Population Groups Research Articles

Abstract 6108: Investigation of breast tumor biology and microenvironment in women of African descent using a single cell multiomic approach

Abstract Women of African descent are at an increased risk of developing and dying from aggressive subtypes of breast cancer. A connection between aggressive disease and Western Sub-Saharan African ancestry has been postulated, but it remains largely unknown to what extent breast cancer in Africa is reminiscent of breast cancer in U.S. African American (AA) women who experience disproportionately high mortality rates. We performed ATAC- and RNA-sequencing on 9 human triple-negative breast cancer cell lines of U.S. origin and discovered that African ancestry influences the chromatin landscape, leading to disparate transcription factor (TF) activity and downstream gene expression patterns indicative of an aggressive tumor biology. Here, we describe an ambitious study that employs single-nucleus (sn) ATAC- and RNA-sequencing (snMultiome) of frozen breast tumors to characterize chromatin accessibility and gene expression patterns with single-cell resolution in AA (n=33), Kenyan (n=25), and European American (EA, n=24) women in relation to genetic ancestry, risk factor exposures, clinical characteristics, and 5-year survival. To achieve this, we successfully isolated intact, high-quality single nuclei from archival frozen breast tumor tissue through an optimized combination of enzymatic digestion and automated tissue homogenization. We performed snMultiome sequencing of 82 tumors using the 10x Genomics platform. Following filtering, normalization (SCT for snRNA; LSI for snATAC), peak calling (MACS2), and integration (Harmony), our dataset includes a total of 296,557 nuclei. Cancerous (163,419 nuclei) and non-cancerous (133,138 nuclei) cells were distinguished based on DNA copy number (CopyKat). Within the microenvironment, 11 major immune, epithelial, and stromal cell types were successfully annotated, exhibiting distinct patterns by population group (e.g. AA tumors showed markedly increased abundance of myeloid and T-cells, while Kenyan tumors showed increased abundance of pericytes and fibroblasts). A large number of enriched TFs within each cell type varied significantly by population group, suggesting distinct chromatin accessibility patterns related to genetic ancestry. Within cancerous cells, striking intra- and inter-tumoral heterogeneity was observed by genetic ancestry even within molecular subtype groups. Current efforts focus on in-depth molecular characterization of ancestry- and risk factor-related differences in the tumor epithelium and microenvironment and distinct signatures present in lethal disease. This project holds the potential to yield crucial insights into how ancestry or other factors may influence the etiology of different breast cancer subtypes, as well as produce clinically actionable biomarkers and therapeutic targets to enhance precision medicine within patient populations at high risk for aggressive disease. Citation Format: Alexandra R. Harris, Huaitian Liu, Brittany Jenkins-Lord, Tiffany H. Dorsey, Francis Makokha, Shahin Sayed, Gretchen Gierach, Stefan Ambs. Investigation of breast tumor biology and microenvironment in women of African descent using a single cell multiomic approach [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 6108.

Epidemiological profile of stroke in Qatar: Insights from a seven-year observational study

ObjectivesStroke prevalence is progressively increasing in developing countries due to increased vascular risk factors. This study aims to describe the epidemiology, prevalent risk factors, and outcomes of stroke in a multi-ethnic society of Qatar. Materials and MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of all patients with suspected stroke admitted to stroke services between January 2014 and September 2020. ResultsA total of 11,892 patients were admitted during this period with suspected stroke. Of these, the diagnosis was ischemic stroke (48.8 %), transient ischemic attack (10.3 %), intracerebral hemorrhage (10.9 %), cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (1.3 %), and stroke mimics (28.6 %). The median age was 52 (43–62), with a male–female ratio of 3:1. The study population was predominantly Asian (56.8 %) and Arab (36 %). The majority of the patients were hypertensive (66.8 %), diabetic (47.9 %), and dyslipidemic (45.9 %). A history of prior stroke was observed in 11.7 %, while 0.9 % had prior transient ischemic attack. Among ischemic strokes, 31.7 % arrived within 4.5 h, 12.5 % received thrombolysis, and 4.6 % underwent thrombectomy. Median Door-to-Needle time was 51 (33–72) minutes. The average length of stay was 5.2 ± 9.0 days, with 71.5 % discharged home, 13.8 % transferred to rehabilitation, 9.3 % to other specialties, 3 % to long-term care, and 2.4 % suffered in-hospital mortality. ConclusionStroke in Qatar is characterized by a younger, expatriate-dominant cohort, with notable prevalence of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke and a distinct risk factor profile. Further analysis of epidemiological differences among different population groups can inform targeted policies for prevention and management to reduce the burden of disease.

Measuring Housing Inequality with the Value of Freedom in the Capability Approach: Proposal and Demonstration

ABSTRACT An ongoing question in capability research is how to incorporate the value of freedom into the measurement of inequality. This article proposes an approach to answering this question in the housing domain and its operationalisation. The approach places an evaluation focus to the conditions constraining or expanding housing choices in the dimensions of opportunity, security, and ability. For operationalisation, the study designed a measurement of multidimensional housing disadvantages (MHDs) using the Alkire-Foster method and data from the Netherlands. Indicators include the entitlement to housing tenure options, vulnerability in housing cost payments, and ability to plan finance for housing. The measurement outcome demonstrates that the MHDs measurement can provide information on whose housing choices are more intensely constrained, thus having a lower capability for housing, and whose current housing situation is likely a result of coerced choices. The findings indicate that adults living with housemates or family (latent households), youths, and those with precarious jobs have a significantly lower capability for housing compared to other population groups. This article also compares the freedom-oriented measure of MHDs with functioning-oriented and other conventional measures and discusses its distinguishing properties. This comparison suggests a need to revisit current policy priorities in addressing housing inequality.

Recent genetic, phenetic and ecological divergence across the Mesoamerican highlands: a study case with Diglossa baritula (Aves: Thraupidae).

The topographical, geological, climatic and biodiversity complexity of Mesoamerica has made it a primary research focus. The Mesoamerican highlands is a region with particularly high species richness and within-species variation. The Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer, Diglossa baritula (Wagler, 1832), is a species endemic to the Mesoamerican highlands, with three allopatric subspecies currently recognized. To characterize divergence within this species, we integrated genomics, morphology, coloration and ecological niche modeling approaches, obtained from sampling individuals across the entire geographic distribution of the species. Our results revealed a clear genomic divergence between the populations to the east versus the west of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. In contrast to the genomic results, morphology and coloration analyses showed intermediate levels of differentiation, indicating that population groups within D. baritula have probably been under similar selective pressures. Our morphology results indicated that the only sexually dimorphic morphological variable is the wing chord, with males having a longer wing chord than females. Finally, ecological data indicated that there are differences in ecological niche within D. baritula. Our data suggest that D. baritula could contain two or more incipient species at the intermediate phase of the speciation continuum. These results highlight the importance of the geographical barrier of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec and Pleistocene climatic events in driving isolation and population divergence in D. baritula. The present investigation illustrates the speciation potential of the D. baritula complex and the capacity of Mesoamerican highlands to create cryptic biodiversity and endemism.

Abstract 473: PVT1 exon 9 overexpression induces AR null phenotype and cellular reprogramming in prostate cancer

Abstract Plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) is an oncogenic long-noncoding RNA (lncRNA) gene located directly downstream of MYC on chromosome 8q24. PVT1 is an oncogene overexpressed in prostate cancer (PCa) and can promote oncogenesis by altering gene expression directly or acting as a noncoding RNA sponge. Beyond functioning as a lncRNA, PVT1 gene encodes six microRNAs that each have independent functions. Our group identified overexpression of PVT1 exon 9 in PCa samples derived from men of African Ancestry and overexpression may explain why this population group experiences more aggressive disease. We overexpressed PVT1 exon 9 in RWPE1 prostate epithelial cells (RWPE1_ex9) and found enhanced migration and invasion compared to empty vector (RWPE1_ev). Implantation of RWPE1_ex9 cells into mice led to the formation of tumors with the neuroendocrine PCa (NEPC) phenotype that was histopathologically confirmed. RNA-sequencing analysis of PVT1 exon 9 overexpression showed significant (p-value < 0.05) upregulation of 141 genes. The majority of pathways impacted by PVT1 exon 9 overexpression were interferon type 1 signaling (RSAD2, CMPK2), developmental NOTCH signaling (HES7), cargo-transport (STX16) and tumor microenvironment promoting factors (HS3ST3A1). We found loss of androgen receptor (AR) expression at mRNA and protein levels in RWPE1_ex9 cells, a hallmark of NEPC, which further supports our hypothesis that PVT1 exon 9 overexpression plays a role in NEPC development. Validation of RNA-sequencing confirmed upregulation of RSAD2, CMPK2, STX16, HES7 and HS3ST3A1 within RWPE1_ex9 cells compared to RWPE1_ev and RWPE1 wild-type, suggestive of cellular reprogramming of prostate epithelial cells. We further analyzed expression profile in a novel circulating tumor cell model of castration-resistant 22RV1 cells (C22OH) and found enhanced expression of PVT1 exon 9, suppression of AR, phosphorylation of AR serine residue 308 and enhanced CDK11 activity compared to the primary 22RV1 cell line T22OH suggestive of a cell-cycle mediated regulatory mechanism. We further found enhanced expression of chromogramin A in the C22OH cell line, a marker of NEPC. These results suggest PVT1 exon 9 overexpression may play a critical role in NEPC development from normal epithelial cells via cellular reprogramming as well as facilitating a transition to NEPC from a castration resistant phenotype. PVT1 exon 9 may be a useful predictive biomarker that can identify populations which are likely to have disease progression from castration resistance to NEPC and further highlights the need to identify therapeutic strategies to target PVT1 exon 9 overexpression. Citation Format: Rachel E. Sexton-Bonacci, Chinedum Udekwu, Baris Boylu, Olorunseun O. Ogunwobi. PVT1 exon 9 overexpression induces AR null phenotype and cellular reprogramming in prostate cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 473.

Methodological Approach to the Bioactive Emulsion Food Systems Development

The macro- and micronutrients deficiency in the diet of the population contributes to the alimentary disorder occurrence requiring correction. The development of new foods enriched with BAS, enabled a targeted impact on the functional activity of individual organs, systems and the body as a whole, solves the issue. Fortification (amplification, enrichment) of food systems ensures the nutrient delivery to all population groups without radical changes in the food consumption structure. To induce the BAS permeability, increase its stability, mask undesirable flavors, control the rate of release and targeted delivery, a man uses various effective BAS encapsulation systems including emulsions. Based on the “food systems” and “emulsion food systems” concepts, the author defines the concept of “bioactive emulsion food systems”. The study aimed at methodology formation for the development of bioactive emulsion food systems of optimized composition. On the basis of a system of basic principles and research methods, a set of applied methods united by a common goal and study direction, a man formulated the development methodology for bioactive emulsion food systems of optimized composition; determined its content and structure.

Barsova Gora I/23 Settlement of the Beloyarskaya Culture: Technology and Morphology of Ceramics

Purpose. At the beginning of the second quarter of the 1st millennium B.C. in the Surgut Ob region, the beloyarskaya culture was formed based on the preceding cultures of the Late Bronze Age – the barsovskaya and atlymskaya cultures, and as a result of their interaction. The technical and technological analysis of Beloyarskaya culture ceramics from the Barsova Gora I/23 settlement, including a fragment of a wall with an anthropomorphic image on it, was carried out.Results. The vessels were created using tin clay of low-sanded clay. The product with an anthropomorphic image is made of another clay selected from the river or floodplain. One recipe is defined for pottery of the beloyarskaya culture – Clay + Chamot + Organic solution. The product with an anthropomorphic image is made according to a different recipe – Clay + Broken stone. The anthropomorphic image on the vessel outer surface was made using a tool with a sharpened edge. It is determined that the anthropomorphic image was made on wet clay, after which the vessel was fired. This confirms the simultaneous creation of the vessel and its decoration with an anthropomorphic image. The stratigraphic and planning data allows us to synchronize the complex of ceramics of the beloyarskaya culture and the vessel with an anthropomorphic image on it, as all the analyzed ceramics was found inside one dwelling 1.Conclusion. The vessel with an anthropomorphic image differs from other ceramics from the Barsova Gora I/23 settlement in its appearance and technology. This indicates that this vessel was made according to the pottery tradition uncharacteristic for the settlement of Barsova Gora I/23. Perhaps this vessel got there in the course of interaction with another population group of the beloyarskaya culture.

The broader health benefits of optimised dietary thresholds proposed for type 2 diabetes prevention in Aotearoa New Zealand: simulation modelling.

Optimised dietary thresholds for type 2 diabetes prevention exist; however, they likely have additional benefits beyond diabetes prevention. We have modelled the effects of the proposed dietary thresholds on Health-Adjusted Life Years (HALY), health inequities and health system cost in Aotearoa New Zealand. We created a national diet scenario using the optimised thresholds and compared it with current intakes using an established multistate life table. The primary model considered change in outcome from increasing intakes of fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds while decreasing red meat and sugar-sweetened beverages. A separate secondary nutrient-based model considered change due to increasing whole grains and yoghurt while decreasing refined grains, potatoes and fruit juice. Both models considered the direct non-weight mediated associations between diet and disease. In the primary model, adopting the dietary thresholds produced clear benefit to Aotearoa New Zealand in terms of HALY (1.2 million years [95%UI 1.0-1.5]), and a health system cost saving of $17.9 billion (95%UI 13.6-23.2) over the population life course. HALY gain was at least 1.8 times higher for Māori than non-Māori. The secondary model indicated further gains in HALY for all population groups and health systems costs. These striking benefits of altering current dietary intakes provide strong evidence of the need for change. Such change requires government commitment to an overarching food strategy in Aotearoa New Zealand to build supportive food environments that enable healthy choices at affordable prices.

Abstract 1011: A comprehensive comparative analysis of African Americans’ early onset and late onset colorectal cancer: A 60 year study in underserved population serving hospital

Abstract Background: The incident of early onset of colorectal cancer (EOCRC) is increasing in adults including in African Americans (AA). Aim: To investigate differences between EOCRC compared to late onset colorectal cancer (LOCRC) in AA patients. Methods: We reviewed demography, pathology and colonoscopy records of patients seen at Howard University Hospital from 1959 to 2023. This retrospective cohort consists of 175 EOCRC cases (<45 years) and 2025 LOCRC cases (>45 years). The age-adjusted rates for EOCRC and LOCRC were calculated for the age categories <45 and above 45. Results: The cohort comprised predominantly AA individuals (>85%). Gender distribution showed slightly more females (1074, 53%) than males, with no significant difference observed between EOCRC and LOCRC groups (p=0.94). Initial symptoms at presentation were prevalent in both EOCRC (93.8%) and LOCRC (92.6%). Notably, EOCRC exhibited a higher incidence of abdominal pain (23.3% vs. 17.2%, p=0.05) and changes in bowel habits (24.4% vs. 14%, p=0.05) compared to LOCRC. However, other symptoms such as melena, hematochezia, weight loss, and anemia were less prevalent in EOCRC than in LOCRC. Additionally, comorbidities like hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus (DM), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) were less frequent in EOCRC compared to LOCRC. Family history of colon cancer in first-degree relatives was notably higher in EOCRC (15.5%) compared to LOCRC (3.2%, p=0.01). Pathology reports indicated a higher occurrence of neuroendocrine tumors in EOCRC (2.8%) than in LOCRC (1.4%). Complications such as gastrointestinal bleeding and abdominal CT abnormalities were more frequent in EOCRC. Location-wise, EOCRC was primarily observed in the left sigmoid and rectosigmoid regions (p=0.01). Metastasis to other organs was more prevalent in EOCRC than in LOCRC (p=0.04) suggesting more aggressive and advanced lesions. Surgical interventions were slightly more common in EOCRC (80.4%) than in LOCRC (79.1%). Type of polyps and stage distribution showed some variations between the two groups. Interestingly, the incidence of colorectal cancer showed fluctuations over the years, peaking between 1980 and 1989 before declining in recent years, probably as a result of colonoscopy popularization. Conclusion: CRC incidence is increasing among young AA who display highly advanced and more metastatic tumors in comparison with LOCRC. While current screening programs seems to have decreased CRC prevalence in individuals older than 45, special attention needs to be addressed to young AA adults as well, to counter the observed trend, as they have the highest incidence of CRC among young population groups by race/ethnicity. Detailed analysis of the molecular landscape of EOCRC AA tumors is needed to understand the differential pathways and mechanisms defining these early onset cancers. Citation Format: Suryanarayana Reddy Challa, Mrinalini Deverapalli, Nasrin Farjana, Lakshmi Gayathri Chirumamilla, Reza Oskrouchi, Swetha Mynedi, Mudasir Rashid, Karthikeyan Senthilvelan, Babak Shokrani, Rabia Zafar, Angesom Kibreab, Farshad Aduli, Adeyinka Laiyemo, Zaki Sharif, Hassan Brim, Hassan Ashktorab. A comprehensive comparative analysis of African Americans’ early onset and late onset colorectal cancer: A 60 year study in underserved population serving hospital [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 1011.

Поликодовость английских текстов медицинского просвещения: прагматический и лингвокультурный аспекты

The aim of the study is to identify the pragmatic and linguocultural features of polycode English texts of medical education. The article discusses the features of polycode medical education texts posted at the World Health Organization website in the section “Multimedia”. The scientific novelty of the study is determined by the fact that, for the first time, polycode texts of medical education are considered as an effective tool for pragmalinguistic impact in the context of communication aimed at a wide target audience with various receptive-cognitive skills. The results obtained demonstrate that polycode texts of medical education presented in the video section are common and possess the widest range of semiotic codes. These texts can be divided into several groups based on the following criteria: mode of presenting information – cinematic and animated polycode texts, and the topic criterion – texts about vaccination, about the fight against malaria, about science in the “WHO’s Science in 5” section, etc. The pragmatic function is supported by the auditory and visual channels and manifested by verbal and non-verbal sign systems. The information is aimed at various population groups and belongs to mass communication.

How older adults manage misinformation and information overload - A qualitative study

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic was characterized by an abundance of information, some of it reliable and some of it misinformation. Evidence-based data on the impact of misinformation on attitudes and behaviours remains limited. Studies indicate that older adults are more likely to embrace and disseminate misinformation than other population groups, making them vulnerable to misinformation. The purpose of this article is to explore the effects of misinformation and information overload on older adults, and to present the management strategies put in place to deal with such effects, in the context of COVID-19.MethodsA qualitative exploratory approach was adopted to conduct this research. A total of 36 semi-structured interviews were conducted with older adults living in Quebec, Canada. The interviews were fully transcribed and subjected to a thematic content analysis.ResultsParticipants said they could easily spot misinformation online. Despite this, misinformation and its treatment by the media could generate fear, stress and anxiety. Moreover, the polarization induced by misinformation resulted in tensions and even friendship breakdowns. Participants also denounced the information overload produced largely by the media. To this end, the participants set up information routines targeting the sources of information and the times at which they consulted the information.ConclusionsThis article questions the concept of vulnerability to misinformation by highlighting older adults’ agency in managing misinformation and information overload. Furthermore, this study invites us to rethink communication strategies by distinguishing between information overload and misinformation.

Investigation of Risk Factors Predicting Cataract Surgery Complications in Patients with Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome: A Systematic Review.

(1) Background: The present review aims to identify risk factors with predictive value for differentiating between pseudoexfoliation patients at risk of developing intra- or postoperative complications and those without operative risk during cataract surgery. (2) Methods: The review protocol was registered at PROSPERO, registration no. CRD42023417721. The following databases were searched for studies between 2000 and 2023: PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Springer, Science Direct, Web of Science, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, TRIP database, LILACS, Clinical Trials, and reference lists of articles. We included analytical studies of any design examining cataract surgery complications in pseudoexfoliation patients across two population groups, one who underwent uneventful cataract surgery and the other who experienced intra- or postoperative complications. The paper will follow PRISMA 2020 criteria for reporting. Effect measure was assessed using odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) for qualitative variables and means with their respective standard deviation (SD) for quantitative variables. The risk of bias was assessed using the method presented in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews. The GRADE scale was used for quality of evidence and certainty. (3) Results: The initial search of published and gray literature databases retrieved 1435 articles, six of which were included in this report. A total of 156 intra- or postoperative incidents were reported in 999 eyes with pseudoexfoliation. The identified predictive factors were a shallow anterior chamber, cataract grade, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, preoperative intraocular pressure, and symmetry of the exfoliation material. Limitations include heterogeneity of data and limited number of studies identified in our search. (4) Conclusions: These findings suggest the potential to refine risk stratification protocols in clinical settings and assist surgeons in personalized decision-making among individuals with pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

The course of borderline personality disorder from adolescence to early adulthood: A 5-year follow-up study

BackgroundStudies of the medium- to long-term clinical and functional course for treatment-seeking adolescents with borderline personality disorder (BPD) are lacking. This study aims to outline the psychopathological and functional status of participants, five years after being diagnosed with BPD during adolescence. MethodsParticipants were originally enrolled in a randomized clinical trial that compared mentalization-based group treatment with treatment as usual for adolescents with BPD. Semi-structured interview assessments at five-year follow-up included the Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Personality Disorders. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), alcohol, substance and tobacco use, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), complex PTSD, and general functioning were assessed using self-report instruments. Results97 of the original sample of 111 participants (87%) participated. They were aged 19–23 years. The most prevalent disorders were ADHD (59%), any personality disorder (47%) of which half continued to meet criteria for BPD (24%), anxiety disorders (37%), depressive disorders (32%), PTSD or complex PTSD (20%), schizophrenia (16%), and eating disorders (13%). Only 16% did not meet criteria for any mental disorder. Approximately half of the sample were in psychological and/or psychopharmacological treatment at the time of follow-up. Their general functioning remained impaired, with 36% not engaged in education, employment or training (NEET), which is nearly four times the rate of NEET in the same age group in the general population. ConclusionsAlthough stability of the categorical BPD diagnosis is modest, adolescents meeting diagnostic criteria for BPD show a broad range of poor outcomes at five-year follow-up. BPD appears to be a marker of general maladjustment during adolescence and a harbinger of severe problems during the transition to young adulthood. Early intervention programs for adolescents diagnosed with BPD should focus upon a broad range of functional and psychopathological outcomes, especially social and vocational support, rather than the narrow BPD diagnosis.

Assessing Appearance, Speech, and Hearing (dis)Satisfaction in Individuals with Cleft Lip and/or Palate: A Contribution to General Population Norms.

Individuals with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) may grow up with a visible facial difference, alongside speech and/or hearing challenges. Self-perceptions are stronger predictors of psychosocial adjustment than objective assessments, highlighting the importance of patient-reported outcome measures. Previously titled the Satisfaction with Appearance (SwA) questionnaire, the Cleft Hearing, Appearance and Speech Questionnaire (CHASQ) has been used in several countries to assess patient satisfaction, guide clinical decision-making, and conduct craniofacial research, but has lacked general population norms from which to draw comparisons. The aim of this study was to contribute to the development of norms by utilising existing data collected in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2004 using the original SwA. SwA data collected from school pupils (n = 761) aged 10-16 years were analysed across age and gender. Hair, Eyes and Ears received the highest ratings, while Teeth received the lowest ratings. Those who were younger, and those who were male, generally rated their appearance more favourably. Thresholds are proposed to identify young people in need of clinical monitoring (10%) and intervention (5%). This study supports the potential of the CHASQ as a clinically useful outcome measure and research tool with the ability to identify appearance concerns in relation to specific facial features, as well as overall appearance satisfaction in young people with and without CL/P. Further validation of its use in the CL/P population and other patient groups, as well as countries outside the UK would add additional weight to the CHASQ's utility.

Measuring the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 by means of the “international student well-being study questionnaire”: Evidence on Italian university students

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic appeared as an unpredictable disruption of daily activities. This situation produced a unique mental health impact for the general population, youth, and vulnerable groups. A documented consequence has been alcohol abuse and impaired mental health. To our knowledge, no published study has yet evaluated the rates of depressive symptoms, academic frustration, and substance abuse in the Italian student population in the COVID era linking them to sociodemographic variables. AimsTo investigate the incidence of depressive symptoms, academic frustration, and substance abuse students developed in one university in Northern Italy during the first COVID-19 outbreak, using a student wellbeing framework borrowed from Allardt's and Bronfenbrenner's theories. MethodsDescriptive statistics, correlations, Wilcoxon test and factorial ANOVA were performed on data gathered through an online questionnaire sent to a convenience sample of university students. Data collection occurred between 18 May and June 21, 2020. ResultsAccording to the framework used, Being was the dimension of sociodemographic variables, Having was economic support and Loving was social support. Students experienced academic frustration and related depressive symptoms. Male gender seemed to be less affected by the depressive syndrome. With regard to economic support and related repercussions on depressive symptoms, students who reported that they could not obtain a loan showed significantly higher depressive symptoms. Students benefiting from greater financial support showed less academic frustration. Age appeared to be a predictor of academic frustration since young students proved to be the most frustrated. The examined students’ population showed a significant decrease in alcohol and cigarettes consumption. ConclusionsHaving and Being dimensions influenced depression and academic frustration. Having and Loving dimensions were related with use of substances. The study findings support the implementation of interventions to help students, at a psychological, social, financial level aiming at fostering the quality of students’ educational life.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders in oral health professionals: an umbrella review protocol.

The objective of this review is to synthesize the evidence on the prevalence, incidence, risk factors, and preventive and management interventions for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) in oral health professionals. Oral health professionals face a considerable risk of developing work-related MSD due to the nature of their work. These disorders can lead to loss of employment, reduced job quality, increased occupational injuries, and early retirement. They can also lead to significant financial burdens for employers and society. This umbrella review will include systematic reviews and meta-analyses that have oral health professionals as a population group and address at least one of the following topics: the prevalence or incidence, risk factors, and the efficiency or effectiveness of interventions for the prevention or management of work-related MSD. A systematic search will be conducted across CINAHL Complete (EBSCOhost), Dentistry and Oral Sciences Source (EBSCOhost), MEDLINE (EBSCOhost), Cochrane Library (OVID), Scopus, PsycINFO (Ovid), AMED Allied and Complementary Medicine (Ovid), Epistemonikos, Ergonomics Abstracts Online (EBSCOhost), and Google Scholar (first 200 articles). The search will be limited to articles published in English, with no restrictions on geographical location. Two independent reviewers will screen the titles and abstracts against the inclusion criteria. The studies will be assessed using the JBI critical appraisal instrument for systematic reviews and research syntheses, and data will be extracted from each study using a modified version of the JBI data extraction tool. The GRADE approach will be used to rate the overall quality and strength of the evidence. PROSPERO CRD42023388779.

Laparoscopic Versus Open Surgical Management of Hydrocele of the Canal of Nuck: A Retrospective Analysis of 20 Cases.

Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck is a condition that arises due to incomplete obliteration of the processus vaginalis or an abnormal outpouching from the round ligament during fetal development. It usually presents as a painless, rarely painful, groin swelling.The definitive diagnosis for this condition is magnetic resonance imaging. Various management options have been proposed for this condition, including open surgery, transabdominal preperitoneal approach, totally extraperitoneal approach, and a combination of laparoscopic and open surgery. The present study highlights the benefits of the transabdominal preperitoneal approach when compared with the open anterior approach and addresses the intraoperative challenges faced during laparoscopic surgery. The study is a retrospective study inclusive of 20 patients who underwent surgery for the hydrocele of the canal of Nuck from June 2019 to December 2023. Case records of patients were studied for information such as demographic features, type of pathology, the surgery performed, intraoperative challenges encountered, operative time, duration of hospital stay, scores from the visual analog scale pain assessment chart at various intervals, and time taken to return to work. The variables were documented and statistically analyzed. The average age group of the study population was 27.8 ± 8.34 years. Of the 20 patients, 10 had undergone a transabdominal preperitoneal approach (Group A), and 10 had undergone an open anterior approach (Group B). Eleven out of 20 patients had an associated inguinal hernia, of which three were identified preoperatively and eight were identified incidentally during surgery. The mean operative time of Group A cases was 97.95 ± 7.54 minutes, while it was 66.3 ± 6.20 minutes for Group B cases. The Mann-Whitney U test showed a statistically significantly lesser operative time for Group B than for Group A (p-value < 0.001). The duration of hospital stays was comparable for the two groups with no significant difference (two days versus 3.8 ± 3.08 days, respectively). When the difference in the means of time taken to return to normal work was compared using the Mann-Whitney U test between Group A and B (6.1 ± 0.87 days and 11.2 ± 1.81 days, respectively), a statistically significant early return to normal work in the former group (p-value = 0.001) was revealed. Similarly, the Mann-Whitney U test when used to compare the median postoperative pain score of both groups at 12-24 hours, 48-72 hours, seven days, and three months showed a significantly lesser pain score amongpatients of Group A at all intervals (p-value< 0.001, p-value = 0.005, p-value = 0.005, p-value< 0.001, respectively). The incidence of intraoperative challenges, sero-hematoma, and surgical site infection were insignificant in comparison. The transabdominal preperitoneal approach for the hydrocele of the canal of Nuck is ideal as it offers excellent intraoperative delineation of pathology and postoperative outcomes. Prophylactic placement of a mesh in all cases can help prevent a future occurrence of inguinal hernia in these cases.

Genetic Factors Contributing to the Pathogenesis of Essential Hypertension in Two African Populations.

The African continent has the highest prevalence of hypertension globally, with South Africa reporting the highest prevalence in Southern Africa. While the influence of genetic variability in the pathogenesis of hypertension is well described internationally, limited reports are available for African populations. This study aimed to assess the association of genetic variants and essential hypertension in a cohort of two ethnic South African population groups. Two hundred and seventy-seven hypertensive and one hundred and seventy-six normotensive individuals were genotyped for 78 variants. Genotyping was performed using the Illumina GoldenGate Assay and allele-specific polymerase chain reaction. The association of variants was assessed using the Fisher Exact test under the additive and allelic genetic models, while multivariate logistic regression was used to predict the development of hypertension. Five variants (CYP11B2 rs179998, AGT rs5051 and rs699, AGTR1 rs5186, and ACE rs4646994) were significantly associated with essential hypertension in the cohort under study. Furthermore, AGTR1 rs5186 and AGT rs699 were identified as risk factors for the development of hypertension in both ethnic groups. In two ethnic South African populations, an association was observed between renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)-related genes and the development of hypertension.

Stable glioma incidence and increased patient survival over the past two decades in Norway: a nationwide registry-based cohort study.

Surveillance of incidence and survival of central nervous system tumors is essential to monitor disease burden and epidemiological changes, and to allocate health care resources. Here, we describe glioma incidence and survival trends by histopathology group, age, and sex in the Norwegian population. We included patients with a histologically verified glioma reported to the Cancer Registry of Norway from 2002 to 2021 (N = 7,048). Population size and expected mortality were obtained from Statistics Norway. Cases were followed from diagnosis until death, emigration, or 31 December 2022, whichever came first. We calculated age-standardized incidence rates (ASIR) per 100,000 person-years and age-standardized relative survival (RS). Results: The ASIR for histologically verified gliomas was 7.4 (95% CI: 7.3-7.6) and was higher for males (8.8; 95% CI: 8.5-9.1) than females (6.1; 95% CI: 5.9-6.4). Overall incidence was stable over time. Glioblastoma was the most frequent tumor entity (ASIR = 4.2; 95% CI: 4.1-4.4). Overall, glioma patients had a 1-year RS of 63.6% (95% CI: 62.5-64.8%), and a 5-year RS of 32.8% (95% CI: 31.6-33.9%). Females had slightly better survival than males. For most entities, 1- and 5-year RS improved over time (5-year RS for all gliomas 29.0% (2006) and 33.1% (2021), p < 0.001). Across all tumor types, the RS declined with increasing age at diagnosis. The incidence of gliomas has been stable while patient survival has increased over the past 20 years in Norway. As gliomas represent a heterogeneous group of primary CNS tumors, regular reporting from cancer registries at the histopathology group level is important to monitor disease burden and allocate health care resources in a population.

Barriers and facilitators to the delivery of age-friendly health services in Primary Health Care centres in southwest, Nigeria: A qualitative study.

With the rapid growth of Nigeria's older population, it has become important to establish age-friendly healthcare systems that support care for older people. This study aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators to the delivery of age-friendly health services from the perspectives of primary healthcare managers in Lagos State, Nigeria. We conducted 13 key informant interviews including medical officers of health, principal officers of the (Primary Health Care) PHC Board and board members at the state level. Using a grounded theory approach, qualitative data analysis was initially done by rapid thematic analysis followed by constant comparative analysis using Dedoose software to create a codebook. Three teams of two coders each blind-coded the interviews, resolved coding discrepancies, and reviewed excerpts by code to extract themes. The main barriers to the delivery of age-friendly services included the lack of recognition of older adults as a priority population group; absence of PHC policies targeted to serve older adults specifically; limited training in care of older adults; lack of dedicated funding for care services for older adults and data disaggregated by age to drive decision-making. Key facilitators included an acknowledged mission of the PHCs to provide services for all ages; opportunities for the enhancement of older adult care; availability of a new building template that supports facility design which is more age-friendly; access to basic health care funds; and a positive attitude towards capacity building for existing workforce. While we identified a number of challenges, these offer opportunities to strengthen and prioritize services for older adults in PHCs and build on existing facilitators. Work is needed to identify and test interventions to overcome these challenges and improve the responsiveness of the PHC system to older adults through the delivery of age-friendly health services in PHCs in Lagos, Nigeria.