Search

BackgroundApproximately 20% of women suffer from postpartum depression (PPD). Due to barriers such as limited access to care, half of the women with PPD do not receive treatment. Therefore, it is critical to identify effective and scalable interventions. Traditional mindfulness programs have been effective in reducing depressive symptoms, however access remains a barrier. A self-paced mobile health (mHealth) mindfulness program may fit the lifestyle of busy mothers who are unable to attend in-person classes. However, little is known regarding the feasibility or efficacy of mHealth mindfulness interventions in postpartum women with depressive symptoms. ObjectiveThis study aims to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of an mHealth mindfulness intervention for postpartum women with moderate to moderately severe depressive symptoms. MethodsWe conducted a single-arm feasibility trial of an mHealth mindfulness intervention within Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC), a large integrated health care system. Participants were identified through clinician referral and electronic health records via KPNC's universal perinatal depression screening program and recruited by the study team. Inclusion criteria included the following: English-speaking, up to 6 months postpartum with a Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8) score of 10 to 19, and no regular mindfulness/meditation practice. Participants were asked to use a mindfulness app, Headspace, 10 to 20 min/day for 6 weeks. Baseline and postintervention surveys captured data on patient-reported outcomes (depression and stress symptoms, sleep quality, and mindfulness). Semistructured interviews captured acceptability. Retention and adherence were used to assess feasibility. ResultsOf the 115 women who were contacted and met the eligibility criteria or declined participation before eligibility assessment, 27 (23%) were enrolled. In addition, 70% (19/27) completed the study. The mean age of participants was 31 years (SD 5.2), 30% (8/27) were non-Hispanic White, and, on average, participants were 12.3 weeks postpartum (SD 5.7). Of the women who completed the study, 100% (19/19) used the Headspace app at least once, and nearly half (9/19, 47%) used the app on ≥50% of the days during the 6-week intervention period. Of the 16 participants who completed the postintervention interview, 69% (11/16) reported that they were very or extremely satisfied with the app. Interviews indicated that women appreciated the variety of meditations and felt that the program led to reduced anxiety and improved sleep. Significant improvements in pre- and postintervention scores were observed for depressive symptoms (PHQ-8: −3.8, P=.004), perceived stress (10-item Perceived Stress Scale: −6.0, P=.005), and sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index: −2.1, P=.02, indicating less sleep disturbance). Improvements in mindfulness were also significant (Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire-Short Form: 10.9, P=.01). ConclusionsAn mHealth mindfulness intervention for postpartum women with moderate to moderately severe depressive symptoms is feasible and acceptable. An efficacy trial is warranted.

PURPOSE: Early puberty is associated with adverse health outcomes over the life course, and Black and Hispanic girls experience puberty earlier than girls of other racial/ethnic backgrounds. Neighborhood racial and economic privilege may contribute to these disparities by conferring differential exposure to mechanisms (e.g., stress, obesity, endocrine disruptors) underlying early puberty. We examined associations between neighborhood privilege, measured by the Index of Concentration at the Extremes (ICE), and age at pubic hair onset (pubarche) and breast development onset (thelarche) in a large multiethnic cohort. METHODS: A cohort of 46,299 girls born 2005-2011 at Kaiser Permanente Northern California medical facilities were followed until 2021. Pubertal development was assessed routinely by pediatricians using the Sexual Maturity Rating scale. ICE quintiles for race/ethnicity, income, and income + race/ethnicity were calculated using American Community Survey 2010 5-year estimates and linked to census tract at birth. We fit multilevel Weibull regression models accommodating left, right, and interval censoring for all analyses. RESULTS: ICE measures were monotonically associated with pubertal onset, with the strongest associations observed for ICE-race/ethnicity. Adjusting for maternal education, age at delivery, and parity, girls from the least versus most privileged ICE-race/ethnicity quintiles were at increased risk for earlier pubarche (hazard ratio: 1.30, 95% confidence interval: 1.21, 1.38) and thelarche (hazard ratio: 1.45, 95% confidence interval: 1.36, 1.54). These associations remained significant after adjusting for girls race/ethnicity and childhood body mass index. Additionally, adjustment for ICE partially attenuated Black-White and Hispanic-White disparities in pubertal onset. DISCUSSION: Neighborhood privilege may contribute to pubertal timing and related disparities.

PURPOSE: Children of mothers with prenatal depression have elevated risk for depression later in life. Pregnant women are hesitant to use antidepressants due to fear of adverse fetal effects. To inform prevention, this study examined associations between maternal prenatal depression and antidepressant use, and adolescent depressive symptoms and suicidality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective data from 74,695 mother-adolescent dyads from the Kaiser Permanente Northern California integrated healthcare delivery system were used. Three prenatal exposure groups were examined: maternal depression and antidepressants (Med); depression and no antidepressants (No-Med); neither depression nor antidepressants (NDNM). Adolescent depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-2 score ≥3) and suicidality were assessed for 12- to 18-year-olds. Associations were analyzed using mixed effects logistic regression, adjusted for confounders. RESULTS: Maternal prenatal depression was associated with higher odds of adolescent depressive symptoms (Med odds ratio [OR]: 1.50, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.23-1.84; No-Med OR: 1.59, CI: 1.34-1.88) and suicidality (Med OR: 2.36, CI: 1.67-3.34; No-Med OR: 1.54, CI: 1.10-2.14) compared to no prenatal depression (NDNM). Adolescents exposed to prenatal depression and antidepressants were not at greater odds of depressive symptoms (Med OR: 0.95, CI: 0.74-1.21) compared to those not exposed to antidepressants (No-Med). However, they showed non-significant but greater odds of suicidality (Med OR: 1.54, CI: 0.99-2.39). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that maternal prenatal depression is associated with adolescent depressive symptoms and suicidality, and that exposure to antidepressants in utero does not increase risk of depressive symptoms, specifically. While not statistically significant, the increased odds of suicidality among adolescents exposed to antidepressants suggest a possible association; however, further investigation is needed. After replication, the findings of this study may inform shared clinical decision-making when considering options regarding antidepressant use for the treatment of maternal prenatal depression.

Earlier puberty has been associated with numerous adverse mental, emotional, and physical health outcomes. Obesity is a known risk factor for earlier puberty in girls, but research with boys has yielded inconsistent findings. We examined sex- and race/ethnicity-specific associations between childhood obesity and puberty in a multiethnic cohort of 129,824 adolescents born at a Kaiser Permanente Northern California medical facility between 2003 and 2011. We used Weibull regression models to explore associations between childhood obesity and breast development onset (thelarche) in girls, testicular enlargement onset (gonadarche) in boys, and pubic hair development onset (pubarche) in both sexes, adjusting for important confounders. Clear dose-response relationships were observed. Boys with severe obesity had the greatest risk for earlier gonadarche (hazard ratio = 1.23, 95% confidence limit: 1.15, 1.32) and pubarche (hazard ratio = 1.44, 95% confidence limit: 1.34, 1.55), while underweight boys had delayed puberty compared with peers with normal body mass index. A similar dose-response relationship was observed in girls. There were significant interactions between childhood body mass index and race/ethnicity. Childhood obesity is associated with earlier puberty in both boys and girls, and the magnitude of the associations may vary by race/ethnicity. Prevention of childhood obesity may delay pubertal timing and mitigate health risks associated with both conditions.

BackgroundEarly puberty increases risk of adverse health conditions throughout the life course. US girls are experiencing earlier puberty without clear reasons. Studies suggest early life factors, such as infant growth, may influence pubertal timing. We assessed the associations between infant growth and onset of breast development (thelarche), pubic hair development (pubarche), and menarche in girls.MethodsA prospective cohort of girls born at a Kaiser Permanente Northern California medical facility in 2005-11 was used. Weight-for-age z-scores were calculated at birth and 24 months. Difference in z-scores greater than 0.67 represent rapid "catch-up" growth, less than -0.67 represent delayed "catch-down" growth, and between -0.67 and 0.67 represent "normal" growth. Pubertal onset was measured using clinician-assessed sexual maturity ratings (SMRs) and defined as the age at transition from SMR 1 to SMR 2 + for both thelarche and pubarche. SMR data was collected through June 2020. Menarche was analyzed as a secondary outcome. Weibull and modified Poisson regression models were used. Models were adjusted for potential confounders.ResultsThere were 15,196 girls included in the study. Approximately 30.2% experienced catch-up growth, 25.8% experienced catch-down growth, and 44% had normal growth. Girls with catch-up growth had increased risk of earlier thelarche (hazard ratio = 1.26, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.18, 1.35), pubarche (1.38, 95% CI: 1.28, 1.48), and menarche (

BackgroundGirls who experience early-life familial stress may have heightened risk of early puberty, which has adverse implications for adolescent and adult health. We assessed the association between household intactness and pubertal onset using a racially/ethnically diverse cohort of girls from Northern California.MethodsA prospective cohort study of 26,044 girls born in 2003-10. Girls living with both parents from birth up to 6 years were considered to come from "intact" households while others constituted "non-intact" households. Pubertal development was measured using pediatrician-assessed Tanner staging for breast and pubic hair. Pubertal onset was defined as the transition from Tanner Stage 1 to 2+ for breast (thelarche) and pubic hair (pubarche). Menarche data was collected from routine well-child questionnaires. Weibull regression models accommodating left, right, and interval censoring were used to determine risk of earlier thelarche and pubarche, and logistic regressions were used to assess the risk of early menarche (age

Background: In this study, we sought to determine factors relating to initiating injection drug use before the age of 18 years in Iran.Methods: In this cross-sectional survey, people who inject drugs were recruited using facility-based sampling in 10 cities in Iran in 2014. Adults (≥18 year) who reported injecting drugs at least one time during the last year were included. A structured questionnaire collected behaviors related to injection, sexual risk, and HIV testing. Based on the reported age of first injection, we grouped participants into that initiating injection drug use by before 18-year old versus 18- and after 18-year old.Results: Of 2356 participants, 199 (8.5%, 95% CI 7.4-9.6) started injecting before the age of 18 years. Initiating injection drug use before the age of 18 years were more likely to be

BackgroundEarly puberty is associated with higher risk of adverse health and behavioral outcomes throughout adolescence and adulthood. US girls are experiencing earlier puberty with substantial racial/ethnic differences. We examined the association between breastfeeding and pubertal timing to identify modifiable risk factors of early puberty and potential sources of racial/ethnic differences in the timing of pubertal development.MethodsA prospective cohort study of 3331 racially/ethnically diverse girls born at Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) between 2004 and 06. All data were obtained from KPNC electronic clinical and administrative datasets. Mother-reported duration of breastfeeding was obtained from questionnaires administered at each 'well-baby' check-up exam throughout the baby's first year and categorized as 'Not breastfed', 'Breastfed < 6 months', and 'Breastfed ≥ 6 months'. Pubertal development data used Tanner stages assessed by pediatricians during routine pediatric checkups starting at age 6. Pubertal onset was defined as transition from Tanner Stage 1 to Tanner Stage 2+ for breast (thelarche) and pubic hair (pubarche). Weibull regression models accommodating for left, right, and interval censoring were used in all analyses. Models were adjusted for maternal age, education, race/ethnicity, parity and prepubertal body mass index (BMI). We also examined race/ethnicity as a potential effect modifier of these associations.ResultsNot breastfeeding was associated with earlier onset of breast and pubic hair development compared to breastfeeding ≥6 months (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 1.25; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-1.46; HR: 1.24; 95% CI: 1.05-1.46, respectively). Breastfeeding for

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors reported that Table 4 was incorrectly presented. The revised and corrected version is shown below.

Early puberty is associated with adverse health outcomes, but little is known regarding early-life determinants influencing pubertal timing. We examined the associations between maternal gestational weight gain (GWG) and the timing of the onset of breast development (thelarche) and pubic hair development (pubarche) in a cohort of 2,070 girls born in a Kaiser Permanente Northern California facility between 2005 and 2006. Using Weibull regression models accommodating interval censoring and adjusting for important confounders, we found that excess GWG was associated with increased risk of early thelarche (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.50, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.26, 1.78) and early pubarche (HR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.66). Inadequate GWG was associated with early thelarche (HR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.08, 1.71). The associations between excess or inadequate GWG and risk of earlier thelarche were stronger if mothers were obese before or at the beginning of pregnancy (body mass index ≥30 kg body weight per m height squared) (HR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.53, 2.63; HR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.45, 2.98, respectively). Similar associations were found for pubarche outcome. Inclusion of girls' prepubertal body mass index slightly attenuated these associations, but they remained significant. Monitoring of maternal weight before and throughout pregnancy might help prevent early pubertal onset and subsequent negative health outcomes.

Objective: Assess the feasibility of conducting a cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing technology‐delivered mindfulness‐based intervention (MBI) programs against a waitlist control arm targeting advanced cancer patients and their informal caregivers. Methods: Two‐arm cluster RCT within Kaiser Permanente Northern California. We recruited patients with metastatic solid malignancies or hematological cancers and their informal caregivers. Intervention‐group participants chose to use either a commercially available mindfulness app (10–20 min/day) or a webinar‐based mindfulness course for 6 weeks. The waitlist control group received usual care. We assessed feasibility measures and obtained participant‐reported data on quality of life (QoL; primary outcome) and distress outcomes (secondary) pre‐ and postintervention. Results: A hundred and three patients (median age 67 years; 70% female; 81% White) and 39 caregivers (median age 66 years; 79% female; 69% White) were enrolled. Nearly all participants chose the mindfulness app over the webinar‐based program. Among the participants in the intervention arm who chose the mobile‐app program and completed the postintervention (6‐week) survey, 21 (68%) patients and 7 (47%) caregivers practiced mindfulness at least 50% of the days during the 6‐week study period. Seventy‐four percent of intervention participants were "very" or "extremely" satisfied with the mindfulness program. We observed improvements in anxiety, QoL, and mindfulness among patients in the intervention arm compared to those in the control group. Conclusions: We demonstrated the feasibility of conducting a cluster RCT of mHealth MBI for advanced cancer patients and their caregivers. Such remote interventions can be helpful particularly during the COVID‐19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Racial/ethnic minority women have disproportionately lower breast cancer survival rates compared to white women. As minorities in the US are exposed to higher levels of discrimination, and exposure to discrimination has been associated with shorter telomere lengths (TLs), we investigated the association between perceived everyday discrimination and TL in a multiethnic sample of breast cancer survivors. Design: We examined a cohort of 58 breast cancer survivors who participated in a pilot study to investigate biological stress. Participants were drawn from the Equality in Breast Cancer Care (EBCC) study and were asked to provide saliva samples for DNA extraction. Ordinary least squares linear regression was used to derive regression coefficients (β) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Higher levels of everyday discrimination were associated with longer TLs (eβ = 1.04, CI: 1.01–1.07), adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, breast cancer stage, and breast cancer subtype. Luminal B subtypes were associated with longer telomeres relative to luminal A, while African Americans were less likely than Whites to have longer telomeres. Conclusions: Further research, particularly longitudinal studies, is needed to understand how discrimination, and other social stressors, impact biological stress and health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the antimicrobial activity of 1,3,4-thiadiazole compounds, a new series of derivatives was synthesized from the reaction of 5-nitro heteroaryl-1,3,4-thiadiazole with piperazinyl benzonitrile. The structure of the compounds was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1HNMR), and mass spectral data. The antimicrobial activities of the synthetic compounds against bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) and fungal strains (Candida albicans and Saccharomyces Cerevisiae) showed compound E as the best antibacterial compound. After that, the molecular docking of the compounds with Escherichia coli dihydroorotase (PDB ID: 2EG7) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (PDB ID: 4OR7) was studied using ArgusLab software, which showed low binding energies ≤ − 6. 0 7 Kcal/mol and − 7. 1 7 Kcal/mol, respectively. Finally, the prediction of their drug-likeness by the assessment of some physical and chemical properties such as hydrogen bond donor/acceptor properties, water solubility, lipophilicity and acute oral toxicity acknowledged their drug-like properties. 1,3,4-thiadiazoles nucleus is one of the most applicable rings in biologically active compounds. According to the antifungal and antibacterial effects of 1,3,4-thiadiazole, a new series of these compounds were synthesized. The synthesis, in silico, and in vitro evaluations of a series of 5-nitro heteroaryl-1,3,4-thiadiazole analogs with piperazinyl benzonitrile substituents on 2- position, were described as the potential antimicrobial agents targeting for the 2EG7 and 4OR7 proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: By eliminating the requirement for participants to make frequent visits to research sites, mobile phone applications ("apps") may help to decentralize clinical trials. Apps may also be an effective mechanism for capturing patient-reported outcomes and other endpoints, helping to optimize patient care during and outside of clinical trials., Objectives: We report on the usability of Digital BioMarkers for Clinical Impact (DigiBioMarC™ (DBM)), a novel smartphone-based app used by cancer patients in conjunction with a wearable device (Apple Watch®). DBM is designed to collect patient-reported outcomes and record physical functions., Methods: In a fully decentralized "bring-your-own-device" smartphone study, we enrolled 54 cancer patient and caregiver dyads from Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) from October 2020 through March 2021. Patients used the app for at least 28 days, completed weekly questionnaires about their symptoms, physical functions, and mood, and performed timed physical tasks. Usability was determined through a subset of the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS), the full System Usability Scale (SUS), the Net Promoter Score (NPS), and semi-structured interviews., Results: We obtained usability survey data from 50 of 54 patients. Median responses to the selected MARS questions and the mean SUS scores indicated above average usability. The NPS from the semi-structured interviews at the end of the study was 24, indicating a favorable score., Conclusions: Cancer patients reported above average usability for the DBM app. Qualitative analyses indicated that the app was easy to use and helpful. Future work will emphasize implementing further patient recommendations and evaluating the app's clinical efficacy in multiple settings., Competing Interests: The author(s) declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: IOG, SWD, and RY are employed by Medable Inc., which developed the DBM app with funding from the National Institutes of Health through the Small Business Innovation Research program with the National Cancer Institute. SJF is subcontracted to work with Medable to analyze the study data., (© The Author(s) 2023.)