Seroprevalence of Measles (Rubeola) Antibodies in Childhood Cancer Survivors.

Background: Measles is reemerging as a public health threat, raising important questions about disease vulnerability among childhood cancer survivors. This secondary analysis assessed the seroprevalence of anti-measles immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies as a marker of immune status in survivors of childhood cancer and associated demographic/treatment variables. Method: Participants were childhood cancer survivors who were free of active disease, having routine blood studies drawn, and could provide documentation of having received two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine before their cancer diagnosis. Patient record review documented demographic and treatment variables. Antimeasles (rubeola) IgG antibody seroprevalence was assessed by enzyme immunoassay for vaccine-specific antibodies. Results: Of 270 survivors evaluated, 110 (42%) were female, 196 (75%) were White, and 159 (61%) were leukemia/lymphoma survivors. Of these 262, 110 (42%) had negative measles seroprevalence, suggesting loss of immunity. Conclusion: Measles antibody surveillance and the need for reimmunization for survivors of childhood cancer survivors outside the transplant setting remains controversial. Our analysis indicates that a substantial proportion of survivors lose vaccine-related immunity to measles. Pediatric oncology nurses play important roles in educating cancer survivors regarding their risk of measles infection, evaluating the need for reimmunization, correcting misinformation about vaccine safety and effectiveness, and working to optimize community herd-based immunity.

Archives and amazons: A quilters guide to the lesbian archive.

This article offers a critical reflection on my creative engagement with the figure of the Amazon in the quilted artworks for my exhibition Archives and Amazons: quilting the lesbian archive which took place at HOME, Manchester in 2021. This exhibition was created in response to archival research at the only accredited museum in the UK dedicated to women, Glasgow Women's Library (GWL), which holds the remnants of the now disbanded Lesbian Archive and Information Centre (LAIC) (1984-1995). I engage specifically with two representations of Amazons, from two very disparate and politically opposed lesbian publications: firstly the illustrated cover of the LAIC newsletter, and a photographic series by the artist Tessa Boffin (1960-1993). Through auto-ethnography I articulate some of the pleasures and complexities in encountering, and re-visioning the Amazons that ride within the remaining fragments of the LAIC collection. I propose the quilt as a reparative strategy for engaging with the Amazon, one that refuses to disassemble and disassociate from the difficulties of lesbian history, re-assembling the pieces through a contemporary lesbian lens.

Patients' perspective of quality-of-care and its correlation to quality-of-life following spontaneous coronary artery dissection.

AIM: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an under-recognised cause of myocardial infarction. We aimed to investigate SCAD survivors' perceptions of their quality-of-care and its relationship to quality-of-life. METHODS AND RESULTS: An anonymous survey was distributed online to SCAD survivors involved in Australian SCAD support groups, with 172 (95.3% female, mean age 52.6 ± 9.2 years) participants in the study. The survey involved assessment of quality-of-life using a standardised questionnaire (EQ-5DTM-3L). Respondents rated the quality-of-care received during their hospital admission for SCAD a median 8/10 [interquartile range (IQR) 7-10]. Respondents ≤50 years versus >50 years were more likely to perceive that their symptoms were not treated seriously as a myocardial infarction (χ2 = 4.127, df = 1, p < 0.05). Participants rated clinician's knowledge of SCAD a median 4/10 (IQR 2-8) and 7/10 (IQR 3-9) for Emergency and Cardiology clinicians, respectively (p < 0.05). The internet was the most selected source (45.4%) of useful SCAD information. The mean EQ-5DTM summary index was 0.79 (population norm 0.87). 47.2% of respondents reported a mental health condition diagnosis, with 36% of these diagnosed after their admission with SCAD. Quality-of-life was significantly associated with perceived quality-of-care: EQ-5DTM index/(1-EQ-5DTM index) increased by 13% for each unit increase in quality-of-care after adjusting for age and comorbidities (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: While SCAD survivors rated their overall hospital care highly, healthcare providers' knowledge of SCAD was perceived to be poor and, the most common source of SCAD information was the internet. Mental health conditions were common, and a significant association was observed between perceived quality-of-care and SCAD survivors' quality-of-life.

Cytophagic Histiocytic Panniculitis and Kikuchi-Fujimoto-Like Lymphadenitis in a Patient With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

A 54-year-old African American male with systemic lupus erythematosus and chronic alcoholic hepatitis presented with recurrent fever, pancytopenia, transaminitis, weight loss, and widespread violaceous tender plaques. Skin biopsy revealed hemophagocytic histiocytes leading to a diagnosis of cytophagic histiocytic panniculitis in the setting of lupus panniculitis. During workup, an axillary lymph node biopsy mimicked Kikuchi-Fujimoto's disease. Treatment with tapering high-dose glucocorticoids, mycophenolate mofetil, and hydroxychloroquine induced remission of the disease. We believe the comorbid conditions of Kikuchi-Fujimoto-like pathology and cytophagic histiocytic panniculitis have not been documented in the literature to date in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Sex Differences May Exist for Performance Fatigue but Not Recovery After Single-Joint Upper-Body and Lower-Body Resistance Exercise.

ABSTRACT: Lewis, MH, Siedler, MR, Lamadrid, P, Ford, S, Smith, T, SanFilippo, G, Waddell, B, Trexler, ET, Buckner, S, and Campbell, BI. Sex differences may exist for performance fatigue but not recovery after single-joint upper-body and lower-body resistance exercise. J Strength Cond Res 36(6): 1498-1505, 2022-This study evaluated sex differences in performance recovery and fatigue during dynamic exercise. Twenty-eight resistance-trained males (n = 16) and females (n = 12) completed a repeated-measures, randomized, parallel-groups design. The protocol consisted of a baseline assessment, a recovery period (4, 24, or 48 hours), and a postrecovery assessment. The assessments were identical consisting of 4 sets of 10 repetition maximum (10RM) bicep curls and 4 sets of 10RM leg extensions to failure. Recovery was quantified as the number of total repetitions completed in the postrecovery bout. Fatigue was quantified as the number of repetitions completed set to set within the session. For analysis, we set the level of significance at p ≤ 0.05. No sex differences in performance recovery were observed across any of the investigated time periods for either exercise modality. Regarding fatigue, significant effects were observed for set (p < 0.001) and sex (p = 0.031) for bicep curls. Repetitions dropped in later sets, and females generally completed a greater number of repetitions than males (8.8 ± 0.5 vs. 7.2 ± 0.5). For leg extension, a significant sex × set interaction was observed (p = 0.003), but post hoc tests revealed these sex differences as marginal. Our results suggest that in dynamic bicep curls and leg extensions, other factors unrelated to sex may be more impactful on performance recovery. To optimize an athlete's desired adaptations, it may be more important to consider other variables unrelated to sex such as volume, perceived exertion, and training history when formulating training prescriptions for single-joint exercises.

What is the short-term remission rate for people with untreated depression? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Depression is one of the prevalent mental illnesses and leading cause of global disease burden. However, most people with depression do not access treatment. Remission without treatment may occur in some cases of depression. This study aimed to estimate the short-term remission (natural recovery) from untreated depression. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was registered on PROSPERO and conducted following PRISMA guidelines. EMBASE, PsycINFO, and PubMed were searched, supplemented with an additional hand search to identify studies reporting natural recovery from untreated depression. Study selection and screening were carried out by three independent reviewers. Methodological quality assessment of the included studies was conducted. Remission was defined as no longer meeting the diagnostic criteria or scoring below the cut off points of the validated tools as reported by the included studies. The data were synthesized using narrative summary and random-effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: Sixteen waitlist-controlled trial studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The duration of follow-up ranged from 4 to 12 weeks with a median duration of 8 weeks. The overall pooled remission from untreated depression was 12.5%, 95% confidence interval (7.8, 18.0%). Due to lack of published data, we were unable to determine if the severity of depression symptoms was associated with remission rates. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term remission from depression without treatment is uncommon. Across studies, 8 - 18% of people remitted without treatment within 12 weeks. Waitlist control groups may not represent all persons with depression.

Comparative study of chemical pathology sample collection tubes at the largest hospital in South Africa.

BACKGROUND: BarricorTM Lithium heparin plasma tubes are new blood tubes that have been introduced to overcome the effects of gel in serum separator tubes (SST) and the shortcomings of standard Lithium heparin plasma. We aimed to evaluate BarricorTM tubes as an alternative to serum separator tubes and compare the stability between the tubes. METHODS: Forty-four paired samples were collected using both BarricorTM and SST. We compared five analytes at baseline (<6 h) and after every 24 h using the PassingBablok and Bland-Altman plots. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), potassium (K), phosphate (PO4) , lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatinine were analysed in both tubes. We calculated the percentage difference for each analyte between the baseline and time intervals to assess analyte stability. The percentage difference was compared to the desirable specification for bias and reference change value (RCV). RESULTS: All analytes were comparable at baseline. Statistical differences (p<0.001) became evident after 24 h. PO4, K, and creatinine had a mean difference that exceeded the desirable specification for bias (-9.59%, - 9.35%, and -4.59%, respectively). Potassium was stable up to 24 h in both tubes. LDH showed better stability in SST (144 h vs 96 h). PO4 concentrations were more stable in both tubes with the SST (96 h vs 72 h). Creatinine and AST had the longest stability in both tubes compared to other analytes (144 h). CONCLUSIONS: Data demonstrated variability and similarities in analyte concentrations and stability, respectively, in both tubes.

Utility of the combined use of 3 serologic markers in the diagnosis and monitoring of chronic enteropathies in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Dogs with chronic enteropathies (CE) displayed elevated IgA seropositivity against specific markers that can be used to develop a novel test. OBJECTIVE: To assess a multivariate test to aid diagnosis of CE in dogs and to monitor treatment-related responses. ANIMALS: One hundred fifty-seven dogs with CE/inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), 24 dogs non-IBD gastrointestinal disorders, and 33 normal dogs. METHODS: Prospective, multicenter, clinical study that enrolled dogs with gastrointestinal disorders. Serum sample collected at enrollment and up to 3 months follow-up measuring OmpC (ACA), canine calprotectin (ACNA), and gliadin-derived peptides (AGA) by ELISA. RESULTS: Seropositivity was higher in CE/IBD than normal dogs (66% vs 9% for ACA; 55% vs 15% for ACNA; and 75% vs 6% for AGA; P < .001). When comparing CE/IBD with non-IBD disease, ACA and ACNA displayed discriminating properties (66%, 55% vs 12.5%, 29% respectively) while AGA separated CE from normal cohorts (54% vs 6%). A 3-marker algorithm at cutoff of ACA > 15, ACNA > 6, AGA > 60 differentiates CE/IBD and normal dogs with 90% sensitivity and 96% specificity; and CE/IBD and non-IBD dogs with 80% sensitivity and 86% specificity. Titers decreased after treatment (47%-99% in ACA, 13%-88% in ACNA, and 30%-85% in AGA), changes that were concurrent with clinical improvements. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: An assay based on combined measurements of ACA, ACNA, and AGA is useful as a noninvasive diagnostic test to distinguish dogs with CE/IBD. The test also has the potential to monitor response to treatment.

Rewinding Extinction in the Northern White Rhinoceros: Genetically Diverse Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Bank for Genetic Rescue.

Extinction rates are rising, and current conservation technologies may not be adequate for reducing species losses. Future conservation efforts may be aided by the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from highly endangered species. Generation of a set of iPSCs from multiple members of a species can capture some of the dwindling genetic diversity of a disappearing species. We generated iPSCs from fibroblasts cryopreserved in the Frozen Zoo®: nine genetically diverse individuals of the functionally extinct northern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni) and two from the closely related southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum). We used a nonintegrating Sendai virus reprogramming method and developed analyses to confirm the cells' pluripotency and differentiation potential. This work is the first step of a long-term interdisciplinary plan to apply assisted reproduction techniques to the conservation of this highly endangered species. Advances in iPSC differentiation may enable generation of gametes in vitro from deceased and nonreproductive individuals that could be used to repopulate the species.

Intermittent Energy Restriction Attenuates the Loss of Fat Free Mass in Resistance Trained Individuals. A Randomized Controlled Trial.

There is a lack of research into how lean, resistance trained (RT) individuals respond to intermittent energy restricted diets. Therefore, we investigated body composition changes in RT-individuals during continuous energy restriction or intermittent restriction. A total of 27 males and females (25 ± 6.1 years; 169 ± 9.4 cm; 80 ± 15.6 kg) were randomized to a ~25% caloric restricted diet Refeed (RF; n = 13) or Continuous group (CN; n = 14) in conjunction with 4-days/week resistance training for 7-weeks. RF implemented two consecutive days of elevated carbohydrate (CHO) intake, followed by 5-days of caloric restriction each week. CN adhered to a continuous 7-week caloric restriction. Body mass (BM), fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), dry fat-free mass (dFFM), and resting metabolic rate (RMR) were assessed pre/post-diet. Both groups significantly reduced BM (RF: baseline = 76.4 ± 15.6 kg, post-diet = 73.2 ± 13.8 kg, Δ3.2 kg; CN: baseline = 83.1 ± 15.4 kg, post-diet = 79.5 ± 15 kg, Δ3.6 kg) and FM (RF: baseline = 16.3 ± 4 kg, post-diet = 13.5 ± 3.6 kg, Δ2.8 kg; CN: baseline = 16.7 ± 4.5 kg, post-diet = 14.4 ± 4.9 kg, Δ2.3 kg) with no differences between groups. FFM (RF: baseline = 60.1 ± 13.8 kg, post-diet = 59.7 ± 13.0 kg, 0.4 kg; CN: baseline = 66.4 ± 15.2 kg, post-diet = 65.1 ± 15.2 kg, Δ1.3 kg p = 0.006), dFFM (RF: baseline = 18.7 ± 5.0 kg, post-diet = 18.5 ± 4.5 kg, Δ0.2 kg; CN: baseline =21.9 ± 5.7 kg, post-diet = 20.0 ± 5.7 kg, Δ1.9 kg), and RMR (RF: baseline = 1703 ± 294, post-diet = 1665 ± 270, Δ38 kcals; CN: baseline = 1867 ± 342, post-diet = 1789 ± 409, Δ78 kcals) were better maintained in the RF group. A 2-day carbohydrate refeed preserves FFM, dryFFM, and RMR during energy restriction compared to continuous energy restriction in RT-individuals.

Morph-Specific Patterns of Reproductive Senescence: Connections to Discrete Reproductive Strategies.

How reproductive strategies contribute to patterns of senescence in natural populations remains contentious. We studied reproductive senescence in the dimorphic white-throated sparrow, an excellent species for exploring this issue. Within both sexes the morphs use distinct reproductive strategies, and disassortative pairing by morph results in pair types with distinct parental systems. White morph birds are more colorful and aggressive than tan counterparts, and white males compete for extrapair matings, whereas tan males are more parental. Tan males and white females share parental care equally, whereas white males provide little parental support to tan females. We found morph-specific patterns of reproductive senescence in both sexes. White males exhibited greater reproductive senescence than tan males. This result likely reflects the difficulty of sustaining a highly competitive reproductive strategy as aging progresses rather than high physiological costs of competitiveness, since white males were also long-lived. Moreover, morph was not consistently related to reproductive senescence across the sexes, arguing against especially high costs of the traits associated with white morph identity. Rather, tan females exhibited earlier reproductive senescence than white females and were short-lived, perhaps reflecting the challenges of unsupported motherhood. Results underscore the importance of social dynamics in determining patterns of reproductive senescence.

Draft Genome Sequence of Streptococcus pyogenes Strain M3KCL.

We present here the draft genome sequence of Streptococcus pyogenes strain M3KCL. The assembly contains 1,864,059 bp in 60 contigs. This strain is an M3 strain close to MGAS315 but produces SpeB. It was isolated from the blood of a human patient with an invasive infection in 2009.

Nicotine Deprivation Produces Deficits in Pain Perception that are Moderately Attenuated by Caffeine Consumption.

During withdrawal, nicotine users experience aversive withdrawal symptoms, such as increased nociceptive processing, which may be responsible for subsequent use. Smokers often consume more caffeine than non-smokers and the combined effects of these two psychoactive drugs result in an enhanced analgesic effect of nicotine. We examined the effects of caffeine (via coffee consumption) and nicotine withdrawal on pain perception in minimally deprived smokers and non-smokers. Pain threshold and pain tolerance were assessed using a radiant heat stimulus before and 30 minutes after caffeine consumption. Nicotine deprivation (2 hrs) produced increases in pain threshold and decreases in pain tolerance representative of hyperalgesia. When smokers are nicotine deprived, caffeine consumption diminished baseline elevations in pain threshold, but had no effect on pain tolerance. These data suggest that caffeine consumption can dampen deficits in sensory discrimination related to pain during nicotine deprivation by reducing pain threshold to levels representative of non-smoking controls.

Trauma in relation to psychosis and hospital experiences: the role of past trauma and attachment.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated rates of psychosis-related and hospital-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in people with psychosis in secure settings. We also investigated relationships between PTSD symptoms and previous experiences of trauma and adult attachment. METHOD: Using a cross-sectional design, 50 participants from medium-secure and low-secure settings were interviewed to identify distressing experiences related to psychosis and hospitalization. PTSD symptoms related to those experiences, past trauma and attachment were assessed using self-report measures. RESULTS: The combined rate of psychosis-related and hospital-related PTSD was 30%. Twenty-four percent and 18% met criteria for psychosis-related and hospital-related PTSD, respectively. Severity of psychosis was associated with both psychosis-related and hospital-related PTSD symptoms. The prevalence of previous trauma was high, but previous trauma was not significantly correlated with psychosis-related or hospital-related PTSD symptoms. Anxiety in attachment relationships was significantly associated with both psychosis-related PTSD symptoms and hospital-related PTSD symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: This study adds to the growing body of research highlighting the distressing nature of psychosis and the iatrogenic effects of treatments. It also highlights the potentially important role of attachment styles in PTSD in psychosis. PRACTITIONER POINTS: 30% of patients met criteria for psychosis- or hospital-related PTSD. Severity of psychosis was associated with PTSD symptoms. Anxiety in attachment relationships was positively correlated with PTSD symptoms.

What happens to depressed adolescents? A follow-up study into early adulthood.

BACKGROUND: This study describes the mental illness and psychosocial outcomes of adolescents who experienced a depressive disorder and identifies predictors of full remission and recurrence. METHODS: 140 adolescents with major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, or depressive disorder NOS were offered psychosocial and/or antidepressant treatment across two clinical trials. Three to nine years later (mean 5.7 years), 111 adolescents and young adults completed self-, parent- and clinician-reported measures of psychopathology and psychosocial functioning in a naturalistic follow-up study. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis 1 Disorders was used to determine the presence or absence of depressive disorder as well as other Axis 1 Disorders. RESULTS: By the follow-up assessment, most adolescents made a full remission from their index depressive disorder (92.6%). Recurrence of depressive disorder (52.4%) during the follow-up period was common, as was the experience of other disorders including anxiety, substance abuse and eating disorders. Time to full remission and recurrence did not vary between baseline types of depressive disorder. Self-reported depressive symptoms and anxiety disorder were associated with failure to achieve full remission while socio-economic status, self-reported self-efficacy and depressive symptoms were associated with recurrence of depressive disorder. LIMITATIONS: Due to different treatment starting times, the length of the follow up period varied by up to 5.2 years. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents who experience depressive disorder are at high risk of ongoing mental illness and psychosocial impairment. Predictors of the course of depressive disorder may be of use in determining which adolescents may require more intensive intervention.

PTSD symptoms associated with the experiences of psychosis and hospitalisation: a review of the literature.

There is evidence of high rates of PTSD in people with psychosis, but the influence that symptoms or hospitalisation have on PTSD in individuals with psychosis is less clear. This paper reviewed studies investigating the prevalence of PTSD induced as a result of the experience of psychosis and hospitalisation and factors that might influence its development. The review included 24 studies, published between 1980 and 2011. Studies showed high levels of PTSD resulting from the trauma of symptoms and/or hospitalisation, with prevalence rates for actual PTSD resulting from these traumas varying from 11% to 67%. In line with studies of PTSD related to other traumatic events, there were inconsistent associations between PTSD and severity of positive and negative symptoms, but there were consistent associations between affective symptoms and PTSD. There were also inconsistent associations between hospital experiences and PTSD. Consistent with the general PTSD literature, there was some evidence that psychosis-related PTSD was associated with trauma history. There was also some emerging evidence that psychological variables, such as appraisals and coping style may influence psychosis-related PTSD. The review highlights the need for further research into psychological mechanisms that could increase vulnerability to psychosis-related PTSD and treatment approaches.