats showed an approximate 4-fold increase in Mi-CK protein and a concomitant 3-fold increase in adenine nucleotide translocator (ANT) protein, when compared to control. In GPA-fed rats, the specific activities of adenylate kinase (ADK) and succinate dehydrogenase were significantly higher in brain and soleus (2-fold), but heart remained the same. However, hexokinase (HK) decreased by approx. 50% both in heart and soleus, indicating that muscle and brain follow different strategies to compensate the energy deficit caused by creatine depletion. Skinned muscle fibres from Cr-depleted soleus attained approx. only 70% maximum state 3 respiration with 0.1 M ADP in the presence of 10 mM Cr compared to 100% in control fibres. This defect in Cr stimulated respiration was also seen in isolated heart mitochondria, but was normal in those from brain. The observed deficit of Cr-stimulated respiration, the significant accumulation of Mib-CK and ANT, concomitant with the formation of Mib-CK rich intra-mitochondrial inclusions shown by electron microscopy, indicate that Mib-CK function and coupling to oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), is impaired in these abnormal mitochondria. In addition, our results show tissue-specific metabolic compensations to Cr depletion.

Disinfection byproduct formation during biofiltration cycle: Implications for drinking water production.

The goal of this study was to investigate the potential of biofiltration to reduce the formation potential of disinfection byproducts (DBPs). Particularly, the work investigates the effect of the duration of the filter cycle on the formation potential of total trihalomethanes (TTHM) and five species of haloacetic acids (HAA5), dissolved oxygen (DO), organic carbon, nitrogen and total phosphorous concentrations along with biofilm coverage of the filter media and biomass viability of the attached cells. The study was conducted on a full-scale biologically active filter, with anthracite and sand media, at the Britannia water treatment plant (WTP), located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The formation potential of both TTHMs and HAA5s decreased due to biofiltration. However the lowest formation potentials for both groups of DBPs and or their precursors were observed immediately following a backwash event. Hence, the highest percent removal of DBPs was observed during the early stages of the biofiltration cycle, which suggests that a higher frequency of backwashing will reduce the formation of DBPs. Variable pressure scanning electron microscopy (VPSEM) analysis shows that biofilm coverage of anthracite and sand media increases as the filtration cycle progressed, while biomass viability analysis demonstrates that the percentage of cells attached to the anthracite and sand media also increases as the filtration cycle progresses. These results suggest that the development and growth of biofilm on the filters increases the DPB formation potential.

The role of creatine kinase in inhibition of mitochondrial permeability transition.

Cyclosporin A sensitive swelling of mitochondria isolated from control mouse livers and from the livers of transgenic mice expressing human ubiquitous mitochondrial creatine kinase occurred in the presence of both 40 microM calcium and 5 microM atractyloside which was accompanied by a 2.5-fold increase over state 4 respiration rates. Creatine and cyclocreatine inhibited the latter only in transgenic liver mitochondria. Protein complexes isolated from detergent solubilised rat brain extracts, containing octameric mitochondrial creatine kinase, porin and the adenine nucleotide translocator, were reconstituted into malate loaded lipid vesicles. Dimerisation of creatine kinase in the complexes and exposure of the reconstituted complexes to >200 microM calcium induced a cyclosporin A sensitive malate release. No malate release occurred with complexes containing octameric creatine kinase under the same conditions.

Development and validation of a particle-enhanced turbidimetric immunoassay for C-reactive protein.

The development of a particle-enhanced turbidimetric immunoassay for C-reactive protein is described. The method demonstrates excellent precision, with the calibration curve remaining stable for at least 16 weeks. The method compares well with established techniques and there is no interference from a variety of autoantibodies, endogenous serum constituents or commonly used drugs.

A rapid and robust particle-enhanced turbidimetric immunoassay for serum beta 2 microglobulin.

A rapid particle-enhanced turbidimetric immunoassay (PETIA), for the measurement of serum beta 2-microglobulin is described. The method has a working range of 0.2-40 mg/l, with good precision and a correlation coefficient of 0.97 when compared with an established radioimmunoassay method. One of the major advantages of this assay is the stability of the calibration curve (up to at least 20 months). This, and the fact that no pretreatment of serum samples is necessary, makes the assay ideally suited for all types of routine determination.

Some new aspects of creatine kinase (CK): compartmentation, structure, function and regulation for cellular and mitochondrial bioenergetics and physiology.

Creatine kinase (CK) isoenzymes, specifically located at places of energy demand and energy production, are linked by a phosphocreatine/creatine (PCr/Cr) circuit, found in cells with intermittently high energy demands. Cytosolic CKs, in close conjunction with Ca(2+)-pumps, play a crucial role for the energetics of Ca(2+)-homeostasis. Mitochondrial Mi-CK, a cuboidal-shaped octamer with a central channel, binds and crosslinks mitochondrial membranes and forms a functionally coupled microcompartment with porin and adenine nucleotide translocase for vectorial export of PCr into the cytosol. The CK system is regulated by AMP-activated protein kinase via PCr/Cr and ATP/AMP ratios. Mi-CK stabilizes and cross-links cristae- or inner/outer membranes to form parallel membrane stacks and, if overexpressed due to creatine depletion or cellular energy stress, forms those crystalline intramitochondrial inclusions seen in some mitochondrial cytopathy patients. Mi-CK is a prime target for free radical damage by peroxynitrite. Mi-CK octamers, together with CK substrates have a marked stabilizing and protective effect against mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening, thus providing a rationale for creatine supplementation of patients with neuromuscular and neurodegenerative diseases.

Y2K: effects on pacemaker and implantable defibrillator programmers.

All permanent pacemakers and implantable defibrillators (PPM/ICDs) will continue to function as programmed without regard to the date in the year 2000 (Y2K). All manufacturers contacted reassured us that some of these devices incorporate a day/year clock in the circuitry; however, these are not involved in sensing or delivering programmed therapy. Some manufacturers' device programmers will roll over to the year 2000 without any problems at all, whereas others may have difficulty with date and time stamping on printed reports. We tested 14 different types of PPM/ICD programmers for Y2K compliance using 8 tests. Five of the 14 models passed each test and were labeled at our institution with a green "Y2K" sticker to identify them as Y2K compatible and needing no special attention after December 31, 1999. The most common test failed was the ability to roll the date forward from December 31, 1999, with the programmer power off. Organizations should consider testing and replacing noncompliant device programmers or placing a red sticker with "Y2K" crossed out on noncompliant pieces. The red sticker alerts the advanced practice nurse or physician to the need to confirm the appropriate date and time in the programmer after startup in the year 2000 and before interrogating or programming any PPM/ICD, to avoid inappropriate date and time stamping on printed reports from that programmer.

Substance abuse and HIV: considerations with regard to methamphetamines and other recreational drugs for nursing practice and research.

Substance use continues to be closely associated with both HIV infection and treatment considerations in all at-risk populations. Among those groups heretofore not well characterized epidemiologically or clinically are those dual-risk men who have sex with other men (MSM) and use and/or inject drugs. Of particular current concern with regard to drug-using MSM is the growth in popularity of a group of recreational or so-called party drugs associated with specific social and sexual environments and networks. Chief among these drugs are hallucinogens, such as MDMA, ketamine, and GHB, and stimulants, such as cocaine, amphetamines, and methamphetamine. Increased methamphetamine use by MSM is particularly alarming because of its reported associations with high-risk injecting and sexual behaviors. Preliminary data are reported from an ethnographic exploration of MSM methamphetamine users in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Case studies drawn from the data illustrate the complex and variable patterns of methamphetamine use among MSM. Finally, implications for nursing are discussed, and "upstream nursing" is suggested as a means of patient advocacy for HIV nurses working with substance-using populations.

Speed, sex, gay men, and HIV: ecological and community perspectives.

Fifteen years into the HIV/AIDS epidemic, a great deal is now known about the different populations impacted by the disease, including those affected directly or indirectly by drug use. Anthropology has played a critical role in assisting with this task by identifying hidden populations, developing new methodological approaches, and targeting outreach efforts. In spite of this considerable body of ethnographic knowledge, men who have sex with other men (i.e., MSM, or gay and bisexual men) who use drugs have not received the same research attention as other drug users, despite the fact that they represent nearly one-fifth of AIDS cases in the U.S. with injection drug histories. In response to the alarming increase in HIV seroprevalence among this population, this ethnographic project provides preliminary data about those who are at dual risk for HIV through both homosexual behavior and injection drug use.

Assailants' sexual dysfunction during rape reported by their victims.

Sexual dysfunction is known to occur in a proportion of rapists during the assault. The most common dysfunctions are erectile insufficiency and absent or retarded ejaculation. The study assessed the incidence and characteristics of assailants' sexual dysfunction reported by 50 victims of rape. 20% of victims reported that their assailant experienced erectile insufficiency at some point during the assault, and a further 12% reported retarded ejaculation or failure to ejaculate by their attacker. In attacks where sexual dysfunction occurred, there was a higher incidence both of intra-rape violence and commissioning of degrading sexual activity and this behaviour was related to the onset of the dysfunction. It was felt that the pattern of behaviour reported in those attacks where rapists' sexual dysfunction occurred might reflect a typologically distinct subgroup of offender. This finding has implications both for the safety of the victim during the attack and subsequent offender assessment.

Rape--a comparison of stranger and acquaintance assaults.

One of the variables that influences victim trauma in rape attacks is the relationship between assailant and victim (Ellis, 1981). Rapes by strangers have been shown to involve more violence and trauma (Katz and Mazur, 1979). Rapes by acquaintances may involve a betrayal of trust. The study compares 21 rape attacks where the assailant was known to the victim with 30 attacks where the assailant was a stranger. Three main elements of each assault are described: the contextual nature of the rape encounter, the assault characteristics (force, injuries, nature of sexual activity) and the post-rape behaviour. Significant differences were found between the two groups in each of these respects. Contact between rapist and victim took place in a social setting immediately prior to the assault in significantly more of the acquaintance rapes. Significantly more of the stranger rapes involved the display of a weapon. Coercive reciprocation of sexual activity occurred in proportionately more of stranger rapes. The role of verbal aggression was more prominent in acquaintance rapes. Significantly more of the acquaintance rapists (95% as opposed to 17%) interacted with the victim after the overtly sexual part of the attack. Two types of behaviour were displayed in almost equal proportions. Conciliatory/non-threatening behaviour consistent with a distorted affirmation of a person-orientated relationship with the victim was displayed by 43% of these assailants; 48% displayed threatening behaviour. We believe that stranger and acquaintance rapes can be clearly differentiated in terms of the behavioural dimensions of the assault. An understanding of such differences has implications for professionals involved in the assessment and treatment of sexual offenders and their victims.

Use of MagniSep chromium dioxide particles in an immunoassay system.

The use of chromium dioxide particles as a solid support for very sensitive and rapid immunoassays, is the result of the combination of large surface area (40 m2) and high protein uptake capacity (40 mg/g) allowing rapid capture kinetics and high binding capacity. Magnetic and physical properties of these particles give a rapid separation, a complete resuspension and a rapid high-efficiency washing, highly desirable characteristics for efficient automation of immunoassays. Good precision and accuracy, exemplified by excellent recovery, parallelism and correlation were demonstrated. Test results prove that the technology is highly flexible and applicable to a variety of assay formats.