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Background: Platelets and lymphocytes levels are important in assessing systemic disorders, reflecting inflammatory and immune responses. This study investigated the relationship between blood parameters (platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), lymphocyte count (LINF), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR)) and osteoarthritis (OA) severity, considering age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). Methods: Patients aged ≥40 years were included in this cross-sectional study and divided into groups based on knee OA severity using the Kellgren–Lawrence (KL) grading system. A logistic regression model, adjusted for confounders, evaluated the ability of PLT, MPV, LINF, and PLR to categorize OA severity. Model performance in terms of accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity was assessed using ROC curves. Results: The study involved 245 OA patients (51.4% female, 48.6% male) aged 40–90 years, 35.9% with early OA (KL < 3) and 64.1% moderate/severe OA (KL ≥ 3). Most patients (60.8%) were aged ≥60 years, and BMI was <25 kg/m2 in 33.9%. The model showed that a 25-unit increase in PLR elevates the odds of higher OA levels by 1.30 times (1-unit OR = 1.011, 95% CI [1.004, 1.017], p < 0.005), while being ≥40 years old elevates the odds by 4.42 times (OR 4.42, 95% CI [2.46, 7.95], p < 0.0005). The model's accuracy was 73.1%, with 84% sensitivity, 52% specificity, and an AUC of 0.74 (95% CI [0.675, 0.805]). Conclusions: Higher PLR increases the likelihood of moderate/severe OA, suggesting that monitoring these biomarkers could aid in early detection and management of OA severity. Further research is warranted to cross-validate these results in larger populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, our group described the application of vertebral bone marrow (vBMA) clot as a cell therapy strategy for spinal fusion. Its beneficial effects were confirmed in aging-associated processes, but the influence of gender is unknown. In this study, we compared the biological properties of vBMA clots and derived vertebral mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from female and male patients undergoing spinal fusion procedures and treated with vBMA clot. We analyzed the expression of growth factors (GFs) in vBMA clots and MSCs as well as morphology, viability, doubling time, markers expression, clonogenicity, differentiation ability, senescence factors, Klotho expression, and HOX and TALE gene profiles from female and male donors. Our findings indicate that vBMA clots and derived MSCs from males had higher expression of GFs and greater osteogenic and chondrogenic potential compared to female patients. Additionally, vBMA-clot-derived MSCs from female and male donors exhibited distinct levels of HOX and TALE gene expression. Specifically, HOXA1, HOXB8, HOXD9, HOXA11, and PBX1 genes were upregulated in MSCs derived from clotted vBMA from male donors. These results demonstrate that vBMA clots can be effectively used for spinal fusion procedures; however, gender-related differences should be taken into consideration when utilizing vBMA-clot-based studies to optimize the design and implementation of this cell therapy strategy in clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gender-based violence is a global public health issue and major human rights concern. It is also a type of violence that is disproportionately experienced by women and girls. This study is the first to examine multiple implementation process (dosage, fidelity, and adaptation) effects on changes in anticipated outcomes of a school-based bystander program targeting gender-based violence, Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP). Data were collected from two participant groups: mentees (students receiving MVP) and mentors (students delivering MVP), across nine participating high schools. The mentee sample comprised 698 students (about 48.9% males and 49.7% females), aged 11 to 14 years old (M = 11.86, SD = 0.64). The mentor sample comprised 118 students (17.80% males, 82.20% females), aged 15 to 18 years old (M = 16.42, SD = 0.60). Anticipated outcomes were changes in bystanders' attitudes, social influences, control perceptions, intentions, willingness, and intervention behavior, measured using mentees' self-reports at two time points approximately 1 year apart. Implementation processes were measured using mentors' self-reports. Analyses revealed no effects for any of the implementation variables across changes in any of the outcomes measured. These results highlight important implications for the implementation of the MVP program going forward, given its widespread implementation in the United Kingdom. Possible ways that MVP may be enhanced in future are discussed. For example, furthering understanding into how gender-based violence and bystander intervention are addressed and framed during MVP lessons would give more insight into how the current implementation of the program can be improved to maximize its potential benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]