Category: Nevin Manimala

J Appl Clin Med Phys. 2023 Jun 1:e14056. doi: 10.1002/acm2.14056. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to reduce scan time in ¹⁷⁷ Lu planar scintigraphy through the use of convolutional neural network (CNN) to facilitate personalized dosimetry for ¹⁷⁷ Lu-based peptide receptor radionuclide therapy.

METHODS: The CNN model used in this work was based on DenseNet, and the training and testing datasets were generated from Monte Carlo simulation. The CNN input images (IMG_input ) consisted of ¹⁷⁷ Lu planar scintigraphy that contained 10-90% of the total photon counts, while the corresponding full-count images (IMG^100% ) were used as the CNN label images. Two-sample t-test was conducted to compare the difference in pixel intensities within region of interest between IMG^100% and CNN output images (IMG_output ).

RESULTS: No difference was found in IMG_output for rods with diameters ranging from 13 to 33 mm in the Derenzo phantom with a target-to-background ratio of 20:1, while statistically significant differences were found in IMG_output for the 10-mm diameter rods when IMG_input containing 10% to 60% of the total photon counts were denoised. Statistically significant differences were found in IMG_output for both right and left kidneys in the NCAT phantom when IMG_input containing 10% of the total photon counts were denoised. No statistically significant differences were found in IMG_output for any other source organs in the NCAT phantom.

CONCLUSION: Our results showed that the proposed method can reduce scan time by up to 70% for objects larger than 13 mm, making it a useful tool for personalized dosimetry in ¹⁷⁷ Lu-based peptide receptor radionuclide therapy in clinical practice.

PMID:37261890 | DOI:10.1002/acm2.14056

Andrology. 2023 Jun 1. doi: 10.1111/andr.13470. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hyperestrogenism is believed to be harmful to male sexuality. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of and the impact of hyperestrogenism on sexual functioning in a cohort of men seeking medical attention for new onset erectile dysfunction (ED).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from 547 men seeking first medical help for new-onset ED at a single andrology center were analyzed. Patients were assessed with a thorough medical and sexual history. Comorbidities were scored with the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). All patients completed the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF); the IIEF-Erectile function (IIEF-EF) domain was categorized according to Cappelleri’s criteria. Circulating hormones were measured in every patient. Hyperestrogenism was defined as estradiol (E₂ ) levels >42.6 pg/mL (Tan RS, et al. 2015). Descriptive statistics and logistic/linear regression models tested the association between hyperestrogenism and IIEF domains score.

RESULTS: Overall, 96 (17.6%) participants had serum estrogen levels suggestive of hyperestrogenism. Men with hyperestrogenism were older [median (IQR) 46 (35-59) vs. 44 (31-56) years; p<0.001], had higher rate of comorbidities [CCI≥1: 26.0% vs. 7.4%; p<0.001] and higher serum total testosterone (tT) values [5.4 (5.2-8.0) vs. 4.3 (4.1-5.7) ng/mL; p = 0.01] than those with normal E2 values. A higher prevalence of severe ED [135 (29.9%) vs. 47 (48.9%) men; p = 0.01] and of hypogonadism [22 (4.8%) vs. 6 (6.3%) men; p = 0.004] were found in men with hyperestrogenism. Serum E₂ levels were positively correlated with tT levels (ß 0.26, p<0.001), but negatively correlated with IIEF-OF (ß -0.24, p = 0.002) and IIEF-EF scores (ß -0.03, p<0.001). When IIEF scores were used to stratify ED patients, hyperestrogenism (OR 2.44, p = 0.02) was associated with severe ED.

CONCLUSIONS: One out of five men seeking first medical help for ED showed elevated serum E₂ values suggestive for hyperestrogenism. Hyperestrogenism was associated with health significant comorbidities, orgasmic function impairment, and ED severity. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:37261881 | DOI:10.1111/andr.13470

J Proteome Res. 2023 Jun 1. doi: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.3c00176. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Controlling the false discovery rate (FDR) among discoveries from a tandem mass spectrometry proteomics experiment using target decoy competition (TDC) controls only the proportion of false discoveries in an average sense. Thus, for any particular analysis, even with a valid FDR control procedure, the proportion of false discoveries (the FDP) may be higher than the specified FDR threshold. We demonstrate this phenomenon using real data and describe two recently developed methods that help bridge the gap between controlling the expected or average rate of false discoveries and the empirical rate (FDP). The FDP Stepdown method controls the FDP at any desired confidence level, and the TDC Uniform Band provides a confidence, or upper prediction bound, on the FDP in TDC’s list of discoveries.

PMID:37261867 | DOI:10.1021/acs.jproteome.3c00176

Echocardiography. 2023 Jun 1. doi: 10.1111/echo.15632. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Although measures of longitudinal displacement of the tricuspid annulus measured by M-mode as tricuspid annular systolic plane excursion (TAPSE) and systolic velocity by tissue Doppler imaging (TA TDI s) are routinely used for assessment of right ventricular (RV) systolic function; these measures describe different phenomena and should not be used interchangeably.

METHODS: Previously published data was used to determine the individual relationship between TAPSE and TA TDI s with increasing pulmonary artery systolic pressures (PASP).

RESULTS: In this retrospective analysis, 488 patients were divided into 2 groups based on TAPSE (Group 1: <1.8 cm and Group 2: ≥1.8 cm). A robust correlation (R = .79) between TAPSE and TA TDI s noted for the entire population. However, a statistically lower correlation (R = .43) was seen between Group 1 and Group 2 (R = .65; p < .0047). With increasing pulmonary pressures, only PASP (p < .0001) and TA TDI s (p < .0001) discriminated between low and normal TAPSE/PASP values. Suggesting that a TA TDI s/PASP ratio would be most useful than TAPSE/PASP with a specificity of 80%.

CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences exist between TAPSE and TA TDI s, particularly at low TAPSE values with increased PASP, were uncoupling occurs. Our data seems to suggest that TA TDI s/PASP would be most useful than TAPSE/PASP ratio. Future studies should address, if abnormalities in the material properties along the RV free wall account for these differences seen between TAPSE and TA TDI s.

PMID:37261862 | DOI:10.1111/echo.15632

Scand J Pain. 2023 Jun 1. doi: 10.1515/sjpain-2023-0006. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Long-standing neck pain (LNP) is a clinical condition frequently encountered in the physical therapy clinic. LNP is a complex, multifactorial condition affecting multiple body systems including the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Traditionally, research on the impact of physical therapy on LNP has focused on self-report measures and pain scales. Heart rate variability (HRV) is an objective measure of the ANS, allowing for quantification of effects of treatment. This systematic review is intended to evaluate if manual therapy acutely affects heart rate variability in adults with long-standing neck pain.

METHODS: Pubmed, Medline, CINAHL, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Cochrane library were used to retrieve the randomized controlled trials for this review between the years 2010-2021. Search terms included: chronic neck pain, neck pain, cervical pain, manual therapy, mobilization, manipulation, osteopathy, osteopathic or chiropractic. Heart rate variability, HRV, heart rate variation, effects, outcomes, benefits, impacts or effectiveness.

RESULTS: Of 139 articles located and screened, three full-text articles were selected for full qualitative synthesis, with a combined population of 112 subjects, 91 of which were female, with an average age of 33.7 ± 6.8 years for all subjects. MT techniques in three studies were statistically significant in improving HRV in people with LNP; however, techniques were differed across studies, while one study showed no benefit. The studies were found to be of high quality with PEDro scores ≥6.

CONCLUSIONS: Although no clear cause and effect relationship can be established between improvement in HRV with manual therapy, results supported the use of MT for an acute reduction in HRV. No one particular method of MT has proven superior, MT has been found to produce a statistically significant change in HRV. These HRV changes are consistent with decreased sympathetic tone and subjective pain.

PMID:37261845 | DOI:10.1515/sjpain-2023-0006

J Biomol Struct Dyn. 2023 Jun 1:1-13. doi: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2214216. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Almost a billion people worldwide suffer from neurological disorders, which pose public health challenges. An important enzyme that is well-known for many neurodegenerative illnesses is monoamine oxidase (MAO). Although several promising drugs for the treatment of MAO inhibition have recently been examined, it is still necessary to identify the precise structural requirements for robust efficacy. Atom-based, field-based, and GA-MLR (genetic algorithm multiple linear regression) models were created for this investigation. All of the models have strong statistical (R² and Q²) foundations because of both internal and external validation. Our dataset’s molecule has a higher docking score than safinamide, a well-known and co-crystallized MAO-B inhibitor, as we also noticed. Using the SwissSimilarity platform, we further inquired which of our docked molecules would be the best for screening. We chose ZINC000016952895 as the screen molecule with the best binding docking score (XP score = -13.3613). Finally, the 100 ns for the ZINC000016952895-MAO-B complex in our MD investigations is stable. For compounds that we hit, also anticipate ADME properties. Our research revealed that the successful compound ZINC000016952895 might pave the way for the future development of MAO inhibitors for the treatment of neurological disease.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

PMID:37261844 | DOI:10.1080/07391102.2023.2214216

JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2023 Jun 1. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2023.1089. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: Mandibular osteoradionecrosis (ORN) is a progressive disease that can be difficult to treat. Conservative measures often fail, while conventional definitive management requires a morbid segmental resection with osteocutaneous reconstruction. Evidence of the anterolateral thigh fascia lata (ALTFL) rescue flap technique’s safety, effectiveness, and long-term outcomes is needed.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the long-term outcomes of the ALTFL rescue flap procedure for treating patients with mandibular ORN.

DESIGN, SETTINGS, AND PARTICIPANTS: This was a retrospective medical record review performed at a single tertiary-level academic health care institution with patients who were appropriate candidates for the ALTFL procedure to treat mandibular ORN from March 3, 2011, to December 31, 2022. Data analyses were performed from January 1 to March 26, 2023.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Patient characteristics, preoperative radiographic Notani staging, intraoperative defect size, length of stay, complication rates, and clinical and radiographic findings of progression-free intervals.

RESULTS: The study population of 43 patients (mean [SD] age, 66.1 [47-80] years; 24 [55.8%] male individuals) included 52 cases of mandibular ORN. The preoperative Notani staging of the study population was known for 46 of the 52 total cases: 11 cases (23.9%) were stage I; 21 (45.7%), stage II; and 14 (30.4%), stage III. The mean defect area was 20.9 cm2. Successful arrest of ORN disease progression was noted in the clinical and radiographic findings of 50 of the 52 (96.2%) cases, with only 2 (3.8%) cases subsequently requiring fibular free flap reconstruction. The major complication rate was 1.9% (1 case). Clinical and radiographic progression-free intervals were assessed, and no statistically significant differences were noted between Notani staging groups (log-rank P = .43 and P = .43, respectively); ie, patients with stage III disease had no significant difference in risk of clinical (HR, 0.866; 95% CI, 0.054-13.853) or radiographic (HR, 0.959; 95% CI, 0.059-15.474) progression vs those with stage I disease. Weibull profiling revealed 96.9%, 94.6%, and 93.1% successful mandibular ORN arrest at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. The major complication rate was 1.9%. Mean (SD) length of stay was 2.7 (0.0-7.0) days. Mean (SD) radiographic follow-up was 29.3 (30.7) months.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The findings of this large retrospective patient case series support the continued success of the ALTFL rescue flap technique, a safe and highly effective long-term treatment for mandibular ORN in carefully selected patients.

PMID:37261824 | DOI:10.1001/jamaoto.2023.1089

Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2023 Jun;20(6):794-796. doi: 10.1513/AnnalsATS.202302-169ED.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:37261790 | DOI:10.1513/AnnalsATS.202302-169ED

Nord J Psychiatry. 2023 Jun 1:1-7. doi: 10.1080/08039488.2023.2218349. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Associations between debt and suicidal behaviour have been identified, but the research is sparse. Thus, more research is needed to understand the association between economic vulnerability and suicide. The study aimed to generate further knowledge about over-indebted individuals who have attempted suicide at least once.

METHOD: Participants were a Swedish sample comprising 641 over-indebted individuals. The inclusion criteria were that the participants should be indebted and have been subjected to debt collection measures and/or seizure orders by the Swedish Enforcement Authority. Participants answered questionnaires regarding socio-demographic variables, debt size, history of suicide attempt, critical life events, and social contacts, and filled the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). In the statistical analyses, Chi² test for independence and t-test was used, and binary logistic regression to adjust for the confounding effects of the variables on each other.

RESULTS: The analysis revealed that nearly one in five (19.3%, N = 123) had attempted suicide at least once. A larger part of the respondents who had a history of suicide attempts reported that they were living alone (OR 2.30 (95% CI 1.34-3.89, p = .002). Many of those living alone were women (χ² (1, n = 121) = 4.88, p = 0.03, ɸ = 0.22).

CONCLUSIONS: The results of the current study point to the fact that economic vulnerability is an important psychosocial aspect to take into serious consideration concerning mental health and suicide prevention. Longitudinal research is needed to explain, predict and prevent suicide due to over-indebtedness.

PMID:37261778 | DOI:10.1080/08039488.2023.2218349

J Exp Psychol Hum Percept Perform. 2023 May;49(5):709-724. doi: 10.1037/xhp0001120.

ABSTRACT

Static statistical regularities in the placement of targets and salient distractors within the search display can be learned and used to optimize attentional guidance. Whether statistical learning also extends to dynamic regularities governing the placement of targets and distractors on successive trials remains controversial. Here, we applied the same dynamic cross-trial regularity-one-step shift of the critical item in clockwise/counterclockwise direction-to either the target or a distractor. In two experiments, we found and replicated robust learning of the predicted target location: processing of the target at this location was facilitated, compared to random target placement. But we found little evidence of proactive suppression of the predictable distractor location-even in a close replication of Wang et al. (2021), who had reported a dynamic distractor suppression effect. Facilitation of the predictable target location was associated with explicit awareness of the dynamic regularity, whereas participants showed no awareness of the distractor regularity. We propose that this asymmetry arises because, owing to the target’s central role in the task set, its location is explicitly encoded in working memory, enabling the learning of dynamic regularities. In contrast, the distractor is not explicitly encoded; so, statistical learning of dynamic distractor locations is more precarious. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

PMID:37261775 | DOI:10.1037/xhp0001120