Acupuncture : a promising approach for Comorbid depression and insomnia in perimenopause
- Authors: Zhao, Fei , Fu, Qiang-Aiang , Spencer, Sarah , Kennedy, Gerard , Conduit, Russell , Zhang, Wen-Jing , Zheng, Zhen
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Nature and Science of Sleep Vol. 13, no. (2021), p. 1823-1863
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- Description: Comorbid depression and insomnia are ubiquitous mental complaints among women going through the perimenopausal stage of life and can result in major decline in quality of life. Antidepressive agents combined with/without hypnotics, and/or hormone therapy are currently the most common treatment for perimenopausal depression (PMD) and insomnia (PMI). Balancing the benefits of these pharmacotherapies against the risk of adverse events (AEs) is a difficult task for both clinicians and women. There has been a growing body of research regarding the utilization of acupuncture for treatment of PMD or PMI, whereas no studies of acupuncture for comorbid PMD and PMI have appeared. In this review, we summarize the clinical and preclinical evidence of acupuncture as a treatment for PMD or PMI, and then discuss the potential mechanisms involved and the role of acupuncture in helping women during this transition. Most clinical trials indicate that acupuncture ameliorates not only PMD/PMI but also climacteric symptoms with minimal AEs. It also regulates serum hormone levels. The reliability of trials is however limited due to methodological flaws in most studies. Rodent studies suggest that acupuncture prolongs total sleep time and reduces depression-like behavior in PMI and PMD models, respectively. These effects are possibly mediated through multiple mechanisms of action, including modulating sex hormones, neurotransmitters, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis/hypothalamic-pituitary-ovary axis, oxidative stress, signaling pathways, and other cellular events. In conclusion, acupuncture is a promising therapeutic strategy for comorbid depression and insomnia during perimenopause. Neuroendocrine modulation is likely to play a major role in mediating those effects. High-quality trials are required to further validate acupuncture’s effectiveness. © 2021 Zhao et al.
Acupuncture as an independent or adjuvant management to standard care for perimenopausal depression : a systematic review and meta-analysis
- Authors: Zhao, Fei , Fu, Qiang-Qiang , Kennedy, Gerard , Conduit, Russell , Zhang, Wen-Jing , Zheng, Zhen
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Frontiers in Psychiatry Vol. 12, no. (2021), p.
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- Description: Background: Many women with perimenopausal depression (PMD) have sought alternative therapies such as acupuncture because of concerns about risks associated with antidepressant and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). This systematic review aimed to clarify if acupuncture is effective for PMD compared with waitlist control or placebo/sham acupuncture, and if acupuncture alone or combined with standard care (antidepressant and/or HRT) is more effective in ameliorating PMD in comparison with standard care alone. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of PMD treatment via acupuncture vs. waitlist control or placebo/sham acupuncture, and RCTs of PMD treatment via acupuncture alone or combined with Western pharmacotherapy vs. Western pharmacotherapy were searched for from seven databases from inception to December 2020. Cochrane criteria were followed. Results: Twenty-five studies involving 2,213 women were analyzed. Meta-analyses indicated that acupuncture significantly reduced the global scores of Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) [standardized mean difference (SMD) = −0.54, 95% CI (−0.91, −0.16), p < 0.01], compared with standard care. The therapeutic effect of acupuncture maintained at 2-, 4-, and 12-week follow-ups. Acupuncture combined with standard care was more effective than standard care alone in decreasing HAMD scores [SMD = −0.82, 95% CI (−1.07, −0.58), p < 0.01]. Too few RCTs were available to assess the clinical efficacy differences between acupuncture and placebo/sham acupuncture or HRT alone. Acupuncture also showed better effects in decreasing Kupperman index (KI) scores, whether compared with antidepressant alone [MD = −4.55, 95% CI (−8.46, −0.65), p = 0.02] or antidepressant combined with HRT [MD = −0.89, 95% CI (−1.34, −0.43), p < 0.01]. Conclusions: In comparison with standard care, acupuncture alone or combined with standard care was associated with significant improvements in PMD and reductions of other menopausal symptoms. This finding suggests that acupuncture may be a useful addition to treatment for PMD. © Copyright © 2021 Zhao, Fu, Kennedy, Conduit, Zhang and Zheng.
Antidepressant side effects and their impact on treatment outcome in people with major depressive disorder : an iSPOT-D report
- Authors: Braund, Taylor , Tillman, Gabriel , Palmer, Donna , Gordon, Evian , Rush, A. , Harris, Anthony
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Translational Psychiatry Vol. 11, no. 1 (2021), p.
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- Description: Side effects to antidepressant medications are common and can impact the prognosis of successful treatment outcome in people with major depressive disorder (MDD). However, few studies have investigated the severity of side effects over the course of treatment and their association with treatment outcome. Here we assessed the severity of side effects and the impact of treatment type and anxiety symptoms over the course of treatment, as well as whether side effects were associated with treatment outcome. Participants were N = 1008 adults with a current diagnosis of single-episode or recurrent, nonpsychotic MDD. Participants were randomised to receive escitalopram, sertraline, or venlafaxine-extended release with equal probability and reassessed at 8 weeks regarding Hamilton Rating Scale Depression (HRSD17) and Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS-SR16) remission and response. Severity of side effects were assessed using the Frequency, Intensity, and Burden of Side Effects Rating (FIBSER) scale and assessed at day 4 and weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8. Frequency, intensity, and burden of side effects were greatest at week 2, then only frequency and intensity of side effects gradually decreased up to week 6. Treatment type and anxiety symptoms did not impact the severity of side effects. A greater burden—but not frequency or intensity—of side effects was associated with poorer treatment outcome and as early as 4 days post-treatment. Together, this work provides an informative mapping of the progression of side effects throughout the treatment course and their association with treatment outcome. Importantly, the burden of side effects that are present as early as 4 days post-treatment predicts poorer treatment outcome and should be monitored closely. iSPOT-D: Registry name: ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration number: NCT00693849. © 2021, The Author(s).
Beyond crisis : enacted sense-making among ethnic minority carers of people with dementia in Australia
- Authors: Brijnath, Bianca , Gilbert, Andrew , Kent, Mike , Ellis, Katie , Browning, Colette
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Dementia Vol. 20, no. 6 (2021), p. 1910-1924
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- Description: The ‘family crisis’ narrative is frequently used in dementia studies to explain ethnic minority families’ pathways to health and aged care and why there is delayed dementia diagnoses in ethnic minority communities. Such narratives may obscure the family carers’ agency in negotiating services and managing personal, social and structural burdens in the lead up to diagnosis. To illuminate agency, this article describes ethnic minority families’ pathways to a dementia diagnosis using the concept of sense-making. Three case studies were drawn from 56 video interviews with family carers of older adults with dementia from Chinese, Arab and Indian backgrounds. Interviews were conducted across Australia from February to August 2018, then translated, transcribed and thematically analysed. Findings suggest families did not enter into formal care because of a crisis, instead navigating fragmented systems and conflicting advice to obtain a dementia diagnosis and access to relevant care. This experience was driven by sense-making (a search for plausible explanations) that involved family carers interpreting discrepant cues in changes to the behaviour of the person with dementia over time, managing conflicting (medical) advice about these discrepancies and reinterpreting their relationships with hindsight. The sense-making concept offers a more constructive hermeneutic than the ‘family crisis’ narrative as it illuminates the agency of carers’ in understanding changed behaviours, negotiating services and managing personal, social and structural barriers pre-diagnosis. The concept also demonstrates the need for a multimodal approach to promoting timely diagnosis of dementia in ethnic minority communities through dementia awareness and literacy campaigns as well as initiatives that address structural inequities. © The Author(s) 2020. **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 5 including Federation University Australia affiliate “Colette Browning” is provided in this record**
Combined inhibition of TGF-beta 1-induced EMT and PD-L1 silencing re-sensitizes hepatocellular carcinoma to sorafenib treatment
- Authors: Shrestha, Ritu , Prithviraj, Prashanth , Bridle, Kim , Crawford, Darrell , Jayachandran, Aparna
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Clinical Medicine Vol. 10, no. 9, p. 1889
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Commercial lentils (lens culinaris) provide antioxidative and broad-spectrum anti-cancerous effects
- Authors: Kiran, Sudha , Johnson, Joel , Mani, Janice , Portman, Andrew , Mizzi, Trent , Naiker, Mani
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Legume Research Vol. 44, no. 2 (Feb 2021), p. 202-206
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- Description: Background: Interest is growing surrounding functional foods, which provide health benefits in addition to nutritional value. In particular, there is a focus on pulse crops which contain high levels of polyphenolics, such as lentils. Methods: In this study, polyphenols were extracted from five L. culinaris varieties and characterized by both their antioxidant profile and cytotoxic activity. Result: Hulled varieties had a high content of secondary metabolites (>70 mg GAE/g), while all varieties demonstrated high antioxidant potential (1570-2020 Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity index). Furthermore, all extracts showed significant cytotoxicity against H9C2, HepG2, A549 and Calu-1 cancer cell lines. This recommends further investigation into the specific compounds present in L. culinaris, which could potentially be exploited for their anti-cancer activity.
Condom use consistency and associated factors among college student men who have sex with men from seven colleges in Changsha city : a cross-sectional survey
- Authors: Wang, Honghong , Yu, Simin , Cross, Wendy , Lam, Louisa , Banik, Biswajit , Zhang, Kaili
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: HIV/AIDS - Research and Palliative Care Vol. 13, no. (2021), p. 557-569
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- Description: Background: College student men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk for HIV infection due to multiple social and behavioral factors. Consistent condom use is nationally advocated for HIV prevention. This study explored the sexual behaviors and factors associated with condom use consistency in the past six months among college student MSM from seven colleges in Hunan Province, China. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from September 2017 to March 2018. Condom use consistency, sexual behaviors, HIV testing performance, substance use, and alcohol consumption were examined using researcher-created questionnaires. Condom use self-efficacy and HIV-related knowledge were assessed using the Condom Use Self-Efficacy Scale and the unified National AIDS Sentinel Surveillance Questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used. P <0.05 was considered significant. Results: In the 214 respondents, the rate of consistent condom use was 56% (n = 119) during the past six months. Participants who were studying at first-tier universities (odds ratio [OR]: 2.522, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.255–5.067) and had higher scores for condom use self-efficacy (OR: 2.617, 95% CI: 1.462–4.685) were more likely to report consistent condom use than the others. The risk factor was having suspicious symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases (OR: 0.357, 95% CI: 0.163–0.780). Conclusion: Numerous students were at high risk of HIV infection with inconsistent condom use. Comprehensive and specific topics about safe sex education from parents and peers should be offered on campuses in China. © 2021 Wang et al.
COVID-19 related psychological distress, fear and coping : identification of high-risk groups in Bangladesh
- Authors: Rahman, Muhammad Aziz , Rahman, Shaila , Wazib, Amit , Salehin, Masudus , Cross, Wendy
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Frontiers in Psychiatry Vol. 12, no. (2021), p. 718654
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- Description: Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed psychological distress and fear across the globe; however, factors associated with those issues or the ways people cope may vary by country or context. This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with psychological distress, fear, and coping strategies for people living in Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted in August-September 2020 using online platforms in Bangladesh. People residing in Bangladesh, aged ≥18 years, who were proficient in English and able to respond to online questionnaire. The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale was used to assess the psychological stress. Level of fear was assessed using the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, and strategies to cope were assessed using the Brief Resilient Coping Scale. Results: Of the 962 participants, half of them were aged between 30 and 59 years. Being born in Bangladesh, having graduate education, perceived distress due to employment change, effect of COVID-19 on financial situation, having multiple comorbidities, and visiting a healthcare provider in the last 4 weeks were associated with higher levels of both psychological distress and fear of COVID-19. Furthermore, higher psychological distress was associated with being a female (AOR 1.81, 95% CI 1.33–2.47, p < 0.001), being a frontline worker (AOR 1.50, 95% CI 1.04–2.15, p < 0.05), having pre-existing psychiatric problems (AOR 4.03, 95% CI 1.19–13.7, p < 0.05), being a smoker (AOR 2.02, 95% CI 1.32–3.09, p < 0.01), providing care to a known/suspected COVID-19 patient (AOR 1.96, 95% CI 1.40–2.72, p < 0.001), having a recent overseas travel history and being in self-quarantine (AOR 4.59, 95% CI 1.23–17.2, p < 0.05), self-isolation without COVID-19 (AOR 2.63, 95% CI 1.68–4.13, p < 0.001) or being COVID-19 positive (AOR 2.53, 95% CI 1.19–5.34, p < 0.05), and having high levels of fear of COVID-19 (AOR 3.27, 95% CI 2.29–4.66, p < 0.001). A higher level of fear was associated with moderate to high levels of psychological distress (AOR 3.29, 95% CI 2.31–4.69, p < 0.001). People with pre-existing mental health problems were less likely to be resilient (AOR 0.25, 95% CI 0.11–0.54, p < 0.01), whereas those with having an income were more likely to be resilient (AOR 1.46, 95% CI 1.02–2.11, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Effective interventions to support the vulnerable groups including improved access to mental health services are of utmost importance during the pandemic. © Copyright © 2021 Rahman, Rahman, Wazib, Arafat, Chowdhury, Uddin, Rahman, Bahar Moni, Alif, Sultana, Salehin, Islam, Cross and Bahar. **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 5 including Federation University Australia affiliate “Muhammad Aziz Rahman, Masudus Salehin, Wendy Cross" is provided in this record**
Definition, prevalence, and risk factors of low sex hormone-binding globulin in US adults
- Authors: Wang, Yutang
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism Vol. 106, no. 10 (2021), p. E3946-E3956
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- Description: Context: Lower sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) is associated with many diseases including cardiovascular disease, cancer, polycystic ovarian syndrome, arthritis, and liver disease. However, the definition of low SHBG and its prevalence in US adults are unknown. Objective: To define low SHBG and to determine its prevalence and risk factors in US adults. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study included adults ≥20 years from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2013 to 2016 who had fasting serum SHBG. Exposures: NHANES coverage during 2013-2016. Main Outcomes Measures: Definition, prevalence, and risk factors of low SHBG. Results: This study included 4093 adults (weighted sample size of 204 789 616) with a mean (SD) age of 47.5 (17.0) years. In a "healthy"reference sub-cohort of 1477 adults, low SHBG was defined as SHBG<12.3 nmol/L in men<50 years, <23.5 nmol/L in men≥50 years, <14.5 nmol/L in women<30 years, and <21.9 nmol/L in women≥30 years. The estimated US national prevalence of low SHBG was 3.3% in men, 2.7% in women, and 3.0% overall. Risk factors for this condition in both men and women included higher body mass index, diabetes, ethnicity (being other than Hispanic, non-Hispanic black, or non-Hispanic white), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary heart disease, and smoking. Conclusions: This study established the criteria for low SHBG among US adults. The estimated US national prevalence of low SHBG was 3.3% in men and 2.7% in women. © 2021 The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Endocrine Society.
Field succession studies and casework can help to identify forensically useful Diptera
- Authors: Dawson, Blake , Barton, Philip , Wallman, James
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Forensic Sciences Vol. 66, no. 6 (2021), p. 2319-2328
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- Description: Fly development rates, and to a lesser extent succession data, can be used to provide an estimate of a minimum postmortem interval (mPMI). Yet, these data are most useful when a full account of species’ ecology, seasonality, and distribution is known. We conducted succession experiments on human cadavers over different seasons near Sydney, Australia, to document forensically useful information, including the pre-appearance interval for carrion flies. We also compiled a detailed record of flies identified in casework collected in 156 cases distributed across New South Wales, Australia. We then compared the occurrence of fly species from both field and casework datasets to identify any consistencies or gaps to determine how useful species might be for forensic investigations. In the field experiments, we found differences in species diversity and abundance between seasons, as well as yearly variation between two winter seasons. Most fly species we recorded ovipositing showed a 2- or 3-day delay between adult arrival and oviposition in summer, with a longer delay in winter. Species that were previously encountered in casework, such as Calliphora augur (Fabricius, 1775) and Calliphora ochracea Schiner, 1868, were confirmed as forensically useful, with their colonization behavior and seasonal preferences documented here. Although not encountered in casework, we confirmed Hemipyrellia fergusoni Patton, 1925 as a primary colonizer of human cadavers. Our study emphasizes the need to link field and casework data for a complete understanding of all aspects of a carrion fly's ecology to assist forensic investigators in mPMI estimations. © 2021 American Academy of Forensic Sciences
Global, regional, and national burden of respiratory tract cancers and associated risk factors from 1990 to 2019 a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019
- Authors: Ebrahimi, Hedyeh , Aryan, Zahra , Moghaddam, Sahar , Bisignano, Catherine , Rahman, Muhammad Aziz
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Lancet Respiratory Medicine Vol. 9, no. 9 (SEP 2021), p. 1030-1049
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- Description: Background Prevention, control, and treatment of respiratory tract cancers are important steps towards achieving target 3.4 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)-a one-third reduction in premature mortality due to non-communicable diseases by 2030. We aimed to provide global, regional, and national estimates of the burden of tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer and larynx cancer and their attributable risks from 1990 to 2019. Methods Based on the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 methodology, we evaluated the incidence, mortality, years lived with disability, years of life lost, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) of respiratory tract cancers (ie, tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer and larynx cancer). Deaths from tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer and larynx cancer attributable to each risk factor were estimated on the basis of risk exposure, relative risks, and the theoretical minimum risk exposure level input from 204 countries and territories, stratified by sex and Socio-demographic Index (SDI). Trends were estimated from 1990 to 2019, with an emphasis on the 2010-19 period. Findings Globally, there were 2.26 million (95% uncertainty interval 2.07 to 2.45) new cases of tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer, and 2.04 million (1.88 to 2.19) deaths and 45.9 million (42.3 to 49.3) DALYs due to tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer in 2019. There were 209 000 (194 000 to 225 000) new cases of larynx cancer, and 123 000 (115 000 to 133 000) deaths and 3.26 million (3.03 to 3.51) DALYs due to larynx cancer globally in 2019. From 2010 to 2019, the number of new tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer cases increased by 23.3% (12.9 to 33.6) globally and the number of larynx cancer cases increased by 24.7% (16.0 to 34.1) globally. Global age-standardised incidence rates of tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer decreased by 7.4% (-16.8 to 1.6) and age-standardised incidence rates of larynx cancer decreased by 3.0% (-10.5 to 5.0) in males over the past decade; however, during the same period, age-standardised incidence rates in females increased by 0.9% (-8.2 to 10.2) for tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer and decreased by 0.5% (-8.4 to 8.1) for larynx cancer. Furthermore, although age-standardised incidence and death rates declined in both sexes combined from 2010 to 2019 at the global level for tracheal, bronchus, lung and larynx cancers, some locations had rising rates, particularly those on the lower end of the SDI range. Smoking contributed to an estimated 64.2% (61.9-66.4) of all deaths from tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer and 63.4% (56.3-69.3) of all deaths from larynx cancer in 2019. For males and for both sexes combined, smoking was the leading specific risk factor for age-standardised deaths from tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer per 100 000 in all SDI quintiles and GBD regions in 2019. However, among females, household air pollution from solid fuels was the leading specific risk factor in the low SDI quintile and in three GBD regions (central, eastern, and western sub-Saharan Africa) in 2019. Interpretation The numbers of incident cases and deaths from tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer and larynx cancer increased globally during the past decade. Even more concerning, age-standardised incidence and death rates due to tracheal, bronchus, lung cancer and larynx cancer increased in some populations-namely, in the lower SDI quintiles and among females. Preventive measures such as smoking control interventions, air quality management programmes focused on major air pollution sources, and widespread access to clean energy should be prioritised in these settings. Copyright (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Global, regional, and national burden of stroke and its risk factors, 1990-2019 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019
- Authors: Feigin, Valery , Stark, Benjamin , Johnson, Catherine , Roth, Gregory , Rahman, Muhammad Aziz
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: The Lancet Neurology Vol. 20, no. 10 (2021), p. 1-26
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- Description: Background Regularly updated data on stroke and its pathological types, including data on their incidence, prevalence, mortality, disability, risk factors, and epidemiological trends, are important for evidence-based stroke care planning and resource allocation. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) aims to provide a standardised and comprehensive measurement of these metrics at global, regional, and national levels. Methods We applied GBD 2019 analytical tools to calculate stroke incidence, prevalence, mortality, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), and the population attributable fraction (PAF) of DALYs (with corresponding 95% uncertainty intervals [UIs]) associated with 19 risk factors, for 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019. These estimates were provided for ischaemic stroke, intracerebral haemorrhage, subarachnoid haemorrhage, and all strokes combined, and stratified by sex, age group, and World Bank country income level. Findings In 2019, there were 12·2 million (95% UI 11·0–13·6) incident cases of stroke, 101 million (93·2–111) prevalent cases of stroke, 143 million (133–153) DALYs due to stroke, and 6·55 million (6·00–7·02) deaths from stroke. Globally, stroke remained the second-leading cause of death (11·6% [10·8–12·2] of total deaths) and the third-leading cause of death and disability combined (5·7% [5·1–6·2] of total DALYs) in 2019. From 1990 to 2019, the absolute number of incident strokes increased by 70·0% (67·0–73·0), prevalent strokes increased by 85·0% (83·0–88·0), deaths from stroke increased by 43·0% (31·0–55·0), and DALYs due to stroke increased by 32·0% (22·0–42·0). During the same period, age-standardised rates of stroke incidence decreased by 17·0% (15·0–18·0), mortality decreased by 36·0% (31·0–42·0), prevalence decreased by 6·0% (5·0–7·0), and DALYs decreased by 36·0% (31·0–42·0). However, among people younger than 70 years, prevalence rates increased by 22·0% (21·0–24·0) and incidence rates increased by 15·0% (12·0–18·0). In 2019, the age-standardised stroke-related mortality rate was 3·6 (3·5–3·8) times higher in the World Bank low-income group than in the World Bank high-income group, and the age-standardised stroke-related DALY rate was 3·7 (3·5–3·9) times higher in the low-income group than the high-income group. Ischaemic stroke constituted 62·4% of all incident strokes in 2019 (7·63 million [6·57–8·96]), while intracerebral haemorrhage constituted 27·9% (3·41 million [2·97–3·91]) and subarachnoid haemorrhage constituted 9·7% (1·18 million [1·01–1·39]). In 2019, the five leading risk factors for stroke were high systolic blood pressure (contributing to 79·6 million [67·7–90·8] DALYs or 55·5% [48·2–62·0] of total stroke DALYs), high body-mass index (34·9 million [22·3–48·6] DALYs or 24·3% [15·7–33·2]), high fasting plasma glucose (28·9 million [19·8–41·5] DALYs or 20·2% [13·8–29·1]), ambient particulate matter pollution (28·7 million [23·4–33·4] DALYs or 20·1% [16·6–23·0]), and smoking (25·3 million [22·6–28·2] DALYs or 17·6% [16·4–19·0]). Interpretation The annual number of strokes and deaths due to stroke increased substantially from 1990 to 2019, despite substantial reductions in age-standardised rates, particularly among people older than 70 years. The highest age-standardised stroke-related mortality and DALY rates were in the World Bank low-income group. The fastest-growing risk factor for stroke between 1990 and 2019 was high body-mass index. Without urgent implementation of effective primary prevention strategies, the stroke burden will probably continue to grow across the world, particularly in low-income countries. © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license. **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 5 including Federation University Australia affiliate “Muhammad Aziz Rahman” is provided in this record**
Greek validation of the factor structure and longitudinal measurement invariance of the strengths and difficulties questionnaire-self report (SDQ-SR) : exploratory structural equation modelling
- Authors: Gomez, Rapson , Motti-Stefanidi, Frosso , Jordan, Scott , Stavropoulos, Vasileios
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Child Psychiatry and Human Development Vol. 52, no. 5 (2021), p. 880-890
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- Description: The study examined the factor structure and longitudinal measurement invariance over three time points (1-year apart) of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire-Self Report (SDQ-SR) for ratings provided by adolescents in Greece. It used exploratory structural equation modelling (ESEM) to achieve these two goals. At time point one, a total of 968 adolescents (males = 508, and females = 460) between 12 and 17.9 years completed the SDQ-SR. In relation to factor structure, ESEM tested the fit of one- to five-factor models. The findings were interpreted as indicating most support for the ESEM model with three factors (the factors being dysregulation, peer problems, and prosocial behaviour). This model showed support for configural invariance and full metric invariance across the three time points. Except for two thresholds, all other thresholds were also invariant across the three time points. Thus, there was good support for longitudinal measurement invariance. The implications of the findings for use of the SDQ-SR are discussed. © 2020, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.
Hyperuricemia is independently associated with hypertension in men under 60 years in a general Chinese population
- Authors: Qian, Tingting , Sun, Hui , Xu, Qun , Charchar, Fadi , Wang, Yutang
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Human Hypertension Vol. 35, no. 11 (2021), p. 1020-1028
- Relation: https://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1062671
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- Description: Hyperuricemia has been associated with hypertension, however, whether this association exists across all decades of adult life is unknown. This study aimed to assess the association between hyperuricemia and hypertension in relation to age. This retrospective cross-sectional study included a total of 22,556 adult Chinese people who attended Health Physical Examination in a Chinese hospital. Participants were aged between 18 and 95 years (mean [standard deviation], 45.4 [14.0]). Serum uric acid levels and blood pressure were measured. Associations between serum uric acid and blood pressure, and between hyperuricemia and hypertension diagnosis were analyzed using linear or logistic regression, adjusting for confounding risk factors including age, sex, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose. Sub-analysis was stratified by age and sex. Before adjustment, high serum uric acid was associated with higher systolic blood pressure (β = 0.214, P < 0.001) and higher diastolic blood pressure (β = 0.271, P < 0.001). Hyperuricemia was associated with hypertension diagnosis (OR, 1.763; 95% CI, 1.635–1.901; P < 0.001) in an unadjusted analysis. These findings remained significant after adjusting for confounding factors. Sub-analysis suggested that the association between uric acid and blood pressure was weaker in older age groups and the association between hyperuricemia and hypertension was limited to people under 60 years. Hyperuricemia was independently associated with hypertension diagnosis in men but not in women, and the independent association between hyperuricemia and hypertension only presented in men under 60 years. This study suggests that hyperuricemia is independently associated with hypertension in Chinese men under 60 years. © 2020, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited part of Springer Nature. **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 5 including Federation University Australia affiliate “Fadi Charchar and Yutang Wang” is provided in this record**
In search of the optimum structural model for internet gaming disorder
- Authors: Stavropoulos, Vasileios , Gomez, Rapson , Griffiths, Mark
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: BMC Psychiatry Vol. 21, no. 1 (2021), p.
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- Description: Background: Internet gaming Disorder (IGD) constitutes a recently proposed clinical disorder (American Psychiatric Association, Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 2013). The present study examined if IGD is best conceptualized as categorical (present/absent), or dimensional (severity ranging from low to high), or both (i.e., hybrid of categorical/dimensional). Methods: Ratings of the nine DSM-5 IGD symptoms, as presented in the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale 9-Short Form (Pontes & Griffiths, Comput Hum Behav 45:137-143, 2015), from 738 gamers, aged 17 to 72 years, were collected. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), latent class analysis (LCA), and factor mixture modelling analysis (FMMA) procedures were applied to determine the optimum IGD model. Results: Although the findings showed most support for a FFMA model with two classes and one factor, there was also good statistical and substantive support for the one-factor CFA model, and the LCA model with three classes. Conclusion: It was concluded that while the optimum structure of IGD is most likely to be a hybrid model (i.e., concurrently categorical and dimensional), a uni-dimensional model and/or a three-class categorical model are also plausible. © 2021, The Author(s).
Influence of core competence on voice behavior of clinical nurses : a multicenter cross-sectional study
- Authors: Guo, Yufang , Wang, Xinxin , Plummer, Virginia , Cross, Wendy , Lam, Louisa , Wang, Shuangshuang
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Psychology Research and Behavior Management Vol. 14, no. (2021), p. 501-510
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- Description: Background: Voice behavior, referred to as a positive guarantee for organizational development, is influenced by several kinds of individual, collective and organizational features. However, the impact of individual competence on voice behavior is unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the status quo of core competence and voice behavior of clinical nurses and explore the impact of core competence on nurses’ voice behavior. Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional survey. A total of 1717 nurses were recruited from nine tertiary and secondary hospitals between March and June 2019. An online questionnaire, including socio-demographic variables, employee voice behavior scale and competence inventory for registered nurses, was used to investigate prohibitive and promotive voice behavior and core competence of clinical nurses. Pearson correlation and hierarchical multiple regression were performed in the data analysis. Results: The mean score for prohibitive and promotive voice behavior of nurses were 3.46 (SD 0.77) and 3.46 (SD 0.88), respectively. The mean score for core competence was 2.46 (SD 0.77). Critical thinking/research aptitude was the most important predictor for both prohibitive and promotive voice behavior (each p < 0.05), but its influence on promotive voice behavior was greater (p < 0.05). Leadership was another significant predictor for prohibitive voice behavior (p < 0.05). Legal/ethical practice, teaching-coaching, professional development and shift work were other predictors for promotive voice behavior (each p < 0.05). Conclusion: Clinical nurses experience modest levels of prohibitive and promotive voice behavior and their core competence is moderate. Core competence, especially critical thinking/research aptitude, impacts significantly on voice behavior of clinical nurses. Cultivating nurses’ core competence could positively increase their voice behavior for organizational development. © 2021 Guo et al.
Midline versus anterolateral incisions for total knee arthroplasty—a systematic review and analysis of the angiosomes of the knee
- Authors: Slattery, David , Langston, Joseph , Shumack, Matthew , Young, David , Taylor, Ian
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: ANZ Journal of Surgery Vol. 91, no. 10 (2021), p. 2167-2173
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- Description: Introduction: The most common incision for total knee arthroplasty is the anterior midline incision; however, it is commonly associated with lateral knee numbness, kneeling difficulties and restricted flexion range. We sought to review the literature regarding the neurovascular supply and angiosomes over the anterior knee, and evaluate the anterolateral incision as a viable alternative for knee arthroplasty. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed searching PUBMED, MEDLINE and EMBASE to evaluate the incisions available for total knee arthroplasty with respect to neurological function, kneeling ability and complications. Results: Ten studies were identified evaluating midline or anterolateral incisions for total knee arthroplasty, with a total of 664 knees for analysis. Mean patient age was 68 years (45–88), and average length of followup was 1 year. A total of 586 had an anterior midline incision and 78 had an anterolateral incision. A total of 62% of anterior midline incisions sustained altered sensation compared to 15% (12/78) of anterolateral incisions (p < 0.0001). Incision length was similar in both groups (19.8 cm midline vs. 20.8 cm anterolateral). Wound dehiscence was not significantly different between the two groups being 8.3% for midline incisions, and 2.5% for anterolateral incisions (p = 0.153). Kneeling ability was reported in two studies which reported an improved ability to kneel with an anterolateral incision. Conclusions: The lateral parapatellar incision respects the neurovascular anatomy of the knee and offers a significant reduction in sensory changes, better kneeling ability and similar rates of wound problems to a standard midline incision and should be considered as a viable alternative for knee arthroplasty. © 2021 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
Plasma proteomics of renal function: A transethnic meta-analysis and mendelian randomization study
- Authors: Matías-García, Pamela , Wilson, Rory , Guo, Qi , Zaghlool, Shaza , Charchar, Fadi
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology Vol. 32, no. 7 (2021), p. 1747-1763
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- Description: Background Studies on the relationship between renal function and the human plasma proteome have identified several potential biomarkers. However, investigations have been conducted largely in European populations, and causality of the associations between plasma proteins and kidney function has never been addressed. Methods A cross-sectional study of 993 plasma proteins among 2882 participants in four studies of European and admixed ancestries (KORA, INTERVAL, HUNT, QMDiab) identified transethnic associations between eGFR/CKD and proteomic biomarkers. For the replicated associations, two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) was used to investigate potential causal relationships. Publicly available datasets and transcriptomic data from independent studies were used to examine the association between gene expression in kidney tissue and eGFR. Results In total, 57 plasma proteins were associated with eGFR, including one novel protein. Of these, 23 were additionally associated with CKD. The strongest inferred causal effect was the positive effect of eGFR on testican-2, in line with the known biological role of this protein and the expression of its protein-coding gene (SPOCK2) in renal tissue. We also observed suggestive evidence of an effect of melanoma inhibitory activity (MIA), carbonic anhydrase III, and cystatin-M on eGFR. Conclusions In a discovery-replication setting, we identified 57 proteins transethnically associated with eGFR. The revealed causal relationships are an important stepping stone in establishing testican-2 as a clinically relevant physiological marker of kidney disease progression, and point to additional proteins warranting further investigation. © 2021 by the American Society of Nephrology
Prognostic role of immune checkpoint regulators in cholangiocarcinoma : a pilot study
- Authors: Cao, Lu , Prithviraj, Prashanth , Shrestha, Ritu , Sharma, Revati , Kannourakis, George
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Clinical Medicine Vol. 10, no. 10 (2021), p.
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- Description: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a hepatobiliary malignancy associated with steadily increasing incidence and poor prognosis. Ongoing clinical trials are assessing the effectiveness and safety of a few immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in CCA patients. However, these ICI treatments as monotherapies may be effective for a proportion of patients with CCA. The prevalence and distribution of other immune checkpoints (ICs) in CCA remain unclear. In this pilot study, we screened databases of CCA patients for the expression of 19 ICs and assessed the prognostic significance of these ICs in CCA patients. Notably, expression of immune modulator IDO1 and PD-L1 were linked with poor overall survival, while FASLG and NT5E were related to both worse overall survival and progression-free survival. We also identified immune modulators IDO1, FASLG, CD80, HAVCR2, NT5E, CTLA-4, LGALS9, VTCN1 and TNFRSF14 that synergized with PD-L1 and correlated with worse patient outcomes. In vitro studies revealed that the expression of ICs was closely linked with aggressive CCA subpopulations, such as cancer stem cells and cells undergoing TGF-β and TNF-α-mediated epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. These findings suggest that the aforementioned IC molecules may serve as potential prognostic biomarkers and drug targets in CCA patients, leading to lasting and durable treatment outcomes. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 5 including Federation University Australia affiliate “Prashanth Prithviraj, Revati Sharma, George Kannourakis” is provided in this record**
Quantifying psychopathology in rapid readmissions
- Authors: Suhail, Sam , Sandhu, Harpinder , Mellacheruvu, Sandeep
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: CNS spectrums Vol. 26, no. 2 (2021), p. 165-166
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- Description: Psychiatric readmissions contribute to a significant cost and healthcare burden to physicians, hospitals, and the healthcare system as an entity. Furthermore, as part of the Affordable Care Act, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) began to reduce financial coverage to hospitals with overwhelming rehospitalization rates. The purpose of this study was to do a systematic analysis on inpatient psychiatric readmission data and identify co-morbidities and risk factors that lead to high readmission rates. The data collection includes 163 patients with a total of 348 readmissions over the span of 90 days at one inner-city hospital in the Chicagoland area. Study findings suggest that higher rates of readmission are linked to cocaine abuse in both male and female populations. Diagnosis of bipolar in females and schizoaffective disorder in male populations were the among the highest for readmission. Key social factors such as homelessness and low socioeconomic status were identified to contribute to a large proportion of psychiatric readmission burden. However, an overwhelming amount of information was missing due to unobtained labs and lack of current patient social history. By using this data as well as data from electronic medical records (EMRs) to further investigate and identify other features of at-risk patients, hospitals can potentially address these markers to lower readmission rates. Ultimately, a higher understanding of the patients' needs can be understood and can help develop standardized plans of care for prevalent psychiatric illnesses in these populations.