Recovery of pathogens with implementation of a weight-based algorithm for pediatric blood cultures: an observational intervention study.

BACKGROUND: Recovering pathogenic bacteria and yeast from pediatric blood cultures and reliably distinguishing between pathogens and contaminants are likely to be improved by increasing the volume of blood submitted to microbiology laboratories for culturing beyond the low volumes that have historically have been used. The primary aim of this study was to assess whether the pathogen recovery rate would increase after implementation of a weight-based algorithm for determining the intended volume of blood submitted for culturing. Secondary aims were to: 1) evaluate the effects of the algorithm implementation on the blood culture contamination rate; 2) determine whether pathogens might be found more often than contaminants in several as opposed to single bottles when more than one bottle is submitted; and 3) describe the microbiological findings for pathogens and contaminants in blood cultures by applying a clinical validation of true blood culture positivity. METHODS: A pre-post comparison of positivity and contamination rates after increasing the theoretical blood volume and number of blood culture bottles was performed, on the basis of a clinical validation of blood culture findings as pathogens vs contaminants. RESULTS: We examined 5327 blood cultures, including 186 with growth (123 true positives and 63 contaminated). The rate of true positive blood cultures significantly increased from 1.6% (42/2553) pre to 2.9% (81/2774, p = .002) post intervention. The rate of contaminated blood cultures did not change significantly during the study period (1.4% [35/2553] pre vs 1.0% [28/2774], p = .222) post intervention), but the proportion of contaminated cultures among all positive cultures decreased from 45% (35/77) pre to 26% (28/109, p = .005) post intervention. A microorganism that grew in a single bottle was considered a contaminant in 35% (8/23) of cases, whereas a microorganism that grew in at least two bottles was considered a contaminant in 2% (1/49, p < .001) of cases. According to common classification criteria relying primarily on the identity of the microorganism, 14% (17/123) of the recovered pathogens would otherwise have been classified as contaminants. CONCLUSION: Implementation of a weight-based algorithm to determine the volume and number of blood cultures in pediatric patients is associated with an increase in the pathogen recovery rate.

Cost-effectiveness of patch testing allergens within the same group - a computational approach to optimize formaldehyde-related allergen selection.

BACKGROUND: Patch testing to multiple cross reactive allergens for allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) may not be necessary due to copositivity. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the formaldehyde group allergens to determine the optimal, most cost-effective allergens to test. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of Mayo Clinic (1997-2022) examined the well-established copositive formaldehyde group: Formaldehyde, Quaternium 15, Hexahydro-1,3,5-tris(2-hydroxyethyl)triazine, Diazolidinyl urea, Imidazolidinyl urea, Toluenesulphonamide formaldehyde resin, DMDM hydantoin, and Ethyleneurea melamine formaldehyde mix. Patch Optimization Platform (POP) identified which single formaldehyde-related allergen optimally captures patients with clinically relevant ACD. Next, POP determined the optimal additional 1, 2, 3, etc. allergens. Cost per patch test was $5.19 (Medicare 2022). RESULTS: 9832 patients were tested to all listed allergens, with 830 having positive patch tests. POP determined that Quaternium 15 alone captures 53% of patients with ACD to the formaldehyde group; adding the optimal second allergen (Formaldehyde 1%) captures 78%; the optimal five top allergens capture over 94% of patients. The incremental cost-per-additional-diagnosis increased up to 44-fold as the number of allergens tested increased. LIMITATIONS: Data is from a single institution, and the cost-per-test was fixed to Medicare Part B in 2022. CONCLUSIONS: For diagnosing ACD, we recommend considering an optimized allergen selection algorithm.

A case study of a patient with platelet transfusion refractoriness (PTR) combined with human leucocyte antigen (HLA) antibody positivity during hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy in conjunction with the 'atezolizumab plus bevacizumab' regimen.

Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy in conjunction with the combination therapy of atezolizumab (T) and bevacizumab (A) is widely used in hepatocellular carcinoma. Some adverse events such as hypertension, weakness and elevated transaminase levels occurred during treatment, while there is currently no reported case about thrombocytopenia with concomitant HLA antibody-positive PTR. We summarize the critical care nursing experience of a patient with PTR because of HLA antibody positivity during hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy in conjunction with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (T + A) regimen. This paper explains the nursing measures for patients with severe thrombocytopenia and proposes nursing measures for situations where conventional treatments are ineffective. Key nursing points include the administration of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and HLA-compatible platelets, prevention of complications, psychological care, oral care, and skin management. Through systematic treatment and targeted nursing care, the patient's platelet count rebounded after 9 days, leading to a successful recovery and discharge. Subsequent follow-up assessments revealed the patient's sustained well-being. Thrombocytopenia is a potential adverse reaction during the treatment of liver cancer. When platelet transfusion is ineffective, vigilance is necessary for the possibility of HLA positivity, and prompt symptomatic management is warranted.

Is the percentage of hormone receptor positivity in HR+ HER2-metastatic breast cancer patients receiving CDK 4/6 inhibitor with endocrine therapy predictive and prognostic?

Purpose: There is no clear information in the literature about the relationship between the efficacy of CDK 4/6i combined with ET and HR positivity. However, we know that the longest overall survival was in the ER-strong positive/PR intermediate or strong positive groups. Therefore, we aimed to investigate CDK4/6i treatments that create positivity in HR. Methods: Patients with the diagnosis of HR+/HER2- MBC who were treated with CDK 4/6i and HR >10% were retrospectively evaluated. To analyze the role of HR positivity, ER was moderately positive (10-49%) and ER was strongly positive (50-100%); PR was grouped as moderately positive (10-49%) and PR strongly positive (50-100%). Results: Median follow-up of 150 patients included in the study was 15.2 months (95% CI, 2.1-40.9 months). The highest response in the whole group was obtained in the ER-strong positive/PR moderate or strong positive group, and the ER moderate positive/PR moderate or strong group. This was followed by the ER strong positive/PR negative group, and then the ER moderate positive/PR negative group. Although these advantages were not statistically significant, they were numerically higher (ORR: 83.8% vs. 83.3% vs. 77.4% vs. 62.5%, p=0.488, respectively). The highest survival in the whole group was achieved in the ER strong positive/PR moderate or strongly positive group, followed by the ER moderately positive/PR moderate or strongly positive group, the ER strongly positive/PR negative group followed by the ER moderate positive/PR negative group, respectively(p=0.410). However, these advantages were not statistically significant. Conclusion: As a result, HR+/HER2- MBC patients receiving CDK 4/6i combined with ET suggest that the percentage of HR positivity may have a predictive and prognostic role.

Mirage de tuberculose in the 21st century.

The occurrence of transient culture positivity for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), known as mirage de tuberculose, poses significant challenges in understanding its spectrum and implications. Here, we report a case of transient culture positivity, oscillating between detectable and non-detectable MTB cultures with minimal radiological features and review the literature on this phenomenon. The scarcity of scientific literature on this subject stems from the inherent impossibility of systematically studying mirage de tuberculose. Ethical and public health concerns prevent withholding treatment to monitor spontaneous reversion to negative cultures. Based on the literature, we estimate that mirage de tuberculose occurs in approximately one-third of individuals infected with MTB who exhibit no symptoms. Despite the inherently limited nature of these findings, they suggest that the significance of mirage de tuberculose may be greater than currently perceived. Managing cases of mirage de tuberculose presents formidable challenges from a public health perspective. Striking a balance between prompt treatment initiation to prevent transmission and the risk of unnecessary treatment requires careful consideration. In conclusion, mirage de tuberculose remains a poorly understood clinical entity with very limited literature available. Advancing research and interdisciplinary collaborations are essential to unravel the intricacies of this phenomenon and develop effective strategies to address its public health challenges.

L'apparition d'une culture transitoire positive pour Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), connue sous le nom de mirage de tuberculose, pose des défis importants dans la compréhension de son spectre et de ses implications. Nous rapportons ici un cas de positivité transitoire des cultures, oscillant entre des cultures MTB détectables et non détectables avec des caractéristiques radiologiques minimales et passons en revue la littérature sur ce phénomène. La rareté de la littérature scientifique sur ce sujet provient de l'impossibilité inhérente d'étudier systématiquement le mirage de tuberculose. Des préoccupations éthiques et de santé publique empêchent l'interruption du traitement pour surveiller le retour spontané à des cultures négatives. Sur la base de la littérature, nous estimons que le mirage de tuberculose survient chez environ un tiers des personnes infectées par le MTB qui ne présentent aucun symptôme. Malgré la nature intrinsèquement limitée de ces résultats, ils suggèrent que l'importance du mirage de tuberculose pourrait être plus grande que ce que l'on perçoit actuellement. La prise en charge des mirages de tuberculose présente des défis considérables du point de vue de la santé publique. Il faut trouver un équilibre entre l'instauration rapide du traitement pour prévenir la transmission et le risque d'un traitement inutile. En conclusion, le mirage de tuberculose reste une entité clinique mal comprise et la littérature disponible est très limitée. L'avancement de la recherche et les collaborations interdisciplinaires sont essentiels pour démêler les subtilités de ce phénomène et élaborer des stratégies efficaces pour relever ses défis en matière de santé publique.

Improving the effectiveness of cervical cancer screening: Managing positive high-risk human papillomavirus results.

Introduction: Good compliance of the management of abnormal results is important for effective cervical screening. This study investigated the rate of surveillance and follow-up outcomes for human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive women in cervical screening. Method: Women on surveillance by repeat HPV testing were identified in a prospectively managed database. Data retrieved included women's age, country residence status, history of colposcopy, HPV-DNA status on the first and repeat tests, dates of follow-up during the 5 years since the initial screening, and histological diagnosis of cervical lesions. The main outcome measures were compliance rate for repeat HPV testing, regression and persistence rates of HPV subtypes, and detection rate of high-grade lesions (CIN2+). Results: This analysis included 680 residents in the community, mean age 44.8 (95% confidence interval 20.1-69.5) years. The compliance rate of repeat testing was 28.2% at 12 months and, cumulatively, 42.8% for the entire 5-year follow-up period. The rates were unaffected by age (P=0.5829) nor prior colposcopy (P=0.1607). There were 5 (1.7%) cases of CIN2+ detected. Of 391 women on longitudi-nal follow-up, 194 (60.8%) cleared their HPV infection. Some women with multiple HPV infection cleared 1 but not the other subtype(s). Thus, the regression rate was 90.3% for HPV-16, 87.0% for HPV-18 and 65.2% for HPV-12-others (P=0.001). The annualised HPV regression rates were similar for HPV subtypes and for each follow-up year. Conclusion: Surveillance of HPV positivity is clinically important for detecting high-grade lesions. Despite a high regression rate of HPV, surveillance hesitancy is a serious weakness in routine cervical screening.

To Revise or Not Revise? Isolated Margin Positivity in Localized Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The study determined the proportion of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) who had margin-positive disease and no other adverse pathologic findings (APF) using institutional and administrative datasets. METHODS: Patients with clinical stage I or II PDAC in the National Cancer Database (NCDB 2010-2020) and those who underwent pancreatectomy at the authors' institution (2010-2021) were identified. Isolated margin positivity (IMP) was defined as a positive surgical margin with no APF (negative nodes, no lymphovascular/perineural invasion). RESULTS: The study included 225 patients from the authors' institution and 23,598 patients from the NCDB. The margin-positive rates were 21.8% and 20.3%, and the IMP rates were 0.4% and 0.5%, respectively. In the institutional cohort, 68.4% of the patients had recurrence, and most of the patients (65.6%) had distant recurrences. The median recurrence-free survival (RFS) was 63.3 months for no APF, not reached for IMP, 14.8 months for negative margins & 1 APF, 20.3 months for positive margins & 2 APFs, and 12.9 months with all APF positive. The patients in the NCDB with IMP had a lower median OS than the patients with no APF (20.5 vs 390 months), but a higher median OS than those with margin positivity plus 1 APF (20.5 vs 18.0 months) or all those with APF positivity (20.5 vs 15.4 months). Based on institutional rates of IMP, any margin positivity, neck margin positivity (NMP), and no APF, the fraction of patients who might benefit from neck margin revision was 1 in 100,000, and those likely to benefit from any margin revision was 1 in 18,500. In the NCDB, those estimated to derive potential benefit from margin revision was 1 in 25,000. CONCLUSIONS: Isolated margin positivity in resected PDAC is rare, and most patients experience distant recurrence. Revision of IMP appears unlikely to confer benefit to most patients.

Risks and benefits of social media trends: The influence of "fitspiration", "body positivity", and text-based "body neutrality" on body dissatisfaction and affect in women with and without eating disorders.

This online experimental study investigates the effects of the social media trends "fitspiration" (images of thin-muscular women promoting health and fitness), "body positivity" (images of larger female bodies motivating women to love their bodies), and "body neutrality" (illustrations encouraging women to appreciate the body's functions) on body dissatisfaction and affect in women with and without eating disorders (ED). Women with (n = 172) and women without ED (n = 210) were randomly assigned to the conditions "fitspiration", "body positivity", and text-based "body neutrality", each comprising the presentation of 30 Instagram posts. Before and after viewing the posts, participants answered state questionnaires on body dissatisfaction and affect. The results revealed that body dissatisfaction increased after viewing "fitspiration" images and decreased after viewing "body positivity" and text-based "body neutrality" posts. Positive affect decreased following exposure to "fitspiration" and text-based "body neutrality" but remained unchanged following "body positivity". Negative affect decreased following "body positivity" and text-based "body neutrality" content but did not change following exposure to "fitspiration". There was no differential effect on women with versus without ED. This study demonstrates harmful effects of "fitspiration" on body image and affect, indicating the need for prevention programs for both women with and without ED.

Exploring okra-derived compounds as prospective aromatase inhibitors: a computational study for enhanced breast cancer therapy.

Estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer represents itself as the most prevalent malignancy among postmenopausal women. One of the promising therapeutic approaches involves the use of Aromatase inhibitors, which competitively bind to Aromatase, reducing estrone and estradiol levels. While current drugs have improved survival rates, they are not without adverse effects. Consequently, this study explores the computational screening of medicinally relevant compounds derived from okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) for potential Aromatase inhibition. Molecular docking employing AMDock v1.5.2 was utilized to assess binding affinities with Aromatase (PDB:3EQM). Subsequently, in-depth molecular interactions were examined using Discovery Studio Visualizer v4.5, and the stability of docked complexes was evaluated via molecular dynamics with the GROMACS package, focusing on RMSD, RMSF, H-bond count, SASA, Free energy landscape, Principal Component Analysis and binding affinity assessment. The pharmacokinetic properties of the okra compounds were predicted using admetSAR v2.0. Our findings highlight Quercetin 3-gentiobioside as a standout candidate, demonstrating superior binding affinity (-10 kcal/mol) and an estimated Ki of 46.77 nM compared to letrozole and other okra compounds. Molecular dynamic analysis confirms the stability of Quercetin 3-gentiobioside binding in terms of H-bonds and conformational integrity. In conclusion, our computational investigation identifies Quercetin 3-gentiobioside, along with Quercetin 3-O-rutinoside and Hyperin, as promising candidates for preclinical studies in the pursuit of potential Aromatase inhibitors.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

A longitudinal study of the relationships among competency-based teasing, positivity, and depressive symptoms in Chinese children: Highlighting gender differences.

Competency-based teasing has been identified as a risk factor for children's depressive symptoms. However, the specific psychological mechanisms mediating this relationship are not well understood, especially in the context of Chinese culture. This study examined the relationship between competency-based teasing, subsequent depressive symptoms, and the possible mediating role of positivity in Chinese children by using parallel process latent growth curve modelling. Gender differences were also explored. A sample of 4376 Chinese children (55.1% boys; age: M = 9.98 years, SD = 0.88) completed measurements of the relevant constructs on five occasions across 2 years, using half-year intervals. The findings revealed that competency-based teasing was significantly positively associated with subsequent depressive symptoms in Chinese children. Furthermore, positivity mediated this relationship in girls, but not in boys. The results suggest that positivity-cultivating and gender-specific interventions may be effective to reduce the risk of depressive symptoms in Chinese children.

Standardized Digital Image Analysis of PD-L1 Expression in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Reveals Intra- and Inter-Sample Heterogeneity with Therapeutic Implications.

For practical reasons, in many studies PD-L1 expression is measured by combined positive score (CPS) from a single tumor sample. This does not reflect the heterogeneity of PD-L1 expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We investigated the extent and relevance of PD-L1 expression heterogeneity in HNSCC analyzing primary tumors and recurrences (LRs), as well as metastases. Tumor tissue from 200 HNSCC patients was immunohistochemically stained for PD-L1 and analyzed using image-analysis software QuPath v3.4 with multiple specimens per patient. CPS was ≥20 in 25.6% of primary tumors. Intra-tumoral heterogeneity led to a therapeutically relevant underestimation of PD-L1 expression in 28.7% of patients, when only one specimen per patient was analyzed. Inter-tumoral differences in PD-L1 expression between primary tumors and lymph node metastasis (LNM) or LR occurred in 44.4% and 61.5% (CPS) and in 40.6% and 50% of cases (TPS). Overall survival was increased in patients with CPS ≥ 1 vs. CPS < 1 in primary tumors and LNM (hazard ratio: 0.46 and 0.35; p < 0.005); CPS in LR was not prognostic. Our analysis shows clinically relevant intra- and inter-sample heterogeneity of PD-L1 expression in HNSCC. To account for heterogeneity and improve patient selection for immunotherapy, multiple sample analyses should be performed, particularly in patients with CPS/TPS < 1.

Is auditory awareness graded or dichotomous: Electrophysiological correlates of consciousness at different depths of stimulus processing.

The level-of-processing (LoP) hypothesis postulates that transition from unaware to aware visual stimuli is either graded or dichotomous depending on the depth of stimulus processing. Humans can be progressively aware of the low-level features, such as colors or shapes, while the high-level features, such as semantic category, enter consciousness in an all-or none fashion. Unlike in vision, sounds always unfold in time, which might require mechanisms dissimilar from visual processing. We tested the LoP hypothesis in hearing for the first time by presenting participants with words of different categories, spoken in different pitches near the perceptual threshold. We also assessed whether different electrophysiological correlates of consciousness, the auditory awareness negativity (AAN) and late positivity (LP), were associated with LoP. Our findings indicate that LoP also applies to the auditory modality. AAN is an early correlate of awareness independent of LoP, while LP was modulated by awareness, performance accuracy and the level of processing.

Causal inference in the absence of positivity: The role of overlap weights.

How to analyze data when there is violation of the positivity assumption? Several possible solutions exist in the literature. In this paper, we consider propensity score (PS) methods that are commonly used in observational studies to assess causal treatment effects in the context where the positivity assumption is violated. We focus on and examine four specific alternative solutions to the inverse probability weighting (IPW) trimming and truncation: matching weight (MW), Shannon's entropy weight (EW), overlap weight (OW), and beta weight (BW) estimators. We first specify their target population, the population of patients for whom clinical equipoise, that is, where we have sufficient PS overlap. Then, we establish the nexus among the different corresponding weights (and estimators); this allows us to highlight the shared properties and theoretical implications of these estimators. Finally, we introduce their augmented estimators that take advantage of estimating both the propensity score and outcome regression models to enhance the treatment effect estimators in terms of bias and efficiency. We also elucidate the role of the OW estimator as the flagship of all these methods that target the overlap population. Our analytic results demonstrate that OW, MW, and EW are preferable to IPW and some cases of BW when there is a moderate or extreme (stochastic or structural) violation of the positivity assumption. We then evaluate, compare, and confirm the finite-sample performance of the aforementioned estimators via Monte Carlo simulations. Finally, we illustrate these methods using two real-world data examples marked by violations of the positivity assumption.

Clinical Outcome of Patients with Escherichia coli Isolated from Catheter Lumens and/or Peripheral Blood Cultures: A Retrospective Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Escherichia coli commonly causes catheter-related bloodstream infection (C-RBSI) in specific populations. The differential time to positivity (DTTP) technique is the recommended conservative procedure for diagnosing C-RBSIs. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of episodes in which E. coli was isolated from catheter lumens obtained using the DTTP technique. Microbiological and clinical data were obtained based on the DTTP technique as either catheter colonization, C-RBSI, or non-C-RBSI. RESULTS: A total of 89 catheter blood cultures were included, classified as follows: catheter colonization, 33.7%; C-RBSI, 9.0%; and non-C-RBSI, 57.3%. Only 15.7% of the catheters were withdrawn, with no positive catheter-tip cultures. We found no statistically significant differences in catheter type, antibiotic treatment, or clinical outcome among the groups, except for the frequency of catheter lock therapy or in the frequency of successful treatment. Mortality was associated with C-RBSI in only one patient. CONCLUSION: E. coli bacteremia diagnosed by the DTTP technique was classified as non-catheter-related in most patients. As the majority of the catheters were retained, E. coli bacteremia could not be microbiologically confirmed as catheter-related by the catheter-tip culture. Future studies are needed to assess the profitability of the DTTP technique for diagnosing E. coli C-RBSIs.

Revisiting positive body image to demonstrate how body neutrality is not new.

In this position paper, we review nonacademic and academic discourse on body neutrality, a recent concept that has spread from social media platforms into scientific publications. This discourse has (inaccurately) promulgated that body neutrality is distinct from and more realistic than positive body image and body positivity. We identify and challenge 10 myths found within this discourse: (1) positive body image and body positivity are the same and therefore interchangeable, (2) positive body image isn't realistic or attainable, (3) we should forget about body positivity and positive body image, (4) body neutrality is a new way of thinking about body image, (5) body neutrality is unique from positive body image and positivity, (6) body neutrality is a more realistic and inclusive alternative to positive body image and body positivity, (7) body neutrality is different from positive body image but we can still use the research on positive body image to support body neutrality, (8) body neutrality is a midpoint between negative body image and positive body image, (9) striving for body neutrality is sufficient, and (10) appearance can be disregarded. We offer recommendations applicable to researchers, clinicians, media, and the general public interested in body neutrality.

STI/HIV testing, STIs, and HIV PrEP use among men who have sex with men (MSM) and men who have sex with men and women (MSMW) in United States, 2019-2022.

BACKGROUND: Routine sexually transmitted infection and human immunodeficiency virus (STI/HIV) testing and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use are recommended for men who have sex with men (MSM) at increased risk of HIV. METHODS: Using Healthverity, a large administrative dataset in the United States, we assessed STI/HIV testing, chlamydia and gonorrhea positivity by specimen type, and HIV PrEP use among MSM and men who have sex with men and women (MSMW) at their first visits (index date) for those at increased risk of HIV and STIs from 2019 through 2022. RESULTS: Among 81,716 MSM and MSMW aged 15-64 years at their index date visit, STI testing rates were 57.9% for chlamydia, 58.1% for gonorrhea, and 52.2% for syphilis testing, respectively; 55.5%, 30.9%, and 18.1% had HIV testing, HIV PrEP use, and PrEP initiation, respectively, among the patients who did not have HIV. Of patients with chlamydia and gonorrhea testing, 48% were tested from the genital site only and 25% from three anatomic sites (rectal, pharyngeal, and urogenital). Chlamydia and gonorrhea positivity was 9.8% for chlamydia rectal infection, 7.3% for gonorrhea rectal infection, and 5.3% for gonorrhea pharyngeal infection. CONCLUSION: Our results present current medical services provided during initial clinic visits for MSM and MSMW in private outpatient settings. Our study suggests that the assessment of STI/HIV testing is periodically needed due to the high prevalence of infection, and efforts to promote HIV PrEP for MSM and MSMW in private settings are urgently needed.

Beauty ideals and body positivity: a qualitative investigation of young women's perspectives on social media content in China.

Much of the existing knowledge regarding the impact of beauty ideals and body positive social media content on women's body image is based on the Western cultural context. This limits our understanding of the issue in other cultures, such as China, among others. Therefore, to address this gap, this study examined young Chinese women's perspectives on beauty ideals and body positivity in social media through a qualitative investigation. Female university students in China (N = 24) participated in individual interviews. A thematic analysis revealed four primary themes: (1) characteristics of mainstream beauty ideals in Chinese social media; (2) impact of beauty ideals on young women; (3) perspectives on the content and roles of body positivity; (4) influences of body positive social media content on young women. These findings indicate that young Chinese women are aware of the beauty ideals in social media and their negative impact on their body image. Furthermore, young Chinese women generally expressed a favorable outlook on body positivity but noted its limitations.

Electrophysiological Correlates of Amplified Emotion-Related Cognitive Processing Evoked by Self-Administered Disgust Images.

In the processing of emotions, the brain prepares and reacts in distinctive manners depending upon the negative or positive nuance of the emotion elicitors. Previous investigations showed that negative elicitors generally evoke more intense neural activities than positive and neutral ones, as reflected in the augmented amplitude of all sub-components of the event-related potentials (ERP) late posterior positivity (LPP) complex, while less is known about the emotion of disgust. The present study aimed to examine whether the LPP complex during the processing of disgust stimuli showed greater amplitude than other emotion elicitors with negative or positive valences, thus confirming it as a neural marker of disgust-related negativity bias at earlier or later stages. Thus, in the present study, we leveraged the ERP technique during the execution of an affective self-administered visual stimuli task to disentangle the neural contributions associated with images of positive, negative, disgust, or neutral emotions. Crucially, we showed that handling with disgust elicitors prompted the greatest neural activity and the highest delay during self-administration. Overall, we demonstrated progressive neural activities associated with the unpleasantness of the emotion elicitors and peculiar processing for disgust compared with all other emotions.

Causal Analysis of Air Pollution Mixtures: Estimands, Positivity, and Extrapolation.

Causal inference for air pollution mixtures is an increasingly important issue with appreciable challenges. When the exposure is a multivariate mixture, there are many exposure contrasts that may be of nominal interest for causal effect estimation, but the complex joint mixture distribution often renders observed data extremely limited in their ability to inform estimates of many commonly-defined causal effects. We use potential outcomes to 1) define causal effects of air pollution mixtures, 2) formalize the key assumption of mixture positivity required for estimation and 3) offer diagnostic metrics for positivity violations in the mixture setting that allow researchers to assess the extent to which data can actually support estimation of mixture effects of interest. For settings where there is limited empirical support, we redefine causal estimands that apportion causal effects according to whether they can be directly informed by observed data versus rely entirely on model extrapolation, isolating key sources of information on the causal effect of an air pollution mixture. The ideas are deployed to assess the ability of a national United States data set on the chemical components of ambient particulate matter air pollution to support estimation of a variety of causal mixture effects.

The body positive or the body neutral? A content analysis of body positivity and body neutrality hashtagged videos on TikTok.

The goal of the present study was to examine how body positivity and body neutrality are presented on TikTok. Based on a grounded-theory analysis, body-positivity themes included Broadly Conceptualizing Beauty (i.e., diversity in appearance types is beautiful), Body Acceptance and Love (i.e., love for and comfort in one's body), and Critiquing Standards (i.e., rejecting strict appearance standards). Body-neutrality themes included Size Inclusivity (i.e., people's activities/preferences should be based on body size), Adaptive Self-Investment (i.e., self care focused on health), Body Appreciation (i.e., respect for what one's body can do), and No Judgment (i.e., a person's worth should not be based on appearance). Further, based on a content analysis of 394 TikTok vidoes that were hashtagged with body positivity and/or body neutrality terms, at least one body-positivity theme occurred in 35.3% (n = 141) of videos, and at least one body neutrality theme occurred in 45.0% (n = 180) of videos. Body Acceptance and Love was the most common body-positivity theme, and Size Inclusivity was the most common body-neutrality theme. Understanding how TikTok videos present body positivity and neutrality is essential to further theorizing about how they might affect social media users.