Occurrence Of Symptoms Research Articles

A Case Study of RNA-Silencing Resistance against Potato Virus (PVY) in Condition of Climate Change

Abstract Global environmental issues shift crop production to the new conditions. This increases all kinds of biotic and abiotic stresses, beside others also plant diseases. Such changes are also in Kazakhstan where potato production is dramatically increasing, and crop is growing in regions with continental climate. Problems with potato virus type Y (PVY) need cultivars with better resistance. Introduction of silencing small interfering RNA (siRNA) is new technology. In vitro experiment was done on potato (Solanium tuberosum L.) local cultivar Izolda. Results show significant effect of siRNA in decreasing mortality and occurrence of PVY symptoms and allow expansion of potato cultivation to continental climate conditions, where are faced with new virus problems.

Comparison of Acute COVID-19 Encephalopathy with Seasonal Influenza A-associated Encephalopathy

Objectives: To compare the clinical presentations and neurobiological features in children with acute Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) encephalopathy and Seasonal influenza A virus (IAV)-associated encephalopathy. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study on patients diagnosed with COVID-19 encephalopathy between December 15, 2022, and January 15, 2023, and children diagnosed with IAV-associated encephalopathy between November 2017 and March 2023, who were less than 18 years old at the Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine. Results: A total of 34 patients with acute COVID-19 encephalopathy and 37 patients with IAV-associated encephalopathy were included in this study. Elevation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pleocytosis and CSF glucose, as well as downregulation of monocyte and TNF-α, were observed in both the COVID-19 ICU group and the moderate & severe group. The median age was younger (P < 0.001) and the median time for the occurrence of neurological symptoms was shorter (P < 0.001) in the COVID-19 group compared with the IAV group. More patients in the IAV group had altered levels of consciousness (P < 0.001) and were admitted to the ICU (P < 0.001). Consequently, more severe cases were observed in the IAV group (P = 0.007). Brain imaging showed a predominance appearance of acute necrotizing encephalopathy in the IAV group (P = 0.038). Regarding blood parameters, leukomonocyte levels were lower in the IAV group (P = 0.003) with lower expression of CD4 (P = 0.047). Random blood glucose (P = 0.001), D dimer (P = 0.004), and cytokine IL-2 (P = 0.005) were lower in the COVID-19 group, while IFN-γ (P = 0.013) was significantly higher. Conclusions: Influenza A virus-associated encephalopathy presented more severe manifestations. However, IFN-γ may act as a protective cytokine in COVID-19 encephalopathy.

Neurofilament light chain as a biomarker for acute hepatic porphyrias.

Acute hepatic porphyrias (AHP) represent a rare group of inherited metabolic disorders of heme biosynthesis pathway. This study aims to determine the diagnostic and prognostic value of serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) as potential biomarker for AHP. We conducted a cross-sectional observational study to evaluate NfL levels in patients with AHP. They were divided in different groups: normal health individuals; patients with definitive diagnosis of AHP during acute episodes; patients with AHP and infrequent attacks; patients with AHP and recurrent attacks; asymptomatic individuals with positive genetic testing and urinary delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and porphobilinogen (PBG) levels elevated 4 or more times ("high excretors"); asymptomatic individuals with exclusive positive genetic test; control group with Hereditary Amyloidosis related to Transthyretin with Polyneuropathy (ATTRv-PN). During acute attacks, serum NfL levels were 68 times higher compared to normal controls and disclosed a strong correlation with ALA and PBG levels; also exhibited elevated levels in patients with chronic symptoms regardless of the number of disease attacks compared to healthy controls, and at similar levels to patients with ATTRv-PN, which is a model of progressive neuropathy. This study represents the first to establish NfL as a biomarker for AHP, disclosing NfL as a sensitive biomarker for axonal damage and chronic symptom occurrence. This study not only underscores that neurological damage associated with the disease in any patient, irrespective of the number of attacks, but also reinforces the progressive and profoundly debilitating nature of acute and chronic symptoms observed in individuals with AHP.

Gene Variants of the OAS/RNase L Pathway and Their Association with Severity of Symptoms and Outcome of SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

The interferon pathway plays a critical role in triggering the immune response to SARS-CoV-2, and these gene variants may be involved in the severity of COVID-19. This study aimed to analyze the frequency of three gene variants of OAS and RNASEL with the occurrence of COVID-19 symptoms and disease outcome. This cross-sectional study included 104 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, of which 34 were asymptomatic COVID-19, and 70 were symptomatic cases. The variants rs486907 (RNASEL), rs10774671 (OAS1), rs1293767 (OAS2), and rs2285932 (OAS3) were screened and discriminated using a predesigned 5'-nuclease assay with TaqMan probes. Patients with the allele C of the OAS2 gene rs1293767 (OR = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.15-0.83, p = 0.014) and allele T of the OAS3 gene rs2285932 (OR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.2-0.023, p = 0.023) have lower susceptibility to developing symptomatic COVID-19. The genotype frequencies (G/G, G/C, and C/C) of rs1293767 for that comparison were 64.7%, 29.4%, and 5.9% in the asymptomatic group and 95.2%, 4.8%, and 0% in severe disease (p < 0.05). Our data indicate that individuals carrying the C allele of the OAS2 gene rs1293767 and the T allele of the OAS3 gene rs2285932 are less likely to develop symptomatic COVID-19, suggesting these genetic variations may confer a protective effect among the Mexican study population. Furthermore, the observed differences in genotype frequencies between asymptomatic individuals and those with severe disease emphasize the potential of these variants as markers for disease severity. These insights enhance our understanding of the genetic factors that may influence the course of COVID-19 and underscore the potential for genetic screening in identifying individuals at increased risk for severe disease outcomes.

Correlation Between Medically Diagnosed Anxiety and Depression Disorder and Self-Reported Breast Implant Illness.

Anxiety disorders, both with and without comorbid depression, are widespread globally. In this study we investigate the intersection of anxiety, depression, and self-reported breast implant illness (BII) in females undergoing aesthetic breast surgery. The objective of our research was to enhance understanding about mental health history, psychotropic medication use, and its relation to BII symptoms. A cohort of 240 consecutive female patients undergoing elective breast surgery was studied. In the study we categorized patients by groups based on the presence of self-reported BII symptoms and the type of breast surgery performed. Mental health history, psychotropic medication use, and time spent in treatment for mental illness were scrutinized. Statistical analyses were conducted, including multiple regression analysis. Results revealed that patients with self-reported BII symptoms often had a preexisting anxiety/depression disorder treated medically before obtaining breast implants, and this disorder predicted the occurrence of BII symptoms. These patients tended to be diagnosed with anxiety and depression at a younger age, initiate medication therapy earlier, take more medications for their condition, and spend more time in therapy compared with others undergoing elective breast surgery. Implications of this study highlight the need for comprehensive counseling between plastic surgeons and patients with self-reported BII symptoms. Understanding the role of anxiety/depression in the pathogenesis of self-reported BII is crucial, and collaboration with psychiatrists and other mental health professionals can ensure improved supportive care. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the psychological aspects surrounding breast implant surgery and self-reported BII and emphasize the importance of preoperative mental health assessments in appropriate patient selection for elective breast surgery.

Clusterization of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia as Assessed by Neuropsychiatric Inventory: A Case Against the Use of Principal Component Analysis.

The term Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) covers a group of phenomenologically and medically distinct symptoms that rarely occur in isolation. Their therapy represents a major unmet medical need across dementias of different types, including Alzheimer's disease. Understanding of the symptom occurrence and their clusterization can inform clinical drug development and use of existing and future BPSD treatments. The primary aim of the present study was to investigate the ability of a commonly used principal component analysis to identify BPSD patterns as assessed by Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). NPI scores from the Aging, Demographics, and Memory Study (ADAMS) were used to characterize reported occurrence of individual symptoms and their combinations. Based on this information, we have designed and conducted a simulation experiment to compare Principal Component analysis (PCA) and zero-inflated PCA (ZI PCA) by their ability to reveal true symptom associations. Exploratory analysis of the ADAMS database revealed overlapping multivariate distributions of NPI symptom scores. Simulation experiments have indicated that PCA and ZI PCA cannot handle data with multiple overlapping patterns. Although the principal component analysis approach is commonly applied to NPI scores, it is at risk to reveal BPSD clusters that are a statistical phenomenon rather than symptom associations occurring in clinical practice. We recommend the thorough characterization of multivariate distributions before subjecting any dataset to Principal Component Analysis.

Validity and diagnostic overlap of functional somatic syndrome diagnoses

ObjectiveWe present the first study that investigates the validity and the diagnostic overlap of the three main functional somatic syndrome (FSS) diagnoses, i.e. chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia (FM), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), irrespective of help-seeking behaviour or diagnostic habits, and irrespective of differences in diagnostic thresholds for chronicity or symptom interference. MethodsThis cross-sectional analysis was performed in 89,781 participants of the general-population cohort Lifelines. Diagnostic criteria for CFS (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), FM (American College of Rheumatology) and IBS (Rome IV) were assessed by questionnaire. Additional items were added to enable studying the effects of differences in thresholds for minimum symptom chronicity (varying from three for FM to six months for CFS and IBS), and symptom interference (required for CFS but not for FM and IBS). ResultsThe diagnostic criteria were met by 3.1% for CFS, 6.6% for FM, and 5.5% for IBS participants. The number of participants that met criteria for all three diagnoses was 45 times higher than what would have been expected based on chance. After alignment of the chronicity and symptom interference criteria to circumvent differences in diagnostic thresholds, the overlap between diagnoses increased to 152 times. Furthermore, there was a similar pattern of symptom occurrence, particularly for those fulfilling diagnostic criteria for CFS and FM. ConclusionThe diagnostic overlap of different FSS was much higher than would be expected by chance, and substantially increased when FSS were more chronic and serious in nature.

Endothelin-1-mediated Brainstem Glial Activation Produces Asthmatic Airway Vagal Hypertonia Via Enhanced ATP-P2X4 Receptor Signaling in Sprague-Dawley Rats.

The occurrence of major asthma symptoms is largely attributed to airway vagal hypertonia, of which the central mechanisms remain unclear. This study tests the hypotheses that endothelin-1-mediated brainstem glial activation produces asthmatic airway vagal hypertonia via enhanced action of adenosine 5'-triphosphate on neuronal purinergic P2X4 receptors. A rat model of asthma was prepared using ovalbumin. Airway vagal tone was evaluated by the recurrent laryngeal discharge and plethysmographic measurement of pulmonary function. The changes in the brainstem were examined using ELISA, Western blot, luciferin-luciferase, quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, enzyme activity assay and immunofluorescent staining, respectively. The results showed that in the medulla of rats, endothelin receptor type B and P2X4 receptors were primarily expressed in astrocytes and neurons, respectively, and both of which, along with endothelin-1 content, were significantly increased after ovalbumin sensitization. Ovalbumin sensitization significantly increased recurrent laryngeal discharge, which was blocked by acute intracisternal injection of P2X4 receptor antagonist 5-BDBD, knockdown of brainstem P2X4 receptors, and chronic intraperitoneal injection of endothelin receptor type B antagonist BQ788, respectively. Ovalbumin sensitization activated microglia and astrocytes and significantly decreased ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity in the medulla, and all of which, together with the increase of medullary P2X4 receptor expression and decrease of pulmonary function, were reversed by chronic BQ788 treatment. These results demonstrated that in rats, allergic airway challenge activates both microglia and astrocytes in the medulla via enhanced endothelin-1/endothelin receptor type B signaling, which subsequently causes airway vagal hypertonia via augmented adenosine 5'-triphosphate/P2X4 receptor signaling in central neurons of airway vagal reflex.

Prevalence of malnutrition, dietary trends, and oral nutritional supplements use among Algerian cancer outpatients undergoing chemotherapy

ObjectiveIt is widely acknowledged that patients with cancer commonly experience malnutrition, and some individuals may adopt specific dietary trends. This study investigated the prevalence of malnutrition and dietary trends among Algerian cancer outpatients undergoing chemotherapy. Material and methodsThis cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted from January to October 2023 with 71 cancer outpatients undergoing chemotherapy. Malnutrition risk was evaluated using the Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST). The questionnaire also collected the occurrence of nutrition impact symptoms, the avoidance of specific food groups, and the use of oral nutritional supplements and dietary supplements. ResultsMalnutrition risk was identified in 57.7% (41 cases) of participants. Nutrition impact symptoms were reported by 59.2% (42 cases) of patients. A total of 36 of the patients (50.7%) altered their eating habits by avoiding at least one food group. Among malnourished cancer outpatients, only five used oral nutritional supplements. Dietary supplements were used by 23.9% (27/71) of the patients after cancer diagnosis. ConclusionOur findings underscore the necessity for a systematic malnutrition assessment in cancer patients. Qualified clinicians should provide nutritional awareness to enhance the quality of life for these patients.

The association between urbanization and depression in the elderly: A network analysis from the complexity science perspective

ImportanceThe global increase in urbanization has coincided with a rise in depression prevalence. However, the effect of urbanization on depression remains controversial, especially for the elderly. ObjectiveTo clarify how urbanization impacts depression in the elderly from a network perspective. Design, setting, and participantsThis sectional cohort study used data from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Main outcomes and measuresThe occurrence of depressive symptoms in urban and rural elderly residents. Network metrics of depressive symptoms. ResultsOf the 13,993 participants, lower incidence of depressive symptoms was observed in urban (26.3 %, 95 % CI, 24.7 %–27.8 %) than in rural (40.4 %, 95 % CI, 39.5 %–41.3 %, P < 0.0001) residents. However, higher incidence of depressive symptoms was observed in urban (26.3 %, 95 % CI, 25.2 %–28.4 %) than in rural (17.5 %, 95 % CI, 16.1 %–18.9 %, P < 0.0001) residents in a subset of 2898 pairs of participants after PSM. No difference in the network structure and metrics between urban and rural residents before (M = 0.071, p = 0.054, S = 0.037, p = 0.80) and after (M = 0.085, p = 0.133, S = 0.086, p = 0.47) PSM was detected. The networks structure revealed that negative affect was strongly connected to somatic symptoms and that the two anhedonic symptoms were also strongly connected. ConclusionsThe current study indicated the homogeneity of the ultimate nature of depression between rural and urban residents from the network perspective, supporting the viewpoint that urbanization might not impose influence on depression. Further researches delving deeper into the complexity of the issue may provide new insights into our understanding of depression in an urban environment among the elderly.

Gastrointestinal syndrome encountered during a train voyage to high altitudes: A 14-day survey of 69 passengers in China

BackgroundThe diagnosis and evaluation of the severity of acute mountain sickness (AMS) continue to be problematic due to a lack of consensus on the inclusion of symptoms in a scoring system. Recent investigations highlight the significance of gastrointestinal symptoms in identifying this condition. However, the specific gastrointestinal symptoms associated with AMS have not been thoroughly elucidated in previous studies, and the underlying risk factors remain inadequately comprehended. MethodsThis study aimed to investigate the characteristics, trends, and risk factors related to gastrointestinal symptoms encountered during train travel to high altitude. A total of 69 passengers, specifically all with medical backgrounds, were surveyed 6 times over a period of 14 days. ResultsThe daily incidence of abdominal discomfort was higher than non-gastrointestinal symptoms within 14 days. Gastrointestinal symptoms demonstrated a greater prevalence, longer duration, and increased risk compared to non-gastrointestinal symptoms, such as headaches. The symptoms of abdominal distension and bowel sound hyperaction were found to be prevalent and persistent among patients diagnosed with AMS, exhibiting a high incidence rate. Gender, age, body mass index (BMI), smoking habits, and alcohol consumption were identified as risk factors associated with the occurrence and duration of gastrointestinal symptoms. ConclusionThis study suggests that gastrointestinal symptoms are more common and persistent when traveling to the plateau by train. These symptoms should be taken into consideration in the further diagnosis and prevention of AMS. Therefore, this study provides a significant theoretical foundation for the prevention and treatment of AMS.

Skin tests, serological IgE detection, basophil test—what is available, useful and helps to clarify a mold allergy?

AbstractThe prevalence of sensitization to molds is low in healthy people, but significant in asthmatics. As it has not yet been possible to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between the presence of mold allergens and the occurrence of allergic symptoms, there is a great deal of uncertainty. The update of the S2k guideline “Medical–clinical diagnostics for indoor mold exposure” should help to objectify the topic. Based on the recommendations listed there for the diagnosis of suspected IgE-mediated mold allergy, this article presents the possibilities of skin tests, IgE determinations, and other in vitro test options, but also their limitations in clarifying the cause. Potential possibilities include component-resolved allergy diagnostics, while the limitations include the difficult standardization of test allergen extracts due to the complex allergen source and the insufficient commercial availability of the test extracts. A diagnostic algorithm is presented as a tool for a systematic approach to patients with suspected mold-associated respiratory allergy.

The influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the occurrence of depressive symptoms in the Croatian adult population

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has led to a worsening of mental health among the Croatian general population. However, the overall prevalence of population depressive symptoms in Croatia over the COVID-19 pandemic is still unknown.ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the occurrence of depressive symptoms among Croatian adults.MethodsThis cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted from mid-February to mid-May 2022 period. A validated, anonymous questionnaire that contained questions regarding demographic data, as well as the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale was self-administered to a convenient sample of adults from the city of Osijek in eastern Croatia.Results The study sample included 500 subjects with a median age of 34 years (interquartile range 26-53), 42.4% males, and 57.6% females. According to the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, there were 16.2% of subjects with mild or moderate depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms were more frequent among older subjects (61 years or older) (p=0.001), among subjects with a lower level of education (subjects with or without elementary school) (p&lt;0.001), among subjects who were retired (p=0.005), among subjects who considered their socioeconomic status as under average (p&lt;0.001), and among subjects who experienced death of close family member caused by COVID-19 infection (p=0.004).Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic increased the prevalence of depression in the Croatian general population where some sociodemographic characteristics of study subjects seem to put those subjects at greater risk considering the occurrence of depressive symptoms. Development of appropriate supportive programs that enhance the mental health of the Croatian general population during pandemics is needed to potentially prevent the occurrence of depressive symptoms and to help the general population successfully overcome this important mental health challenge.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Psychometric Properties of the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21) in a Portuguese Sample during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic

IntroductionThe COVID-19 global crisis has resulted in significant disruptions in the lives of students in higher education, leading to negative consequences for their academic achievements and general psychological well-being.ObjectivesIn this study, we sought to examine the psychometric properties of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) among students in Portuguese higher education institutions during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and its efficacy in capturing mental health symptoms due to a global health crisis.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, a convenience sampling method was used to enlist a total of 1522 participants. The sample consisted of 75.1% women and 79.2% undergraduate students. Participants completed an electronic survey that was designed using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) — a self-report instrument measuring anxiety, depression, and stress.ResultsThe findings of the study indicated a significant occurrence of depressive symptoms [≥10] (N = 434, 28.5%), anxiety symptoms [≥7] (N = 551, 36.2%), and stress symptoms [≥11] (N = 544, 35.7%). Based on the collected data, a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was conducted in order to examine the factor structure of the scale. The analysis revealed a three-factor solution that corresponded to the three subscales of the DASS-21. The Heterotrait-Monotrait (HTMT) correlation ratio was then used to assess the discriminant validity, with good results. Results showed that the DASS21 has satisfactory reliability indexes (Cronbach’s α &gt; 0.90).ConclusionsIn light of the notable changes in living conditions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, the present study has shown that the DASS-21 instrument has maintained its reliability and validity. Consequently, this finding supports the appropriateness of using the DASS-21 as a screening tool for assessing mental health among students in Portugal. Moreover, it is recommended that academics and healthcare practitioners use the DASS-21 as a tool for assessing the levels of psychological distress experienced by students. Additional validation studies of this scale are required, using bigger and more representative populations.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Positive relationship between plant diversity dietary patterns and disease activity in Australian adults with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Diet is implicated in the development of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). However, the role of diet in reducing inflammation and managing prevalent disease is unclear (1–3). Previous studies have analysed the relationship between dietary patterns and occurrence of flares or symptoms, but not disease activity or inflammation (4–5). It is important to explore the role of habitual diet in management of IBD to provide targeted dietary recommendations. We explored the relationship between dietary intake with disease activity and inflammation in an Australian adult cohort with and without IBD. We analysed dietary and clinical data from the Australian IBD Microbiome (AIM) study. AIM is a prospective longitudinal cohort study of adults and children with Crohn’s Disease (CD), Ulcerative colitis (UC) and healthy controls (HC). Habitual dietary intake of food groups, fibre, polyphenols and fermented foods was collected by merging dietary data from 3-day food records and food frequency questionnaires with PhenolExplorer and the Australian Fibre Categories Database. Dietary patterns were explored using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) in IBM SPSS Statistics (V29). Associations between dietary intake, clinical disease activity categorised as remission or active, and faecal calprotectin (FCAL) were explored in adult participants. A total of 412 participants (IBD = 223, HC = 189) were included. FCAL data was available for 211 participants (HC = 100, CD = 49, UC = 62). Median (IQR) FCAL at baseline was 20 (20) mg/kg for HC and 33 (127) mg/kg for IBD, indicating clinically irrelevant inflammation (FCAL &gt;50mg/kg = clinical inflammation). PCA identified 7 distinct dietary patterns for adults with IBD. A dietary pattern of high plant diversity was associated with active CD. In the total IBD cohort, low association to a 'Prudent’ pattern was positively associated with low FCAL, and high association to a 'Meat-eaters’ dietary pattern was positively associated with moderate FCAL. CA revealed 3 distinct clusters amongst participants with IBD. No significant difference between diet cluster and disease activity or FCAL was seen. There were no significant differences in intake of fibre or polyphenols between remission vs active disease in participants with IBD. A significant difference between total, soluble and insoluble fibre and FCAL categories was seen with a higher fibre intake associated with lower FCAL. Higher plant-diversity and 'Prudent’ dietary patterns are associated with active disease and higher FCAL in Australian adults with IBD. Reverse causality cannot be ruled out, with analysis of larger cohorts and clinical trial data needed to clarify this.

Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome in Children: A Single-Center Experience.

Data on median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) in children are scant. It is postulated that MALS can cause chronic abdominal pain. It is unclear what percentage of children with this condition are symptomatic and what comorbidities are associated with this syndrome. In this retrospective study, data on consecutive patients in a single center diagnosed coincidentally with MALS during routine echocardiogram were reviewed. Symptom burden, comorbidities, and the effect of anthropometric indices on MALS were investigated. Descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests were used to describe the findings and to compare variables with normal distribution. Between 2013 and 2020, there were 82 children, 55 females (67%), mean age 13.9 ± 3.2 years, with MALS and complete record. Mean velocity across the stenotic area was 2.6 ± 0.4 m/s. Forty-six patients (57%) had abdominal pain. Age, gender, weight, body mass index (BMI), and Doppler velocity had no statistically significant influence on symptom occurrence. Conversely, patients with joint hypermobility and symptoms of orthostatic intolerance were more likely to have abdominal pain from MALS. Of 24 patients with joint hypermobility, 18 patients had abdominal pain (p=0.027). Thirty-eight patients with orthostatic intolerance (OI) with MALS complained of abdominal pain vs 13 patients with OI and no abdominal pain (p=<0.0001). Nearly half of patients with MALS had abdominal pain. Age, gender, weight, and the degree of stenosis had no statistically significant influence on symptom occurrence. OI, specifically postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), and joint hypermobility on exam predicted a higher propensity for abdominal pain in patients with MALS.

Proximity to public green spaces and depressive symptoms among South African residents: a population-based study

BackgroundExposure to green spaces has been suggested to improve mental health and may reduce the risk of depression. However, there is generally limited evidence on the association between green spaces and depression originating from low-and middle-income countries and Africa in particular. Here, we investigate the association between proximity to public green spaces and depressive symptoms among residents of Gauteng Province, South Africa.MethodsWe used data from the 2017/2018 Gauteng quality of life survey. We included all individuals aged 18 years or older residing in the nine municipalities of Gauteng Province that completed the survey (n = 24,341). Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-2. Proximity to public green spaces was defined as self-reported walking time (either less or greater than 15 min) from individuals’ homes to the nearest public green space. To assess the association between access to public green spaces and depressive symptoms, we used mixed-effects models, adjusted for age, sex, population group (African, Indian/Asian, Coloured (mixed race), and White), educational attainment, and municipality. We additionally performed stratified analyses by age, sex, educational attainment, and population group to evaluate whether associations differed within subgroups. Associations are expressed as prevalence ratios (PR) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).ResultsWe observed a 6% (PR = 0.94, 95%CI = 0.92–0.96) prevalence reduction in depressive symptoms for individuals who reported that the nearest public green space was less than 15 min from their homes as compared to those who reported > 15 min. After stratification, this inverse association was stronger among females, individuals aged 35–59 years,those with higher levels of educational attainment, and Coloured individuals as compared to their counterparts.ConclusionOur findings suggest that public green spaces close to residential homes may be associated with a reduction in the occurrence of depressive symptoms among urban populations in resource-constrained settings like South Africa.

Prediction of central nervous system oxygen toxicity symptoms using electrodermal activity and machine learning

ObjectiveBreathing elevated oxygen partial pressures (PO2) prior to SCUBA diving increases the risk of developing central nervous system oxygen toxicity (CNS-OT), which could impair performance or result in seizure and subsequent drowning. We aimed to study the dynamics of electrodermal activity (EDA) while breathing elevated PO2 in the hyperbaric environment (HBO2) as a possible means to predict impending CNS-OT. To this end, we used machine learning to automatically detect and predict the onset of symptoms associated with CNS-OT in humans by using features derived from EDA in both time and frequency domains. MethodsWe collected electrodermal activity (EDA) data from forty-nine exposures to HBO2 while subjects were undergoing cognitive load and exercise in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. Four independent experts were present during the experiment to monitor and classify any symptoms associated with hyperbaric oxygen toxicity. We computed a highly sensitive time varying spectral EDA index, named TVSymp, and extracted informative features from skin conductance responses (SCRs). Machine learning algorithms were trained and validated for classifying features from SCRs and TVSymp as CNS-OT related or non-CNS-OT related. Machine learning models were validated using a subject-independent leave one subject out (LOSO) validation scheme. ResultsOur machine learning model was able to classify EDA dynamics related to CNS-OT with 100 % sensitivity and 84 % specificity via LOSO validation. Moreover, the median prediction time for CNS-OT symptoms was ∼ 250 s preceding the occurrence of actual symptoms. SignificanceThis study shows that EDA can potentially be used for early prediction of CNS-OT in divers with a high sensitivity and sufficient prediction time for countermeasures. While the study results are promising, independent validation datasets are warranted to confirm the findings. However, the current results are well corroborated in an animal study, which consistently showed seizure prediction time of 2 min prior to seizure.

Relationships between climate change distress, generalized anxiety, and climate-related symptoms of mental disorders

ABSTRACT Background and Objective: We examined the possibility that reactions to climate change take two forms: distress, which may be adaptive, and symptoms of mental disorders, which may not be. Design and Method: In a national sample of Polish adults (n = 1133), we measured climate change distress (experiencing unpleasant emotions and feelings due to climate change), climate-related symptoms of mental disorders (e.g., problems sleeping and problems working and planning), generalized anxiety, and depression. Results: Zero-inflated Poisson regression analyses of the occurrence of climate-related symptoms of mental disorders found two latent classes: People who experienced symptoms of the disorder and those who did not. For all eight symptoms, climate change distress predicted membership in the latent class of people who experienced a symptom, whereas how often people in the non-zero latent class experienced each symptom was positively related to generalized anxiety but was not related to distress or depression. Conclusions: These results suggest that reactions to climate change take two forms. Some people do not experience climate change-related symptoms of mental disorders, and some do. People who experience symptoms have higher levels of climate change distress, and the frequency with which they experience these symptoms is determined by their dispositional, generalized anxiety.

Association of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and sleep quality with anxiety symptoms: a cross-sectional study of Tibetan college students at high altitude.

Research on the association between sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) consumption and sleep quality with anxiety symptoms has been highly emphasized. However, past studies have focused on college students in plains areas, while fewer research studies have been conducted on Tibetan college students at high altitudes. Whether this association changes due to ethnicity or altitude is unclear. The present study will contribute to the prevention and intervention of depressive symptoms among Tibetan college students at high altitude. A self-assessment questionnaire was administered to 3,026 university students (1,491 boys students, 49.27%) on SSBs consumption, sleep quality and anxiety symptoms status in the Tibetan Plateau, a high-altitude region of China. Logistic regression analysis and ordered logistic regression analysis in generalized linear model were used to analyze the association between SSBs consumption and sleep quality with anxiety symptoms. The prevalence of anxiety symptoms among Tibetan college students at high altitude was 26.9%. SSBs consumption of ≤1 times/week, 2-5 times/week, and ≥ 6 times/week were 20.7, 28.1, and 45.7%, respectively, with statistically significant differences (χ2 value of 134.353, p < 0.001). Anxiety detection rates for Sleep quality of Good (PSQI ≤5), Moderate (PSQI 6-7), and Poor (PSQI >7) were 16.8, 19.8, and 32.0%, respectively, and the difference was also statistically significant (χ2 value was 73.761, p < 0.001). The ordered logistic regression analysis in the generalized linear model showed that, overall, the group of college students with SSBs ≤1 times/week and sleep quality of Good served as the reference group, and the group with SSBs ≥6 times/week and sleep quality of Poor (OR: 5.06, 95% CI: 3.75-6.83) had the highest risk of anxiety symptoms. SSBs consumption and sleep quality were associated with anxiety symptoms, and there was an interaction effect. Effective control of SSBs consumption and improvement of sleep quality may be important factors in preventing and reducing the occurrence of anxiety symptoms.