Tag: pubmed

Public Health. 2021 Jun 7;195:142-144. doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2021.04.022. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the prevalence and factors associated with paid sick leave benefits among direct service providers who work with people experiencing homelessness.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study using an online survey disseminated during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada.

METHODS: Survey data from 572 direct service providers working in the homeless, supportive housing, and harm reduction service sectors were analyzed for this study. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine predictors of paid sick leave benefits.

RESULTS: One hundred one (17.7%) participants did not have any paid sick leave benefits. In the univariate models, paid sick leave was associated with older age, greater family income, full-time work, specific employment settings (supportive housing and not emergency shelters or harm reduction programs), having a regular medical doctor, and fewer occupational impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Older age, full-time work, and non-receipt of emergency financial benefits remained statistically significant predictors in the multivariate model.

CONCLUSIONS: Although the majority of service providers working with people experiencing homelessness have some amount of paid sick leave benefits, there is a precariously employed subset of individuals who are younger and working part-time in the sector. Temporary expansion of paid sick leave and removal of waiting periods for new employees to qualify for benefits are recommended.

PMID:34111803 | DOI:10.1016/j.puhe.2021.04.022

Comput Biol Chem. 2021 Jun 5;93:107528. doi: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2021.107528. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Intron is a non-coding sequence of a broken gene and participates in important biological processes, such as transcription regulation, alternative splicing, and nuclear export. With the development of plant genomes, a comprehensive platform for intron analysis in plants must be established. Plant Intron Database (PID), a publicly available searchable database, was developed to efficiently store, query, analyze, and integrate intron resources in plants. The information of intron, exon, and gene can be searched by key words in PID. Users cannot only view intron length distribution pie chart and 5′ and 3′ splice site sequence feature maps in a statistical interface but can also browse intron information in a graphical visualization interface through JBrowse. ViroBlast for sequence homology searches, Intron detection and sequence interception tools were also provided. PID contains annotated genes from 118 sequenced plants, 24,782,048 introns, 30,843,049 exons, and 414 visual maps. This tool will greatly accelerate research on the distribution, length characteristics, and functions of introns in plants. PID is accessible at http://biodb.sdau.edu.cn/PID/index.php.

PMID:34111777 | DOI:10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2021.107528

Epilepsy Behav. 2021 Jun 7;121(Pt A):108097. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108097. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: This study was performed to analyze the attitudes of individuals in eastern Turkey toward epilepsy and the factors associated with these attitudes.

METHODS: Designed as a cross-sectional descriptive study, this study was performed from January 28 to February 8, 2021. A snowball sampling technique was used to select the study sample, and a survey was sent online to individuals aged 18 or above. A total of 617 individuals who filled in this online survey form were included in this research. Data were collected via a personal information form and the Public Attitudes Toward Epilepsy (PATE) scale.

RESULTS: The results showed that the mean scores of the participants on the PATE scale, on its general domain, and on its personal domain were 1.79±0.63, 1.70±0.63, and 1.96±0.77, respectively. Comparing the participants’ mean PATE scale scores on the basis of their descriptive characteristics revealed statistically significant differences in the mean scores on the scale and its two domains in terms of age, place of residence, educational level, knowing anyone who had epilepsy or experienced epileptic seizures, and witnessing a person having an epileptic seizure (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Individuals living in eastern Turkey have positive attitudes toward epilepsy. Moreover, it was found that, among all the participants, those who were relatively young, those who lived in a provincial center, those who had a relatively high educational level, those who knew an individual with epilepsy, and those who had witnessed an epileptic seizure have more positive attitudes toward epilepsy than their counterparts.

IMPLICATIONS: It is recommended to design educational programs focusing on raising the level of public awareness and knowledge regarding epilepsy.

PMID:34111764 | DOI:10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108097

Z Kinder Jugendpsychiatr Psychother. 2021 Jun 10:1-7. doi: 10.1024/1422-4917/a000810. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Objective: The problematic use of computer games was included in the DSM-5 and in the ICD-11. Initial research revealed associations between problematic gaming (PG) and quality of life (QoL). However, clarification is needed concerning which dimensions of the multidimensional construct QoL are particularly relevant for PG. Method: To answer this question empirically, we asked 503 parents (mean age: 47.63 years) to rate their 503 children (average age: 14.60 years) regarding QoL and PG, using validated questionnaires on parental assessments of adolescent PG and health-related QoL to collect the data. Correlation analyses were calculated to determine bivariate relations, and a multiple linear regression was used to conduct a multivariable analysis. Results: In the bivariate analyses, a higher severity of PG was associated with a lower health-related QoL in all five surveyed dimensions. In the multivariable model (corrected R² = 0.35), we observed statistically significant associations between higher severity of PG and male sex and lower age of the adolescent as well as lower QoL in the dimensions of physical well-being and school environment. Conclusions: According to the findings of the present study, physical well-being and school environment should be especially focused on in preventive approaches against the development of PG in youth.

PMID:34110245 | DOI:10.1024/1422-4917/a000810

J Homosex. 2021 Jun 10:1-21. doi: 10.1080/00918369.2021.1938469. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In this study, we explored the factors relating to face and body visibility in young men who have sex with men (YMSM) from online dating applications. Research on visual self-presentation in online dating applications, especially in YMSM, remains scarce. The sample consisted of 339 young men (ages 18-24 years) who had casual sex with one or more male partners from online dating applications. Participants completed an online survey asking how visible their face and body were on their profile pictures. For body visibility, participants rated the visibility of their upper and lower body separately. We also computed difference scores between face and body visibility to measure face visibility in relation to body visibility (e.g., showing more-visible face compared to body). Predictors included self-rated attractiveness, fear of being identified on the applications, and motives for application use. Participant age and duration of application use were statistically controlled in all analyses. Results showed that higher perceived attractiveness related to higher upper- and lower-body visibility on profile pictures. Greater fear of being identified related to lower face visibility and less-visible face relative to upper- and lower-body visibility. Having a relationship motive was associated with higher face visibility. Older age and longer duration of application use were associated with more-visible face relative to lower body. The findings contribute to the literature on visual self-presentation in online dating applications in young and vulnerable sexual minorities.

PMID:34110271 | DOI:10.1080/00918369.2021.1938469

JMIR Med Educ. 2021 Jun 10;7(2):e22745. doi: 10.2196/22745.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Shared decision-making (SDM) is a process in which clinicians and patients work together to select tests, treatments, management, or support packages based on clinical evidence and the patient’s informed preferences. Similar to any skill, SDM requires practice to improve. Virtual patients (VPs) are simulations that allow one to practice a variety of clinical skills, including communication. VPs can be used to help professionals and students practice communication skills required to engage in SDM; however, this specific focus has not received much attention within the literature. A multiple-choice VP was developed to allow students the opportunity to practice SDM. To interact with the VP, users chose what they wanted to say to the VP by choosing from multiple predefined options, rather than typing in what they wanted to say.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate a VP workshop for medical students aimed at developing the communication skills required for SDM.

METHODS: Preintervention and postintervention questionnaires were administered, followed by semistructured interviews. The questionnaires provided cohort-level data on the participants’ views of the VP and helped to inform the interview guide; the interviews were used to explore some of the data from the questionnaire in more depth, including the participants’ experience of using the VP.

RESULTS: The interviews and questionnaires suggested that the VP was enjoyable and easy to use. When the participants were asked to rank their priorities in both pre- and post-VP consultations, there was a change in the rank position of respecting patient choices, with the median rank changing from second to first. Owing to the small sample size, this was not analyzed for statistical significance. The VP allowed the participants to explore a consultation in a way that they could not with simulated or real patients, which may be part of the reason that the VP was suggested as a useful intervention for bridging from the early, theory-focused years of the curriculum to the more patient-focused ones later.

CONCLUSIONS: The VP was well accepted by the participants. The multiple-choice system of interaction was reported to be both useful and restrictive. Future work should look at further developing the mode of interaction and explore whether the VP results in any changes in observed behavior or practice.

PMID:34110299 | DOI:10.2196/22745

J Phys Chem B. 2021 Jun 10. doi: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c00898. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

We use Langevin dynamics simulations to model, at an atomistic resolution, how various natively knotted proteins are unfolded in repeated allosteric translocating cycles of the ClpY ATPase. We consider proteins representative of different topologies, from the simplest knot (trefoil 3₁), to the three-twist 5₂ knot, to the most complex stevedore, 6₁, knot. We harness the atomistic detail of the simulations to address aspects that have so far remained largely unexplored, such as sequence-dependent effects on the ruggedness of the landscape traversed during knot sliding. Our simulations reveal the combined effect on translocation of the knotted protein structure, i.e., backbone topology and geometry, and primary sequence, i.e., side chain size and interactions, and show that the latter can dominate translocation hindrance. In addition, we observe that due to the interplay between the knotted topology and intramolecular contacts the transmission of tension along the polypeptide chain occurs very differently from that of homopolymers. Finally, by considering native and non-native interactions, we examine how the disruption or formation of such contacts can affect the translocation processivity and concomitantly create multiple unfolding pathways with very different activation barriers.

PMID:34110163 | DOI:10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c00898

Phys Rev Lett. 2021 May 21;126(20):201102. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.126.201102.

ABSTRACT

The measurement of the energy spectrum of cosmic ray helium nuclei from 70 GeV to 80 TeV using 4.5 years of data recorded by the Dark Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE) is reported in this work. A hardening of the spectrum is observed at an energy of about 1.3 TeV, similar to previous observations. In addition, a spectral softening at about 34 TeV is revealed for the first time with large statistics and well controlled systematic uncertainties, with an overall significance of 4.3σ. The DAMPE spectral measurements of both cosmic protons and helium nuclei suggest a particle charge dependent softening energy, although with current uncertainties a dependence on the number of nucleons cannot be ruled out.

PMID:34110215 | DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.126.201102

J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2021 Jun;61(6):844-850. doi: 10.23736/S0022-4707.20.11382-3.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are still a leading cause of death worldwide. The modification of risk factors and lifestyle is more important than pharmacotherapy and it is the most effective way to combat cardiovascular diseases. Recommendations to undertake physical activity are vital to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of physical activity on the modifiable risk factors of cardiovascular diseases.

METHODS: Seventy-six participants, including 38 men, with a mean age of 37±9 were enrolled into the study in 2012-2013. Six months of advanced personal training program “You can be a marathon runner too” (twice a week for 3-4 hours) was carried out. Advice on healthy eating and changes in lifestyle were given. The following parameters: body composition analysis, Body Mass Index, lipids profile, glucose and morphology were measured twice at the beginning and after 6 months of the study. The data were statistically analyzed.

RESULTS: A positive trend in some parameters was observed in all the respondents. The BMI decreased from 25 kg/m² to 23 kg/m² and the percentage of body fat – from 25% to 21%. Furthermore, some blood parameters decreased: cholesterol from 217mg/dL to 196mg/dL, triglycerides from 128 mg/dL to 97 mg/dL, and glucose from 82 mg/dL to 79 mg/dL. However, HDL increased from 66 mg/dL to 75 mg/dL.

CONCLUSIONS: Regular physical activity has a positive influence on lowering the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. Encouraging the implementation of behavioral changes and greater everyday physical activity may contribute to maintaining health for a long time.

PMID:34110121 | DOI:10.23736/S0022-4707.20.11382-3

Cancer Med. 2021 Jun 10. doi: 10.1002/cam4.4021. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of prehabilitation exercise intervention with respect to (1) acceptability, feasibility, and safety; and (2) physical function, measured by 6-minute-walk test (6MWT).

DATA SOURCES: PRISMA guidelines were used to systematically search PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL databases evaluating prehabilitation exercise interventions.

STUDY SELECTION: The inclusion criteria were studies investigating patients who underwent surgery for their cancer and underwent prehabilitation exercise.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Guidelines were applied by independent extraction by multiple observers. Data were pooled using a random-effects model.

MAIN OUTCOME(S) AND MEASURE(S): Acceptability, feasibility, and safety rates were calculated. 6MWT (maximum distance a person can walk at their own pace on a hard, flat surface, measured in meters, with longer distance indicative of better performance status) was compared using two arms using the DerSimonian and Laird method.

RESULTS: Objective 1. Across 21 studies included in this review, 1564 patients were enrolled, 1371 (87.7%) accepted the trial; of 1371, 1230 (89.7% feasibility) completed the intervention. There was no grade 3+ toxicities. Objective 2. Meta-analysis of five studies demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in 6MWT distance postoperatively in the control group (mean difference = +27.9 m; 95% confidence interval (CI): 9.3; 46.6) and a significant improvement postoperatively in the prehabilitation group (mean difference = -24.1 m; 95% CI: -45.7; -2.6). Meta-analysis demonstrated improvements in 6MWT distance 4-8 weeks postoperatively in the prehabilitation group compared to the control group (mean difference = -58.0 m, 95% CI: -92.8; -23.3).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Prehabilitation exercise for cancer patients undergoing surgery was found to be safe, acceptable, and feasible with a statistically significant improvement in the 6MWT, indicating that prehabilitation can improve postoperative functional capacity.

PMID:34110101 | DOI:10.1002/cam4.4021