Category: Nevin Manimala

J Urban Health. 2023 Nov 10. doi: 10.1007/s11524-023-00790-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Rising ambient temperatures due to climate change will impact both indoor temperatures and heating and cooling utility costs. In traditionally colder climates, there are potential tradeoffs in how to meet the reduced heating and increased cooling demands, and issues related to lack of air conditioning (AC) access in older homes and among lower-income populations to prevent extreme heat exposure. We modeled a typical multi-family home in Boston (MA) in the building simulation program EnergyPlus to assess indoor temperature and energy consumption in current (2020) and projected future (2050) weather conditions. Selected households were those without AC (no AC), those who ran AC sometimes (some AC), and those with sufficient resources to run AC always (full AC). We considered stylized cooling subsidy policies that allowed households to move between groups, both independently and in conjunction with energy efficiency retrofits. Results showed that future weather conditions without policy changes yielded an increase in indoor summer temperatures of 2.1 °C (no AC), increased cooling demand (range: 34-50%), but led to a decrease in net yearly total utility costs per apartment (range: – $21 to – $38). Policies that allowed households to move to greater AC utilization yielded average indoor summer temperature decreases (- 3.5 °C to – 6.2 °C) and net yearly total utility increases (range: + $2 to + $94) per apartment unit, with greater savings for retrofitted homes primarily due to large decreases in heating use. Our model results reinforce the importance of coordinated public policies addressing climate change that have an equity lens for both health and climate goals.

PMID:37947996 | DOI:10.1007/s11524-023-00790-3

Ir J Med Sci. 2023 Nov 10. doi: 10.1007/s11845-023-03562-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To assess the most common lower limb acute muscle injuries on MRI imaging in a national specialist centre for orthopaedics and sports medicine and to explore potential gender differences.

METHODS: Over a 3-year time period, all MRI lower limb studies with acute muscle injury (AMI) were reviewed. A British Athletics muscle injury classification (BAMIC) was given and a statistical analysis was performed.

RESULTS: A total of 195 AMIs were diagnosed: 177 (91%) male and 18 (9%) female injuries (M to F = 9.8:1). The most common lower limb AMIs were BAMIC grade 1a injuries (n = 48, 25%). The most commonly injured muscle was biceps femoris (n = 87, 45%), specifically grade 1b and grade 2b injuries. There was no significant difference in age between men and women with acute lower limb muscle injuries (p = 0.19). Females were 1.5 times more likely to have a lower grade AMI than males, although this did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.7) owing to a striking lower number of female patients. There was no significant difference between genders in the likelihood of sustaining a hamstring or quadricep AMI (hamstrings OR = 2.47, p = 0.14 and quadriceps OR = 0.926, p 0.99).

CONCLUSIONS: Grade 1a is the most common lower limb AMI grade in our institution, accounting for 25%. Biceps femoris is the most commonly injured muscle (45%) with grade 1b and grade 2b being the most frequently encountered grades of biceps femoris injuries. Lower-grade injuries are more common in females compared to males, although not significantly so. Further studies are required to explore possible reasons for this gender gap.

PMID:37947993 | DOI:10.1007/s11845-023-03562-9

Stat Med. 2023 Nov 10. doi: 10.1002/sim.9931. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Prediction models are increasingly developed and used in diagnostic and prognostic studies, where the use of machine learning (ML) methods is becoming more and more popular over traditional regression techniques. For survival outcomes the Cox proportional hazards model is generally used and it has been proven to achieve good prediction performances with few strong covariates. The possibility to improve the model performance by including nonlinearities, covariate interactions and time-varying effects while controlling for overfitting must be carefully considered during the model building phase. On the other hand, ML techniques are able to learn complexities from data at the cost of hyper-parameter tuning and interpretability. One aspect of special interest is the sample size needed for developing a survival prediction model. While there is guidance when using traditional statistical models, the same does not apply when using ML techniques. This work develops a time-to-event simulation framework to evaluate performances of Cox regression compared, among others, to tuned random survival forest, gradient boosting, and neural networks at varying sample sizes. Simulations were based on replications of subjects from publicly available databases, where event times were simulated according to a Cox model with nonlinearities on continuous variables and time-varying effects and on the SEER registry data.

PMID:37947168 | DOI:10.1002/sim.9931

Rev Esc Enferm USP. 2023 Nov 3;57:e20220475. doi: 10.1590/1980-220X-REEUSP-2022-0475en. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare the social support as perceived by elderly persons in a context of social vulnerability according to family functionality.

METHOD: A cross-sectional study using a quantitative approach, carried out in São Carlos-SP, with 123 elderly people living in a context of high social vulnerability. The sample was divided into two groups: good family functionality and moderate/severe family dysfunction. Data was collected on sociodemographic characteristics, family functionality (Family APGAR) and social support (Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Scale). The Mann-Whitney, Chi-square and Fisher’s exact statistical tests were used.

RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between social support and family functionality (p < 0.05). The group with good family functionality obtained higher median social support scores: affective 100.00; material 95.00; information 90.00; emotional 90.00; positive social interaction 85.00; when compared to the group with moderate/severe family dysfunction: affective 86.67; material 87.50; information 70.00; emotional 65.00; positive social interaction 65.00.

CONCLUSION: Elderly persons living in dysfunctional families have less perceived social support when compared to those living in families with good family functionality.

PMID:37947163 | DOI:10.1590/1980-220X-REEUSP-2022-0475en

Cancer. 2023 Nov 10. doi: 10.1002/cncr.35103. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Recurrent/metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a rare, incurable disease. MYB is a putative oncogenic driver in ACC that is often overexpressed through an MYB-NFIB rearrangement. The authors hypothesized that AKT inhibition with the allosteric inhibitor MK-2206 could decrease MYB expression and induce tumor regression in patients with incurable ACC (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01604772).

METHODS: Patients with progressive, incurable ACC were enrolled and received MK-2206 150 mg weekly; escalation to 200 mg was allowed. The primary end point was confirmed response. Secondary end points were progression-free survival, overall survival, and safety. An exploratory analysis evaluating the effect of MK-2206 on MYB expression was conducted in a subset of patients.

RESULTS: Sixteen patients were enrolled, and 14 were evaluable for efficacy. No confirmed responses were observed. Thirteen patients had stable disease, and one had disease progression as their best response. The median progression-free survival was 9.7 months (95% CI, 3.8-11.8 months), and the median overall survival was 18.0 months (95% CI, 11.8-29.9 months). Nine of 16 patients (56%) had at least one grade 3 treatment-related adverse event, and the most common were rash (38%), fatigue (19%), decreased lymphocyte count (13%), and hyperglycemia (13%). Twelve of 14 tumors (86%) had detectable MYB expression by immunohistochemistry, and seven of 14 tumors (50%) had an MYB-NFIB gene rearrangement. Serial biopsies revealed decreased MYB levels with MK-2206 in four of five patients.

CONCLUSIONS: MK-2206 failed to induce clinical responses in patients with incurable ACC. AKT inhibition may diminish MYB protein levels, although the effect was highly variable among patients. Novel approaches to target MYB in ACC are needed.

PMID:37947157 | DOI:10.1002/cncr.35103

J Prosthodont. 2023 Nov 10. doi: 10.1111/jopr.13792. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of 1 vs. 2 glaze firings on the color and mechanical properties of an extrinsically characterized lithium disilicate ceramic after thermal-cycling, brushing, or both.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty specimens were divided into 2 groups: one glaze firing (GL1) and two glaze firings (GL2). Each group was subdivided into 4 groups (n = 10), according to the experimental conditions: thermal-cycling, brushing, thermal-cycling + brushing, and immersion in distilled water (control). Color variation, surface roughness, and Vickers microhardness were analyzed before each designated experiment and after the simulated periods of 2.5, 5, and 10 years. Three-way mixed ANOVA was used for all outcomes, followed by one-way ANOVA, repeated measures one-way ANOVA, Bonferroni post hoc test, and t-test to check for statistical differences (α = .05).

RESULTS: Thermal-cycling generated greater color changes in the GL1 group at 2.5- and 5 years (P<.001; P = .013). Brushing generated color changes in GL1 at 5 years (P = .003) and in GL2 at 10 years (P = .017). Regarding surface roughness, the GL1 group suffered alterations in thermal-cycling + brushing at 5 years. In the control group, the GL1 group exhibited higher roughness values than GL2 (P<.05). Most of the groups experienced an increase in microhardness at 2.5 years (P<.05). In the GL1 group, thermal-cycling increased the microhardness at 5 years (P = .006); at 5 and 10 years, the GL1 group had a higher microhardness than the GL2 in thermal-cycling + brushing (P<.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Ceramics with one glaze firing showed greater color, roughness, and microhardness changes compared to those submitted to two firings. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:37947149 | DOI:10.1111/jopr.13792

J Am Heart Assoc. 2023 Nov 10:e030084. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.123.030084. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Background Sterile inflammation caused by metabolic disorders impairs endothelial function; however, the underlying mechanism by which hyperglycemia induces inflammation remains obscure. Recent studies have suggested that stimulator of interferon genes (STING), a key cytosolic DNA sensor in the innate immune system, contributes to the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. This study examines the role of the STING in endothelial dysfunction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Methods and Results Injection of streptozotocin promoted the expression of STING and DNA damage markers in the aorta of wild-type mice. Streptozotocin elevated blood glucose and lipid levels in both wild-type and STING-deficient mice, which showed no statistical differences. Genetic deletion of STING ameliorated endothelial dysfunction as determined by the vascular relaxation in response to acetylcholine (P<0.001) and increased endothelial nitric oxide synthase phosphorylation in the aorta (P<0.05) in STZ-injected mice. Endothelium-independent vascular response to sodium nitroprusside did not differ. Treatment with a direct STING agonist, cyclic GMP-AMP, or mitochondrial DNA increased inflammatory molecule expression (eg, VCAM1 and IFNB) and decreased endothelial nitric oxide synthase phosphorylation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, partially through the STING pathway. Cyclic GMP-AMP significantly impaired endothelial function of aortic segments obtained from wild-type mice, which was ameliorated in the presence of C-176, a STING inhibitor, or a neutralizing interferon-β antibody. Furthermore, the administration of C-176 ameliorated endothelial dysfunction in STZ-induced diabetic mice (P<0.01). Conclusions The DNA damage response regulated by STING impairs endothelial function. STING signaling may be a potential therapeutic target of endothelial dysfunction caused by hyperglycemia.

PMID:37947148 | DOI:10.1161/JAHA.123.030084

Ortop Traumatol Rehabil. 2023 Aug 31;25(4):195-206. doi: 10.5604/01.3001.0053.9346.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Besides arch-supportive insoles, sensorimotor insoles are used for the treatment of flatfoot in children. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of both types of insoles on the arch-supporting muscles and clinical aspects in children with flexible flatfoot.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: 52 children with flexible flatfoot (mean age of 8.22.7 years) were enrolled. Supportive, sensorimotor, and placebo insoles were compared. Muscle activity was detected by surface electromyography during the midstance phase. Valgus index, foot and ankle disability index (FADI) and pain were assessed at enrolment and after 6 and 12 months. Mixed-design ANOVA was used for statistical evaluation.

RESULTS: Supportive and sensorimotor insoles caused significantly lower activity in the tibialis anterior in comparison to placebo insoles regarding the parameter Mean. No significant differences could be detected between both types of therapeutic insoles. Supportive insoles showed a significant decrease regarding the parameter Amplitude of the peroneus longus. Placebo insoles produced an increase in the valgus index, while both therapeutic insoles did not induce any changes. The sensorimotor insoles induced an increase in FADI, while the supportive and placebo insoles had no significant effect on this parameter.

CONCLUSIONS: 1. Supportive and sensorimotor insoles potentially influence muscle activity in the lower leg. 2. Both could influence the longitudinal arch in flat feet. 3. While placebo insoles caused a deterioration of the valgus index, both kinds of therapeutic insoles could possibly prevent the progression of the flatfoot. 4. Clinical studies including more clinical aspects and long-term observations are necessary.

PMID:37947144 | DOI:10.5604/01.3001.0053.9346

J Periodontal Res. 2023 Nov 10. doi: 10.1111/jre.13206. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate, in vivo, the effect of local application of Resolvin E1 (RvE1) on the bone regeneration of critical-size defects (CSDs) in Wistar rats utilizing gene expression and micro-computed tomographic (micro-CT) analysis.

BACKGROUND: The inflammation-resolving actions of RvE1 are well established. The molecular mechanism of its bone-regenerative actions has been of significant interest in recent years; however, there is limited information regarding the same.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty Wistar rats with a 5 mm induced critical-size calvarial defect were randomly allocated into four groups: no treatment/negative control (n = 5), treatment using bovine bone grafts/positive control (n = 5), treatment using local delivery of RvE1 (n = 11) and treatment using RvE1 mixed with bovine bone graft (n = 9). After 4 weeks, RNA isolation, complementary DNA synthesis and real-time polymerase chain reaction were used for genetic expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OCN) and osteopontin (OPN). The rats were sacrificed after 12 weeks and micro-CT imaging was performed to analyse the characteristics of the newly formed bone (NFB). The data were analysed using ANOVA and the least significant difference tests (α ≤ .05).

RESULTS: The RvE1 + bovine graft group had statistically highest mean NFB (20.75 ± 2.67 mm³ ) compared to other groups (p < .001). Similarly, RvE1 + bovine graft group also demonstrated statistically highest mean genetic expression of ALP (31.71 ± 2.97; p = .008) and OPN (34.78 ± 3.62; p < .001) compared to negative control and RvE1 groups.

CONCLUSION: Resolvin E1 with adjunct bovine bone graft demonstrated an enhanced bone regeneration compared to RvE1 or bovine graft alone in the calvarial defect of Wistar rats.

PMID:37947141 | DOI:10.1111/jre.13206

J Ment Health. 2023 Nov 10:1-9. doi: 10.1080/09638237.2023.2278107. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Latent disease classification is currently the accepted approach to mental illness diagnosis. In the United States, this takes the form of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5-Text Revision (DSM-5-TR). Latent disease classification has been criticized for reliability and validity problems, particularly regarding diagnostic heterogeneity. No authors have calculated the scope of the heterogeneity problem of the entire DSM-5-TR.

AIMS: We addressed this issue by calculating the unique diagnostic profiles that exist for every DSM-5-TR diagnosis.

METHODS: We did this by applying formulas previously used in smaller heterogeneity analyses to all diagnoses within the DSM-5-TR.

RESULTS: We found that there are 10,130,814 ways to be diagnosed with a mental illness using DSM-5-TR criteria. When specifiers are considered, this number balloons to over 161 septillion unique diagnostic presentations (driven mainly by bipolar II disorder). Additionally, there are 1,951,065 ways to present with psychiatric symptoms, yet not meet diagnostic criteria.

CONCLUSIONS: Latent disease classification leads to considerable heterogeneity in possible presentations. We provide examples of how latent disease classification harms research and treatment programs. We echo recommendations for the dismissal of latent disease classification as a mental illness diagnostic program.

PMID:37947129 | DOI:10.1080/09638237.2023.2278107