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1.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39294485

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The rapidly changing policy climate related to cannabis legalization has led to drastic changes in cannabis use in the United States (US). Medical cannabis use is increasing overall, but at a faster rate among older adults compared to other age groups. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to investigate older adults' cannabis use behaviors and attitudes around disclosing medical cannabis use to their primary healthcare providers (HCPs). METHODS: Nineteen older adults (ages 65+ years) with self-reported medical cannabis use were recruited from flyers posted in ambulatory clinics in San Diego, CA. Surveys and semi-structured interviews on cannabis use were completed. A multi-methods approach was used to analyze data. RESULTS: Participants' mean age was 75.3 years; 52.6% identified as women, and 89.5% as White. Cannabis was used by all participants to treat pain and by 75% for insomnia, with 25-33% reductions in use of prescription medications to treat these symptoms. Approximately 89% reported their primary HCPs were aware of their cannabis use, and 84.2% felt very comfortable/comfortable talking to HCPs about cannabis. Common themes from interviews included participants (1) being motivated to disclose cannabis use to their HCPs to seek medical advice on dosing, side effects, and benefits of cannabis, (2) feeling comfortable disclosing cannabis use as legalization has eased the stigma around cannabis use, and (3) perceiving mostly neutral attitudes from HCPs on their cannabis use. CONCLUSION: The study emphasizes the pivotal role of HCPs as educators in addressing patient inquiries about cannabis, underlining the need for equipping healthcare professionals with evidence-based knowledge through education and training initiatives.

2.
Cereb Cortex ; 34(9)2024 Sep 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39227308

ABSTRACT

Research suggests that increased financial exploitation vulnerability due to declining decision making may be an early behavioral manifestation of brain changes occurring in preclinical Alzheimer's disease. One of the earliest documented brain changes during the preclinical phase is neurodegeneration in the entorhinal cortex. The objective of the current study was to examine the association between a measure of financial exploitation vulnerability and thickness in the entorhinal cortex in 97 cognitively unimpaired older adults. We also investigated financial exploitation vulnerability associations with frontal regions typically associated with decision making (e.g. dorsolateral and ventromedial prefrontal cortices), and additionally examined the interactive effect of age and cortical thickness on financial exploitation vulnerability. Results showed that greater financial exploitation vulnerability was associated with significantly lower entorhinal cortex thickness. There was a significant interaction between age and entorhinal cortex thickness on financial exploitation vulnerability, whereby lower entorhinal cortex thickness was associated with greater financial exploitation vulnerability in older participants. When the group was divided by age using a median split (70+ and <70 years old), lower entorhinal cortex thickness was associated with greater vulnerability only in the older group. Collectively, these findings suggest that financial exploitation vulnerability may serve as a behavioral manifestation of entorhinal cortex thinning, a phenomenon observed in suboptimal brain aging and preclinical Alzheimer's disease.


Subject(s)
Entorhinal Cortex , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Humans , Entorhinal Cortex/diagnostic imaging , Entorhinal Cortex/pathology , Entorhinal Cortex/anatomy & histology , Aged , Male , Female , Aging/physiology , Aging/pathology , Aged, 80 and over , Decision Making/physiology , Middle Aged , Cognition/physiology
3.
Placenta ; 155: 88-99, 2024 09 26.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39173312

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Embryo implantation is a tightly regulated process, critical for a successful pregnancy. After attachment of the blastocyst to the surface epithelium of the endometrium trophoblast migrate from the trophectoderm and invade into the stromal component of endometrium. Alterations on either process will lead to implantation failure or miscarriage. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene induce pregnancy complications, including preterm birth and miscarriages. The mechanism of this effect is unknown. The objective of this study was to elucidate the impact of benzene metabolite, Hydroquinone, on trophoblast function. We tested the hypothesis that Hydroquinone activates the Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway modulating trophoblast migration and invasion. METHODS: First-trimester trophoblast cells (Sw.71) were treated with hydroquinone (6 and 25 µM). Trophoblast migration and invasion was evaluated using a 3D invasion/migration model. Gene expression was quantified by q-PCR and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Hydroquinone impairs trophoblast migration and invasion. This loss is associated with the activation of the AhR pathway which reduced the expression of Twist1and IFITM1. IFITM1 overexpression can rescue impaired trophoblast migration. DISCUSSION: Our study highlights that hydroquinone treatment induces the activation of the AhR pathway in trophoblast cells, which impairs trophoblast invasion and migration. We postulate that activation of the AhR pathway in trophoblast suppress Twist1 and a subsequent IFITM1. Thus, the AhR-Twist1-IFITM1 axis represent a critical pathway involved in the regulation of trophoblast migration and it is sensitive to benzene exposure. These findings provide crucial insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying pregnancy complications induced by air pollution.


Subject(s)
Cell Movement , Hydroquinones , Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon , Trophoblasts , Twist-Related Protein 1 , Trophoblasts/drug effects , Trophoblasts/metabolism , Hydroquinones/pharmacology , Cell Movement/drug effects , Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon/metabolism , Humans , Female , Pregnancy , Twist-Related Protein 1/metabolism , Twist-Related Protein 1/genetics , Antigens, Differentiation/metabolism , Cell Line , Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors/metabolism , Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors/genetics , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Nuclear Proteins/metabolism
4.
AIDS Care ; : 1-9, 2024 Aug 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39088383

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACTMany older adults living with HIV face unique challenges, including comorbidities, loneliness, and isolation. This community-academic partnered study elicited viewpoints from older adults living with HIV about the characteristics of a digital environment ("Virtual Village") to combat against loneliness and isolation. We utilized Choice-Based Conjoint Analyses to determine preferred attributes of a Virtual Village. We also conducted focus groups and interviews with older adults living with HIV and used an iterative, data-driven approach to systematically identify emergent themes. Participants (N = 82) were aged 50-82 years and racially/ethnically diverse. The majority were men (78%), gay (66%), and lived with HIV for ≥15 years (83%). Cost was the factor that most drove participants' preference for joining a Virtual Village. Thematic concerns included lack of technological confidence, internet access, potential for harassment in digital environments, privacy, and preference for in-person interactions. Praises centered on convenience and making connections across geographic distances. Participants emphasized the need for purposive strategies to form a cohesive and supportive community for older adults living with HIV. A moderated environment was recommneded to create a safe, structured, and comfortable digital environment for older adults living with HIV. A Virtual Village should be viewed as a bridge to in-person interactions.

5.
Clin Neuropsychol ; : 1-17, 2024 Jul 26.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39060956

ABSTRACT

Objective: Reports of financial exploitation have steadily increased among older adults. Few studies have examined neuropsychological profiles for individuals vulnerable to financial exploitation, and existing studies have focused on susceptibility to scams, one specific type of financial exploitation. The current study therefore examines whether a general measure of financial exploitation vulnerability is associated with neuropsychological performance in a community sample. Methods: A sample (n = 116) of adults aged 50 or older without dementia completed a laboratory visit that measures physical and psychological functioning and a neuropsychological assessment, the Uniform Data Set-3 (UDS-3) and California Verbal Learning Test-II. Results: After covarying for demographics, current medical problems, financial literacy, and a global cognition screen, financial exploitation vulnerability was negatively associated with scores on the Multilingual Naming Test, Craft Story Recall and Delayed Recall, California Verbal Learning Test-II Delayed Recall and Recognition Discriminability, Phonemic Fluency, and Trails B. Financial exploitation vulnerability was not associated with performance on Digit Span, Semantic Fluency, Benson Complex Figure Recall, or Trails A. Conclusions: Among older adults without dementia, individuals at higher risk for financial exploitation demonstrated worse verbal memory, confrontation naming, phonemic fluency, and set-shifting. These tests are generally sensitive to Default Mode Network functioning and Alzheimer's Disease neuropathology. Longitudinal studies in more impaired samples are warranted to further corroborate and elucidate these relationships.

6.
Science ; 384(6698): eadh1938, 2024 May 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38781370

ABSTRACT

The molecular organization of the human neocortex historically has been studied in the context of its histological layers. However, emerging spatial transcriptomic technologies have enabled unbiased identification of transcriptionally defined spatial domains that move beyond classic cytoarchitecture. We used the Visium spatial gene expression platform to generate a data-driven molecular neuroanatomical atlas across the anterior-posterior axis of the human dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Integration with paired single-nucleus RNA-sequencing data revealed distinct cell type compositions and cell-cell interactions across spatial domains. Using PsychENCODE and publicly available data, we mapped the enrichment of cell types and genes associated with neuropsychiatric disorders to discrete spatial domains.


Subject(s)
Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex , Single-Cell Analysis , Transcriptome , Adult , Humans , Cell Communication , Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex/metabolism , Gene Expression Profiling , Neurons/metabolism , Neurons/physiology , RNA-Seq , Sequence Analysis, RNA
7.
AIDS Care ; : 1-8, 2024 May 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38691674

ABSTRACT

Social isolation exists when one has limited contact with others and is distinct from loneliness, an affective state on the perception of isolation. Less is known about the combined effects of social isolation and loneliness (SI/L) in older persons with HIV (OPWH). Using cross-sectional data on OPWH (age ≥50; N = 146), we assessed the overlap between SI/L and the separate and combined effects of SI/L on patient-reported outcomes (quality-of-life [QoL], HIV-related stigma, and depressive symptoms). Social isolation and loneliness were assessed using Social Network Index and the PROMIS-Social Isolation Scale, respectively, and based on each score, participants were grouped into four categories: "lonely only", "isolated only", "lonely+isolated", or "neither". Among participants (mean age = 56.53), 26.7% were considered "lonely only", 12.3% were "isolated only", 15.1% were "lonely+isolated", and 45.9% were "neither". Adjusted regression models showed that lonely+isolated group had more depressive symptoms and lower QoL than those considered "neither" or "isolated only" (p < .001) and that. The adjusted proportional odds model showed that the odds of stigma were 1.22 and 6.06 higher than those considered "neither" (p < .001) or "lonely only" (p = .016). Results demonstrate the combined effects of SI/L on patient-reported outcomes among OPWH. Findings highlight the need for approaches targeting OPWH who are lonely and isolated.

8.
J Clin Invest ; 134(11)2024 Apr 23.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38652550

ABSTRACT

The immune system can control cancer progression. However, even though some innate immune sensors of cellular stress are expressed intrinsically in epithelial cells, their potential role in cancer aggressiveness and subsequent overall survival in humans is mainly unknown. Here, we show that nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor (NLR) family CARD domain-containing 4 (NLRC4) is downregulated in epithelial tumor cells of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) by using spatial tissue imaging. Strikingly, only the loss of tumor NLRC4, but not stromal NLRC4, was associated with poor immune infiltration (mainly DCs and CD4+ and CD8+ T cells) and accurately predicted progression to metastatic stage IV and decrease in overall survival. By combining multiomics approaches, we show that restoring NLRC4 expression in human CRC cells triggered a broad inflammasome-independent immune reprogramming consisting of type I interferon (IFN) signaling genes and the release of chemokines and myeloid growth factors involved in the tumor infiltration and activation of DCs and T cells. Consistently, such reprogramming in cancer cells was sufficient to directly induce maturation of human DCs toward a Th1 antitumor immune response through IL-12 production in vitro. In multiple human carcinomas (colorectal, lung, and skin), we confirmed that NLRC4 expression in patient tumors was strongly associated with type I IFN genes, immune infiltrates, and high microsatellite instability. Thus, we shed light on the epithelial innate immune sensor NLRC4 as a therapeutic target to promote an efficient antitumor immune response against the aggressiveness of various carcinomas.


Subject(s)
CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins , Calcium-Binding Proteins , Colorectal Neoplasms , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Interferon Type I , Signal Transduction , Female , Humans , Male , Calcium-Binding Proteins/genetics , CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins/genetics , CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins/metabolism , Cell Line, Tumor , Colorectal Neoplasms/immunology , Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics , Colorectal Neoplasms/pathology , Dendritic Cells/immunology , Dendritic Cells/metabolism , Interferon Type I/metabolism , Interferon Type I/immunology , Interferon Type I/genetics , Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/immunology , Neoplasm Proteins/genetics , Neoplasm Proteins/immunology
9.
J Womens Health (Larchmt) ; 33(8): 1120-1127, 2024 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38634534

ABSTRACT

Background: Gender disparities in the field of ophthalmology have been increasingly recognized. Although mentorship has been proposed as a contributing factor, there are limited data on the differences in mentorship experiences by gender among ophthalmologists. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate gender disparities in mentorship experiences among ophthalmologists, and the impact of mentorship disparities on career outcomes. Design: Prospective, cross-sectional study. Setting: Web-based survey distributed through ophthalmology listservs. Participants: Ophthalmologists and ophthalmologists-in-training who completed the survey. Exposure: Training and practicing in the field of ophthalmology. Main Outcome Measures: Mentorship score based on 10 items from a previously published scale of mentorship quality and self-reported career outcomes (income, job satisfaction, achievement of career goals, and support to achieve future career goals). Results: We received survey responses from 202 male and 245 female ophthalmologists. Female ophthalmologists reported significantly lower mentorship satisfaction and worse quality of mentorship (p < 0.03). Female ophthalmologists also reported significantly lower income, worse job satisfaction, and lower rates of goal achievement and support to achieve future goals; all of these career outcomes, except income level, were partly mediated by mentorship score (mediation effect ranged from 29% to 68%, p < 0.014). Conclusions and Relevance: Gender-based inequities in achievement of career goals and job satisfaction are partly mediated by disparities in mentorship. Therefore, focused mentorship of women in ophthalmology at all career stages is imperative to reduce these inequities.


Subject(s)
Job Satisfaction , Mentors , Ophthalmology , Humans , Female , Male , Cross-Sectional Studies , Prospective Studies , Ophthalmology/education , Surveys and Questionnaires , Adult , Sexism , Ophthalmologists/psychology , Career Choice , Sex Factors , Middle Aged , Physicians, Women/statistics & numerical data , Physicians, Women/psychology
10.
AIDS Care ; 36(8): 1102-1110, 2024 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38497407

ABSTRACT

Virtual Villages-online communities that deliver supports to promote aging in place-are proposed to mitigate isolation and support the health of aging populations. Using a community-engaged approach, we developed and pilot-tested a Virtual Village intervention tailored for people living with HIV (PLWH) aged 50+ . The intervention employed a Discord server featuring social interaction, regional and national resources, expert presentations, and mindful meditation exercises. In 2022, a sample of PLWH aged 50+ from three U.S. study sites participated in a four-week pilot. Pre- and post-intervention surveys assessed participants' demographic characteristics; degree of loneliness, social connectedness, HIV-related stigma, and technology acceptance; mental wellbeing and physical health outcomes; and user experience. Participants (N = 20) were socioeconomically and racially/ethnically diverse, aged 51-88 years, and predominantly identified as gay or bisexual men (75%). Paired t-tests revealed a significant increase in participants' mean social engagement scores and a significant decrease in participants' mean negative affect scores, following the intervention. User experience scores were acceptable and participants reported a positive sense of connectedness to the Virtual Village community. Results suggest that a virtual community can be accessible to older PLWH and may enhance social engagement and improve aspects of mental wellbeing.


Subject(s)
Aging , HIV Infections , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Female , HIV Infections/psychology , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Aging/psychology , Loneliness/psychology , Social Support , Social Stigma , Pilot Projects , United States , Social Interaction , Surveys and Questionnaires
11.
J Appl Gerontol ; 43(8): 1033-1041, 2024 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38323997

ABSTRACT

This study examined the interactive effect of subjective age on the relationship between global cognition and susceptibility to scams. Sixty-five participants underwent an assessment of global cognition (Mini Mental State Examination; MMSE), reported their perceived age (i.e., subjective age), and responded to a self-report questionnaire assessing scam susceptibility. A main effect of global cognition on scam susceptibility was found (p = .028); there was no main effect of subjective age (p = .819). An interaction between global cognition and subjective age was found (p = .016). Examination of conditional effects demonstrated that the relationship between cognition and scam susceptibility was not significant amongst those with subjective ages below one standard deviation of the mean, but was significant for those whose subjective ages fell around or above the mean. Findings suggest that individuals with older subjective ages may be particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of lower cognition on scam susceptibility.


Subject(s)
Aging , Cognition , Humans , Male , Female , Aged , Middle Aged , Aging/psychology , Aged, 80 and over , Surveys and Questionnaires , Mental Status and Dementia Tests , Adult , Self Report
12.
J Pediatr Surg ; 59(5): 869-873, 2024 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38402129

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To review the outcomes of premature patients with type C esophageal atresia (EA). METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, charts of patients of type C EA patients were reviewed from 1992 to 2022. Outcomes of premature patients were compared to term patients. Preterm patients were analyzed to compare outcomes of infants with very low birth weights (VLBW) to patients >1,500 g as well as primary versus delayed anastomosis. RESULTS: Among 192 type C EA, 67 were premature. Median and interquartile range (IQR) gestational age and birth weight of preterm patients were 34 [33-36] weeks and 1965 [1740-2290] g. Delayed anastomosis was performed in 12 (18%) preterm vs. 3 (2%) term patients (p = 0.0003). Short-term postoperative outcomes were similar between preterm and term patients, except for recurrent fistula (16% vs. 6%, p = 0.01). Prematurity was associated with an increased need for long-term enteral tube feeding (56% vs. 10%, p = 0.0001) and parenteral nutrition (10 days vs. 0 days, p = 0.0004). The length of stay was 3 times longer when patients were premature (50 days vs. 17 days, p = 0.002). Delayed surgery in preterm patients was associated with post-operative leaks, strictures, recurrent fistula, prolonged enteral tube feeding, and gastrostomy insertion. Patients with very low birth weight (VLBW) were compared to other preterm patients and showed no difference in terms of rate of delayed surgery, and post-operative outcomes. CONCLUSION: Despite increased prematurity-related comorbidities and low birth weight, premature infants with type C EA/TEF have similar post-operative outcomes to term patients though recurrent fistula was more frequent with prematurity. TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective cohort study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.


Subject(s)
Esophageal Atresia , Infant, Newborn, Diseases , Tracheoesophageal Fistula , Infant, Newborn , Infant , Humans , Esophageal Atresia/surgery , Esophageal Atresia/complications , Tracheoesophageal Fistula/surgery , Retrospective Studies , Treatment Outcome , Postoperative Complications/epidemiology , Postoperative Complications/etiology , Infant, Premature , Infant, Very Low Birth Weight
13.
bioRxiv ; 2024 Feb 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38370805

ABSTRACT

Physiologically relevant drought stress is difficult to apply consistently, and the heterogeneity in experimental design, growth conditions, and sampling schemes make it challenging to compare water deficit studies in plants. Here, we re-analyzed hundreds of drought gene expression experiments across diverse model and crop species and quantified the variability across studies. We found that drought studies are surprisingly uncomparable, even when accounting for differences in genotype, environment, drought severity, and method of drying. Many studies, including most Arabidopsis work, lack high-quality phenotypic and physiological datasets to accompany gene expression, making it impossible to assess the severity or in some cases the occurrence of water deficit stress events. From these datasets, we developed supervised learning classifiers that can accurately predict if RNA-seq samples have experienced a physiologically relevant drought stress, and suggest this can be used as a quality control for future studies. Together, our analyses highlight the need for more community standardization, and the importance of paired physiology data to quantify stress severity for reproducibility and future data analyses.

14.
BMC Public Health ; 24(1): 455, 2024 Feb 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38350910

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic had socioeconomic effects in Africa. This study assessed the social and economic determinants of healthcare utilization during the first wave of COVID-19 among adults in Ghana. METHODS: Information about individuals residing in Ghana was derived from a survey conducted across multiple countries, aiming to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and overall well-being of adults aged 18 and above. The dependent variable for the study was healthcare utilization (categorized as low or high). The independent variables were economic (such as financial loss, job loss, diminished wages, investment/retirement setbacks, and non-refunded travel cancellations) and social (including food scarcity, loss of financial support sources, housing instability, challenges affording food, clothing, shelter, electricity, utilities, and increased caregiving responsibilities for partners) determinants of health. A multinomial logistic regression was conducted to identify factors associated with healthcare utilization after adjusting for confounders (age, gender, access to medical insurance, COVID-19 status, educational background, employment, and marital status of the participants). RESULTS: The analysis included 364 responses. Individuals who encountered a loss of financial support (AOR: 9.58; 95% CI: 3.44-26.73; p < 0.001), a decrease or loss of wages (AOR: 7.44, 95% CI: 3.05-18.16, p < 0.001), experienced investment or retirement setbacks (AOR: 10.69, 95% CI: 2.60-43.88, p = 0.001), and expressed concerns about potential food shortages (AOR: 6.85, 95% CI: 2.49-18.84, p < 0.001) exhibited significantly higher odds of low healthcare utilization during the initial phase of the pandemic. Contrastingly, participants facing challenges in paying for basic needs demonstrated lower odds of low healthcare utilization compared to those who found it easy to cover basic expenses (AOR: 0.19, 95% CI: 0.06-0.67, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Economic and social factors were associated with low healthcare utilization in Ghana during the first wave of the pandemic. Investment or retirement loss and financial support loss during the pandemic had the largest effect on healthcare utilization. Further research is needed to understand the connection between concerns about food shortages, welfare losses during pandemics and healthcare utilization during pandemics in Ghana.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Pandemics , Adult , Humans , Ghana/epidemiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Socioeconomic Factors , Social Determinants of Health , COVID-19/epidemiology , Patient Acceptance of Health Care
15.
Case Rep Ophthalmol ; 15(1): 115-121, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38318283

ABSTRACT

Introduction: In 2020, teprotumumab became the first FDA-approved treatment for thyroid eye disease (TED). In clinical trials, hyperglycemia had been described as mild and controlled with medication. We present a case that occurred in 2020 of a 67-year-old male with TED and pre-existing glucose intolerance, who was hospitalized with severe hyperglycemia (1,059 mg/dL) after three doses of teprotumumab. Case Presentation: This patient's HbA1c was in the pre-diabetic range (6.3%) 6 months prior to initiating teprotumumab. After three doses, the patient was hospitalized with hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome and an HbA1c of 11.7%. He was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus and treated with insulin aspart mixed 70/30. He remained on this regimen for 14 months with an A1c of 6.0%. He then self-discontinued the insulin, with an A1c 4 months later measuring 5.5%. The patient's latest HbA1c approximately two and a half years after hospitalization was 6.1% on no medications. Conclusion: It appears that teprotumumab was a trigger for this transient case of diabetes, and detecting those that have underlying glucose intolerance ahead of time is important. We recommend blood glucose levels for patients with pre-diabetes prior to and ideally in the first few days after each infusion, to help determine patients at a greater risk for adverse hyperglycemic outcomes. A glucometer may be valuable for patients to self-monitor while on teprotumumab. If fasting blood glucose is ≥126 mg/dL or non-fasting glucose is >200 mg/dL, patients should be referred for further diabetes assessment and possible treatment initiation.

16.
Sci Rep ; 14(1): 2276, 2024 01 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38280913

ABSTRACT

This study assessed the association between sociodemographic factors and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) among 18-24-year-olds during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a secondary analysis of data from 4508 individuals collected through an online survey conducted between June and January 2021. PTSS was measured as a dependent variable using the checklist for post-traumatic stress disorder in civilians. Age, birth sex, sexual, level of education, access to emotional and social support, and emotional distress were the independent variables. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the associations between the dependent and independent variables while controlling for the country related confounding variables. Females (AOR:2.023), sexual minority individuals (AOR:1.868), those who did not disclose their sexual identify (AOR:1.476), those with poor access to emotional and social support (AOR:4.699) and individuals with no formal education (AOR:13.908), and only primary level education (AOR:4.521) had higher odds of PTSS. The study highlights the multifaceted nature of PTSS during the pandemic and suggests the importance of promoting access of young people, especially females, sexual minority individuals and those with low educational status, to emotional/social support to mitigate the probability of PTSS, especially among sexual minority individuals.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic , Female , Humans , Adolescent , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/epidemiology , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/etiology , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/diagnosis , COVID-19/epidemiology , Pandemics , Social Support , Economic Factors
17.
Pediatr Transplant ; 28(1): e14674, 2024 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38054589

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: In pediatric patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS), living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) raises substantial challenges regarding IVC reconstruction. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of an 8-year-old girl with BCS caused by myeloproliferative syndrome with JAK2 V617F mutation. She had a complete thrombosis of the inferior vena cava (IVC) with multiple collaterals, developing a Budd-Chiari syndrome. She underwent LDLT with IVC reconstruction with a cryopreserved pulmonary vein graft obtained from a provincial biobank. The living donor underwent a laparoscopic-assisted left lateral hepatectomy. The reconstruction of the vena cava took place on the back table and the liver was implanted en bloc with the reconstructed IVC in the recipient. Anticoagulation was immediately restarted after the surgery because of her pro-thrombotic state. Her postoperative course was complicated by a biliary anastomotic leak and an infected biloma. The patient recovered progressively and remained well on outpatient clinic follow-up 32 weeks after the procedure. CONCLUSION: IVC reconstruction using a cryopreserved pulmonary vein graft is a valid option during LDLT for pediatric patients with BCS where reconstruction of the IVC entails considerable challenges. Early referral to a pediatric liver transplant facility with a multidisciplinary team is also important in the management of pediatric patients with BCS.


Subject(s)
Budd-Chiari Syndrome , Liver Transplantation , Pulmonary Veins , Female , Humans , Child , Budd-Chiari Syndrome/complications , Budd-Chiari Syndrome/surgery , Liver Transplantation/methods , Hepatic Veins/surgery , Living Donors , Vena Cava, Inferior/surgery
19.
Rev Comm ; 23(3): 247-262, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38106967

ABSTRACT

Objective: The study aimed to assess the association between adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures and access to media information related to COVID-19. Methods: A multi-country, cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted from June to December 2020. The sample included 1,457 participants from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico. The outcome variable was self-reported adherence to preventive measures (handwashing, social distancing, self-isolation, use of face masks, and working from home). The explanatory variable was self-report of following media information related to COVID-19 (watching or reading the news, following social media coverage). Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the associations. Results: Following information on social media was positively associated with higher odds of practicing social distancing (AOR=5.39; 95%CI: 3.93-7.30), self-isolation (AOR=1.44; 95%CI: 1.08-1.92), use of face masks (AOR=16.84; 95%CI: 10.03-28.27), handwashing (AOR=6.95; CI 95%: 4.98-9.71), and working from home (AOR=1.85; 95% CI: 1.43-2.41). Differences in the use of social media for COVID-19 information were observed among the four countries. Conclusion: Following social media was positively associated with adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures in Latin America. Social media may be effectively used for COVID-19 behaviour modification in Latin America.

20.
Gerontol Geriatr Med ; 9: 23337214231201138, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37790195

ABSTRACT

The Geriatrics 5Ms: Medications, Mind, Mobility, what Matters most and Multicomplexity is a framework to address the complex needs of older adults. Intelligent Voice Assistants (IVAs) are increasingly popular and have potential to support health-related needs of older adults. We utilized previously collected qualitative data on older adults' views of how an IVA may address their health-related needs and ascertained their fit into the Geriatrics 5Ms framework. The codes describing health challenges and potential IVA solutions fit the framework: (1) Medications: difficulty remembering medications. SOLUTION: reminders. (2) Mind: isolation, anxiety, memory loss. SOLUTION: companionship, memory aids. (3) Mobility: barriers to exercise. SOLUTION: incentives, exercise ideas. (4) Matters most: eating healthy foods. SOLUTION: suggest and order nutritious foods, (5) Multicomplexity; managing multimorbidity. SOLUTION: symptom tracking and communicating with health care professionals. Incorporating the 5Ms framework into IVA design can aid in addressing health care priorities of older adults.

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