Longitudinal Comparative Study Research Articles

Investigating the impact of online learning platforms on student engagement and learning outcomes

With the advent of new technologies such as virtual reality (VR), educators have shown interest in using them to enhance the online learning experience. To investigate the impact of VR on students' foreign language learning outcomes and engagement, a longitudinal comparative study was conducted. This study focused on learning small talk skills with two groups, an experimental group using VR and a comparison group using Zoom. Both groups met weekly to discuss small talk skills and bonding strategies in groups and practiced small talk in pairs. The student interactions were recorded on both platforms and graded by two raters at three points during the course. Additionally, students completed an engagement survey and participated in focus group interviews. Results showed that both groups improved their small talk skills over time with no significant difference in learning gains and engagement. Participants were divided into VR enthusiasts, who appreciated the enhanced sense of presence and identity through avatars, and VR sceptics, who doubted the value and usability of VR. To continue this project, the researchers aim to further leverage the benefits of VR in international contexts to promote cross-cultural communication.

Effect of Gender on Reaction Time in Patients Having a Psychiatric Disorder

Background: Reaction time is a measure of how fast an organism can react to a certain stimulus. As such, it is a measure of an individual’s performance and the function of sensory-motor connection. While there are studies evaluating the differences in reaction time with gender and psychiatric illness as independent variables, data are lacking when considering them together. Aims: The aim of the study is to study the gender differences in reaction time in patients suffering from psychiatric illness. Settings and Design: The study involves an observational, longitudinal comparative study in the psychiatric outpatient department (OPD) of a tertiary care facility. Materials and Methods: After institutional ethics approval, 100 patients on psychotropic medications attending psychiatry OPD were included in the study along with at least 100 relatives who were not on psychotropic medications, serving as control. Required data were collected using semi-structured pro forma. The reaction time of patients and the control group was assessed using an application on the mobile phone available online as – the “Human Benchmark test.” Data obtained were entered in the MS Excel sheet and analyzed using the computerized software and a P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: In the group of patients, the males showed delayed reaction time as compared to females, while in the control group, males performed better than the female population in reaction time tests. The highest reaction time was found to be in the substance use disorder group of patients at all points of testing, followed by that of patients with schizophrenia. Conclusions: Gender did not significantly affect the reaction time in both patient and control groups.

Detection frequency and duration of circulating antiphospholipid syndrome markers in patients with verified COVID-19

Aim: to develop enzyme-linked immunosorbent tests for assessing the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) markers and determine prevalence of three antiphospholipid antibody (aPL) types at different COVID-19 stages. Materials and Methods. A comparative longitudinal controlled study was conducted by examining 120 subjects with COVID-19 diagnosis verified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Donor serum samples collected before November 2019 were used as a control group. The laboratory study included measurement of IgA, IgM and IgG against β2-glycoprotein 1 (β2-GP1), cardiolipin, phosphatidylserine-prothrombin complex (PS-PT) by using domestically produced test systems based on indirect two-step enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results. Validation of the developed experimental tests was carried out in comparison with foreign commercial analogues in accordance with international standards. Alternative antigenic targets for effective diagnosis of antibodies against β2-GP1 were studied. Analyzing rate of aPL in patients at different COVID-19 stages showed that in acute vs. convalescence stage it was higher by 1.3-fold (81.7 and 65.0 %, respectively). The first rank detection place was assigned to IgG against β2-GP1, cardiolipin and PS-PT, the second – IgM against cardiolipin. The profile of the detected antibodies changed at various COVID-19 stages driven by time frame elapsed from the moment of diagnosis. Conclusion. Recombinant constructs are created and analytical conditions are optimized for determining various aPL types. It was shown that along with other viral infections, COVID-19 triggers autoantibody production demonstrating that 54.2 % individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 were positive at least for one autoantibody type. The majority of such virus-associated aPL are presumably transiently positive.

Association between Gingival Phenotype and Periodontal Disease Severity-A Comparative Longitudinal Study among Patients Undergoing Fixed Orthodontic Therapy and Invisalign Treatment.

This longitudinal study aimed to compare the association between gingival phenotype (thin vs. thick) and periodontal disease severity in patients undergoing fixed orthodontic therapy (FOT) and Invisalign treatment over a six-month follow-up period. Clinical periodontal parameters, including full mouth plaque score (FMPS), full mouth bleeding score (FMBS), gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), gingival recession (GR), keratinized tissue width (KTW), transgingival probing, and gingival biotype assessment, were recorded at baseline and 6 months into treatment for both orthodontic groups and a control group. Statistical analysis evaluated differences in parameters between groups and across time points. In the thick phenotype, both Invisalign and FOT groups showed a significant mean reduction in FMPS (baseline to 6 months) by -24.8707 and -12.3489, respectively (p < 0.05). The gingival index decreased significantly for both groups, with Invisalign and FOT showing reductions of -0.83355 and -1.10409, respectively (p < 0.05). FMBS (baseline to 6 months) decreased significantly for Invisalign and FOT, with mean differences of -9.10298 and -12.6579 (p < 0.05). Probing pocket depth (baseline to 6 months) was also significantly reduced for both Invisalign and FOT groups while CAL showed non-significant differences in both groups (p > 0.05). Similar changes were seen in the thin phenotype too. This study highlights the positive influence of both Invisalign and fixed orthodontic therapy on periodontal health, particularly in patients with thin and thick gingival biotypes. These findings, with significant reductions in key periodontal parameters, offer valuable insights to guide orthodontic treatment decisions and enhance patient outcomes.

Effects of different resistance training programmings on the relative strength, body composition, anthropometric variables, and metabolic risk of elderly women

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of two different programming models of resistance training (RT) on metabolic risk, anthropometric variables, and relative strength in elderly women. The research was a prospective and comparative longitudinal study with a non-probabilistic random sample. Twenty-two elderly women (64 ± 3 years) was divided into two experimental groups being the Linear programming (LP, n = 12) and Daily undulatory programming (DUP, n = 10), with 3 sessions/week for 12 weeks. Submaximal strength (10RM) was evaluated in the horizontal leg press (HL), pulldown (PD), leg curl (LC), vertical bench press (BP), and leg extension (LE). Anthropometric variables, food intake (R24h) and submaximal strength (10RM) was analyzed. Participants were initially classified as overweight or obese evaluated by body mass index (BMI) and percentual of fat mass (%FM) and with moderate to high risk to develop metabolic diseases evaluated by hip-waist ratio (HWR), waist-height ratio (WHR) and waist circumference (WC). There is no change for metabolic risk and anthropometric variables after the intervention period. There was a significant improvement for relative strength accessed by 10RM and body weight (10RM/BW), and lean body mass (10RM/LBM) (p < 0.05), with large or medium effect size for most of variables after 12 weeks of RT. As a conclusion, both programmings increased relative strength after 12 weeks of RT with attenuated change in body composition and metabolic risk in elderly women in both programming groups and all those strategies can be used in elderly women to improve strength.

Accuracy of the tuberculosis molecular bacterial load assay to diagnose and monitor response to anti-tuberculosis therapy: a longitudinal comparative study with standard-of-care smear microscopy, Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra, and culture in Uganda

In 2018, the tuberculosis molecular bacterial load assay (TB-MBLA), a ribosomal RNA-based test, was acknowledged by WHO as a molecular assay that could replace smear microscopy and culture for monitoring tuberculosis treatment response. In this study, we evaluated the accuracy of TB-MBLA for diagnosis and monitoring of treatment response in comparison with standard-of-care tests. For this longitudinal prospective study, patients aged 18 years or older with presumptive tuberculosis (coughing for at least 2 weeks, night sweats, and weight loss) were enrolled at China-Uganda Friendship Hospital Naguru (Kampala, Uganda). Participants were evaluated for tuberculosis by TB-MBLA in comparison with Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra (Xpert-Ultra) and smear microscopy, with Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT) culture as a reference test. Participants who were positive on Xpert-Ultra were enrolled on a standard 6-month anti-tuberculosis regimen, and monitored for treatment response at weeks 2, 8, 17, and 26 after initiation of treatment and then 3 months after treatment. Between Nov 15, 2019, and June 15, 2022, 210 participants (median age 35 years [IQR 27-44]) were enrolled. 135 (64%) participants were male and 72 (34%) were HIV positive. The pretreatment diagnostic sensitivities of TB-MBLA and Xpert-Ultra were similar (both 99% [95% CI 95-100]) but the specificity was higher for TB-MBLA (90%[83-96]) than for Xpert-Ultra (78% [68-86]). Ten participants were Xpert-Ultra trace positive, eight (80%) of whom were negative by TB-MBLA and MGIT culture. Smear microscopy had lower diagnostic sensitivity (75%[65-83]) but higher specificity (98% [93-100]) than TB-MBLA and Xpert-Ultra. Among participants who were smear microscopy negative, the sensitivity of TB-MBLA was 96% (95 CI 80-100) and was 100% (95% CI 86-100) in those who were HIV positive. 129 (61%) participants were identified as tuberculosis positive by Xpert-Ultra and these individuals were enrolled in the treatment group and monitored for treatment response. According to TB-MBLA, 19 of these patients cleared bacillary load to zero by week 2 of treatment and remained negative throughout the 6-month treatment follow-up. Positivity for tuberculosis decreased with treatment as measured by all tests, but therate was slower with Xpert-Ultra. Consequently, 31 (33%) of 95 participants were still Xpert-Ultra positive at the end of treatment but were clinically well and negative on TB-MBLA and culture at 6 months of treatment. Two patients were still Xpert-Ultra positive with a further 3 months of post-treatment follow-up. The rate of conversion to negative of the DNA-based Xpert-Ultra was 3·3-times slower than that of the rRNA-based TB-MBLA. Consequently for the same patient, it would take 13 weeks and 52 weeks to reach complete tuberculosis negativity by TB-MBLA and Xpert-Ultra, respectively. Participants who were positive on smear microscopy at 8weeks, who received an extra month of intensive treatment, had a similar TB-MBLA-measured bacillary load at 8weeks to those who were smear microscopy negative. TB-MBLA has a similar performance to Xpert-Ultra for pretreatment diagnosis of tuberculosis, but is more accurate at detecting and characterising the response to treatment than Xpert-Ultra and standard-of-care smear microscopy. European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership, Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund, US National Institutes of Health.

Mid-term Results of Total Hip Arthroplasty for Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis after Acetabular Fracture.

The prognosis of total hip replacement (THR) after open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) versus THR following non-operative treatment of acetabular fractures is unclear. Few studies have been conducted in this regard. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to perform an assessment and compare the functional outcomes for study subjects in the ORIF and non-ORIF groups during the follow-up period compared to baseline. This longitudinal comparative study, which included 40 patients who underwent THR for either posttraumatic arthritis after fixation of an acetabular fracture or arthritis following conservative management of a fracture, was conducted for 60 months. Twenty-four patients had undergone ORIF, and 16 patients had undergone nonoperative/conservative management for acetabular fractures. Following THR, the patients were followed up for monitoring of functional outcomes for the Harris hip score (HHS) and comparison between the ORIF and non-ORIF groups was performed. The HHS showed significant improvement in both ORIF and non-ORIF groups. At the end of the mean follow-up period, no significant variation in scores was observed between the groups, i.e., ORIF group (91.61±6.64) compared to non-ORIF group (85.74±11.56). A significantly higher number of re-interventions were required for medial wall fractures and combined fractures compared to posterior fractures (P<0.05). THR resulted in improved functional outcome during follow-up in both the groups; however, the ORIF group was observed to have better functional outcome. Re-intervention was not required for any of the posterior fractures at the end of the mean follow-up period.

Senescence-associated ß-galactosidase staining over the lifespan differs in a short- and a long-lived fish species.

During the aging process, cells can enter cellular senescence, a state in which cells leave the cell cycle but remain viable. This mechanism is thought to protect tissues from propagation of damaged cells and the number of senescent cells has been shown to increase with age. The speed of aging determines the lifespan of a species and it varies significantly in different species. To assess the progress of cellular senescence during lifetime, we performed a comparative longitudinal study using histochemical detection of the senescence-associated beta-galactosidase as senescence marker to map the staining patterns in organs of the long-lived zebrafish and the short-lived turquoise killifish using light- and electron microscopy. We compared age stages corresponding to human stages of newborn, childhood, adolescence, adult and old age. We found tissue-specific but conserved signal patterns with respect to organ distribution. However, we found dramatic differences in the onset of tissue staining. The stained zebrafish organs show little to no signal at newborn age followed by a gradual increase in signal intensity, whereas the organs of the short-lived killifish show an early onset of staining already at newborn stage, which remains conspicuous at all age stages. The most prominent signal was found in liver, intestine, kidney and heart, with the latter showing the most prominent interspecies divergence in onset of staining and in staining intensity. In addition, we found staining predominantly in epithelial cells, some of which are post-mitotic, such as the intestinal epithelial lining. We hypothesize that the association of the strong and early-onset signal pattern in the short-lived killifish is consistent with a protective mechanism in a fast growing species. Furthermore, we believe that staining in post-mitotic cells may play a role in maintaining tissue integrity, suggesting different roles for cellular senescence during life.

P1118 High Crohn’s Disease burden but disproportionally low use of biologics in Crohn’s Disease patients with Intestinal Failure: a longitudinal comparative study from 1973-2018

Abstract Background Patients with Crohn’s Disease (CD) complicated by Intestinal Failure (CDIF) are considered to be among those with the most severe form of CD. Their clinical course before IF onset has not been well characterised. We aimed to describe and compare CD-specific natural history, disease burden and treatment between CDIF patients and CD patients without IF over a 40-year period. Methods CDIF patients from Copenhagen Intestinal Failure Database (1973-2018) and a Danish nationwide CD cohort without IF (1977-2018) were followed from onset of CD until IF, death, or 31/12/2018. Hospital contacts, surgeries, prescription dispensation, employment and mortality data were extracted from multiple population-based registries. Groups were compared using logistic regression for proportions and Poisson regression for rates. Standard mortality ratio (SMR) was calculated against age, gender and year-matched Danish population references, and an adjusted mortality rate ratio between CDIF and CD patients was obtained from Cox models. Results 182 CDIF and 22845 CD patients were followed for 3035.7 and 293536.5 patient-years, respectively. At CD diagnosis, CDIF patients were younger (median age 24 years vs 35 years, p&amp;lt;0.0001), from earlier decades (71.5% vs 16.5% before 1991, p&amp;lt;0.0001), and had fewer comorbidities (6.9% vs 20.4%, p&amp;lt;0.0001). The 10-year cumulative incidence of IF declined from 2.7% in patients diagnosed with CD prior to 1980 to 0.2% in patients diagnosed after 2000, but the number of new CDIF patients has not declined over the decades (Table). A greater proportion CDIF patients received at least 1 course of steroids (70.8% versus 59.8%, p=0.02) and immunomodulators (59.3% vs 48.7%, p=0.03), had IBD-related hospital contacts (98.2% vs 55.2%, p&amp;lt;0.0001) and abdominal surgeries (94.9% vs 47.6%, p&amp;lt;0.0001), and stopped working for &amp;gt;6 months (65.8% vs 57.8% of working-age patients, p=0.05). However, in the biologics era (after 2000), CDIF patients were not treated with biologics more often (20.4% vs 21% had any biologics, p=ns). In those who were treated, CDIF patients had less cumulative time on biologics (3.9 years vs 11.2 years per 100 patient-years, p=0.001). CDIF and CD patients had a SMR of 3.7 (97.5% CI 2.79,4.72) and 1.7 (97.5% CI 1.61, 1.72), respectively. After adjusting for age, sex and co-morbidity, CDIF patients were at 3.42 times risk of dying compared to CD patients. Conclusion The incidence of CDIF has reduced in newly diagnosed CD patients, however the number of new CDIF patients has not yet declined due to increasing CD prevalence. Despite CDIF patients experiencing a significantly higher burden of CD before the onset of IF, they were not more likely to receive biologics. They also appear more refractory to biologics.

Evaluation and Comparison of Nutritional Status According to Area of Residence and Type of Institute, its Effect on Plaque and Gingival Status: A Comparative Longitudinal Study.

Schoolchildren constitute about 113.8 million (2000-2001 census) population of India and around 11,413,000 comprises schoolchildren in Rajasthan (2000-2001 census), with overall 2.4% children suffering from dietary inadequacies. In the causation of nutritional deficiency diseases, dietary inadequacies have been considered a predominant etiological factor. To overcome such dietary problems and initiate any programs for improvement in general and oral health status, the present study was undertaken in the form of a dietary record of five consecutive days among schoolchildren belonging to different geographical areas. To evaluate and compare nutritional status according to area of residence and type of institution and its possible effect on plaque and gingival status among 12-15-year-old schoolchildren of Jaipur. The list of schools was collected using simple random technique in both rural and urban areas of Jaipur city. Overall, four schools were drawn randomly from the selected area (two from government and two from private). In the urban area, nutrient scores (NS) were higher compared to rural areas, irrespective of the season. In contrast to this, plaque and gingival scores were higher in private schools of rural areas. There is a need for awareness regarding applied nutrition among schoolchildren, irrespective of the area. Gaur AG, Sharma M, Sharma R, et al. Evaluation and Comparison of Nutritional Status According to Area of Residence and Type of Institute, its Effect on Plaque and Gingival Status: A Comparative Longitudinal Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(S-3):S233-S239.

Plasma proteome profiling reveals the therapeutic effects of the PPAR pan-agonist chiglitazar on insulin sensitivity, lipid metabolism, and inflammation in type 2 diabetes

Chiglitazar is a novel peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) pan-agonist, which passed phase III clinical trials and was newly approved in China for use as an adjunct to diet and exercise in glycemic control in adult patients with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). To explore the circulating protein signatures associated with the administration of chiglitazar in T2D patients, we conducted a comparative longitudinal study using plasma proteome profiling. Of the 157 T2D patients included in the study, we administered chiglitazar to a specific group, while the controls were given either placebo or sitagliptin. The plasma proteomes were profiled at baseline and 12 and 24 weeks post-treatment using data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry (DIA-MS). Our study indicated that 13 proteins were associated with chiglitazar treatment in T2D patients, including 10 up-regulated proteins (SHBG, TF, APOA2, APOD, GSN, MBL2, CFD, PGLYRP2, A2M, and APOA1) and 3 down-regulated proteins (PRG4, FETUB, and C2) after treatment, which were implicated in the regulation of insulin sensitivity, lipid metabolism, and inflammation response. Our study provides insight into the response of chiglitazar treatment from a proteome perspective and demonstrates the multi-faceted effects of chiglitazar in T2D patients, which will help the clinical application of chiglitazar and further study of its action mechanism.

More positive patient-reported outcomes in patients newly diagnosed with atrial fibrillation: a comparative longitudinal study.

To compare patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in patients newly (<6 months) diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF) with those who have had a longer diagnosis (≥6 months) and to investigate whether or not these outcomes change over a 6-month period. In this longitudinal survey study, 129 patients with AF completed the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire, the Arrhythmia-Specific questionnaire in Tachycardia and Arrhythmia, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale at baseline and after 6 months. At baseline, patients newly diagnosed with AF (n = 53), compared with patients with a previous diagnosis (n = 76), reported AF as more temporary (P = 0.003) and had a higher belief in personal and treatment control (P = 0.004 and P = 0.041, respectively). At a 6-month follow-up, patients newly diagnosed reported a lower symptom burden (P = 0.004), better health-related quality of life (HRQoL); (P = 0.015), and a higher personal control (P < 0.001) than patients previously diagnosed. Over time, in patients newly diagnosed, symptom burden and the anxiety symptom score decreased (P = 0.001 and P = 0.014, respectively) and HRQoL improved (P = 0.002). Patients newly diagnosed with AF reported more positive PROs both at baseline and at a 6-month follow-up than patients with a previous diagnosis of AF. Therefore, it is important to quickly capture patients newly diagnosed to support their belief in their own abilities. Such support may, alongside medical treatments, help patients manage the disease, which may lead to reduced symptom burden and better HRQoL over time.

The temporality of psychological constructs, suicidal ideation and emotional dysregulation: a longitudinal study in Mexican adolescents

Background. Adolescence could be considered a period of crisis (emotional and cognitive) where the permanence of psychological discomfort is expressed in different risk factors. That is why it is necessary to evaluate the temporality of psychological constructs. Objective. Analyse, over time, the permanence of emotional dysregulation, suicidal ideation and psychological constructs (emotional disorders, perceived social support, hopelessness, impulsivity, and attitudes and beliefs). Method. Study 1 was a cross-sectional, descriptive-comparative type of 109 teenaged participants from upper secondary education who completed a Scale for the Detection of Suicidal Ideation in Young People and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation that evaluate emotional dysregulation, suicidal ideation and psychological constructs. Study 2 is a longitudinal comparative study of 85 teenaged participants of the original 109. Results. Differences were found for the psychological construct of emotional disorders, where young women obtained a higher average than young men (p &lt; .05). The psychological constructs of emotional disorders, hopelessness, attitudes and beliefs, and impulsiveness, as well as suicidal ideation and emotional dysregulation remained stable over two years. Discussion and conclusion. Emotional regulation as a psychological resource would foster flexibility, tolerance and acceptance in preventing the intensity of psychological distress.

Children and adolescents facing adultcentrism. Radio narratives as an exercise of power in Bucaramanga, Colombia

This research is a longitudinal comparative study where through the exercise of radio production in two periods (2018-2019 and 2022) with children and adolescents in Bucaramanga, Colombia, an exercise of power in the face of adultcentrism mediated by narratives in which the participants find their own voice and a collective voice is evidenced. Through the content analysis of the scripts produced, participant observation and transcripts of the workshops, it is evident how they represent the adult and how, from their stories, they internalize adultcentrism or resist it.

Preceding neurosurgery is not needed for presumed adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with syringomyelia: a 10-year longitudinal comparative study.

One-stage scoliosis correction surgery is safe for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), but it is not yet known whether it is safe for presumed AIS (PAIS). This study sought to investigate the safety and efficacy of one-stage scoliosis correction surgery for PAIS associated with syringomyelia from multiple perspectives by conducting an analysis of 10-year consecutive cases. A retrospective study of all consecutive cases of patients diagnosed with PAIS associated with syringomyelia or AIS from January 2011 to January 2020 was performed. The main radiographic parameters and clinical function scores before, immediately after, and at the last follow-up were collected or measured. Three-dimensional (3D) models of spinal canal length were generated, refined, measured, and compared between the PAIS and AIS groups. In total, 318 patients with AIS and 47 patients with PAIS associated with syringomyelia were included in the study. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of changes in the Cobb angle of the main curve (MC), thoracic kyphosis (TK), coronal balance (CB), sagittal vertical axis (SVA), Oswestry disability index (ODI), Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) score, cervical and thoracolumbar spinal canal length, and whole spinal canal length before and after the surgery (P>0.05). The changes in the thoracolumbar and whole spinal canal length were significantly positively correlated with the improvement rate of the MC (P<0.05), but were not significantly correlated with the improvement rate of TK, the SRS-22 score, and the ODI (P>0.05). In relation to the main radiologic parameters, clinical function scores, and 3D biomechanics, one-stage posterior correction surgery was found to be safe and effective for patients with PAIS associated with syringomyelia.

In utero/peripartum antiretroviral therapy exposure and mental health outcomes at 8-18 years old: A longitudinal comparative study of children with perinatally acquired HIV, children perinatally HIV exposed but uninfected, and children unexposed uninfected from Uganda.

In utero/peripartum antiretroviral therapy (IPA) exposure type was examined in relationship to mental health symptoms among 577 children with perinatally acquired HIV (CPHIV), children perinatally HIV exposed but uninfected (CHEU), and children HIV unexposed uninfected (CHUU). IPA exposure was categorized for CPHIV and CHEU as none, single-dose nevirapine with or without zidovudine (sdNVP±AZT), sdNVP+AZT+lamivudine (3TC), or combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Anxiety and depressive symptoms were reported at baseline, 6-, and 12-month follow-up per behavioral assessment system for children. Multivariable linear mixed models were used to estimate differences (b) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for IPA exposure types versus CHEU without IPA exposure. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were lower in CHUU relative to CHEU and CPHIV but did not differ between CPHIV and CHEU. CHEU with sdNVP±AZT exposure had greater anxiety (b = 0.51, 95% CI: [0.06, 0.96]) and depressive symptoms (b = 0.48, 95% CI: [0.07, 0.89]) than CHEU without IPA exposure. CHEU with sdNVP+AZT+3TC exposure had higher anxiety (b = 0.0.45, 95% CI: [0.03, 0.86]) and depressive symptoms (b = 0.72, 95% CI: [0.27, 1.17]) versus CHEU without IPA exposure. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were not different for CHEU and CPHIV exposed to cART (b = 0.12-0.60, 95% CI: [-0.41, 1.30]) and CHEU and CHUU (b = -0.04 to 0.08, 95% CI: [-0.24, 0.29]) without IPA exposure. Among CHEU, peripartum sdNVP±AZT and sdNVP+AZT+3TC but not cART compared to no IPA exposure was associated with clinically important elevations in anxiety and depressive symptoms. Monitoring of mental health trajectory of HIV-affected children considering IPA is needed to inform mental health interventions. Patient Contribution: Caregivers and their dependents provided consent for participation and collaborated with study team to identify mutually convenient times for protocol implementation.

Modelling-based pedagogy as a theme across science disciplines–Effects on scientific reasoning and content understanding

Due to the increased use of scientific models and modelling in K-12 education, there is a need to uncover its effects on students over time. Prior research has shown that the use of scientific modelling in K-12 classes is associated with improved conceptual knowledge and problem-solving skills. However, few studies have explicitly tested the longitudinal benefits of using model-based instruction on students’ scientific reasoning skills (SRS) and content knowledge. This paper studies the effects of the use of modelling-based pedagogy in a longitudinal comparative case study on students’ SRS using hierarchical linear modeling. Our findings showed that initial exposure to modelling-based instruction increased scientific reasoning scores significantly. By the end of their first year of science instruction, the average high school freshman in our study achieved the scientific reasoning level of many undergraduate STEM majors. More importantly, students in the lowest quartile of scientific reasoning demonstrated increased scores over the three years of the modeling-based course sequence. In addition, reasoning scores in the modelling classes were a significant predictor of post-content knowledge in all subjects. Our results suggested that students should be exposed to model-based instruction early and consistently to achieve equity in science instruction.

P14.02.B LONGITUDINAL COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF BLOOD NEUROFILAMENTS AS BIOMARKERS OF CHEMOTHERAPY-INDUCED PERIPHERAL NEUROTOXICITY

Abstract BACKGROUND The identification of a biomarker of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CIPN) remains an unmet need. Increasing evidence supports that light-chain Neurofilament (NfL) could be useful to quantify the extend of peripheral nerve damage due to chemotherapy. The aim of the study is to ascertain differences in plasma NfL (pNfL) among agents to evaluate the clinical usefulness of pNfL. MATERIAL AND METHODS Prospective longitudinal comparative study including patients treated with paclitaxel (N=24) for breast cancer, brentuximab vedotin (BV) (n=20) for lymphoma and oxaliplatin (n=16) for gastrointestinal cancer. All patients were assessed using the Total Neuropathy Score-clinical, Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events before (T1), at finishing (T2) and at next follow-up (T3). Serial pNfL were collected at the same timepoints and quantified using the SIMOA technique. The changes in pNfL were compared between group of agents (platinum (oxaliplatin) or microtubule disruptors (MT) (BV or paclitaxel) and correlated with clinical data, depending on the degree of CIPN. Clinically relevant (CR) was defined as &amp;gt; grade 2-CIPN. RESULTS 60 patients are included, mostly women (66,7%) with median age of 52 [22-88] years. pNfL at T1 was 16,51 ± 1,65 pg/mL, and correlated with age (r= 0.284, p &amp;lt; 0.036). pNfL increased at T2 (141,39 ± 18,89 pg/mL) and decreased at last follow-up (T3) (28,08 ± 2,52 pg/mL) in the whole series, at a median of 3 (1-5) months after finishing chemotherapy. Patients with CR-CIPN had higher pNfL at T2 (209,90 ± 40,09 vs 103.02 ± 96.74 pg/mL, p=0.005). One third of patients receiving MT disruptors (31,6%) or platinum agents (35,7%) developed CR-CIPN. Higher pNfL level at T2 were identified in patients receiving anti MT agents than oxaliplatin (160, 27 ± 22,75 vs 70,04 ± 11,24 pg/mL), p&amp;lt;0,001). Among the group of MT, pNfL at T2 were higher in those receiving paclitaxel compared to BV (233,90 ± 31.84 vs 62,09 ± 9.60 pg/mL, p&amp;lt;0.001), despite no differences in rate of CR-CIPN (26,6% BV and 34.7% Paclitaxel, p=0.7). At T3, no differences in pNfL were identified between BV (33,53 ± 4,67 pg/mL) and paclitaxel (29,20 ± 4,24 pg/mL) treated patients. A significant correlation between pNfL and TNSc was identified (r = 0.663, p &amp;lt; 0.001). CONCLUSION Variable change of pNfL according to the type of agent and mechanism of neurotoxicity can be observed regardless of the comparable degree of clinical CIPN severity. Further studies to better dissect cut-off values for each agent are needed before implementing pNfL as CIPN biomarker.

“Neighborhood fear of crime and disadvantaged areas: a comparative longitudinal study”

AbstractThe current study explores how neighborhood fear of crime (“worry about specific crimes”) changes over time in neighborhoods with different levels of disadvantage. With a comparative design, 81 and 123- neighborhoods in two cities in Sweden are followed over a six-year period. Fear of crime trajectories are assessed through growth curve modeling. We consider how differences in neighborhood processes, such as social and physical disorder, might influence fear of crime levels. The results show that fear of crime increased over time in both cities and the increase was related to higher levels of physical disorder in several areas. Furthermore, the change differed depending on the neighborhood type – in highly disadvantaged neighborhoods, the fear was stable at a high level. In contrast, the largest increases in fear could be seen in the areas with the lowest disadvantage in both cities. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Labor market position among care leavers and their matched peers: A longitudinal comparative study

BackgroundThe adverse labor market experience of care leavers is well-documented. Care leavers lag behind their peers in the general population in all employment aspects and even fall short compared to young people from low-income families. Yet, there are only very few comparative longitudinal studies on care leavers' relative labor market position (LMP). ObjectivesTo examine and predict: (1) LMP, an integrative measure of labor market connectedness and earning level, among care leavers and a matched comparison group from age 22 to 34; (2) gender differences in LMP among care leavers and their same-sex matched peers. Participants and settingParticipants were alumni of youth villages in Israel from 13 consecutive birth cohorts (20,758) and a double-sized matched comparison group (41,510). MethodsBased on longitudinal administrative records bivariate analyses examined differences in age-related LMP between care leavers and their matched peers. Gender-stratified analyses were also performed. A multilevel multinomial model predicted LMP throughout the age span. ResultsCare leavers were less likely than their matched peers to be disconnected from employment. The rate of low-wage earners was similar in the two groups. Male care leavers performed better than their matched peers, while female care leavers performed worse than their matched peers. Controlling for pre-care factors, in-care and post-care achievements and experiences, both men and women care leavers performed better than their matched peers. ConclusionsLabor market connectedness and relative earning progression are shaped by pre-care factors, in-care and post-care achievements and experiences. Three sub-groups of care leavers and similar young people were identified based on their characteristics.