Category: Nevin Manimala

Isotopes Environ Health Stud. 2024 Feb 19:1-19. doi: 10.1080/10256016.2024.2316584. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

We investigated the stable isotope hydrology of Sable Island, Nova Scotia, Canada over a five year period from September, 2017 to August, 2022. The δ²H and δ¹⁸O values of integrated monthly precipitation were weakly seasonal and ranged from -66 to -15 ‰ and from -9.7 to -1.9 ‰, respectively. Fitting these monthly precipitation data resulted in a local meteoric water line (LMWL) defined by: δ²H = 7.22 ± 0.21 · δ¹⁸O + 7.50 ± 1.22 ‰. Amount-weighted annual precipitation had δ²H and δ¹⁸O values of -36 ± 11 ‰ and -6.1 ± 1.4 ‰, respectively. Deep groundwater had more negative δ²H and δ¹⁸O values than mean annual precipitation, suggesting recharge occurs mainly in the winter, while shallow groundwater had δ²H and δ¹⁸O values more consistent with mean annual precipitation or mixing of freshwater with local seawater. Surface waters had more positive values and showed evidence of isolation from the groundwater system. The stable isotopic compositions of plant (leaf) water, on the other hand, indicate plants use groundwater as their source. Fog had δ²H and δ¹⁸O values that were significantly more positive than those of local precipitation, yet had similar ¹⁷O-excess values. δ²H values of horsehair from 4 individuals lacked seasonality, but had variations typical to those of precipitation on the island. Differences in mean δ²H values of horsehair were statistically significant and suggest variations in water use may exist between spatially disparate horse communities. Our results establish an important initial framework for ongoing isotope studies of feral horses and other wildlife on Sable Island.

PMID:38372972 | DOI:10.1080/10256016.2024.2316584

Psychooncology. 2024 Feb;33(2):e6306. doi: 10.1002/pon.6306.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is considered an integral part of therapy in many hematological and non-hematological malignancies. The procedure can be highly stressful for patients. The primary objective of this study was to compare stress assessments in HSCT patients, depending on their stress coping style (CS) and type of treatment (autologous vs. allogeneic HSCT).

METHODS: A short longitudinal study was conducted between May 2021 and June 2023 among patients with hematological cancers undergoing HSCT. The study involved four time points: the day of admission to hospital – T1, the day before HSCT – T2, 6 days after HSCT – T3, and the day of discharge – T4. Participants completed the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS) on T1, and the Distress Thermometer (DT) on T1-T4. Descriptive statistics and a repeated measures ANOVA were conducted.

RESULTS: A total of 128 participants completed the study: 54.2% female, mean age 48.7 years. They were divided into: (1) five groups based on their CS: task-oriented, emotion-oriented, avoidance-oriented, mix-oriented, differential-oriented; (2) two groups based on treatment type. The analyses showed significant differences in stress between the CS study groups (p = 0.001). The emotion-oriented group had the highest stress levels during the hospitalization period. There was also a significant time effect (p < 0.001): stress levels increased during the hospitalization period, peaking 6 days after HSCT, and decreased at discharge.

CONCLUSIONS: Stress levels depend on coping styles and time points during the hospitalization period, which should be taken into account in planning psychological interventions for HSCT patients.

PMID:38372968 | DOI:10.1002/pon.6306

Updates Surg. 2024 Feb 19. doi: 10.1007/s13304-024-01755-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Ventral abdominal wall incisional hernia is defined as a defect in the musculo-fascial layers of the abdominal wall in the region of the postoperative scar. There is a slight increase in the incidence of incisional hernia in the female gender. The higher percentage of incisional hernia in females might be due to laxity of abdominal wall muscles after multiple pregnancies and also an increased incidence of obesity in females. To assess incisional hernia repair using two different techniques: on-lay mesh and sub-lay mesh, as regards operative time, postoperative recurrence, wound infection, seroma, hematoma, and flap necrosis. Pubmed, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched on 15 March 2022. The keywords incisional hernia, sub-lay mesh on-lay mesh, retromuscular mesh, and polypropylene. According to our results, there is a statistical difference between onlay and sublay regarding intra-operative time as sublay mesh is more time-consuming. Regarding postoperative complications, there is no statistical difference in recurrence, seroma, hematoma, flap necrosis, and infection but there is a statistical difference regarding in hospital stay as patients with sub-lay repair stays less than only.

PMID:38372955 | DOI:10.1007/s13304-024-01755-0

Ir J Med Sci. 2024 Feb 19. doi: 10.1007/s11845-024-03636-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Tracheostomy is a crucial procedure in the management of neurosurgical patients, and determining the appropriate timing for the intervention remains a contentious issue. While some experts advocate for early tracheostomy, others recommend a more conservative approach of closely monitoring the patient’s condition before performing the procedure.

METHODS: To shed light on this debate, a retrospective observational cohort study was conducted on 78 cases who underwent tracheostomy in the neurosurgical ICU of Yashosai Hospital, Nanded, Maharashtra, between January and December 2022. The study relied on hospital records, and descriptive statistics were used to represent the quantitative data.

RESULTS: The study’s findings showed that the majority of the study subjects were male, with an average age of 46.3 + / – 15.2 years. The results suggested that early tracheostomy was associated with improved outcomes in terms of shorter durations of tracheostomy, hospital stays, ICU stays, and mechanical ventilation. However, the incidence of complications did not differ significantly between the early and late tracheostomy groups.

CONCLUSION: Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the optimal management of neurosurgical patients, with implications for clinical practice and patient outcomes.

PMID:38372946 | DOI:10.1007/s11845-024-03636-2

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2024 Feb 19. doi: 10.1007/s11356-024-32484-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Amid China’s economic shift to high-quality development, addressing environmental challenges like greenhouse gas emissions and manufacturing pollution, there is a crucial demand for sustainable and eco-friendly development strategies. This study aims to investigate the impact of innovation efficiency in the high-tech industry on carbon emissions. It seeks to explore regional differences, mechanisms, and the influence of energy consumption structures in achieving sustainable development goals. Utilizing data from 30 provinces spanning 2009 to 2020, the study employs the DEA-Malmquist index model, spatial and temporal classification evaluation, and a panel measurement model to assess the efficiency of innovation and development in high-tech industries and their relationship with carbon emissions. The results indicate several key findings: (1) The overall operational efficiency of high-tech industry innovation and development in China is steadily increasing. However, there are distinct characteristics observed among provinces and cities, reflecting diverse input and output types. (2) High-tech industry innovation efficiency significantly contributes to carbon emission reduction, and there is regional heterogeneity in this impact. The central and western regions exhibit greater effects compared to other provinces and cities. (3) The optimization of the energy structure is identified as a mechanism through which high-tech industry innovation efficiency reduces carbon emissions. Moreover, different intervals of high-tech industry innovation efficiency yield varying effects on carbon emissions. This research underscores the importance of fostering high-tech industry innovation efficiency as a means to reduce carbon emissions. It also identifies key areas for future policy development and resource allocation, emphasizing the support needed for low-carbon technology research and development.

PMID:38372928 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-024-32484-x

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2024 Feb 19. doi: 10.1007/s11356-024-32338-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

While several research studies considered the utilization of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) aggregates for asphalt and concrete pavements, very few attempted its possible utilization for precast concrete applications like concrete paver blocks (CPBs). Moreover, few attempts made in the recent past to improve the strength properties of RAP inclusive concrete mixes by incorporating certain supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) have reported an insignificant or marginal effect. The present study attempts to comprehensively investigate the utilization potential of some locally and abundantly available materials having suitable physicochemical properties to improve the performance of a zero-slump CPB mix containing 50% RAP aggregates. The studied filler materials, namely, wollastonite (naturally occurring calcium metasilicate mineral) and jarosite (hazardous zinc industry waste), were used to replace 5-15% and 10-20% by volume of Portland cement in the 50% RAP CPB mix. Apart from their individual effects, the efficacy of wollastonite-jarosite blends was also investigated. Considering the lack of indoor storage facilities and economic aspects of CPBs, the influence of water spray curing regime on the performance of the RAP CPB mixes was studied and compared to that of continuous water curing regime. Inclusion of the considered fillers was found to statistically and significantly enhance the flexural strength, tensile splitting strength, and abrasion resistance of the 50% RAP CPB mix; however, the compressive strength (in most cases), permeable voids, water absorption, and water permeability properties showed an insignificant improvement. Results of thermogravimetric analysis confirmed the occurrence of pozzolanic reactivity, and microstructure analysis revealed improvements in packing of concrete matrix and ITZ with filler inclusion qualitatively substantiating the improvements in strength and durability characteristics. The toxicity characteristics of heavy metals that may leach from the hazardous jarosite-based RAP CPB mixes were found to be within permissible limits. Based on the performance requirements specified by IS, IRC, and ASTM standards, all the RAP CPB mixes with filler inclusions fulfilled the acceptance criteria for heavy traffic applications, and water spray curing can enact as an alternate method for curing these mixes. However, to avail maximum performance benefits, it is recommended to use 5% wollastonite, 15% jarosite, and a combination of 10% wollastonite and 10% jarosite as a Portland cement substitute to produce sustainable eco-friendly RAP CPB mixes.

PMID:38372924 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-024-32338-6

J Neurooncol. 2024 Feb 19. doi: 10.1007/s11060-023-04551-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Bevacizumab has evolved as an integral treatment option for patients with high-grade gliomas. Little is known about clinical risk factors that predispose patients with high-grade gliomas receiving bevacizumab to VTE or ICH. We sought to characterize the clinical risk factors associated with risk of either event.

METHODS: In this multi-institutional retrospective study, we first evaluated patients with high-grade gliomas who were treated with bevacizumab at University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center from 2015-2021. We compared clinical and treatment-related factors among three cohorts: those who developed VTE, ICH, or neither. We further compared survival outcomes of these patients from the time of bevacizumab initiation. Then to further confirm our results in a non-cancer center hospital setting we evaluated patients from two Ascension Seton Hospitals in Austin, Texas which are affiliated with Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin from 2017-2022.

RESULTS: We found that the presence of cerebral macrobleeding, defined as a magnetic susceptibility of > 1 cm³ on magnetic resonance imaging, was highly associated with risk of developing ICH after initiation of bevacizumab. Development of ICH was significantly associated with poorer survival outcomes. We did not find a statistically significant effect of VTE on survival after bevacizumab initiation.

CONCLUSION: In order to stratify the risk for developing ICH before the initiation of bevacizumab, we recommend to assess for the presence of cerebral macrobleeding as it is associated with ICH development.

PMID:38372903 | DOI:10.1007/s11060-023-04551-9

J Epidemiol Glob Health. 2024 Feb 19. doi: 10.1007/s44197-024-00202-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In 2021, an Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak was declared in Guinea, linked to persistent virus from the 2014-2016 West Africa Epidemic. This paper analyzes factors associated with contact tracing reliability (defined as completion of a 21-day daily follow-up) during the 2021 outbreak, and transitively, provides recommendations for enhancing contact tracing reliability in future.

METHODS: We conducted a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study using multivariate regression analysis of contact tracing data from 1071 EVD contacts of 23 EVD cases (16 confirmed and 7 probable).

RESULTS: Findings revealed statistically significant factors affecting contact tracing reliability. Unmarried contacts were 12.76× more likely to miss follow-up than those married (OR = 12.76; 95% CI [3.39-48.05]; p < 0.001). Rural-dwelling contacts had 99% lower odds of being missed during the 21-day follow-up, compared to those living in urban areas (OR = 0.01; 95% CI [0.00-0.02]; p < 0.01). Contacts who did not receive food donations were 3× more likely to be missed (OR = 3.09; 95% CI [1.68-5.65]; p < 0.001) compared to those who received them. Contacts in health areas with a single team were 8× more likely to be missed (OR = 8.16; 95% CI [5.57-11.96]; p < 0.01) than those in health areas with two or more teams (OR = 1.00; 95% CI [1.68-5.65]; p < 0.001). Unvaccinated contacts were 30.1× more likely to be missed compared to vaccinated contacts (OR = 30.1; 95% CI [5.12-176.83]; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that contact tracing reliability can be significantly influenced by various demographic and organizational factors. Considering and understanding these factors-and where possible addressing them-may be crucial when designing and implementing contact tracing strategies during future outbreaks in low-resource settings.

PMID:38372893 | DOI:10.1007/s44197-024-00202-y

J Epidemiol Glob Health. 2024 Feb 19. doi: 10.1007/s44197-024-00197-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Sepsis remains a growing global health concern with soaring mortality and no direct anti-sepsis drug. Although smoking has distinct deleterious effects on chronic inflammatory illnesses and can impair immune function, a comprehensive analysis of the connection between sepsis and smoking is lacking.

METHODS: This large-scale longitudinal cohort study retrospectively assessed adults aged ≥ 20 years who underwent national health checkups under the Korean National Health Insurance Service between January and December 2009 (N = 4,234,415) and were followed up for 10 years. Sepsis was identified based on the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision codes, and smoking status, including accumulated amount, was collected through a self-administered questionnaire. The Cox proportional hazard regression model was used, adjusting for age, sex, household income, body mass index, drinking, exercise, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and chronic renal disease.

RESULTS: After excluding cases with sepsis occurring before follow-up or after ≤ 1 year of follow-up, 3,881,958 participants, including non-smokers (N = 2,342,841), former smokers (N = 539,850), and active smokers (N = 999,267), were included. Compared to non-smokers, all active smokers (adjust hazard ratio: 1.41, 95% confidence interval 1.38-1.44) and former smokers (1.10, 1.07-1.14) with ≥ 20 pack-years exhibited a significantly higher risk of sepsis (p < 0.001). Smoking of ≥ 30 pack-years in former and active smokers groups significantly increased sepsis incidence (adjust hazard ratio [95% confidence interval] 1.34 [1.31-1.38], p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Smoking is closely associated with the incidence of sepsis. Smoking cessation may help in the primary prevention of sepsis.

PMID:38372892 | DOI:10.1007/s44197-024-00197-6

Intern Emerg Med. 2024 Feb 19. doi: 10.1007/s11739-023-03512-4. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Using scoring systems in discreet microbiologic cohorts in a serial fashion to identify unique phenotypes of sepsis remains unknown. Single-center, retrospective study that screened adults who triggered the hospital’s SIRS (systemic inflammatory response syndrome) based sepsis alert into culture positive (Cx +) and culture negative (Cx-) groups. Subgroups were based on the location where the SIRS alert fired. SIRS scores and a novel score called SEP were calculated at t = 0 and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 h before and after t = 0. Primary outcome was a difference in SIRS/SEP scores in Cx + or Cx- groups over time. Secondary outcomes were differences in total SIRS/SEP scores and the components constituting SIRS/SEP scores at various locations over time. The study contained 7955 patients who met inclusion criteria. Cx + and Cx- groups had increases in SIRS/SEP scores and at similar rates starting 6 hours before t = 0. Both culture groups had decreasing SIRS/SEP scores, at varying gradients compared to the change in SIRS/SEP scores seen prior to t = 0. This pattern in SIRS/SEP scores before and after t = 0 was consistent in all location subgroups. Statistically significant differences were seen in the overall SIRS/SEP scores for Cx + and Cx- groups at hours 6, 12, and 24 after t = 0, in the ED group at t = 24 h after t = 0, the floor group at t = 0 h, and in the step-down group at t = 3 h after t = 0 h. Microbiological cohorting and serial assessments may be an effective tool to identify homogenous phenotypes of sepsis.

PMID:38372887 | DOI:10.1007/s11739-023-03512-4