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The excellent accuracy showed by the platelet count/spleen diameter ratio for the diagnosis of oesophageal varices is discussed. 0.041 (0.013-0.070) was the difference between the AUC-ROC of the platelet count/spleen diameter ratio and platelet count with p = 0.005 in favor of the platelet count/spleen diameter ratio.

Background and aims: Cirrhotic patients frequently undergo screening endoscopy for the presence of oesophageal varices (OV). In the future, this social and medical burden will increase due to the greater [...]

Background: Indices for predicting survival are essential for assessing prognosis and assigning priority for liver transplantation in patients with liver cirrhosis. The model for end stage liver disease (MELD) has [...]

BACKGROUND: Phthalates and their replacements have been implicated as developmental toxicants. Young children may be exposed to phthalates/replacements when using skin care products (SCPs). OBJECTIVES: Our objective is to assess the associations between use of SCPs and children's urinary phthalate/replacement metabolite concentrations. METHODS: Children (4--8 years old) from the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes-Fetal Growth Study (ECHO-FGS) cohort provided spot urine samples from 2017 to 2019, and mothers were queried about children's SCP use in the past 24 h (n = 906). Concentrations of 16 urinary phthalate/replacement metabolites were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (n = 630). We used linear regression to estimate the child's use of different SCPs as individual predictors of urinary phthalate/replacement metabolites, adjusted for urinary specific gravity, age, sex assigned at birth, body mass index, and self-reported race/ethnic identity, as well as maternal education, and season of specimen collection. We created self-organizing maps (SOM) to group children into "exposure profiles" that reflect discovered patterns of use for multiple SCPs. RESULTS: Children had lotions applied (43.0%) frequently, but "2-in-1" hair-care products (7.5%), sunscreens (5.9%), and oils (4.3%) infrequently. Use of lotions was associated with 1.17-fold [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00, 1.34] greater mono-benzyl phthalate and oils with 2.86-fold (95% CI: 1.89, 4.31) greater monoethyl phthalate (MEP), 1.43-fold (95% CI: 1.09, 1.90) greater monobutyl phthalate (MBP), and 1.40-fold (95% CI: 1.22, 1.61) greater low-molecular-weight phthalates (LMW). Use of 2-in-1 haircare products was associated with 0.84-fold (95% CI: 0.72, 0.97) and 0.78-fold (95% CI: 0.62, 0.98) lesser mono(3-carboxypropyl) phthalate (MCPP) and MBP, respectively. Child's race/ethnic identity modified the associations of lotions with LMW, oils with MEP and LMW, sunscreen with MCPP, ointments with MEP, and hair conditioner with MCPP. SOM identified four distinct SCP-use exposure scenarios (i.e., profiles) within our population that predicted 1.09-fold (95% CI: 1.03, 1.15) greater mono-carboxy isononyl phthalate, 1.31-fold (95% CI: 0.98, 1.77) greater mono-2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl terephthalate, 1.13-fold (95% CI: 0.99, 1.29) greater monoethylhexyl phthalate, and 1.04-fold (95% CI: 1.00, 1.09) greater diethylhexyl phthalate. DISCUSSION: We found that reported SCP use was associated with urinary phthalate/replacement metabolites in young children. These results may inform policymakers, clinicians, and parents to help limit children's exposure to developmental toxicants. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP13937, Introduction Phthalates are endocrine-disrupting chemicals, (1) and children's exposure has been associated with differences in body composition, (2) neurodevelopment, (2-4) and pulmonary and immune function. (5,6) Children are exposedto phthalates [...]

Early identification of neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDDs) is critical to a good prognosis. Several factors such as overlapping diagnoses can complicate this process and thus delay access to services. This study sought to identify meaningful clinical profiles, beyond diagnostic labels, in 194 children with NDDs referred to an assessment clinic. Cluster analyses were applied to eight selected behavioral and cognitive variables. Results suggested a cluster structure in which three homogenous groups differed significantly from one another: children who presented either (1) heterogeneous diagnoses and ambiguous profiles, (2) a clinical profile closely aligned to a classic presentation of ASD, and (3) emotional and behavioral challenges. These distinct profiles may have implications for assessment and clinical practices., Author(s): Mélina Rivard [sup.1] , Zakaria Mestari [sup.1] , Diane Morin [sup.1] , Patrick Coulombe [sup.2] , Catherine Mello [sup.3] , Marjorie Morin [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.38678.32, 0000 0001 [...]

Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) is a necessary cause of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), a group of alcohol-related conditions characterized by neurodevelopmental problems. Although PAE is associated with many adverse [...]

Purpose: The study aimed to assess the relationship between (a) speech recognition in noise, mask type, working memory capacity (WMC), and inhibitory control and (b) self-rated listening effort, speech material, and mask type, in older adults with and without hearing impairment. It was of special interest to assess the relationship between WMC, inhibitory control, and speech recognition in noise when informational maskers masked target speech. Method: A mixed design was used. A group (N = 24) of older ([M.sub.age] = 69.7 years) individuals with hearing impairment and a group of age normal-hearing adults ([M.sub.age] = 59.3 years, SD = 6.5) participated in the study. The participants were presented with auditory tests in a sound-attenuated room and with cognitive tests in a quiet office. The participants were asked to rate listening effort after being presented with energetic and informational background maskers in two different speech materials used in this study (i.e., Hearing In Noise Test and Hagerman test). Linear mixed-effects models were set up to assess the effect of the two different speech materials, energetic and informational maskers, hearing ability, WMC, inhibitory control, and self-rated listening effort. Results: Results showed that WMC and inhibitory control were of importance for speech recognition in noise, even when controlling for pure-tone average 4 hearing thresholds and age, when the maskers were informational. Concerning listening effort, on the other hand, the results suggest that hearing ability, but not cognitive abilities, is important for self-rated listening effort in speech recognition in noise. Conclusions: Speech-in-noise recognition is more dependent on WMC for older adults in informational maskers than in energetic maskers. Hearing ability is a stronger predictor than cognition for self-rated listening effort. Supplemental Material: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.21357648, Interpersonal communication involves two or more individuals intentionally transferring information among themselves. Successful communication in everyday situations depends on the individual's ability to hear, listen, and comprehend (Kiessling et al., [...]

The aim of the study was to perform family-based association analysis of PRKCB1, CBLN1 and KCNMB4 gene polymorphisms and autism disorder. We comprised 206 Caucasian children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) and their biological parents. In transmission/disequilibrium test we observed that T-allele of the rs198198 polymorphism of the PRKCB1 gene was more often transmitted to affected children in the male subgroup (p = 0.010). Additionally, the T carrier state was significantly associated with hypotonia (p = 0.048). In the female subgroup, the T-allele carriers more often showed more mobile/vital behavior (p = 0.046). In conclusion, our study showed that the rs198198 of the PRKCB1 gene may be associated with ASD in men and with some features characteristic for the disorder., Author(s): Tomasz Iwanicki [sup.1] , Anna Balcerzyk [sup.1] , Beata Kazek [sup.2] , Ewa Emich-Widera [sup.3] , Wirginia Likus [sup.4] , Joanna Iwanicka [sup.1] , Agnieszka Kapinos-Gorczyca [sup.5] , Maciej [...]

The COVID-19 pandemic introduced a myriad of novel stressors, and early research suggests the mental well-being of many has suffered as a result. Transgender and nonbinary (TN) people in particular may have experienced additional stressors related to their gender identity, and may not have had access to minority coping resources that could normally buffer against experiencing negative mental health outcomes. In May 2020, 1160 cisgender heterosexual, 369 cisgender lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ), and 195 TN people completed a survey on their mental well-being and experiences during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. We also asked TN participants about how their lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer (LGBTQ+) identity intersected with their experience of the COVID-19 pandemic. We found that TN participants experienced more psychological distress and less social support than cisgender heterosexual participants during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also found that social support was associated with less psychological distress among TN participants during the pandemic; however, LGBQ+ and TN community connectedness were not related to distress. Using inductive thematic analysis, we summarize TN participants' descriptions of the ways that their LGBTQ+ identities intersected with the pandemic to change their access to gender-affirming services and behaviours, their home and public life, and their experiences of affirming social support and/or LGBTQ+ community connectedness. Together, our findings provide valuable insights into the experiences of TN people during the pandemic and highlight the ways in which our 'normal' society is difficult for TN people to inhabit. KEYWORDS: COVID-19, LGBTQ+, mental health, minority stress theory, transgender and nonbinary, In March 2020, COVID-19 had spread across five continents, was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (World Health Organization, 2020), and began to significantly impact daily life in [...]

Phenotypical heterogeneity in language abilities is a hallmark of autism but remains poorly understood. The present study collected naturalistic language samples from parent-child interactions. We quantified verbal abilities (mean length of utterance, tokens, types) of 50 Chinese-speaking children (M = 5; 6) and stratified subgroups based on their autism traits, IQ, and language abilities. Using hierarchical cluster analysis, four groups were identified. Group 1, the least affected group, had mild autism, the highest IQ, and the strongest verbal abilities. Group 2, the severely affected group, had the lowest IQ, most severe autism symptoms, and weakest verbal abilities. Group 3 and Group 4 displayed average levels of verbal abilities and IQ. These findings may characterize the heterogeneous profiles of verbal abilities in Chinese-speaking children., Author(s): Xue-Ke Song [sup.1] , Cassandra Lee [sup.1] , Wing-Chee So [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.10784.3a, 0000 0004 1937 0482, Department of Educational Psychology Department, The Chinese University of Hong [...]

Climate-smart forestry (CSF) is considered a promising approach for climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies, as highlighted in several European policy documents. This paper describes a prospective approach to introducing an incentive-based scheme to facilitate the implementation of CSF through a case study in Iceland. It is argued that the payments for ecosystem services (PES) scheme allows for effective CSF management and long-term sustainability if introduced in compliance with local, cultural, and social values. In a case study of an Icelandic afforestation programme, we conducted an institutional analysis of the PES scheme and assessed its effect on the sustainable provision of forest ecosystem services for the long term. We provide preliminary findings on the application of CSF in the 30-year-old Icelandic afforestation programme scheme. The perspectives of forest and policy experts, as well as local farmers participating in the scheme, were crucial for assessing the effectiveness of PES scheme performance in Iceland. Key words: payments for forest ecosystem services, local norms, sustainable forest management, climate regulation, Iceland. La foresterie intelligente face au climat (FIC) est consideree comme une approche prometteuse pour mettre en reuvre les strategies d'adaptation et d'attenuation du changement climatique, comme le soulignent plusieurs documents de politiques en Europe. Cet article decrit une approche prospective pour introduire un plan visant a favoriser la mise en reuvre de la FIC a travers une etude de cas en Islande. On soutient que le systeme de paiements pour les services ecosystemiques (PSE) permet une gestion efficace de la FIC et assure une durabilite a long terme s'il est introduit dans le respect des valeurs culturelles et sociales locales. Grace a l'etude de cas du programme de boisement islandais, nous avons mene une analyse institutionnelle du systeme de PSE et evalue son effet sur la durabilite de l'offre de services ecosystemiques forestiers a long terme. Nous presentons des resultats preliminaires sur l'application de la FIC dans le cadre du programme de boisement islandais qui dure depuis 30 ans. Les perspectives des experts forestiers et politiques ainsi que des agriculteurs locaux qui participent au programme ont ete cruciales pour evaluer l'efficacite de la performance du programme de PSE en Islande. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles : paiements pour les services ecosystemiques forestiers, normes locales, amenagement durable des forets, reglementation climatique, Islande., Introduction Forest provides a range of ecosystem services on which the survival of humans depends (Spehn et al. 2010), including wood used for human livelihoods, air to breathe, watershed protection, [...]

During the last 40 years, neuroscience has become one of the most central and most productive approaches to investigating autism. In this commentary, we assemble a group of established investigators and trainees to review key advances and anticipated developments in neuroscience research across five modalities most commonly employed in autism research: magnetic resonance imaging, functional near infrared spectroscopy, positron emission tomography, electroencephalography, and transcranial magnetic stimulation. Broadly, neuroscience research has provided important insights into brain systems involved in autism but not yet mechanistic understanding. Methodological advancements are expected to proffer deeper understanding of neural circuitry associated with function and dysfunction during the next 40 years., Author(s): James C. McPartland [sup.1] , Matthew D. Lerner [sup.2] , Anjana Bhat [sup.3] , Tessa Clarkson [sup.4] , Allison Jack [sup.5] , Sheida Koohsari [sup.6] , David Matuskey [sup.6] [...]

We tested a novel methodological approach to examine associations between characteristics of autistic children and outcomes for siblings. Cluster analysis was used to define five groups of children with autism (n = 168) based on autism symptoms, adaptive behavior, pro-social behavior, and behavior problems. Primary and secondary parent carers, and siblings themselves, reported on sibling relationship quality and psychological adjustment. Siblings of autistic children with a mild symptom profile, high levels of adaptive skills, but high internalizing and externalizing problems had the highest level of these problems themselves and more conflict in their relationship. Siblings of autistic children with the most complex support needs (adaptive skills deficits, severe autism symptoms) reported lower warmth relationships but not elevated internalizing and externalizing problems., Author(s): Louise Rixon [sup.1] , Richard P. Hastings [sup.1] [sup.3] , Hanna Kovshoff [sup.2] , Tom Bailey [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.7372.1, 0000 0000 8809 1613, Centre for Educational Development [...]

Reports of childhood imaginary companions (IC) sometimes contain 'creepy or spooky' perceptions or themes that suggest such occurrences could be overlooked or disguised forms of a 'ghostly episode' or 'entity encounter experience.' This idea was explored via a content analysis of vetted narratives from the Reddit website involving ICs with haunt-type features (n = 143). We tested whether the phenomenology of these experiences: (a) show an 'Age x Gender x Anxiety' effect consistent with the assumed psychology of focus persons in poltergeist-like experiences; (b) map to Houran et al.'s (2019b) Rasch hierarchy of anomalies associated with ghostly episodes per the Survey of Strange Events (SSE); and (c) correspond to a specific type of 'haunt condition' (i.e., spontaneous, primed, lifestyle, fantasy, or illicit). Results indicated that ICs attributed to 'ghosts' corresponded to higher SSE scores. Experients' gender and inferred anxiety likewise showed significant and positive associations with SSE scores. Finally, the SSE features of ghostly IC experiences most strongly correlated to the phenomenologies of 'spontaneous' and 'induced' haunt conditions as reported in Houran et al. (2019b). We discuss the results in terms of some ICs being anomalous or exceptional human experiences that might require approaches beyond developmental and clinical psychology to understand fully their contents, structure, and ultimate nature. Keywords: content analysis, ghost, imaginary companion, encounter experiences, phenomenology Les recits de compagnons imaginaires infantiles (IC) contiennent parfois des perceptions ou des themes << sinistres ou fantomatiques >> qui suggerent que de telles manifestations peuvent etre des formes deguisees ou negligees d'un << episode fantomatique >> ou d'une << experience de rencontre avec une entite >>. Cette idee a ete explore a travers une analyse de contenu de narrations verifiees en provenance du site internet Reddit impliquant des IC avec des caracteristiques de type hantise (n = 143). Nous avons teste si la phenomenologie de ces experiences : (a) montre un effet << age x genre x anxiete >> consistant avec la psychologie supposee des personnes focales dans les experiences de type poltergeist ; (b) correspond au modele Rasch de hierarchie des anomalies de Houran et al. (2019b) associe avec les episodes fantomatiques au travers du Sondage des evenements etranges (SSE); et (c) correspond a un type specifique de << condition de hantise >> (c'est-a-dire spontanee, amorcee, relative au style de vie, a la fantaisie, ou illicite). Les resultats indiquent que les IC attribues a des << fantomes >> correspondent a des scores plus eleves au SSE. Le genre et I'anxiete inferee des experienceurs montrent des associations positives significatives avec les scores au SSE. Enfin, les caracteristiques SSE des experiences IC fantomatiques se correlent plus fortement avec les phenomenologies des conditions << spontaneees >> et<< induites>> de la hantise, telles que reportees par Houran et al. (2019b). Nous discutons ces resultats en considerant que certains IC sont des experiences humaines exceptionnelles ou anomales qui pourraient requerir des approches allant au-dela de la psychologie clinique ou developpementale pour pleinement comprendre leurs contenus, leur structure et leur nature ultime. Berichte uber Imaginare Begleiter (IB) in der Kindheit enthalten manchmal 'gruselige oder gespenstische' Wahrnehmungen oder Themen, die darauf hindeuten, dass es sich bei solchen Vorkommnissen um ubersehene oder versteckte Formen einer 'geisterhaften Episode' oder einer 'Begegnung mit einer Wesenheit' handeln konnte. Diese Hypothese wurde mittels einer Inhaltsanalyse von uberpruften Erzahlungen der Reddit-Website exploriert, die IBs mit spukartigen Merkmalen (n = 143) aufweisen. Wir uberpruften, ob die Phanomenologie dieser Erfahrungen: (a) einen 'Alter * Geschlecht * Angst'-Effekt aufweist, der mit vermuteten psychologischen Merkmalen von Fokuspersonen bei spukahnlichen Erfahrungen ubereinstimmt; (b) der Rasch-Hierarchie von Houran et al. (2019b) von Anomalien, die mit geisterhaften Episoden gemaB dem Survey of Strange Events (SSE) assoziiert sind, entspricht; und (c) einer spezifischen Art von 'Spukzustand' entspricht (d. h. spontan, ausgelost, Lifestyle, Fantasie oder unerwiinscht). Die Ergebnisse zeigten, dass IBs, die 'Geistern' zugeschrieben wurden, mit hoheren SSE-Werten korrespondierten. Das Geschlecht der Berichterstatter und die vermutete Angst waren ebenfalls signifikant positiv mit SSE-Werten assoziiert. SchlieBlich korrelierten die SSE-Merkmale von geisterhaften IB-Erfahrungen am starksten mit der Phanomenologie 'spontaner' und 'induzierter' Spukzustande, wie sie bei Houran et al. (2019b) berichtet werden. Wir diskutieren die Ergebnisse dahingehend, dass einige IBs anomale oder auBergewohnliche menschliche Erfahrungen darstellen, die moglicherweise Ansatze jenseits der Entwicklungs--und klinischen Psychologie erforderlich machen, um ihren Inhalt, ihre Struktur und ihre grundlegende Natur vollstandig zu verstehen. Los reportes de companeros imaginarios de la infancia (CI) a veces contienen percepciones o temas 'espeluznantes o escalofriantes' que sugieren que tales eventos podri'an ser formas disfrazadas de un 'episodio fantasmal' o un ' encuentro cercano con una entidad'. Esta idea se exploro a traves de un analisis de contenido de narrativas extraidas del sitio web Reddit, que involucraban CI con caracteri'sticas espectrales (n = 143). Analizamos si la fenomenologia de estas experiencias: (a) muestra un efecto de 'Edad * Genero * Ansiedad' consistente con la psicologi'a asumida de los supuestos agentes en casos poltergeist; (b) corresponde con la jerarquia Rasch de anomah'as asociadas con episodios fantasmales de Houran et al. (2019b) segun la Encuesta de Eventos Extranos (SSE, por sus siglas en ingles); y (c) corresponde a un tipo especifico de 'condicion espectral' (i.e. espontanea, imprimada, estilo de vida, fantasia, o ih'cita). Los resultados indicaron que los CI atribuidos a 'fantasmas' correspondian con puntuaciones mas altas de la SSE. El genero y la ansiedad inferida de los participantes tambien mostraron asociaciones positivas significativas con las puntuaciones de la SSE. Finalmente, las experiencias fantasmales de CI, relacionadas a las caracteri'sticas de la SSE, poseen una correlacion mayor a la fenomenologia de las condiciones espectrales 'espontaneas' e 'inducidas' como se reporta en Houran et al. (2019b). Discutimos los resultados en terminos de que algunos CI son experiencias humanas anomalas o excepcionales que pueden requerir enfoques mas alia de la psicologi'a clinica y del desarrollo para comprender completamente su contenido, estructura y naturaleza final., A news article by journalist Rosemary Counter (2019) explored an intriguing question, 'Why do so many kids 'see ghosts'?' (para. 1). The literature indeed contains many accounts of children and [...]

Purpose: This study compared attention control and flexibility in school-age children who stutter (CWS) and children who do not stutter (CWNS) based on their performance on a behavioral task and parent report. We used a classic attention-shifting paradigm that included manipulations of task goals and timing to test effects of varying demands for flexibility on switching accuracy and speed. We also examined associations between task performance, group, and relevant aspects of temperament. Method: Participants included 33 children (15 CWS, 18 CWNS) between 8 and 11 years of age. Children sorted stimuli that differed on two dimensions (color and shape) based on sorting rules that varied from block to block or trial to trial. Timing manipulations included intervals of 200-, 600-, or 1,200-ms durations for critical trial components. Temperament data were obtained via the Children's Behavior Questionnaire. Results: All children showed expected performance costs in response to block and trial manipulations; however, CWS were more affected by task conditions that increased demands for cognitive flexibility. Effects of interval durations also differed by group. Factor scores on the Children's Behavior Questionnaire indicated differences in effortful control between groups; however, this aspect of temperament did not mediate between-groups differences in switching performance. Conclusions: Findings suggest that stuttering continues to be associated with differences in attention control and flexibility beyond the preschool years. Further research is needed to clarify how these cognitive processes shape the development of stuttering throughout childhood., Attention is a basic building block for emerging executive functions (EFs; Blair & Ursache, 2011). The ability to focus attention on task-relevant stimuli or goals and switch attention flexibly from [...]

A huge amount of rubber waste coming from tire industry or other sources (eg, weather strips producers) has attracted interest from researchers to investigate the possibility of recycling used rubber for various products, particularly in construction sector. This article presents a series of experimental and numerical investigations to evaluate the feasibility of regenerated synthetic rubber ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) for production of a building seismic isolation system. Four rubber blends using two different sources of regenerated EPDM are considered in this study. The mechanical properties of the recycled rubber under study are evaluated through uniaxial tensile and relaxation tests, considering the accelerated aging effect. Based on several hyperelasticity and viscosity models of rubber available in the literature, several numerical test simulations on rubber compounds and on a prototype of fiber reinforced elastomeric isolators (FREIs) are performed. The test results reveal that the proposed regenerated EPDM compounds can be particularly suitable for the production of unbonded FREIs, especially because they are able to exhibit low/moderate tensile stresses at high-shear strain. The results also show that not all regenerated rubber blends fulfill the durability requirements of rubber for seismic isolation after accelerated aging tests. The durability of the specimens seems to be mainly affected by the choice of the regenerated rubber source. KEYWORDS aging effect, fiber reinforced elastomeric isolators, hyperelasticity, recycled rubber, regenerated EPDM, viscoelasticity, 1 | INTRODUCTION The use of rubber materials has been reported since the prehistoric era for household and industrial needs. [1] Rubber nowadays is widely used for tires, marine fenders, [...]

The study investigated the expression of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) MALAT1 in high glucose (HG)-induced human vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) and the role of MALAT1 in the apoptosis of HG-induced HUVECs. The HUVECs were cultured and induced with 25 mmol/L HG. After that, the HUVECs were transfected with MALAT1 siRNA. The expression levels of MALAT1 were detected with qPCR, whereas the expression levels of Bax, Bcl-2, cleaved-caspase-3, cleaved-caspase-9, p-65, and p-p65 were detected using Western blot. The roles of MALAT1 in cell activities, including apoptosis, were evaluated using the CCK-8 assay, TUNEL staining, and flow cytometry. The expression levels of inflammatory factors (TNF-[alpha] and IL-6) were measured using ELISA. The expression levels of MALAT1, TNF-[alpha], and IL-6 in HUVECs were increased in the HG environment; however, when MALAT1 was silenced in the HUVECs, cell proliferation increased significantly, the expression levels of TNF-[alpha], IL-6, Bax, cleaved-caspase-3, and cleaved-caspase-9 decreased, and the rate of apoptosis also decreased. Silencing MALAT1 inhibited the expression of p-p65 in HG-induced HUVECs. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that MALAT1 is upregulated in HG-induced HUVECs, and inhibition of MALAT1 inhibits HG-induced apoptosis and inflammation in HUVECs by suppression of the NF-[KAPPA]B signaling pathway. Key words: long noncoding RNA, MALAT1, human umbilical vein endothelial cells, high glucose, NF-[KAPPA]B signaling pathway, apoptosis, inflammation. Cette etude visait a examiner l'expression du long ARN non codant (ARNnc) MALAT1 dans les cellules vasculaires endotheliales humaines (HUVEC) exposees a une haute teneur en glucose (HG) et le role de MALAT1 dans l'apoptose des HUVEC induite par une HG. Les HUVEC ont ete cultivees et stimulees avec 25 mmol/L de glucose. Ensuite, les HUVEC ont ete transfectees avec un ARN interferent de MALAT1. L'expression de MALAT1 a ete detectee par qPCR alors que l'expression de Bax, de Bcl-2, de la caspase-3 clivee, de la caspase-9 clivee, de p65 et de p-p65 a ete detectee parbuvardage Western. En parallele, le role regulateur de MALAT1 dans l'activite cellulaire et l'apoptose a ete detecte par un dosage avec le CCK-8, la coloration TUNEL et la cytometrie en flux. Par ailleurs, l'expression de facteurs inflammatoires (TNF-[alpha], IL-6) a ete detectee par ELISA. L'expression de MALAT1, du TNF-[alpha] et d'IL-6 dans les HUVEC etait accrue dans un environnement a HG. Apres que les HUVEC stimulees par une HG aient ete soumises au silencage de MALAT1, il s'est avere que la proliferation cellulaire augmentait significativement, que l'expression du TNF-[alpha], d'IL-6, de Bax, de la caspase-3 clivee, de la caspase-9 clivee diminuait, et que l'apoptose diminuait. Le silencage de MALAT1 inhibait l'expression de p-p65 dans les HUVEC soumises a une HG. En conclusion, l'etude des auteurs a demontre que MALAT1 etait regule a la hausse dans les HUVEC stimulees par une HG, et l'inhibition de MALAT1 pouvait inhiber l'apoptose et l'inflammation induite par une HG dans les HUVEC par la suppression de la voie de signalisation du NF-[KAPPA]B. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles: long ARN non codant, MALAT1, cellules endotheliales de cordon ombilical, forte teneur en glucose, voie de signalisation du NF-[KAPPA]B, apoptose, inflammation., Introduction Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by chronic hyperglycemia due to insufficient production of insulin (Committee of the Japan Diabetes Society on the Diagnostic Criteria [...]

Past research has linked poor psychosocial adjustment among children who express gender nonconformity (GNC) to poor peer relations (e.g., facing ridicule and rejection); however, very little research has explored whether [...]

Since the beginning of the HIV epidemic stigma has served as a strong barrier to effectively delivering HIV prevention and treatment. Due in part to its complex nature, stigma is difficult to address and novel methods of understanding stigma are needed. Based on formative and empirical research with N = 236 primarily Black men living with HIV, a HIV microaggressions scale was developed and evaluated in order to assess this component of stigma. Factor analysis resulted in a 13-item scale ([alpha] = .83) with 3 subscales explaining 51% of the total variance. The microaggressions scale demonstrated convergent validity (with internalized, enacted, and anticipated stigmas) and discriminant validity (with social support). HIV microaggressions was associated with longer gaps since last care appointment and depressive symptoms, and subscales were associated with barriers to accessing health care, disclosure, and HIV care self-efficacy. The HIV microaggressions scale is a novel tool for assessing a critical subcomponent of stigma., Author(s): Lisa A. Eaton [sup.1] , Aerielle Allen [sup.1] , Jessica L. Maksut [sup.1] , Valerie Earnshaw [sup.2] , Ryan J. Watson [sup.1] , Seth C. Kalichman [sup.1] Author Affiliations: [...]

Background: Experimental evidence indicates that exposure to certain pollutants is associated with liver damage. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent synthetic chemicals widely used in industry and consumer products and bioaccumulate in food webs and human tissues, such as the liver. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis evaluating PFAS exposure and evidence of liver injury from rodent and epidemiological studies. METHODS: PubMed and Embase were searched for all studies from earliest available indexing year through 1 December 2021 using keywords corresponding to PFAS exposure and liver injury. For data synthesis, results were limited to studies in humans and rodents assessing the following indicators of liver injury: serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, or steatosis. For human studies, at least three observational studies per PFAS were used to conduct a weighted z-score meta-analysis to determine the direction and significance of associations. For rodent studies, data were synthesized to qualitatively summarize the direction and significance of effect. Results: Our search yielded 85 rodent studies and 24 epidemiological studies, primarily of people from the United States. Studies focused primarily on legacy PFAS: perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid. Meta-analyses of human studies revealed that higher ALT levels were associated with exposure to PFOA (z-score = 6.20, p Conclusion: There is consistent evidence for PFAS hepatotoxicity from rodent studies, supported by associations of PFAS and markers of liver function in observational human studies. This review identifies a need for additional research evaluating next-generation PFAS, mixtures, and early life exposures. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP10092, Part of 1 of 3 Introduction Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a public health epidemic. (1) In parallel with the growing obesity epidemic, prevalence of NAFLD has significantly increased [...]

The current study investigated the service access pathways of transgender youth at a mental health clinic. Demographic and service information from youth (aged 17-25) at a Canadian mental health clinic [...]

The present study examined the role of executive function in lying for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The temptation resistance paradigm was used to elicit children's self-protective lies and the Hide-and-seek task was used to elicit children's self-benefiting lies. Results showed that children with ASD told fewer lies in the two deception tasks compared to children with intellectual disability (ID) and typically developing (TD) children. Furthermore, children with ASD's lying were positively correlated with their working memory, but not with their theory of mind. These findings demonstrate that the mechanisms underlying deception for children with ASD are distinct from that of TD children., Author(s): Weina Ma [sup.1] , Liyang Sai [sup.1] , Cleo Tay [sup.2] , Youhong Du [sup.1] , Jie Jiang [sup.1] , Xiao Pan Ding [sup.2] Author Affiliations: (Aff1) grid.410595.c, 0000 [...]

The effects of health inequities on transgender (or trans) and gender diverse populations have been well documented internationally. Studies that compared the mental health of trans and gender diverse populations to cisgender populations found significant inequities for mental health problems. There has been very little research on this topic, however, from Aotearoa/New Zealand. We conducted database search in the PsycINFO, as well as manual searches for published grey literature in Aotearoa/New Zealand to identify theoretical and empirical literature on social determinants of health and related frameworks to explain the effects of social environments on health inequities experienced by trans and gender diverse people. We also complement international studies by considering Maori and Pacific trans and gender diverse identities and the ramifications of colonisation on the mental health and wellbeing of these populations. Keywords: Transgender, Gender Diverse, Mental Health, Social Determinants of Health., Scope of Research This review examines mental health and wellbeing, and the social determinants that lead to mental health problems among transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people in Aotearoa/New Zealand. [...]

This study compared maternal responsiveness to children with two neurodevelopmental disorders sharing different but, in some cases, overlapping social phenotypes-Williams syndrome (WS) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-and explored the relations between maternal responsiveness and child emotional/behavioural problems (EBP). The sample included 16 pre-schoolers with WS and 43 with ASD, and their mothers. Responsiveness was assessed during a mother-child interaction task. Mothers completed the CBCL 1½-5, providing a measure of EBP. No significant differences emerged between groups, and most dyads were characterized by less responsive behaviours. Maternal responsiveness proved related to child developmental age, but not with EBP. These results provide further insight into the rearing environment of children with neurodevelopmental disorders, highlighting the need for early relationship-based interventions., Author(s): Joana Baptista [sup.1] , Adriana Sampaio [sup.1] , Inês Fachada [sup.1] , Ana Osório [sup.2] , Ana R. Mesquita [sup.1] , Elena Garayzabal [sup.3] , Frederico Duque [sup.4] [sup.5] [...]