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1.
Ecol Lett ; 27(6): e14463, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38924275

ABSTRACT

Understanding the interactions among anthropogenic stressors is critical for effective conservation and management of ecosystems. Freshwater scientists have invested considerable resources in conducting factorial experiments to disentangle stressor interactions by testing their individual and combined effects. However, the diversity of stressors and systems studied has hindered previous syntheses of this body of research. To overcome this challenge, we used a novel machine learning framework to identify relevant studies from over 235,000 publications. Our synthesis resulted in a new dataset of 2396 multiple-stressor experiments in freshwater systems. By summarizing the methods used in these studies, quantifying trends in the popularity of the investigated stressors, and performing co-occurrence analysis, we produce the most comprehensive overview of this diverse field of research to date. We provide both a taxonomy grouping the 909 investigated stressors into 31 classes and an open-source and interactive version of the dataset (https://jamesaorr.shinyapps.io/freshwater-multiple-stressors/). Inspired by our results, we provide a framework to help clarify whether statistical interactions detected by factorial experiments align with stressor interactions of interest, and we outline general guidelines for the design of multiple-stressor experiments relevant to any system. We conclude by highlighting the research directions required to better understand freshwater ecosystems facing multiple stressors.


Subject(s)
Ecosystem , Fresh Water , Human Activities , Stress, Physiological
2.
J Pathol ; 263(4-5): 482-495, 2024 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38872438

ABSTRACT

Liver fibrosis is the consequence of chronic liver injury in the presence of an inflammatory component. Although the main executors of this activation are known, the mechanisms that lead to the inflammatory process that mediates the production of pro-fibrotic factors are not well characterized. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling in hepatocytes is essential for the regenerative processes of the liver; however, its potential role in regulating the fibrotic niche is not yet clear. Our group generated a mouse model that expresses an inactive truncated form of the EGFR specifically in hepatocytes (ΔEGFR mice). Here, we have analyzed the response of WT and ΔEGFR mice to chronic treatment with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), which induces a pro-inflammatory and fibrotic process in the liver. The results indicated that the hallmarks of liver fibrosis were attenuated in CCl4-treated ΔEGFR mice when compared with CCl4-treated WT mice, coinciding with a faster resolution of the fibrotic process and ameliorated damage. The absence of EGFR activity in hepatocytes induced changes in the pattern of immune cells in the liver, with a notable increase in the population of M2 macrophages, more related to fibrosis resolution, as well as in the population of lymphocytes related to eradication of the damage. Transcriptome analysis of hepatocytes, and secretome studies of extracellular media from in vitro experiments, allowed us to elucidate the specific molecular mechanisms regulated by EGFR that mediate hepatocyte production of both pro-fibrotic and pro-inflammatory mediators; these have consequences for the deposition of extracellular matrix proteins, as well as for the immune microenvironment. Overall, our study uncovered novel mechanistic insights regarding EGFR kinase-dependent actions in hepatocytes that reveal its key role in chronic liver damage. © 2024 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.


Subject(s)
Carbon Tetrachloride , ErbB Receptors , Hepatocytes , Signal Transduction , Animals , ErbB Receptors/metabolism , Hepatocytes/metabolism , Hepatocytes/pathology , Liver/pathology , Liver/metabolism , Liver Cirrhosis/metabolism , Liver Cirrhosis/pathology , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Male , Cell Communication , Macrophages/metabolism , Macrophages/pathology , Mice, Transgenic
3.
medRxiv ; 2024 May 28.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38853922

ABSTRACT

Although large-scale genetic association studies have proven opportunistic for the delineation of neurodegenerative disease processes, we still lack a full understanding of the pathological mechanisms of these diseases, resulting in few appropriate treatment options and diagnostic challenges. To mitigate these gaps, the Neurodegenerative Disease Knowledge Portal (NDKP) was created as an open-science initiative with the aim to aggregate, enable analysis, and display all available genomic datasets of neurodegenerative disease, while protecting the integrity and confidentiality of the underlying datasets. The portal contains 218 genomic datasets, including genotyping and sequencing studies, of individuals across ten different phenotypic groups, including neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Lewy body dementia, and Parkinson's disease. In addition to securely hosting large genomic datasets, the NDKP provides accessible workflows and tools to effectively utilize the datasets and assist in the facilitation of customized genomic analyses. Here, we summarize the genomic datasets currently included within the portal, the bioinformatics processing of the datasets, and the variety of phenotypes captured. We also present example use-cases of the various user interfaces and integrated analytic tools to demonstrate their extensive utility in enabling the extraction of high-quality results at the source, for both genomics experts and those in other disciplines. Overall, the NDKP promotes open-science and collaboration, maximizing the potential for discovery from the large-scale datasets researchers and consortia are expending immense resources to produce and resulting in reproducible conclusions to improve diagnostic and therapeutic care for neurodegenerative disease patients.

4.
Sci Transl Med ; 16(731): eadg4517, 2024 Jan 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38266105

ABSTRACT

The human retina is a multilayered tissue that offers a unique window into systemic health. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is widely used in eye care and allows the noninvasive, rapid capture of retinal anatomy in exquisite detail. We conducted genotypic and phenotypic analyses of retinal layer thicknesses using macular OCT images from 44,823 UK Biobank participants. We performed OCT layer cross-phenotype association analyses (OCT-XWAS), associating retinal thicknesses with 1866 incident conditions (median 10-year follow-up) and 88 quantitative traits and blood biomarkers. We performed genome-wide association studies (GWASs), identifying inherited genetic markers that influence retinal layer thicknesses and replicated our associations among the LIFE-Adult Study (N = 6313). Last, we performed a comparative analysis of phenome- and genome-wide associations to identify putative causal links between retinal layer thicknesses and both ocular and systemic conditions. Independent associations with incident mortality were detected for thinner photoreceptor segments (PSs) and, separately, ganglion cell complex layers. Phenotypic associations were detected between thinner retinal layers and ocular, neuropsychiatric, cardiometabolic, and pulmonary conditions. A GWAS of retinal layer thicknesses yielded 259 unique loci. Consistency between epidemiologic and genetic associations suggested links between a thinner retinal nerve fiber layer with glaucoma, thinner PS with age-related macular degeneration, and poor cardiometabolic and pulmonary function with a thinner PS. In conclusion, we identified multiple inherited genetic loci and acquired systemic cardio-metabolic-pulmonary conditions associated with thinner retinal layers and identify retinal layers wherein thinning is predictive of future ocular and systemic conditions.


Subject(s)
Cardiovascular Diseases , Genome-Wide Association Study , Adult , Humans , Tomography, Optical Coherence , Face , Retina/diagnostic imaging
5.
J Clin Endocrinol Metab ; 109(5): e1379-e1388, 2024 Apr 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37846800

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT: Clinical endocrinology encompasses many diseases requiring long-term drug therapy. Prohibitive pricing of some endocrine drugs classified as essential by the World Health Organization has created suboptimal care of patients with endocrine disorders. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: This review is based on evidence obtained from several databases and search engines including PubMed, Google, and Google Scholar; reference searches; manual searching for web pages of international regulatory bodies; and the authors' experience from different healthcare settings. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: After the expiry of a patent, generic versions with the opportunity for increased availability and a price reduction are expected. There are access barriers worldwide for many off-patent endocrine drugs. The high price is the main issue for several medicines including insulin, hydrocortisone, testosterone, and gonadotropins. This is caused by several factors including the market monopoly due to the lack of registered generics or suppliers limiting the benefit of competition and a complex supply chain. Additionally, the lack of some medicines has been concerning due to market factors such as the relatively small number of patients, making it less attractive for the manufacturers. Commissioning of nonprofit manufacturers and state manufacturing as well as strict price control measures could alleviate this situation. CONCLUSION: Lack of availability and disproportionate price inflation affecting essential off-patent endocrine therapies is common due to several interrelated factors. Global collaboration among healthcare organizations with the support of policymaking bodies might be needed to mitigate this.

6.
Sci Total Environ ; 912: 168836, 2024 Feb 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38016568

ABSTRACT

River ecosystems are heavily impacted by multiple stressors, where effects can cascade downstream of point sources. However, a spatial approach to assess the effects of multiple stressors is missing. We assessed the local and downstream effects on litter decomposition, and associated invertebrate communities of two stressors: flow reduction and artificial light at night (ALAN). We used an 18-flow-through mesocosm system consisting of two tributaries, where we applied the stressors, merging in a downstream section. We assessed the changes in decomposition rate and invertebrate community structure in leaf bags. We found no effect of ALAN or its interaction with flow reduction on the litter decomposition or the invertebrate community in the tributaries. Flow reduction alone led to a 14.8 % reduction in decomposition rate in the tributaries. We recorded no effect of flow reduction on the macroinvertebrates community composition in the litter bags. We also observed no effects of the spatial arrangement of the stressors on the litter decomposition and macroinvertebrate community structure downstream. Overall, our results suggest the impact of stressors on litter decomposition and macroinvertebrate communities remained local in our experiment. Our work thus calls for further studies to identify the mechanisms and the conditions under which spatial effects dominate over local processes.


Subject(s)
Ecosystem , Light Pollution , Animals , Invertebrates , Rivers/chemistry , Plant Leaves/chemistry
7.
J Am Vet Med Assoc ; 262(1): 1-5, 2024 Jan 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38103385

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate pseudohyperkalemia occurring in horses experiencing rhabdomyolysis when serum chemistry profiles are run on an VetScan VS2 analyzer (Abaxis). ANIMALS: 18 horses with rhabdomyolysis (creatine kinase [CK] > 1,000 U/L). METHODS: In 3 horses with serum CK activities > 5,800 U/L and persistent serum potassium concentrations of > 8.5 mmol/L (VetScan VS2), potassium concentrations were reevaluated with either i-STAT Alinity Base Station (Abbott), Catalyst (Idexx), or Cobas c501 (Roche) ion-specific analyzers. Paired serum samples from 15 additional horses (median serum CK activity, 7,601 U/L; range, 1,134 to 192,447 U/L) were analyzed on both VetScan VS2 and Cobas c501 machines. Serum potassium concentrations were compared between the VetScan VS2 and ion-specific analyzers by Bland-Altman and Wilcoxon ranked tests and correlated to log10 CK activity via Pearson correlation. RESULTS: Serum potassium concentrations were significantly higher on the VetScan VS2 (6.7 ± 1.6 mmol/L) versus the ion-specific analyzers (4.0 ± 1.1 mmol/L; P < .0001), with high bias shown in Bland-Altman analysis (43.1 ± 27.9). Potassium concentrations positively correlated with log10 CK activity with the VetScan VS2 (R2 = 0.51; P = .003) but not the Cobas (R2 = 0.09; P = .3) analyzer. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: An alternate analyzer to the VetScan VS2 should be used to evaluate serum potassium concentrations in horses with rhabdomyolysis because the VetScan VS2 methodology uses lactate dehydrogenase, which increases in serum with rhabdomyolysis and falsely elevates potassium concentrations.


Subject(s)
Horse Diseases , Rhabdomyolysis , Animals , Horses , Potassium , Rhabdomyolysis/veterinary
9.
PLoS Biol ; 21(8): e3002233, 2023 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37561710

ABSTRACT

To address the challenge of translating genetic discoveries for type 1 diabetes (T1D) into mechanistic insight, we have developed the T1D Knowledge Portal (T1DKP), an open-access resource for hypothesis development and target discovery in T1D.


Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 , Humans , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/genetics , Genomics , Human Genetics
10.
Redox Biol ; 65: 102818, 2023 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37463530

ABSTRACT

The NADPH oxidase NOX4 has been proposed as necessary for the apoptosis induced by the Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-ß) in hepatocytes and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. However, whether NOX4 is required for TGF-ß-induced canonical (SMADs) or non-canonical signals is not fully understood yet, neither its potential involvement in other parallel actions induced by TGF-ß. In this work we have used CRISPR Cas9 technology to stable attenuate NOX4 expression in HCC cells. Results have indicated that NOX4 is required for an efficient SMAD2/3 phosphorylation in response to TGF-ß, whereas non-canonical signals, such as the phosphorylation of the Epidermal Growth Receptor or AKT, are higher in NOX4 silenced cells. TGF-ß-mediated inhibition of cell proliferation and viability is attenuated in NOX4 silenced cells, correlating with decreased response in terms of apoptosis, and maintenance of high expression of MYC and CYCLIN D1. These results would indicate that NOX4 is required for all the tumor suppressor actions of TGF-ß in HCC. However, analysis in human HCC tumors has revealed a worse prognosis for patients showing high expression of TGF-ß1-related genes concomitant with high expression of NOX4. Deepening into other tumorigenic actions of TGF-ß that may contribute to tumor progression, we found that NOX4 is also required for TGF-ß-induced migratory effects. The Epithelial-Mesenchymal transition (EMT) program does not appear to be affected by attenuation of NOX4 levels. However, TGF-ß-mediated regulation of cytoskeleton dynamics and focal adhesions require NOX4, which is necessary for TGF-ß-induced increase in the chaperone Hsp27 and correct subcellular localization of Hic-5 within focal adhesions, as well for upregulation of the metalloprotease MMP9. All these results together point to NOX4 as a key element in the whole TGF-ß signaling in HCC cells, revealing an unknown role for NOX4 as tumor promoter in HCC patients presenting activation of the TGF-ß pathway.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular , Liver Neoplasms , Humans , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology , NADPH Oxidases/genetics , NADPH Oxidases/metabolism , Transforming Growth Factor beta , Liver Neoplasms/genetics , Liver Neoplasms/pathology , NADPH Oxidase 4/genetics , NADPH Oxidase 4/metabolism , Transforming Growth Factor beta1
11.
Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab ; 37(4): 101809, 2023 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37500298

Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Endocrinology , Humans
12.
Front Psychol ; 14: 1142508, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37359881

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Research examining decision-making in sports has predominantly used experimental approaches that fail to provide a holistic understanding of the various factors that impact the decision-making process. The current study aimed to explore the decision-making processes of Senior (expert) and Academy (near-expert) Gaelic Football players using a focus group approach. Methods: Four focus groups were conducted; two with Senior players (n = 5; n = 6) and two with U17 Academy players (n = 5; n = 6). In each focus group, short video clips of Senior Gaelic football games were played, and the action was paused at key moments. The group then discussed the options available to the player in possession, the decision they would make in that situation, and importantly, what factors influenced the final decision. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes that emerged from the focus groups. Results and discussion: Four primary themes emerged that affected the decision-making process. Three themes were related to information sources, namely, pre-match context (coach tactics and instructions, match importance, and opposition status), current match context (score and time remaining), and visual information (player positioning and field space, and visual search strategy), and the fourth theme related to individual differences (self-efficacy, risk propensity, perceived pressure, physical characteristics, action capabilities, fatigue) that moderated the decision-making process. Compared to the near-expert Academy players, the expert Senior players displayed a more sophisticated understanding of the various sources of information and were able to integrate them in a more complex manner to make projections regarding future scenarios. For both groups, the decision-making process was moderated by individual differences. A schematic has been developed based on the study findings in an attempt to illustrate the hypothesized decision-making process.

13.
Nat Commun ; 14(1): 2229, 2023 04 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37076491

ABSTRACT

Expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) studies illuminate genomic variants that regulate specific genes and contribute to fine-mapped loci discovered via genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Efforts to maximize their accuracy are ongoing. Using 240 glomerular (GLOM) and 311 tubulointerstitial (TUBE) micro-dissected samples from human kidney biopsies, we discovered 5371 GLOM and 9787 TUBE genes with at least one variant significantly associated with expression (eGene) by incorporating kidney single-nucleus open chromatin data and transcription start site distance as an "integrative prior" for Bayesian statistical fine-mapping. The use of an integrative prior resulted in higher resolution eQTLs illustrated by (1) smaller numbers of variants in credible sets with greater confidence, (2) increased enrichment of partitioned heritability for GWAS of two kidney traits, (3) an increased number of variants colocalized with the GWAS loci, and (4) enrichment of computationally predicted functional regulatory variants. A subset of variants and genes were validated experimentally in vitro and using a Drosophila nephrocyte model. More broadly, this study demonstrates that tissue-specific eQTL maps informed by single-nucleus open chromatin data have enhanced utility for diverse downstream analyses.


Subject(s)
Genome-Wide Association Study , Kidney Diseases , Humans , Genome-Wide Association Study/methods , Bayes Theorem , Kidney Diseases/genetics , Genomics , Chromatin/genetics , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide , Genetic Predisposition to Disease/genetics
14.
bioRxiv ; 2023 Feb 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36778413

ABSTRACT

Translating genetic discoveries for type 1 diabetes (T1D) into mechanistic insight can reveal novel biology and therapeutic targets but remains a major challenge. We developed the T1D Knowledge Portal (T1DKP), a disease-specific resource of genetic and functional annotation data that enables users to develop hypotheses for T1D-based research and target discovery. The T1DKP can be used to query genes and genomic regions for genetic associations, identify epigenomic features, access results of bioinformatic analyses, and obtain expert-curated resources. The T1DKP is available at http://t1d.hugeamp.org .

15.
Glob Chang Biol ; 29(1): 21-40, 2023 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36131639

ABSTRACT

The increasing production, use and emission of synthetic chemicals into the environment represents a major driver of global change. The large number of synthetic chemicals, limited knowledge on exposure patterns and effects in organisms and their interaction with other global change drivers hamper the prediction of effects in ecosystems. However, recent advances in biomolecular and computational methods are promising to improve our capacity for prediction. We delineate three idealised perspectives for the prediction of chemical effects: the suborganismal, organismal and ecological perspective, which are currently largely separated. Each of the outlined perspectives includes essential and complementary theories and tools for prediction but captures only part of the phenomenon of chemical effects. Links between the perspectives may foster predictive modelling of chemical effects in ecosystems and extrapolation between species. A major challenge for the linkage is the lack of data sets simultaneously covering different levels of biological organisation (here referred to as biological levels) as well as varying temporal and spatial scales. Synthesising the three perspectives, some central aspects and associated types of data seem particularly necessary to improve prediction. First, suborganism- and organism-level responses to chemicals need to be recorded and tested for relationships with chemical groups and organism traits. Second, metrics that are measurable at many biological levels, such as energy, need to be scrutinised for their potential to integrate across levels. Third, experimental data on the simultaneous response over multiple biological levels and spatiotemporal scales are required. These could be collected in nested and interconnected micro- and mesocosm experiments. Lastly, prioritisation of processes involved in the prediction framework needs to find a balance between simplification and capturing the essential complexity of a system. For example, in some cases, eco-evolutionary dynamics and interactions may need stronger consideration. Prediction needs to move from a static to a real-world eco-evolutionary view.


Subject(s)
Ecosystem
16.
Indian J Endocrinol Metab ; 27(6): 559-566, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38371180

ABSTRACT

Background: South Asian countries face the colossal challenge of tackling the massive burden of diabetes and other endocrine disorders. These patients grossly outnumber the specialists trained to deal with these conditions. A trained cadre of diabetes specialist nurses (DSN) and endocrine specialist nurses (ESN) might help bridge this gap. Exploring the perception of DSN/ESN among South Asian doctors will help to understand their role, responsibilities and future prospects. Methods: One hundred and seventy-four endocrinologists from South Asia participated in an online survey on their perception of DSNs and ESNs. Results: Out of the 174 respondents, 61 (35%) were currently working with DSN/ESN, 79 (45.4%) had worked in the past and 131 (75.2%) were willing to start recruiting or employ additional DSN/ESN in the future. The majority considered that the primary function of DSN and ESN is to educate on diabetes (n = 86, 96.6%) and endocrine disorders (n = 34, 57.6%), respectively, followed by anthropometry and initial work-up. Only a small minority felt they could write independent follow-up prescriptions (nurse-led clinics) [DSN - 16 (18%) and ESN - 3 (5.1%)]. Graduation with a certificate course in diabetes and basic endocrinology was considered a sufficient qualification by 68 (39.1%) respondents. Endocrinologists from countries other than India were more willing to recruit ESN/DSN in the future (89.7% vs 72.4%; P < 0.03) and approve a nurse-led clinic (62.1% vs 29.7%; P < 0.03). Upon multiple logistic regression, working in countries other than India was an independent predictor of future willingness to work with DSN/ESN (odds ratio (OR): 4.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09-18.43, P = 0.03). Conclusion: DSN and ESN could facilitate the management of healthcare-seekers with diabetes and endocrine disorders. A certification course to train nurses on diabetes and basic endocrine disorders following graduation could be helpful. Major hindrances in creating a regular cadre of DSN/ESN were limited opportunities for career progression and lack of additional remuneration for services.

17.
Sensors (Basel) ; 22(19)2022 Sep 23.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36236330

ABSTRACT

A digital twin is a digital representation of a physical entity that is updated in real-time by transfer of data between physical and digital (virtual) entities. In this manuscript we aim to introduce a digital twin framework for robotic drilling. Initially, a generic reference model is proposed to highlight elements of the digital twin relevant to robotic drilling. Then, a precise reference digital twin architecture model is developed, based on available standards and technologies. Finally, real-time visualisation of drilling process parameters is demonstrated as an initial step towards implementing a digital twin of a robotic drilling process.


Subject(s)
Robotic Surgical Procedures , Robotics , Surgery, Computer-Assisted
18.
Front Public Health ; 10: 865712, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35910893

ABSTRACT

Background: Zero-time Exercise (ZTEx), a simple strength- and stamina-enhancing physical activity (PA) requiring no extra equipment, can potentially increase PA and fitness. This pilot trial examined the feasibility and potential effectiveness of a smartphone ZTEx intervention to promote PA and fitness in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods: A parallel-group assessor-blinded pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted on Chinese patients with stable coronary heart disease (CHD) in three cardiology clinics. The experimental group received a 15-min brief individual face-to-face session and a 12-week ZTEx instant messaging with 28 picture e-messages and a smartphone ZTEx application (ZTExApp). The control group received the same duration of individual session and number and format of e-messages, but the content was healthy eating and breathing exercise. The feasibility was assessed based on: attrition rate, usage, response rate and perception of the intervention. The outcome evaluation included primary outcome (PA), fitness, exercise self-efficacy and intention, perceived happiness and health, and quality of life. A linear mixed model was used with intention-to-treat analysis adjusting for sex, age and baseline values. A semi-structured interview was conducted to collect feedback from the experiment group. Results: One hundred thirty-nine patients (mean age 59.8 ± 6.6; 71.2% male) were randomized to the experimental group (n = 70) or control group (n = 69), and 80% (56/70) and 82% (57/69) of patients completed the 12-week follow-up assessment, respectively. The attrition rate was 18.7%. The experimental group reported that ZTEx was feasible to integrate PA into their daily life and appreciated the picture e-messages, and 95% of them sent feedback to us, but only 19.6% (13/70) of the participants entered their PA information into the e-diary of the ZTExApp. The experimental group had a significantly greater increase in time spent walking [mean difference (95% CI): 155.3 (10.1, 300.4), P = 0.04, Cohen's d = 0.34] than the control group. Conclusions: This pilot study showed using a brief ZTEx face-to-face session with picture e-messages empowered patients with CHD to integrate PA into daily life. Future definitive trials with a longer follow-up and a more user-friendly ZTExApp interface are necessary to determine the effectiveness of the smartphone ZTEx intervention in enhancing PA and related outcomes. Trial Registration: The research protocol was registered at the Hong Kong University Clinical Trials Registry (HKUCTR) on 22 Jul 2016 (Study identifier: HKUCTR-2165) and was also retrospectively registered at the National Institutes of Health (identifier number: NCT03464331) on 14 March 2018.


Subject(s)
Coronary Disease , Smartphone , Aged , Exercise , Exercise Therapy , Feasibility Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pilot Projects , Quality of Life , United States
19.
J Patient Exp ; 9: 23743735221102675, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35647271

ABSTRACT

Aim: To evaluate the readability and quality of online patient information regarding treatment for constipation in the English language. Methods: By utilizing the Google © website, the keyword "treatment for chronic constipation" was searched. Each webpage was assessed by 2 authors independently for readability using both the Gunning Fog Index (GFI) and the Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES). The quality of the information produced on each individual website was assessed using the DISCERN instrument. Other parameters that were recorded included the country of origin, the organization type, and whether or not the website was issued a Health on the Net (HoN) certificate. Results: This study identified a mean GFI score of 13.2 and a mean FRES score of 48.9. This result indicates poor overall readability. A mean DISCERN score of 37.9 was produced, indicating an overall weak quality of online information on this topic. This study indicated that parameters such as website organization type and the presence or absence of HoN certification impacted the quality of the information websites on this topic. Conclusion: This study indicated a poor level of quality and readability of online information on the topic of chronic constipation treatment. Further resources should be directed towards improving website readability and quality. Patients may be advised that if they wish to access online information on this topic, websites that display HoN accreditation will likely produce higher quality information.

20.
Can Vet J ; 63(6): 589-592, 2022 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35656526

ABSTRACT

A 12-year-old neutered male American Staffordshire terrier dog was referred to the Atlantic Veterinary College, Prince Edward Island, Canada, for suspected immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. Babesiosis (Babesia vulpes) was confirmed using polymerase chain reaction testing. The dog was successfully treated with a 10-day protocol of atovaquone/proguanil (TEVA Pharmaceutical Industries, Toronto, Ontario), 13.5 mg/kg BW, PO, q8h and azithromycin (Pharmascience, Montreal, Quebec), 10 mg/kg BW, PO, q24h. To the authors' knowledge, this report is the first documented case of babesiosis caused by Babesia vulpes in a dog from Canada.


Babesia vulpes chez un chien de l'Île-du-Prince-Édouard, Canada. Un chien American Staffordshire terrier mâle castré de 12 ans a été référé au Atlantic Veterinary College, Île-du-Prince-Édouard, Canada, pour suspicion d'anémie hémolytique à médiation immunitaire. La babésiose (Babesia vulpes) a été confirmée à l'aide d'un test d'amplification en chaîne par la polymérase. Le chien a été traité avec succès avec un protocole de 10 jours d'atovaquone/proguanil (TEVA Pharmaceutical Industries, Toronto, Ontario), 13,5 mg/kg BW, PO, q8h et azithromycine (Pharmascience, Montréal, Québec), 10 mg/kg BW, PO, q24h. À la connaissance des auteurs, ce rapport est le premier cas documenté de babésiose causée par Babesia vulpes chez un chien du Canada.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).


Subject(s)
Babesia , Babesiosis , Dog Diseases , Animals , Babesiosis/diagnosis , Babesiosis/drug therapy , Dog Diseases/diagnosis , Dog Diseases/drug therapy , Dogs , Humans , Male , Ontario , Polymerase Chain Reaction/veterinary , Prince Edward Island/epidemiology
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