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Targeting anger for COVID-19 prevention: The motivating role of anger on media use and vaccination intention
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in public anger due to its disruptive and harmful nature. However, anger remains an understudied concept despite its potential to persuade the public and spark action. The current study investigates the role of anger in driving COVID-19 vaccination intentions. In Study 1, through a rolling-cross sectional survey of U.S. adults during the early stages of the COVID-19 epidemic ( N = 6,141), it was found that anger towards COVID-19 was associated with increased use of social and traditional media news, which was then related to improved vaccination intentions. In Study 2, utilizing computational analysis of a Twitter (now X) dataset using an AI classifier, 15 targets of anger were identified from real-world anger expressions in social media discourse about COVID-19. Building on these insights, Study 3 involved a representative survey of U.S. adults during the post-emergency declaration stage of COVID-19 ( N = 1,005). This survey aimed to replicate the findings of Study 1 while incorporating the anger targets identified in Study 2. The results revealed that different targets of anger were associated with vaccination intentions through the consumption of traditional news media. Although social media was a prominent channel for news about vaccination at the beginning of the pandemic, our findings suggest that traditional media news use may be an important link in understanding the relationship between anger and vaccination intentions. Theoretical, practical, and methodological implications are discussed.
The effects of graded hypoxia on gene expression related to oxygen sensing and metabolism
Abstract To improve performance at altitude some endurance athletes undergo exposure to hypoxic stimulus during post exercise recovery, but this may impact gene expression related to exercise adaptation. The purpose of this study is to determine a hypoxic threshold and its impact on gene expression related to oxygen sensing, metabolism, and mitochondrial dynamics. Ten male participants (24 ± 4 years, 47.1 ± 9.5 ml·kg − 1 ·min − 1 ) completed 4 trials at least 7 days apart. Each trial consisted of cycling for one hour at 70% of Wpeak in normoxia before recovering for 6 h in a simulated environment [0 m, 1,667 m, 3,333 m, and 5,000 m]. Muscle samples were collected from the vastus lateralis before exercise and after recovery. Pulse oxygen saturation (SPO 2 ) was measured before exercise, during exercise, and during recovery. SPO 2 lowered with increasing elevation ( p < 0.001 for all trials). Gene expression of PGC-1α, HIF-1α, and HK increased following recovery from exercise ( p = 0.048, p = 0.013, and p = 0.014), but there were no differences between trials ( p > 0.05). No differences were observed for HIF-2α, PFK, FIS, MFN 2, and OPA ( p > 0.05). Post aerobic exercise recovery at graded levels of simulated hypoxia does not affect the expression of genes related to oxygen sensing, metabolism, and mitochondrial dynamics, compared to normoxia.
Retraction: Investigating the relationship between erythropoiesis-stimulating agents and mortality in hemodialysis patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Temporal trends and disparities in stroke and diabetes mellitus comorbidity-related mortality from 1999 to 2023
Can creative activities and mind-body practices help enhance well-being and mental health awareness? An exploratory qualitative study in UK higher education
Creative arts activities and mind-body practices, such as yoga, have been shown to benefit mental health and well-being. Research in higher education highlights the mental health challenges faced by students and staff in tertiary education; however, most studies on the potential of creative arts and mind-body practices have been conducted in the United States, with limited research investigating their impact in the UK higher education context. This qualitative study seeks to examine students’ and staff members’ views on extra-curricular creative and mind-body practices provided by one UK university, exploring how engagement in such activities can impact their understanding and awareness of mental health and well-being. In addition, it intends to investigate potential barriers to engagement with such activities. Drawing on questionnaire responses from 25 students and 20 staff members, findings highlight the effectiveness of art-based interventions and mind-body practices in raising awareness and understanding of mental health and well-being, while also having the potential to positively impact individuals’ mental health and well-being. Although personal interests and time restrictions may limit engagement, such activities were found to foster community-building, a particularly relevant factor in the post-Covid era, as institutions seek to re-engage students and staff through in-person activities. These findings have therefore important implications for the implementation of similar interventions in higher education and beyond to promote mental health and well-being awareness in diverse communities.
Unraveling the Potential of Small Molecule Heparin Glycomimetics in Neuroregenerative Therapeutics
Genetic connectivity and admixture zones shape the spread of African swine fever in wild Boar populations in North-western Italy
Improving maternal outcomes of young mothers through mobile health (mHealth) and community-based interventions: Evidence from a quasi-experimental trial in Kwale County, Coastal Kenya
Background Inefficient referral systems and limited awareness on the importance of antenatal care (ANC) hinder expectant adolescents and young women from achieving the recommended ANC visits. Mobile health interventions and community-based clinical outreaches have emerged as potential strategies to improve ANC utilization and skilled delivery rates. Objective This study evaluates the effectiveness of mHealth text messaging and community-based clinical outreaches in improving ANC uptake, skilled deliveries, and infants’ birthweights among expectant adolescents and young women in Kwale County, Coastal Kenya. Methods A quasi-experimental study was conducted across four public health facilities, comparing three groups: mHealth text messaging intervention, community-based outreaches, and a control group receiving standard care. Multivariate regression models were used to adjust for baseline differences and potential confounders. Key outcomes included ANC attendance, skilled birth attendance, and infant birthweights. Results A total of 817 participants were included in the analysis. Participants in the mHealth (RR: 0.5 [95% CI: 0.4–0.7], p < 0.001) and outreach arms (RR: 0.1 [95% CI: 0.0–0.7], p = 0.024), had significantly lower risk of low ANC contacts compared to the control arm participants. Similarly, the odds of unskilled deliveries were significantly lower in the mHealth (OR: 0.2 [95% CI: 0.1–0.4, p < 0.001] and the outreach arms (OR: 0.1 [95% CI: 0.0–0.6], p = 0.007), compared to the control group. Notably, infants born to participants in the mHealth-text message intervention (OR: 5.9 [95% CI: 1.7–20.8, p = 0.006]) and outreach arms (OR: 6.6 [95% CI: 1.7–25.7], p = 0.007) had significantly higher odds of low birth weight, compared to those born to control arm participants. Conclusions Both mHealth-text messaging and community-based clinical outreaches can improve antenatal contacts and institutional skilled deliveries. Integrating both strategies can enhance maternal health outcomes for young women in Kenya and should be considered for broader adoption within public health programs to optimize care delivery.
Morphological attributes, biochemical parameters, phytochemical constituents and antioxidant activities of endangered Citrus macroptera Mont (Hatkora.) from North-East India
Clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis analysis of gastrinoma based on the SEER database
Gastrinoma, distinguished by Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, is a highly unusual neoplasm. However, understanding of its clinicopathological characteristics and survival at the population level is inadequate. This study aimed to examine the clinicopathological features and survival of gastrinoma patients utilizing the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Patients diagnosed with gastrinoma from 2000 to 2020 were included in the study. Multiple imputation was used to handle missing data. Chi-square test was employed to analyze the clinicopathological features. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards models were utilized to evaluate overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). A total of 160 patients participated in the study. The incidence rate rose with age, peaking at 60–69 years. Notably, the most common site was the pancreas (52.5%), followed by the duodenum (32.5%) and stomach (10.6%). Most gastrinomas were well-differentiated (77.5%). Liver was a frequent metastasis site, with age and tumor size identified as risk factors by multivariate analysis. The 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year OS rates were 92.4%, 84.3%, 77.6%, and 62.9%, respectively, with corresponding CSS rates of 94.8%, 89.2%, 86.0%, and 75.2%. Additionally, duodenal gastrinomas showed better differentiation, earlier staging, smaller size, and fewer metastases than pancreatic ones ( P < 0.05). Pancreatic gastrinomas had poorer OS (hazard ratio [HR] 2.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.30–4.35, P = 0.005) and CSS (HR 10.70, 95% CI 2.55–44.90, P = 0.001) compared to duodenal ones. Multivariate Cox analysis highlighted N stage, surgery, chemotherapy, and tumor size as risk factors for both OS and CSS. Gastrinomas located in the duodenum and pancreas exhibit distinct clinicopathological characteristics. The prognosis for gastrinomas in the duodenum is better than that for gastrinomas in the pancreas.
Reconstructing Late Quaternary coastal landscapes by a machine-learning framework
SF3B1K700E mutation in human embryonic stem cells causes aberrant expression of immune-related genes
SF3B1, a component of the U2 snRNP pre-mRNA splicing factor, plays a critical role in splicing and is frequently mutated in cancer, particularly hematologic malignancies. We investigated the effects of the most common SF3B1 mutation, heterozygous substitution of Lysine 700 to Glutamate (K700E), in human embryonic stem cells (hESC), using CRISPR-Cas9 to generate heterozygous SF3B1 K700E clones. Interestingly, we observed the upregulation of several key transcription regulators associated with hematopoiesis and a broad range of immune genes in SF3B1 K700E hESCs. Despite differences in the transcriptional and splicing profiles between hESC and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) cells harboring the SF3B1 K700E mutation, several common immune gene programs were identified in both cell types. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying dysregulated gene expression in SF3B1 K700E hESCs, we mapped actively engaged RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II) using Precision Run-On sequencing (PRO-seq). These analyses revealed that the SF3B1 K700E mutation alters RNA Pol II elongation properties. Specifically, we observed a general increase in pause release in SF3B1 K700E hESCs, consistent with recent work in leukemia cells suggesting that the SF3B1 K700E mutation affects early transcription elongation. Taken together, our study identifies several candidate genes that could contribute to the SF3B1 mutated phenotype and clarifies the role for the U2 snRNP and pre-spliceosome assembly on transcription by RNA Pol II. Further, our data suggest that mutations of SF3B1 impact immune gene expression independent of cell type, providing new insights into the role of SF3B1 K700E in hematologic malignancies.
Associations of non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among general population
‘Thriving with bipolar disorder’: The co-design of a peer-delivered group psychoeducation program and single-arm pilot feasibility evaluation protocol
Background Self-management strategies can be used by individuals with bipolar disorder (BD) to cope with symptoms and improve quality of life (QoL). Peer-facilitated psychoeducation has potential to diversify delivery of self-management information by capitalising on the expertise of individuals who live well with BD. This protocol describes the process of co-designing a novel peer-facilitated, QoL-focused, group psychoeducation program for people living with BD, and plans for its pilot evaluation. Methods Content from two web-based, self-directed psychoeducational interventions was adapted to inform a peer-facilitated group program, using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) framework. The resultant program contains eight weekly two-hour sessions on topics related to QoL in BD, and contains a combination of education, opportunities for peer-to-peer knowledge exchange, and activities that facilitate practice of self-management strategies. A single-arm pilot evaluation of this program is planned: individuals who self-identify as living with BD (~ n = 40) will be recruited from the community. Four groups (~ n = 10) will be delivered online by peer facilitators. The primary outcome will be feasibility (session attendance). Data will also be collected on fidelity, intervention acceptability, and impacts (QoL, mood symptoms, self-stigma, subjective recovery, self-efficacy, self-compassion, social support). A subset of participants (~ n = 12) and peer facilitators (~ n = 4) will be invited to participate in a feedback interview post-intervention. Discussion Recovery-oriented healthcare frameworks emphasise a focus on patient-valued outcomes and the development on a peer workforce. By evaluating this novel intervention, we hope to lay the groundwork for peer-facilitated programs specific to the priorities of individuals with BD, that may be embedded in clinical settings. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06878937
Integrated persulfate/ozonation process using Fe3O4/AC catalyst for antibiotic degradation: optimization and kinetic insights
Household indebtedness and well-being: Evidence from Australia
This study examines the relationship between household debt and health among Australian adults aged 18-65, utilising five waves of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022). The analysis distinguishes between unsecured credit card debt and secured mortgage debt, examining outcomes including health satisfaction, mental health (as measured by the SF-36 Mental Component Score (MCS)), obesity, and repayment stress. In individual fixed-effects models, each 10-percentage-point increase in the credit-card debt-to-income ratio is associated with a 0.028-point decline in health satisfaction and a 0.402-point decline in the MCS; mortgage-debt estimates are small and inconsistent. Reporting mortgage-repayment stress corresponds to a 0.081-point lower health satisfaction and a 2.884-point lower MCS. Evidence for obesity is weak in the fixed-effects models. Overall, the findings suggest that the type of debt and the stress it generates are more significant for health than the total amount borrowed.
π-Extended Ru–COUBPY Photosensitizers for <i>In Vivo</i> Anticancer Phototherapy Using One-Photon 780 nm Near-Infrared Light
Research on dynamic prediction of vegetation coverage by precipitation-evapotranspiration in arid regions based on CNN-LSTM hybrid model
Patterns of adherence to home blood pressure monitoring among men and women in the Electronic Framingham Heart Study
Worldwide, there are differences in hypertension control by sex. The use of home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) is associated with lower average blood pressures and higher medication adherence. However, little is known about adherence trajectories and sex differences in HBPM. This study characterizes adherence to HBPM among those with and without hypertension. Electronic Framingham Heart Study participants were instructed to perform HBPM weekly for 1 year. Adherence was defined as having ≥1 measurement per week averaged over 4-week segments. Primary exposures of hypertension status and sex were self-reported. Group-based trajectory modeling was used to identify adherence trajectories. Logistic regression was applied to investigate factors associated with membership in each trajectory group in the sex-stratified and whole cohorts. Among 990 participants (58% women, age 53 ± 9 years, 26% hypertension), three groups with distinct HBPM adherence patterns were identified: “early discontinuation”, “gradual decrease”, and “high adherence”. Participants with hypertension were more likely to maintain “high adherence” compared to those without (OR 1.55; 95% CI 1.08–2.23), with similar findings seen among women with hypertension (OR 2.24; 95% CI 1.35–3.72) but not men. In women, these findings remained significant when adjusting for anxiety, depression, and blood pressure, but were attenuated by adjusting for age and income. This study highlights HBPM adherence trajectories and shows that women with hypertension were more likely to be in the high adherence group, though these associations were attenuated after adjusting for demographic factors and co-morbidities. Future studies should explore strategies to enhance adherence in populations at risk of early discontinuation.