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The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown of Universities globally in the spring of 2020 appears to have had a negative impact on female academics in countries studied to date. Denmark is an exemplar country with clear legislative practices to support gender quality, and differences between men and women with regards to unpaid house and care work are less substantial than many other places. It is largely unknown whether Danish academics experienced the same level of COVID-19-related disruption to productivity and whether women, or academics with children in general experienced more serious disruption. To investigate the local effects of the lockdown in Danish academia, we (i) performed an analysis of preprints in a single academic field and (ii) surveyed academics employed at Denmark’s largest University. We found that parents with young children worked less hours per day during the lockdown than academics with older or no children and that this effect was more pronounced in women with young children. The vast majority of both male and female scholars with teaching responsibility reported more time spent on teaching. A larger proportion of junior academics felt their productivity decreased compared to senior academics. Additionally, analyses of the number self-reported submitted grants and manuscripts did not show any differences differ by gender or career level. However, the gender gap did increase during the first month of the lockdown with respect to the number of manuscripts submitted to preprint servers. This study contributes to emerging data on the impact of lockdowns on academic productivity and highlights the negative impact on parents with young children that is exacerbated in women with young children.

Prospective studies show an association between obstructive sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the treatment of choice and effectively reduces subjective sleepiness and apneic and hypopneic events. However, randomized trials have not shown a reduction in cardiovascular outcomes with CPAP therapy. We review the past 10 years of randomized trial evidence regarding the therapeutic efficacy of CPAP on cardiovascular outcomes and mortality in adults with obstructive sleep apnea. The majority of studies found no significant improvement in cardiovascular outcomes with CPAP, although many noted nonsignificant benefits. Adjusted analysis in several trials showed significant cardiovascular benefit in those patients with higher CPAP compliance. Existing trials may lack sufficient follow-up and CPAP compliance, among other limitations.

Objective To determine if the CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥75 years, diabetes mellitus, stroke or transient ischemic attack, vascular disease, age 65-74 years, sex category) predicts thromboembolism and death in patients without atrial fibrillation in a population with implantable cardiac monitoring devices. Patients and Methods A retrospective review utilizing the Rochester Epidemiology Project research infrastructure was conducted to evaluate the CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc tool as a predictor of mortality and ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack, or systemic embolism in patients without atrial fibrillation. An implantable device was required in the inclusion criteria to discern the absence of atrial fibrillation. The study period was January 1, 2004, through March 7, 2016. Results The study population (N=1606) had a mean (SD) age of 69.8 (12.6) years and median follow-up of 4.8 years (range, 0-12 years; quartile 1, 2.6 years and quartile 3, 8.1 years). The number of thromboembolic and mortality events stratified by CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score groupings of 0 to 2 (399 patients), 3 to 5 (756 patients), and 6 to 9 (451 patients) were 12 (3.0%), 109 (14.4%), and 123 (27.3%) and 22 (5.5%), 205 (27.1%), and 214 (47.4%), respectively. The CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score predicted thromboembolism and death. The hazard ratios (HRs) for thromboembolic events for CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc scores 3 to 5 and 6 to 9 were 4.84 (95% CI, 2.66-8.80) and 10.53 (95% CI, 5.77-19.21) (reference group, scores 0-2). The HRs for death for the corresponding score categories were 4.45 (95% CI, 2.86-6.91) and 8.18 (95% CI, 5.23-12.78). The CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score also predicted development of atrial fibrillation, for which the HRs for scores 3 to 5 and 6 to 9 were 1.51 (95% CI, 1.13-2.00) and 2.17 (95% CI, 1.60-2.95). Conclusion The CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc tool predicts thromboembolic events and overall mortality in patients without atrial fibrillation who have implantable devices.

In C. elegans, miRNAs are genetic biomarkers of aging. Similarly, multiple miRNAs are differentially expressed between younger and older persons, suggesting that miRNA-regulated biological mechanisms affecting aging are evolutionarily conserved. Previous human studies have not considered participants' lifespans, a key factor in identifying biomarkers of aging. Using PCR arrays, we measured miRNA levels from serum samples obtained longitudinally at ages 50, 55, and 60 from 16 non-Hispanic males who had documented lifespans from 58 to 92. Numerous miRNAs showed significant changes in expression levels. At age 50, 24 miRNAs were significantly upregulated, and 73 were significantly downregulated in the long-lived subgroup (76-92 years) as compared with the short-lived subgroup (58-75 years). In long-lived participants, the most upregulated was miR-373-5p, while the most downregulated was miR-15b-5p. Longitudinally, significant Pearson correlations were observed between lifespan and expression of nine miRNAs (p value

Research is conflicting whether kidney function should be incorporated in thromboembolism risk prediction. Our published data showed that the CHA2DS2-VASc score predicts thromboembolism and mortality in those without atrial fibrillation. We used the Rochester Epidemiology Project medical records system to retrospectively evaluate whether adding renal impairment (1 point) to the CHA2DS2-VASc score (-R) enhances the score's prediction of mortality, thromboembolism, and atrial fibrillation in patients without atrial fibrillation. We identified patients that had an implantable cardiac monitoring device placed from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2013, which was defined as the start date. Follow-up was through March 7, 2016. An implantable device was required to discern the absence of atrial fibrillation. Renal impairment was defined as chronic kidney disease stage 3 or greater. The population (n = 1,606) had a mean age of 69.8 years and median follow-up of 4.8 years. Baseline renal impairment was predictive of mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 2.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.64 to 2.60, p

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of antihypertensives in reducing neurocognitive outcomes in elderly patients. Patients & methods: We conducted a systematic literature search of randomized trials in which hypertensive patients with a mean age ≥65 years received antihypertensive or control treatment. Outcomes were stroke, transient ischemic attack, cognitive decline and dementia. We included 14 trials for meta-analysis. Results: Compared to placebo, antihypertensive treatment reduced the risk of stroke (RR: 0.67 [95% CI: 0.57–0.79]). Reduced risk was significant for transient ischemic attack, fatal stroke, nonfatal stroke and total stroke. There were insufficient data to compare individual agents. Conclusion: Antihypertensive treatment is associated with a significant reduction in stroke in elderly individuals. Reductions in dementia and cognitive decline were not significant; however, there was short follow-up. Comparative effectiveness evidence is limited.

Music is increasingly used as an adjuvant for the management of chronic pain (CP), as it is non-invasive, inexpensive, and patients usually report positive experiences with it. However, little is known about its clinical efficacy in chronic pain patients.We aimed to determine the effect of music as an adjuvant for chronic pain, as well as to identify characteristics of music interventions associated with positive clinical outcomes.In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we investigated randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of adult patients that reported any type of music intervention for chronic pain, chosen by the researcher or patient, lasting for any duration. Searches were performed using PsycINFO, Scopus, and PubMed for RCTs published until the end of May 2016. The primary outcome was reduction in self-reported pain using a standardized pain measurement instrument, reported post-intervention. The secondary outcomes were: quality of life measures, depression, anxiety, and related measures.The study was pre-registered with PROSPERO (CRD42016039837), and the meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 (The Nordic Cochrane Centre for The Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen, Denmark). We identified 768 titles and abstracts, and we included 14 RTCs that fulfilled our criteria. The sample size of the studies varied between 25 and 200 patients.We found that music reduced self-reported chronic pain and depressive symptoms. We also found that music had a greater effect when the patient chose the music, compared to when the researcher chose it.The sample size of RCTs was small and sometimes with different outcome measures. There was high heterogeneity associated with pooled estimates.Our analysis suggests that music may be beneficial as an adjuvant for chronic pain patients, as it reduces self-reported pain and its common comorbidities. Importantly, the analgesic effect of music appears higher with self-chosen over researcher-chosen music.Pain, music, analgesia, music-induced analgesia, chronic pain, meta-analysis, systematic review, therapy.

Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease continues to be a major global health burden in developing and developed nations. Newer imaging techniques afford an accurate assessment of plaque burden and characteristics as well as the effects of treatment. Lifestyle interventions and pharmacotherapy remain the mainstay of non-interventional treatment of coronary atherosclerosis, with reversal seen in many studies. In addition, control of modifiable risk factors can be beneficial. As a better understanding of atherosclerosis pathophysiology is achieved, new therapeutic targets and combination therapies may join the armamentarium that promotes regression of atherosclerotic plaque. We present a review of the literature regarding lifestyle and medical therapies that can promote the reversal of coronary atherosclerosis.

Mycobacterium avium intracellulare infection or colonization should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hypercalcemia, especially in immunocompromised individuals, in the appropriate clinical context.

Peripheral psychophysiological measures have been used to inform our understanding of symptoms in mental health disorders, to predict treatment response, and to investigate mechanisms of treatment change. Typically, psychophysiological measures are laboratory-based, yielding precise, reliable, but infrequent assessment. Wearable technology can provide new ways to understand physiology beyond the laboratory. In order to harness this potential, we need to develop methods to monitor patients unobtrusively, with minimal patient burden, and due concern for privacy issues. Furthermore, we need to ensure that methods developed are acceptable to patients, as well as being engaging to use. In this interdisciplinary project, we adopt approaches from human-computer interaction, where target users are involved in the design and refinement of our technological solutions. The engineering challenge involves building a smartphone application that can gather and analyse physiological and behavioural data securely. From testing wearable device capacities, we suggest that resting sleeping heart rate may comprise a measurable index of physiological functioning. This measure, together with behavioural indices, such as daily rhythmic patterns of activity, may provide new insights into patient functioning. Furthermore, high-frequency recording, over extended periods as available from wearable devices, will provide us with a temporally-sensitive means to investigate treatment effects.

Many RNA species have been identified as important players in the development of chronic diseases, including cancer. Over the past decade, numerous studies have highlighted how regulatory RNAs such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play crucial roles in the development of a disease state. It is clear that the aberrant expression of miRNAs promotes tumor initiation and progression, is linked with cardiac dysfunction, allows for the improper physiological response in maintaining glucose and insulin levels, and can prevent the appropriate integration of neuronal networks, resulting in neurodegenerative disorders. Because of this, there has been a major effort to therapeutically target these noncoding RNAs. In just the past 5 years, over 100 antisense oligonucleotide-based therapies have been tested in phase I clinical trials, a quarter of which have reached phase II/III. Most notable are fomivirsen and mipomersen, which have received FDA approval to treat cytomegalovirus retinitis and high blood cholesterol, respectively. The continued improvement of innovative RNA modifications and delivery entities, such as nanoparticles, will aid in the development of future RNA-based therapeutics for a broader range of chronic diseases. Here we summarize the latest promises and challenges of targeting noncoding RNAs in disease.

To determine if the CHAA retrospective review utilizing the Rochester Epidemiology Project research infrastructure was conducted to evaluate the CHAThe study population (N=1606) had a mean (SD) age of 69.8 (12.6) years and median follow-up of 4.8 years (range, 0-12 years; quartile 1, 2.6 years and quartile 3, 8.1 years). The number of thromboembolic and mortality events stratified by CHAThe CHA

Lower extremity physiologic testing also known as ankle-brachial indices (ABIs) are an important non-invasive diagnostic tool for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and a risk marker for cardiovascular outcome. ABI is calculated by adapting the highest systolic blood pressure of the dorsalis pedis or

Many RNA species have been identified as important players in the development of chronic diseases including cancer. Certain classes of regulatory RNAs such as microRNAs (miRNAs) have been investigated in such detail that bona fide tumor suppressive and oncogenic miRNAs have been identified. Because of this, there has been a major effort to therapeutically target these small RNAs. One in particular, a liposomal formulation of miR-34a (MRX34), has entered Phase I trials.This review aims to summarize miRNA biology, its regulation within normal versus disease states and how it can be targeted therapeutically, with a particular emphasis on miR-34a. Understanding the complexity of a single miRNA will aid in the development of future RNA-based therapeutics for a broader range of chronic diseases.The potential of miRNAs to be developed into anti-cancer therapeutics has become an increasingly important area of research. miR-34a is a tumor suppressive miRNA across many tumor types through its ability to inhibit cellular proliferation, invasion and tumor sphere formation. miR-34a also shows promise within certain in vivo solid tumor models. Finally, as miR-34a moves into clinical trials it will be important to determine if it can further sensitize tumors to certain chemotherapeutic agents.

Site-specific recombinases (SSRs) are valuable tools for manipulating genomes. In Drosophila, thousands of transgenic insertions carrying SSR recognition sites have been distributed throughout the genome by several large-scale projects. Here we describe a method with the potential to use these insertions to make custom alterations to the Drosophila genome in vivo. Specifically, by employing recombineering techniques and a dual recombinase-mediated cassette exchange strategy based on the phiC31 integrase and FLP recombinase, we show that a large genomic segment that lies between two SSR recognition-site insertions can be “captured” as a target cassette and exchanged for a sequence that was engineered in bacterial cells. We demonstrate this approach by targeting a 50-kb segment spanning the tsh gene, replacing the existing segment with corresponding recombineered sequences through simple and efficient manipulations. Given the high density of SSR recognition-site insertions in Drosophila, our method affords a straightforward and highly efficient approach to explore gene function in situ for a substantial portion of the Drosophila genome.

Background Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Related Apoptosis Inducing Ligand (TRAIL) and agonistic antibodies to death receptor 4 and 5 are promising candidates for cancer therapy due to their ability to induce apoptosis selectively in a variety of human cancer cells, while demonstrating little cytotoxicity in normal cells. Although TRAIL and agonistic antibodies to DR4 and DR5 are considered safe and promising candidates in cancer therapy, many malignant cells are resistant to DR-mediated, TRAIL-induced apoptosis. In the current work, we screened a small library of fifty-five FDA and foreign-approved anti-neoplastic drugs in order to identify candidates that sensitized resistant prostate and pancreatic cancer cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Methods FDA-approved drugs were screened for their ability to sensitize TRAIL resistant prostate cancer cells to TRAIL using an MTT assay for cell viability. Analysis of variance was used to identify drugs that exhibited synergy with TRAIL. Drugs demonstrating the highest synergy were selected as leads and tested in different prostate and pancreatic cancer cell lines, and one immortalized human pancreatic epithelial cell line. Sequential and simultaneous dosing modalities were investigated and the annexin V/propidium iodide assay, in concert with fluorescence microscopy, was employed to visualize cells undergoing apoptosis. Results Fourteen drugs were identified as having synergy with TRAIL, including those whose TRAIL sensitization activities were previously unknown in either prostate or pancreatic cancer cells or both. Five leads were tested in additional cancer cell lines of which, doxorubicin, mitoxantrone, and mithramycin demonstrated synergy in all lines. In particular, mitoxantrone and mithramycin demonstrated significant synergy with TRAIL and led to reduction of cancer cell viability at concentrations lower than 1 μM. At these low concentrations, mitoxantrone demonstrated selectivity toward malignant cells over normal pancreatic epithelial cells. Conclusions The identification of a number of FDA-approved drugs as TRAIL sensitizers can expand chemotherapeutic options for combination treatments in prostate and pancreatic cancer diseases.

A total of 4,698 performances by 904 athletes from 46 countries were analyzed to answer the following questions: (a) Were there significant differences in performance between athletes in each of the International Stoke Mandeville Games Federation (ISMGF) medical classifications? (b) To what extent did the classification system yield consistent results across events? (c) To what extent did performance discriminate between athletes in the various classes? (d) What classification systems would the performance data support? The analysis indicated that not all classes differed significantly from all other classes in performance and that there were different patterns of interclass performance between the track events and the throws. Individual athletic performance was shown not to be a good discriminator of medical classification, particularly for paraplegics. The data supported a reduction in the number of classifications from 7 to 3 in track and from 8 to 4 classes in the throws.

The poster present the results of piloting the feasibility of teaching a Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT) program in Denmark to a self-selecting and self-paying community