Category: Nevin Manimala

J Sport Rehabil. 2023 May 8:1-13. doi: 10.1123/jsr.2022-0382. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT: Slideboards are commonly used in exercise programs, but there is limited information about how they affect muscle activities during exercise. We aim to compare the activation levels of quadriceps and hamstring muscles and hip- and knee-flexion angles during lunge and single-leg squat exercises between normal ground and slideboard in physically active individuals.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.

METHODS: Thirty healthy individuals (age: 23.83 [2.84] y, body mass index: 21.75 [1.72] kg/m2) were included in the study. Surface electromyography was used to measure vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, and semitendinosus activation levels during reaching and returning phases of the forward, lateral, and back lunges and squats that were performed on the normal ground and slideboard. Exercises were performed at a slow pace (60 beats/min). Hip- and knee-flexion angles during the exercises were evaluated by using 2-dimensional motion analysis. Repeated measures of analysis of variance were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS: Vastus medialis and vastus lateralis activation levels were greater during reaching and returning phases of the exercises on slideboard compared with normal ground (P < .05). However, semitendinosus and biceps femoris activity were greater only during the returning phase of the forward lunge (P < .001) and the returning phase of the back squat (P = .002, P = .009, respectively). Hip-to-knee flexion ratios were closer to 1 when the forward lunge (P < .001), back lunge (P = .004), and forward squat (P = .001) exercises were performed on a slideboard.

CONCLUSION: In exercise programs that target the quadriceps and hamstring muscles, slideboards can be effectively used in exercise progressions as they can increase muscle activity. Moreover, squat and lunge exercises on slideboard with a slow pace may also be helpful for improving the balance between hip- and knee-flexion angles.

PMID:37156537 | DOI:10.1123/jsr.2022-0382

Int J Hyperthermia. 2023;40(1):2207792. doi: 10.1080/02656736.2023.2207792.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the pattern of change over time and predictors for metastasis in indeterminate lymph nodes (LNs) among patients with thyroid cancer post-ablation.

METHODS: We enrolled patients who developed new cervical LNs after papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) ablation. Changes in the ultrasound characteristics of the indeterminate LN were recorded at months 1, 3, 6 and 12 after ablation. LN puncture pathology and long-term follow-up were standard of diagnosis. The indeterminate LNs were divided into benign and malignant groups, the differences between the two groups were compared, and the risk characteristics of malignant LNs were screened using generalized estimating equations (GEE).

RESULTS: In total, we included 138 LNs from 99 patients, of which 48 were indeterminate LNs. When following up indeterminate LNs, non-cervical lymph node metastasis (non-CLNM) lesions demonstrated a statistically significant gradual decrease in volume (p = 0.012), though there was no significant change in the volume of CLNM lesions (p = 0.779). Compared to non-CLNM lesions, the diagnostic efficiency was the highest for CLNM lesions at 1-3 months after ablation, when the LN volume changed by -0.08 to 0.12 mL (p = 0.048). The third month after ablation became an important time point for review. Moreover, GEE analysis showed that microcalcifications, cystic changes, and vascularity were strongly associated with CLNMs (p = 0.004, p = 0.002, and p = 0.010, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: There is a pattern of volume change of indeterminate LNs after PTC ablation, which, together with microcalcifications, cystic changes, and vascularity, can be used as criteria for differentiating the benignity and malignancy of indeterminate LNs.

PMID:37156534 | DOI:10.1080/02656736.2023.2207792

J Appl Microbiol. 2023 May 8:lxad098. doi: 10.1093/jambio/lxad098. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: This study aimed to simulate deactivation of E. coli in soils amended with cattle manure after burning, anaerobic digestion, composting or without treatment.

METHOD AND RESULTS: The Weibull survival function was used to describe deactivation of E. coli. Parameters for each treatment were determined using E. coli measurements from manure-amended soils and evaluated against measurements at different application rates. A statistically significant correlation and high coincidence between the simulated and measured values was obtained. The simulations revealed that although anaerobic digestion or burning of cattle manure effectively reduced the E. coli loads to background levels, burning retained very little nitrogen, so the ash residue was ineffective as an organic fertiliser. Anaerobic digestion was most effective at reducing E. coli levels while retaining a high proportion of N in the bioslurry residue, but the persistence of E. coli was higher than in compost.

CONCLUSION: The results from this study suggest that the safest method for production of organic fertiliser would involve anaerobic digestion to reduce E. coli followed by composting to reduce its persistence.

PMID:37156529 | DOI:10.1093/jambio/lxad098

Z Gastroenterol. 2023 May 8. doi: 10.1055/a-2010-3883. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Eating disorders are potentially life-threatening disorders that go along with severe psychiatric and somatic comorbidities. It is expected that the number of patients will dramatically increase in the post COVID-19 pandemic era.Four main eating disorders are mentioned in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5 (DSM-5) and the International Classification of Diseases 11 (ICD-11): anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED) und avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). Many traditional assumptions in eating disorders are currently challenged due to recent research results. The gastroenterologist is usually not the first point of contact for patients with eating disorders. However, he is crucial, especially in the management of gastroenterologic complications of eating disorders.Focus of the overview will be on relevant gastroenterologic aspects and less on the psychiatric treatment. Basics of the most common eating disorders will be repeated, opportunities in diagnosing an eating disorder and the most relevant gastroenterologic complications will be described. Obesity and its management, an entity that often goes along with an eating disorder, is not in the spotlight of the review.

PMID:37156504 | DOI:10.1055/a-2010-3883

Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2023 Apr 28:zwad102. doi: 10.1093/eurjpc/zwad102. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: It remains unclear whether young patients with mental disorders have a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases than does the general population. Using a nationwide database, we investigated the prognostic association between the risks of myocardial infarction (MI), ischaemic stroke (IS), and mental disorders in young patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS: Young patients aged between 20 and 39 years old who underwent nationwide health examinations between 2009 and 2012 were screened. A total of 6 557 727 individuals were identified and subsequently classified according to mental disorders including depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, insomnia, anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, personality disorder, somatoform disorder, eating disorder, and substance use disorder. Patients were then followed up for MI and IS until December 2018. Patients with mental disorders did not show unfavourable lifestyle behaviours or worse metabolic profiles than their counterparts. During the follow-up period (median, 7.6 years; interquartile range, 6.5-8.3), 16 133 cases of MI and 10 509 cases of IS occurred. Patients with mental disorders had higher risks of MI (log-rank P = 0.033 in eating disorder and log-rank P < 0.001 in all other mental disorders). Patients with mental disorders had higher risks of IS except post-traumatic stress disorder (log-rank P = 0.119) and eating disorder (log-rank P = 0.828). After adjusting for covariates, the overall diagnosis and each mental disorder were independently associated with increased cardiovascular endpoints.

CONCLUSION: Mental disorders in young patients may have deleterious effects which increase the incidence of MI and IS. Prevention efforts are needed to prevent MI and IS in young patients with mental disorders.

LAY SUMMARY: Although young patients with mental disorders did not show worse baseline characteristics in this nationwide study, mental disorders in young patients have deleterious effects on the incidence of both myocardial infarction (MI) and ischaemic stroke (IS) events, across depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, insomnia, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, personality disorder, somatoform disorder, eating disorder, and substance use disorder.

PMID:37156491 | DOI:10.1093/eurjpc/zwad102

Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2023 May 8. doi: 10.1111/aas.14261. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The incidence of post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) remains at about 30% despite all therapeutic efforts to reduce it. The clinical risk factors guiding the prophylactic treatment are well established, but genetic factors associated with PONV remain poorly known. The aim of this study was to explore clinical and genetic factors impacting PONV by performing a genome-wide association study (GWAS) together with relevant clinical factors as covariates, and systematically attempt to replicate previously reported PONV associations. Relevant clinical factors are explored with logistic regression model.

METHODS: This was an observational case control study in Helsinki University Hospital between 1 August 2006 and 31 December 2010. One thousand consenting women with elevated risk for PONV, undergoing breast cancer surgery with standardised propofol anaesthesia and antiemetics. After exclusions for clinical reasons and failed genotyping, 815 patients were included with 187 PONV cases and 628 controls. Emergence of PONV up to 7th post-operative day was recorded. PONV at 2-24 h after surgery was selected to be the primary outcome. The GWAS explored associations between PONV and 653 034 genetic variants. Replication attempts included 31 variants in 16 genes.

RESULTS: The overall incidence of PONV up to 7th post-operative day was 35%, where 3% had PONV at 0-2 h and 23% at 2-24 h after surgery. Age, American Society of Anaesthesiologists status, the amount of oxycodone used in the post-anaesthesia care unit, smoking status, previous PONV, and history of motion sickness were statistically significant predictive factors in the logistic model. The receiver operating characteristic-area under the curve of 0.75 (95% CI 0.71-0.79) was calculated for the model. The GWAS identified six variants with suggestive association to PONV (p < 1 × 10^-5 ). Of the previously reported variants, association with the DRD2 variant rs18004972 (TaqIA) was replicated (p = .028).

CONCLUSIONS: Our GWAS approach did not identify any high-impact PONV susceptibility variants. The results provide some support for a role of dopamine D₂ receptors in PONV.

PMID:37156489 | DOI:10.1111/aas.14261

Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM. 2023 May 6:101010. doi: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2023.101010. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Oxytocin is a neuropeptide hormone that plays a key role in social behaviour, stress regulation, and mental health. Synthetic oxytocin administration is a common obstetrical practice, and importantly, previous research has suggested that intrapartum exposure may increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between synthetic oxytocin exposure during labor and ASD diagnosis in the child.

STUDY DESIGN: This population-based retrospective cohort study compared two cohorts of children: 1) all children born in British Columbia (BC), Canada between April 1, 2000 and December 31, 2014 (n = 414,336 births), and 2) all children delivered at Soroka University Medical Center (SUMC) in Be’er Sheva, Israel between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2019 (n = 82,892 births). Nine different exposure groups were examined. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate crude and adjusted hazard ratios of ASD in both cohorts based on induction and/or augmentation exposures status. To further control for confounding by indication, we conducted sensitivity analyses among a cohort of healthy, uncomplicated deliveries and among a group that was induced only for post-dates. Additionally, we stratified our analyses by infant sex to assess for potential sex differences.

RESULTS: In the BC cohort, 170,013 of 414,336 deliveries (41.0%) were not induced or augmented, 107,543 (26.0%) were exposed to oxytocin, and 136,780 (33.0%) were induced or augmented but not exposed to oxytocin. In the Israel cohort, 51,790 of 82,892 deliveries (62.5%) were not induced or augmented, 28,852 (34.8%) were exposed to oxytocin, and 2,250 (2.7%) were induced or augmented but not exposed to oxytocin. Upon adjusting for covariates in the main analysis, significant associations were observed in the Israel cohort, including adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) of 1.51 (95% CI 1.20, 1.90) for oxytocin augmented births and 2.18 (95% CI 1.32, 3.57) for those induced by means other than oxytocin and not augmented. However, oxytocin induction was not significantly associated with ASD in the Israel cohort. In the Canadian cohort, there were no statistically significant aHRs. Further, no significant sex differences were observed in the fully adjusted models.

CONCLUSIONS: This study provides support that induction of labor through oxytocin administration does not increase the risk of ASD in the child. Our international comparison of two countries with differences in clinical practice regarding oxytocin administration for induction and/or augmentation suggests that previous studies reporting a significant association were likely confounded by the underlying indication for the induction.

PMID:37156463 | DOI:10.1016/j.ajogmf.2023.101010

Am J Clin Nutr. 2023 May 6:S0002-9165(23)48908-3. doi: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2023.05.015. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Almonds are nutrient-rich, providing a healthier alternative to many snack foods. Studies report health benefits with regular almond consumption without adverse weight gain. However, most interventions have been relatively short or have included additional dietary advice. Taking a pragmatic approach, we compared consumption of almonds versus biscuits on body weight and other health outcomes in a population of regular snackers of discretionary foods, hypothesizing the almonds will displace some of the less healthful snacks in their current diets.

METHODS: We randomly assigned 136 non-obese habitual discretionary snack consumers to receive almonds or biscuits daily for one-year. These isocaloric snacks provided either 10% of participants’ total energy (TE) requirements or 1030 kJ (equivalent to 42.5 g almonds), whichever was greater. Anthropometry, blood biomarkers, diet, appetite, sleep, and, physical activity, were assessed at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months, and body composition and resting metabolic rate at baseline and 12 months.

RESULTS: The difference in changes for body weight from baseline to 12 months was not statistically significant (geometric means 67.1 kg and 69.5 kg for almonds and 66.3 kg and 66.3 kg for biscuits, P = 0.275). There were no statistically significant differences in changes for body composition or other non-dietary outcomes (all P ≥ 0.112). Absolute intakes of protein; total, polyunsaturated, and monosaturated fat; fibre; vitamin E; calcium; copper; magnesium; phosphorous; and zinc, and % TE from total monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fat statistically significantly increased from baseline (all P ≤ 0.033), while % TE from carbohydrate and sugar statistically significantly (both P ≤ 0.014) decreased from baseline, in the almond compared to the biscuit group.

CONCLUSIONS: Almonds can be incorporated into the diets of habitual snackers to improve diet quality, without evidence for changes in body weight, compared to a popular discretionary snack food.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ACTRN12618001758291 https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=375610&isReview=true.

PMID:37156442 | DOI:10.1016/j.ajcnut.2023.05.015

Neuropsychologia. 2023 May 6:108581. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2023.108581. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

A simple reaction time (SRT) difference between responses to visual stimuli presented ipsilaterally and contralaterally to the responding hand, known as the Poffenberger effect or the crossed-uncrossed difference (CUD), has been commonly interpreted as a measure of interhemispheric transfer time (IHTT). However, the validity of this interpretation, and the measure’s reliability have been debated. The present study aimed at obtaining reliable evidence of the influence of spatial attention on the CUD, which would provide an argument against the classical structural interpretation of CUD. To meet the high statistical power requirements, over 100 thousand SRTs in total were collected from 12 participants. The task had three stimulus presentation conditions differing in the degree of stimulus location uncertainty: blocked (no uncertainty), randomized (full uncertainty), and mixed (25% uncertainty). The results showed robust effects of location uncertainty, proving spatial attention’s contribution to the CUD. Further, we observed a strong visual-field asymmetry reflecting the right hemisphere specialization in target detection and spatial reorienting. Lastly, despite exceptional reliability of the component SRT measures, the CUD reliability was still too low to justify using this measure as an index of individual differences.

PMID:37156411 | DOI:10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2023.108581

J Immunol Methods. 2023 May 6:113486. doi: 10.1016/j.jim.2023.113486. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic, required the development of different diagnostic tests. While reverse transcriptase real-time PCR (RT-PCR) remains the first-line test of choice in acute infection diagnosis, anti-N antibodies serological assays provide a valuable tool to differentiate natural SARS-CoV-2 immunological response from that induced by vaccination, thus the goal of our study was to evaluate three serological tests agreement for these antibodies detection.

METHODS: Three anti-N different tests were examined in 74 sera from patients referred or not COVID infection: immunochromatographic rapid test (Panbio™ COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test Device Abbott, Germany), ELISA kit (NovaLisa® SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM NovaTech Immunodiagnostic GmbH, Germany) and ECLIA immunoassay (Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Roche Diagnostics, Manheim, Germany).

RESULTS: Qualitative comparison of the three analytical methods revealed a moderate agreement between ECLIA immunoassay and immunochromatographic rapid test (Cohen kappa coefficient κ = 0.564). Correlation analysis indicated weak positive correlation between total Ig (IgT) detected by ECLIA immunoassay and IgG by ELISA test (p < 0.0001), the analysis of ECLIA IgT and IgM ELISA detected, showed no statistical correlation.

CONCLUSION: Comparison between of three analytical systems available for anti-N SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM antibodies showed a general agreement when compared to detect total and G class immunoglobulins, while doubtful or discordant results have been highlighted for IgT and IgM class. Anyway, all the tests examined provide reliable results to assess the serological status of SARS-CoV-2 infected patients.

PMID:37156408 | DOI:10.1016/j.jim.2023.113486