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Food security constitutes a worldwide concern closely correlated with population growth. By 2050, the global population is expected to reach 9.3 billion(1). The rising population, along with increasing life expectancy and shifts toward Western dietary patterns, is expected to drive higher food demand and contribute to a rise in metabolic conditions(2). In this context, looking for alternative and sustainable food and protein sources is imperative. Pasture legumes including lucerne (Medicago sativa) and red clover (Trifolium pratense) are becoming popular as they can be used as an alternative protein and functional food source. Both crops play an important role in New Zealand’s agriculture. Their seeds can be used in human nutrition as alternative food and protein options; however, the presence of anti-nutritional factors (ANF) and their distinct taste make them less favourable for human consumption. Fermentation can be used as a possible strategy to mitigate these limitations. Lactobacillus fermentation was conducted using Lactocillus plantarum, Lactobacillus. acidophilus and Lactobacillus. casei. Proximate composition and mineral content were determined following Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) methods. Total phenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and antioxidant activity (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2′-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic) acid) and ANF including phytic acid, trypsin, and chymotrypsin inhibition were assessed using colourimetric techniques. For the enzyme inhibition assays, enzyme-substrate reactions were performed with sample extracts before measurement. All the experiments were replicated three times, and the results were expressed as mean ± SD. A factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted (4 legume seed samples × 3 LAB cultures) with a Tukey’s post-hoc test for mean comparison at P < 0.05 using IBM SPSS Statistics 29.0. All the legume seeds demonstrated high nutritional content, with crude protein and fibre levels around 40 and 16% respectively. The seeds were also rich in minerals, particularly magnesium, phosphorus, iron and zinc. In addition, fermentation led to an increase (P < 0.05) in TPC, TFC and antioxidant activity, while significantly reducing ANF. For instance, fermentation led to an increase in TPC (18.8 to 47.1% increase), TFC (9.6 to 34.5% increase) and AOA via DPPH and ABTS. Lactobacillus fermentation has proven to be an effective processing technique to enhance the nutritional value of lucerne and red clover seeds. These findings support the potential of using fermentation to develop novel and sustainable protein sources, contributing to improved dietary quality and nutrition. Moreover, further work to study the effect of fermentation on the nutrient digestibility of lucerne and red clover seeds is warranted.
Objectives/Goals: Lung transplant is a life-saving surgery for patients with advanced lung diseases yet long-term survival remains poor. The clinical features and lung injury patterns of lung transplant recipients who die early versus those who survive longer term remain undefined. Here, we use cell-free DNA and rejection parameters to help elucidate this further. Methods/Study Population: Lung transplant candidacy prioritizes patients who have a high mortality risk within 2 years and will likely survive beyond 5 years. We stratified patients who died within 2 years of transplant as early death (n = 50) and those who survived past 5 years as long-term survivors (n = 53). Lung transplant recipients had serial blood collected as part of two prospective cohort studies. Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) was quantified using relative (% donor-derived cfDNA {%ddcfDNA}) and absolute (nuclear-derived {n-cfDNA}, mitochondrial-derived {mt-cfDNA}) measurements. As part of routine posttransplant clinical care, all patients underwent pulmonary function testing (PFT), surveillance bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), transbronchial biopsy (TBBx), and donor-specific antibody testing (DSA). Results/Anticipated Results: Over the first 2 years after transplant, the number of episodes of antibody-mediated rejection (p) Discussion/Significance of Impact: Clinically, early-death patients perform worse on routine surveillance PFTs and experience a worse degree of CLAD. These patients also have higher levels of cfDNA as quantified by n-cfDNA and mt-cfDNA. These results provide preliminary evidence that early-death patients have worse allograft rejection, dysfunction, and molecular injury.
Diagnosis in psychiatry faces familiar challenges. Validity and utility remain elusive, and confusion regarding the fluid and arbitrary border between mental health and illness is increasing. The mainstream strategy has been conservative and iterative, retaining current nosology until something better emerges. However, this has led to stagnation. New conceptual frameworks are urgently required to catalyze a genuine paradigm shift.
Methods
We outline candidate strategies that could pave the way for such a paradigm shift. These include the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC), the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP), and Clinical Staging, which all promote a blend of dimensional and categorical approaches.
Results
These alternative still heuristic transdiagnostic models provide varying levels of clinical and research utility. RDoC was intended to provide a framework to reorient research beyond the constraints of DSM. HiTOP began as a nosology derived from statistical methods and is now pursuing clinical utility. Clinical Staging aims to both expand the scope and refine the utility of diagnosis by the inclusion of the dimension of timing. None is yet fit for purpose. Yet they are relatively complementary, and it may be possible for them to operate as an ecosystem. Time will tell whether they have the capacity singly or jointly to deliver a paradigm shift.
Conclusions
Several heuristic models have been developed that separately or synergistically build infrastructure to enable new transdiagnostic research to define the structure, development, and mechanisms of mental disorders, to guide treatment and better meet the needs of patients, policymakers, and society.
The UK population is ageing and becoming more ethnically diverse(1). Nutrition is a key modifiable determinant of healthy ageing but there is little published data of dietary patterns in ethnic minority groups. The reasons for poor dietary habits of older adults from ethnic minority groups could be attributed to cost of living, language barriers, age, availability of traditional foods(2). As part of a larger research study to improve nutritional health in older adults (TANGERINE: nuTritional heAlth aNd aGeing in oldER ethnIc miNoritiEs), the aim of this study was to investigate vegetable intake in different older ethnic groups compared with a white (British) reference population.
We used food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) data drawn from Wave 2 (2010-2012) and Wave 13 (2021-2022) of Understanding Society, a UK household panel survey(3). We calculated the proportions of vegetable intake by ethnic group for each wave, weighted for population representativeness, and used (weighted) logistic regression for intake (everyday vs less than every day) to adjust for potential confounders. Data from the WHO food insecurity questionnaire in wave 13 was used to evaluate the ethnic group differences in food insecurity.
The percentage vegetable intake at least every day was reduced between Waves 2 and 13 in all ethnic groups. At both Waves all ethnic groups, except Indian ethnicity have lower vegetable intakes than white (British) reference group. The age and sex adjusted odds ratios (OR) (95% confidence intervals) at Wave 2 were 0.60 (0.51, 0.71) for Caribbean, 0.67 (0.56, 0.79) for African, 0.36 (0.28, 0.44) for Pakistani, 0.78 (0.62, 0.98) for Bangladeshi and 1.10 (0.94, 1.28) for Indian. The differences could be largely explained by lower income and greater area deprivation for Bangladeshi, less so for Caribbean, African and Pakistani groups. Results were similar for Wave 13. All ethnic groups, except Indian had higher odds of greater food insecurity than the white (British) reference group, largely attributed to income and area deprivation, for example, the OR for Pakistani group compared with white (British) reference group decreased from 1.74 (1.18, 2.56) to 1.05 (0.70, 1.58). However, for the African group, the OR remained greater than white reference population at 2.55 (1.73, 3.76) even after accounting for socioeconomic position.
The findings suggest differences in vegetable intake between different ethnic groups which have been maintained between 2010-2012 and 2021-2022 and may be explained to some extent by socioeconomic disadvantage. Whilst we used cross-sectional analyses of self-reported data, there remains a need for further large-scale studies using longitudinal and experimental designs in older ethnic groups considering socioeconomic position, recognising the importance of heterogeneity and the need to analyse ethnic groups individually, rather than as a group for measurements of dietary intake.
Infection control guidelines for cystic fibrosis (CF) stress cleaning of environmental surfaces and patientcare equipment in CF clinics. This multicenter study measured cleanliness of frequently touched surfaces in CF clinics using an ATP bioluminescence assay to assess the effectiveness of cleaning/disinfection and the impact of feedback.
Methods:
Eight surfaces were tested across 19 clinics (10 pediatric, 9 adult) over 5 rounds of testing. Rounds 1 and 2 served as uncleaned baseline, and Round 3 occurring after routine cleaning. Rounds 4 and 5 were performed after feedback provided to staff and measured after cleaning. Pass rates defined as <250 relative light units were the primary outcome.
Results:
Of the 750 tests performed, 72% of surfaces passed at baseline, and 79%, 83%, and 85% of surfaces passed in Rounds 3, 4, and 5, respectively. The overall pass-rate was significantly higher in adult compared to pediatric clinics (86% vs 71%; P < 0.001). In pediatric clinics, blood pressure equipment and computer keyboards in the pulmonary function lab consistently passed, but the exam room patient/visitor chairs consistently failed in all rounds. In adult clinics blood pressure equipment, keyboards in exam rooms and exam tables passed in all rounds and no surface consistently failed.
Conclusion:
We demonstrate the feasibility of an ATP bioluminescence assay to measure cleanliness of patient care equipment and surfaces in CF clinics. Pass rates improved after cleaning and feedback for certain surfaces. We found that surfaces are more challenging to keep clean in clinics taking care of younger patients.
Dysfunctional changes in the glutamatergic system play an important role in the pathophysiology of depression. Glutamate regulates various neuronal function, such as nerve migration, excitability, plasticity, as well as long-term potentiation and long-term synaptic depression. Failures in this process might cause emotional/cognitive changes associated with stress-induced depressive symptoms, a part of our current understanding of the pathophysiology of depression. These changes might be related to deviations in biochemical blood parameters, but also to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) measured in breath.
Objectives
1) To replicate our previous finding that concentration of volatile organic compounds in expiratory breath gas and metabolites derived from MR spectroscopy distinguish unmedicated depressed patients from healthy participants, (2) to determine whether the amount of these VOCs is associated with severity of depression and anxiety, and (3) to correlate breath-VOC-content with glutamatergic neurotransmission and energy metabolism derived from MR spectroscopy.
Methods
25 antidepressant-free patients with major depression according to DSM V (18-65 years of age) are recruited from our out- and inpatient clinics. The controls will consist of 25 healthy age-and-sex-matched participants. Breath gas analyses will be carried out at awakening, and 30 and 60 minutes thereafter, and at 5pm using PTR-TOF-MS with direct on time measurement through a special sampler. A 7 Tesla Siemens Terra MRI scanner will be used to undertake spectroscopic measurements. Concentrations of glutamate and β-hydroxybutyrate levels in the pregenual and dorsal anterior cingulate gyrus will subsequently be assessed.
Results
Statistical analysis for differences between groups corrected for multiple measurements will be carried out. Concentration of VOCs will be correlated with brain metabolism and severity of symptoms.
Conclusions
VOCs in breath are proposed to be an efficient and non-invasive marker for depression-related biochemical changes related to disease severity, and eventually useful for personalized treatment planning.
Persistence in physician-scientist careers has been suboptimal, particularly among women. There is a gender gap in self-confidence in medicine. We measured the impact of our physician-scientist training programs on trainee’s confidence in professional, personal, and scientific competencies, using a survey measuring self-rated confidence in 36 competencies across two timepoints.
Methods:
Results were analyzed for the full survey and for thematic subscales identified through exploratory factor analysis (EFA). A mixed effects linear model and a difference in differences (DID) design were used to assess the differential impact of the programing by gender and career level.
Results:
Analysis included 100 MD-PhD or MD-only medical student or resident/fellow trainees enrolled between 2020 and 2023. Five subscales were identified through EFA; career sustainability, science productivity, grant management, goal setting, and goal alignment (Cronbach’s alpha 0.85–0.94). Overall, mean scores increased significantly for all five subscales. Women significantly increased their confidence levels in all five areas, whereas men increased only in science productivity and grant management. Mixed effects models showed significant increases over time for women compared to men in career sustainability and goal alignment. Residents and fellows had greater increases than medical students across all subscales.
Conclusion:
Physician-scientist trainees fellows increased their confidence in personal, professional, and scientific skills during training. Training had a greater impact on women than men in building confidence in sustaining careers and aligning their goals with professional and institutional priorities. The magnitude of increased confidence among residents and fellows exceeded that in medical students.
The prevalence of medical illnesses is high among patients with psychiatric disorders. The current study aimed to investigate multi-comorbidity in patients with psychiatric disorders in comparison to the general population. Secondary aims were to investigate factors associated with metabolic syndrome and treatment appropriateness of mental disorders.
Methods
The sample included 54,826 subjects (64.73% females; 34.15% males; 1.11% nonbinary gender) from 40 countries (COMET-G study). The analysis was based on the registration of previous history that could serve as a fair approximation for the lifetime prevalence of various medical conditions.
Results
About 24.5% reported a history of somatic and 26.14% of mental disorders. Mental disorders were by far the most prevalent group of medical conditions. Comorbidity of any somatic with any mental disorder was reported by 8.21%. One-third to almost two-thirds of somatic patients were also suffering from a mental disorder depending on the severity and multicomorbidity. Bipolar and psychotic patients and to a lesser extent depressives, manifested an earlier (15–20 years) manifestation of somatic multicomorbidity, severe disability, and probably earlier death. The overwhelming majority of patients with mental disorders were not receiving treatment or were being treated in a way that was not recommended. Antipsychotics and antidepressants were not related to the development of metabolic syndrome.
Conclusions
The finding that one-third to almost two-thirds of somatic patients also suffered from a mental disorder strongly suggests that psychiatry is the field with the most trans-specialty and interdisciplinary value and application points to the importance of teaching psychiatry and mental health in medical schools and also to the need for more technocratically oriented training of psychiatric residents.
Cholestasis characterised by conjugated hyperbilirubinemia is a marker of hepatobiliary dysfunction following neonatal cardiac surgery. We aimed to characterise the incidence of conjugated hyperbilirubinemia following neonatal heart surgery and examine the effect of conjugated hyperbilirubinemia on post-operative morbidity and mortality.
Methods:
This was a retrospective study of all neonates who underwent surgery for congenital heart disease (CHD) at our institution between 1/1/2010 and 12/31/2020. Patient- and surgery-specific data were abstracted from local registry data and review of the medical record. Conjugated hyperbilirubinemia was defined as perioperative maximum conjugated bilirubin level > 1 mg/dL. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Survival analysis was conducted using the Kaplan–Meier survival function.
Results:
Conjugated hyperbilirubinemia occurred in 8.5% of patients during the study period. Neonates with conjugated hyperbilirubinemia were more likely to be of younger gestational age, lower birth weight, and non-Caucasian race (all p < 0.001). Patients with conjugated hyperbilirubinemia were more likely to have chromosomal and non-cardiac anomalies and require ECMO pre-operatively. In-hospital mortality among patients with conjugated hyperbilirubinemia was increased compared to those without (odds ratio 5.4). Post-operative complications including mechanical circulatory support, reoperation, prolonged ventilator dependence, and multi-system organ failure were more common with conjugated hyperbilirubinemia (all p < 0.04). Patients with higher levels of conjugated bilirubin had worst intermediate-term survival, with patients in the highest conjugated bilirubin group (>10 mg/dL) having a 1-year survival of only 6%.
Conclusions:
Conjugated hyperbilirubinemia is associated with post-operative complications and worse survival following neonatal heart surgery. Cholestasis is more common in patients with chromosomal abnormalities and non-cardiac anomalies, but the underlying mechanisms have not been delineated.
Our health system implemented a novel clinical decision-support system to reduce unnecessary duplicate nasal methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) orders. In an 8-month period, the rate of duplicate MRSA PCR orders within 7 days declined from 4.7% (370 of 7,861) to 1.2% (120 of 9,833).
During October 2021, the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency identified five cases of shigellosis among persons experiencing homelessness (PEH). We conducted an outbreak investigation and developed interventions to respond to shigellosis outbreaks among PEH. Confirmed cases occurred among PEH with stool-cultured Shigella sonnei; probable cases were among PEH with Shigella-positive culture-independent diagnostic testing. Patients were interviewed to determine infectious sources and risk factors. Fifty-three patients were identified (47 confirmed, 6 probable); 34 (64%) were hospitalised. None died. No point source was identified. Patients reported inadequate access to clean water and sanitation facilities, including public restrooms closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. After implementing interventions, including handwashing stations, more frequent public restroom cleaning, sanitation kit distribution, and isolation housing for ill persons, S. sonnei cases decreased to preoutbreak frequencies. Improving public sanitation access was associated with decreased cases and should be considered to prevent outbreaks among PEH.
Research on the gut microbiome and mental health among children and adolescents is growing. This umbrella review provides a high-level overview of current evidence syntheses to amalgamate current research and inform future directions. Searches were conducted across seven databases for peer-reviewed pediatric (<18 years) review literature. Studies reporting gut microbiome composition and/or biotic supplementation on depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) were included. Deduplication and screening took place in Covidence. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the degree of primary study overlap. Among the 39 included review studies, 23 (59%) were observational and 16 (41%) were interventional. Most reviews (92%) focused on ASD. Over half (56%) of the observational and interventional reviews scored low or critically low for methodological quality. A higher abundance of Clostridium clusters and a lower abundance of Bifidobacterium were consistently observed in ASD studies. Biotic supplementation was associated with ASD symptom improvement. Gut microbiome-mental health evidence syntheses in child and youth depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and OCD are lacking. Preliminary evidence suggests an association between specific microbiota and ASD symptoms, with some evidence supporting a role for probiotic supplementation ASD therapy.
Peri-diagnostic vaccination contemporaneous with SARS-CoV-2 infection might boost antiviral immunity and improve patient outcomes. We investigated, among previously unvaccinated patients, whether vaccination (with the Pfizer, Moderna, or J&J vaccines) during the week before or after a positive COVID-19 test was associated with altered 30-day patient outcomes.
Methods:
Using a deidentified longitudinal EHR repository, we selected all previously unvaccinated adults who initially tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 between December 11, 2020 (the date of vaccine emergency use approval) and December 19, 2021. We assessed whether vaccination between days –7 and +7 of a positive test affected outcomes. The primary measure was progression to a more severe disease outcome within 30 days of diagnosis using the following hierarchy: hospitalization, intensive care, or death.
Results:
Among 60,031 hospitalized patients, 543 (0.91%) were initially vaccinated at the time of diagnosis and 59,488 (99.09%) remained unvaccinated during the period of interest. Among 316,337 nonhospitalized patients, 2,844 (0.90%) were initially vaccinated and 313,493 (99.1%) remained unvaccinated. In both analyses, individuals receiving vaccines were older, more often located in the northeast, more commonly insured by Medicare, and more burdened by comorbidities. Among previously unvaccinated patients, there was no association between receiving an initial vaccine dose between days −7 and +7 of diagnosis and progression to more severe disease within 30 days compared to patients who did not receive vaccines.
Conclusions:
Immunization during acute SARS-CoV-2 infection does not appear associated with clinical progression during the acute infectious period.
Aripiprazole is the third generation Antipsychotic, and Dopamine serotonin system stabiliser.It is partial agonist at D2 and 5 HT1 A and antagonist at 5 HT2.Most commonly seen adverse effects are Akathesia, fatugue,insomnia and headache the major advanatage is less propensity for extrapyramidal side effects and lmetabolic side eefects.
Objectives
To report a case of Schizophrenia treated with Aripiprazole 15mg/day developiing occular gyric crisis which was tratment resistant.
Methods
We administered Electroconvulsvive therapy, bidirectional brief pulse constant current 8 ECTS, under General anesthesia with medical fitness .
Results
Patient Showed complete resolution of Dystonia after second ECTs and Showed improvment in Pyschosis Parameterd. Assessment using Naranjo Protocol made.
Conclusions
Electroconvulsive therapy therapy is viable alternative to manage Dystonia when medical treatment fails
Washington State established a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and operational plan in 2012 to coordinate pharmacy infrastructure and workforce during a public health emergency. The objectives of this study were to adapt the MOU operational plan to the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and assess community pharmacies’ organizational readiness to implement COVID-19 testing and vaccination.
Methods:
This mixed methods study was conducted June-August 2020. Three facilitated discussions were conducted with community pharmacists and local health jurisdiction (LHJ) representatives to test the MOU operational plan. Facilitated discussions were thematically analyzed to inform adaptations to the operational plan. Pharmacists were surveyed to assess their organization’s readiness for COVID-19 testing and vaccination before and after the facilitated discussions using the Organizational Readiness for Implementing Change (ORIC) measure. Survey responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results:
Six pharmacists from 5 community pharmacy organizations and 4 representatives from 2 LHJs participated in at least 1 facilitated discussion. Facilitated discussions resulted in 3 themes and 16 adaptations to the operational plan. Five of 6 community pharmacists (83% response rate) completed both surveys. Mean organizational readiness decreased from baseline to follow-up for COVID-19 testing and vaccination.
Conclusions:
Operational plan adaptations highlight opportunities to strengthen MOUs between local and state health departments and community pharmacies to support future emergency preparedness and readiness efforts.
To compare supraglottoplasty versus non-surgical treatment in children with laryngomalacia and mild, moderate and severe obstructive sleep apnoea.
Methods
Patients were classified based on their obstructive apnoea hypopnoea index on initial polysomnogram, which was compared to their post-treatment polysomnogram.
Results
Eighteen patients underwent supraglottoplasty, and 12 patients had non-surgical treatment. The average obstructive apnoea hypopnoea index after supraglottoplasty fell by 12.68 events per hour (p = 0.0039) in the supraglottoplasty group and 3.3 events per hour (p = 0.3) in the non-surgical treatment group. Comparison of the change in obstructive apnoea hypopnoea index in the surgical versus non-surgical groups did not meet statistical significance (p = 0.09).
Conclusion
All patients with laryngomalacia and obstructive sleep apnoea had a statistically significant improvement in obstructive apnoea hypopnoea index after supraglottoplasty irrespective of obstructive sleep apnoea severity, whereas patients who received non-surgical treatment had more variable and unpredictable results. Direct comparison of the change between the two groups did not find supraglottoplasty to be superior to non-surgical treatment. Larger prospective studies are recommended.
With the aim of producing a 3D representation of tumors, imaging and molecular annotation of xenografts and tumors (IMAXT) uses a large variety of modalities in order to acquire tumor samples and produce a map of every cell in the tumor and its host environment. With the large volume and variety of data produced in the project, we developed automatic data workflows and analysis pipelines. We introduce a research methodology where scientists connect to a cloud environment to perform analysis close to where data are located, instead of bringing data to their local computers. Here, we present the data and analysis infrastructure, discuss the unique computational challenges and describe the analysis chains developed and deployed to generate molecularly annotated tumor models. Registration is achieved by use of a novel technique involving spherical fiducial marks that are visible in all imaging modalities used within IMAXT. The automatic pipelines are highly optimized and allow to obtain processed datasets several times quicker than current solutions narrowing the gap between data acquisition and scientific exploitation.