Category: Nevin Manimala

J Cosmet Dermatol. 2023 Jan 31. doi: 10.1111/jocd.15606. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Currently, even individuals who do physical activity regularly have some degree of dissatisfaction with their own bodies. The electromagnetic field for supramaximal muscle contraction has been the subject of research. High-intensity supramaximal muscle stimulation (HI-SMS) is a non-invasive technology used to strengthen, firm, and tone the abdominal muscles, arms, buttocks, and thighs and has been indicated for aesthetic purposes.

AIMS: The present study aimed to examine the safety and efficacy of HI-SMS used in the abdominal muscles of patients through the analysis of clinical evaluation, biochemical serum profile, and patient satisfaction with the procedure.

PATIENTS/METHODS: This is retrospective non-randomized and non-controlled study collected in a private clinic; all data from healthy participants (n = 25), aged between 18 and 55 years, were compiled and analyzed. All received eight 30 min sessions of electromagnetic field ONIX HI-SMS (intensity of the 90%-100%) located in abdominal, twice a week with intervals of 2-3 days.

RESULTS: The results show that BMI, fat thickness, and waist circumference improved the body contour after the treatment. There was no statistical difference in the data referring to the values of AST, ALT, ALP, creatinine, cholesterol, LDL-C, VLDL-C, HDL-C, glycemia, LDH, CK, and IL-6. However, there was a reduction of “non-esterified” free fatty acids when compared to baseline. This treatment provided high levels of tolerance, comfort, and high level of satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS: Thus, it can be suggested that the treatment with HI-SMS in abdominal muscles proves to be a safe technology with potential for non-invasive therapy for aesthetic purposes.

PMID:36718803 | DOI:10.1111/jocd.15606

Q J Exp Psychol (Hove). 2023 Jan 31:17470218231155738. doi: 10.1177/17470218231155738. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Voice identification parades can be unreliable due to the error-prone nature of earwitness responses. UK government guidelines recommend that voice parades should have nine voices, each played for 60 seconds. This makes parades resource-consuming to construct. In the present paper we conducted two experiments to see if voice parade procedures could be simplified. In Experiment 1 (N=271, 135F), we investigated if reducing the duration of the voice samples on a nine-voice parade would negatively affect identification performance using both conventional logistic and signal detection approaches. In Experiment 2 (N=270, 136F), we first explored if the same sample duration conditions used in Experiment 1 would lead to different outcomes if we reduced the parade size to include only six voices. Following this, we pooled the data from both experiments to investigate the influence of target-position effects. The results show that 15s sample durations result in statistically equivalent voice identification performance to the longer 60s sample durations, but that the 30s sample duration suffers in terms of overall signal sensitivity. This pattern of results was replicated using both a nine- and a six-voice parade. Performance on target-absent parades were at chance-levels in both parade sizes and response criteria were mostly liberal. Additionally, unwanted position effects were present. The results provide initial evidence that the sample duration used in a voice parade may be reduced, but we argue that the guidelines recommending a parade with nine-voices should be maintained to provide additional protection for a potentially innocent suspect given the low target-absent accuracy.

PMID:36718784 | DOI:10.1177/17470218231155738

Environ Toxicol Chem. 2023 Jan 31. doi: 10.1002/etc.5549. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The high-production-volume chemical 4,4′-methylenedianiline (4,4′-MDA) is an aromatic amine used to manufacture 4,4′-methylenedianiline diisocyanate for polyurethane production. Based on 4,4′-MDA’s octanol/water partition coefficient (K_OW ) and correlations with the transpiration stream concentration factor (TSCF), significant plant uptake and root-to-shoot transfer are predicted. However, most correlations between K_OW and TSCF were developed for neutral organics and may not be applicable for ionizable bases such as 4,4′-MDA. To investigate, TSCF values for 4,4′-MDA were measured using pressure chamber and intact plant approaches for tomato, soybean, and wheat (intact plants only). ¹⁴ C-labeled 4,4′-MDA was used to increase analytical sensitivity and facilitate measurement of distribution within plant tissues. The TSCF of ¹⁴ C-MDA determined using the pressure chamber method was 0.04 ± 0.00 for tomato and 0.17 ± 0.10 for soybean. These values were lower than predicted from log K_OW and within the range of values for ¹⁴ C-pyrene also measured in our study (0.14 ± 0.00 for tomato and 0.16 ± 0.09 for soybean). The TSCF values calculated from measurements made from intact plants grown to maturity were statistically equivalent to those obtained from the pressure chamber method for soybean and tomato. The distributions of ¹⁴ C within the three plants species were similar, with the roots > leaves ≈ stems > fruit. The log root concentration factors for 4,4′-MDA ranged from 3.68 to 4.33 for the three plant species. This finding indicates that the aromatic amine sorption to root materials is much greater than would be predicted based on its log K_OW and may be the reason for the limited root-to-shoot transfer observed in the pressure chamber and intact plant studies. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;00:1-8. © 2023 SETAC.

PMID:36718782 | DOI:10.1002/etc.5549

Can Assoc Radiol J. 2023 Jan 31:8465371231153828. doi: 10.1177/08465371231153828. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Determine whether standardized template reporting for the preoperative assessment of potential living renal transplant donors improves the comprehensiveness of radiology reports to meet the needs of urologists performing renal transplants. Methods: Urologist and radiologist stakeholders from renal transplant centers in our province ratified a standardized reporting template for evaluation of potential renal donors. Three centers (A, B, and C) were designated “intervention” groups. Center D was the control group, given employment of a site-specific standardized template prior to study commencement. Up to 100 consecutive CT scan reports per center, pre- and post-implementation of standardized reporting, were evaluated for reporting specific outcome measures. Results: At baseline, all intervention groups demonstrated poor reporting of urologist-desired outcome measures. Center A discussed 5/13 variables (38%), Center B discussed 6/13 variables (46%), and Center C only discussed 1/13 variables (8%) with ≥90% reliability. The control group exhibited consistent reporting, with 11/13 variables (85%) reported at ≥90% reliability. All institutions in the intervention group exhibited excellent compliance to structured reporting post-template implementation (Centers A = 95%, B = 100%, and C = 77%, respectively). Additionally, all intervention centers demonstrated a significant improvement in the comprehensiveness of reports post-template implementation, with statistically significant increases in the reporting of all variables under-reported at baseline (P > .01). Conclusion: Standardized templates across our province for CT scans of potential renal donors promote completeness of reports. Radiologists can reliably provide our surgical colleagues with needed preoperative anatomy and incidental findings, helping to determine suitable transplant donors and reduce potential complications associated with organ retrieval.

PMID:36718778 | DOI:10.1177/08465371231153828

Pain Manag. 2023 Jan 31. doi: 10.2217/pmt-2022-0059. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Aim: We sought to investigate the impact of social determinants of health on pain clinic attendance. Materials & methods: Retrospective data were collected from the Pain Center at Montefiore Medical Center from 2016 to 2020 and analyzed with multivariable logistic regression. Results: African-Americans were less likely to attend appointments compared with White patients (odds ratio [OR]: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.70-0.77; p < 0.001). Males had decreased attendance compared with females (OR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.87-0.92; p < 0.001). Compared with Commercial, those with Medicaid (OR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.66-0.72; p < 0.001) and Medicare (OR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.73-0.80; p < 0.001) insurance had decreased attendance. Conclusion: Significant disparities exist in pain clinic attendance based upon social determinants of health including race, gender and insurance type.

PMID:36718774 | DOI:10.2217/pmt-2022-0059

J Cosmet Dermatol. 2023 Jan 31. doi: 10.1111/jocd.15599. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Carboxytherapy is one of the most popular procedures used in dermatology. The treatments are known to be minimally invasive and highly effective for various skin disorders. Therefore, the research carried out in the paper is purposeful and addresses an important area of aesthetic therapies.

AIMS: Objective, apparatus-based assessment of the effect of carboxytherapy on skin elasticity around the eyes.

PATIENTS/METHODS: The study included a group of 39 Caucasian individuals aged 35-55 years. Participants were subjected to a series of five carboxytherapy treatments of eye area at weekly intervals. The Cutometer measuring probe was used to assess skin elasticity. Additionally, photographic documentation was out using the Fotomedicus system.

RESULTS: In this study, statistically significant increase in R2 parameter was found as the result of applied treatment. This parameter is considered to be the most important indicator of changes in skin elasticity. In 29 out of 39 subjects, the carboxytherapy treatment significantly improved skin tension and elasticity. Such therapy may also exert a beneficial effect on flexibility since in 28 participants the favorable change in the R7 parameter was visible.

CONCLUSIONS: The objective analysis of the impact of carboxytherapy treatment on parameters determining skin elasticity revealed that this therapy can be used as an anti-aging method in the eye area. Obtained results are in agreement with other biochemical, histological, and photographical documentation analyses of the effect of carboxytherapy on skin, performed by independent researchers.

PMID:36718772 | DOI:10.1111/jocd.15599

Rev Esc Enferm USP. 2023 Jan 23;56:e20220308. doi: 10.1590/1980-220X-REEUSP-2022-0308en. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the transition of care from the perspective of cancer patients, in a Southern Brazil hospital, correlating perspectives with sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.

METHOD: Cross-sectional study using the Care Transitions Measure (CTM) with cancer patients undergoing clinical or surgical treatment following hospital discharge. Data collection was completed by telephone, between June and September 2019. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

RESULTS: The average CTM score was 74.1, which was considered satisfactory. The CTM factors: understanding about medications (83.3) and preparation for self-management (77.7) were deemed satisfactory; while: secured preferences (69.4) and care plan (66.1) were unsatisfactory for an effective and safe care transition. No statistically significant difference was found between sociodemographic variables and the CTM. Among the clinical variables, primary cancer and the secured preferences factor showed a significant difference (p = 0.044).

CONCLUSION: The transition from hospital care to the community was considered satisfactory in the overall assessment.

PMID:36718767 | DOI:10.1590/1980-220X-REEUSP-2022-0308en

Orthod Fr. 2022 Dec 1;93(4):321-331. doi: 10.1684/orthodfr.2022.102.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Various studies showed inconsistent and different results regarding the correlation between open bites and palate planes whether normal or abnormal. This study had for objective to investigate the correlation between dentoalveolar heights and palatal plane inclination in different vertical facial patterns.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: 120 lateral cephalometric radiographs (60 females and 60 males) were selected from the archives of the Faculty of Dentistry, Beirut Arab University. The sample consisted of three equal groups: hypodivergent (SN/MP<27°), normodivergent (SN/MP=27°-37°) and hyperdivergent (SN/MP>37°). The radiographs were digitally traced and cephalometric skeletal and dentoalveolar variables were measured. Statistical analysis was carried out with significance level at p<0.05.

RESULTS: The palatal plane inclination showed statistically significant difference between hyperdivergent and both hypodivergent and normodivergent subjects with no statistically significant difference between hypodivergent and normodivergent subjects. A statistically significant difference in the upper anterior dentoalveolar height (UADAH) was found between hypodivergent and both hyperdivergent and normodivergent subjects. No statistically significant difference was found in the other dentoalveolar heights between the different vertical patterns. A negative moderate correlation was only observed between the palatal plane angle and UADAH in the hyperdivergent group. Multiregression analysis showed that the greatest contribution to overbite pooled across all groups other than the skeletal pattern was attributed to UADAH.

CONCLUSION: UADAH seems to influence the overbite depth compared to other dentoalveolar heights. It is possible that UADAH acts as a compensatory factor for palatal plane inclination in hyperdivergent subjects.

PMID:36718754 | DOI:10.1684/orthodfr.2022.102

West Afr J Med. 2023 Jan 30;40(1):114-120.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Antibiotics misuse and self-medication remains one of the most serious public health challenges globally. Persistent rise in resistant bacterial infections has been attributed to high prevalence of antibiotics misuse and self-medication. Large volume of literature has emerged describing studies that evaluate the effectiveness of various types and combinations of educational and behavior-modification techniques to reduce antibiotics misuse and self-medication. No previous systemic review has attempted to assess the quality of evidence in public domains on educational strategies aiming to reduce prevalence and improve knowledge, attitude and practice on antibiotics misuse and self-medication in Africa. This study, therefore, intends to assess the quality of evidence presented and determine the effectiveness of health education as an intervention tool for reducing prevalence and improving knowledge and attitude on antibiotics misuse and self-medication among adults in Africa.

METHODS: This study will include published papers on effectiveness of health education in reducing antibiotics misuse and self-medication from 2011-2021. Systematic search for literature will be conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Reviews and Meat-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines to identify published studies based on our predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria in PubMed, EMBASE, PsychINFO, CINAHL and Web of Sciences. Two independent reviewers will assess all identified studies and another set of reviewers will extract data for analysis and evidence synthesis.

PMID:36718718

Beijing Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban. 2023 Feb 18;55(1):156-159.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the difference in sensitivity between X-ray and three-dimensional reconstruction of computed tomography (3D-CT) for the diagnosis of distal fibular avulsion fracture, and the radiographic presentation of the ossicle.

METHODS: From January to October 2018, 92 patients with distal fibular avulsion fracture were visited for surgical treatment in Department of Sports Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, and 60 cases were finally enrolled according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Intraoperative detection was regarded as the gold standard, and the diagnostic sensitivity of preoperative ankle X-ray and 3D-CT for the distal fibular avulsion fractures was statistically determined. The ossicle maximum diameter as well as the degree of its displacement were also measured. On 3D-CT, the distance from the ossicle center point to the anterior fibular tuberosity (a), the distance to the fibular tip (b), and the a/b value was used to present the ossicle displacement.

RESULTS: Among the 60 patients, 36 and the 52 patients were correctly detected by X-ray and 3D-CT, respectively, and the sensitivities was 60.0% and 86.7%, respectively (P=0.004). The mean diameter of the ossicle on X-ray and 3D-CT was (9.2±3.9) mm and (10.5±3.2) mm, respectively. The mean distance from the ossicle center to the anterior fibular tuberosity (a) was (17.5±3.6) mm and the mean distance to the fibular tip (b) was (17.4±4.8) mm, with mean a/b values of 1.1±0.7. The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for each measurement ranged from 0.891-0.998 with a high degree of consistency.

CONCLUSION: Compared with X-ray, 3D-CT has higher sensitivity in diagnosing distal fibular avulsion fractures, can help clinicians evaluate ossicle’s location and choose surgical methods, and is recommended to be performed in patients with suspected distal fibula avulsion fractures in clinical practice.

PMID:36718705