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While rapid analysis of the human biofluid metabolome is now possible using ambient ionization mass spectrometry (AIMS), these procedures are hampered by in-source matrix effects and reduced sample stability impeding metabolome coverage while remaining relatively labor-intensive. In this study, we aimed at developing biofluid-specific metabolome sampling membranes (MetaSAMP®s, WO2021/191467) that offer a directly applicable and stabilizing substrate for AIMS. Customized rectal, salivary and urinary MetaSAMP®s consisting of multilayered electrospun nanofibrous membranes of blended hydrophilic (polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyacrylonitrile) and lipophilic (polystyrene) polymers supported adequate metabolite ab- , ad-, and desorption. Moreover, MetaSAMP® demonstrated superior metabolome coverage and transport stability compared to crude biofluid analysis and was successfully validated in two pediatric cohorts (MetaBEAse, n=234, feces and urine; OPERA, n=138, saliva). By integrating anthropometric and (patho)physiological with MetaSAMP®-AIMS metabolome data, we obtained significant weight-driven predictions and clinical correlations. In conclusion, MetaSAMP® holds great clinical application potential for on-the-spot metabolic health stratification.

Purpose: This first U.S.-based, descriptive study of transgender Deaf adults looks to contribute to the gap in research regarding those who lie at the intersection of Deaf and transgender identities. The study objective is to identify characteristics that associate with medical conditions, including depression and anxiety disorders, among Deaf transgender adults. Methods: We gathered self-reported data from 74 Deaf transgender adults who used American Sign Language. Modified Poisson regression with robust standard errors was used to calculate relative risk estimates of having a medical condition among nonbinary individuals compared with gender binary individuals. Results: The sample lifetime prevalence for medical conditions in the Deaf transgender sample were as follows: 48.6% for depression/anxiety disorders, 28.8% for hypertension, 20.3% for lung conditions, 16.2% for arthritis/rheumatism, 12.3% for diabetes, 7.0% for cirrhosis/liver/kidney problems, 5.5% for heart conditions, and 2.7% for cancer. In cross-tabulation analysis across binary and nonbinary subsamples, the lifetime prevalence was significantly different only for depression and anxiety disorder with higher percentage in the nonbinary subsample. After adjusting for covariates in a regression model, identification as nonbinary increased a Deaf person's risk for being diagnosed with depression or anxiety disorder by 80% (95% confidence interval, 1.11–2.90) relative to Deaf people who self-identified as a binary gender. Conclusion: Study findings suggest that the Deaf transgender community is at risk for developing mental and physical health conditions.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been as unprecedented as unexpected, affecting more than 105 million people worldwide as of 8 February 2020 and causing more than 2.3 million deaths according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Not only affecting the lungs but also provoking acute respiratory distress, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is able to infect multiple cell types including cardiac and vascular cells. Hence a significant proportion of infected patients develop cardiac events, such as arrhythmias and heart failure. Patients with cardiovascular comorbidities are at highest risk of cardiac death. To face the pandemic and limit its burden, health authorities have launched several fast-track calls for research projects aiming to develop rapid strategies to combat the disease, as well as longer-term projects to prepare for the future. Biomarkers have the possibility to aid in clinical decision-making and tailoring healthcare in order to improve patient quality of life. The biomarker potential of circulating RNAs has been recognized in several disease conditions, including cardiovascular disease. RNA biomarkers may be useful in the current COVID-19 situation. The discovery, validation, and marketing of novel biomarkers, including RNA biomarkers, require multi-centre studies by large and interdisciplinary collaborative networks, involving both the academia and the industry. Here, members of the EU-CardioRNA COST Action CA17129 summarize the current knowledge about the strain that COVID-19 places on the cardiovascular system and discuss how RNA biomarkers can aid to limit this burden. They present the benefits and challenges of the discovery of novel RNA biomarkers, the need for networking efforts, and the added value of artificial intelligence to achieve reliable advances.

Bakgrund: En trygg anknytning mellan barn och föräldrar är viktigt för ett barns framtida hälsa. Samspelet mellan föräldrar och barn, ögonkontakt och att engagera sig i barnet är grunden i anknytningsprocessen. För att främja anknytning och kunna ge stöd är det betydelsefullt att BVC-sköterskan försöker skapa en förtroendefull relation med föräldrarna. Anknytning och att följa barnets utveckling är grunden i BVC-sjuksköterskans arbete. Syfte: Att beskriva BVC-sköterskans erfarenheter av arbetet med anknytning samt deras föreställning om skärmanvändandet påverkar anknytningen mellan nyblivna föräldrar och barn under första levnadsåret. Metod: Semistrukturerade intervjuer med induktiv ansats. Datamaterialet bestod av sex stycken individuella intervjuer med distriktssköterskor på tre olika barnavårdscentraler i Norrland. Resultat: BVC-sköterskorna beskrev arbetet med anknytning och att anknytningen mellan barn och föräldrar oftast går bra. De menade att anknytning är grunden till allt och att de behöver skapa en relation med tillit till föräldrarna för att kunna ge rätt stöd. BVC-sköterskorna upplevde en ökad mobilanvändning och mer stress och ohälsa hos föräldrarna. Dock upplevde de inte att mobilanvändandet direkt påverkar anknytningen mellan barn och föräldrar under första levnadsåret. Slutsats: Att skapa en god anknytning och ta hand om sitt barn är en instinkt. BVC-sköterskorna har ett viktigt arbete på BVC att främja en god anknytningsprocess genom att skapa allianser med familjerna och ge stöd och vägledning. Background: A secure attachment between child and parent is vital for the child’s future health. Interaction between parent and child, eye contact, and engaging with the child are the foundations of the process of attachment. To promote a secure attachment and offer support, it is of importance that the district nurse aims to create a trusting relationship with the parents. Attachment and child development is at the core of the district nurse role. Aim: To describe the district nurse`s experience of working with attachment, and their perception of how screen use affects the attachment between new parents and their infant during the first year. Methods: Semi-structured interviews using an inductive approach. The data used was collected through six individual interviews with district nurses employed at three different family medical centres in Norrland. Results: The district nurse describe how they work with the attachment process, and that the attachment between parents and child is usually secure. Attachment is the foundation of child development, and therefore it informs all the work they do. They need to form a relationship with the parents to give the best support possible. The district nurse have not noticed a direct connection between the use of mobile phones and the attachment between infants and their parents during the first year of life. They have however observed an increase in mobile phone use, stress and poor health in parents. Conclusion: Creating a secure attachment and caring for one’s infant is innate. The district nurse`s have an important task at the BVC to promote a healthy attachment process through forming good relationships with families and offer support and guidance. Datum för godkännande: 2021-11-19