Category: Nevin Manimala

Riv Psichiatr. 2023 Mar-Apr;58(2):50-58. doi: 10.1708/4022.39974.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Media communication during the covid-19 pandemic has been relevant for the population to receive information about the ongoing number of cases, deaths, and social restriction measures. Notably, the effects of the communication methods on young adults during the covid-19 pandemic have not been studied. Therefore the present study aimed to investigate the influence of communication modality about covid-19 on the perception of risk and judgment among young adults.

METHODS: A double-blind cross-sectional study was designed. Three hundred four subjects (age range19-25 years old) saw a 4-minute video concerning data communication on the covid-19 pandemic and compiled an online questionnaire about their perceptions. Two videos were randomized, one presenting the covid-19 data negatively (HARD video) while the other showed a positive ongoing resolution of the pandemic (SOFT video). Association tests and nominal logistic regression were used to evaluate differences in responses among the two groups.

RESULTS: The two videos lead to different reactions. Participants showed higher disagreement concerning the video content in the “SOFT” group compared to the “HARD” group. The responses of the “SOFT” group were more to be optimistic (OR=2.87, 95% CI 1.311-6.27) than those who had seen the “HARD” video. The sense of helplessness was lower in the “SOFT” compared “HARD” group (OR=3.02, 95% CI 1.311-6.96). The perception of fear was higher for the “HARD” group (OR=2.91, 95% CI 1.21-7-02).

DISCUSSION: The modality of data presentation influenced the perception and feelings about the covid-19 pandemic. Likely, pre-existing perception of a pessimistic perspective was present in both groups; thus, the video did not lead to any change in the behavior.

CONCLUSIONS: The phobic or counter-phobic reactions shown in the study participants highlighted the importance of the reliability of the information received and how previous feelings may influence the perception of the information.

PMID:37070331 | DOI:10.1708/4022.39974

Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za Zhi. 2023 Apr 15;37(4):404-409. doi: 10.7507/1002-1892.202212016.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare the short-term effectiveness of “SkyWalker” robot-assisted total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and traditional TKA.

METHODS: A clinical data of 54 patients (54 knees) with TKA who met the selection criteria between January 2022 and March 2022 was retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 27 cases underwent traditional TKA (traditional operation group) and 27 cases underwent “SkyWalker” robot-assisted TKA (robot-assisted operation group). There was no significant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05) in terms of gender, age, body mass index, osteoarthritis side, disease duration, and preoperative Knee Society Score (KSS), Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), visual analogue scale (VAS) score, hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA), lateral distal femoral angle (LDFA), medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA), and posterior proximal tibial angle (PPTA). The operative time, intraoperative bleeding volume, surgery-related complications, the KSS, WOMAC, and VAS scores before operation and at 6 months after operation, and Forgotten Joint Score (FJS) at 6 months after operation were recorded. X-ray films were taken to review the prosthesis position and measure HKA, LDFA, MPTA, and PPTA. The differences of the clinical and imaging indicators between before and after operation were calculated and statistically analyzed.

RESULTS: The operations were completed successfully in both groups. There was no significant difference in the operative time and intraoperative bleeding volume between the two groups ( P>0.05). After operation, 1 case of incision nonunion and 1 case of heart failure occurred in the traditional operation group, while no surgery-related complications occurred in the robotic-assisted operation group. The incidences of surgical complications were 7.4% (2/27) in the traditional operation group and 0 (0/27) in the robotic-assisted operation group, with no significant difference ( P=0.491). Patients in both groups were followed up 6 months. KSS score, WOMAC score, VAS score, and ROM significantly improved in both groups at 6 months after operation when compared with preoperative ones ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05) in the differences between the pre- and post-operative values of the clinical indicators and FJS scores at 6 months after operation. X-ray films showed that the lower extremity force lines of the patients improved and the knee prostheses were in good position. Except for LDFA in the robot-assisted operation group, HKA, LDFA, MPTA, and PPTA significantly improved in both groups at 6 months after operation when compared with the preoperative ones ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the differences between the pre- and post-operative values of the radiological indicators ( P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: The “SkyWalker” robot-assisted TKA is one of the effective methods for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis and had good short-term effectiveness. But the long-term effectiveness needs to be further studied.

PMID:37070305 | DOI:10.7507/1002-1892.202212016

Ann Rehabil Med. 2023 Apr 18. doi: 10.5535/arm.22154. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate treadmill backward walking training (BWT) effects on walking speed, balance, mobility, and walking endurance in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

METHODS: The study evaluated 41 children with CP (age, 6-18; Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I and II). They were randomly allocated into control and BWT groups. BWT was applied (two sessions/week, 15 min/session for 8-week) to BWT group after the neurodevelopmental-based physiotherapy program routinely followed by all participants while the control group did not receive BWT. 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT), Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), and Two-Minute Walk Test (2MWT) were selected as outcome measures for assessing walking speed, balance, mobility and endurance respectively.

RESULTS: In BWG, 2MWT distance (3.5%), PBS (3.5%) increased significantly, and TUG decreased by 5.1% (all p<0.001) after training, 10MWT was shorter by 6.1% for BWG, corresponding to 7.4% faster walking speed (p<0.01). Control group assessment variations were stationary and not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION: Backward treadmill walking training induces small but statistically significant motor capacity improvements in children with CP.

PMID:37070285 | DOI:10.5535/arm.22154

Nutr Bull. 2023 Apr 18. doi: 10.1111/nbu.12613. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Adopting eco-friendly diets will demand the consumption of more plant-based protein food sources such as legumes. However, assessing the impact of such a dietary shift on the dietary and nutritional intake of traditionally omnivorous populations is needed. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of substituting a traditional omnivorous-based lunch for a vegetarian, legume-based meal on the daily dietary and nutritional intake in a group of omnivorous adults in the city of Porto, Portugal. Nineteen, non-vegetarian, healthy young adults consumed a vegetarian, legume-based meal from Monday to Friday, for 8 consecutive weeks. Socio-demographic data, health status, lifestyle-related information and anthropometric parameters were recorded. Three-day food records were used to collect food intake at baseline and week 8. European Food Safety Authority and World Health Organization reference values were used to assess nutritional inadequacies. Variables were described as medians (P₂₅ and P₇₅ ). Wilcoxon signed-rank and Mann-Whitney tests were used for statistical comparisons. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Participants consumed 38.0 (P₂₅ = 35.0; P₇₅ = 40.0) meals, resulting in an intake of 84.5 g (P₂₅ = 74.9; P₇₅ = 98.4) of cooked legumes per meal, meaning 11 subjects (57.9%) met the Portuguese guidelines for legume consumption (≥80 g/day of legumes). The current dietary intervention did not seem to aggravate the prevalence of nutritional inadequacies for the macro- and micronutrients tested, except for the case of vitamin B₁₂ (52.6% [95% CI: 28.9-75.6] vs. 78.9% [95% CI: 54.4-94.0]). This could be linked to the reduction of dietary sources of this vitamin which is an expected consequence of vegetarian meals. Dietary changes towards grain legume-based diets are desirable yet need to be carefully implemented to prevent exacerbating potential nutrient inadequacies, especially of vitamin B₁₂ .

PMID:37070278 | DOI:10.1111/nbu.12613

Psychiatr Serv. 2023 Apr 18:appips20220355. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.20220355. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This preliminary study tested the efficacy of an evidence-based correctional intervention (Thinking for a Change) with an adapted delivery to incarcerated people with mental illness.

METHODS: A small-scale randomized controlled trial (N=47 men) was conducted. Outcomes were changes in aggression, number of behavioral infractions, and days in administrative segregation. Treatment targets were impulsivity, interpersonal problem-solving skills, and attitudes supportive of crime. Linear mixed-effects models were used to examine within-person and between-group differences over time, and nonparametric tests were used to examine between-group differences in criminal legal outcomes postintervention.

RESULTS: Statistically significant within-person differences were found for all treatment targets and for one study outcome (aggression). Statistically significant differences in impulsivity were found between the experimental and control groups (B=-7.10, p=0.02).

CONCLUSIONS: Existing evidence-based correctional interventions can affect the lives of people with mental illness. Accelerated research in this area may benefit people with mental illness at high risk for criminal legal system involvement.

PMID:37070261 | DOI:10.1176/appi.ps.20220355

Equine Vet J. 2023 Apr 18. doi: 10.1111/evj.13941. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There are a growing number of horses, ponies, and donkeys aged 15 years or older in the United Kingdom, yet there have been no studies utilising a complete ophthalmic examination to investigate the prevalence of ophthalmic pathology within this population.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence of ophthalmic pathology and associations with signalment, in a convenience sample of geriatric equids in the United Kingdom.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross sectional.

METHODS: Horses, ponies, and donkeys aged 15 years or older based at The Horse Trust charity underwent a full ophthalmic examination including slit lamp biomicroscopy and indirect ophthalmoscopy. Relationships between signalment and pathology were assessed using Fisher’s exact and Mann-Witney U tests.

RESULTS: Fifty animals were examined ranging from 15 to 33 years (median 24, interquartile range [IQR] 21, 27). The prevalence of ocular pathology was 84.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 73.8, 94.2%; n = 42). Four animals (8.0%) had adnexal pathology, while 37 (74.0%) and 22 (44.0%) had at least one form of anterior or posterior segment pathology, respectively. Of those with anterior segment pathology, 26 animals (52.0%) had cataract in at least one eye, with the most common location being anterior cortical (65.0% of those animals with cataract). Animals with posterior segment pathology included 21 animals (42.0%) with fundic pathology, with senile retinopathy being the most common (42.9% of all animals with fundic pathology). Despite the high prevalence of ocular pathology, all eyes examined remained visual. The most common breeds were Irish Draught (24.0%, n = 12), Shetland (18.0%, n = 9) and Thoroughbred (10%, n = 5); the majority were geldings (74.0%, n = 37). There was a statistically significant relationship between the presence of anterior segment pathology and breed (p = 0.006), with all Cobs and Shetlands examined having anterior segment pathology. The presence of posterior segment pathology and senile retinopathy were associated with older median age (posterior segment pathology: 26.0 years [interquartile range {IQR} 24.0, 30.0 years] vs. 23.5 years [IRQ 19.5, 26.5 years], p = 0.03; senile retinopathy: 27.0 years [IQR 26.0, 30 years] vs. 24.0 years [IQR 20.0, 27.0], p = 0.04). None of the pathologies investigated were more prone to affect one versus both eyes (p > 0.05; 71.4% of ocular pathologies were bilateral while 28.6% were unilateral).

MAIN LIMITATIONS: Data were obtained from a relatively small sample size of a single cohort of animals that lacked a control group.

CONCLUSIONS: There was a high prevalence and wide range of ocular lesions in this subset of geriatric equids.

PMID:37070252 | DOI:10.1111/evj.13941

Ear Nose Throat J. 2023 Apr 17:1455613231170088. doi: 10.1177/01455613231170088. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical characteristics of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) after Iodine-131 (¹³¹I) therapy and provide guidance for clinical decision-making.

METHODS: Thirty-one DTC patients with NLDO were retrospectively enrolled from the Nuclear Medicine Department of Shanxi Bethune Hospital during follow-up of ¹³¹I therapy between June 2018 and March 2021. Eight hundred and seventy-one thyroid cancer patients during this period without NLDO after ¹³¹I therapy were enrolled as the control group. Clinical characteristics, including sex, age, dose, anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (TGAb), and metastatic lesions, were analyzed by χ² test and logistic multifactor regression.

RESULTS: In the NLDO group and without NLDO group, there were statistically significant differences in gender, age, dose, and whether there was metastasis. Among the NLDO group, the proportion of women, age >55 years old, dose >5.55 GBq, and the presence of metastasis was higher, and the difference was statistically significant; There was no significant difference in the proportion of TGAb positive and negative patients based on ¹³¹I therapy (χ² = 0.27, P = .782).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that sex (2.59), age (1.45), dose (2.36), and metastatic lesions (1.93) were all statistically significant influential factors of NLDO after iodine therapy. Significant differences were found in the incidence of NLDO between the number of treatment courses (χ² = 23.541, P < .001). Prevalence rate of repeat radioiodine therapy (2 times or 3 times and more) is higher than 1 time.

CONCLUSION: Women patients over 55 who had metastatic lesions, and received a dose >5.55 GBq, were more likely to have NLDO. When determining therapeutic doses of ¹³¹I, doctors should weigh multiple factors and then give appropriate dosage and suggest that high risk populations be referred for appropriate ophthalmic surgical consultation, for timely diagnosis and therapy.

PMID:37070248 | DOI:10.1177/01455613231170088

Clin Exp Allergy. 2023 Apr 17. doi: 10.1111/cea.14318. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:37070243 | DOI:10.1111/cea.14318

Acta Radiol. 2023 Apr 17:2841851231165487. doi: 10.1177/02841851231165487. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Computed tomography (CT) is the reference standard for assessment of the bone. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) developments enable a CT-like visualization of the osseous structures.

PURPOSE: To assess the diagnostic performance of 3D zero-echo time (3D-ZTE) and 3D T1-weighted gradient-echo (3D-T1GRE) MRI sequences for the evaluation of lumbar facet joints (LFJs) and the detection of lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) using CT as the reference standard.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: In total, 87 adult patients were included in this prospective study. Evaluation of degenerative changes of the facet joints at the L3/L4, L4/L5, and L5/S1 levels on both sides was performed by two readers using a 4-point Likert scale. LSTV were classified according to Castelvi et al. Image quality was quantitatively measured using the signal-to-noise (SNR) and contrast-to-noise (CNR) ratios. Intra-reader, inter-reader, and inter-modality reliability were calculated using Cohen’s kappa statistic.

RESULTS: Intra-reader agreement for 3D-ZTE, 3D-T1GRE, and CT was 0.607, 0.751, and 0.856 and inter-reader agreement was 0.535, 0.563, and 0.599, respectively. The inter-modality agreement between 3D-ZTE and CT was 0.631 and between 3D-T1GRE and CT 0.665. A total of LSTV were identified in both MR sequences with overall comparable accuracy compared to CT. Mean SNR for bone, muscle, and fat was highest for 3D-T1GRE and mean CNR was highest for CT.

CONCLUSION: 3D-ZTE and 3D-T1GRE MRI sequences can assess the LFJs and LSTV and may serve as potential alternatives to CT.

PMID:37070233 | DOI:10.1177/02841851231165487

Waste Manag Res. 2023 Apr 17:734242X231167341. doi: 10.1177/0734242X231167341. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The complexity of waste management (WM) problems resulted in the explosion of scenarios that challenge focused discussion among stakeholders and hinder the integrity of policy responses in developing countries. Hence, drawing similarities is essential to reduce the number of scenarios to simplify the WM efforts. To extract similarities, measuring WM performance is not enough, but the background factors related to this performance should be incorporated. These factors form a unique system characteristic that facilitates or hinders WM functions. Thus, this study applied multivariate statistical analysis to clarify underlying characteristics that facilitate efficient WM scenario developments for developing countries. The study first analysed drivers associated with improved WM system performance using bivariate correlation analysis. As a result, twelve significant drivers associated with controlled solid waste were identified. Then, it mapped the countries based on their WM system characteristics using the combined principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering approach. Thirteen variables were examined to extract similarities between the countries. The results identified three homogenous clusters. The clusters were found considerably parallel to the global classifications based on income and human development index. Hence, the presented approach is efficient in explaining similarities that reduce WM scenarios and favours cooperation among countries.

PMID:37070219 | DOI:10.1177/0734242X231167341