Tag: pubmed

J Aging Stud. 2023 Sep;66:101158. doi: 10.1016/j.jaging.2023.101158. Epub 2023 Jul 13.

ABSTRACT

In this study, older characters that appeared in all the episodes of the first seasons of eight most popular Turkish TV series on prime-time televisions in Turkey and those appeared in all the episodes of the first seasons of eight “original” Turkish series on Netflix were submitted to a comparative quantitative and qualitative content analysis. In this sense, the aim of this study was to reveal what kind of old age is promised to viewers by such media environments as TV and Netflix. Findings revealed that, when compared to the Turkish population, older people were significantly underrepresented in prime-time series and that, in other words, they were symbolically eliminated and exposed to age discrimination. Another finding is that older people were portrayed more fairly on Netflix than TV. Although older individuals were inadequately represented on Netflix as well, the difference between the two platforms was not statistically significant. On the other hand, while older women are significantly less represented than older men on both platforms, the study found no significant difference in gender representation between Netflix and prime-time TV. The findings also indicated that no older character, when evaluated qualitatively, was represented as the major character on either platforms and that, especially when it comes to having a profession, older people, specifically older women, were portrayed more negatively on both platforms, which means that older women faced a double jeopardy.

PMID:37704276 | DOI:10.1016/j.jaging.2023.101158

J Appl Gerontol. 2023 Sep 13:7334648231196850. doi: 10.1177/07334648231196850. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Poor financial and health literacy and poor psychological well-being are significant correlates of scam susceptibility in older adults; yet, no research has examined whether interventions that target these factors may effectively reduce susceptibility. Using longitudinal data from older adults in the Rush Memory and Aging Project (MAP) (N = 1,231), we used microsimulations to estimate the causal effect of hypothetical well-being and literacy interventions on scam susceptibility over six years. Microsimulations can simulate a randomized trial to estimate intervention effects using observational data. We simulated hypotheticalinterventions that improved well-being or literacy scores by either 10% or 30% from baseline, or to the maximum scores, for an older adult population and for income and education subgroups. Simulations suggest thathypotheticalinterventions that increase well-being or literacy cause statistically significant reductions in scam susceptibility of older adults over time, but improving well-being caused a greater-albeit not significantly different-reduction compared to improving literacy.

PMID:37704219 | DOI:10.1177/07334648231196850

J Phys Act Health. 2023 Sep 13:1-8. doi: 10.1123/jpah.2022-0471. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Recent statistical approaches have allowed consideration of the integrated relationships between sedentary behavior (SB) and physical activity (PA) with different health outcomes. The present paper aimed to systematically review the literature and synthesize evidence about associations between hypothetical reallocations from SB to different PA intensities and cardiovascular risk factors in youth.

METHODS: A systematic search of 8 databases was performed. Observational studies with a population of children and/or adolescents and based on statistical analysis that investigated the associations between time reallocations from SB to PA and cardiovascular risk factors were included.

RESULTS: Twenty-eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Level of evidence (derived from cross-sectional studies) indicated that the reallocation from SB to moderate to vigorous PA was beneficially associated with adiposity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and cardiometabolic biomarkers in youth. Reallocation from SB to light PA was not associated with the analyzed outcomes. Associations derived from longitudinal studies were mostly inconclusive.

CONCLUSION: Cardiovascular risk factors could be improved by increasing moderate to vigorous PA at the expense of time spent in SB in pediatric populations. Prospective studies or studies investigating the effects of reallocating sedentary bouts to PA are needed.

PMID:37704195 | DOI:10.1123/jpah.2022-0471

Sci Total Environ. 2023 Sep 11:166930. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166930. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is a potent greenhouse gas that also contributes to ozone depletion. Recent studies have identified river corridors as significant sources of N₂O emissions. Surface water-groundwater (hyporheic) interactions along river corridors induce flow and reactive nitrogen transport through riparian sediments, thereby generating N₂O. Despite the prevalence of these processes, the controlling influence of physical and geochemical parameters on N₂O emissions from coupled aerobic and anaerobic reactive transport processes in heterogeneous riparian sediments is not yet fully understood. This study presents an integrated framework that combines a flow and multi-component reactive transport model (RTM) with an uncertainty quantification and sensitivity analysis tool to determine which physical and geochemical parameters have the greatest impact on N₂O emissions from riparian sediments. The framework involves the development of thousands of RTMs, followed by global sensitivity and responsive surface analyses. Results indicate that characterizing the denitrification reaction rate constant and permeability of intermediate-permeability sediments (e.g., sandy gravel) are crucial in describing coupled nitrification-denitrification reactions and the magnitude of N₂O emissions. This study provides valuable insights into the factors that influence N₂O emissions from riparian sediments and can help in developing strategies to control N₂O emissions from river corridors.

PMID:37704143 | DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166930

Ophthalmology. 2023 Sep 11:S0161-6420(23)00631-0. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2023.09.006. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of baseline data on psychophysical and morphological outcomes of subretinal Voretigene Neparvovec (VN, Luxturna®) treatment.

DESIGN: Single center, retrospective, longitudinal, consecutive case series.

PARTICIPANTS: Patients with RPE65-IRD treated by one surgeon (FGH) between 02-2020 and 03-2022 with VN and oral immunosuppression according to the manufacturer´s recommendation.

METHODS: Retrospective analysis of surgical and clinical records, ancillary testing and retinal imaging following VN therapy for RPE65-IRD. Descriptive statistics compared data at baseline up to 24 months post treatment.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), low-luminance VA (LLVA), Goldmann Visual Fields (GVF), chromatic full-field-stimulus-threshold testing (FST), scotopic and photopic 2-Color-Threshold Perimetry (2CTP), multimodal retinal imaging.

RESULTS: 30 eyes / 19 patients were analyzed (10 pediatric <20y, 20 adult (range 8-40 y, median follow-up 15 months, range 1-32). The fovea was completely or partially detached in 16, attached in 12, and not assessable in 2 eyes on intraoperative imaging. Median BCVA at baseline was better in the pediatric group (p <0.05), and did not change significantly independent of age. Meaningful loss of BCVA (≥0.3 logMAR) occurred in 4/18 adult eyes, meaningful gain (≥-0.3 logMAR) in 2/18 adult and 2/8 pediatric eyes. LLVA and scotopic 2CTP improved considerably in pediatrics. Scotopic blue FST improved at all ages, more in pediatrics (8/8 eyes gain ≥ 10 dB, p<0.05). In pediatrics, median GVF improved by 20% for target V4e and by 50% for target III4e (target I4e not detected). Novel atrophy developed in 13/26 eyes at the site of the bleb and/or peripheral of vascular arcades. FST improvements did not correlate with development of chorioretinal atrophy at M12. Mean central retinal thickness was 166.7 μm (±25.45) at baseline (30 eyes) and 157.69 μm (±30.3) at M12 (26 eyes). Eight adult patients were treated unilaterally. The non-treated eyes did not show meaningful changes during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS: These real-world data show effectiveness of VN therapy with stable median BCVA and mean retinal thickness, and improvements of LLVA, FST and 2CTP up to 32 months. Treatment effects were superior in the pediatric group. We observed new chorioretinal atrophy in 50% of the treated eyes.

PMID:37704110 | DOI:10.1016/j.ophtha.2023.09.006

Chemosphere. 2023 Sep 11:140146. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140146. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

As the third largest river in the world, microplastic pollution in the Yangtze River basin is currently attracting worldwide attention. However, fragmented research information is insufficient to reveal the occurrence and driving mechanisms of microplastics throughout the Yangtze River basin. Building on a systematic review of 20 existing publications, this study constructed a dataset including microplastic data from 366 samples in the Yangtze River basin through a data filtering process, and data on natural conditions and anthropogenic activities from 101 basin municipalities. Further, multivariate statistical analysis was utilized to enhance the understanding of the abundance, composition and drivers of microplastics within the basin. Differences in microplastic abundance among the sampling sites were up to 5 orders of magnitude, with the highest abundance value found in the upstream city of Chengdu. The comprehensive diversity index used to describe the composition characteristics of microplastics ranged from 0.31 to 0.68, slightly higher than the national average. Based on a statistical analysis framework, natural conditions and anthropogenic activities were shown to jointly drive the distribution of microplastics, and the dominant driver shifted between the two with spatial variation. In the upstream, anthropogenic activities dominated by GDP (r = 0.85, P < 0.01) were the main positive factor. In the middle and downstream, natural conditions and anthropogenic activities had comparable driving forces as the stability of natural resistance increased, and both were positively correlated with microplastics. Combining the constructed normalized stepwise linear regression model with GIS spatial analysis, the basin-wide application demonstrated that microplastic pollution in the upstream and delta deserved more attention. After coupling the distance factors, microplastic pollution was concentrated in the middle and downstream of the Yangtze River basin, covering important drinking water sources. This study provided important data support for subsequent targeted microplastic reduction and treatment.

PMID:37704083 | DOI:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140146

Ageing Res Rev. 2023 Sep 11:102071. doi: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102071. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Exercise is a promising nonpharmacological treatment for improving depression in older adults with MCI, but it is unclear which exercises are most effective. The objectives of this study were to compare and rank the effectiveness of various exercise interventions for depression in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and to investigate the effects of exercise on depression.

METHODS: The PRISMA-NMA guidelines were applied to the development and reporting of review criteria. The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PsycINFO, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Scopus databases were systematically searched by combining search terms for randomized controlled trial studies (RCTs) published in English from individual databases with the earliest available date set to March 10, 2023. Two evaluators independently selected and evaluated eligible studies of changes in depression in older adults with MCI after an exercise intervention. A protocol for this systematic review was registered in PROSPERO (Registration number: CRD42022377052).

RESULTS: A network meta-analysis was conducted on 15 eligible RCTs consisting of 4271 subjects, including aerobic (n = 6), mind-body (n = 6) and multicomponent (n = 3) exercise trials. Compared to controls, mind-body exercise showed the strongest improvement in depressive symptoms (SMD = -0.63, 95% CI: -1.13, -0.14), followed by aerobic (SMD = -0.57, 95% CI: -0.88, -0.26) and multicomponent exercise (SMD = -0.53, 95% CI: -1.02, -0.03). Notably, there were no statistically significant differences between exercise types: aerobic vs. mind-body (SMD = 0.06, 95% PrI: -0.71, 0.84), multicomponent vs. mind-body (SMD = 0.11, 95% PrI: -0.75, 0.97), or multicomponent vs. aerobic (SMD = 0.04, 95% PrI: -0.771, 0.86).

CONCLUSIONS: In this review, we found that mind-body exercise was most effective when compared to conventional controls and that multiple exercise modalities (aerobic, mind-body, and multicomponent exercise) had beneficial and comparable effects in reducing depressive states in older adults with MCI. These findings may guide clinical geriatric stakeholders and allied health professionals in providing more scientifically optimal exercise prescriptions for older adults with MCI. In the future, more high-quality, long-term clinical trials are needed to support the exploration of longer-term dynamic effects.

PMID:37704052 | DOI:10.1016/j.arr.2023.102071

Spine J. 2023 Sep 11:S1529-9430(23)03378-8. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2023.09.006. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Decompression surgery is a treatment option for patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). Surgical decisions primarily depend on clinical symptoms and radiological examinations. The diagnostic and prognostic significance of evoked potential tests for surgical outcomes in patients with DCM has not been thoroughly examined.

PURPOSE: To identify the diagnostic and prognostic significance of preoperative evoked potential tests in patients with DCM who underwent decompression surgery.

STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective observational study.

PATIENT SAMPLE: One hundred two consecutive patients who underwent evoked potential tests and surgical treatment between January 2016 and December 2020 in a single spine center and had a minimum follow up of six months.

OUTCOME MEASURES: Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores obtained preoperatively and 6 months after surgery.

METHODS: This study evaluated the preoperative central motor conduction time (CMCT), somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP), and Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores obtained preoperatively and 6 months after surgery.

RESULTS: Abnormal CMCT findings were observed in 94 patients (92.2%). Abnormal SSEPs were observed in 77 patients (75.5%). There was a statistically significant correlation between preoperative JOA score and abductor pollicis brevis (APB)-CMCT (r=-0.546, p=0.000), tibialis anterior (TA)-CMCT (r=-0.517, p<=0.000), median nerve (MN)-SSEP (r=-0.353, p=0.001), and tibial nerve (TN)-SSEP (r=-0.349, p=0.003). There were significant differences in recovery rates associated with diabetes mellitus (DM), preoperative severity of myelopathy, TA-CMCT, MN-SSEP, and TN-SSEP. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that the major factors affecting the clinical outcomes were TN-SSEP (β=0.327, p=0.004), preoperative JOA score (β=0.278, p=0.012), and DM (β=0.241, p=0.025).

CONCLUSIONS: Evoked potential testing is a functional diagnostic tool that can indicate the severity of myelopathic symptoms in patients with DCM. Additionally, preoperative TN-SSEP may have significant prognostic value in predicting postoperative clinical outcomes. Thus, preoperative evoked potential tests could be helpful for determining suitable surgical treatment candidates and forecasting postoperative prognosis.

PMID:37704047 | DOI:10.1016/j.spinee.2023.09.006

Appl Clin Inform. 2023 Sep 13. doi: 10.1055/a-2174-7820. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Patient-centered clinical decision support (PC CDS) aims to assist with tailoring decisions to an individual patient’s needs. Patient-generated health data (PGHD), including physiologic measurements captured frequently by automated devices, provide important information for PC CDS. The volume and availability of such PGHD is increasing, but how PGHD should be presented to clinicians to best aid decision-making is unclear.

OBJECTIVE: Identify best practices in visualizations of physiologic PGHD, for designing a software application as a PC CDS tool.

METHODS: We performed a scoping review of studies of PGHD dashboards that involved clinician users in design or evaluations. We included only studies that used physiologic PGHD from single patients for usage in decision-making.

RESULTS: We screened 468 titles and abstracts, 63 full-text papers, and identified 15 articles to include in our review. Some research primarily sought user input on PGHD presentation, other studies garnered feedback only as a side effort for other objectives (e.g., integration with electronic health records [EHRs]). Development efforts were often in the domains of chronic diseases and collected a mix of physiologic parameters (e.g., blood pressure and heart rate) and activity data. Users’ preferences were for data to be presented with statistical summaries and clinical interpretations, alongside other non-PGHD data. Recurrent themes indicated that users desire longitudinal data display, aggregation of multiple data types on the same screen, actionability, and customization. Speed, simplicity, and availability of data for other purposes (e.g., documentation) were key to dashboard adoption. Evaluations were favorable for visualizations using common graphing or table formats, although best practices for implementation have not yet been established.

CONCLUSIONS: Although the literature identified common themes on data display, measures, and usability, more research is needed as PGHD usage grows. Ensuring that care is tailored to individual needs will be important in future development of clinical decision support.

PMID:37704021 | DOI:10.1055/a-2174-7820

J Struct Biol. 2023 Sep 11:108024. doi: 10.1016/j.jsb.2023.108024. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Single particle analysis (SPA) in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is highly used to obtain the near-atomic structure of biological macromolecules. The current methods allow users to produce high-resolution maps from many samples. However, there are still challenging cases that require extra processing to obtain high resolution. This is the case when the macromolecule of the sample is composed of different components and we want to focus just on one of them. For example, if the macromolecule is composed of several flexible subunits and we are interested in a specific one, if it is embedded in a viral capsid environment, or if it has additional components to stabilize it, such as nanodiscs. The signal from these components, which in principle we are not interested in, can be removed from the particles using a projection subtraction method. Currently, there are two projection subtraction methods used in practice and both have some limitations. In fact, after evaluating their results, we consider that the problem is still open to new solutions, as they do not fully remove the signal of the components that are not of interest. Our aim is to develop a new and more precise projection subtraction method, improving the performance of state-of-the-art methods. We tested our algorithm with data from public databases and an in-house data set. In this work, we show that the performance of our algorithm improves the results obtained by others, including the localization of small ligands, such as drugs, whose binding location is unknown a priori.

PMID:37704013 | DOI:10.1016/j.jsb.2023.108024