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Purpose Diet plays a fundamental role in promoting resilience against stress-related disorders. We aimed to examine the overall and sex-specific association between food groups and perceived stress in adults. Methods We analyzed the prospective data of 7,434 adults who completed both the 2011 and 2015 surveys of the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS). The Diet Quality Questionnaire (DQQ) was used to code all the food items of 2011 dietary intake into 29 food groups, and perceived stress in 2015 was measured using a 14-item perceived stress scale (PSS-14). Univariate analysis and logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between food groups and perceived stress. Results People who perceived a higher level of stress (PSS-14 total score > 25) made up 41.5% and 45.1% of the male and female groups, respectively (χ 2  = 9.605, p  = 0.002). Individuals with increased intake of food groups such as legumes, other vegetables, other fruits, yogurt, poultry, fish & seafood, fluid milk, and fruit juice were less likely to experience a higher level of psychological stress (OR range: 0.544–0.892, p  < 0.05). Additionally, we found sex-specific associations between food groups and perceived stress. The difference in the proportion of food groups, such as fluid milk and fish & seafood, between the two stress groups in men was statistically significant ( p  < 0.025). In the female group, the distribution of eight food groups, like legumes and nuts & seeds, between the two stress groups was statistically significant ( p  < 0.025). Conclusion This study indicated that food groups were differentially associated with perceived stress.

We report a rare case of a renal cell carcinoma (RCC) metastasis occupying the cerebellopontine and cerebellomedullary cisterns, and describe an alternative strategy for embolizing hypervascular intracranial tumors. A middle aged patient with a distant history of RCC presented with headaches, nausea, and vomiting, and was found to have an enhancing mass in the left cerebellopontine and cerebellopontine cisterns. The initial surgical resection was aborted due to excessive bleeding. After an unsuccessful attempt at intra-arterial embolization, the patient returned to the operating room and the tumor was devascularized by direct needle puncture Onyx embolization under biplane fluoroscopy. The devascularized tumor was then successfully dissected from the brainstem and adherent lower cranial nerves. In properly selected cases, open surgical direct needle puncture embolization of intracranial vascular tumors under biplane fluoroscopy is a viable alternative devascularization method.

Salt sensitivity of blood pressure (SSBP) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The pathogenic mechanisms of SSBP are still uncertain. This study aimed to construct the co-regulatory network of SSBP and data mining strategy based on the competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) theory. LncRNA and mRNA microarray was performed to screen for candidate RNAs. Four criteria were used to select the potential differently expressed RNAs. The weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) package of R software and target miRNA and mRNA prediction online databases were used to construct the ceRNA co-regulatory network and discover the pathways related to SSBP. Gene ontology enrichment, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and KEGG pathway analysis were performed to explore the functions of hub genes in networks. There were 274 lncRNAs and 36 mRNAs that differently expressed between salt-sensitive and salt-resistant groups (  < 0.05). Using WGCNA analysis, two modules were identified (blue and turquoise). The blue module had a positive relationship with salt-sensitivity (  = 0.7,  < 0.01), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (  = 0.53,  = 0.02), and total cholesterol (TC) (  = 0.55,  = 0.01). The turquoise module was positively related with triglyceride (TG) (  = 0.8,  < 0.01) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (  = 0.54,  = 0.01). Furthermore, 84 ceRNA loops were identified and one loop may be of great importance for involving in pathogenesis of SSBP. KEGG analysis showed that differently expressed mRNAs were mostly enriched in the SSBP-related pathways. However, the enrichment results of GSEA were mainly focused on basic physical metabolic processes. The microarray data mining process based on WGCNA co-expression analysis had identified 84 ceRNA loops that closely related with known SSBP pathogenesis. The results of our study provide implications for further understanding of the pathogenesis of SSBP and facilitate the precise diagnosis and therapeutics.

•Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is prevalent in the elderly population.•Intra-arterial therapy (IAT) can achieve high vessel recanalization rates in AIS.•In our series, 40% of IAT patients less than 80 years had a good functional outcome.•Despite modern IAT, 0% of our elderly patients achieved a good functional outcome.•Practitioners should exercise caution when offering IAT to elderly AIS patients. The incidence of acute ischemic stroke is highest in the elderly. Information regarding outcomes of elderly patients undergoing different modalities of intra-arterial therapy (IAT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is scarce and conflicting. This study compares the safety, technical efficacy and outcomes of elderly patients (≥80 years) to non-elderly patients (<80 years) who underwent multimodality IAT. From a registry of consecutive patients treated with IAT for AIS at our institution over a 3.5-year period, patients with anterior circulation occlusions aged ≥80 years were compared to the patients <80 years. Between 2008 and 2012, 24 patients ≥80 years (elderly) and 95 patients <80 years (non-elderly) received IAT for anterior circulation occlusions. In the elderly, there were more females (66.7% vs. 28.4%, p=<0.001) and atrial fibrillation (58.3% vs. 25.2%, p=0.003). Between the 2 groups, there was no difference in NIHSS score (17.2 vs. 16.3, p=0.17), THRIVE score (4.21 vs. 4.39, p=0.633), recanalization rate (70.1% vs. 85.3%, p=0.13), or severe reperfusion hemorrhages (8.3% vs. 4.2%, p=0.425). There was no significant difference in 3-month mortality (33.3% vs. 16.8%, p=0.28); however, fewer elderly patients reached good 3-month outcome (0% vs. 40.0%, p=<0.001). After controlling for baseline factors, only female gender (OR 5.3, 95% CI 1.7–16.7; p=0.04) and higher 3-month mRS (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.1–2.40; p=0.008) were independently associated with elderly age. Despite similar safety profiles and recanalization rates, elderly patients had poor functional outcomes after IAT. Intra-arterial therapy in the elderly should be pursued very cautiously only after careful analysis of the risks and benefits for each patient.

We report a rare case of a renal cell carcinoma (RCC) metastasis occupying the cerebellopontine and cerebellomedullary cisterns, and describe an alternative strategy for embolizing hypervascular intracranial tumors. A middle aged patient with a distant history of RCC presented with headaches, nausea, and vomiting, and was found to have an enhancing mass in the left cerebellopontine and cerebellopontine cisterns. The initial surgical resection was aborted due to excessive bleeding. After an unsuccessful attempt at intra-arterial embolization, the patient returned to the operating room and the tumor was devascularized by direct needle puncture Onyx embolization under biplane fluoroscopy. The devascularized tumor was then successfully dissected from the brainstem and adherent lower cranial nerves. In properly selected cases, open surgical direct needle puncture embolization of intracranial vascular tumors under biplane fluoroscopy is a viable alternative devascularization method.

Objective: To evaluate the neglect of left-behind children (LBC) in China. Method: Participants: Children separated from one or both parents for at least 6 months. Intervention: Trauma of separation. Comparison: Non-left-behind children (NLBC). Outcomes: Neglect rates and severity. Only case–control studies were included. Results: Thirteen studies were included; there were 18,688 LBC in a large sample (N = 42,003) of children aged 0–18 years in China. The overall neglect rate was significantly higher in LBC compared to NLBC (odds ratio [OR] = 1.58, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.50, 1.67], p < .01) based on the Chinese Rural Child Neglected Evaluation Model (CRCNEM) and the Parents–Child Conflict Tactics Scales (OR = 1.44, 95% CI [1.35, 1.54], p < .01). The overall neglect severity in LBC was also significantly higher than NLBC (SMD = 0.31, 95% CI [0.28, 0.33], p < .01). The same trends were observed in sex subgroups. With regard to subtypes, LBC were significantly more likely to have emotional neglect (OR = 2.29, 95% CI [1.88, 2.78], p < .01), medical neglect (OR = 1.79, 95% CI [1.62, 1.98], p < .01), physical neglect (OR = 1.75, 95% CI [1.60, 1.91], p < .01), security neglect (OR = 1.52, 95% CI [1.32, 1.75], p < .01), educational neglect (OR = 1.50, 95% CI [1.31, 1.72], p < .01), and social neglect (OR = 1.33, 95% CI [1.18, 1.51], p < .01). Furthermore, LBC had significantly higher severity in medical neglect (SMD = 0.31, 95% CI [0.27, 0.35], p < .01), emotional neglect (SMD = 0.28, 95% CI [0.24, 0.32], p < .01), physical neglect (SMD = 0.24, 95% CI [0.18, 0.29], p < .01), security neglect (SMD = 0.26, 95% CI [0.23, 0.29], p < .01), educational neglect (SMD = 0.25, 95% CI [0.20, 0.31], p < .01), and social neglect (SMD = 0.25, 95% CI [0.10, 0.40], p < .01). Conclusion: The neglect rates and severity in LBC in China were both significantly higher than those in NLBC. There was a strong association between neglect and LBC. Public policy changes are urgently needed to improve the dire situation and the well-being of the LBC.

Objective: To compare the prevalence of work-related protective and risk factors among Black and Latino male firefighters and to examine the association of these factors to perceived stress among both ethnic groups. Design, Setting, Participants: Participants included 1,036 male, career firefighters who self-identified as Black (n=477) or Latino (n=559) from a large fire department in a major metropolitan city in the southwestern United States. As part of a department-wide suicide prevention program conducted in 2008, participants completed an anonymous and voluntary mental health needs survey. Measures: The needs survey included questions regarding prevalence of work-related protective and risk factors, the RAPS-4 to assess substance abuse problems, and the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale. Results: Results of regression analyses indicated that for both Black and Latino male firefighters, alcohol abuse (β =.13, β =.22), self-reported good health (β = -.23, β =-.24) and a positive partner/spouse relationship (β =-.14, β = -.15) were related to perceived stress. In addition, having a second job (β = .12) and a sense of life calling (β =-.10) were related to perceived stress only among Latino firefighters. All associations were in the expected direction as indicated by the signs of the standardized beta coefficients (β). Conclusion: Black and Latino male firefighters reported relatively high levels of perceived stress. However, there were both differences and similarities in the factors associated to perceived stress among the ethnic groups. Therefore, interventions to help firefighters reduce or manage stress need to take into account that factors associated with perceived stress may vary by ethnic group. Ethn Dis. 2017;27(4):421- 428; doi:10.18865/ed.27.4.421. 

Salt‐sensitive hypertension (SSH) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The regulation of long non‐coding RNAs, mRNAs and competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) in the pathogenesis of SSH is uncertain. An RNA microarray was performed to discover SSH‐associated differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) and mRNAs (DEmRNAs), and 296 DElncRNAs and 44 DEmRNAs were identified, and 247 DElncRNAs and 44 DEmRNAs among these RNAs were included in the coexpression network. The coregulatory network included 23 ceRNA loops, and six hub RNAs (lnc‐ILK‐8:1, lnc‐OTX1‐7:1, lnc‐RCAN1‐6:1, GIMAP8, SUV420H1 and PIGV) were identified for further population validation. The ceRNA correlations among lnc‐OTX1‐7:1, hsa‐miR‐361‐5p and GIMAP8 were confirmed in SSH and SRH patients. A larger‐sample validation confirmed that GIMAP8, SUV420H1 and PIGV were differentially expressed between the SSH and SRH groups. In addition, SUV420H1 was included in the SSH screening model, and the area under the curve of the model was 0.720 (95% CI: 0.624‐0.816). Our study explored the transcriptome profiles of SSH and constructed a ceRNA network to help elucidate the mechanism of SSH. In addition, SUV420H1 was identified as a hub element that participates in SSH transcriptional regulation and as a potential biomarker for the early diagnosis of SSH.

Background: Many firefighters are also emergency medical service personnel. Therefore, they respond not only to fire calls, but also to an array of different incidents, including motor vehicle accidents, accidents involving serious injury or death, suicides, and pediatric death cases. Research suggests that repeated trauma exposure may play a role in the high rates of PTSD reported in firefighter samples. Such studies, however, have failed to account for firefighters' actual experience of repeated trauma on the job, and have not examined the impact of exposure to multiple types of traumatic events or peritraumatic risk factors. Due to the risky nature of their work, as well as their routine exposure to trauma, there is a pressing need for research on the duty-related correlates of PTSD among firefighters. Purpose: The present study extended previous research by examining the role that various duty-related trauma characteristics play in firefighters’ experience of PTSD symptoms. This study explored the relationships between PTSD symptoms and years of fire service, trauma load, and appraised stressfulness. Further, the study examined whether type of traumatic experiences (i.e., direct experience, indirect experience, or colleague-related) contribute differentially to PTSD risk. Methods: This cross-sectional, quantitative study utilized archival data collected from 995 career firefighters in a large, urban fire department. The study used a measure of trauma exposure composed of potentially traumatic, duty-related incidents specific to firefighters. Two multiple regression analyses separately examined the association of trauma type and years of service, trauma load, and appraised stressfulness to PTSD symptoms. Two moderation analyses were also conducted to separately examine whether appraised stressfulness or trauma load moderate the relationship between years of service and PTSD symptom severity. Results: The findings confirmed that firefighters are exposed to a wide array of traumatic events. Participants rated colleague-related traumatic events as more stressful than both direct and indirect events and witnessing the duty-related death of a coworker as the most stressful traumatic event. With regards to traumatic event categories, across indirect, direct, colleague-related, and total traumatic events, both appraised stressfulness and trauma load contributed significant variance to PTSD symptoms. Neither trauma load nor appraised stressfulness moderated the relationship of years of service to PTSD symptoms across all traumatic event categories. Conclusion: Future research warrants increased focus on the specific characteristics of traumatic events that may contribute to firefighters’ psychological distress. Researchers should also focus on developing and validating measures that accurately and comprehensively capture the types of traumatic events that firefighters experience. The findings highlight the importance of developing adequate screening measures to accurately capture the types of traumas that firefighters face on the job, in order to guide effective treatment for this high-risk group.

This study sought solutions to improve software development productivity. The investigation interviewed sixteen software engineers and managers who had been directly involved in software product development. The interviewees were asked a set of questions referring to their information needs; the way information was retrieved, structured, stored, and updated; the information-related barriers during the course of software development; and an open-ended question asking them to describe an ideal information infrastructure. The results revealed six essential information processes that contribute to productivity. These were: (1) A shared goal and defined requirements. (2) A Networked communication system. (3) An information repository for knowledge retaining. (4) Policies and protocols for storing, updating, and sharing information. (5) Feedback and control for managing changes and making the necessary adaptations to the changes. (6) Performance measurement for testing the product quality and monitoring the scheduling. The research findings indicated that information processes were critical for software development success. Besides the information processes, this research found that the concept of teams, the corporate culture, and the Web were emphasized during the interviews. Further research in the areas of team interactions, Web-based collaborative tool designs, and knowledge capturing procedures was recommended.