Author: Nevin Manimala

Am J Pharm Educ. 2024 Apr 2:100693. doi: 10.1016/j.ajpe.2024.100693. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Academic resilience, a critical determinant of academic achievement, is affected by various factors. There is a paucity of large-scale international assessments of academic resilience among pharmacy students. Therefore, this study aimed to assess academic resilience among pharmacy students in twelve countries and to evaluate factors associated with their academic resilience levels.

METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey-based study was conducted among randomly selected pharmacy students in twelve countries: Egypt, Türkiye, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iraq, Jordan, Nigeria, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and the United Arab Emirates. After pilot testing, the validated 30-item academic resilience scale (ARS) was used for the assessment. The data was collected between November 1, 2022, and April 15, 2023. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed as appropriate.

RESULTS: A total of 3950 were received from the twelve participating countries. The mean age was 21.68 ± 2.62 years. About two-thirds of the responses were from female participants and those studying for Bachelor of Pharmacy degrees. Overall, the findings show moderate academic resilience, which varied across countries. The median (IQR) of total ARS-30 was 114 [103-124]. Females exhibited lower negative affective and emotional response subscale levels than males (p = 0.003). There were significant cross-country variations in the ARS-30 and all subscales. The highest overall levels were reported for Sudan, Pakistan, and Nigeria, and the lowest were reported for Indonesia and Türkiye. Students in private universities tended to have higher overall ARS levels than public university students (p = 0.035). Higher academic performance was significantly associated with ARS levels, whereas those with excellent performance exhibited the highest ARS levels (p < 0.001). Students with exercise routines had higher ARS levels (p<0.001) than those with no exercise. Finally, students who were engaged in extracurricular activities had higher ARS levels compared to those who did not participate in these activities (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION: The study offers insights into the factors affecting academic resilience in pharmacy students across several countries. The findings could guide interventions and support activities to improve resilience and academic outcomes.

PMID:38574997 | DOI:10.1016/j.ajpe.2024.100693

J Am Pharm Assoc (2003). 2024 Apr 2:102082. doi: 10.1016/j.japh.2024.102082. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Biosimilars reduce the burden of cost on patients and payers, and so doing, increase access to life-saving care. However, biosimilar uptake in the US has been inconsistent.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed provider perceptions of barriers to biosimilar use and their relationships to utilization rates in a large, national oncology network and examined if perceptions differed by demographic and practice characteristics.

METHODS: A 28-item survey was administered to 400 network physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and administrators, spanning 25 provider groups, and measured: 1) barriers to use categorized into 4 subscales-payer-related, provider-related, operational, and patient-related, using a Likert scale ranging from Never (1) to Always (5); and 2) demographic and practice characteristics. Utilization rates were assessed using aggregated patient-level drug administration data found in the electronic health record system. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to describe responses and assess relationships between variables.

RESULTS: A total of 46 responses were analyzed, with a response rate of 11.5%. Most respondents were female (55.6%), physicians (52.2%), with over 6 years of experience (67%). A majority worked in practices participating in the Oncology Care Model (86.7%) and received continuing education on biosimilars (84.8%). Overall scale score was moderately low (mean=2.31), indicating low levels of perceived barriers. The lowest subscale score was operational barriers (mean=2.21), while payer-related barriers was the highest (mean=2.78). Perceptions of barriers did not differ based on demographic and practice characteristics. The average biosimilar utilization rate was 66.2%, with practices in the West administering biosimilars most frequently (71.8%). Utilization was not impacted by perceptions of barriers.

CONCLUSION: Perceived barriers to biosimilar utilization were not common and not associated with utilization. Infrequent impediments to utilization may be associated with network-wide emphasis on continuing education and a value-based care environment. Future research should consider other practice- and patient-level factors that may impact biosimilar utilization.

PMID:38574991 | DOI:10.1016/j.japh.2024.102082

Environ Res. 2024 Apr 2:118864. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118864. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

With the continuous development of intensive mariculture, the application of the integrated bioremediation system of aquaculture wastewater (IBSAW) is increasingly promoted. However, the process and nutrients removal performance of the IBSAW need to be further optimized due to its immature technologies. In this study, exogenous compound bacteria (ECB) were added to IBSAW to investigate its pollutants removal efficiency and the relevant mechanisms. High-throughput sequencing and Geochip gene array were used to analyze the correlation between nutrients and bacteria, and the abundance of N and P cycling genes were quantified. Multivariable statistics, dimensionality reduction analysis, and network analysis were applied to explore the mechanisms of IBSAW operation. The results showed that the nutrients decreased significantly after adding ECB, with the brush treatment group significantly outperforming the ceramsite in removing NO₃^– and PO₄^3-. Ceramsite has an advantage in removing NO₂^–-N. The addition of ECB and different substrates significantly affected the composition of bacterial communities. The contents of nosZ and nirKS related to denitrification in the treatment groups were significantly higher than those in the control group, and the contents in the brush treatment group were significantly higher than that of ceramsite. The biomarkers Psychroserpens and Ruegeria on the biofilm of the brush treatment group were positively correlated with nirKS, while Mycobacterium, Erythrobacter and Paracoccus, Pseudohaliea in the ceramsite group were positively correlated with nirS and nirK, respectively. Therefore, it is speculated that the ECB significantly promoted the increase of denitrification bacteria by affecting the composition of bacterial communities, and the ECB combined with functional genera improved the efficiency of nutrients removal in the system. This study provided a reference for understanding the process and mechanism of nutrients removal, optimizing the wastewater purification technology of the IBSAW and improving the performance of the system.

PMID:38574987 | DOI:10.1016/j.envres.2024.118864

Magn Reson Imaging. 2024 Apr 2:S0730-725X(24)00096-1. doi: 10.1016/j.mri.2024.03.040. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

To explore the feasibility of ultra-high b-value diffusion-weighted imaging (^ubDWI) in assessment of renal IRI. Thirty-five rabbits were randomized into a control group (n = 7) and a renal IRI group (n = 28). The rabbits in the renal IRI group underwent left renal artery clamping for 60 min. Rabbits underwent axial ^ubDWI before and at 1, 12, 24, and 48 h after IRI. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC_st) were calculated from ^ubDWI with two b-values (b = 0, 1000 s/mm²). Triexponential fits were applied to calculate the pure diffusion coefficients (D), perfusion-related diffusion coefficient (D^⁎), and ultra-high ADC (ADC_uh). The interobserver reproducibility were evaluated. The repeated measurement analysis of variance and Spearman correlation analysis was used for statistical analysis. The ADC_st, D, and ADC_uh values showed good reproducibility. The ADC_st, D, and D^⁎ values of renal Cortex (CO) and outer medulla (OM) significantly decreased after IRI (all P < 0.05). The ADC_uh values significantly increased from pre-IRI to 1 h after IRI (P < 0.05) and significantly declined at 24 h and 48 h after IRI (all P < 0.05). ADC_uh was strongly positively correlated with AQP-1 in the renal CO and OM (ρ = 0.643, P < 0.001; ρ = 0.662, P < 0.001, respectively). ^ubDWI can be used to non-invasively evaluate early renal IRI, ADC_uh may be adopted to reflect AQP-1 expression.

PMID:38574980 | DOI:10.1016/j.mri.2024.03.040

J Gastrointest Surg. 2024 Apr 2:S1091-255X(24)00398-6. doi: 10.1016/j.gassur.2024.03.035. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is one of the most commonly performed bariatric surgeries. SG treats diabetes (T2D) better than many drugs. The mechanisms that underlie this phenomenon are not clear. We propose that somatostatin (SST) isoforms SST-14 and SST-28 are key in the carbohydrate after SG.

METHODS: We performed surgeries on three groups of Wistar rats: the fasting (FC), surgery control (Sham), and SG groups. We measured plasma levels of glucose, insulin, SST-14 and SS-28 at two survival periods after surgery. Islet somatostatin receptor (SSTR) and cell populations were studied. We performed a pasireotide (SST-28 analog) infusion assay in another group of rats to confirm the influence of SST-28 plasma levels on the delta-cell population.

RESULTS: We found an elevation in the insulin response after surgery in SG animals but a decrease in the insulin response over the long term with a loss of beta cell mass. An increase in duodenal SST-28-producing cells in the duodenum and a loss of pancreatic SST-14-producing cells were found after SG but not in controls. The expression of SSTR-5 in delta-cell populations from each group and the ability of the pasireotide infusion assay to decrease the delta-cell population indicate the effect of SST-28 plasma levels on delta-cell maintenance.

CONCLUSION: After SG initiates a compensatory response in the duodenum, beta cell mass is depleted after loss of the brake that regulates SST-14 at the paracrine level in a non-obese, normoglycemic model of rat. This is an experimental model, with no-clinical translation to human clinic, with a preliminary importance about new pathophysiological perspectives or pathways.

PMID:38574966 | DOI:10.1016/j.gassur.2024.03.035

J Vasc Surg. 2024 Apr 2:S0741-5214(24)00929-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jvs.2024.03.442. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Some studies suggest that regional (RA) provides better patency for arteriovenous fistula (AVF) for hemodialysis (HD) access as compared to Local (LA) and General Anesthesia (GA). This study evaluates the impact of anesthetic modality on long term fistula function at 12 months.

METHODS: A retrospective review of patients undergoing cephalic vein-based HD access in consecutive cases between 2014 and 2019 was conducted from five safety net hospitals. The primary endpoint was functional patency at 12 months. Subset analysis individually evaluated cephalic based lower forearm and wrist versus upper arm AVFs. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models evaluated the relationship between anesthetic modality and fistula function at 12 months.

RESULTS: There were 818 cephalic based fistulas created during the study period. The overall 12-month functional patency rate was 78.7%, including an 81.3% patency for upper arm AVF and 73.3% for wrist AVF (p=0.009). There was no statistically significant difference among patients with functional and nonfunctional AVFs at 12 months with respect to anesthetic modality when comparing regional, local, and general anesthesia (p=0.343). Multivariate regression analysis identified that history of AVF/AVG (OR 0.24, p=0.007), receiving intraoperative systemic anticoagulation (OR 2.49, p<0.001), and vein diameter (OR 1.85, p=0.039) as independently associated with AVF functional patency at 12 months.

CONCLUSION: There was no association between anesthetic modality and functional patency of cephalic based-AVF at 12 months. Further studies are needed to better define which patients may benefit from regional anesthesia.

PMID:38574954 | DOI:10.1016/j.jvs.2024.03.442

Environ Pollut. 2024 Apr 2:123877. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123877. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Silicone wristbands are a noninvasive personal exposure assessment tool. However, despite their utility, questions remain about the rate at which chemicals accumulate on wristbands when worn, as validation studies utilizing wristbands worn by human participants are limited. This study evaluated the chemical uptake rates of 113 organic pollutants from several chemical classes (i.e., polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), organophosphate esters (OPEs), alkyl OPEs, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), brominated flame retardants (BFR), phthalates, pesticides, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) over a five-day period. Adult participants (n = 10) were asked to wear five silicone wristbands and then remove one wristband each day. Several compounds were detected in all participants’ wristbands after only one day. The number of chemicals detected frequently (i.e. in at least seven participants wristbands) increased from 20 to 26% percent of target compounds after three days and increased to 34% of target compounds after four days of wear. Chemicals detected in at least seven participants’ day five wristbands (n = 24 chemicals) underwent further statistical analysis, including estimating the chemical uptake rates over time. For some chemicals, concentrations on wristbands worn five days were correlated with the concentrations of wristbands worn fewer days suggesting chronic exposure to compounds such as pesticides and phthalates. For 23 of the 24 compounds evaluated there was a statistically significant and positive linear association between the length of time wristbands were worn and chemical concentrations in wristbands. Despite, the differences that exist between laboratory studies using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and worn wristbands, these results indicate that worn wristbands are primarily acting as first-order kinetic samplers. These results suggest that studies using different deployment lengths should be comparable when results are normalized to the length of the deployment period. In addition, a shorter deployment period could be utilized for compounds that were commonly detected in as little as one day.

PMID:38574945 | DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123877

Int J Biol Macromol. 2024 Apr 2:131333. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131333. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the potential of utilizing green chemically treated spent coffee grounds (SCGs) as micro biofiller reinforcement in Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate (PHBV) biopolymer composites. The aim is to assess the impact of varying SCG concentrations (1 %, 3 %, 5 %, and 7 %) on the functional, thermal, mechanical properties and biodegradability of the resulting composites with a PHBV matrix. The samples were produced through melt compounding using a twin-screw extruder and compression molding. The findings indicate successful dispersion and distribution of SCGs microfiller into PHBV. Chemical treatment of SCG microfiller enhanced the interfacial bonding between the SCG and PHBV, evidenced by higher water contact angles of the biopolymer composites. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) confirmed the successful interaction of treated SCG microfiller, contributing to enhanced mechanical characteristics. A two-way ANOVA was conducted for statistical analysis. Mass losses observed after burying the materials in natural soil indicated that the composites degraded faster than the pure PHBV polymer suggesting that both composites are biodegradable, particularly at high levels of spent coffee grounds (SCG). Despite the possibility of agglomeration at higher concentrations, SCG incorporation resulted in improved functional properties, positioning the green biopolymer composite as a promising material for sustainable packaging and diverse applications.

PMID:38574916 | DOI:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131333

Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2024 Apr 2:111654. doi: 10.1016/j.diabres.2024.111654. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: Several studies showed that Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) could affect gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) onset. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of GDM risk factors in a cohort of women with singleton pregnancy obtained by ART and complicated by GDM. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were explored.

METHODS: We retrospectively collected data of pregnancies of women with singleton pregnancy obtained by ART and complicated by GDM consecutively cared for at a specialized center for diabetes and pregnancy care. Prevalence and combination of GDM risk factors, their combinations and maternal-fetal outcomes were estimated.

RESULTS: Overall, our cohort included 50 women (mean age of 40.4 ± 4.7 years, mean pre-pregnancy BMI 26.3 ± 6.2 kg/m²). The most frequent GDM traditional risk factors were age ≥ 35 years (94 %), family history of diabetes (44 %), overweight (29 %) and obesity (19 %). Combining risk factors, 5 groups were identified with 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 risk factors with a prevalence respectively of 28 %, 46 %, 20 %, 4 %, and 2 %. Examining features of the above groups, pre-pregnancy weight (p < 0.0001) and pre-pregnancy BMI (p < 0.0001) statistically significant differed in the 5 groups, increasing with higher numbers of risk factors. Regarding neonatal outcomes only neonatal hypoglycemia (p = 0.03) differed significantly among the groups, with higher percentages in women with higher numbers of combined risk factors.

CONCLUSION: Prevalence of GDM traditional risk factors in singleton ART pregnancies complicated by GDM is considerable. Such pregnancies need appropriate clinical attention because of the risk of adverse outcomes.

PMID:38574893 | DOI:10.1016/j.diabres.2024.111654

Appl Neuropsychol Adult. 2024 Apr 4:1-11. doi: 10.1080/23279095.2024.2335534. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Verbal fluency (VF) evaluates language and cognitive abilities. This study compared VF in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) and healthy controls (HC), examining variables including correct responses (CR), mean cluster size (MCS), switches (S), and fluency difference score (FDS). RRMS participants were subgrouped by Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), to explore the relationship between MS severity and VF. Twenty-four RRMS participants and matched HCs underwent Mini-Mental State Exam and VF Test. Statistical analysis compared VF between RRMS subgroups based on severity levels, and in HC. RRMS significantly impacted the CR, and S (CR_SF p = 0.01, S_SF p = 0.002; CR_PF=0.002, S_PF p = 0.002), while there was no significant difference in FDS between RRMS groups (p = 0.9). No significant relationship was found between EDSS scores, and VF subtests (CR_SF p = 0.061, MCS_SF p = 0.46, S_SF p = 0.051, CR_PF p = 0.521, MCS_PF p = 0.966, S_PF p = 0.599). In RRMS, our results demonstrate impairments in all VF parameters except the MCS_SF+PF, and FDS. This study suggests that intact MCS_SF+PF may reflect preserved verbal memory and word recall, while significant switching differences may indicate impaired cognitive flexibility. Similar FDS to those of HC suggest that no performance discrepancy in subtests in RRMS. Intact MCS might be a distinctive pattern in the early clinical stage of MS.

PMID:38574394 | DOI:10.1080/23279095.2024.2335534