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Spleen lymphocytes from five patients with Hodgkin's disease(HD) type mixed cellularity and five normal controls were studied. An increased percentage of'null cells" was observed in three out of the five patients studied. The two other patients had increased percentage of T lymphocytes. Lymphocytes from spleen with HD had a decreased ability to respond to suboptimal concentrations of T cell mitogens. When these cells were fractionate in a discontinuous density gradient a subpopulation of cells. unable to respond to Con A. was recovered from the dense ceil fractions. The implications of the present findings to the understanding of the physiopathological changes in HD are discussed, [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mindfulness witnessed a substantial popularity surge in the past decade, especially as digitally self-administered interventions became available at relatively low costs. Yet, it is uncertain whether they effectively help reduce stress. In a preregistered (OSF https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/UF4JZ ; retrospective registration at ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06308744 ) multi-site study (n sites  = 37, n participants  = 2,239, 70.4% women, M age  = 22.4, s.d. age  = 10.1, all fluent English speakers), we experimentally tested whether four single, standalone mindfulness exercises effectively reduced stress, using Bayesian mixed-effects models. All exercises proved to be more efficacious than the active control. We observed a mean difference of 0.27 (d = -0.56; 95% confidence interval, -0.43 to -0.69) between the control condition (M = 1.95, s.d. = 0.50) and the condition with the largest stress reduction (body scan: M = 1.68, s.d. = 0.46). Our findings suggest that mindfulness may be beneficial for reducing self-reported short-term stress for English speakers from higher-income countries., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

This paper investigates mindsets about the process of health behaviors-the extent to which people associate physical activity and healthy eating with appealing (pleasurable, fun, indulgent) versus unappealing (unpleasant, boring, depriving) qualities-to promote greater engagement. Study 1 ( N = 536) examined how mindsets about physical activity and healthy eating relate to current and future health behavior. Study 2 ( N = 149) intervened in actual fitness classes to compare the effects of brief appeal-focused and health-focused interventions on mindsets about physical activity and class engagement. Study 3 ( N = 140) designed nutrition education classes that emphasized either the appeal or the importance of fruits and vegetables for health and compared its effects on mindsets about healthy eating and actual fruit and vegetable consumption. Holding more appealing mindsets about health behaviors predicts subsequent physical activity and healthy eating (Study 1). An intervention targeting mindsets about the appeal of physical activity promotes greater participation in fitness classes than emphasizing the importance of meeting activity guidelines (Study 2). Meanwhile, interventions targeting mindsets about the appeal of healthy eating increases in-class fruit and vegetable selection more than emphasizing the importance of eating nutritious foods (Study 3), however additional work is needed to sustain such changes in eating behavior. These studies suggest mindsets about the process of health behaviors can be influential and changeable factors in motivating physical activity and healthy eating., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Boles, DeSousa, Turnwald, Horii, Duarte, Zahrt, Markus and Crum.)

Objective: Many youth do not use the hybrid closed-loop system for type 1 diabetes effectively. This study evaluated the impact of financial incentives for diabetes-related tasks on use of the 670G hybrid closed-loop system and on glycemia., Methods: At auto mode initiation and for 16 weeks thereafter, participants received a flat rate for wearing and calibrating the sensor ($1/day), administering at least 3 mealtime insulin boluses per day ($1/day), and uploading ($5/week). Weekly bonuses were given for maintaining at least 70% of the time in auto mode, which were increased for persistent auto mode use from $3/week to a maximum of $13/week. If a participant failed to maintain auto mode for a week, the rewards were reset to baseline. Data from 17 participants aged 15.9 years ± 2.5 years (baseline hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c] 8.6% ± 1.1%) were collected at 6, 12, and 16 weeks. The reinforcers were withdrawn at 16 weeks, with a follow-up assessment at 24 weeks., Results: With reinforcers, the participants administered an average of at least 3 mealtime insulin boluses per day and wore the sensor over 70% of the time. However, auto mode use waned. HbA1c levels decreased by 0.5% after 6 weeks, and this improvement was maintained at 12 and 16 weeks (P < .05). Upon withdrawal of reinforcers, HbA1c levels increased back to baseline at 24 weeks., Conclusion: Compensation for diabetes-related tasks was associated with lower HbA1c levels, consistent administration of mealtime insulin boluses, and sustained sensor use. These results support the potential of financial rewards for improving outcomes in youth with type 1 diabetes., (Copyright © 2020 AACE. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Though socio-economic status (SES) partially explains the experience of stress and health outcomes, most research to date has relied on a small number of traditional indicators that fail to capture the full domain of socioeconomic factors. The recent reconceptualization of perceived scarcity is proposed as a subjective indicator of SES when attempting to predict both stress and health outcomes. Although a conceptualization of perceived scarcity has been advanced, a psychometrically sound scale is needed to assess the utility and scientific import of this concept. No such scale exists. Therefore, the current paper describes the development, psychometric properties, and initial validation of the Perceived Scarcity Scale (PScS). Four studies using traditional scale development processes were employed to develop (Studies 1 and 2) and provide an initial validation (Studies 3 and 4) for the PScS. Results support the existing model of perceived scarcity and indicate that the measure is valid. Moreover, the scale predicted concurrent perceived stress, as well as longitudinal ratings of perceived stress, global health, quality of life, and symptoms of depression and anxiety. The development of the new scale provides clinicians and researchers with a brief, validated measure that can assess the level of perceived scarcity individuals currently experience., (© 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) is common, but the lived experience of HAND is not well-understood. In this descriptive qualitative study, we explored how adults with HAND view, manage, and obtain support for cognitive difficulties. We interviewed 25 participants (20% female; median age = 51 years) who were diagnosed with HAND using neuropsychological assessment and a clinical interview. Semistructured interviews, co-developed with community members living with HIV, focused on how cognitive difficulties manifested and progressed, impacted well-being, and were discussed with others. We analyzed interview transcripts using a team-based, thematic approach. Participants described concentration, memory, and multitasking difficulties that fluctuated over time, as well as potential risk factors, management strategies, and psychosocial consequences. They reported they seldom discussed cognitive impairment with health care professionals, and that receiving a HAND diagnosis was validating, informative, yet somewhat disconcerting. Conversations between health care professionals and people living with HIV about HAND may provide opportunities for education, assessment, and support.

Fishing industry workers are at high risk for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and injuries. Prescription opioids used to treat pain injuries may put these workers at increased risk for developing substance disorders. Using a Community-Based Participatory Research approach, formative research was conducted to inform the eventual development of relevant interventions to prevent and reduce opioid use disorders among fishing industry workers. Qualitative interviews ( n = 21) were conducted to assess: knowledge and attitudes about opioid use disorders; features of fishing work that might affect use and/or access to treatment; and community and organizational capacity for prevention and treatment. Participants reported numerous pathways connecting commercial fishing with opioid use. The combination of high stress and physically tasking job duties requires comprehensive workplace interventions to prevent chronic pain and MSDs, in addition to tailored and culturally responsive treatment options to address opioid use disorders in this population. Public health programs must integrate workplace health and safety protection along with evidence-based primary, secondary, and tertiary interventions in order to address opioid use disorders, particularly among workers in strenuous jobs., Competing Interests: Authors declare no conflict of interest. The funding sponsors had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, and in the decision to publish the results.

Objective: This study investigates the effect of mirror therapy and task-oriented training on the paretic upper extremity function and occupational performance of people with stroke., Method: This study used a repeated-measures, case-series design in which 4 participants completed a 4-wk intervention consisting of mirror therapy and task-specific training. The intervention was conducted 2×/wk in the clinic and 4×/wk at home., Results: All participants displayed clinically meaningful improvements in self-identified goals at the end of the intervention and at follow-up. Three participants showed clinically meaningful changes in motor function. Although only 1 participant improved in his reported amount of use, all participants showed clinically meaningful improvements in perceived movement quality at varying points of assessment., Conclusion: Mirror therapy, when used as priming for task-oriented training, can produce clinical improvements in upper extremity function and occupational performance in people with hemiparesis., (Copyright © 2018 by the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.)

Widespread availability of monotherapies and falsified antimalarials is thought to have contributed to the historical development of multidrug-resistant malaria in Cambodia. This study aimed to document the quality of artemisinin-containing antimalarials (ACAs) and to compare two methods of collecting antimalarials from drug outlets: through open surveyors and mystery clients (MCs). Few oral artemisinin-based monotherapies and no suspected falsified medicines were found. All 291 samples contained the stated active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) of which 69% were considered good quality by chemical analysis. Overall, medicine quality did not differ by collection method, although open surveyors were less likely to obtain oral artemisinin-based monotherapies than MCs. The results are an encouraging indication of the positive impact of the country's efforts to tackle falsified antimalarials and artemisinin-based monotherapies. However, poor-quality medicines remain an ongoing challenge that demands sustained political will and investment of human and financial resources., (© The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.)

The house/ball community is an understudied sub-group of young Black men who have sex with men and transgender persons in urban centers of the United States who affiliate in social structures called houses and gather at elaborate dance and performance events called balls. In Charlotte, North Carolina, 12 house/ball members were interviewed about their experiences with health care providers and their assessment of any barriers to care due to their affiliation with the rather clandestine house/ball sub-culture. Additionally, HIV-specific health care providers were interviewed, to assess their knowledge of the sub-culture. House/ball members reported both positive and negative perceptions of treatment by their health care providers with respect to their house/ball involvement. Some reported feeling stigmatized, especially around HIV status. Results showed that increased knowledge about the house/ball community could improve practitioners' cultural competence, thereby reducing stigma-related barriers to care.

Aims: Identification of risk factors for ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) occurrence in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) is reasonable, because ICD patients with multiple risk factors might benefit from more aggressive anti-arrhythmic therapy for the prevention of arrhythmic events. Furthermore, in the era of prophylactic ICD therapy and limited healthcare resources, additional markers are needed for improved patient selection., Methods and Results: Thus, in Prospective Analysis of Risk Factor for Appropriate ICD Therapy (PROFIT), we prospectively analyzed the role of ejection fraction (EF), N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, atrial fibrillation, and QRS-duration as independent predictors for VT/VF occurrence in 250 ICD patients. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that EF<40% (log-rank P=0.001), NT-proBNP levels higher than median (>or=405 ng/L; log-rank P=0.04), QRS-duration >or=150 ms (log-rank P=0.016), permanent atrial fibrillation (log-rank P=0.008), and higher NYHA class (log-rank P=0.029) were associated with VT/VF occurrence. By multivariate Cox regression analysis EF, QRS-duration and atrial fibrillation remained significantly associated with appropriate VT/VF therapy, whereas there was no relationship among NT-proBNP, NYHA class, and VT/VF occurrence. Stratifying patients according to the number of their independent risk factors (EF<40%, AF, QRS-width>or=150 ms) showed that patients with greater than or equal to two risk factors had a 100% 2-year risk of VT/VF occurrence, whereas patients with no or one risk factor had a 19.3 and 25% 2-year risk, respectively., Conclusions: EF<40%, permanent atrial fibrillation, and QRS>or=150 ms are independent predictors for VT/VF occurrence in predominantly secondary prophylactic ICD patients. Combining all independent predictors, we developed a risk score for VT/VF occurrence identifying a subgroup of patients with two or more risk factors who had a 100% 2-year risk. Future studies will reveal if this risk score helps to identify ICD patients suitable for empirical anti-arrhythmic therapy and to improve patient selection for prophylactic ICD therapy.

Iron influences host immunity, in part by affecting the function and migration patterns of T cell subpopulations. Removal of iron stores from the body by chelation decreases proliferation and differentiation of T cells, as shown in models of autoimmunity and pancreatic islet transplantation. We have examined the influence of iron chelation on rejection of vascularized heart allografts in rats. Two protocols were investigated: "treated" recipients received desferrithiocin (30 mg/kg/day) orally for 10 days beginning the day of transplantation; "pretreated" hosts received a similar dose of the drug for 10 days before engraftment. Graft survival increased from about 7 days in untreated animals to 14-16 days in both treatment groups (P < 0.001). Histological and immunoperoxidase studies of allografts at day 7 showed that iron chelation resulted in only a mild reduction in cell infiltration, but in a marked decrease in graft edema and interstitial hemorrhage and essentially complete suppression of mononuclear cell activation and cytokine production. Chelation therapy was also found to inhibit profoundly cytokine (TNF-alpha) production in rats treated with LPS, consistent with the effects observed in situ in the allografts. In vitro studies showed that pretreatment significantly inhibited the mixed lymphocyte reaction. Chelation also influenced migration of T lymphocyte subsets: treatment stimulated migration of CD4+ lymphocytes to peripheral lymph nodes; pretreatment strikingly and selectively increased CD8+ cell migration into parathymic lymph nodes draining the graft, with the opposite effect on nondraining node groups. We conclude that treatment with iron-chelating agents has several effects on host alloresponsiveness in a rat heart graft model secondary to inhibition of immune activation; these include prolongation of graft survival, inhibition of the mixed lymphocyte reaction (pretreatment), marked depression of cytokine production, and alteration in recirculation patterns of lymphocyte subpopulations.