Category: Nevin Manimala

Vet Med Sci. 2024 Mar;10(2):e1360. doi: 10.1002/vms3.1360.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Morphometric measurements help to understand the skull morphology in different animal species, detect skull deformations and figure out their causes.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to make a three-dimensional (3D) modelling of the badger skull using computed tomography, to show its anatomical structures and to reveal the morphometric measurement values.

METHODS: Skull measurements were carried out using a digital calliper at 27 measurement points based on metric measurement points. After the scanned images were stored in Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine format, they were transferred to MIMICS 20.1 (The Materialize Group) programme and 3D models the skulls were created. The surface area and volume values of the skulls were calculated on these models.

RESULTS: The volume and surface area parameters were expressed as mean ± SE. Four different indices were calculated using osteometric measurements. Statistical analyses were made by determining the mean value and standard deviation of the examined properties and the correlation coefficients among these properties. In the metric measurement points taken as a basis, the longest measurement in the skulls was the total length and its mean value was 124.60 ± 0.64 mm. The shortest measurement was the breadth dorsal to the external auditory meatus, and its mean value was 6.75 ± 0.24 mm.

CONCLUSIONS: Consequently, statistical differences in the craniometric values of badgers’ skulls were determined by using CT and 3D modelling software. In addition, it was concluded that the badger skull can be easily distinguished from other carnivore species by carrying out morphometric measurements.

PMID:38372005 | DOI:10.1002/vms3.1360

Heliyon. 2024 Jan 28;10(3):e25201. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25201. eCollection 2024 Feb 15.

ABSTRACT

Contaminated fomites can lead to hepatitis A virus (HAV) and human norovirus (HuNoV) disease outbreaks. Improved decontamination methods that are user-friendly, cost-effective, and waterless are being researched for sustainability. Traditional ultraviolet light (UV-C) technologies though effective for surface decontamination have drawbacks, using mercury lamps, that pose user-safety risk and environmental hazards. Therefore, UV-C light emitting diode (LED) systems are being designed for delivering required antiviral doses. The objective of this research was to determine the ability of UV-C LED (279 nm) systems to inactivate HuNoV surrogates, feline calicivirus (FCV-F9) and Tulane virus (TV), and HAV on Formica coupons in comparison to UV-C (254 nm) systems. FCV-F9 (∼6 log PFU/mL), TV (∼7 log PFU/mL), or HAV (∼6 log PFU/mL) at 100 μL were surface-spread on sterile Formica coupons (3 × 3 cm²), air-dried, and treated for up to 2.5 min with both systems. Each experiment was replicated thrice. Recovered infectious plaque counts were statistically analyzed using mixed model analysis of variance. FCV-F9, TV, and HAV showed D₁₀ values of 23.37 ± 0.91 mJ/cm², 16.32 ± 3.6 mJ/cm², and 12.39 ± 0.70 mJ/cm² using 279 nm UV-C LED, respectively and D₁₀ values of 9.97 ± 2.44 mJ/cm², 6.83 ± 1.13 mJ/cm² and 12.40 ± 1.15 mJ/cm², respectively with 254 nm UV-C. Higher 279 nm UV-C LED doses were required to cause HuNoV surrogate reduction than 254 nm UV-C, except similar doses with both systems were needed for HAV inactivation on Formica surfaces. It remains critical to measure UV intensity of optical sources and optimize exposure times for desired log reduction on surfaces.

PMID:38371995 | PMC:PMC10873656 | DOI:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25201

Heliyon. 2024 Feb 7;10(3):e25802. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25802. eCollection 2024 Feb 15.

ABSTRACT

The system or unit survives when strength is more significant than the stress enjoined. This procedure is usually used in many companies to test their product. The reliability or the quality of the scheme or component is described by the parameters of stress-strength reliability ($R=P(X>Y$)) where X denotes strength and Y indicates stress. In this article, we adopted the statistical inference of R while the two arbitrary factors X and Y are independent and approach the Lomax lifetime distribution with common scale parameters. Also, the strength and stress variables are subjected to a partial step-stress-quickened life experiment. The classical estimation and Bayes method create the point estimate of R. Confidence intervals of R are computed with asymptotic distribution, bootstrap technique, and Bayesian credible intervals. All results are evaluated and compared under an extensive simulation study. Finally, the lifetime data sets generated from the Lomax distribution are used to analyze the system’s reliability by estimating R.

PMID:38371973 | PMC:PMC10873739 | DOI:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25802

J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2024 Feb 19;150(2):93. doi: 10.1007/s00432-023-05578-1.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Precise identification of lymph node metastases is vital for the management of cervical cancer. However, the existing diagnostic methods for lymph node metastases have certain drawbacks. In this study, we aim to explore the expression of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and tumor-to-stroma CD8⁺ T cells ratio (CD8⁺ T cells T:S ratio) and its association with lymph node metastases of cervical cancer.

METHODS: Hundred and ten cervical cancer tissues and 39 biopsy tissues from patients were investigated immunocytochemically for the expression of CAFs and CD8⁺ T cells. The statistical correlation analysis was carried out using the SPSS system.

RESULTS: A strong and statistically significant negative correlation (r= – 0.690; P < 0.001) was observed between CAF density and CD8⁺ T cells T:S ratio. Not only were CAFs density and CD8⁺ T cells T:S ratio correlated with lymph node metastases respectively (P < 0.001), but the combination of them also significantly correlated with lymph node metastases (P < 0.001). Then, we constructed the combined diagnosis model (Logit (P) = – 4.446 + 0.300 × CAFs + 0.752 × CD8+ T cells T:S Ratio) of cervical cancer lymph node metastases. ROC curves analysis showed that the ROC curves areas for CAFs, CD8⁺ T cells T:S ratio, and a combination of both are 0.879, 0.747, and 0.951. Then, the prediction model was verified by biopsy specimens and consistent results were obtained.

CONCLUSIONS: The combination of CAF density and CD8⁺ T cells T:S ratio has a significant predictive value for lymph node metastases in patients with cervical cancer.

PMID:38369672 | DOI:10.1007/s00432-023-05578-1

J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2024 Feb 18. doi: 10.1111/jog.15904. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: Women with overweight or obesity are recommended to lose weight before conception to optimize pregnancy outcomes. However, the obstetrical implications of prepregnancy weight loss have been minimally examined. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between prepregnancy weight loss and maternal metabolic and inflammatory profiles during a subsequent pregnancy.

METHODS: This study was a retrospective analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data (2003-2018). Participants were women who were pregnant at the time of assessment. Prepregnancy weight loss was described as percent weight change based on self-reported baseline (1 year before pregnancy) and prepregnancy weight. Metabolic (e.g., blood pressure [BP]) and inflammatory biomarkers (i.e., high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP]) were determined by standard medical tests. Statistical analyses included linear regressions with appropriate imputation, weighting, and variance estimation techniques.

RESULTS: Participants (N = 236) reported a mean percent weight loss of 4.6% (standard error [SE] = 0.3%) during the year before pregnancy. Regression models showed that prepregnancy weight loss was inversely associated with levels of total cholesterol (β = -1.24, p = 0.01), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (β = -0.79, p < 0.01), and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (β = -0.18, p < 0.01). The effect of prepregnancy weight loss on BP, insulin sensitivity, and hs-CRP was not significant, although there was a trend toward higher levels of diastolic BP (β = 0.24, p = 0.07) and hs-CRP (β = 0.10, p = 0.08).

CONCLUSIONS: This study found favorable changes in lipid profiles following prepregnancy weight loss. Due to limitations such as a relatively small sample size, self-reported weight measures, and missing data on several outcome variables, future studies are needed to confirm study findings.

PMID:38369640 | DOI:10.1111/jog.15904

Vet Res Commun. 2024 Feb 19. doi: 10.1007/s11259-024-10333-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Trypanosomosis is a tropical disease caused by various protozoan haemoparasites, which affects wild and domestic animals, the latter ones related to worldwide livestock production systems. Species such as Trypanosoma vivax and Trypanosoma evansi have been described using serological and molecular tools in several countries from South and Central America. However, Ecuador presents a relevant knowledge gap in the associated general epidemiology and risk factors of the disease. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of trypanosomosis in cattle from different regions of Ecuador. 745 serum samples from 7 Coastal and 3 Amazon provinces were screened for IgG anti-Trypanosoma spp. antibodies, using an in-house indirect ELISA. The seropositivity was explored and associated with several variables such as sex, age, breed, region, management, and province, using statistical tools. The general seroprevalence of trypanosomosis was 19.1% (95% CI: 16.30-22.1%). The Amazonian provinces of Sucumbíos and Napo and the Coastal province of Esmeraldas presented the highest seroprevalence values of 36.7% (95% CI: 27.67-46.47%), 23.64% (95% CI: 16.06-32.68%) and 25% (95% CI: 15.99-35.94%), respectively. Statistical significance was found for the region, province, and management variables, indicating as relevant risk factors the extensive management and Amazon location of the cattle analyzed. Specific actions should be taken to identify the exact species on reservoirs and susceptible hosts, evaluate the implication of farm management and cattle movement as risk factors, and implement surveillance and treatment plans for affected herds.

PMID:38369611 | DOI:10.1007/s11259-024-10333-z

Sci Rep. 2024 Feb 18;14(1):4001. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-54422-0.

ABSTRACT

3D seismic attributes analysis can help geologists and mine developers associate subsurface geological features, structures, faults, and ore bodies more precisely and accurately. The major influence of this application is to evaluate the usage of the 3D seismic attributes analysis in gold mine planning. For this, we evaluate the novel theory of complex T-spherical hesitant fuzzy (CTSHF) sets and their operational laws. Furthermore, we derive the CTSHF Aczel-Alsina weighted power averaging (CTSHFAAWPA) operator, CTSHF Aczel-Alsina ordered weighted power averaging (CTSHFAAOWPA) operator, CTSHF Aczel-Alsina weighted power geometric (CTSHFAAWPG) operator, and CTSHF Aczel-Alsina ordered.com weighted power geometric (CTSHFAAOWPG) operator. Some properties are also investigated for the above operators. Additionally, we evaluate the problems of 3D seismic attributes analysis to mine planning under the consideration of the proposed operators, for this, we illustrate the problem of the multi-attribute decision-making (MADM) technique for the above operators. Finally, we demonstrate some examples for making the comparison between prevailing and proposed information to improve the worth of the derived operators.

PMID:38369600 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-024-54422-0

Sci Rep. 2024 Feb 18;14(1):4010. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-54044-6.

ABSTRACT

To investigate the effect of teach-back strategy on hemodialysis related knowledge level, self-efficacy and self-management among hemodialysis patients. The research is a quasi-randomized control trial. A total of 92 patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis were randomly divided into observation group (n = 46) and control group (n = 46) by random number table method. The control group received conventional health education, and the observation group received teach-back. The intervention lasted six months. The hemodialysis related knowledge level, self-efficacy and self-management of the two groups were evaluated before and after the intervention. There were no significant difference on hemodialysis related knowledge level, self-efficacy and self-management scores between the two groups before intervention (P > 0.05). After intervention, the scores of hemodialysis knowledge in the observation group was higher than that in the control group and before intervention. The total scores of self-efficacy and items “3,4,5” were higher than those of the control group. The total scores of self-efficacy and item “1~6” in the observation group were higher than before intervention. The total scores of self-management and the three subscales of “problem solving”, “partnership” and “emotional processing” were higher than those of the control group and before intervention. All of the above differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Teach-back is helpful to improve the hemodialysis related knowledge level, self-efficacy and self-management level of patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis, and it is worth to be popularized clinically.

PMID:38369580 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-024-54044-6

Sci Rep. 2024 Feb 18;14(1):4003. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-54666-w.

ABSTRACT

Approximately two billion individuals, or 26.4% of the global population, live in moderate- to severely food-insecure circumstances. It was discovered that not receiving all recommended antenatal care throughout one’s pregnancy is one of the effects of household insecurity. The majority of women in Ethiopia, one of the most food-insecure countries in the world, with 10% of the population facing food poverty, devote more of their time to household duties, making food insecurity in the home the primary effect of poor prenatal care utilization. The main objective this study was to assess the status of household food insecurity among postpartum women at Arba Minch town, southern Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 381 mothers who were enrolled from December 1, 2022, to January 30, 2023. The total sample size was allocated proportionately to the number of postpartum women living in each kebeles taking from the town registry of health extension workers for immunization. Thus, systematic sampling was applied. Kobo Toolbox was used for data collection and cleaning, which was then analyzed using the statistical package of Social Science Version 26 (SPSS). In this study, the prevalence of food insecurity was 30.2% (95% CI 25.5-34.5). The associated factors with household food-insecurity were maternal occupation (AOR = 0.5, 95% CI 0.27, 0.90), late antenatal care initiation (AOR = 3.5, 95% CI 2.13, 5.91), and low monthly income (AOR = 3.1, 95% CI 1.38, 6.93). Food insecurity among postpartum mothers in the study area is high. Families who are severely food insecure require quick assistance to lower poor maternal and neonate’s outcomes. Furthermore, enhancing the occupation of mothers is crucial in reducing the morbidities and mortality of food insecure mothers, such as delayed prenatal care services, anemia, low birth weight, and stillbirth.

PMID:38369577 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-024-54666-w

Insights Imaging. 2024 Feb 18;15(1):53. doi: 10.1186/s13244-023-01603-6.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to assess the equivalency of MRI-based synthetic CT (sCT) to conventional CT for sacroiliac joint bony morphology assessment in children.

METHODS: A prospective study was performed. Children who had (PET-)CT-scan underwent additional MRI. sCT-CT image quality was analyzed by two readers subjectively overall, semi-quantitatively in terms of cortical delineation, joint facet defects, growth plate fusion, ossified nuclei, lumbosacral transitional anomaly, and bony bridges, and quantitatively for disc space height, spinal canal width, and sacral vertebrae width and height. Cohen’s kappa and equivalence analyses with Bland-Altman plots were calculated for categorical and continuous measures respectively.

RESULTS: Ten patients were included (6 boys; aged 9-16 years; mean age 14 years). Overall sCT image quality was rated good. Semi-quantitative assessment of cortical delineation of sacroiliac joints, bony bridges, and joint facet defects on the right iliac and sacral sides showed perfect agreement. Correlation was good to excellent (kappa 0.615-1) for the presence of lumbosacral transitional anomaly, fusion of sacral growth plates, joint facet defect, and presence of ossified nuclei. sCT-CT measurements were statistically equivalent and within the equivalence margins (-1-1 mm) for intervertebral disc space height and spinal canal width. Intra- and inter-reader reliability was excellent for quantitative assessment (0.806 < ICC < 0.998). For categorical scoring, kappa ranged from substantial to excellent (0.615-1).

CONCLUSION: sCT appears to be visually equivalent to CT for the assessment of pediatric sacroiliac joints. sCT may aid in visualizing sacroiliac joints compared to conventional MRI, with the benefit that no ionizing radiation is used, especially important in children.

CRITICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: MRI-based synthetic CT, a new technique that generates CT-like images without ionizing radiation, appears to be visually equivalent to CT for assessment of normal pediatric sacroiliac joints and can potentially assess structural damage as it clearly depicts bony cortex.

KEY POINTS: • MRI-based sCT is a new image technique that can generate CT-like images. • We found that sCT performs similarly to CT in displaying bony structures of pediatric sacroiliac joints. • sCT has already been clinically validated in the sacroiliac joints in adults. • sCT can potentially assess structural damage from erosions or ankylosis as it clearly depicts bony cortex.

PMID:38369564 | DOI:10.1186/s13244-023-01603-6