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1.
F1000Res ; 13: 19, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39165349

ABSTRACT

Background: COVID-19 is a highly challenging infectious disease. Research ethics committees (RECs) have challenges reviewing research on this new pandemic disease under a tight timeline and public pressure. This study aimed to assess RECs' responses and review during the outbreak in seven Asian countries where the Strategic Initiative for Developing Capacity in Ethical Review (SIDCER) networks are active. Methods: The online survey was conducted in seven Asian countries from April to August 2021. Two sets of online questionnaires were developed, one set for the chairs/secretaries and another set for the REC members.The REC profiles obtained from the REC members are descriptive in nature. Data from the chairs/secretaries were compared between the RECs with external quality assessment (SIDCER-Recognized RECs, SR-RECs) and non-external quality assessment (Non-SIDCER-Recognized RECs, NSR-RECs) and analyzed using a Chi-squared test. Results: A total of 688 REC members and 197 REC chairs/secretaries participated in the survey. Most RECs have standard operating procedures (SOPs), and have experience in reviewing all types of protocols, but 18.1% had no experience reviewing COVID-19 protocols. Most REC members need specific training on reviewing COVID-19 protocols (93%). In response to the outbreak, RECs used online reviews, increased meeting frequency and single/central REC. All SR-RECs had a member composition as required by the World Health Organisation ethics guidelines, while some NSR-RECs lacked non-affiliated and/or layperson members. SR-RECs reviewed more COVID-related product development protocols and indicated challenges in reviewing risk/benefit and vulnerability (0.010), informed consent form (0.002), and privacy and confidentiality (P = 0.020) than NSR-RECs. Conclusions: Surveyed RECs had a general knowledge of REC operation and played a significant role in reviewing COVID-19-related product development protocols. Having active networks of RECs across regions to share updated information and resources could be one of the strategies to promote readiness for future public health emergencies.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Ethics Committees, Research , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2 , COVID-19/epidemiology , Humans , Surveys and Questionnaires , Asia/epidemiology , Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology , Pneumonia, Viral/epidemiology
2.
bioRxiv ; 2024 Jul 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39091883

ABSTRACT

Patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) are generally unresponsive to tumor targeted and immunotherapies. Whether genetic alterations acquired during the evolution of CRPC impact immune and immunotherapy responses is largely unknown. Using our innovative electroporation-based mouse models, we generated distinct genetic subtypes of CRPC found in patients and uncovered unique immune microenvironments. Specifically, mouse and human prostate tumors with MYC amplification and p53 disruption had weak cytotoxic lymphocyte infiltration and an overall dismal prognosis. MYC and p53 cooperated to induce tumor intrinsic secretion of VEGF, which by signaling through VEGFR2 expressed on CD8+ T cells, could directly inhibit T cell activity. Targeting VEGF-VEGFR2 signaling in vivo led to CD8+ T cell-mediated tumor and metastasis growth suppression and significantly increased overall survival in MYC and p53 altered CPRC. VEGFR2 blockade also led to induction of PD-L1, and in combination with PD-L1 immune checkpoint blockade produced anti-tumor efficacy in multiple preclinical CRPC mouse models. Thus, our results identify a genetic mechanism of immune suppression through VEGF signaling in prostate cancer that can be targeted to reactivate immune and immunotherapy responses in an aggressive subtype of CRPC. Significance: Though immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapies can achieve curative responses in many treatment-refractory cancers, they have limited efficacy in CRPC. Here we identify a genetic mechanism by which VEGF contributes to T cell suppression, and demonstrate that VEGFR2 blockade can potentiate the effects of PD-L1 ICB to immunologically treat CRPC.

3.
Surg Endosc ; 2024 Jul 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39039291

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Aborted bariatric surgeries are an undesirable experience for patients as they are subjected to potential physical harm and emotional distress. A thorough investigation of aborted bariatric surgeries has not been previously reported. This information may allow the discovery of opportunities to mitigate the risk of aborting some bariatric operations. METHODS: Data from the Michigan Bariatric Surgery Collaborative, a statewide bariatric surgery registry, were used to identify all aborted primary bariatric operations from June 2006 through January 2023. The reasons for aborting surgery were divided into seven categories. Stepwise logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of aborted procedures for potentially modifiable factors. RESULTS: A total of 115,004 patients underwent bariatric surgery with 555 (0.48%) procedures aborted. Of those having an aborted operation the mean age was 52 years and mean BMI was 49.8 with females accounting for 72%. Sleeve gastrectomy had the lowest aborted rate (0.38%) as compared to gastric bypass, adjustable gastric banding, and biliopancreatic diversion (p < 0.0001). The most common aborted surgery reason categories included adhesions and hernias, tumors and anatomic anomalies, and inadequate visualization due to either hepatomegaly or abdominal wall thickness. The most significant (p < 0.0001) independent predictors of aborted surgeries due to hepatomegaly or abdominal wall thickness were BMI ≥ 60 (OR 10.7), BMI 50 to 59 (OR 3.1) and diabetes mellitus (OR 2.7). Preoperative weight loss was a protective factor for aborting surgery due to hepatomegaly or abdominal wall thickness (OR 0.9; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Aborted surgeries are uncommon and occur in approximately 1 in 200 primary bariatric operations with the lowest rate identified in sleeve gastrectomy. Nearly 20% of operations are aborted due to hepatomegaly or abdominal wall thickness and targeting patients with elevated BMIs and diabetes mellitus for preoperative weight loss might reduce the risk of these types of aborted procedures.

4.
Bioconjug Chem ; 35(7): 996-1006, 2024 Jul 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38946349

ABSTRACT

Biosensors based on immobilized antibodies require molecular strategies that (i) couple the antibodies in a stable fashion while maintaining the conformation and functionality, (ii) give outward orientation of the paratope regions of the antibodies for good accessibility to analyte molecules in the biofluid, and (iii) surround the antibodies by antibiofouling molecules. Here, we demonstrate a method to achieve oriented coupling of antibodies to an antifouling poly(l-lysine)-grafted-poly(ethylene glycol) (PLL-g-PEG) substrate, using glycan remodeling to create antibody-DNA conjugates. The coupling, orientation, and functionality of the antibodies were studied using two analysis methods with single-molecule resolution, namely single-molecule localization microscopy and continuous biosensing by particle motion. The biosensing functionality of the glycan-remodeled antibodies was demonstrated in a sandwich immunosensor for procalcitonin. The results show that glycan-remodeled antibodies enable oriented immobilization and biosensing functionality with low nonspecific binding on antifouling polymer substrates.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Immobilized , Biosensing Techniques , Polysaccharides , Biosensing Techniques/methods , Polysaccharides/chemistry , Polysaccharides/immunology , Antibodies, Immobilized/immunology , Antibodies, Immobilized/chemistry , Polyethylene Glycols/chemistry , Biofouling/prevention & control , Polylysine/chemistry , Antibodies/immunology , Antibodies/chemistry , Humans , Polymers/chemistry
5.
Behav Sci (Basel) ; 14(7)2024 Jul 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39062408

ABSTRACT

"Are you LISTENING?" may be one of the most frequent questions preschoolers hear from their parents and teachers, but can children be taught to listen carefully-and thus better comprehend language-and if so, what changes occur in their brains? Twenty-seven four- and five-year-old children were taught a language simulation strategy to use while listening to stories: first, they practiced moving graphics on an iPad to correspond to the story actions, and then they practiced imagining the movements. Compared to a control condition, children in the intervention answered comprehension questions more accurately when imagining moving the graphics and on a measure of transfer using a new story without any instruction and with only immovable graphics. Importantly, for children in the intervention, the change in comprehension from the first to the sixth day was strongly correlated with changes in EEG mu and alpha desynchronization, suggesting changes in motor and visual processing following the intervention. Thus, the data are consistent with our hypothesis that a language simulation listening comprehension intervention can improve children's listening comprehension by teaching children to align visual and motor processing with language comprehension.

6.
ACS Sens ; 9(7): 3520-3530, 2024 Jul 26.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38967449

ABSTRACT

Biosensing by particle motion is a biosensing technology that relies on single-molecule interactions and enables the continuous monitoring of analytes from picomolar to micromolar concentration levels. However, during sensor operation, the signals are observed to change gradually. Here, we present a comprehensive methodology to elucidate the molecular origins of long-term changes in a particle motion sensor, focusing on a competitive sensor design under conditions without flow. Experiments were performed wherein only the particles or only the surfaces were aged in order to clarify how each individual component changes over time. Furthermore, distributions of particle motion patterns and switching activity were studied to reveal how particle populations change over timespans of several days. For a cortisol sensor with anticortisol antibodies on the particles and cortisol analogues on the sensing surface, the leading hypotheses for the long-term changes are (i) that the particles lose antibodies and develop nonspecific interactions and (ii) that analogue molecules dissociate from the sensing surface. The developed methodologies and the acquired insights pave a way for realizing sensors that can operate over long timespans.


Subject(s)
Biosensing Techniques , Hydrocortisone , Biosensing Techniques/methods , Hydrocortisone/analysis
7.
Eur J Gen Pract ; 30(1): 2357780, 2024 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38832626

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Worldwide, there are concerns about declining mental health of children and young people (CYP). OBJECTIVES: To examine trends in GP consultation rates for psychosocial problems and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We performed a population-based cohort study using electronic GP records of CYP (0-24 years) living in the Rotterdam metropolitan area between 2016 and 2021. We calculated monthly consultation rates for psychosocial problems, stratified by age group and sex. We used negative binomial models to model the pre-COVID-19 trend, and estimate expected rates post-COVID-19 onset. We modelled the effect of COVID-19 infection rate and school closure on consultation rates per sex and age group. RESULTS: The cohort increased from 64801 to 92093 CYP between January 2016 and December 2021. Median age was 12.5 years and 49.3% was female. Monthly consultation rates increased from 2,443 to 4,542 consultations per 100,000 patient months over the six years. This trend (RR 1.009, 95%CI 1.008-1.011) started well before the COVID-19 pandemic. Consultation rates of adolescent girls and young women increased most strongly. Between March and May 2020, there was a temporary reduction in consultation rates, whereupon these returned to expected levels. COVID-19 infection rate and school closures showed small but significant associations with consultation rates for psychosocial problems but this did not affect the overall trend. Although consultation rates for psychosocial problems increased, this increment was stable over the entire study period. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic did not significantly increase consultation rates for psychosocial problems in CYP. The consultation rates increased, especially in adolescent girls and young women.


CYP' consultation rates for psychosocial problems within general practice almost doubled between 2016 and 2021 in the Rotterdam metropolitan area, the Netherlands.This increase was steady over time and was not affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.Consultation rates in general practice for psychosocial problems increased most strongly in adolescent girls and young women.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Referral and Consultation , Humans , Female , Adolescent , COVID-19/epidemiology , Child , Male , Netherlands/epidemiology , Child, Preschool , Infant , Young Adult , Referral and Consultation/statistics & numerical data , Cohort Studies , Mental Disorders/epidemiology , Infant, Newborn , General Practice/statistics & numerical data
8.
Hum Mol Genet ; 2024 Jun 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38850567

ABSTRACT

Alterations in Dp71 expression, the most ubiquitous dystrophin isoform, have been associated with patient survival across tumours. Intriguingly, in certain malignancies, Dp71 acts as a tumour suppressor, while manifesting oncogenic properties in others. This diversity could be explained by the expression of two Dp71 splice variants encoding proteins with distinct C-termini, each with specific properties. Expression of these variants has impeded the exploration of their unique roles. Using CRISPR/Cas9, we ablated the Dp71f variant with the alternative C-terminus in a sarcoma cell line not expressing the canonical C-terminal variant, and conducted molecular (RNAseq) and functional characterisation of the knockout cells. Dp71f ablation induced major transcriptomic alterations, particularly affecting the expression of genes involved in calcium signalling and ECM-receptor interaction pathways. The genome-scale metabolic analysis identified significant downregulation of glucose transport via membrane vesicle reaction (GLCter) and downregulated glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathway. Functionally, these molecular changes corresponded with, increased calcium responses, cell adhesion, proliferation, survival under serum starvation and chemotherapeutic resistance. Knockout cells showed reduced GLUT1 protein expression, survival without attachment and their migration and invasion in vitro and in vivo were unaltered, despite increased matrix metalloproteinases release. Our findings emphasise the importance of alternative splicing of dystrophin transcripts and underscore the role of the Dp71f variant, which appears to govern distinct cellular processes frequently dysregulated in tumour cells. The loss of this regulatory mechanism promotes sarcoma cell survival and treatment resistance. Thus, Dp71f is a target for future investigations exploring the intricate functions of specific DMD transcripts in physiology and across malignancies.

9.
Obes Surg ; 34(7): 2580-2586, 2024 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38839635

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Depressive and anxious symptoms and maladaptive eating behaviors fluctuate with stressful events for patients seeking bariatric surgery. These associations are less clear for patients postoperatively. Using the COVID-19 pandemic as a frame, we examined associations between changes in depressive and anxious symptoms and maladaptive eating behaviors between up to four years postoperatively. METHODS: Participants (N = 703) who underwent surgery between 2018 and 2021 completed web-based questionnaires between 2021 and 2022. Demographic and surgical data were obtained from electronic health records. Participants reported whether depressive and anxious symptoms increased or were stable/decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, and completed eating behavior measures. RESULTS: Many participants reported increased depressive (27.5%) and anxious (33.7%) symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Compared to those who reported stable or decreased symptoms, these participants were as follows: (1) more likely to endorse presence of binge, loss-of-control, graze, and night eating; (2) reported higher emotional eating in response to anger and frustration, depression, and anxiety; and (3) reported higher driven and compulsive eating behaviors. Frequency of binge, loss-of-control, graze, and night eating episodes did not differ between groups (e.g., increased vs. stable/decreased anxious symptoms) among participants who endorsed any episodes. CONCLUSION: A large portion of the sample reported increased depressive and anxious symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic, and these increases were associated with maladaptive eating behaviors. Depressive and anxious symptoms and eating behaviors should be assessed postoperatively as significant stressors may be associated with increased distress and maladaptive eating behaviors that can affect postoperative outcomes. Postoperative interventions may be useful at simultaneously targeting these concerns.


Subject(s)
Anxiety , Bariatric Surgery , COVID-19 , Depression , Feeding Behavior , SARS-CoV-2 , Humans , COVID-19/psychology , COVID-19/epidemiology , Female , Male , Bariatric Surgery/psychology , Depression/epidemiology , Depression/psychology , Anxiety/epidemiology , Anxiety/psychology , Middle Aged , Adult , Feeding Behavior/psychology , Obesity, Morbid/surgery , Obesity, Morbid/psychology , Feeding and Eating Disorders/psychology , Feeding and Eating Disorders/epidemiology , Surveys and Questionnaires , Postoperative Period , Pandemics
10.
Wiad Lek ; 77(4): 821-827, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38865642

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To analyse laboratory and biochemical features of the severe persistent course of asthma in patients with undifferentiated connective tissue dysplasia (UCTD) syndrome, and their phenotypic and visceral stigmas of dysembryogenesis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: We enrolled 60 male patients with asthma, aged from 23 to 62 years (mean age (46.83 ±0.85) years): 30 patients with the background of UCTD, and 30 - without UCTD. We analysed clinical, somatometric, surveying (original questionnaire based on the phenotypic map of Glesby), instrumental (spirography, echocardiography, endoscopy, esophagofibrogastroduodenoscopy) and laboratory (including eosinophilic granulocytes and aldosterone levels) data. RESULTS: Results: Correlations were found in men with UCTD between the number of UCTD markers and rate of earlobe diagonal fold (r=+0.75; р<0.05), asthenic constitution (r=+0.72; р<0.05), easy bruising (r=+0.7; p<0.05) and straight abdominal line hernia (r=+0.52; p<0.05). Average aldosterone serum level in patients with UCTD (176,10 ±11,22) was significantly higher than in those without UCTD (142,77 ±9,43), (p<0.05), as well as average eosinophils levels (1.3 ±0.25 vs. 0.57 ±0.12, p<0.05). In the absolute majority of patients with UCTD (93.3%) asthma onset was confirmed after pneumonia, and their age of asthma manifestation was significantly higher (37.2 ±1.21) than in patients without UCTD (21.4 ±1.13). Also, in patients with UCTD there was a high number of severe exacerbations during the last year (2.7 ±0.12 per year) on the background of high doses of combined inhaled glucocorticosteroids use. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Identified "phenotypic profile", clinical and biochemical features of patients with asthma on the background of UCTD syndrome, which determine the severe course and early formation of asthma complications, will further accelerate the diagnosis of this asthma phenotype and improve approaches to the selection of treatment regimens for these patients.


Subject(s)
Asthma , Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Diseases , Humans , Male , Adult , Middle Aged , Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Diseases/complications , Young Adult , Aldosterone/blood , Aldosterone/metabolism , Phenotype
11.
BMJ Open ; 14(6): e083752, 2024 Jun 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38871661

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Clinical assessment in emergency departments (EDs) for possible acute myocardial infarction (AMI) requires at least one cardiac troponin (cTn) blood test. The turn-around time from blood draw to posting results in the clinical portal for central laboratory analysers is ~1-2 hours. New generation, high-sensitivity, point-of-care cardiac troponin I (POC-cTnI) assays use whole blood on a bedside (or near bedside) analyser that provides a rapid (8 min) result. This may expedite clinical decision-making and reduce length of stay. Our purpose is to determine if utilisation of a POC-cTnI testing reduces ED length of stay. We also aim to establish an optimised implementation process for the amended clinical pathway. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This quality improvement initiative has a pragmatic multihospital stepped-wedge cross-sectional cluster randomised design. Consecutive patients presenting to the ED with symptoms suggestive of possible AMI and having a cTn test will be included. Clusters (comprising one or two hospitals each) will change from their usual-care pathway to an amended pathway using POC-cTnI-the 'intervention'. The dates of change will be randomised. Changes occur at 1 month intervals, with a minimum 2 month 'run-in' period. The intervention pathway will use a POC-cTnI measurement as an alternate to the laboratory-based cTn measurement. Clinical decision-making steps and logic will otherwise remain unchanged. The POC-cTnI is the Siemens (Erlangen Germany) Atellica VTLi high-sensitivity cTnI assay. The primary outcome is ED length of stay. The safety outcome is cardiac death or AMI within 30 days for patients discharged directly from the ED. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval has been granted by the New Zealand Southern Health and Disability Ethics Committee, reference 21/STH/9. Results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. Lay and academic presentations will be made. Maori-specific results will be disseminated to Maori stakeholders. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ACTRN12619001189112.


Subject(s)
Acute Coronary Syndrome , Emergency Service, Hospital , Quality Improvement , Humans , Acute Coronary Syndrome/blood , Acute Coronary Syndrome/diagnosis , Acute Coronary Syndrome/therapy , Biomarkers/blood , Clinical Decision-Making , Cross-Sectional Studies , Length of Stay/statistics & numerical data , Myocardial Infarction/blood , Myocardial Infarction/diagnosis , Point-of-Care Systems , Point-of-Care Testing , Risk Assessment , Troponin I/blood
13.
J Phys Chem A ; 128(24): 4787-4794, 2024 Jun 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38836559

ABSTRACT

The mole fractions χ and number concentrations n of the water dimer and the heterodimers H2O-N2 and H2O-O2 in Earth's atmosphere are reported up to 20 km. The water dimer data is obtained from published values of the equilibrium constant based on the water equation of state. The mixed equilibrium constants for the heterodimers are obtained from the respective second virial coefficients using an approach introduced by Stogryn and Hirschfelder that extracts the components pertaining to pairwise interactions producing bound and metastable dimers. From these calculations, χ and n for the water dimer and the (H2O)(N2) and (H2O)(O2) heterodimers at standard sea level are 1.79(6) × 10-5, 4.77(12) × 10-5 and 9.90(5) × 10-6 and 4.55(15) × 1014, 1.23(3) × 1016 and 2.56(1) × 1015, respectively. Analytical expressions are provided for these quantities for altitudes between 0-20 km and temperatures from 200-300 K. Sea level values of χ and n are given for two specific locations.

14.
Science ; 384(6695): eadj4088, 2024 May 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38696552

ABSTRACT

The developmental decision made by malaria parasites to become sexual underlies all malaria transmission. Here, we describe a rich atlas of short- and long-read single-cell transcriptomes of over 37,000 Plasmodium falciparum cells across intraerythrocytic asexual and sexual development. We used the atlas to explore transcriptional modules and exon usage along sexual development and expanded it to include malaria parasites collected from four Malian individuals naturally infected with multiple P. falciparum strains. We investigated genotypic and transcriptional heterogeneity within and among these wild strains at the single-cell level, finding differential expression between different strains even within the same host. These data are a key addition to the Malaria Cell Atlas interactive data resource, enabling a deeper understanding of the biology and diversity of transmission stages.


Subject(s)
Erythrocytes , Malaria, Falciparum , Plasmodium falciparum , Sexual Development , Humans , Erythrocytes/parasitology , Malaria, Falciparum/parasitology , Malaria, Falciparum/transmission , Plasmodium falciparum/genetics , Plasmodium falciparum/growth & development , Sexual Development/genetics , Single-Cell Analysis , Transcriptome , Atlases as Topic
15.
Nanomaterials (Basel) ; 14(9)2024 Apr 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38727377

ABSTRACT

This paper explores methods to enhance the reproducibility of Josephson junctions, which are crucial elements in superconducting quantum technologies, when employing the Dolan technique in 30 kV e-beam processes. The study explores the influence of dose distribution along the bridge area on reproducibility, addressing challenges related to fabrication sensitivity. Experimental methods include e-beam lithography, with electron trajectory simulations shedding light on the behavior of backscattered electrons. Wedescribe the fabrication of various Josephson junction geometries and analyze the correlation between the success rates of different lithography patterns and the simulated distribution of backscattered electrons. Our findings demonstrate a success rate of up to 96.3% for the double-resist 1-step low-energy e-beam lithography process. As a means of implementation strategy, we provide a geometric example that takes advantage of simulated stability regions to administer a controlled, uniform dose across the junction area, introducing novel features to overcome the difficulties associated with fabricating bridge-like structures.

16.
BMJ Open ; 14(5): e078942, 2024 May 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38754875

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The Rotterdam Eczema Study was an observational cohort study with an embedded pragmatic randomised controlled open-label trial. It was conducted in children with atopic dermatitis (AD) in the Dutch primary care system. The objective of the trial was to determine whether a potent topical corticosteroid (TCS) is more effective than a low-potency TCS. OBJECTIVE: We are aiming to communicate transparently about the poor recruitment for the trial part and to explore the reasons why recruitment was weak. DESIGN: We used a survey to find out what patients in the cohort did when they experienced a flare-up. METHODS: Descriptive statistics were used to present the baseline characteristics of participants in the trial and the results of the survey. RESULTS: In total, 367 patients were included in the cohort. Of these, 32 were randomly assigned to a trial treatment; they had a median age of 4.0 years (IQR 2.0-9.8). A total of 69 of the 86 children (80.2%) who could participate in the survey responded. 39 (56.5%) suffered a flare-up during the follow-up (making them potentially eligible for inclusion in the trial). 26 out of 39 (66.7%) increased their use of an emollient and/or TCS themselves. Only 12 of the 39 (30.7%) contacted their general practitioner (GP) as instructed in the study protocol, but 8 out of these 12 did not meet the inclusion criteria for the trial. CONCLUSION: The main reason why cohort participants did not take part in the trial was that they did not contact their GPs when they experienced an AD flare-up. Furthermore, the majority of patients who contacted their GPs did not match the inclusion criteria of the trial. We expect that the lessons learnt from this study will be useful when developing future studies of children with AD in primary care.


Subject(s)
Dermatitis, Atopic , Patient Selection , Primary Health Care , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male , Adrenal Cortex Hormones/therapeutic use , Adrenal Cortex Hormones/administration & dosage , Cohort Studies , Dermatitis, Atopic/drug therapy , Netherlands , Surveys and Questionnaires , Symptom Flare Up
17.
Surg Obes Relat Dis ; 20(8): 738-744, 2024 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38704333

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is the most commonly performed weight loss operation, and its 2 most common complications are postoperative reflux and weight recurrence. There is limited evidence to guide decision-making in treating these conditions. OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy of conversion of SG to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) for GERD management and weight loss. SETTING: Forty-one hospitals in Michigan. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study examining patients who underwent conversion of SG to RYGB from 2014 to 2022. The primary outcomes were changes in GERD-HRQL scores, anti-reflux medication use, and weight from baseline to 1 year after conversion. Secondary outcomes included 30-day postoperative complications and resource utilization. RESULTS: Among 2133 patients undergoing conversion, 279 (13%) patients had baseline and 1-year GERD-HRQL survey data and anti-reflux medication data. GERD-HRQL scores decreased significantly from 24.6 to 6.6 (P < .01). Among these, 207 patients (74%) required anti-reflux medication at baseline, with only 76 patients (27%) requiring anti-reflux medication at 1 year postoperatively (P < .01). Of the 380 patients (18%) with weight loss data, mean weight decreased by 68.4lbs, with a 24.3% decline in total body weight and 51.5% decline in excess body weight. In terms of 30-day complications, 308 (14%) patients experienced any complication and 89 (4%) experienced a serious complication, but there were no leaks, perforations, or deaths. Three-hundred and fifty-five (17%) patients presented to the emergency department and 64 (3%) patients underwent reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents the largest reported experience with conversion from SG to RYGB. We found that conversion to RYGB is associated with significant improvement in GERD symptoms, reduction in anti-reflux medication use, and significant weight loss and is therefore an effective treatment for GERD and weight regain after SG. However, the risks and benefits of conversion surgery should be carefully considered, especially in patients with significant comorbidity burden.


Subject(s)
Gastrectomy , Gastric Bypass , Gastroesophageal Reflux , Obesity, Morbid , Weight Loss , Humans , Gastroesophageal Reflux/surgery , Gastroesophageal Reflux/etiology , Gastric Bypass/methods , Gastric Bypass/adverse effects , Female , Male , Retrospective Studies , Gastrectomy/methods , Gastrectomy/adverse effects , Middle Aged , Obesity, Morbid/surgery , Adult , Postoperative Complications/etiology , Postoperative Complications/epidemiology , Treatment Outcome , Reoperation/statistics & numerical data
20.
Lancet Planet Health ; 8 Suppl 1: S15, 2024 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38632910

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Planetary health equity (PHE) is defined here as equitable good health in a stable Earth system. PHE is arguably in crisis. Human-made climate change is damaging global populations through hotter temperatures, wildfires, and more severe and frequent storms, flooding, and landslides. A tsunami of health inequities will result from this, as pre-existing health conditions and inequities in living and working conditions ensure that socially disadvantaged groups and people in low-income and middle-income countries are disproportionately affected by climate change. Despite evidence of these massive challenges and multiple calls to action, why has there been so little effective remedial action? And more importantly, how can we overcome this failure? To answer these questions, this panel discusses new research for understanding the conditions that enable coherent governance to improve planetary health equity outcomes. METHODS: The panel draws on emerging research from the Planetary Health Equity Hothouse. With perspectives from political economy, public health, policy studies, and systems science, we present new conceptual thinking and empirics around the complexities, dynamics, and trajectories of the global consumptogenic system in the 21st century, with a focus on the intersections between climate change and social and health inequities. The research examines mechanisms via which the global political economy creates planetary health inequities; identifies policy that optimises the climate, social, and health equity outcomes of mitigation actions; and discusses how governance for planetary health equity must evolve into the future, focusing on the structural, institutional, and ideational factors that advance action to promote PHE outcomes. FINDINGS: The global consumptogenic system of institutions, actors, norms, policies, and commercial activities that incentivise excessive production and consumption of fossil fuel-reliant goods and services with negative environmental, social, and health effects lies at the heart of the PHE crisis. Using network analysis, we show that the global PHE governance architecture is highly centralised and dominated by economic governance organisations. We also discuss a new Planetary Health Equity Impact Assessment tool to assess the PHE effects of existing policy and business practices within the consumptogenic system. An initial assessment of the mitigation sections of national governments' Nationally Determined Contribution reports to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change shows a dominance of economic language and issues. This highlights a missed opportunity for mitigation policy to be inclusive of social and health matters. Finally, we present new conceptual understandings of multilevel governance coherence and relevant strategies to advance PHE focused action. INTERPRETATION: The major contribution from research on governance for planetary health equity lies in detailing the what, who, and how of effective governance that advances health, social equity, and the environment in an interconnected way, helping to shift institutional norms and behaviours towards principles of fairness, sustainability, and human wellbeing. Crucially, it provides strategies for socially oriented actors, including governments, civil society, and international organisations to change the consumptogenic system and advance action for PHE. FUNDING: Australian Research Council.


Subject(s)
Health Equity , Humans , Australia , Public Health , Policy
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