Tendencies for Comparing Up and Down: An Examination of the Directional Subscales of the Iowa-Netherlands Comparison Orientation Measure.

People vary in their individual tendencies to compare to others-referred to as social comparison orientation (SCO). Researchers have heretofore developed and validated a scale to assess SCO-the Iowa-Netherlands Comparison Orientation Measure (INCOM). The standard INCOM assesses non-directional comparisons, but not directional comparisons to better- and worse-off others. The goal of the present research was to examine the factor structure and validity of directional (and non-directional) comparison tendencies using the expanded INCOM. Across four archival studies and one pre-registered study using student and non-student samples, we provide evidence for 1) a 3-factor structure for the INCOM with non-directional, directional-upward, and directional-downward SCO dimensions, 2) inter-correlations among the SCO dimensions suggesting convergent validity of the directional scales, 3) greater endorsement of non-directional, then directional-upward, and directional-downward SCO, 4) lower SCO among older individuals and members of racial/ethnic minority groups, and 5) strong and consistent associations of directional-upward SCO with well-being and affect, appearance beliefs (e.g., body satisfaction), social emotions (e.g., envy), and agency-related motivations and consequences in interpersonal contexts, but smaller and less consistent associations of non-directional and directional-downward SCO with outcomes (with notable exceptions). Taken together, this research indicates that SCO is a multi-faceted individual difference variable.

The impact of stay-at-home orders on vulnerability assessments and precautionary intentions during a pandemic.

In 2020, a novel emerging infectious disease - COVID-19 - became a global pandemic and prompted unprecedented social distancing measures. We examined the associations of voluntary stay-at-home (SAH) orders during the COVID-19 pandemic with vulnerability assessments and precautionary intentions (e.g. social distancing, hand washing). A quasi-experimental study using an online adult sample was conducted in U.S. states with and without voluntary SAH orders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Self-report surveys assessed vulnerability assessments and precautionary intentions. Participants living in states with SAH orders showed inflated vulnerability assessments for contracting COVID-19, and this association was stronger for affect-laden than cognitively-based assessments. Moreover, only affect-laden vulnerability assessments were uniquely associated with precautionary intentions and accounted for the relationship between SAH orders and precautionary intentions. Our study was among the first to explore the impact of voluntary SAH orders on vulnerability assessments and precautionary intentions. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for health behavioral models and applications for promoting self-protective actions during a pandemic.

Optimisation and evaluation of Gymnema sylvestre extract loaded polymeric nanoparticles for enhancement of in vivo efficacy and reduction of toxicity.

AIM: This work studies the development and evaluation of Gymnema sylvestre (GYM) extract loaded sustained release polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs) for enhanced bioavailability and reduced nephrotoxicity. The current therapy is associated with the drawbacks of addiction and repeated administration. METHOD: The sustained release PNPs were developed and evaluated for toxicity. PNPs of GYM were prepared by double emulsion solvent evaporation technique utilising Taguchi model and evaluated for physicochemical properties (particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency), in vitro drug release, compatibility, and stability. Further, the bioavailability and in vivo nephrotoxicity studies in diabetic rat model were also carried out. RESULT: The developed optimised nanoparticles were 205.7 ± 1.20 nm in size, -40.68 mV zeta potential, compatible, and stable in nature with improved entrapment efficiency (67.1 ± 0.2%) and sustained release. Moreover, nanoparticles were found to lower the blood glucose level in single as well as multiple doses. Results of in vivo study indicated that GYM-NPs increased the phosphorylase activity and thus enhanced insulin secretion. Furthermore, the nanoparticles were free from toxicity, which was confirmed by the estimation of kidney biomarker. CONCLUSION: The nanoparticles increased the bioavailability of GYM extract and have a great potential for the treatment of diabetes in reduced dose, and so these can be potential candidates for treating diabetes.

Thrombocytopenia as an Independent Prognostic Indicator Following Extradural Spinal Tumor Resection.

OBJECTIVE: Few studies have examined the prognosis for patients with baseline thrombocytopenia undergoing extradural spine tumor resection. Our objective was to evaluate mortality, readmission, and other 30-day outcomes in patients with varying degrees of preoperative thrombocytopenia undergoing osseous extradural tumor excision. METHODS: A multicenter registry was queried for patients treated from 2011-2019. Patients were categorized according to baseline preoperative platelet count, in 25,000/µL increments: 125,000-149,000/µL, 100,000-125,000/µL, 75,000-100,000/µL, and <75,000/µL. These were compared to a control group with platelet count >150,000/µL. Outcomes in each cohort were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The database search revealed 3574 patients undergoing extradural tumor resection; 2171 (60.7%) patients with platelets 125,000-149,000/µL, 114 (3.2%) with 100,000-125,000/µL, 43 (1.2%) with 75,000-100,000/µL, and 42 (1.2%) with <75,000/µL. Platelet counts <100,000/µL was associated with perioperative blood transfusion, cardiac complications, non-home discharge, and 30-day mortality. On subgroup analysis for mortality, an interaction was present between individuals with moderate/severe thrombocytopenia and cervical tumors. CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing surgery for extradural spine tumor, degree of baseline thrombocytopenia-rather than presence alone-is an independent predictor of several adverse events. Wherever possible, optimization of preoperative platelet count to at least 100,000/µL may improve outcomes.

Absolute and comparative risk assessments: evidence for the utility of incorporating internal comparisons into models of risk perception.

Numerous health behavior models have emphasized absolute risk perceptions as prominent predictors of future behavior and intentions, but more recent research has shown that people also attend to comparative risk information. While most research highlights external (social) comparisons as the primary way people contextualize risk, it is also possible that people use internal comparisons, such as comparing their current risk to their past risk (temporal comparisons) or comparing their risk for one health threat to their risk for another health threat (dimensional comparisons).Objective: The current research sought to examine differences in absolute, external, and internal comparative risk perceptions across a variety of health threats.Design: This study utilized a cross-sectional design wherein participants completed all study materials online. Main outcome measures: MTurk workers (N = 654) responded to questions about absolute and comparative risk perceptions, concern, and precautionary intentions.Results: Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that although absolute risk perceptions were positively associated with concern and precautionary intentions for all health threats, comparative risk perceptions also accounted for unique variance in all models. Internal comparisons were uniquely associated with concern and intentions even when accounting for absolute and external comparative risk perceptions in nearly all models.Conclusion: These findings provide the first systematic evidence for the utility of incorporating internal comparisons into models of risk perception.

Association between environmental quality and prostate cancer stage at diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer (PC) etiology is up to 57% heritable, with the remainder attributed to environmental exposures. There are limited studies regarding national level environmental exposures and PC aggressiveness, which was the focus of this study METHODS: SEER was queried to identify PC cases between 2010 and 2014. The environmental quality index (EQI) is a county-level metric for 2000-2005 combining data from 18 sources and reports an overall ambient environmental quality index, as well as 5 environmental quality sub-domains (air, water, land, built, and sociodemographic) with higher values representing lower environmental quality. PC stage at diagnosis was determined and, multivariable logistic regression models which adjusted for age at diagnosis (years) and self-reported race (White, Black, Other, Unknown) were used to test associations between quintiles of EQI scores and advanced PC stage at diagnosis. RESULTS: The study cohort included 252,164 PC cases, of which 92% were localized and 8% metastatic at diagnosis. In the adjusted regression models, overall environmental quality EQI (OR 1.20, CI 1.15-1.26), water EQI (OR: 1.34, CI: 1.27-1.40), land EQI (OR: 1.35, CI: 1.29-1.42) and sociodemographic EQI (OR: 1.29, CI: 1.23-1.35) were associated with metastatic PC at diagnosis. For these domains there was a dose response increase in the OR from the lowest to the highest quintiles of EQI. Black race was found to be an independent predictor of metastatic PC at diagnosis (OR: 1.36, CI: 1.30-1.42) and in stratified analysis by race; overall EQI was more strongly associated with metastatic PC in Black men (OR: 1.53, CI: 1.35-1.72) compared to White men (OR: 1.18, CI: 1.12-1.24). CONCLUSION(S): Lower environmental quality was associated with advanced stage PC at diagnosis. The water, land and sociodemographic domains showed the strongest associations. More work should be done to elucidate specific modifiable environmental factors associated with aggressive PC.

Assessing the Clinical Safety Profile of Computer-Assisted Navigation for Posterior Cervical Fusion: A Propensity-Matched Analysis of 30-Day Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Computer-assisted navigation (CAN) has been shown to improve accuracy of screw placement in procedures involving the posterior cervical spine, but whether the addition of CAN affects complication rates, neurologic or otherwise, is presently unknown. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of spinal CAN on short-term clinical outcomes following posterior cervical fusion. METHODS: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried from 2011 to 2018. Patients receiving posterior cervical fusion were identified and separated into CAN and non-CAN cohorts on the basis of a propensity score matching algorithm to select similar patients for comparison. Rates of 30-day unplanned readmission, reoperation, and other complications were evaluated. A separate matching algorithm was used to generate a subgroup of patients undergoing C1-C2 or occiput-C2 fusion for comparison of the same outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 12,578 patients met inclusion criteria, of which 689 received CAN and 11,889 did not. After adjusting for baseline differences, patients receiving CAN experienced longer operations and had higher total relative value units associated with care. There were no significant differences in 30-day complication, readmission, or revision rates. At the occipitocervical junction, there were more hardware revisions in the non-CAN group, but this effect did not reach statistical significance (2 vs. 0; P = 0.155). CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons should embrace navigation in the cervical spine at their own discretion, as use of CAN does not appear to be associated with increased rates of surgical complications or readmissions despite longer operative time.

On the Process of Discovering Leads That Target the Heparin-Binding Site of Neutrophil Elastase in the Sputum of Cystic Fibrosis Patients.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a disease of dysregulated salt and fluid homeostasis that results in the massive accumulation of neutrophil elastase, resulting in lung degradation and death. The current CF therapy relies on inhaled deoxyribonuclease and hypertonic saline but does not address the elastolytic degradation of the lung. We reasoned that allosteric agents targeting the heparin-binding site of neutrophil elastase would offer a therapeutic paradigm. Screening a library of 60 nonsaccharide glycosaminoglycan mimetics (NSGMs) led to the discovery of 23 hits against neutrophil elastase. To identify a lead NSGM that works in sync with the current CF-relieving agents, we developed a rigorous protocol based on fundamental computational, biochemical, mechanistic, and adverse effect studies. The lead NSGM so identified neutralized neutrophil elastase present in the sputum of CF patients in the presence of deoxyribonuclease and high-salt conditions. Our work presents the process for discovering potent, small, synthetic, allosteric, anti-CF agents, while also identifying a novel lead for further studies in animal models of CF.

Redox Potential Measurements in Red Blood Cell Packets Using Nanoporous Gold Electrodes.

The redox potential of packed red blood cells (RBCs) was measured over a 56-day storage period using a newly developed potentiometric methodology consisting of a nanoporous gold electrode and a silver chloride coated silver reference electrode. Both milliliter- and microliter-sized volumes were separately evaluated. The addition of Vitamin C (VitC) in differing doses to the packed RBCs was also assessed as a means to improve redox stability and prolong storage duration. For RBCs containing only saline, the open-circuit potential (OCP) was ∼ -80 mV vs Ag/AgCl and drifted slightly with time; greater differences were also noted between different electrodes. The addition of exogenous VitC to the RBC shifts the OCP to more negative values, stabilizes the redox potential, and improves reproducibly between different electrodes due to the poising of blood. Over the 56-day storage period, the redox potential of the RBCs increased slightly, which can be attributed to change in pH and/or increasing oxidative stress during storage. Cyclic voltammograms acquired after open-circuit potential measurements showed a characteristic peak attributed to the oxidation of VitC. This peak decreased during storage with a time constant of 20.8 days. Likewise, the intercellular concentration of VitC increased with a time constant of 20.2 days as measured using a fluorescence assay. Collectively, these results demonstrate the usefulness of electrochemical measurements in the study of stored blood products.