Category: Nevin Manimala

Personal Disord. 2023 Jul 6. doi: 10.1037/per0000632. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The Alternative Model of Personality Disorders (AMPD), introduced in Section III of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013), was proposed as a new operationalization of personality disorders (PDs) aiming to overcome the several limitations of the traditional symptom-based model (Waugh et al., 2017; Zimmerman et al., 2019). In the AMPD, PDs are defined by two-dimensional criteria (the level of personality functioning and maladaptive personality traits), but as a hybrid model, it also allows for categorical assessment of PDs (i.e., “hybrid types”) to facilitate continuity with clinical practice. The present study aimed to provide normative data for two widely used instruments assessing Criterion A (Level of Personality Functioning Scale-Self-Report; Morey, 2017) and B (Personality Inventory for DSM-5; Krueger et al., 2012) in a large populational French-Canadian sample. Regarding the categorical assessment, Gamache et al. (2022) recently tested scoring approaches for extracting the PD hybrid types from dimensional measures of the AMPD. In the present study, these approaches were used to estimate prevalence rates for these PD hybrid types in two samples. In the populational sample, results showed that prevalence rates varied from 0.2% (antisocial PDs) to 3.0% (trait-specified PDs), with an overall prevalence of 5.9% to 6.1% for any PD hybrid type. Prevalence was higher in men than in women in the populational sample, but the contrary was observed in the at-risk sample. Prevalence was higher in younger adults than in middle-aged and older adults. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

PMID:37410427 | DOI:10.1037/per0000632

Health Psychol. 2023 Jul 6. doi: 10.1037/hea0001303. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of mindfulness training for primary care (MTPC), an integrated warm mindfulness training program, on emotion regulation and its relationship with health behavior change. Interventions that improve self-regulation, particularly emotion regulation, are needed for the self-management of comorbid chronic physical and mental illnesses. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) may impact self-regulation and facilitate health behavior change.

METHOD: A randomized controlled comparative effectiveness trial was conducted in a population of adult primary care patients to evaluate the impact of MTPC versus a low-dose mindfulness comparator (LDC) on self-reported difficulties in emotion regulation (DERS) total score and other assays of self-regulation at baseline, Weeks 8 and 24. Self-reported action plan initiation was reported between Weeks 8 and 10. Participants had diagnoses of anxiety, depression, or stress-related disorders. MTPC is an 8-week insurance-reimbursable warm MBI designed to cultivate mindfulness and self-compassion and to catalyze chronic illness self-management related health behavior change.

RESULTS: Compared to LDC, MTPC participants had statistically significant reductions in DERS total score at 8 weeks (d = -0.59, β = -12.98, 95% CI [-23.3 to -2.6]; p = .01) and 24 weeks (d = -0.61, β = -13.35, [-24.3, -2.4]; p = .02). Compared to 38% for LDC, 63% of MTPC participants successfully initiated their action plan within 3 weeks (OR = 2.87, [1.1, 7.9]; p = .04).

CONCLUSIONS: This randomized controlled trial demonstrated MTPC enhanced emotion regulation and facilitated initiation of chronic illness self-management and health behavior change among primary care patients with anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders, replicating previous reports. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

PMID:37410421 | DOI:10.1037/hea0001303

Can J Public Health. 2023 Jul 6. doi: 10.17269/s41997-023-00789-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: During the first wave of COVID-19 in Québec, healthcare workers (HCWs) represented 25% of the cases in Montréal. A study was conducted to describe SARS-CoV-2-infected HCWs in Montréal, and certain workplace and household characteristics. Secondary objectives included estimating the associations between having had access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and training, and following self-isolation recommendations, and certain sociodemographic and workplace characteristics.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted, based on a stratified random sample, among Montréal HCWs who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 between March and July 2020. A total of 370 participants answered a telephone-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were conducted, followed by log binomial regressions to estimate the associations.

RESULTS: Study participants were mostly female (74%), born outside of Canada (65%), and identified as Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC; 63%). In terms of healthcare positions, most were orderlies (40%) or registered nurses (20%). Half (52%) of the participants reported having had insufficient access to PPE and 30% reported having received no training related to SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention, with large proportions being BIPOC women. Working evening or night shifts decreased chances of having had sufficient access to PPE (OR 0.50; 0.30-0.83).

CONCLUSION: This study describes the profile of the HCWs who were infected during the first wave of the pandemic in Montréal. Recommendations include collecting comprehensive sociodemographic data on SARS-CoV-2 infections and ensuring equitable access to infection prevention and control training and PPE during health crises, particularly those at highest risk of exposure.

PMID:37410364 | DOI:10.17269/s41997-023-00789-y

Mol Biol Rep. 2023 Jul 6. doi: 10.1007/s11033-023-08636-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The conidial Ascomycota fungus Wilsonomyces carpophilus causing shot hole in stone fruits is a major constraint in the production of stone fruits worldwide. Shothole disease symptoms appear on leaves, fruits, and twigs. Successful isolation of the pathogen from different hosts on synthetic culture medium is a time consuming and tedious procedure for identification of the pathogen based on morpho-cultural characterization.

METHODS AND RESULTS: The present research was carried out to develop a successful PCR based early detection protocol for the shot hole disease of stone fruits, viz., peach, plum, apricot, cherry, and almond using the pathogen specific SSR markers developed from the Wilsonomyces carpophilus genome using Genome-wide Microsatellite Analysing Tool package (GMATA) software. Diseased leaf samples of different stone fruits were collected from the SKUAST-K orchard and the pathogen was isolated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium and maintained on Asthana and Hawkers’ medium with a total of 50 pathogen isolates comprised of 10 isolates each from peach, plum, apricot, cherry and almond. The DNA was extracted from both healthy and infected leaf samples of different stone fruits. The DNA was also extracted from the isolated pathogen cultures (50 isolates). Out of 2851 SSR markers developed, 30 SSRs were used for the successful amplification of DNA extracted from all the 50 pathogen isolates. These SSRs were used for the amplification DNA from shot hole infected leaf samples of different stone fruits, but the amplification was not observed in the control samples (DNA from healthy leaves), thus confirming the detection of this disease directly from the shot hole infected samples using PCR based SSR markers. To our knowledge, this forms the first report of SSR development for the Wilsonomyces carpophilus and their validation for the detection of shot hole disease directly from infected leaves.

CONCLUSION: PCR based SSR makers were successfully developed and used for the detection of Wilsonomyces carpophilus causing shot hole disease in stone fruits including almond in nuts for the first time. These SSR markers could successfully detect the pathogen directly from the infected leaves of stone fruits namely peach, plum, apricot and cherry including almond from the nuts.

PMID:37410347 | DOI:10.1007/s11033-023-08636-6

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2023 Jul 6. doi: 10.1007/s11356-023-27605-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Water is an essential element in nature. It is used in drinking, irrigation, and industry mainly. Human health is directly linked to groundwater quality and is affected by poor groundwater quality caused by excessive fertilizer application and unhygienic circumstances. Because of increased pollution, investigating the water quality became a point of research for many researchers. There are numerous approaches to assessing water quality, and statistical methods are essential among them. This review paper discusses Multivariate Statistical Techniques, including Cluster Analysis, Principal Component Analysis, Factor Analysis, Geographical Information System, and Analysis of Variance, to name a few. We have presented the significance of each method concisely and how it is being used. In addition, an extensive table is prepared to demonstrate the individual technique along with the computational tool, the type of water bodies, and their respective regions. The advantages and disadvantages of the statistical techniques are also discussed therein. It is found that Principal Component Analysis and Factor Analysis are widely explored techniques.

PMID:37410329 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-023-27605-x

Int Urol Nephrol. 2023 Jul 6. doi: 10.1007/s11255-023-03696-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: End-stage renal disease patients on chronic hemodialysis (HD) have a shortened life expectancy compared to the general population. The aim of this study was to evaluate a possible link between three new and emerging factors in renal pathophysiology: Klotho protein, telomere length in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (TL) and redox status parameters before HD (bHD) and after HD (aHD), and to test mortality prediction capability of these emerging parameters in a population of HD patients.

METHODS: The study included 130 adult patients with average age 66 (54-72), on HD (3 times per week; 4-5 h per session). Klotho level, TL, routine laboratory parameters, dialysis adequacy and redox status parameters: advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB), superoxide anion (O₂^.-), malondialdehyde (MDA), ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), total sulfhydryl group content (SHG), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined.

RESULTS: Klotho concentration was significantly higher aHD; 68.2 (22.6-152.9) vs. bHD 64.2 (25.5-119.8) (p = 0.027). The observed increase in TL was not statistically significant. AOPP, PAB, SHG, and SOD activity were significantly increased aHD (p > 0.001). The patients with the highest mortality risk score (MRS) had significantly higher PAB bHD (p = 0.002). Significantly lower O₂^.- (p < 0.001), SHG content (p = 0.072), and IMA (p = 0.002) aHD were found in patients with the lowest MRS values. Principal component analysis revealed redox balance-Klotho factor as a significant predictor of high mortality risk (p = 0.014).

CONCLUSION: Decreased Klotho and TL attrition as well as redox status disturbance could be connected with higher mortality rate in HD patients.

PMID:37410303 | DOI:10.1007/s11255-023-03696-w

Int Ophthalmol. 2023 Jul 6. doi: 10.1007/s10792-023-02794-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to characterize the subjective visual quality and satisfaction following small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and to identify its influential factors.

SETTING: Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.

DESIGN: This was a retrospective observational study.

METHODS: Patients who had simultaneous binocular SMILE for myopia and myopic astigmatism were included 6 months postoperatively, and the patient-reported outcome questionnaire was employed for the assessment of visual quality in real-life situations. Examinations with SIRIUS combined corneal topography and tomography were performed including the parameters of Strehl ratio (SR), corneal higher-order aberrations (HOAs) within 6.0-mm area, kappa angel, and thinnest corneal thickness. Decentration and effective optical zone (EOZ) were measured based on a tangential pre-post-operation difference map. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed for predictors of patient-reported visual quality.

RESULTS: Clinical data from 97 cases were analyzed retrospectively. Overall satisfaction was 96.91% (94/97). Fluctuation in vision and glare is the most frequent and dominant visual symptoms. SR value increased non-significantly compared with preoperative (P> 0.05). A statistically significant (P < 0.05) increase in total HOAs, spherical aberration, and coma was noted. SR and HOAs were not correlated with the degree of visual symptoms (P > 0.05). No objective parameter was found to be associated with patient-reported visual quality after SMILE (P> 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The high patient-reported satisfaction confirmed the ideal effect on visual quality following SMILE in real-life situations, though some objective optical performances were not satisfying. It is very tolerant toward patients’ conditions and mild deviations, and this study did not find factors affecting visual performances.

PMID:37410299 | DOI:10.1007/s10792-023-02794-z

Int Ophthalmol. 2023 Jul 6. doi: 10.1007/s10792-023-02805-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Bi-medial rectus recession, which can also be performed using a hang-back technique, is one of the surgical treatment options for infantile esotropia (IE). This study has modified the surgical approach, with outcomes compared to the traditional hang-back technique.

METHODS: The bi-medial recession was performed with a modified hang-back technique in 120 IE patients and with a traditional hang-back technique in 88 cases. Surgical outcomes were reviewed and compared retrospectively.

RESULTS: The patients in the two groups were compared in terms of surgery time, inferior oblique weakening surgery, and the presence of refractive error. The differences between pre-operative and postoperative first-month, sixth-month, and first-year degrees were statistically significant (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: This modified novel technique aims to avoid unwanted muscle movement in the horizontal and vertical axes and a gap in the middle of the recessed muscle, as seen in the traditional hang-back technique. Further, the modified technique resulted in less over- and under-correction as well as alphabetic pattern deviation.

PMID:37410297 | DOI:10.1007/s10792-023-02805-z

Biol Trace Elem Res. 2023 Jul 6. doi: 10.1007/s12011-023-03743-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Ganga river is the inhabitant of more than 190 fish species and important river system of India. Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the Gangetic riverine ecosystem are a hot environmental issue. A detailed evaluation of PTEs bioaccumulation in Gangetic fishes is required to safeguard human health. The present study investigated the bioaccumulation of PTEs (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Li, Ni, Pb, Se, Zn, and Mn) within 12 economic fish species (n = 72) collected from the lower Gangetic stretch. The mean concentrations of PTEs followed the order Zn > Cu > Mn > Ni > Se > Cr > Pb > Co ~ Li > Cd. Li and Se bioaccumulation were studied first time from Gangetic fishes. Results demonstrated that all the selected PTEs were below the maximum permissible limit recommended by reference standards except for Zn in L. catla and L. rohita. For all PTEs, the metal pollution index (MPI), hazard quotient (THQ), and hazard index (HI) were < 1, indicating that these PTEs do not pose a health risk to the public through the dietary intake of fish in this study area. All studied fish were acceptable in terms of carcinogenic risk (CR) from exposure to Cd, Cr, and Pb. Multivariate statistical analysis suggests that inter-correlated metals have similar dispersion properties and bioaccumulation homology within the body. This study provides a scientific basis for food safety assessment and continuous monitoring of PTEs in Gangetic fishes is suggested in the future to safeguard human health.

PMID:37410267 | DOI:10.1007/s12011-023-03743-8

Atten Percept Psychophys. 2023 Jun 28. doi: 10.3758/s13414-023-02693-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In everyday life, people often work together to accomplish a joint goal. Working together is often beneficial as it can result in a higher performance compared to working alone – a so-called “group benefit”. While several factors influencing group benefits have been investigated in a range of tasks, to date, they have not been examined collectively with an integrative statistical approach such as linear modeling. To address this gap in the literature, we investigated several factors that are highly relevant for group benefits (i.e., task feedback, information about the co-actor’s actions, the similarity in the individual performances, and personality traits) and used these factors as predictors in a linear model to predict group benefits in a joint multiple object tracking (MOT) task. In the joint MOT task, pairs of participants jointly tracked the movements of target objects among distractor objects and, depending on the experiment, either received group performance feedback, individual performance feedback, information about the group member’s performed actions, or a combination of these types of information. We found that predictors collectively account for half of the variance and make non-redundant contributions towards predicting group benefits, suggesting that they independently influence group benefits. The model also accurately predicts group benefits, suggesting that it could be used to anticipate group benefits for individuals that have not yet performed a joint task together. Given that the investigated factors are relevant for other joint tasks, our model provides a first step towards developing a more general model for predicting group benefits across several shared tasks.

PMID:37410254 | DOI:10.3758/s13414-023-02693-6