Category: Nevin Manimala

J Assist Reprod Genet. 2023 Feb 10. doi: 10.1007/s10815-023-02732-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The incidence of birth defects is increased in children born after assisted reproductive technologies (ART). However, changes in ART over time could influence this incidence. To investigate this issue, we present the frequency and trends of birth defects in ART and natural pregnancies in Lombardy, Northern Italy, during the period 2014-2020.

METHODS: This is a population-based study using automated system of healthcare utilization (HCU) databases. ART pregnancies included only those obtained with conventional IVF or ICSI. After identifying the total number of deliveries, the rate of newborns with birth defects was compared between natural and ART pregnancies. A logistic regression model was used to calculate the adjusted odd ratio (OR). Analyses were repeated for every calendar year.

RESULTS: Overall, 508,421 deliveries were identified, of which 14,067 (2.8%) were achieved after IVF-ICSI. A decreasing trend in birth defects over time was highlighted. The adjusted OR dropped from 1.40 (95%CI: 1.03-1.91) in 2014 to 0.92 (95%CI: 0.69-1.22) in 2020. During the study period, a significant reduction in multiple pregnancy and in the ratio of ICSI to conventional IVF was also observed, explaining at least in part the positive trend observed for birth defects.

CONCLUSION: The increased risk of birth defects in children born after IVF-ICSI is not steady over time. A decline of this risk emerged in our region. Policy changes in ART may explain this beneficial effect.

PMID:36763300 | DOI:10.1007/s10815-023-02732-z

Ann Surg Oncol. 2023 Feb 10. doi: 10.1245/s10434-023-13157-4. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:36763287 | DOI:10.1245/s10434-023-13157-4

Infection. 2023 Feb 10. doi: 10.1007/s15010-023-01992-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

RATIONALE: The ratio of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte (MLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte (PLR) are biomarkers that have shown potential for predicting mortality in several diseases. For patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), the prognostic capabilities of these biomarkers are unknown.

OBJECTIVE: Investigate whether NLR, MLR or PLR were associated with 90-day mortality in CAP. Further, investigate whether the prediction rule CURB-65 could be improved by adding these biomarkers.

METHODS: A derivation-validation study using a Danish multicentre retrospective cohort as the derivation cohort (N = 831) and a European multicentre prospective cohort as the validation cohort (N = 2463). Associations between biomarkers and mortality were assessed using Cox proportional hazard models with adjustments for sex, CURB-65 and comorbidities. A cut-off value for biomarkers was determined using Youden’s J Statistics. The performance of CURB-65 with added biomarkers was evaluated using receiver-operating characteristics.

RESULTS: In both cohorts increasing NLR and PLR were associated with 90-day mortality. In the derivation cohort, the hazard ratios for NLR and PLR were 1.016 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.001-1.032, P = 0.038) and 1.001 (95% CI 1.000-1.001, P = 0.035), respectively. Adding these biomarkers to CURB-65 did not improve its performance.

CONCLUSIONS: NLR and PLR were associated with 90-day mortality in CAP, but did not improve CURB-65.

PMID:36763284 | DOI:10.1007/s15010-023-01992-2

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2023 Feb 10. doi: 10.1007/s11356-023-25731-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Previous studies on particulate matter (PM) exposure and neurodegenerative disorders showed inconsistent results, and few studies systematically examined the long-term effect of PM on neurodegenerative diseases, including all-cause dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, vascular dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and cognitive function decline. We systematically searched for published studies in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science up to October 31, 2022. To facilitate a comparison of effect sizes from different studies, we standardized units across studies to a 10 μg/m³ increase for PM. Heterogeneity was assessed by Cochran’s Q test and I² statistic. Publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots and Egger’s tests. Subgroup analysis, meta-regression, and sensitivity analysis were performed. The protocol for this review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021277112). Of the 3403 originally identified studies, a meta-analysis was finally performed in 49 studies. The results showed that there was a significant positive association between long-term PM_2.5 exposure and all-cause dementia, Alzheimer’s disease as well as Parkinson’s disease, with pooled OR of 1.30 (95%CI: 1.14, 1.47, I² = 99.3%), 1.65 (95%CI: 1.37, 1.94, I² = 98.2%), and 1.17 (95%CI: 1.00, 1.33, I² = 91.8%). A positive association between PM₁₀ and vascular dementia was observed (OR = 1.12, 95%CI: 1.04, 1.21, I² = 0.0%). Association between PM exposure and decreased cognitive function score was found. Our results highlight the important role of PM pollution, particularly PM_2.5, in the risk of age-related neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive function decline.

PMID:36763275 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-023-25731-0

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2023 Feb 10. doi: 10.1007/s11356-023-25689-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study uses novel evolutionary algorithms and computational techniques to analyze wind potential on flat, complex coastal, and offshore sites utilizing mast as well as remote sensing data. The wind data were recorded using remote sensing technique and conventional technique. The optimum Weibull parameters are estimated using nine methods. The genetic algorithm, particle swarm optimization, and TLBO algorithms are compared and evaluated. The goodness of fit test, such as root mean square error test (RMSE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), coefficient of determination (R²), and chi-square test (X²), is used to evaluate the accuracy of the selected methods. Parameter estimates are used to compute wind densities. The TLBO and PSO algorithms outperformed genetic algorithms in terms of efficiency. This research compares remote sensing measurements to cup anemometer measurements.

PMID:36763270 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-023-25689-z

High Blood Press Cardiovasc Prev. 2023 Feb 10. doi: 10.1007/s40292-023-00565-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are growing health issues worldwide. Hypertension (HTN) is one of the most common among CVDs in all populations. Fenugreek has recently been the center of multiple investigations.

AIM: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed at gathering and summing up the existing literature regarding the impact of fenugreek seed on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP).

METHODS: All major databases (MEDLINE, Cochrane library, EMBASE, and Web of Science) were searched from inception up to 28 June 2022. Relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) meeting the inclusion criteria were included and the required data was extracted. The pooled effects were reported as weighted mean differences (WMDs). I-squared test was used to detect between-study heterogeneities. Subgroup analyses were conducted to find sources of heterogeneities. P-values < 0.05 were considered as statistically significant.

RESULTS: Six RCTs including a total of 373 participants were included in the final meta-analysis. Fenugreek seed supplementation significantly reduced SBP (WMD: 3.46 mmHg, 95% CI – 6.33, – 0.59, P=0.018), but not DBP (WMD: 3.19 mmHg; 95% CI, – 5.82 to 12.21, P=0.488). Subgroup analyses showed that fenugreek seed administered in dosages ≥ 15 g/day and durations ≤ 12 weeks significantly reduced SBP and DBP.

CONCLUSION: Supplementation with fenugreek seed, especially in dosages ≥ 15 g/day and durations ≤ 12 weeks, might play a role in reducing SBP, but not DBP. However, further investigations are warranted to ensure the clinical relevance of these findings.

PMID:36763260 | DOI:10.1007/s40292-023-00565-6

Indian J Pediatr. 2023 Feb 10. doi: 10.1007/s12098-022-04414-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To study the serum calprotectin levels in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and correlate it with C-reactive protein (CRP) and the Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score-27 (JADAS-27).

METHODS: This was a cross-sectional observational study done between November 2017 and March 2019. Fifty treatment-naive children, aged 1 to 18 y with the diagnosis of JIA as per the International League of Associations of Rheumatology (ILAR) criteria were enrolled. Assessment of disease activity was done according to the Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score (JADAS-27). Determination of serum calprotectin and CRP levels was done by immunoassay. The correlation between calprotectin levels with CRP and JADAS-27 was calculated.

RESULTS: Of the 50 patients with JIA included in the study, there were 18 female and 32 male children. The median age of presentation to the hospital was 9 y (IQR 5.82-13). The median JADAS-27 was 14 (IQR 6, 20.25). The median serum calprotectin level was 45,375 ng/mL (IQR 30,725, 52,270; range 8,560-63,160 ng/mL). The median CRP was 35.4 mg/L (IQR 3.48, 80.3; range 0.02 and 107.4 mg/L). The levels of calprotectin in different JIA subtypes were not statistically different using Kruskal-Wallis test. The study also demonstrated a positive correlation between serum calprotectin with CRP and the JADAS-27 (r = 0.418).

CONCLUSION: The calprotectin levels in JIA were significantly higher than those reported in the literature irrespective of the subtype. Serum calprotectin positively correlated with CRP and JADAS-27 in children with JIA.

PMID:36763251 | DOI:10.1007/s12098-022-04414-7

Microsurgery. 2023 Feb 10. doi: 10.1002/micr.31007. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) for breast cancer has been considered to be associated with a variety of complications, such as excessive postoperative wound drainage, prolonged drain placement, or seroma formation in the short term, or arm lymphedema in the long run. Immediate lymphedema reconstruction (ILR) has been proposed to reduce the occurrence of arm lymphedema by anastomosing the transected arm lymphatics to nearby branches of the axillary vein immediately after ALND. This study aims to demonstrate that ILR can also reduce the postoperative drainage amount.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between April 2020 and January 2022, a total of 76 breast cancer patients receiving ALND were reviewed. Forty four of them also received ILR immediately after ALND. The assignment of ILR surgery was non-random, based on patients’ willingness and plastic surgeons’ availability. The lymphatic vessels in the axillary wound were anastomosed with nearby terminal branches of the axillary vein under surgical microscope. Patients’ characteristics, including age, body mass index (BMI), neoadjuvant therapy, type of breast surgery, the occurrence of seroma formation, number of removed lymph nodes, number of positive nodes, and the drainage amount from the operative wounds were compared between ILR and non-ILR groups.

RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was noted between groups in terms of age (56.5 ± 9.8 vs. 60.9 ± 10.7, p = .09), BMI (22.6 ± 3.7 vs. 23.7 ± 3.8, p = .27), type of breast surgery (p = .32), the occurrence of seroma formation (p = 1.0), the likelihood of receiving neoadjuvant therapy (p = .12), number of lymph nodes removed (17.5 ± 7.6 vs. 17.4 ± 8.3, p = .96), or number of positive nodes on final pathology (3.7 ± 5.4 vs. 4.8 ± 8.5, p = .53) except the ILR group had statistically significantly less drainage amount than non-ILR group (39.3 ± 2.6 vs. 48.3 ± 3.7, p = .046).

CONCLUSION: For breast cancer patients receiving ALND, the immediate lymphatic reconstruction can reduce the postoperative drainage amount from the operative wound.

PMID:36762663 | DOI:10.1002/micr.31007

Coron Artery Dis. 2023 Feb 9. doi: 10.1097/MCA.0000000000001221. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Frailty and malnutrition are well-known factors influencing outcomes of myocardial infarction (MI) in older adults. Due to considerable overlap between both entities, whether the simultaneous assessment of frailty and nutrition adds nonredundant value to risk assessment is unknown.

METHODS: We performed a prospective cohort study on 402 patients aged at least 65 years diagnosed with ST-elevation MI that underwent percutaneous coronary intervention. Nutritional status was assessed by Controlling Nutritional Status score (CONUT), Prognostic Nutritional Index, and Geriatric Nutritional Response Index. Frailty was assessed by Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), Derby frailty index, and acute frailty network. Primary outcome was major adverse cardiac events (MACE), comprising all-cause mortality, non-fatal MI, and unplanned repeat revascularization during 28-day follow-up. Increment in Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) score performance following the addition of nutrition and frailty was assessed.

RESULTS: The incidence of MACE was 8.02 (6.38-9.95) per 1000 person-days. The CONUT score and CFS were the best predictors of MACE and independent predictors in the multivariate Cox-regression models [hazard ratios, 2.80 (1.54-5.09) and 2.54 (1.50-4.29)]. CONUT score classified 151 (37.6%) patients as malnourished, and CFS classified 131 (32.6%) as frail. The addition of both CONUT and CFS to the GRACE score led to better model discrimination and calibration through improved c-statistic (+0.165) (P < 0.0001) and Akaike and Bayesian information criteria.

CONCLUSION: Combining CONUT and CFS provides nonredundant prognostic value despite their overlapping nature. Combined nutritional and frailty screening may improve risk prognostication in older adults following MI.

PMID:36762656 | DOI:10.1097/MCA.0000000000001221

J Int Neuropsychol Soc. 2023 Feb 10:1-8. doi: 10.1017/S1355617723000127. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: For decades, quantitative psychologists have recommended that authors report effect sizes to convey the magnitude and potential clinical relevance of statistical associations. However, fewer than one-third of neuropsychology articles published in the early 2000s reported effect sizes. This study re-examines the frequency and extent of effect size reporting in neuropsychology journal articles by manuscript section and over time.

METHODS: A sample of 326 empirical articles were drawn from 36 randomly selected issues of six neuropsychology journals at 5-year intervals between 1995 and 2020. Four raters used a novel, reliable coding system to quantify the extent to which effect sizes were included in the major sections of all 326 articles.

RESULTS: Findings showed medium-to-large increases in effect size reporting in the Methods and Results sections of neuropsychology journal articles that plateaued in recent years; however, there were only very small and nonsignificant changes in effect size reporting in the Abstract, Introduction, and Discussion sections.

CONCLUSIONS: Authors in neuropsychology journals have markedly improved their effect size reporting in the core Methods and Results sections, but are still unlikely to consider these valuable metrics when motivating their study hypotheses and interpreting the conceptual and clinical implications of their findings. Recommendations are provided to encourage more widespread integration of effect sizes in neuropsychological research.

PMID:36762654 | DOI:10.1017/S1355617723000127