Pilot study of a visitor volunteer programme for community elderly people receiving home health care

There is a need to evaluate community support programmes for elderly people. In this randomized control trial (RCT), we determined the effectiveness of 'friendly visitors' in a volunteer programme of a visiting nurses organization in Southern Ontario, Canada. The Volunteer Friendly Visitor Programme was developed to support elderly people receiving homemaking and nursing care in the community. Volunteers are screened, trained, interviewed and matched to homebound elderly clients for general interest, visit expectations and personality. Volunteers spend three to four hours on average per week with clients socializing in mutually agreed-upon ways. The nursing staff identified clients who were lonely for this additional support. These newly-referred clients were randomly allocated to receive a friendly visitor or not for six weeks. Those receiving the volunteer visitor improved in life satisfaction and two social support measures: worth and social integration. Thus, the addition of volunteer visitors to planned homemaking and nursing care made a difference for elderly in the community.     

Social difficulties and victimization in children with SLI at 11 years of age.

Specific language impairment is sometimes thought to be associated with concurrent difficulties in the area of social and behavioral development (N. Botting and G. Conti-Ramsden, 2000; D. P. Cantwell and L. Baker, 1987; M. Fujiki, B. Brinton, and C. Todd, 1996; S. Redmond and M. Rice, 1998). The present study follows a group of 242 children, initially studied at age 7 years when they attended language units in England, and assesses their social and behavioral status at age 11 years. In total, 64% of the children were found to have scores on the Rutter behavioral questionnaire (M. Rutter, 1967) of 9 or above (clinical threshold); 34% scored over the threshold for the Strengths and Difficulties questionnaire (R. Goodman, 1997); and 39% scored below average on the Peer Competence subscale of the Harter Perceived Competence Scale (S. Harter and R. Pike, 1984). On further analysis, these generalized difficulties were characterized mainly by poor social competence. In addition, 36% of the cohort were at risk of being regular targets for victimization compared to 12% of a comparison sample of typically developing peers. Few associations were found between social outcome and other measures, including nonverbal intelligence, overall linguistic skill, gender, and longitudinal measures taken previously. Importantly, however, pragmatic language difficulties measured on the Children's Communication Checklist (D. V. M. Bishop, 1998) were most strongly related to poor social outcome and to expressive language related to victimization.     

Factors associated with intention to receive vaccines for bacterial sexually transmitted infections among young HPV-vaccinated Canadian women

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to explore the acceptability of bacterial STI vaccines among young HPV-vaccinated Canadian women to inform future vaccine program implementation.MethodsA 20-item cross-sectional questionnaire was administered from June 2019 to June 2020 to HPV-vaccinated participants of the pan-Canadian QUEST cohort. Multivariable logistic regression models assessed interest in chlamydia, syphilis, and gonorrhea vaccines using a priori variables and factors significant in bivariate analysis.ResultsOf the 1092 respondents analyzed, 82% indicated interest in receiving one or more future STI vaccines. Respondents had a median age of 19.6 years (range 16.9–23.4), and 75% of respondents identified as white/European descent. In adjusted analyses, intent to engage in positive health behaviours was associated with vaccine interest for syphilis (OR = 5.76, 95% CI 4.03–8.27), chlamydia (OR = 5.27, 95% CI 3.66–7.63), and gonorrhea (OR = 5.96, 95% CI 4.15–8.60). Willingness to pay for an STI vaccine was also associated with vaccine interest for syphilis (OR = 2.02, 95% CI 1.29–3.19), chlamydia (OR = 2.41, 95% CI 1.50–3.90), and gonorrhea (OR = 2.29, 95% CI 1.44–3.63). Ever having sexual intercourse and identifying as LGBTQ were significantly associated with vaccine interest for all infections, while age and ever being immunosuppressed were not significant in any adjusted models.ConclusionFindings indicate over 80% of participants in a cohort of young HPV-vaccinated Canadian women are interested in receiving future bacterial STI vaccines. Further exploration of STI vaccine acceptability among diverse populations is required to inform future bacterial STI vaccine program implementation.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.17269/s41997-022-00648-2.     

Spheciosterol sulfates, PKCzeta inhibitors from a philippine sponge Spheciospongia sp

Three new sterol sulfates, spheciosterol sulfates A-C (1-3), and the known sterol sulfate topsentiasterol sulfate E (4) have been isolated from the sponge Spheciospongia sp., collected in the Philippines. Structures were assigned on the basis of extensive 1D and 2D NMR studies as well as analysis by HRESIMS. Compounds 1-4 inhibited PKCzeta with IC50 values of 1.59, 0.53, 0.11, and 1.21 microM, respectively. In a cell-based assay, 1-4 also inhibited NF-kappaB activation with EC50 values of 12-64 microM.     

Willingness to Self-Collect a Sample for HPV-Based Cervical Cancer Screening in a Well-Screened Cohort: HPV FOCAL Survey Results

Self-collection may provide an opportunity for innovation within population-based human papillomavirus (HPV) cervical cancer screening programs by providing an alternative form of engagement for all individuals. The primary objective was to determine willingness to self-collect a vaginal sample for primary HPV screening and factors that impact willingness in individuals who participated in the Human Papillomavirus For Cervical Cancer (HPV FOCAL) screening trial, a large randomized controlled cervical screening trial. A cross-sectional online survey was distributed between 2017 and 2018 to 13,176 eligible participants exiting the FOCAL trial. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression assessed factors that influence willingness to self-collect on 4945 respondents. Overall, 52.1% of respondents indicated willingness to self-collect an HPV sample. In multivariable analysis, the odds of willingness to self-collect were significantly higher in participants who agreed that screening with an HPV test instead of a Pap test was acceptable to them (odds ratio (OR): 1.45 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.15, 1.82), those who indicated that collecting their own HPV sample was acceptable to them (p < 0.001), and those with higher educational ascertainment (OR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.12, 1.54). The findings offer insight into the intentions to self-collect in those already engaged in screening, and can inform cervical cancer screening programs interested in offering alternative approaches to HPV-based screening.     

Surgical Management of Craniovertebral Junction Schwannomas: A Systematic Review

Background: Craniovertebral junction (CVJ) schwannomas are rare, with surgery and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) being effective yet challenging options. We systematically reviewed the literature on CVJ schwannomas. Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Web-of-Science, and Cochrane were searched following the PRISMA statement to include studies reporting CVJ schwannomas. Clinical features, management, and outcomes were analyzed. Results: We collected 353 patients from 101 included articles. Presenting symptoms were mostly neck pain (30.3%) and headache (26.3%), with most cranial neuropathies involving the XII (31.2%) and X (24.4%) nerves. Most tumors originated from C2 (30.9%) and XII (29.4%) nerves, being extracranial (45.1%) and intradural-extradural (44.2%). Erosion of C1–C2 vertebrae (37.1%), the hypoglossal canal (28.3%), and/or jugular foramen (20.1%) were noted. All tumors were operated, preferably with the retrosigmoid approach (36.5%), with the far-lateral approach (29.7%) or with the posterior approach and cervical laminectomy (26.9%), far-lateral approaches (14.2%), or suboccipital craniotomy with concurrent cervical laminectomy (14.2%). Complete tumor resection was obtained most frequently (61.5%). Adjuvant post-surgery stereotactic radiosurgery was delivered in 5.9% patients. Median follow-up was 27 months (range, 12–252). Symptom improvement was noted in 88.1% of cases, and cranial neuropathies showed improvement in 10.2%. Post-surgical complications occurred in 83 patients (23.5%), mostly dysphagia (7.4%), new cranial neuropathies (6.2%), and cerebrospinal fluid leak (5.9%). A total of 16 patients (4.5%) had tumor recurrence and 7 died (2%), with median overall survival of 2.7 months (range, 0.1–252). Conclusions: Microsurgical resection is safe and effective for CVJ schwannomas. Data on SRS efficacy and indications are still lacking, and its role deserves further evaluation.     

Migration and Maternity: Insights of Context,Health Policy,and Research Evidence on Experiences and Outcomes From a Three Country Preliminary Study Across Germany,Canada, and the United Kingdom

A group from Germany, Canada, and the United Kingdom undertook country-specific scoping reviews and stakeholder consultations before joining to holistically compare migration and maternity in all three countries. We examined four interlinking dimensions to understand how international migrant/minority maternal health might be improved upon using transnational research: (a) wider sociopolitical context, (b) health policy arena, (c) constellation, outcomes, and experiences of maternity services, and (d) existing research contexts. There was clear evidence that the constellation and delivery of services may undermine good experiences and outcomes. Interventions to improve access and quality of care remain small scale, short term, and lacking in rigorous evaluation.     

Physical activity intensity and biological markers among adults with diabetes: considerations by age and gender

Epidemiological studies demonstrate a beneficial effect of physical activity (PA) on various biological health outcomes associated with diabetes; however, these studies have been limited by the use of self-report measures of PA. To provide the most accurate association between PA and health among adults with diabetes, the purpose of this study was to examine the association between accelerometer-assessed PA and numerous biological markers associated with diabetes. Data from the 2003–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used. Adult participants with diabetes were included in the present study and wore an ActiGraph 7164 accelerometer. Light and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) intensity was determined from accelerometer-derived estimates. Various biological measures, such as triglycerides and C-reactive protein, were measured from a blood sample. Results showed that both light-intensity and MVPA were inversely associated with several biological health outcomes. Additionally, active adults were less likely to have multiple cardiovascular disease risk factors. Findings also differed by age and gender, suggesting that PA interventions may need to consider the influence that age and gender may have on the efficacy of physical activity interventions.     

Growth and differentiation factor-5 (GDF-5) stimulates osteogenic differentiation and increases vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in fat-derived stromal cells in vitro

Fat-derived adult mesenchymal stem cells can differentiate into different phenotypes reflecting their potential to regenerate various skeletal tissues. These properties together with the association of adipose with skeletal tissues formed the basis of our study to establish an experimental model for using fat-derived stromal cells to undergo osteogenic differentiation in vitro under the influence of either growth and differentiation factor-5 (GDF-5) or bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2). Members of the BMP/GDF family of proteins are known for their ability to elicit skeletal morphogenesis, but little is known about the mechanism whereby these morphogens exert their effect on the osteogenic differentiation of fat-derived stromal cells. We compared the effects of GDF-5 and BMP-2 in their recombinant forms to qualitatively and quantitatively determine their influence on the osteogenic differentiation of fat derived stromal cells by examining the effects on mineralization, extracellular matrix, cell proliferation, biochemistry, and gene expression. We identified that GDF-5 not only promotes osteogenic differentiation of rat fat-derived stromal cells, but also may promote angiogenic activity of stromal cells by increasing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene expression in vitro. These data suggest that several distinct regulatory mechanisms may exist in association with osteogenic differentiation.