Vaccination Status of Mothers and Children from the ‘Mamma & Bambino’ Cohort

According to the evidence demonstrating vaccines’ safety and effectiveness in anticipation of and during pregnancy, several countries have established immunization programs during the periconceptional period. Here, we evaluated vaccination status among 220 mother–child pairs, using data from the ‘Mamma & Bambino’ cohort. The self-reported data were evaluated at delivery, and with planned follow-ups at 1–2 years after delivery. In general, we noted that the vaccination status among the women was heterogeneous, ranging from 8.3% (vaccine against Human Papillomavirus, HPV) to 65.6% (vaccine against Diphtheria Tetanus and Pertussis, DTaP). Excluding the women who contracted the diseases in the past, the main ground for refusal was the lack of information. We also demonstrated that increasing age was associated with higher odds of not being vaccinated against Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR; OR = 1.12; 95% CI = 1.04–1.21; p = 0.004), HPV (OR = 1.20; 95% CI = 1.08–1.33; p = 0.001) and DTaP (OR =1.09; 95% CI = 1.01–1.18; p = 0.040). As expected, we showed that the proportion of newborns vaccinated with the Hexavalent and Pneumococcal vaccines was high (99.5% and 98.6%, respectively), while the vaccination coverage against MMRV did not reach the auspicated threshold (84.1%). Overall, these results underlined the need for the improvement of women’s knowledge about the recommendations for vaccination, especially during pregnancy.

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Increase associated risk of gynaecological cancer due to long-term exposure to high concentration of atmospheric SO2 industrial pollutant

Indoor and Built Environment ◽

10.1177/1420326x211003655 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1420326X2110036

Author(s):

Qian Xu ◽

Chan Lu ◽

Rachael Gakii Murithi ◽

Lanqin Cao

Keyword(s):

Time Windows ◽

Air Pollutant ◽

Gynaecological Cancer ◽

High Concentration ◽

The Past ◽

Short And Long Term ◽

Using Data ◽

Air Quality Monitoring Stations ◽

Control Study

A cohort case–control study was conducted in XiangYa Hospital, Changsha, China, which involved 305 patients and 399 healthy women, from June 2010 to December 2018, to evaluate the association between Chinese women’s short- and long-term exposure to industrial air pollutant, SO2 and gynaecological cancer (GC). We obtained personal and family information from the XiangYa Hospital electronic computer medical records. Using data obtained from the air quality monitoring stations in Changsha, we estimated each woman’s exposure to the industrial air pollutant, sulphur dioxide (SO2), for different time windows, including the past 1, 5, 10 and 15 years before diagnosis of the disease. A multiple logistic regression model was used to assess the association between GC and SO2 exposure. GC was significantly associated with long-term SO2 exposure, with adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 1.56 (1.10–2.21) and 1.81 (1.07–3.06) for a per interquartile range increase in the past 10 and 15 years, respectively. Sensitivity analysis showed that different groups reacted in different ways to long-term SO2 exposure. We concluded that long-term exposure to high concentration of industrial pollutant, SO2 is associated with the development of GC. This finding has implications for the prevention and reduction of GC.

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Self-exciting multifractional processes

Journal of Applied Probability ◽

10.1017/jpr.2020.88 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 58 (1) ◽

pp. 22-41

Author(s):

Fabian A. Harang ◽

Marc Lagunas-Merino ◽

Salvador Ortiz-Latorre

Keyword(s):

Stochastic Process ◽

Brownian Motion ◽

Rate Of Convergence ◽

Existence And Uniqueness ◽

Volterra Equation ◽

The Self ◽

The Past ◽

Stochastic Volterra Equation ◽

Multifractional Brownian Motion ◽

Self Organizing

AbstractWe propose a new multifractional stochastic process which allows for self-exciting behavior, similar to what can be seen for example in earthquakes and other self-organizing phenomena. The process can be seen as an extension of a multifractional Brownian motion, where the Hurst function is dependent on the past of the process. We define this by means of a stochastic Volterra equation, and we prove existence and uniqueness of this equation, as well as giving bounds on the p-order moments, for all $p\geq1$. We show convergence of an Euler–Maruyama scheme for the process, and also give the rate of convergence, which is dependent on the self-exciting dynamics of the process. Moreover, we discuss various applications of this process, and give examples of different functions to model self-exciting behavior.

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Sexual harassment and psychological complaints: student- and class-level associations

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.944 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

S Brolin Låftman ◽

Y Bjereld ◽

B Modin ◽

P Löfstedt

Keyword(s):

School Climate ◽

Sexual Harassment ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Well Being ◽

Negative Effects ◽

School Class ◽

School Aged Children ◽

The Past ◽

Class Level ◽

Using Data

Abstract Background Students who are subjected to sexual harassment at school report lower psychological well-being than those who are not exposed. Yet, it is possible that the occurrence of sexual harassment in the school class is stressful also for those who are not directly targeted, with potential negative effects on well-being for all students. The aim was to examine whether sexual harassment at the student- and at the class-level was associated with students' psychological complaints. Methods Data from the Swedish Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) of 2017/18 was used, with information from students aged 11, 13 and 15 years (n = 3,720 distributed across 209 classes). Psychological complaints were constructed as a summative index of four items capturing how often the student had felt low, felt irritable or bad tempered, felt nervous, or had difficulties to fall asleep, during the past six months (Cronbach's alpha=0.78). Sexual harassment at the student-level was measured by one item concerning bullying at school: “Other students have exposed me to sexual jokes”. Students who reported that this had happened at least “2 or 3 times a month” were classified as exposed to sexual harassment at school. Sexual harassment at the class-level was defined as the school class proportion of students exposed to sexual harassment, reported in per cent. Two-level linear regression analysis was applied. Results Students who had been exposed to sexual harassment had higher levels of psychological complaints (b = 2.74, p < 0.001). The proportion of students in the school class who had been exposed to sexual harassment was also associated with higher levels of psychological complaints, even when adjusting for sexual harassment at the student-level, gender and grade (b = 0.03, p = 0.015). Conclusions Sexual harassment is harmful for those who are exposed, but may also affect other students negatively. Thus, a school climate free from sexual harassment will profit all students. Key messages Using data collected among students aged 11, 13 and 15 years, this study showed that sexual harassment at the student- and class-level was associated with higher levels of psychological complaints. Sexual harassment is harmful for those who are exposed, but may also affect other students negatively. Thus, a school climate free from sexual harassment will profit all students.

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DNA Methylation Profiles of Tph1A and BDNF in Gut and Brain of L. Rhamnosus-Treated Zebrafish

Biomolecules ◽

10.3390/biom11020142 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 142

Author(s):

Mariella Cuomo ◽

Luca Borrelli ◽

Rosa Della Monica ◽

Lorena Coretti ◽

Giulia De Riso ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dna Methylation ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

The Past ◽

Targeted Analysis ◽

Lack Of Information ◽

High Resolution Power ◽

Resolution Level ◽

Health And Disease ◽

High Doses ◽

The Brain

The bidirectional microbiota–gut–brain axis has raised increasing interest over the past years in the context of health and disease, but there is a lack of information on molecular mechanisms underlying this connection. We hypothesized that change in microbiota composition may affect brain epigenetics leading to long-lasting effects on specific brain gene regulation. To test this hypothesis, we used Zebrafish (Danio Rerio) as a model system. As previously shown, treatment with high doses of probiotics can modulate behavior in Zebrafish, causing significant changes in the expression of some brain-relevant genes, such as BDNF and Tph1A. Using an ultra-deep targeted analysis, we investigated the methylation state of the BDNF and Tph1A promoter region in the brain and gut of probiotic-treated and untreated Zebrafishes. Thanks to the high resolution power of our analysis, we evaluated cell-to-cell methylation differences. At this resolution level, we found slight DNA methylation changes in probiotic-treated samples, likely related to a subgroup of brain and gut cells, and that specific DNA methylation signatures significantly correlated with specific behavioral scores.

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The Effect of Alcohol on Telomere Length: A Systematic Review of Epidemiological Evidence and a Pilot Study during Pregnancy

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18095038 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (9) ◽

pp. 5038

Author(s):

Andrea Maugeri ◽

Martina Barchitta ◽

Roberta Magnano San Lio ◽

Maria Clara La Rosa ◽

Claudia La Mastra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Telomere Length ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Potential Association ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Periconceptional Period ◽

Using Data

Several studies—albeit with still inconclusive and limited findings—began to focus on the effect of drinking alcohol on telomere length (TL). Here, we present results from a systematic review of these epidemiological studies to investigate the potential association between alcohol consumption, alcohol-related disorders, and TL. The analysis of fourteen studies—selected from PubMed, Medline, and Web of Science databases—showed that people with alcohol-related disorders exhibited shorter TL, but also that alcohol consumption per se did not appear to affect TL in the absence of alcohol abuse or dependence. Our work also revealed a lack of studies in the periconceptional period, raising the need for evaluating this potential relationship during pregnancy. To fill this gap, we conducted a pilot study using data and samples form the Mamma & Bambino cohort. We compared five non-smoking but drinking women with ten non-smoking and non-drinking women, matched for maternal age, gestational age at recruitment, pregestational body mass index, and fetal sex. Interestingly, we detected a significant difference when analyzing relative TL of leukocyte DNA of cord blood samples from newborns. In particular, newborns from drinking women exhibited shorter relative TL than those born from non-drinking women (p = 0.024). Although these findings appeared promising, further research should be encouraged to test any dose–response relationship, to adjust for the effect of other exposures, and to understand the molecular mechanisms involved.

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The Effects of Self-Compassion and Self-Esteem Writing Interventions on Women’s Valuation of Weight Management Goals, Body Appreciation, and Eating Behaviors

Psychology of Women Quarterly ◽

10.1177/03616843211013465 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 036168432110134

Author(s):

Kheana Barbeau ◽

Camille Guertin ◽

Kayla Boileau ◽

Luc Pelletier

Keyword(s):

Weight Management ◽

Expressive Writing ◽

Eating Behaviors ◽

Self Esteem ◽

The Self ◽

Body Appreciation ◽

Writing Interventions ◽

The Past ◽

Self Compassion ◽

Bulimic Symptoms

In this study, we examined the effects of body-focused daily self-compassion and self-esteem expressive writing activities on women’s valuation of weight management goals, body appreciation, bulimic symptoms, and healthy and unhealthy eating behaviors. One-hundred twenty-six women, recruited from the community and a university participant pool ( Mage = 29.3, SD = 13.6), were randomly allocated to one of the three writing conditions: body-focused self-compassion, body-focused self-esteem, or control. Women reflected on a moment within the past 24 hours that made them feel self-conscious about their bodies, eating, or exercise habits (self-compassion and self-esteem conditions) or on a particular situation or feeling that occurred in the past 24 hours (control condition) for 4–7 days. At post-treatment (24 hours after the intervention), women in the self-compassion group demonstrated decreased bulimic symptoms, while women in the self-esteem and control conditions did not. Furthermore, clinically significant changes in bulimic symptoms were associated with being in the self-compassion condition but not in the self-esteem or control conditions. Results suggest that body-focused writing interventions may be more effective in temporarily reducing eating disorder symptoms in women if they focus on harnessing self-compassion. Additional online materials for this article are available on PWQ ’s website at http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/suppl/10.1177/03616843211013465

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Temporal trends and variation in out-of-pocket expenditures and patient cost sharing: evidence from a Chinese national survey 2011–2015

International Journal for Equity in Health ◽

10.1186/s12939-021-01480-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Vicky Mengqi Qin ◽

Yuting Zhang ◽

Kee Seng Chia ◽

Barbara McPake ◽

Yang Zhao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prescription Drugs ◽

Cost Sharing ◽

Temporal Trends ◽

Absolute Amount ◽

Financial Protection ◽

Patient Cost ◽

Older Chinese ◽

Using Data ◽

Reported Data ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Objectives This study aims to examine: (1) temporal trends in the percentage of cost-sharing and amount of out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) from 2011 to 2015; (2) factors associated with cost-sharing and OOPE; and (3) the relationships between province-level economic development and cost-sharing and OOPE in China. Setting A total of 10,316 adults aged ≥45 years from China followed-up from 2011 to 2015 were included in the analysis. We measured two main outcome variables: (1) patient cost sharing, measured by the percentage of OOPE as total healthcare expenditure, and (2) absolute amount of OOPE. Results Based on self-reported data, we did not find substantial differences in the percentage of cost sharing, but a significant increase in the absolute amount of OOPE among the middle-aged and older Chinese between 2011 and 2015. The percentage of cost-sharing was considerably higher for outpatient than inpatient care, and the majority paid more than 80% of the total cost for prescription drugs. Provinces with higher GDP per capita tend to have lower cost-sharing and a higher OOPE than their counterparts, but the relationship for OOPE became insignificant after adjusting for individual factors. Conclusion Reducing out-of-pocket expenditure and patient cost sharing is required to improve financial protection from illness, especially for those with those with chronic conditions and reside in less developed regions in China. Ongoing monitoring of financial protection using data from various sources is warranted.

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Drafted into a Foreign War?

Rhizomata ◽

10.1515/rhiz-2020-0009 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 183-217

Author(s):

Matthew Sharpe

Keyword(s):

Ancient Philosophy ◽

The Self ◽

Spiritual Practices ◽

Way Of Life ◽

Technologies Of The Self ◽

Analytic Tradition ◽

Modern Conception ◽

The Past ◽

Rational Inquiry

Abstract This paper examines the central criticisms that come, broadly, from the modern, ‘analytic’ tradition, of Pierre Hadot’s idea of ancient philosophy as a way of life.: Firstly, ancient philosophy just did not or could not have involved anything like the ‘spiritual practices’ or ‘technologies of the self’, aiming at curing subjects’ unnecessary desires or bettering their lives, contra Hadot and Foucault et al. Secondly, any such metaphilosophical account of putative ‘philosophy’ must unacceptably downplay the role of ‘serious philosophical reasoning’ or ‘rigorous argument’ in philosophy. Thirdly, claims that ancient philosophy aimed at securing wisdom by a variety of means including but not restricted to rational inquiry are accordingly false also as historical claims about the ancient philosophers. Fourthly, to the extent that we must (despite (3)) admit that some ancient thinkers did engage in or recommend extra-cognitive forms of transformative practice, these thinkers were not true or ‘mainline’ philosophers. I contend that the historical claims (3) and (4) are highly contestable, risking erroneously projecting a later modern conception of philosophy back onto the past. Of the theoretical or metaphilosophical claims (1) and (2), I argue that the second claim, as framed here, points to real, hard questions that surround the conception(s) of philosophy as a way of life.

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Estimation of Construction Waste Generation and Management in Taiwan

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.243-249.6292 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 243-249 ◽

pp. 6292-6295 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Rong Yau Huang ◽

Li Hsu Yeh ◽

Hao Hsien Chen ◽

Jyh Dong Lin ◽

Ping Fu Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Decision Tree ◽

Cross Correlation ◽

Expert Interviews ◽

Waste Generation ◽

Valid Conclusion ◽

Construction Waste ◽

Composition Ratio ◽

The Past ◽

Highly Correlated ◽

Using Data

This study examines construction waste generation and management in Taiwan. We verify the factors probable affecting the output of construction wastes by using data for the output of declared construction wastes produced from demolition projects in Taiwan in the last year, expert interviews, and research achievements in the past, and find “ on-site separation” is the factor with effects on the output of construction wastes via cross-correlation by algorithms such as K-Means and Decision Tree C5.0. It can be seen that the output (0.092(t/M3) with on-site separation or 0.329(t/M3) without on-site separation is highly correlated with the composition ratio of construction wastes and referred to as a valid conclusion.

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Cannabis Growers in the United States: Findings From a National Household Survey 2010−2014

Journal of Drug Issues ◽

10.1177/00220426211000457 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 002204262110004

Author(s):

Alejandro Azofeifa ◽

Rosalie L. Pacula ◽

Margaret E. Mattson

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression Model ◽

Geographical Location ◽

Household Survey ◽

The United States ◽

Multivariable Logistic Regression Model ◽

Chi Square ◽

Prevention Education ◽

The Past ◽

National Household Survey ◽

Using Data

Given the rapidly changing U.S. cannabis legislation landscape, the aim of this article is to describe individuals who self-reported growing cannabis in the past year by selected characteristics and geographical location. Using data from 2010 to 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, we conducted bivariate chi-square tests and ran a multivariable logistic regression model to examine the indicators associated with growing cannabis. Approximately, 484,000 individuals aged 12+ self-reported growing cannabis in the past year (1.6% of marijuana users). Predictors of growing cannabis included being male and self-reported reporting using cannabis for a greater number of days. Data showed differences in the proportion of cannabis growers by the state of residence. Obtaining a baseline estimate of cannabis growing practices prior to recreational cannabis markets emerging (2014) is important because such practices may undermine efforts to discourage diversion to youth. Tracking these acquisition patterns will better inform content for public health messaging and prevention education, particularly those targeting youth.

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