TikTok – Potential Impact on the Use of Smokeless Tobacco and Betel Quid by Young People

Introduction: TikTok has gained increasing popularity over the past year. The social media may affect awareness and perceptions of betel quid (BQ) and smokeless tobacco (SLT) by utilizing content generated by TikTok users. The purpose of this study is to examine how BQ and SLT are portrayed on TikTok. Methods: The 28 most viewed hashtag-based keywords were used to identify popular BQ and SLT-related videos on TikTok (n=513) from June 2018 to September 2021. Two researchers independently coded the number of likes, shares, views, user category and themes. Results: A final sample of 513 videos containing BQ and SLT that met the study criteria were included. Collectively, these videos were viewed over 725 million times, with a median ‘view’ count of 17,300 (range 152–155,000,000) and a median ‘likes’ count of 831 (range 4–2,400,000) and a median ‘share’ count of 21 (range 0–48,400). Majority of the videos showed BQ and SLT use positively i.e promoting the product (390/513; 76%) and these had more than 686 million times views. Neutral depictions of BQ and SLT use were viewed 15 million times (72/513; 14%) and negative portrayals of BQ and SLT have been viewed 193 million times (105/808; 13%). The video themes included ‘life style’ (349/513; 68.0%), ‘marketing’ (62/513; 12.09%), ‘comedy’ (44/513; 8.6%), ‘warning’ (25/513; 4.87%), ‘awareness’ (12/513; 2.3%), ‘sports and other’ (12/513; 2.3%) and social events or culture (9/513; 1.75%). Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that video clips related to BQ and SLT on TikTok, a fast-growing, popular video-sharing platform among teens, which is available with no age restrictions has been viewed multiple times. Majority (76%) promoted these two products, that could be detrimental to oral health. Therefore, the age restrictions especially for the videos containing BQ and SLT is mandatory in order to reduce the potential exposure of adolescents/young adults.     

Trends of self-reported non-adherence among type 2 diabetes medication users in the United States across three years using the self-reported Medication Adherence Reasons Scale

Background & aimsTo determine the trends of self-reported non-adherence rates among adults taking Type 2 medicines (T2D) medicines between 2017 and 2019 and to identify the patterns for the frequently reported reasons for non-adherence in the United States.Methods & resultsData from the National Health and Wellness Survey, a self-administered, internet-based cross-sectional survey of US adults from 2017 to 2019 was used. Non-adherence was measured using the self-reported Medication Adherence Reasons Scale (MAR-Scale). Frequencies were used to identify the reasons for non-adherence for insulin and non-insulin therapies for T2D.Data were obtained from 2983 respondents in 2017, 5416 in 2018, and 5268 in 2019. Based on the MAR-Scale, the self-reported medication non-adherence rate was 25% in 2017, 21% in 2018, and 27% in 2019. The most common reason for non-adherence across all the three years was simple forgetfulness, yet patients reported the lowest mean number of days missing medication for that reason. Though less frequently reported, non-adherence lasted longer when patient did not know how to take their medicines, cost was a reason, or had concerns about the long term effects of the medicines.ConclusionsWith no significant improvement in adherence with T2D medicines over time, regardless of better awareness and extensive diabetes education, focus should be on individualized non-adherence reasons-based interventions.     

NEMA NU 2-2018标准在PET/CT系统性能测试中的作用评价

目的 评价美国国家电器制造协会(National Electrical Manufactures Association, NEMA)最新标准(NU 2-2018)在正电子发射型计算机断层显像/电子计算机断层显像(positron emission tomography/computed tomography, PET/CT)设备性能检测中的作用。 方法 依据最新的NEMA NU 2-2018标准,检测西门子Biograph Vision PET/CT的空间分辨率、灵敏度、散射分数、计数丢失、随机符合、飞行时间分辨率、计数丢失率和随机符合校正精度、图像质量、衰减和散射校正精度及PET与CT配准精度指标。 结果 距视野中心1 cm处横向和轴向空间分辨率分别为3.75 mm和3.76 mm;在视野中心和轴向10 cm处的灵敏度分别为16.83 kcps/MBq和16.67 kcps/MBq;放射性浓度为27.37 kBq/mL时,最大等效噪声计数率为258.26 kcps,散射分数为38.58%;系统时间分辨率为209.82 ps;图像质量模型的对比度恢复系数范围为88.9%~96.2%,背景变异系数范围为2.05%~6.80%,平均肺插件残余误差为2.43%;计数丢失和随机符合校正最大误差为3.9%;距离床板末端 5 cm 和 100 cm处,在距视野中心Y轴1 cm处,PET和CT的配准精度分别为0.46 mm和1.07 mm,在距视野中心X轴20 cm处,PET和CT的配准精度分别为1.06 mm和1.45 mm,在距视野中心Y轴20 cm处PET和CT的配准精度分别为0.85 mm和1.15 mm。 结论 NEMA NU 2-2018标准检测条件更加接近临床,能更好地反映PET/CT设备的系统性能。     

Exploring Mothers’ Perspectives About Why Grandparents in Appalachia Give Their Grandchildren Cariogenic Foods and Beverages: A Qualitative Study

BackgroundDental caries is the most common chronic childhood disease. Past studies revealed that grandparents provide their grandchildren with cariogenic foods and beverages (eg, those with free sugars and/or modified starches). Qualitative research can help identify what drives this phenomenon.ObjectiveOur aim was to examine mothers’ explanations for why grandparents in north central and central Appalachia give their grandchildren cariogenic foods and beverages.DesignA qualitative study on children’s oral health in Pennsylvania and West Virginia from 2018 through 2020 was performed. In-person, semi-structured interviews were conducted. Qualitative data from interviews were recorded, transcribed, and then coded using NVivo. Data analysis for this study was performed using thematic analysis with iterative theme development.Participants/settingThe participants were 126 mothers of children aged 3-5 years from West Virginia (n = 66) and Pittsburgh, PA (n = 60).Main outcome measuresMothers’ perspectives about why grandparents give their grandchildren cariogenic foods and beverages were analyzed.ResultsIn the study sample, 85% of mothers (n = 107/126) named at least 1 of their children’s grandparents as a member of their social network responsible for their children’s oral health. From these interviews, 85% of mothers (n = 91/107) discussed that grandparents gave their grandchildren cariogenic foods and beverages. The mothers described the following 4 themes to explain why grandparents gave their grandchildren cariogenic foods and beverages: privilege of the grandparent role; responsibilities of the grandparent role; symbol of care and affection; and limited consideration or understanding of the detrimental impact.ConclusionsGrandparents play a role in giving their grandchildren cariogenic foods and beverages, which could potentially contribute to childhood caries. Research is needed to develop effective social interventions to help some grandparents understand the implications of a cariogenic diet on their grandchildren’s oral health and/or decrease their provision of cariogenic foods and beverages.     

Racial disparities in outcomes for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the United States

BackgroundRacial disparities in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) outcomes in patients with a broad set of indications are not well documented.MethodsAdults requiring ECMO were identified in the 2016–2019 National Inpatient Sample. Patient and hospital characteristics, including mortality, clinical outcomes, and resource utilization were analyzed using multivariable regressions.ResultsOf 43,190 adult ECMO patients, 67.8% were classified as White, 18.1% Black, and 10.4% Hispanic. Although mortality for Whites declined from 47.5 to 41.0% (P = 0.002), it remained steady for others. Compared to White, Asian/Pacific Islander (PI) race was linked to increased odds of mortalty (AOR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.1–2.0). Black race was associated with increased odds of acute kidney injury (AOR = 1.4, 95%-CI: 1.2–1.7), while Hispanic race was linked to neurologic complications (AOR 21.6; 95% CI 1.2–2.3). Black and Hispanic race were also associated with increased incremental costs.ConclusionsRace-based disparities in ECMO outcomes persist in the United States. Further work should aim to understand and mitigate the underlying reasons for such findings.     

基于红外热成像技术探讨扶正温阳法对阳虚体质的影响

目的 基于红外热成像技术探讨“扶正温阳法”对阳虚质的影响，探讨阳虚质者红外热图的共性规律，分析判断“扶正温阳法”干预阳虚质人群的疗效。方法 纳入30例阳虚质患者给予益气温阳药物在大椎、肾俞（双侧）、命门等进行穴位贴敷，分别在干预前后运用红外热成像技术测定督脉、腰部、腹部、双手及双足局部温度的变化。结果 干预后阳虚体质患者的督脉、腰部、腹部、双手、双足温度均升高（P<0.05），阳虚体质局部温度得以改善。结论 本研究发现“扶正温阳法”可诱发循经热传导现象，通过调节热能代谢而起到调治阳虚体质的作用，红外热成像技术可用来辅助评价阳虚质的治疗效果，对临床指导制定阳虚质人群的干预方案疗效判定具有指导意义。     

Do social support and community engagement act as mechanisms in the association between neighbourhood income inequality and the mental health of mothers in Calgary,Canada? A mediation analysis

PurposeAccording to the social determinants of health framework, income inequality is a potential risk factor for adverse mental health. However, few studies have explored the mechanisms suspected to mediate this relationship. The current study addresses this gap through a mediation analysis to determine if social support and community engagement act as mediators linking neighbourhood income inequality to maternal anxiety and depressive symptoms within a cohort of new mothers living in the City of Calgary, Canada.MethodsData collected at three years postpartum from mothers belonging to the All Our Families (AOF) cohort were used in the current study. Maternal data were collected between 2012 and 2015 and linked to neighbourhood socioeconomic data from the 2006 Canadian Census. Income inequality was measured using Gini coefficients derived from 2006 after-tax census data. Generalized structural equation models were used to quantify the associations between income inequality and mental health symptoms, and to assess the potential direct and indirect mediating effects of maternal social support and community engagement.ResultsIncome inequality was not significantly associated with higher depressive symptoms (β = 0.32, 95%CI = −0.067, 0.70), anxiety symptoms (β = 0.11, 95%CI = −0.39, 0.60), or lower social support. Income inequality was not associated with community engagement. For the depression models, higher social support was significantly associated with lower depressive symptoms (β = −0.13, 95%CI = −0.15, −0.097), while community engagement was not significantly associated with depressive symptoms (β = 0.059, 95%CI = −0.15, 0.27). Similarly, for the anxiety models, lower anxiety symptoms were significantly associated with higher levels of social support (β = −0.17, 95%CI = −0.20, −0.13) but not with higher levels of community engagement (β = 0.14, 95%CI = −0.14, 0.41).ConclusionThe current study did not find clear evidence for social support or community engagement mediating the relationship between neighbourhood income inequality and maternal mental health. Future investigations should employ a broader longitudinal approach to capture changes in income inequality, potential mediators, and mental health symptomatology over time.     

基于人工智能的骨龄辅助评价系统对四川地区完全性生长激素缺乏症患儿骨龄研究

目的探讨采用基于"人工智能(AI)的骨龄辅助评价系统(上海初云医疗科技有限公司与四川大学华西第二医院合作开发)"(以下简称为AI系统)对完全性生长激素缺乏症(CGHD)患儿诊断及骨龄评价准确性。 方法选择2014年7月至2019年11月，于四川大学华西第二医院确诊的66例来自四川地区CGHD患儿为研究对象，纳入研究组。选择同期于病例收集医院儿童保健科进行骨龄测定的67例来自四川地区身高达标儿童作为对照，纳入对照组。对每例受试儿进行左手腕关节正位X射线摄片骨龄测定，由2位医师采用《TW₂骨龄评分法中国未成年人南方标准》(以下简称为TW₂CHN)》与《TW₃骨龄评分法标准》(以下简称为TW₃)，盲法评价受试儿TW₂CHN-桡、尺、掌指骨(RUS)与TW₂CHN-腕骨(carpal)、TW₂CHN-20、TW₃-RUS及TW₃-carpal骨龄(以下简称为5种传统骨龄)，以及以同性别、年龄身高达标儿童5种传统骨龄为标准，计算受试儿5种传统骨龄百分位数。同时，采用AI系统分别对每例受试儿采取TW₂CHN与TW₃法，评价其AI-TW₂CHN-RUS、AI-TW₂CHN-carpal、AI-TW₂CHN-20、AI-TW₃-RUS及AI-TW₃-carpal骨龄(以下简称为5种AI骨龄)及其相应百分位数。以上述5种传统骨龄＋5种AI骨龄(以下简称为10种骨龄)相应的P₅₀、P₂₅、P₁₀、P₃值(统称为P_n值)作为诊断CGHD患儿临界值，分别计算其诊断CGHD患儿的敏感度、特异度、约登(Youden)指数、准确率、阳性似然比、阴性似然比、阳性预测值、阴性预测值。采用Kappa值评价2组受试儿5种传统骨龄百分位数与对应的5种AI骨龄百分位数评价结果的一致性，以及2位医师对2组受试儿TW₂CHN-RUS骨龄百分位数评价结果一致性。绘制上述10种骨龄百分位数诊断CGHD患儿的受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线，并计算曲线下面积(AUC)。采用配对t检验，对2组受试儿TW₂CHN骨龄与TW₃骨龄进行比较。本研究遵循的程序符合2013年新修订的《世界医学协会赫尔辛基宣言》要求。2组受试儿年龄、性别构成比等一般临床资料比较，差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。 结果①采用10种骨龄的P_n值分别作为诊断CGHD临界值，对133例受试儿CGHD诊断结果显示，除了TW₃-RUS骨龄中，以骨龄≤P₁₀作为诊断CGHD患儿临界值时的诊断准确率最高(85.0%)，TW₂CHN-RUS、TW₂CHN-carpal、TW₂CHN-20、TW₃-carpal、AI-TW₂CHN-RUS、AI-TW₂CHN-carpal、AI-TW₂CHN-20、AI-TW₃-carpal、AI-TW₃-RUS骨龄中，均为以骨龄≤P₂₅作为临界值时，对CGHD的诊断准确率最高，分别为81.9%、75.2%、88.0%、78.2%、75.2%、73.6%、81.2%、72.9%、78.9%。②一致性检验结果显示，2组受试儿TW₂CHN-RUS与AI-TW₂CHN-RUS、TW₂CHN-carpal与AI-TW₂CHN-carpal、TW₂CHN-20与AI-TW₂CHN-20、TW₃-RUS与AI-TW₃-RUS、TW₃-carpal与AI-TW₃-carpal骨龄百分位数评价结果均为中等一致性，Kappa值分别为0.445、0.578、0.570、0.446、0.430(均为P<0.001)。③对2位医师对2组受试儿TW₂CHN-RUS骨龄百分位数评价结果进行一致性检验显示，其Kappa值为0.790(P<0.001)，一致性较高。④绘制10种骨龄百分位数评价结果诊断CGHD的ROC曲线分析结果显示，TW₂CHN-RUS、TW₂CHN-carpal、TW₂CHN-20、TW₃-carpal、TW₃-RUS、AI-TW₂CHN-RUS、AI-TW₂CHN-carpal、AI-TW₂CHN-20、AI-TW₃-carpal、AI-TW₃-RUS骨龄百分位数诊断CGHD患儿的AUC分别为0.932、0.859、0.915、0.895、0.844、0.823、0.805、0.866、0.860、0.764(均为P<0.001)。⑤133例受试儿的TW₃-RUS、TW₃-carpal、AI-TW₃-RUS、AI-TW₃-carpal骨龄，均分别显著低于TW₂CHN-RUS、TW₂CHN-carpal、AI-TW₂CHN-RUS、AI-TW₂CHN-carpal骨龄，并且差异均有统计学意义(t＝21.746、25.287、16.498、9.290，P<0.001)。 结论TW₂CHN法、TW₃法对CGHD患儿骨龄评价及诊断均有临床价值，TW₂CHN-RUS骨龄对于CGDH患儿诊断效能高。四川地区儿童TW₃骨龄较TW₂CHN骨龄低，TW₃法可能不完全适用于四川地区儿童骨龄评价。AI系统对于四川地区CGHD患儿骨龄评价结果与传统骨龄评价结果具有中等一致性，可为临床医师评价受试儿骨龄提供帮助。