Correlations of Socioeconomic and Clinical Determinants with United States County-Level Stroke Prevalence.

Socioeconomic status (SES) is a multi-faceted theoretical construct associated with stroke risk and outcomes. Knowing which SES measures best correlate with population stroke metrics would improve its accounting in observational research and inform interventions. Using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Population Level Analysis and Community Estimates (PLACES) and other publicly available databases, we conducted an ecological study comparing correlations of different United States county-level SES, health care access and clinical risk factor measures with age-adjusted stroke prevalence. The prevalence of adults living below 150% of the federal poverty level most strongly correlated with stroke prevalence compared to other SES and non-SES measures (correlation coefficient = 0.908, R2 = 0.825; adjusted partial correlation coefficient: 0.589, R2 = 0.347). ANN NEUROL 2024;96:739-744.

Diversity of thought: public perceptions of genetic testing across ethnic groups in the UK.

Genetic testing is becoming rapidly more accessible to the general populous either through or outside healthcare systems. Few large-scale studies have been carried out to gauge public opinion in this growing area. Here, we undertook the largest cross-sectional study on genetic testing in the UK. The primary purpose of this study is to identify the differences in attitudes toward genetic testing across ethnic groups. A cohort of 6500 individuals from a diverse population completed a 72-item survey in a cross-sectional study. Responses between ethnic minority and white individuals in the UK were compared using a wilcoxon rank-sum and chi-square tests. The white cohort was approximately twice as likely to have taken a genetic test and 13% more had heard about genetic testing before the survey. The ethnic minority cohort appeared more apprehensive about the impact of genetic testing on employability. This study highlights that in the UK, significant differences in opinions regarding genetic testing exist between white individuals and ethnic minority individuals. There is an urgent need to develop more inclusive strategies to equally inform individuals from all backgrounds to avoid disparities in the utilisation of genetic testing.

Twelve tips for designing and implementing peer-led assessment writing schemes in health professions education.

Peer-led assessment (PLA) has gained increasing prominence within health professions education as an effective means of engaging learners in the process of assessment writing and practice. Involving students in various stages of the assessment lifecycle, including item writing, quality assurance, and feedback, not only facilitates the creation of high-quality item banks with minimal faculty input but also promotes the development of students' assessment literacy and fosters their growth as teachers. The advantages of involving students in the generation of assessments are evident from a pedagogical standpoint, benefiting both students and faculty. However, faculty members may face uncertainty when it comes to implementing such approaches effectively. To address this concern, this paper presents twelve tips that offer guidance on important considerations for the successful implementation of peer-led assessment schemes in the context of health professions education.

Obesity: a perfect storm for carcinogenesis.

Obesity-related cancers account for 40% of the cancer cases observed in the USA and obesity is overtaking smoking as the most widespread modifiable risk factor for carcinogenesis. Here, we use the hallmarks of cancer framework to delineate how obesity might influence the carcinogenic hallmarks in somatic cells. We discuss the effects of obesity on (a) sustaining proliferative signaling; (b) evading growth suppressors; (c) resisting cell death; (d) enabling replicative immortality; (e) inducing angiogenesis; (f) activating invasion and metastasis; (g) reprogramming energy metabolism; and (h) avoiding immune destruction, together with its effects on genome instability and tumour-promoting inflammation. We present the current understanding and controversies in this evolving field, and highlight some areas in need of further cross-disciplinary focus. For instance, the relative importance of the many potentially causative obesity-related factors is unclear for each type of malignancy. Even within a single tumour type, it is currently unknown whether one obesity-related factor consistently plays a predominant role, or if this varies between patients or, even in a single patient with time. Clarifying how the hallmarks are affected by obesity may lead to novel prevention and treatment strategies for the increasingly obese population.

Direct-to-consumer fertility testing: utilization and perceived utility among fertility patients and reproductive endocrinologists.

RESEARCH QUESTION: What is the utilization of direct-to-consumer fertility tests (DTCFT) among fertility patients? How does the perceived utility of DTCFT differ between patients and reproductive endocrinologists (REI)? DESIGN: Infertility patients visiting the Duke Fertility Center between December 2020 and December 2021 were sent an electronic invitation to participate in a patient survey. Members of the Society of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility were also sent e-mail invitations to participate in the REI survey. DTCFT were defined as tests not ordered by a physician or performed at a physician's office, including calendar methods of ovulation prediction, urinary ovulation prediction kits, basal body temperature (BBT) monitoring, hormone analysis, ovarian reserve testing and semen analysis. Patients and REI were asked how likely they were to recommend a given DTCFT, on a 0-10 Likert scale. RESULTS: In total, 425 patients (response rate 50.5%) and 178 REI (response rate 21.4%) completed the surveys. Patients reported the utilization of calendar methods of ovulation prediction (83.8%), urinary ovulation prediction (78.8%), BBT monitoring (30.8%), hormone analysis (15.3%), semen analysis (10.1%) and ovarian reserve testing (9.2%). REI rated the utility of all DTCFT significantly lower than patients did (average discordance -4.2, P < 0.001), except for urinary ovulation prediction, which REI gave a significantly higher score (discordance +1.0, P < 0.001). Prior pregnancy was significantly associated with home ovulation prediction utilization among patients (adjusted odds ratio 3.21, 95% confidence interval 1.2-9.83). CONCLUSIONS: Methods of ovulation prediction are commonly used by fertility patients. Significant discordance exists in the perceived utility of DTCFT between patients and REI. Patient education and guidelines are needed to better inform individuals considering DTCFT.

Systemic inflammation and menstrual cycle length in a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Local inflammation plays an important role in normal folliculogenesis and ovulation, and conditions of chronic systemic inflammation, such as obesity and polycystic ovarian syndrome, can disrupt normal follicular dynamics. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the association between systemic inflammation, as measured by C-reactive protein levels, and menstrual cycle length. STUDY DESIGN: This study was a secondary analysis using data from Time to Conceive, a prospective time-to-pregnancy cohort study. The association between cycle length and C-reactive protein was analyzed using multivariable linear mixed and marginal models adjusted for age, race, education, body mass index, time since oral contraceptive use, alcohol, smoking, caffeine consumption, and exercise. Time to Conceive enrolled women aged 30 to 44 years with no history of infertility who were attempting to conceive for <3 months. Serum C-reactive protein levels were measured on cycle day 2, 3, or 4. Participants recorded daily menstrual cycle data for ≤4 months. RESULTS: Main outcome measures included menstrual cycle length and follicular and luteal phase lengths. Multivariable analysis included 1409 cycles from 414 women. There was no linear association between C-reactive protein levels and menstrual cycle length. However, compared with <1 mg/L, a C-reactive protein level >10 mg/L was associated with >3 times the odds (adjusted odds ratio, 3.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.67-8.11) of long cycles (defined as ≥35 days). When evaluating follicular phase length, a C-reactive protein level of >10 mg/L was associated both with follicular phases that were 1.7 (95% confidence interval, 0.23-3.09) days longer and with >2 times the odds of a long follicular phase (adjusted odds ratio, 2.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-4.74). CONCLUSION: There is a potential pathophysiological association between systemic inflammation and menstrual cycle changes. Further studies are needed to determine if systemic inflammation alters the menstrual cycle or if long menstrual cycles are a marker for elevated systemic inflammation.

Medical Student Duty Hours and Shelf Performance: Is There a Correlation?

OBJECTIVE: To date, there is limited information about medical student duty hours, shelf scores, and overall clerkship performance in obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN). As a result, we were curious to know whether spending more time in the clinical environment translated to an improved learning experience or, in contrast, translated to decreased study time and worse overall clerkship performance. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort analysis was performed at a single academic medical center of all medical students on the OB/GYN clerkship from August 2018 to June 2019. Recorded student duty hours were tabulated per day and per week, by student. National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) Subject Exam (Shelf) equated percentile scores for the quarter of year were used. RESULTS: Our statistical analysis showed that working long hours did not translate to higher or lower shelf score, or higher overall clerkship grade. However, working longer hours in the last 2 weeks of the clerkship was associated with high shelf score. CONCLUSION: Longer medical student duty hours did not correlate to higher shelf scores or overall clerkship grades. Future multicenter studies are necessary to evaluate the importance of medical student duty hours and continue optimizing the educational experience of the OB/GYN clerkship. KEY POINTS: · Clinical hours were not associated with shelf examination scores.. · Clinical hours were not associated with overall clerkship grade.. · Longer clinical hours at the end of clerkship are correlated with higher examination scores..

ATM inhibitor KU-55933 induces apoptosis and inhibits motility by blocking GLUT1-mediated glucose uptake in aggressive cancer cells with sustained activation of Akt.

Enhanced glucose uptake is coupled with elevated aerobic glycolysis (the Warburg effect) in cancer cells and is closely correlated with increased tumor aggressiveness and poor prognosis. We previously discovered that ATM, a protein kinase deficient in Ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) disease, is an insulin-responsive protein that participates in insulin-mediated glucose uptake in muscle cells by stimulating glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) translocation. However, the role of ATM in glucose uptake and tumorigenesis of cancer cells is unclear. In the present study, we found that aggressive breast and prostate cancer cell lines with overactivated Akt activity exhibit enhanced glucose uptake and GLUT1 translocation upon insulin treatment, and KU-55933, a specific inhibitor of ATM, inhibits insulin-mediated glucose uptake by blocking translocation of GLUT1 to the cell surface. KU-55933 also inhibits aerobic glycolysis and ATP production in these cells. Moreover, KU-55933 induces apoptosis and inhibits motility of cancer cells by inhibiting glucose uptake. Our results showed that while high concentration of glucose and insulin promote the expression of a mesenchymal biomarker (vimentin) in these cancer cells, KU-55933 strongly inhibits its expression as well as epithelial to mesenchymal transition. The roles of ATM in stimulating glucose uptake, glycolysis, motility, and proliferation of cancer cells were demonstrated by knocking-down ATM in these cells. KU-55933 treatment also inhibits tumor growth and metastasis in vivo in mouse mammary tumors through inhibition of GLUT1 translocation and vimentin expression. These results suggest that ATM acts as a promoter of tumorigenesis in cancer cells with overactivated Akt, and KU-55933 induces apoptosis and inhibits motility by blocking GLUT1-mediated glucose uptake and glycolysis in these cancer cells, which may lead to the use of KU-55933 and its analogs as new preventive or therapeutic agents against cancer.

Impact of comprehensive state insurance mandates on in vitro fertilization utilization, embryo transfer practices, and outcomes in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated that state mandated coverage of in vitro fertilization may be associated with increased utilization, fewer embryos per transfer, and lower multiple birth rates, but also lower overall live birth rates. Given new legislation and the delay between enactment and effect, a revisit of this analysis is warranted. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to characterize the current impact of comprehensive state in vitro fertilization insurance mandates on in vitro fertilization utilization, live birth rates, multiple birth rates, and embryo transfer practices. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of in vitro fertilization cycles reported by the 2018 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Assisted Reproductive Technology Fertility Clinic Success Rates Report in the United States. In vitro fertilization cycles were stratified according to state mandate as follows: comprehensive (providing coverage for in vitro fertilization with minimal restrictions) and noncomprehensive. The United States census estimates for 2018 were used to calculate the number of reproductive-aged women in each state. Outcomes of interest (stratified by state mandate status) included utilization rate of in vitro fertilization per 1000 women aged 25 to 44 years, live birth rate, multiple birth rate, number of embryo transfer procedures (overall and subdivided by fresh vs frozen cycles), and percentage of transfers performed with frozen embryos. Additional subanalyzes were performed with stratification of outcomes by patient age group. RESULTS: In 2018, 134,997 in vitro fertilization cycles from 456 clinics were reported. Six states had comprehensive mandates; 32,029 and 102,968 cycles were performed in states with and without comprehensive in vitro fertilization mandates, respectively. In vitro fertilization utilization in states with comprehensive mandates was 132% higher than in noncomprehensive states after age adjustment; increased utilization was observed regardless of age stratification. Live birth rate per cycle was significantly higher in states with comprehensive mandates (35.4% vs 33.4%; P<.001), especially among older age groups. Multiple birth rate as a percentage of all births was significantly lower in states with comprehensive mandates (10.2% vs 13.8%; P<.001), especially among younger patients. Mean number of embryos per transfer was significantly lower in states with comprehensive mandates (1.30 vs 1.36; P<.001). Significantly fewer frozen transfers were performed as a percentage of all embryo transfers in states with comprehensive mandates (66.1% vs 76.3%; P<.001). Among fresh embryo transfers, significantly fewer embryos were transferred in comprehensive states among all patients (1.55 vs 1.67; P<.001). CONCLUSION: Comprehensive state mandated insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization services is associated with greater utilization of these services, fewer embryos per transfer, fewer frozen embryo transfers, lower multiple birth rates, and higher live birth rates. These findings have important public health implications for reproductive-aged individuals in the United States and present notable opportunities for research on access to fertility care.

Global status, impacts, and management of rocky temperate mesophotic ecosystems.

The ecology and function of rocky temperate mesophotic ecosystems (TMEs) remain poorly understood globally despite their widespread distribution. They typically occur at 20-150 m (the limit of photosynthesis), and on rocky substratum they support rich benthic communities and mobile fauna. We determined the distribution of rocky TMEs, their conservation status, and their most characteristic biological groups. Rocky TMEs were dominated by algae, turf-invertebrate matrices (<50 m only), sponges, bryozoans, and cnidarians. The community composition of TMEs differed significantly from shallow (0-15 m) subtidal reefs. Data were geographically biased and variable, available only from the North and South Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Temperate Australasia. Degree of protection of rocky TMEs varied considerably across the world. The biggest threats to rocky TMEs were identified changes in temperature, sedimentation rates, nutrient concentrations, and certain fishing types. We propose a conservation framework to inform future rocky TME management and conservation, highlighting the need to recognize the importance of these biologically diverse and functionally important ecosystems.

Resumen La ecología y la función de los ecosistemas mesofóticos templados (TME) rocosos todavía no están muy comprendidas a nivel mundial a pesar de su amplia distribución. Comúnmente se encuentran entre los 20 y los 150 metros (el límite de la fotosíntesis) sobre sustratos rocosos que mantienen comunidades bénticas diversas y fauna móvil. Determinamos la distribución, estado de conservación y grupos biológicos más característicos de los TME rocosos. Estos ecosistemas estuvieron dominados por algas, matrices de invertebrados de pastos marinos (solamente a <50 m), esponjas marinas, briozoos y cnidarios. La composición comunitaria de los TME difirió significativamente de los arrecifes submareales someros (0-15 m). Los datos estuvieron sesgados geográficamente y fueron variables, pues sólo estaban disponibles para el Atlántico norte y sur, el Mediterráneo y la Australasia templada. El nivel de protección de los TME rocosos varió considerablemente en todo el mundo. Las principales amenazas que enfrenta este ecosistema son los cambios en la temperatura, las tasas de sedimentación, la concentración de nutrientes y ciertos tipos de pesca. Proponemos un encuadre de conservación para orientar a futuro la gestión y conservación de los TME, el cual destaque la necesidad de reconocer la importancia de estos ecosistemas biológicamente diversos y funcionalmente importantes.

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 null mice (Igfbp2-/-) are protected against trabecular bone loss after vertical sleeve gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery has been shown to result in weight loss, improved hemoglobin A1C, and decreased mortality but can also lead to bone loss and increased fracture rates. Serum IGFBP-2 is elevated in patients after bariatric surgery and although it may lead to improved blood glucose, may also drive bone resorption, and inhibit IGF-I action. This study tested the hypothesis that Igfbp2-/- mice were acutely protected from bone loss after vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG). METHODS: Thirty-four mice, 17 Igfbp2-/- and 17 + / + underwent a hand-sewn VSG or sham surgery, at 16 weeks of age. Mice were harvested at 20 weeks of age. DXA was measured for body composition, areal bone mineral density (aBMD), areal bone mineral content (aBMC), femoral bone mineral density (fBMD), and femoral bone mineral content (fBMC) at 15, 18, and 20 weeks of age. Micro-computed tomography and serum ELISA assays were measured and analyzed at 20 weeks of age. RESULTS: Both Igfbp2-/- and + / + mice lost significant weight (P = 0.0251, P = 0.0003, respectively) and total fat mass (P = 0.0082, P = 0.0004, respectively) at 4 weeks after VSG. Igfbp2+/+ mice lost significant aBMD, fBMD, fBMC, trabecular BMD, trabecular BV/TV and cortical tissue mineral density (P = 0.0150, P = 0.0313, P = 0.0190, P = 0.0072, and 0.0320 respectively). The Igfbp2-/- mice did not show significant bone loss in these parameters nor in trabecular BV/TV. Both Igfbp2-/- and + / + mice had less cortical bone area (P = 0.0181, P = < .00001), cortical area over total area (P = 0.0085, P = 0.0007), and cortical thickness (P = 0.0050, P = < 0.0001), respectively. Igfbp2+/+ mice demonstrated significantly lower polar, minimum, and maximum moments of inertia (P = 0.0031, P = 0.0239, and P = 0.0037, respectively). Igfbp2+/+ had significantly higher levels of IGFBP-2 at 2 weeks postoperatively after VSG (P = 0.035), and elevated levels of CTx and P1NP (P = 0.0127, P = 0.0058, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Igfbp2-/- mice were protected against trabecular bone loss and had attenuated cortical bone loss 4 weeks after VSG.

Heritable genetic variants in key cancer genes link cancer risk with anthropometric traits.

BACKGROUND: Height and other anthropometric measures are consistently found to associate with differential cancer risk. However, both genetic and mechanistic insights into these epidemiological associations are notably lacking. Conversely, inherited genetic variants in tumour suppressors and oncogenes increase cancer risk, but little is known about their influence on anthropometric traits. METHODS: By integrating inherited and somatic cancer genetic data from the Genome-Wide Association Study Catalog, expression Quantitative Trait Loci databases and the Cancer Gene Census, we identify SNPs that associate with different cancer types and differential gene expression in at least one tissue type, and explore the potential pleiotropic associations of these SNPs with anthropometric traits through SNP-wise association in a cohort of 500,000 individuals. RESULTS: We identify three regulatory SNPs for three important cancer genes, FANCA, MAP3K1 and TP53 that associate with both anthropometric traits and cancer risk. Of particular interest, we identify a previously unrecognised strong association between the rs78378222[C] SNP in the 3' untranslated region (3'-UTR) of TP53 and both increased risk for developing non-melanomatous skin cancer (OR=1.36 (95% 1.31 to 1.41), adjusted p=7.62E-63), brain malignancy (OR=3.12 (2.22 to 4.37), adjusted p=1.43E-12) and increased standing height (adjusted p=2.18E-24, beta=0.073±0.007), lean body mass (adjusted p=8.34E-37, beta=0.073±0.005) and basal metabolic rate (adjusted p=1.13E-31, beta=0.076±0.006), thus offering a novel genetic link between these anthropometric traits and cancer risk. CONCLUSION: Our results clearly demonstrate that heritable variants in key cancer genes can associate with both differential cancer risk and anthropometric traits in the general population, thereby lending support for a genetic basis for linking these human phenotypes.

The Association Between Antibody Response to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection and Post-COVID-19 Syndrome in Healthcare Workers.

It is currently unknown how post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) may affect those infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This longitudinal study includes healthcare staff who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 between March and April 2020, with follow-up of their antibody titers and symptoms. More than half (21 of 38) had PCS after 7-8 months. There was no statistically significant difference between initial reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction titers or serial antibody levels between those who did and those who did not develop PCS. This study highlights the relative commonality of PCS in healthcare workers and this should be considered in vaccination scheduling and workforce planning to allow adequate frontline staffing numbers.

Asymptomatic Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection in a Rehabilitation Facility: Evolution of the Presence of Nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 and Serological Antibody Responses.

At the start of the UK coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic, this rare point prevalence study revealed that one-third of patients (15 of 45) in a London inpatient rehabilitation unit were found to be infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) but asymptomatic. We report on 8 patients in detail, including their clinical stability, the evolution of their nasopharyngeal viral reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) burden, and their antibody levels over time, revealing the infection dynamics by RT-PCR and serology during the acute phase. Notably, a novel serological test for antibodies against the receptor binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 showed that 100% of our asymptomatic cohort remained seropositive 3-6 weeks after diagnosis.

Effect of collaborative care between traditional and faith healers and primary health-care workers on psychosis outcomes in Nigeria and Ghana (COSIMPO): a cluster randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Traditional and faith healers (TFH) provide care to a large number of people with psychosis in many sub-Saharan African countries but they practise outside the formal mental health system. We aimed to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a collaborative shared care model for psychosis delivered by TFH and primary health-care providers (PHCW). METHODS: In this cluster-randomised trial in Kumasi, Ghana and Ibadan, Nigeria, we randomly allocated clusters (a primary care clinic and neighbouring TFH facilities) 1:1, stratified by size and country, to an intervention group or enhanced care as usual. The intervention included a manualised collaborative shared care delivered by trained TFH and PHCW. Eligible participants were adults (aged ≥18 years) newly admitted to TFH facilities with active psychotic symptoms (positive and negative syndrome scale [PANSS] score ≥60). The primary outcome, by masked assessments at 6 months, was the difference in psychotic symptom improvement as measured with the PANSS in patients in follow-up at 3 and 6 months. Patients exposure to harmful treatment practices, such as shackling, were also assessed at 3 and 6 months. Care costs were assessed at baseline, 3-month and 6-month follow-up, and for the entire 6 months of follow-up. This trial was registered with the National Institutes of Health Clinical Trial registry, NCT02895269. FINDINGS: Between Sept 1, 2016, and May 3, 2017, 51 clusters were randomly allocated (26 intervention, 25 control) with 307 patients enrolled (166 [54%] in the intervention group and 141 [46%] in the control group). 190 (62%) of participants were men. Baseline mean PANSS score was 107·3 (SD 17·5) for the intervention group and 108·9 (18·3) for the control group. 286 (93%) completed the 6-month follow-up at which the mean total PANSS score for intervention group was 53·4 (19·9) compared with 67·6 (23·3) for the control group (adjusted mean difference -15·01 (95% CI -21·17 to -8·84; 0·0001). Harmful practices decreased from 94 (57%) of 166 patients at baseline to 13 (9%) of 152 at 6 months in the intervention group (-0·48 [-0·60 to -0·37] p<0·001) and from 59 (42%) of 141 patients to 13 (10%) of 134 in the control group (-0·33 [-0·45 to -0·21] p<0·001), with no significant difference between the two groups. Greater reductions in overall care costs were seen in the intervention group than in the control group. At the 6 month assessment, greater reductions in total health service and time costs were seen in the intervention group; however, cumulative costs over this period were higher (US $627 per patient vs $526 in the control group). Five patients in the intervention group had mild extrapyramidal side effects. INTERPRETATION: A collaborative shared care delivered by TFH and conventional health-care providers for people with psychosis was effective and cost-effective. The model of care offers the prospect of scaling up improved care to this vulnerable population in settings with low resources. FUNDING: US National Institute of Mental Health.

Computational Study of the Donor-Acceptor Interactions Underlying the Variable Oxygen Probe.

The variable oxygen probe (VOP) is a crystallographic technique that has been used to explore the relative donor abilities of various filled orbitals ranging from vicinal lone pairs to polarized heteroatom-carbon bonds, remote π functionalities, and strained carbon-carbon (CC) bonds. In this study, the donor-acceptor interactions which underlie the VOP have been explored in the gas phase using density functional theory on the model systems 1-13 with natural bond orbital analysis of the various donor-acceptor interactions involving both neutral and charged σ* antibonding orbitals as the acceptor probes. Updated values for the VOP slopes of 1-13 were shown to relate qualitatively with the sum of all significant donor-acceptor interactions present in these derivatives. Application of the VOP to calculated structures of 1-13 with various -OR substituents revealed a similar relationship between the C-OR bond distance to pKa (ROH). However, the VOP slopes in the gas phase were significantly smaller in magnitude than those obtained from crystal structural data, likely due to the valence form (C+-OR) being disfavored in the former, highlighting the advantage of the VOP as an experimental technique to discriminate donor ability more effectively than calculated structures.

Perceptions of Ghanaian traditional health practitioners, primary health care workers, service users and caregivers regarding collaboration for mental health care.

BACKGROUND: In low- and middle-income countries, the paucity of conventional health services means that many people with mental health problems rely on traditional health practitioners (THPs). This paper examines the possibility of forging partnerships at the Primary Health Care (PHC) level in two geopolitical regions of Ghana, to maximize the benefits to both health systems. METHODS: The study was a qualitative cross-sectional survey. Eight (8) focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted between February and April 2014. The views of THPs, PHC providers, service users (i.e. patients) and their caregivers, on the perceived benefits, barriers and facilitators of forging partnerships were examined. A thematic framework approach was employed for analysis. RESULTS: The study revealed that underlying the widespread approval of forging partnerships, there were mutual undertones of suspicion. While PHC providers were mainly concerned that THPs may incur harms to service users (e.g., through delays in care pathways and human rights abuses), service users and their caregivers highlighted the failure of conventional medical care to meet their healthcare needs. There are practical challenges to these collaborations, including the lack of options to adequately deal with human rights issues such as some patients being chained and exposed to the vagaries of the weather at THPs. There is also the issue of the frequent shortage of psychotropic medication at PHCs. CONCLUSION: Addressing these barriers could enhance partnerships. There is also a need to educate all providers, which should include sessions clarifying the potential value of such partnerships.

Development of a fertility risk calculator to predict individualized chance of ovarian failure after chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: To develop an innovative machine learning (ML) model that predicts personalized risk of primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) after chemotherapy for reproductive-aged women. Currently, individualized prediction of a patient's risk of POI is challenging. METHODS: Authors of published studies examining POI after gonadotoxic therapy were contacted, and six authors shared their de-identified data (N = 435). A composite outcome for POI was determined for each patient and validated by 3 authors. The primary dataset was partitioned into training and test sets; random forest binary classifiers were trained, and mean prediction scores were computed. Institutional data collected from a cross-sectional survey of cancer survivors (N = 117) was used as another independent validation set. RESULTS: Our model predicted individualized risk of POI with an accuracy of 88% (area under the ROC 0.87, 95% CI: 0.77-0.96; p < 0.001). Mean prediction scores for patients who developed POI and who did not were 0.60 and 0.38 (t-test p < 0.001), respectively. Highly weighted variables included age, chemotherapy dose, prior treatment, smoking, and baseline diminished ovarian reserve. CONCLUSION: We developed an ML-based model to estimate personalized risk of POI after chemotherapy. Our web-based calculator will be a user-friendly decision aid for individualizing risk prediction in oncofertility consultations.

Transmission study of the Abdominal Compression plate (BodyFIX Diaphragm Control) for abdominal and stereotactic body radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: Abdominal Compression is one of the methods available to minimize breathing motion during stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), particularly for abdominal malignancies. It might be necessary to treat some tumors with radiation entering through the compression device. One clinically available compression plate device (Elekta BodyFIX Diaphragm Control) was evaluated to understand its impact on dosimetry during clinical treatments. METHODS: The BodyFIX compression device was CT scanned following departmental stereo scanning protocols. Treatment planning system (TPS) calculations were used to determine attenuation ratios through each section of the compression device: the outer frame, compression plate, and higher density couch fixation points and compression screw. TPS calculated skin doses where the compression plate will come in contact with the skin were recorded. All attenuation ratio fields were measured on an Elekta Versa HD linear accelerator. Where differences in attenuation were observed, TPS density overrides were found to bring calculated doses into agreement with measurement. RESULTS: The compression plate and frame showed low dose attenuation (3%-4%). Only minor density overrides for the frame were required due to artefacts from the limited CT field-of-view. The high-density materials in the couch fixation points resulted in higher attenuation (14%-20%). Similarly, the compression screw recorded very high attenuation (44%-65%), depending on the length of screw used. Skin doses assessed from the TPS calculations showed dose build-up under the compression plate that would result in skin receiving the maximum dose. CONCLUSION: Compression devices can cause significant dose attenuation. Density overrides for TPS calculations are recommended for correcting attenuation in some sections of the device. High-density structures like the fixation screw and frame fixation points create high levels of dosimetric uncertainty, and beam entry through those areas has been disallowed.

Cardiac Complications in Patients Hospitalised With COVID-19 in Australia.

OBJECTIVES: Describe the incidence of cardiac complications in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 in Australia. DESIGN: Observational cohort study. SETTING: Twenty-one (21) Australian hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive patients aged ≥18 years admitted to hospital with laboratory confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of cardiac complications. RESULTS: Six-hundred-and-forty-four (644) hospitalised patients (62.5±20.1 yo, 51.1% male) with COVID-19 were enrolled in the study. Overall in-hospital mortality was 14.3%. Twenty (20) (3.6%) patients developed new atrial fibrillation or flutter during admission and 9 (1.6%) patients were diagnosed with new heart failure or cardiomyopathy. Three (3) (0.5%) patients developed high grade atrioventricular (AV) block. Two (2) (0.3%) patients were clinically diagnosed with pericarditis or myopericarditis. Among the 295 (45.8%) patients with at least one troponin measurement, 99 (33.6%) had a peak troponin above the upper limit of normal (ULN). In-hospital mortality was higher in patients with raised troponin (32.3% vs 6.1%, p<0.001). New onset atrial fibrillation or flutter (6.4% vs 1.0%, p=0.001) and troponin elevation above the ULN (50.3% vs 16.4%, p<0.001) were more common in patients 65 years and older. There was no significant difference in the rate of cardiac complications between males and females. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with COVID-19 requiring hospitalisation in Australia, troponin elevation was common but clinical cardiac sequelae were uncommon. The incidence of atrial arrhythmias and troponin elevation was greatest in patients 65 years and older.