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Tag: pubmed
Schizophr Bull. 2023 Jun 15:sbad082. doi: 10.1093/schbul/sbad082. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Immune mechanisms are indicated in schizophrenia (SCZ). Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified genetic variants associated with SCZ and immune-related phenotypes. Here, we use cutting edge statistical tools to identify shared genetic variants between SCZ and white blood cell (WBC) counts and further understand the role of the immune system in SCZ.
STUDY DESIGN: GWAS results from SCZ (patients, n = 53 386; controls, n = 77 258) and WBC counts (n = 56 3085) were analyzed. We applied linkage disequilibrium score regression, the conditional false discovery rate method and the bivariate causal mixture model for analyses of genetic associations and overlap, and 2 sample Mendelian randomization to estimate causal effects.
STUDY RESULTS: The polygenicity for SCZ was 7.5 times higher than for WBC count and constituted 32%-59% of WBC count genetic loci. While there was a significant but weak positive genetic correlation between SCZ and lymphocytes (rg = 0.05), the conditional false discovery rate method identified 383 shared genetic loci (53% concordant effect directions), with shared variants encompassing all investigated WBC subtypes: lymphocytes, n = 215 (56% concordant); neutrophils, n = 158 (49% concordant); monocytes, n = 146 (47% concordant); eosinophils, n = 135 (56% concordant); and basophils, n = 64 (53% concordant). A few causal effects were suggested, but consensus was lacking across different Mendelian randomization methods. Functional analyses indicated cellular functioning and regulation of translation as overlapping mechanisms.
CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that genetic factors involved in WBC counts are associated with the risk of SCZ, indicating a role of immune mechanisms in subgroups of SCZ with potential for stratification of patients for immune targeted treatment.
PMID:37319439 | DOI:10.1093/schbul/sbad082
J Occup Environ Hyg. 2023 Jun 15:1-10. doi: 10.1080/15459624.2023.2226180. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Widespread disease outbreaks can result in prolonged wear times of National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Approved N95 filtering facepiece respirators by healthcare personnel. Prolonged wear times of these devices can cause the development of various adverse facial skin conditions. Healthcare personnel have been reported to apply “skin protectants” to the face to reduce pressure and friction of respirators. Because tight-fitting respirators rely on a good face seal to protect the wearer, it is important to understand if fit is affected when skin protectants are used. This laboratory pilot study included 10 volunteers who performed quantitative fit tests to evaluate respirator fit while wearing skin protectants. Three N95 filtering facepiece respirator models and three skin protectants were evaluated. Three replicate fit tests were performed for each combination of subject, skin protectant (including a control condition of no protectant), and respirator model. Fit Factor (FF) was affected differently by the combination of protectant type and respirator model. The main effects of protectant type and respirator model were both significant (p <0.001); additionally, their interaction was significant (p = 0.02), indicating FF is affected by the combined effects of protectant type and respirator model. Compared to the control condition, using a bandage-type or surgical tape skin protectant decreased the odds of passing the fit test. Using a barrier cream skin protectant also decreased the odds of passing the fit test across all models compared to the control condition; however, the probability of passing a fit test was not statistically significantly different from the control condition (p = 0.174). These results imply that all three skin protectants reduced mean fit factors for all N95 filtering facepiece respirator models tested. The bandage-type and surgical tape skin protectants both reduced fit factors and passing rates to a greater degree than the barrier cream. Respirator users should follow respirator manufacturers’ guidance on the use of skin protectants. If a skin protectant is to be worn with a tight-fitting respirator, the fit of the respirator should be evaluated with the skin protectant applied before use in the workplace.
PMID:37319423 | DOI:10.1080/15459624.2023.2226180
Issues Ment Health Nurs. 2023 Jun 15:1-15. doi: 10.1080/01612840.2023.2212780. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this convergent mixed methods interprofessional education (IPE) pilot project was to help health profession students gain valuable insight about the experiences of people living with mental illness, to help them have a better understanding of person-centered care and have greater knowledge about the importance of interprofessional collaboration. A developmental workgroup which consisted of mental health consumers, four interdisciplinary students, and our team developed and implemented a virtual Mental Health World Café IPE event. Twelve other students attended the World Café event. A paired sample t-test was used to examine group differences between pre- and post-test scores for the Interprofessional Socialization and Valuing Scale and the Texas AHEC Survey measures among the four student leaders and the 12 student participants of the virtual Mental Health World Cafe. We conducted individual interviews with the four student leaders and collected reflective journals from the 12 students who attended the World Café event. We examined to what extent the statistically significant quantitative results supported the qualitative results separately for the student leaders and for the student participants of the virtual World Café. We also examined how both the quantitative and qualitative findings aligned with the key components of the Patient-Centered Care in Interprofessional Collaborative Practice Model. While the project allowed the students to reflect upon how they may apply the principles of person-centered care and interprofessional collaboration, the impact of the consumers on the student’s experiences was profound and resulted in widespread engagement of the students who attended the event.
PMID:37319417 | DOI:10.1080/01612840.2023.2212780
Acta Odontol Scand. 2023 Jun 15:1-6. doi: 10.1080/00016357.2023.2223715. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this in-vitro study was to investigate the tactile assessment ability at the implant impression-taking stage.
METHODS: Thirty clinicians (18 novices, 12 experts) were included for a tactile fit assessment by using a used/new probe (tip diameter 100 µm/20 µm). Six implant replicas and related impression copings of two internal connection implant systems were used, each with a perfect fit (0 µm) and defined vertical micro gaps of 8, 24, 55, 110 and 220 µm at the interface. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive methods and non-parametric tests with a focus on specificity (ability to detect perfect fit), sensitivity (ability to detect misfit), and predictive values. P-values <5% were considered statistically significant.
RESULTS: The tactile assessment showed a mean total sensitivity for the Straumann and Nobel Biocare systems of 83% and 80% with a used probe, and 91% and 92% with a new probe, respectively. The mean total specificities were 33% and 20% with a used probe and 17% and 3% with a new probe, respectively. No statistical significance was observed between novice and expert clinicians concerning their tactile assessment ability.
CONCLUSIONS: The ability to detect a perfect fit (specificity) with a probe was very poor for both implant systems and impaired with the use of a new probe. The use of a new probe improved the gap detection ability (sensitivity) significantly at the expense of the specificity. A combination of additional chairside techniques with training and calibration could improve clinicians’ ability to correctly assess the fit/misfit at the implant-abutment interface.
PMID:37319413 | DOI:10.1080/00016357.2023.2223715
Int J Adolesc Med Health. 2023 Jun 16. doi: 10.1515/ijamh-2023-0011. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) with physical activity, food consumption, sleep duration and screen time in children and adolescents.
METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 268 students aged 10-17 years from a public school in Brazil. The outcome variable was HRQOL score, evaluated by the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ (PedsQL™). Exposure variables were habitual physical activity, food consumption, sleep duration, and screen time. A general linear model was used to estimate age-adjusted means and 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) of HRQOL scores, and a multivariable analysis of variance to identify factors associated with lower/higher HRQOL scores. The study was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas.
RESULTS: Overall HRQOL score was 70.3 (95 % CI: 68.0-72.6). Multivariable analyses showed lower HRQOL scores for those adolescents who: 1-were physically inactive (67.3; p=0.014); 2-sleep less than 6 h per night (66.8; p=0.003); 3-eat fruits and vegetables less than five days/week (68.9; p=0.027); and 4-eat fast food twice/week or more (68.6; p=0.036) when compared to their opposite groups. Screen time was not statistically significantly associated with total HRQOL.
CONCLUSIONS: The joint association found in our study suggests that at least three habits must change to improve the HRQOL of children and adolescents (physical activity, food consumption, and sleep duration). Therefore, interventions in schools to promote a healthy lifestyle to achieve a better HRQOL should include a multidisciplinary team to properly guide children and adolescents about these habits simultaneously.
PMID:37319352 | DOI:10.1515/ijamh-2023-0011