Factors That Contribute to the Mental Health of Black Youth during COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The mental health of Black youth during the COVID-19 pandemic is potentially influenced by various systemic factors, including racism, socioeconomic disparities, and access to culturally sensitive mental health support. Understanding these influences is essential for developing effective interventions to mitigate mental health disparities. METHODS: Our project used a community-based participatory (CBP) research design with an intersectional theoretical perspective. An advisory committee consisting of fourteen Black youth supported all aspects of our project. The research team consisted of experienced Black researchers who also trained six Black youths as research assistants and co-researchers. The co-researchers conducted individual interviews, contributed to data analysis, and mobilized knowledge. Participants were recruited through the advisory committee members and networks of Black youth co-researchers and sent an email invitation to Black community organizations. Forty-eight Black identified were interviewed between the ages of 16 and 30 in Canada. The data was analyzed thematically. We kept a reflexive note throughout all aspects of the project. RESULTS: Participants reported significant challenges with online schooling, including a lack of support and access to resources. Lockdowns exacerbated stress, particularly for those living in toxic living/home environments. Financial burdens, such as food insecurity and precarious employment, were prevalent and exacerbated mental health challenges. Additionally, experiences of anti-Black racism and police brutality during the pandemic heightened stress and anxiety among participants. CONCLUSIONS: The findings underscore the complex interplay of systemic factors in shaping the mental health of Black youth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Addressing these disparities requires targeted interventions that address structural inequities and provide culturally competent support to mitigate the impact on mental well-being.

Iodine immobilization by silver-impregnated granular activated carbon in cementitious systems.

Silver (Ag)-based technologies are amongst the most common approaches to removing radioiodine from aqueous waste streams. As a result, a large worldwide inventory of radioactive AgI waste presently exits, which must be stabilized for final disposition. In this work, the efficacy of silver-impregnated granular activated carbon (Ag-GAC) to remove iodide (I-), iodate (IO3-) and organo-iodine (org-I) from cementitious leachate was examined. In addition, cementitious materials containing I-, IO3-, or org-I loaded Ag-GAC were characterized by iodine K-edge XANES and EXAFS to provide insight into iodine stability and speciation in these waste forms. The Ag-GAC was very effective at removing I- and org-I, but ineffective at removing IO3- from slag-free grout leachate under oxic conditions. I- or org-I removal was due to the formation of insoluble AgI(s) or Ag-org-I(s) on the Ag-GAC. When I--loaded Ag-GAC material was cured with slag-free and slag grouts, I- was released from AgI(s) to form a hydrated I- species. Conversely, when org-I loaded Ag-GAC material was cured in the two grout formulations, no change was observed in the iodine speciation, indicating the org-I species remained bound to the Ag. Because little IO3- was bound to the Ag-GAC, it was not detectable in the grout. Thus, grout formulation and I speciation in the waste stream can significantly influence the effectiveness of the long-term disposal of radioiodine associated with Ag-GAC in grout waste forms.

Iodine speciation in a silver-amended cementitious system.

Silver-impregnated zeolite (AgIZ) has been used for removing radioiodine from contaminated groundwater and nuclear waste streams and the worldwide inventory of such secondary waste is rapidly increasing. The objective of this study was to 1) quantify the effectiveness of two grout waste forms for disposing of the used AgIZ, and 2) determine the I speciation leached from AgIZ encapsulated in grout. A 60-day kinetics batch experiment demonstrated that AgIZ encapsulated in slag-free grout was extremely effective at immobilizing I and Ag, a potential non-radioactive carcinogen. However, AgIZ encapsulated in slag-containing grout, the most common type of grout used for low-level radioactive waste disposal, was entirely ineffective at immobilizing I. While the slag-free grout with AgIZ released only 3.3 µg/L Itotal into the contact solution, the slag-containing grout released 19,269 µg/L Itotal. Based on thermodynamic calculations, the strongly reducing conditions of the slag-containing system (Eh was -392 mV) promoted the reductive dissolution of the AgI, forming Ag0(aq) and releasing iodide (I-) into the aqueous phase. The slag-free grout system was maintained under more oxidizing conditions (Eh was 439 mV) and a minimal amount of I was released from the grout. In both grout systems, the aqueous I, originally added to the AgZ as iodide, was composed primarily of iodide and org-I, and essentially no iodate was detected. More organo-I was detected in the slag-free than the slag-containing grout system because the high redox potential of the former system was more conducive to the formation of oxidized I species, such as I2, which may be intermediates in the covalent bonding of I with organic C in grout. Iodine K-edge XANES analysis indicated that I existed exclusively as silver iodide in both AgIZ-grout samples. Together, these results indicate that subsurface grout disposal of AgIZ waste should be done under oxidizing conditions and that radioiodide released from AgIZ can undergo speciation transformations that have important implications on subsequent mobility and estimated risk.

Expression of WIF-1 in inflammatory bowel disease.

The WNT/ß-catenin cellular network has been extensively studied in numerous diseases including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD is a condition that increases the risk of developing colorectal cancer. WIF-1 is an inhibitory protein that acts by blocking the interactions of WNT with its receptor complex, thus leading to downregulation of end products of this pathway. While WIF-1 has been characterized in several cancers, its relationship with IBD has yet to be elucidated. In this study, the expression of WIF-1 in patients with IBD was analyzed in order to provide insights into the pathophysiology and rationale for alternative therapies. Biopsies of both normal and inflamed colonic mucosa from patients with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis were histologically examined for the degree of morphologic changes, immune cell infiltration and presence of WIF-1 through immunohistochemistry. No differences were observed in WIF-1 expression linked to a particular condition, but WIF-1 stain was significantly enhanced in the crypts and lamina propria as inflammation increased in biopsies from patients with both, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. These findings could give guidance to new therapeutic applications of the WNT/ß-catenin system and WIF-1 in IBD.

Increased self-reported impulsivity in methamphetamine users maintaining drug abstinence.

BACKGROUND: Impulsivity has been proposed as an important factor in the initiation and maintenance of addiction. Indirect evidence suggests that some methamphetamine users report less impulsivity when they are using methamphetamine compared to when abstaining from drug use, but this hypothesis has not been directly tested. OBJECTIVES/METHODS: In this study, self-reports of impulsivity were obtained from 32 methamphetamine-dependent (DSM-IV) research participants and 41 healthy control subjects, using the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11. The methamphetamine users were assessed during an active period of methamphetamine use, as determined through urinalysis, and again after approximately 1 week of confirmed abstinence. Control subjects likewise completed two assessments. A subset of participants also completed serial assessments of the Beck Depression Inventory (Methamphetamine Group, N = 17, Control Group, N = 38) and the Methamphetamine Withdrawal Questionnaire (Methamphetamine Group, N = 12). RESULTS: There was a significant interaction of group with time on impulsivity (p = 0.044), reflecting a significant increase from the first to the second assessment in the methamphetamine users (p = 0.013), but no change among healthy control subjects. In contrast, depressive and withdrawal symptoms significantly decreased between the first and second assessments in the methamphetamine users (ps ≤0.01). Change in impulsivity in methamphetamine users was not significantly correlated with change in withdrawal or depression (ps >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that methamphetamine users report more impulsivity when abstaining from drug use, an effect that is not significantly related to methamphetamine withdrawal. Attenuation of impulsivity may reinforce continued methamphetamine use in these individuals.

Volunteer driven home safety intervention results in significant reduction in pediatric injuries: A model for community based injury reduction.

BACKGROUND: Home based injuries account for a significant number of injuries to children between 1 and 5years old. Evidence-based safety interventions delivered in the home with installation of safety equipment have been demonstrated to reduce injury rates. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a community based volunteer implemented home safety intervention. METHODS: In partnership with a community with high injury rates for children between 1 and 5years old, a home safety bundle was developed and implemented by volunteers. The safety bundle included installing evidence based safety equipment. Monthly community emergency room attended injury rates as well as emergency room attended injuries occurring in intervention and nonintervention homes was tracked throughout the study. RESULTS: Between May 2012 and May 2014 a total of 207 homes with children 1-5years old received the home safety bundle. The baseline monthly emergency room attended injury rate for children aged 1-5years within our target community was 11.3/1000 and that within our county was 8.7/1000. Following the intervention current rates are now 10.3/1000 and 9.2/1000 respectively. Within intervention homes the injury rate decreased to 4.2/1000 while the rate in the homes not receiving the intervention experienced an increase in injury rate to 12/1000 (p<0.05). When observed vs. expected injuries were examined the intervention group demonstrated 59% fewer injuries while the nonintervention group demonstrated a 6% increase (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Children in homes that received a volunteer-provided, free home safety bundle experienced 59% fewer injuries than would have been expected. By partnering with community leaders and organizing volunteers, proven home safety interventions were successfully provided to 207 homes during a two-year period, and a decline in community injury rates for children younger than 5years was observed compared to county wide injury rates.

Potential of ponatinib to treat chronic myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Development of BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have improved outcomes for patients diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia and Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia. However, resistance or intolerance to these TKIs still leaves some patients without many treatment options. One point mutation in particular, the T315I mutation, has been shown to be resistant to first and second generation TKIs. The third generation TKI, ponatinib, may provide an option for these patients. Ponatinib (Iclusig®), an orally available, pan-tyrosine kinase inhibitor has a unique binding mechanism allowing inhibition of BCR-ABL kinases, including those with the T315I point mutation. A Phase II study evaluated ponatinib in patients who were resistant or intolerant to nilotinib or dasatinib or patients who had the T315I mutation. In the Phase II study, ponatinib produced a major cytogenetic response in 54% of chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia patients. It further achieved major hematologic response in 52% of patients in the accelerated phase, 31% of patients in the blast phase, and 41% of Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients. Ponatinib also showed efficacy in patients with the T315I mutation. Serious adverse events included arterial thrombosis, hepatotoxicity, cardiovascular risks, pancreatitis, hemorrhage, fluid retention, myelosuppression, rash, abdominal pain, and embryo-fetal toxicity. Due to the risk of these adverse events and potential drug interactions, the use of ponatinib must be carefully weighed against the benefits in treating patients who have limited treatment options.

Kangaroo care at birth for full term infants: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: To determine whether breastfeeding behaviors, skin temperature, and blood glucose values could be influenced through the use of kangaroo care at the time of birth in healthy full term infants. METHOD: Descriptive study with nine full term neonates given kangaroo care beginning within 1 minute of birth and continuing until completion of the first breastfeeding by mothers who intended to breastfeed. Infant skin temperature was taken at 1 and 5 minutes after birth and every 15 minutes thereafter. Blood glucose level was taken 60 minutes after birth, the time at which the infant latched onto the breast was recorded, and breastfeeding behaviors were observed during the first breastfeeding. RESULTS: Skin temperature rose during birth kangaroo care in eight of the nine infants, and temperature remained within neutral thermal zone for all infants. Blood glucose levels varied between 43 and 85 mg/dL for infants who had not already fed and between 43 and 118 mg/dL for those who had fed. All but one infant spontaneously crawled to and latched onto a breast by 74 minutes after birth. Physicians noted that mothers were distracted from episiotomy or laceration repair discomfort during birth kangaroo care. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: In this institution, birth kangaroo care was integrated into routine delivery room care, with nurses noting no change in nursing workload. Nurses have noted observing the crawling, latching, and successful breastfeeding of most infants. Because of the results of this pilot study, birth kangaroo care has been implemented successfully with all women who wish to participate.