A Functional Polymorphism Downstream of Vitamin A Regulator Gene CYP26B1 Is Associated with Hand Osteoarthritis.

While genetic analyses have revealed ~100 risk loci associated with osteoarthritis (OA), only eight have been linked to hand OA. Besides, these studies were performed in predominantly European and Caucasian ancestries. Here, we conducted a genome-wide association study in the Han Chinese population to identify genetic variations associated with the disease. We recruited a total of 1136 individuals (n = 420 hand OA-affected; n = 716 unaffected control subjects) of Han Chinese ancestry. We carried out genotyping using Axiom Asia Precisi on Medicine Research Array, and we employed the RegulomeDB database and RoadMap DNase I Hypersensitivity Sites annotations to further narrow down our potential candidate variants. Genetic variants identified were tested in the Geisinger's hand OA cohort selected from the Geisinger MyCode community health initiative (MyCode®). We also performed a luciferase reporter assay to confirm the potential impact of top candidate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on hand OA. We identified six associated SNPs (p-value = 6.76 × 10-7-7.31 × 10-6) clustered at 2p13.2 downstream of the CYP26B1 gene. The strongest association signal identified was rs883313 (p-value = 6.76 × 10-7, odds ratio (OR) = 1.76), followed by rs12713768 (p-value = 1.36 × 10-6, OR = 1.74), near or within the enhancer region closest to the CYP26B1 gene. Our findings showed that the major risk-conferring CC haplotype of SNPs rs12713768 and rs10208040 [strong linkage disequilibrium (LD); D' = 1, r2 = 0.651] drives 18.9% of enhancer expression activity. Our findings highlight that the SNP rs12713768 is associated with susceptibility to and severity of hand OA in the Han Chinese population and that the suggested retinoic acid signaling pathway may play an important role in its pathogenesis.

Male Asian international students' perceived racial discrimination, masculine identity, and subjective masculinity stress: a moderated mediation model.

This study examined male Asian international college students' perceptions of racial discrimination, subjective masculinity stress, centrality of masculine identity, and psychological distress by testing a moderated mediation model. Participants were 160 male Asian international college students from 2 large public universities. Participants' perceived racial discrimination was positively related to their subjective masculinity stress only at high (but not low) levels of masculine identity centrality. Additionally, subjective masculinity stress was positively related to psychological distress, although this association was stronger among those who reported high levels of masculine identity centrality. The authors also detected a moderated mediation effect in which subjective masculinity stress mediated the relationship between perceived racial discrimination and psychological distress only at high (but not low) levels of masculine identity centrality. These findings contribute to the counseling psychology literature by highlighting the connections between race- and gender-related stressors as well as the relevance of masculine identity to an understanding of men's mental health.

Cross-cultural validity of the Self-Stigma of Seeking Help (SSOSH) scale: examination across six nations.

Researchers have found that the stigma associated with seeking therapy--particularly self-stigma--can inhibit the use of psychological services. Yet, most of the research on self-stigma has been conducted in the United States. This is a considerable limitation, as the role of self-stigma in the help-seeking process may vary across cultural groups. However, to examine cross-cultural variations, researchers must first develop culturally valid scales. Therefore, this study examined scale validity and reliability of the widely used Self-Stigma of Seeking Help scale (SSOSH; Vogel, Wade, & Haake, 2006) across samples from 6 different countries (England, Greece, Israel, Taiwan, Turkey, and the United States). Specifically, we used a confirmatory factor analysis framework to conduct measurement invariance analysis and latent mean comparisons of the SSOSH across the 6 sampled countries. Overall, the results suggested that the SSOSH has a similar univariate structure across countries and is sufficiently invariant across countries to be used to explore cultural differences in the way that self-stigma relates to help-seeking behavior.

Optimal cognitive offloading: Increased reminder usage but reduced proreminder bias in older adults.

Research into prospective memory suggests that older adults may face particular difficulties remembering delayed intentions. One way to mitigate these difficulties is by using external reminders but relatively little is known about age-related differences in such cognitive offloading strategies. We examined younger and older adults' (N = 88) performance on a memory task where they chose between remembering delayed intentions with internal memory (earning maximum reward per item) or external reminders (earning a reduced reward). This allowed us to distinguish (a) the absolute number of reminders used versus (b) the proreminder or antireminder bias, compared with each individual's optimal strategy. Older adults used more reminders overall, as might be expected, because they also had poorer memory performance. However, when compared against the optimal strategy weighing the costs versus benefits of reminders, it was only the younger adults who had a proreminder bias. Younger adults overestimated the benefit of reminders, whereas older adults underestimated it. Therefore, even when aging is associated with increased use of external memory aids overall, it can also be associated with reduced preference for external memory support, relative to the objective need for such support. This age-related difference may be driven at least in part by metacognitive processes, suggesting that metacognitive interventions could lead to improved use of cognitive tools. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Outsourcing Memory to External Tools: A Review of 'Intention Offloading'.

How do we remember delayed intentions? Three decades of research into prospective memory have provided insight into the cognitive and neural mechanisms involved in this form of memory. However, we depend on more than just our brains to remember intentions. We also use external props and tools such as calendars and diaries, strategically placed objects, and technologies such as smartphone alerts. This is known as 'intention offloading'. Despite the progress in our understanding of brain-based prospective memory, we know much less about the role of intention offloading in individuals' ability to fulfil delayed intentions. Here, we review recent research into intention offloading, with a particular focus on how individuals decide between storing intentions in internal memory versus external reminders. We also review studies investigating how intention offloading changes across the lifespan and how it relates to underlying brain mechanisms. We conclude that intention offloading is highly effective, experimentally tractable, and guided by metacognitive processes. Individuals have systematic biases in their offloading strategies that are stable over time. Evidence also suggests that individual differences and developmental changes in offloading strategies are driven at least in part by metacognitive processes. Therefore, metacognitive interventions could play an important role in promoting individuals' adaptive use of cognitive tools.

Advisory working alliance, perceived English proficiency, and acculturative stress.

The aim of this study was to examine the moderators of (a) general or cross-cultural advisory working alliances and (b) perceived English proficiency on the association between acculturative stress and psychological distress. A total of 143 East Asian international students completed an online survey. Results from a hierarchical regression indicated significant three-way interactions of (a) General Advisory Working Alliances × Perceived English Proficiency × Acculturative Stress on Psychological Distress and (b) Cross-Cultural Advisory Working Alliances × Perceived English Proficiency × Acculturative Stress on Psychological Distress. Specifically, the present results indicated that acculturative stress was significantly associated with psychological distress only when students perceived lower English proficiency and had a stronger general or cross-cultural advisory working alliance. However, acculturative stress was not significantly related to psychological distress when these students perceived lower English proficiency and had a weaker advisory working alliance (i.e., general or cross-cultural). In addition, acculturative stress was also not significantly related to psychological distress when these students perceived higher English proficiency and had a stronger or weaker advisory working alliance (i.e., general or cross-cultural).

The Concerns about Counseling Racial Minority Clients scale.

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate the Concerns about Counseling Racial Minority Clients (CCRMC) scale among counselor trainees. Sample 1 was used for an exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Four factors were identified, Managing Cultural Differences (α = .82), Offending or Hurting Clients (α = .87), Biased Thoughts and Behaviors (α = .81), and Client Perceptions (α = .77). The coefficient alpha for the CCRMC was .90. The results support the validity of the scale. The scores on the CCRMC and its subscales have positive associations with fear of negative evaluation from others (r = .19 to .40) and negative associations with general counseling self-efficacy (r = -.30 to -.46) and multicultural intervention self-efficacy (r = -.30 to -.64). The CCRMC significantly predicted fear of negative evaluation, session management self-efficacy, and multicultural intervention self-efficacy over and above multicultural social desirability. The validity evidence was not different between White and minority graduate trainees. In Sample 2, the estimated 1-week test-retest reliabilities ranged from .75 to .96 for the CCRMC and its four subscales.

The association between verbal memory, processing speed, negative symptoms and functional capacity in schizophrenia.

The aim of this paper is to explore the links among verbal memory, processing speed, negative symptoms, and functional capacity, using structural equation modeling techniques. Model A is a multiple regression model with cognitive and symptom variables as predictors and functional capacity as the latent outcome variable. Model B consists of three two mediator models that assess the ability of each variable to mediate the effect of the other variable on outcome conditional on the inclusion of the other mediator in the model. Ninety-eight community-dwelling patients with schizophrenia (mean age=35.8years, S.D.=10.1) participated in the study. Results indicate that verbal memory, processing speed and negative symptoms significantly contributed to functional status. Verbal memory was at least partially mediated by processing speed in its effect on outcome, while the impact of processing speed on outcome was mediated by both verbal memory and negative symptoms. The influence of negative symptoms on functional capacity was partially mediated by processing speed. These findings enrich our understanding of the direct and indirect effects of these three interrelated variables and provide a basis for the development of intervention strategies.

Cognitive profile difference between Allen Cognitive Levels 4 and 5 in schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE: We compared the pattern of cognitive deficits exhibited by people with schizophrenia at Allen Cognitive Level (ACL) 4 with that of people at Level 5. METHOD: Participants were classified into two groups on the basis of their ACL Screen scores: ACL 4 (n = 35) and ACL 5 (n = 41). We assessed cognitive functions and psychotic symptoms in all participants. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis of covariance controlling for gender and negative symptoms revealed that people at ACL 4 performed significantly worse than those at ACL 5 on processing speed, verbal memory, and working memory. The discriminant analysis with all cognitive variables produced a classification accuracy of 78% in differentiation of cognitive levels. CONCLUSION: We verified the validity of the hierarchy of cognitive disability for ACLs 4 and 5 in people with schizophrenia.

Modifiable factors affecting renal preservation in type I glycogen storage disease after liver transplantation: a single-center propensity-match cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Glycogen storage disease type I (GSD-I) is an autosomal recessive disorder of carbohydrate metabolism, resulting in limited production of glucose and excessive glycogen storage in the liver and kidneys. These patients are characterized by life-threatening hypoglycemia, metabolic derangements, hepatomegaly, chronic kidney disease, and failure to thrive. Liver transplantation (LT) has been performed for poor metabolic control and delayed growth. However, renal outcome was diverse in pediatric GSD patients after LT. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term outcome of renal function in pediatric GSD-I patients after living donor LT (LDLT), and to identify modifiable variables that potentially permits LT to confer native renal preservation. METHODS: The study included eight GSD-Ia and one GSD-Ib children with a median age of 9.0 (range 4.2-15.7) years at the time of LT. Using propensity score matching, 20 children with biliary atresia (BA) receiving LT were selected as the control group by matching for age, sex, pre-operative serum creatinine (SCr) and pediatric end-stage liver disease (PELD) score. Renal function was evaluated based on the SCr, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), microalbuminuria, and morphological changes in the kidneys. Comparability in long-term renal outcome in terms of anatomic and functional parameters will help to identify pre-LT factors of GSD-I that affect renal prognosis. RESULTS: The clinical and biochemical characteristics of the GSD and BA groups were similar, including immunosuppressive regimens and duration of follow-up (median 15 years) after LT. Overall, renal function, including eGFR and microalbuminuria was comparable in the GSD-I and BA groups (median eGFR: 111 vs. 123 ml/min/1.73m2, P = 0.268; median urine microalbuminuria to creatinine ratio: 16.0 vs. 7.2 mg/g, P = 0.099, respectively) after LT. However, in the subgroups of the GSD cohort, patients starting cornstarch therapy at an older age (≥ 6-year-old) before transplantation demonstrated a worse renal outcome in terms of eGFR change over years (P < 0.001). In addition, the enlarged kidney in GSD-I returned to within normal range after LT. CONCLUSIONS: Post-LT renal function was well-preserved in most GSD-I patients. Early initiation of cornstarch therapy before preschool age, followed by LT, achieved a good renal prognosis.

Corrigendum to "Cytotoxicity Assessment of PM2.5 Collected from Specific Anthropogenic Activities in Taiwan".

In the Section 2 [...].

Optimal use of reminders: Metacognition, effort, and cognitive offloading.

Individuals frequently choose between accomplishing goals using unaided cognitive abilities or offloading cognitive demands onto external tools and resources. For example, in order to remember an upcoming appointment one might rely on unaided memory or create a reminder by setting a smartphone alert. Setting a reminder incurs both a cost (the time/effort to set it up) and a benefit (increased likelihood of remembering). Here we investigate whether individuals weigh such costs/benefits optimally or show systematic biases. In 3 experiments, participants performed a memory task where they could choose between (a) earning a maximum reward for each remembered item, using unaided memory; or (b) earning a lesser amount per item, using external reminders to increase the number remembered. Participants were significantly biased toward using external reminders, even when they had a financial incentive to choose optimally. Individual differences in this bias were stable over time, and predicted by participants' erroneous metacognitive underconfidence in their memory abilities. Bias was eliminated, however, when participants received metacognitive advice about which strategy was likely to maximize performance. Furthermore, we found that metacognitive interventions (manipulation of feedback valence and practice-trial difficulty) yielded shifts in participants' reminder bias that were mediated by shifts in confidence. However, the bias could not be fully attributed to metacognitive error. We conclude that individuals have stable biases toward using external versus internal cognitive resources, which result at least in part from inaccurate metacognitive evaluations. Finding interventions to mitigate these biases can improve individuals' adaptive use of cognitive tools. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

The therapeutic potential of human umbilical mesenchymal stem cells from Wharton's jelly in the treatment of rat liver fibrosis.

We investigated the effect of human umbilical mesenchymal stem cells (HUMSCs) from Wharton's jelly on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis in rats. Rats were treated with CCl4 for 4 weeks, and this was followed by a direct injection of HUMSCs into their livers. After 4 more weeks of CCl4 treatment (8 weeks in all), rats with HUMSC transplants [CCl4 (8W)+HUMSC liver] exhibited a significant reduction in liver fibrosis, as evidenced by Sirius red staining and a collagen content assay, in comparison with rats treated with CCl4 for 8 weeks without HUMSC transplants [CCl4 (8W)]. Moreover, rats in the CCl4 (8W)+HUMSC (liver) group had significantly lower levels of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvate transaminase, alpha-smooth muscle actin, and transforming growth factor-beta1 in the liver, whereas the expression of hepatic mesenchymal epithelial transition factor-phosphorylated type (Met-P) and hepatocyte growth factor was up-regulated, in comparison with the CCl4 (8W) group. Notably, engrafted HUMSCs scattered mostly in the hepatic connective tissue but did not differentiate into hepatocytes expressing human albumin or alpha-fetoprotein. Instead, these engrafted, undifferentiated HUMSCs secreted a variety of bioactive cytokines that may restore liver function and promote regeneration. Human cytokine assay revealed that the amounts of human cutaneous T cell-attracting chemokine, leukemia inhibitory factor, and prolactin were substantially greater in the livers of the CCl4 (8W)+HUMSC (liver) group, with considerably reduced hepatic inflammation manifested by a micro positron emission tomography scan. Our findings suggest that xenogeneic transplantation of HUMSCs is a novel approach for treating liver fibrosis and may be a promising therapeutic intervention in the future.

Cytotoxicity Assessment of PM2.5 Collected from Specific Anthropogenic Activities in Taiwan.

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from different sources with different components have different health impact. In this research in Taiwan, composition and cytotoxicity of PM2.5 from long-range transport event (LRT), traffic activity, and outdoor cooking at night market were studied. The PM2.5 mass concentrations were 39.0 µg/m3 during LRT, 42.9 µg/m3 at traffic area, and 28.3 µg/m3 at the night market. Traffic area had highest concentrations of PCDD/Fs (46.9 fg I-TEQ/m3) when highest PAH concentrations of 3.57 BaPeq-ng/m3 were found at night market area. One quarter of PM2.5 mass at LRT and night market was constituted by water-soluble ion (26.02-28.93%). Road dust (represented by high concentration of Al and Ca) was the main contributor for metal element at traffic station whereas presence of natural salt (Na and Cl elements) was a marker of LRT and cooking activities. Cell viability reduced 9% after exposure to organic extracts of 0.316 µg of PM2.5 from LRT and night market samples. 150% elevation of ROS production was observed after exposure with organic compound of night market samples at the dose equivalent to 10.0 µg PM2.5. Organic extracts from night market induced positive genotoxicity in umu test (at a dose of 20.0 µg PM2.5).

A gas filled intradural cyst with intradural disc herniation: a case report.

Intradural disc herniation is rare. In a colon cancer patient who suffered from low back pain for several years, MRI examination showed evidence of vacuum phenomenon and ring enhancement at the level of L3-4. Intradural herniation of an intervertebral disc was confirmed surgically. Pathological evidence of intradiscal gas is rarely reported in the literature, however, an association between intradural disc herniation and pneumocysts was demonstrated in this case. The implications of our sequential radiological and pathological findings for the pathogenesis of intradural pneumocysts are discussed.

A case of human diphyllobothriasis in northern Taiwan after eating raw fish fillets.

The consumption of raw fish fillets is increasing in Taiwan. A male Taiwanese aged 30 years presented after passing a flat, white noodle-like worm. Strobila examination showed that most proglottids were wider than they were long, with the genital pore located at the posterior edge of the cirrus. Histological and coprological findings confirmed the diagnosis of Diphyllobothrium latum; ova were ellipsoidal with operculate characteristics, and had a small knob in the anti-operculum side. Hematological data, including vitamin B12 levels, were normal, except for a low folate level. The patient was treated with a single dose of praziquantel 600 mg and 196 cm of proglottids were expelled during the 3 days following treatment. Further follow-up was declined. Consumption of raw and undercooked fish (especially salmon) poses a risk of D. latum infection.

Psychometric properties of the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment-Second Edition in Taiwanese persons with schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to determine the psychometric properties for the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment-Second Edition (LOTCA-II) in a population of persons with schizophrenia. METHOD: Sixty-four participants with schizophrenia were administered the LOTCA-II at baseline, and 43 of these were randomly selected to undertake four more standardized measures of cognitive and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) functions to test convergent validity. One week later, 48 randomly selected participants from the total sample were readministered the LOTCA-II to determine test-retest reliability. RESULTS: Substantial ceiling effects existed in 96% of LOTCA-II items. Cronbach's alpha for all six sub-tests ranged from .20 to .91; the alpha for the global scale was .90. Intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from .49 to .89 for the subtests and .95 for the full LOTCA-II. Low to moderate correlations were found between LOTCA-II total score and scores on cognitive and IADL measures. No overall significant differences in subtest scores were found across participants differing in employment status. CONCLUSION: LOTCA-II performance is best interpreted in the context of total score. Further revision of the test items is recommended for a more reliable and valid use of the LOTCA-II in persons with schizophrenia.

Needs of family caregivers of stroke patients: a longitudinal study of caregivers' perspectives.

BACKGROUND: After a stroke, patients often suffer from varying degrees of disability that require acute inpatient treatment and extended care at home. Therefore, the caregivers assume multiple responsibilities that can result in stress, particularly when their own needs are inadequately addressed during the patient's recovery. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the changing needs of family caregivers of stroke patients and factors related to the needs in four stages, before the transfer from intensive care unit to neurological unit, before discharge, 2 weeks post-hospitalization, and 3 months post-hospitalization. METHODS: The design of this study was based on longitudinal research, and the participants were family caregivers of stroke patients. Sixty family caregivers were recruited in this study. Data were collected at four time points by questionnaire. RESULTS: We found that the total number of needs of family caregivers decreased as the illness duration increased and that needs differed significantly between the four time points (P<0.01). Although the needs were different in each stage, health information, professional support, and community networks were the leading need domains in all four stages. The major factors affecting the care needs of family caregivers were the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores of patients on admission, length of hospital stay, and physical dependence of patients. CONCLUSION: Family caregivers expected to obtain assistance and related care information from professionals during the course of the disease. Assessing the needs of family caregivers is important for health care workers in understanding problems from the caregivers' perspectives. Relevant information and counseling should be provided to family caregivers to help them access support when needed.

Expression profile of Toll-like receptor mRNA in pigs co-infected with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and porcine circovirus type 2.

Field and experimental studies have shown that co-infection of pigs with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) increases the severity of the disease. The present study investigates the mRNA expression profile of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in pigs co-infected with PRRSV and PCV2. SPF pigs were infected with PRRSV, PCV2 or in a combination of both. The mRNA expression levels of TLRs and related cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of pigs were determined by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. The mRNA expression profiles of TLRs by PBMCs from pigs co-infected with PRRSV and PCV2 displayed two distinct patterns: an increased expression profile for TLRs2, 4 and 8, and a decreased expression profile for TLRs3, 7 and 9. An up-regulated expression of IL-1ß and IL-10 mRNA and a down-regulated expression of INF-α and TNF-α mRNA in PBMCs of co-infected pigs were also observed.