Small Airway Disease in Pre-Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with Emphysema: A Cross-Sectional Study

Rationale: Small airway disease is an important pathophysiological feature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Recently, "pre-COPD" has been put forward as a potential precursor stage of COPD that is defined by abnormal spirometry findings or significant emphysema on computed tomography (CT) in the absence of airflow obstruction. Objective: To determine the degree and nature of (small) airway disease in pre-COPD using microCT in a cohort of explant lobes/lungs. Methods: We collected whole lungs/lung lobes from patients with emphysematous pre-COPD (n = 10); Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage I (n = 6), II (n = 6), and III/IV (n = 7) COPD; and controls (n = 10), which were analyzed using CT and microCT. The degree of emphysema and the number and morphology of small airways were compared between groups, and further correlations were investigated with physiologic measures. Airway and parenchymal pathology was also validated with histopathology. Measurements and Main Results: The numbers of transitional bronchioles and terminal bronchioles per milliliter of lung were significantly lower in pre-COPD and GOLD stages I, II, and III/IV COPD compared with controls. In addition, the number of alveolar attachments of the transitional bronchioles and terminal bronchioles was also lower in pre-COPD and all COPD groups compared with controls. We did not find any differences between the pre-COPD and COPD groups in CT or microCT measures. The percentage of emphysema on CT showed the strongest correlation with the number of small airways in the COPD groups. Histopathology showed an increase in the mean chord length and a decrease in alveolar surface density in pre-COPD and all GOLD COPD stages compared with controls. Conclusions: Lungs of patients with emphysematous pre-COPD already show fewer small airways and airway remodeling even in the absence of physiologic airway obstruction.

A dynamic ubiquitination balance of cell proliferation and endoreduplication regulators determines plant organ size

Ubiquitination plays a crucial role throughout plant growth and development. The E3 ligase DA2 has been reported to activate the peptidase DA1 by ubiquitination, hereby limiting cell proliferation. However, the molecular mechanisms that regulate DA2 remain elusive. Here, we demonstrate that DA2 has a very high turnover and auto-ubiquitinates with K48-linkage polyubiquitin chains, which is counteracted by two deubiquitinating enzymes, UBIQUITIN-SPECIFIC PROTEASE 12 (UBP12) and UBP13. Unexpectedly, we found that auto-ubiquitination of DA2 does not influence its stability but determines its E3 ligase activity. We also demonstrate that impairing the protease activity of DA1 abolishes the growth-reducing effect of DA2. Last, we show that synthetic, constitutively activated DA1-ubiquitin fusion proteins overrule this complex balance of ubiquitination and deubiquitination and strongly restrict growth and promote endoreduplication. Our findings highlight a nonproteolytic function of K48-linked polyubiquitination and reveal a mechanism by which DA2 auto-ubiquitination levels, in concert with UBP12 and UBP13, precisely monitor the activity of DA1 and fine-tune plant organ size.

BioMOBS: A multi-omics visual analytics workflow for biomolecular insight generation

One of the challenges in multi-omics data analysis for precision medicine is the efficient exploration of undiscovered molecular interactions in disease processes. We present BioMOBS, a workflow consisting of two data visualization tools integrated with an open-source molecular information database to perform clinically relevant analyses (https://github.com/driesheylen123/BioMOBS). We performed exploratory pathway analysis with BioMOBS and demonstrate its ability to generate relevant molecular hypotheses, by reproducing recent findings in type 2 diabetes UK biobank data. The central visualisation tool, where data-driven and literature-based findings can be integrated, is available within the github link as well. BioMOBS is a workflow that leverages information from multiple data-driven interactive analyses and visually integrates it with established pathway knowledge. The demonstrated use cases place trust in the usage of BioMOBS as a procedure to offer clinically relevant insights in disease pathway analyses on various types of omics data.

Within-person personality variability in the work context: A blessing or a curse for job performance?

Only recently, the question whether within-person personality variability is a blessing or a curse for job performance has reached the agendas of industrial and organizational (I-O) psychology researchers. Yet, this limited stream of research resulted in inconsistent findings, and only little understanding exists about the role of rater source and mean-level personality in this relationship. Broadly following socioanalytic theory, the present study examined the extent to which self- and other-rated within-person personality variability predicts self- and other-rated job performance, and whether this is moderated by mean-level personality. Within-person personality variability indices and job performance evaluations were obtained from an experience sampling study including N = 166 teachers, N = 95 supervisors, and N = 69 classes (including 1,354 students). Results showed that-above and beyond the effects of mean-level personality-self-rated within-person variability was positively associated with self-rated job performance, while other-rated within-person variability was negatively associated with other-ratings of performance. Many interactions with mean-level personality were found, mainly demonstrating negative effects of variability for those with a less adaptive personality profile (cf. variability as a "curse"), while showing positive effects of variability for those with a more adaptive trait profile (cf. variability as a "blessing"). Importantly, however, additional analyses provided little evidence for associations across type of rater source. These findings contribute to the field of I-O psychology by highlighting that perceptions of within-person personality variability may impact performance evaluations beyond personality traits, although its desirability seems to depend on individuals' personality trait level. Implications and limitations are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Point-of-care applicable metabotyping using biofluid-specific electrospun MetaSAMPs directly amenable to ambient LA-REIMS

In recent years, ambient ionization mass spectrometry (AIMS) including laser ablation rapid evaporation IMS, has enabled direct biofluid metabolome analysis. AIMS procedures are, however, still hampered by both analytical, i.e., matrix effects, and practical, i.e., sample transport stability, drawbacks that impede metabolome coverage. In this study, we aimed at developing biofluid-specific metabolome sampling membranes (MetaSAMPs) that offer a directly applicable and stabilizing substrate for AIMS. Customized rectal, salivary, and urinary MetaSAMPs consisting of electrospun (nano)fibrous membranes of blended hydrophilic (polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyacrylonitrile) and lipophilic (polystyrene) polymers supported metabolite absorption, adsorption, and desorption. Moreover, MetaSAMP demonstrated superior metabolome coverage and transport stability compared to crude biofluid analysis and was successfully validated in two pediatric cohorts (MetaBEAse, n = 234 and OPERA, n = 101). By integrating anthropometric and (patho)physiological with MetaSAMP-AIMS metabolome data, we obtained substantial weight-driven predictions and clinical correlations. In conclusion, MetaSAMP holds great clinical application potential for on-the-spot metabolic health stratification.

A Small Sample Correction for Factor Score Regression

Factor score regression (FSR) is widely used as a convenient alternative to traditional structural equation modeling (SEM) for assessing structural relations between latent variables. But when latent variables are simply replaced by factor scores, biases in the structural parameter estimates often have to be corrected, due to the measurement error in the factor scores. The method of Croon (MOC) is a well-known bias correction technique. However, its standard implementation can render poor quality estimates in small samples (e.g. less than 100). This article aims to develop a small sample correction (SSC) that integrates two different modifications to the standard MOC. We conducted a simulation study to compare the empirical performance of (a) standard SEM, (b) the standard MOC, (c) naive FSR, and (d) the MOC with the proposed SSC. In addition, we assessed the robustness of the performance of the SSC in various models with a different number of predictors and indicators. The results showed that the MOC with the proposed SSC yielded smaller mean squared errors than SEM and the standard MOC in small samples and performed similarly to naive FSR. However, naive FSR yielded more biased estimates than the proposed MOC with SSC, by failing to account for measurement error in the factor scores.

Repressive ZINC FINGER OF ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA proteins promote programmed cell death in the Arabidopsis columella root cap

Developmental programmed cell death (dPCD) controls a plethora of functions in plant growth and reproduction. In the root cap of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), dPCD functions to control organ size in balance with the continuous stem cell activity in the root meristem. Key regulators of root cap dPCD including SOMBRERO/ANAC033 (SMB) belong to the NAC family of transcription factors. Here, we identify the C2H2 zinc finger protein ZINC FINGER OF ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA 14 ZAT14 as part of the gene regulatory network of root cap dPCD acting downstream of SMB. Similar to SMB, ZAT14-inducible misexpression leads to extensive ectopic cell death. Both the canonical EAR motif and a conserved L-box motif of ZAT14 act as transcriptional repression motifs and are required to trigger cell death. While a single zat14 mutant does not show a cell death-related phenotype, a quintuple mutant knocking out 5 related ZAT paralogs shows a delayed onset of dPCD execution in the columella and the adjacent lateral root cap. While ZAT14 is co-expressed with established dPCD-associated genes, it does not activate their expression. Our results suggest that ZAT14 acts as a transcriptional repressor controlling a so far uncharacterized subsection of the dPCD gene regulatory network active in specific root cap tissues.

Effect of laboratory and sample storage factors on urinary protein:creatinine ratios and clinical decision making in cats

BACKGROUND

Urinary protein:creatinine ratio (UPC) results affect the diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy of chronic kidney disease in cats.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the interlaboratory and intralaboratory variability and the effect of storage on UPC and International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) proteinuria substaging in cats.

ANIMALS

Healthy and diseased client-owned cats.

METHODS

Prospective study. Urine of 60 cats was randomly sent to 4 (of 9) participating laboratories (to assess interlaboratory variability) and per cat, 2 laboratories each received 2 aliquots (to determine intralaboratory variability). Samples of 23 cats were analyzed in the same laboratory the day of collection, after preservation at 22°C for 1 day and at 4°C during 1-7 days (short-term storage) and at -24°C and -80°C for 6-12 months (long-term storage). Storage conditions were compared by equivalence testing.

RESULTS

UPCs showed good interclass correlation (ICC-inter, 0.90) and excellent intraclass correlation (ICC-intra, 0.99). However, in 30/60 (50%) cats at least 1 of 4 laboratories assigned a different IRIS proteinuria substage. Urinary protein:creatinine ratio remained stable with short-term storage, but not after 6 months storage at -24°C and after 12 months storage at -24°C or -80°C. Long-term storage caused a change in IRIS proteinuria substage in 27% of cats, whereas a shift occurred only in 4% of cats during short-term storage.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

Laboratory choice for UPC measurement can result in different IRIS substaging for the same cat, whereas urine storage at room temperature for 1 day or in the refrigerator for up to 7 days does not clinically affect UPC.

High-throughput mechano-cytometry as a method to detect apoptosis, necroptosis, and ferroptosis

In recent years, the importance of the investigation of regulated cell death (RCD) has significantly increased and different methods are proposed for the detection of RCD including biochemical as well as fluorescence assays. Researchers have shown that early stages of cell death could be detected by using AFM. Although AFM offers a high single-cell resolution and sensitivity, the throughput (<100 cells/h) limits a broad range of biomedical applications of this technique. Here, a microfluidics-based mechanobiology technique, named shear flow deformability cytometry (sDC), is used to investigate and distinguish dying cells from viable cells purely based on their mechanical properties. Three different RCD modalities (i.e., apoptosis, necroptosis, and ferroptosis) are induced in L929sAhFas cells and analysed using sDC. Using machine learning on the extracted parameters, it was possible to predict the dead or viable state with 92% validation accuracy. A significant decrease in elasticity can be noticed for each of these RCD modalities by analysing the deformation of the dying cells. Analysis of morphological characteristics such as cell size and membrane irregularities also indicated significant differences in the RCD induced cells versus control cells. These results highlight the importance of mechanical properties during RCD and the significance of label-free techniques, such as sDC, which can be used to detect regulated cell death and can be further linked with sorting of live and dead cells.

The cortisol stress response in youth with overweight and obesity: Influence of psychosocial variables

BACKGROUND

Despite previous research pointing out a bifurcation in cortisol stress reactivity, it is not yet clear if all variables explaining inter-individual differences in stress responses are captured.

OBJECTIVES

To explore which (psychosocial and demographic) variables predict the cortisol response after a standardized stress-and affective state (SAS)-induction in youth with overweight and obesity.

METHODS

As part of a randomized control trial (SRCTN83822934) investigating the effects of emotion regulation (ER)-training on top of a 10-month inpatient multidisciplinary obesity treatment, 79 children and adolescents (9-15 years) with moderate obesity (M adjusted BMI = 154.35% overweight, SD = 24.57) completed a SAS-induction before leaving the clinic.

RESULTS

Those whose cortisol levels decreased (N = 59.5%) from baseline to reactivity showed higher levels of alexithymia than increasers (p = 0.049). Attachment avoidance was a significant positive predictor of relative cortisol decrease after SAS-induction (p = 0.001). Age was significantly related to less cortisol decrease (p = 0.006). No significant effect of ER-intervention group on relative cortisol change was found.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study provides evidence for a bifurcation in cortisol stress reactivity in youth with obesity. Our data further suggested that psychosocial variables (alexithymia and attachment avoidance) influence the cortisol stress response. Future research should further explore whether the attenuators are a more vulnerable group.

Longitudinal evaluation of serum microRNAs as biomarkers for neuroblastoma burden and therapeutic p53 reactivation

Accurate assessment of treatment response and residual disease is indispensable for the evaluation of cancer treatment efficacy. However, performing tissue biopsies for longitudinal follow-up poses a major challenge in the management of solid tumours like neuroblastoma. In the present study, we evaluated whether circulating miRNAs are suitable to monitor neuroblastoma tumour burden and whether treatment-induced changes of miRNA abundance in the tumour are detectable in serum. We performed small RNA sequencing on longitudinally collected serum samples from mice carrying orthotopic neuroblastoma xenografts that were exposed to treatment with idasanutlin or temsirolimus. We identified 57 serum miRNAs to be differentially expressed upon xenograft tumour manifestation, out of which 21 were also found specifically expressed in the serum of human high-risk neuroblastoma patients. The murine serum levels of these 57 miRNAs correlated with tumour tissue expression and tumour volume, suggesting potential utility for monitoring tumour burden. In addition, we describe serum miRNAs that dynamically respond to p53 activation following treatment of engrafted mice with idasanutlin. We identified idasanutlin-induced serum miRNA expression changes upon one day and 11 days of treatment. By limiting to miRNAs with a tumour-related induction, we put forward hsa-miR-34a-5p as a potential pharmacodynamic biomarker of p53 activation in serum.

Correction: Atomic-scale detection of individual lead clusters confined in Linde Type A zeolites

Correction for 'Atomic-scale detection of individual lead clusters confined in linde type A zeolites' by Jarmo Fatermans et al., Nanoscale, 2022, 14, 9323-9330, https://doi.org/10.1039/D2NR01819E.

Identification of growth regulators using cross-species network analysis in plants

With the need to increase plant productivity, one of the challenges plant scientists are facing is to identify genes that play a role in beneficial plant traits. Moreover, even when such genes are found, it is generally not trivial to transfer this knowledge about gene function across species to identify functional orthologs. Here, we focused on the leaf to study plant growth. First, we built leaf growth transcriptional networks in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), maize (Zea mays), and aspen (Populus tremula). Next, known growth regulators, here defined as genes that when mutated or ectopically expressed alter plant growth, together with cross-species conserved networks, were used as guides to predict novel Arabidopsis growth regulators. Using an in-depth literature screening, 34 out of 100 top predicted growth regulators were confirmed to affect leaf phenotype when mutated or overexpressed and thus represent novel potential growth regulators. Globally, these growth regulators were involved in cell cycle, plant defense responses, gibberellin, auxin, and brassinosteroid signaling. Phenotypic characterization of loss-of-function lines confirmed two predicted growth regulators to be involved in leaf growth (NPF6.4 and LATE MERISTEM IDENTITY2). In conclusion, the presented network approach offers an integrative cross-species strategy to identify genes involved in plant growth and development.

Adaptation and validation of the Johnson-Lecci scale to assess anti-white bias among black UK minority group members

The present study (total N = 901) set out to construct and validate a culturally sensitive instrument to examine anti-White bias among Black UK minority group members. Our novel measure of anti-White bias-which we called the AWB scale-was based upon the Johnson-Lecci scale (JLS; 2003) a questionnaire designed to measure anti-White attitudes among Black Americans. Studies 1 and 2 provided converging evidence for the AWB's four-factor dimensionality, its structural characteristics, its temporal stability and its external validity in Black UK samples, attesting to the consistency of minorities' experience of anti-majority bias in two very different societal contexts. Moreover, Study 3 evidenced our measure's utility for understanding reactions to various relevant contemporary societal events. Theoretical contributions to the literature on intergroup bias are delineated and compared with majority-to-minority prejudice.

Dual-mode vehicles with simultaneous thermometry and drug release properties based on hollow Y2O3:Er,Yb and Y2O2SO4:Er,Yb spheres

Employing luminescence thermometry in the biomedical field is undeniably appealing as many health conditions are accompanied by temperature changes. In this work, we show our ongoing efforts and results at designing novel vehicles for dual-mode thermometry and pH-dependent drug release based on hollow spheres. Hereby for that purpose, we exploit the hollow Y₂O₃ and Y₂O₂SO₄ host materials. These two inorganic hollow phosphors were investigated and showed to have excellent upconversion Er³⁺-Yb³⁺ luminescence properties and could be effectively used as optical temperature sensors in the physiological temperature range when induced by near-infrared CW light (975 nm). Further, doxorubicin was exploited as a model anti-cancer drug to monitor the pH-dependent drug release of these materials showing that they can be used for simultaneous thermometry and drug delivery applications.

Strategies for dealing with uncertainty in time-relaxed sports timetabling

Time-relaxed sports timetables use more time slots than strictly needed, and are particularly popular in amateur (indoor) leagues. However, due to unexpected events, a considerable number of games may not be played as initially planned before the start of the tournament, leading to a potentially very different realized timetable. This study focuses on dealing with these uncertain events in time-relaxed round-robin sports timetabling, and how to mitigate their effect on the quality of the timetable. We use three quality measures to evaluate the time-relaxed timetables, namely, the games played difference index, the rest difference index and the number of cancelled games. We present several combined proactive and reactive approaches taking into account venue and team availability. Proactive strategies determine the position of time slots that are used as a buffer, while reactive strategies reschedule matches to these buffers in terms of the quality measures.

Urine lactate concentration as a non-invasive screener for metabolic abnormalities: Findings in children with autism spectrum disorder and regression

There is increasing evidence that diseases caused by dysfunctional mitochondria (MD) are associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A comprehensive meta-analysis showed that developmental regression was reported in half of the children with ASD and mitochondrial dysfunction which is much higher than in the general population of ASD. The aim of the present exploratory study was to determine lactate concentrations in urine of children with ASD, as a non-invasive large-scale screening method for metabolic abnormalities including mitochondrial dysfunction and its possible association with regression. First, clinical characteristics of MD were examined in 99 children (3–11 years) with ASD. Second, clinical characteristics of MD, severity of ASD and reported regression were compared between children with the 20% lowest lactate concentrations and those with the 20% highest lactate concentrations in urine. Third, clinical characteristics of MD and lactate concentration in urine were compared in children with (n = 37) and without (n = 62) reported regression. An association of urine lactate concentrations with mitochondrial dysfunction and regression could not be demonstrated in our large ASD cohort. However, since ASD children were reported by their parents to show a broad range of phenotypic characteristics of MD (e.g., gastro-intestinal and respiratory impairments), and lactate concentrations in urine are not always increased in individuals with MD, the presence of milder mitochondrial dysfunction cannot be excluded. Development of alternative biomarkers and their implementation in prospective studies following developmental trajectories of infants at elevated likelihood for ASD will be needed in the future to further unravel the association of ASD with mitochondrial dysfunction and eventually improve early detection.

The Role of Optical Imaging in Translational Nanomedicine

Nanomedicines have been a major research focus in the past two decades and are increasingly emerging in a broad range of clinical applications. However, a proper understanding of their biodistribution is required to further progress the field of nanomedicine. For this, imaging methods to monitor the delivery and therapeutic efficacy of nanoparticles are urgently needed. At present, optical imaging is the most common method used to study the biodistribution of nanomaterials, where the unique properties of nanomaterials and advances in optical imaging can jointly result in novel methods for optimal monitoring of nanomaterials in preclinical animal models. This review article aims to give an introduction to nanomedicines and their translational impact to highlight the potential of optical imaging to study the biodistribution of nanoparticles and to monitor the delivery and therapeutic efficacy at the preclinical level. After introducing both domains, the review focuses on different techniques that can be used to overcome some intrinsic limitations of optical imaging and how this can specifically benefit nanoparticle studies. Finally, we point out some important key features of nanoparticles that currently hinder their full potential in the clinic and how the advances in optical imaging can help to provide us with the information needed to further boost the clinical translation and expand the field of nanomedicines.

Light Modulation in Silicon Photonics by PZT Actuated Acoustic Waves

Tailoring the interaction between light and sound has opened new possibilities in photonic integrated circuits (PICs) that range from achieving quantum control of light to high-speed information processing. However, the actuation of sound waves in Si PICs usually requires integration of a piezoelectric thin film. Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) is a promising material due to its strong piezoelectric and electromechanical coupling coefficient. Unfortunately, the traditional methods to grow PZT on silicon are detrimental for photonic applications due to the presence of an optical lossy intermediate layer. In this work, we report integration of a high quality PZT thin film on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) photonic chip using an optically transparent buffer layer. We demonstrate acousto-optic modulation in silicon waveguides with the PZT actuated acoustic waves. We fabricate interdigital transducers (IDTs) on the PZT film with a contact photolithography and electron-beam lithography to generate the acoustic waves in MHz and GHz ranges, respectively. We obtain a V _π L ∼ 3.35 V·cm at 576 MHz from a 350 nm thick gold (Au) IDT with 20 finger-pairs. After taking the effect of mass-loading and grating reflection into account, we measured a V _π L ∼ 3.60 V·cm at 2 GHz from a 100 nm thick aluminum (Al) IDT consisting of only four finger-pairs. Thus, without patterning the PZT film nor suspending the device, we obtained figures-of-merit comparable to state-of-the-art modulators based on SOI, making it a promising candidate for a broadband and efficient acousto-optic modulator for future integration.

The evolutionary relationship between arm vertebrae shape and ecological lifestyle in brittle stars (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea)

Ophiuroidea are one of the most diverse classes among extant echinoderms, characterized by their flexible arms composed of a series of ossicles called vertebrae, articulating with each other proximally and distally. Their arms show a wide range of motion, important for feeding and locomotion, associated with their epizoic and non-epizoic lifestyles. It remains to be explored to what degree the phenotypic variation in these ossicles also reflects adaptations to these lifestyles, rather than only their phylogenetic affinity. In this study, we analyzed the 3D shape variation of six arm vertebrae from the middle and distal parts of an arm in 12 species, belonging to the intertidal, subtidal and bathyal zones and showing epizoic and non-epizoic behaviors. A PERMANOVA indicated a significant difference in ossicle morphology between species and between lifestyles. A principal component analysis showed that the morphology of epizoic ophiuroids is distinct from non-epizoic ones; which may reflect variation in arm function related to these different lifestyles. The Phylogenetic MANOVA and phylogenetic signal analysis showed that shape variation in the vertebral articulation seems to reflect ecological and functional adaptations, whereas phylogeny controls more the lateral morphology of the vertebrae. This suggests a convergent evolution through ecological adaptation to some degree, indicating that some of these characters may have limited taxonomic value.

How the 'HIV/TB co-epidemic-HIV stigma-TB stigma' syndemic impacts on the use of occupational health services for TB in South African hospitals: a structural equation modelling analysis of the baseline data from the HaTSaH Study (cluster RCT)

INTRODUCTION

Tuberculosis (TB) has become an occupational health hazard in South African hospitals where healthcare workers (HCWs) are additionally confronted daily with HIV and its associated stigma, causing a syndemic. Early TB diagnosis and treatment are vital, but the uptake of these services through occupational healthcare units (OHUs) is low. The current study hypothesises that (1) the link between HIV and TB and (2) the perceived HIV stigmatisation by colleagues create (3) a double HIV-TB stigma which increases (4) internalised TB stigma and leads to (5) a lower willingness to use OHU services for TB screening and treatment.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study using the baseline data from the HIV and TB Stigma among Healthcare workers Study (HaTSaH Study).

SETTING

Six hospitals in the Free State province of South Africa.

PARTICIPANTS

820 HCWs of the six selected hospitals.

RESULTS

The study results demonstrate that the co-epidemic (β=0.399 (screening model) and β=0.345 (treatment model)) combined (interaction effect: β=0.133 (screening) and β=0.132 (treatment)) with the persistent stigmatisation of HIV is altering the attitudes towards TB (β=0.345 (screening) and β=0.400 (treatment)), where the stigmatising views of HIV are transferred to TB-illustrating the syndemic impact. Our model demonstrated that this syndemic not only leads to higher levels of internal TB stigma (β=0.421 (screening) and β=0.426 (treatment)), but also to a lower willingness to use the OHU for TB screening (probit coefficient=-0.216) and treatment (probit coefficient=-0.160). Confidentiality consistently emerged as a contextual correlate of OHU use.

CONCLUSIONS

Theoretically, our results confirm HIV as a 'syndemic generator' which changes the social meaning of TB in the hospital context. Practically, the study demonstrated that the syndemic of TB and HIV in a highly endemic context with stigma impacts the intended use of occupational TB services.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

Pre-results of the trial registered at the South African National Clinical Trials Register, registration ID: DOH-27-1115-5204.

Testing an Online Program to Foster Need Crafting During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic represents a threat not only to individuals' physical health but also to their mental health. Self-Determination Theory assumes that the satisfaction of basic psychological needs for autonomy, relatedness and competence promotes psychological well-being during destabilizing times. Yet, the pandemic seriously hampered individuals' opportunities to satisfy their needs. The current study provides a preliminary test of the effectiveness of a 7-session online program, LifeCraft, that promotes individuals' proactive attempts to uplift their need-based experiences (i.e., need crafting). Next to the effects on individuals' need crafting skills, we examined program-effects on adults' need-based experiences and mental health and we explored the role of participants' program engagement. An experimental study among 725 Belgian adults [M age = 51.67 (range = 26 - 85); 68.55% female] was conducted, with an experimental condition of 252 and a control condition of 473 participants. At the level of the entire sample, there was limited evidence for the effectiveness of the program. There were only small immediate program-effects on need crafting and well-being. After taking into account the role of program engagement, findings showed that the program was more beneficial for participants who actively participated, with these participants reporting immediate and stable increases in need crafting, need satisfaction and well-being and decreases in need frustration. Further, changes in need crafting fully mediated changes in need-based experiences and well-being. To conclude, the findings provide initial evidence for the effectiveness of LifeCraft during the COVID-19 pandemic, with active participation being a prerequisite for the program to be effective.

Learning via instructions about observations: exploring similarities and differences with learning via actual observations

Our behaviour toward stimuli can be influenced by observing how another person (a model) interacts with those stimuli. We investigated whether mere instructions about a model's interactions with stimuli (i.e. instructions about observations) are sufficient to alter evaluative and fear responses and whether these changes are similar in magnitude to those resulting from actually observing the interactions. In Experiments 1 (n = 268) and 2 (n = 260), participants either observed or read about a model reacting positively or negatively to stimuli. Evaluations of those stimuli were then assessed via ratings and a personalized implicit association test. In Experiments 3 (n = 60) and 4 (n = 190), we assessed participants' fear toward stimuli after observing or reading about a model displaying distress in the presence of those stimuli. While the results consistently indicated that instructions about observations induced behavioural changes, they were mixed with regard to whether instructions were as powerful in changing behaviour as observations. We discuss whether learning via observations and via instructions may be mediated by similar or different processes, how they might differ in their suitability for conveying certain types of information, and how their relative effectiveness may depend on the information to be transmitted.

Adolescents' Use of Sexually Explicit Internet Material Over the Course of 2019-2020 in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Three-wave Panel Study

Recently, sexual health scholars have expressed concerns regarding adolescents' use of sexually explicit internet materials (SEIM) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, using latent growth curve modeling, the current study explored adolescents' changes in the frequency of SEIM use before, during, and after a strict lockdown period was established in Belgium. Attention was given to individual differences (i.e., gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, pubertal timing, and sensation seeking). A three-wave panel study over a 15-month period among 522 adolescents was used (M_age = 15.36, SD = 1.51, 67.1% girls). In general, SEIM use did not significantly increase over a 15-month period in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Only gender predicted a change in SEIM use frequencies with girls showing a greater, increasing change of SEIM use than boys. When addressing why adolescents used SEIM during a strict lockdown period, sexual arousal, stress, and boredom regulation motivations emerged as the most prevalent motivations. Loneliness regulation was the least prominent motivation. Individual differences were found regarding the gratifications sought according to adolescents' gender, pubertal timing, and sensation seeking. The findings offer a response to sexual scholars' worries in terms of adolescents' SEIM use during the COVID-19 pandemic.