Category: Nevin Manimala

BMC Health Serv Res. 2023 Mar 7;23(1):220. doi: 10.1186/s12913-023-09196-y.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The UK National Health Service (NHS) is ideally placed to undertake research. The UK Government recently launched its vision of research within the NHS to improve research culture and activity amongst its staff. Currently, little is known about the research interest, capacity and culture of staff in one Health Board in South East Scotland and how their attitudes to research may have changed as a result of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

METHODS: We used the validated Research Capacity and Culture tool in an online survey of staff working in one Health Board in South East Scotland to explore attitudes to research at the organisation, team and individual level together with involvement in, barriers to and motivators to engage in research. Questions included changes in attitude to research as a result of the pandemic. Staff were identified by professional group: nurses/midwives, medical/dental, allied health professionals (AHP), other therapeutic and administrative roles. Median scores and interquartile ranges were reported and differences between groups assessed using the Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests with P < 0.05 accepted as statistical significance. Free-text entries were analysed using content analysis.

RESULTS: Replies were received from 503/9145 potential respondents (5.5% response), of these 278 (3.0% response) completed all sections of the questionnaire. Differences between groups were noted in the proportions of those with research as part of their role (P = 0.012) and in being research-active (P < 0.001). Respondents reported high scores for promoting evidence-based practice and for finding and critically reviewing literature. Low scores were returned for preparing reports and securing grants. Overall, medical and other therapeutic staff reported higher levels of practical skills compared with other groups. Principal barriers to research were pressure of clinical work and lack of time, backfill and funds. 171/503 (34%) had changed their attitude to research as a result of the pandemic with 92% of 205 respondents more likely to volunteer for a study themselves.

CONCLUSION: We found a positive change in attitude to research arising from the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Research engagement may increase after addressing the barriers cited. The present results provide a baseline against which future initiatives introduced to increase research capability and capacity may be assessed.

PMID:36882832 | DOI:10.1186/s12913-023-09196-y

BMC Med. 2023 Mar 8;21(1):84. doi: 10.1186/s12916-023-02780-3.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Micronutrients play an essential role at every stage of the immune response, and deficiencies can therefore lead to increased susceptibility to infections. Previous observational studies and randomized controlled trials of micronutrients and infections are limited. We performed Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to evaluate the effect of blood levels of eight micronutrients (copper, iron, selenium, zinc, beta-carotene, vitamin B12, vitamin C, and vitamin D) on the risk of three infections (gastrointestinal infections, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections).

METHODS: Two-sample MR was conducted using publicly available summary statistics from independent cohorts of European ancestry. For the three infections, we used data from UK Biobank and FinnGen. Inverse variance-weighted MR analyses were performed, together with a range of sensitivity analyses. The threshold for statistical significance was set at P < 2.08E-03.

RESULTS: We found a significant association between circulating levels of copper and risk of gastrointestinal infections, where a one standard deviation increase in blood levels of copper was associated with an odds ratio of gastrointestinal infections of 0.91 (95% confidence interval 0.87 to 0.97, P = 1.38E-03). This finding was robust in extensive sensitivity analyses. There was no clear association between the other micronutrients and the risk of infection.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results strongly support a role of copper in the susceptibility to gastrointestinal infections.

PMID:36882828 | DOI:10.1186/s12916-023-02780-3

BMC Med. 2023 Mar 8;21(1):83. doi: 10.1186/s12916-023-02801-1.

ABSTRACT

Several studies on long-term air pollution exposure and sleep have reported inconsistent results. Large-scale studies on short-term air pollution exposures and sleep have not been conducted. We investigated the associations of long- and short-term exposure to ambient air pollutants with sleep in a Chinese population based on over 1 million nights of sleep data from consumer wearable devices. Air pollution data including particulate matter (PM_2.5, PM₁₀), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O₃) were collected from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. Short-term exposure was defined as a moving average of the exposure level for different lag days from Lag0 to Lag0-6. A 365-day moving average of air pollution was regarded as long-term exposure. Sleep data were recorded using wearable devices from 2017 to 2019. The mixed-effects model was used to evaluate the associations. We observed that sleep parameters were associated with long-term exposure to all air pollutants. Higher levels of air pollutant concentrations were associated with longer total sleep and light sleep duration, shorter deep sleep duration, and decreases in wake after sleep onset (WASO), with stronger associations of exposures to NO₂ and CO [a 1-interquartile range (IQR) increased NO₂ (10.3 μg/m³) was associated with 8.7 min (95% CI: 8.08 to 9.32) longer sleep duration, a 1-IQR increased CO (0.3 mg/m³) was associated with 5.0 min (95% CI: – 5.13 to – 4.89) shorter deep sleep duration, 7.7 min (95% CI: 7.46 to 7.85) longer light sleep duration, and 0.5% (95% CI: – 0.5 to – 0.4%) lower proportion of WASO duration to total sleep]. The cumulative effect of short-term exposure on Lag0-6 is similar to long-term exposure but relatively less. Subgroup analyses indicated generally greater effects on individuals who were female, younger (< 45 years), slept longer (≥ 7 h), and during cold seasons, but the pattern of effects was mixed. We supplemented two additional types of stratified analyses to reduce repeated measures of outcomes and exposures while accounting for individual variation. The results were consistent with the overall results, proving the robustness of the overall results. In summary, both short- and long-term exposure to air pollution affect sleep, and the effects are comparable. Although people tend to have prolonged total sleep duration with increasing air pollutant concentrations, their sleep quality might remain poor because of the reduction in deep sleep.

PMID:36882820 | DOI:10.1186/s12916-023-02801-1

J Occup Environ Med. 2023 Mar 7. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002836. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To assess the predictors of SARS-CoV-2 infection among correctional healthcare workers (HCWs).

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review to describe the demographic and workplace characteristics of New Jersey correctional HCWs between 03/15/2020 and 08/31/2020, using univariate and multivariable analysis.

RESULTS: Among 822 HCWs, patient-facing staff had the highest incidence of infection (7.2%). Associated risk factors include being Black and working in a maximum-security prison. There were few statistically significant findings due to small total numbers (n = 47), that tested positive.

CONCLUSIONS: Correctional HCWs’ challenging work environment creates unique risk factors for infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Administrative measures taken by the department of corrections may have a significant role in curbing the spread of infection. The findings can help focus preventive measures for reducing the spread of COVID-19 in this unique population.

PMID:36882811 | DOI:10.1097/JOM.0000000000002836

Matern Health Neonatol Perinatol. 2023 Mar 8;9(1):3. doi: 10.1186/s40748-023-00149-1.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The rate of low birth weight or preterm birth is known to vary according to the birth place of mothers. However, in Japan, studies that investigated the association between maternal nationalities and adverse birth outcomes are few. In this study, we investigated the association between maternal nationalities and adverse birth outcomes.

METHODS: We obtained live birth data from the Vital Statistics 2016-2020 of the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare. We used data on maternal age, sex, parity, gestational age, birth weight, number of fetuses, household occupation, paternal nationality, and maternal nationality for each infant. We compared the rates of preterm birth and low birth weight at term among mothers whose nationalities were Japan, Korea, China, Philippines, Brazil, and other countries. Log binomial regression model was used to investigate the association between maternal nationality and the two birth outcomes using the other infants’ characteristics as covariates.

RESULTS: In the analysis, data on 4,290,917 singleton births were used. Mothers from Japan, Korea, China, the Philippines, Brazil, and other nations had preterm birth rates of 4.61%, 4.16%, 3.97%, 7.43%, 7.69%, and 5.61%, respectively. The low birth weight rate among Japanese mothers was 5.36% and was the highest among the maternal nationalities. Regression analysis showed that the relative risk for preterm birth among Filipino, Brazilian, and mothers from other countries (1.520, 1.329, and 1.222, respectively) was statistically significantly higher compared with Japanese mothers. In contrast, the relative risk for Korean and Chinese mothers (0.870 and 0.899, respectively) was statistically significantly lower compared with Japanese mothers. Mothers from Korea, China, the Philippines, Brazil, and other nations had a relative risk for low birth weight that was statistically significantly lower than that of Japanese mothers (0.664, 0.447, 0.867, 0.692, and 0.887, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: Support for mothers from the Philippines, Brazil, and other countries are necessary to prevent preterm birth. A future study is necessary to investigate the differences in characteristics among mothers of different nationalities in order to uncover the reason for the high risk for low birth weight among Japanese mothers.

PMID:36882805 | DOI:10.1186/s40748-023-00149-1

BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2023 Mar 7;24(1):172. doi: 10.1186/s12891-023-06277-1.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Plantar fasciitis (PF) is a common orthopaedic problem, with heel pain worsening the quality of life. Although steroid injection is often used if the conservative treatment fails, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injection is gaining popularity due to its safety and long-lasting effect. However, the effect of PRP versus steroid injection in PF has not been studied yet in Nepal. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effect of PRP compared with steroid injection in the treatment of PF.

METHODS: This study was a single-center, hospital-based, open-label, parallel-group randomized clinical trial to compare the effect of PRP injection with steroid injection in plantar fasciitis between August 2020 and March 2022. A total of 90 randomly selected participants aged 18 to 60 years suffering from plantar fasciitis with failed conservative treatment were intervened. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scoring system were used to evaluate functional mobility and pain before and after the intervention for three and six months, respectively. Statistical analyses were performed using a Student’s two-sample t-test. P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: The PRP injection showed a better outcome than the steroid injection in six months follow-up. The mean (± SD) VAS score was significantly decreased in the PRP group (1.97 + 1.13) than in the steroid group (2.71 ± 0.94) with the group difference of -0.73 (95% CI: -1.18 to -0.28) at six months. Similarly, there was a significant increase in the AOFAS scores in the PRP group (86.04 ± 7.45) compared to the steroid group (81.23 ± 9.60) at six months of follow-up with a group difference of 4.80 (95% CI: 1.15 to 8.45). There was also a significant reduction of plantar fascia thickness in the PRP group compared to that of the steroid group (3.53 ± 0.81 versus 4.58 ± 1.02) at six months of follow-up with the group difference of -1.04 (95% CI: -1.44 to -0.65).

CONCLUSION: The PRP injection showed better outcomes than steroid injection in plantar fasciitis treatment over the course of six months. Further research with a larger population and longer follow-up than six months is needed to generalize the findings and their long-term efficacy.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04985396. First registered on 02 August 2021. ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04985396 ).

PMID:36882804 | DOI:10.1186/s12891-023-06277-1

Nutr J. 2023 Mar 8;22(1):16. doi: 10.1186/s12937-023-00848-7.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Currently there are no data examining the relationship between the serum concentration of vitamin D bio-chemical marker 25(OH)D and strength and speed characteristics in elite young track and field athletes. Moreover, there are currently no data examining the correlation of vitamin D status with testosterone concentration in elite young track and field athletes. In studies involving members of the general population and athletes from other sports, conflicting data have been reported.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Athletes (n = 68) from both genders took part in this study. Male athletes (n = 23) with mean ± SD age of 18.2 ± 1.9 years and female athletes (n = 45) with mean ± SD age of 17.3 ± 2.6 years participated. All athletes were ranked in the Top-3 in their respective age group and their corresponding results were listed in the Top-20 European records according to https://www.tilastopaja.eu/ in 2021.

RESULTS: The average 25(OH)D concentration was 36.5 ± 10.8 ng/mL and 37.8 ± 14.5 ng/mL in male and female athletes respectively. The prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency (below 20 ng/ml) in both genders was only 5.8%. In the whole group, only 27.9% of athletes had 25(OH)D concentrations between 20 and 30 ng/ml, while 66.2% of athletes had concentrations above 30 ng/ml. There was no difference in vitamin D status between male and female athletes. There was no statistically significant Kruskal-Wallace test correlation between 25(OH)D concentration and performance in the 20 m and 30 m sprint, counter-movement jump and broad jump. There was no correlation between serum concentrations of 25(OH)D and total testosterone in either male or female athletes.

CONCLUSION: In elite young track and field athletes who permanently live and train in an area above 50° north latitude, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the summer months was much lower than in previously published studies examining an athletic population, that may be related to the training process. In this specific group of athletes, no correlation was found between serum 25 (OH) D concentration and strength and speed characteristics or total testosterone concentration.

PMID:36882800 | DOI:10.1186/s12937-023-00848-7

BMC Endocr Disord. 2023 Mar 8;23(1):56. doi: 10.1186/s12902-023-01299-1.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to explore the association between thyroid hormones and different stages of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in Chinese adults.

METHODS: This is a retrospective study involving 2,832 participants. DKD was diagnosed and classified according to the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) categories. Effect sizes are expressed as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS: After propensity score matching (PSM) on age, gender, hypertension, hemoglobin A1c(HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), serum triglyceride (TG) and duration of diabetes, per 0.2 pg/mL increment in serum free triiodothyronine (FT3) was significantly associated with 13%, 22% and 37% reduced risk of moderate-risk (OR, 95% CI, P: 0.87, 0.70-0.87, < 0.001), high-risk (0.78, 0.70-0.87, < 0.001) and very-high-risk (0.63, 0.55-0.72, < 0.001) DKD stages relative to the low-risk DKD stage, respectively. After PSM analyses, serum FT4 and TSH showed no statistical significance in risk estimates for all DKD stages. To facilitate clinical application, a nomogram prediction model was established for the moderate-risk, high-risk and very-high-risk DKD stages, with decent accuracy.

CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that high concentrations of serum FT3 were associated with the significantly reduced risk of having moderate-risk to very-high-risk DKD stages.

PMID:36882783 | DOI:10.1186/s12902-023-01299-1

BMC Med Genomics. 2023 Mar 7;16(1):44. doi: 10.1186/s12920-023-01477-z.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Gastric inhibitory polypeptide receptor (GIPR) encodes a G-protein coupled receptor for gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), which was demonstrated to stimulate insulin secretion. Relation of GIPR gene variation to impaired insulin response has been suggested in previous studies. However, little information is available regarding GIPR polymorphisms and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Hence, the aim of the study was to investigate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter and coding regions of GIPR in Iranian T2DM patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred subjects including 100 healthy and 100 T2DM patients were recruited in the study. Genotypes and allele frequency of rs34125392, rs4380143 and rs1800437 in the promoter, 5′ UTR and coding region of GIPR were investigated by RFLP-PCR and Nested-PCR.

RESULTS: Our finding indicated that rs34125392 genotype distribution was statistically different between T2DM and healthy groups (P = 0.043). In addition, distribution of T/- + -/- versus TT was significantly different between the both groups (P = 0.021). Moreover, rs34125392 T/- genotype increased the risk of T2DM (OR = 2.68, 95%CI = 1.203-5.653, P = 0.015). However, allele frequency and genotype distributions of rs4380143 and rs1800437 were not statistically different between the groups (P > 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that the tested polymorphisms had no effect on biochemical variables.

CONCLUSION: We concluded that GIPR gene polymorphism is associated with T2DM. In addition; rs34125392 heterozygote genotype may increase the risk of T2DM. More studies with large sample size in other populations are recommended to show the ethnical relation of these polymorphisms to T2DM.

PMID:36882778 | DOI:10.1186/s12920-023-01477-z

BMC Surg. 2023 Mar 7;23(1):49. doi: 10.1186/s12893-023-01948-1.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare the early results of patient-reported outcomes between two generations of a total knee system.

METHODS: Between June 2018 and April 2020, 121 first-generation, cemented TKAs (89 patients) and 123 s-generation, cemented TKAs (98 patients) were performed by a single surgeon. Demographic and surgical data were collected from all patients. Starting at the 6-month follow-up, patient-reported outcome measures Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Joint Reconstruction (KOOS-JR) and Knee Society (KS) clinical and radiographic scores were prospectively recorded. This study represents a retrospective review of these prospectively collected data.

RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of demographic variables such as age, body mass index, gender and race. KOOS-JR and Knee Society (KS) scores improved significantly (p < 0.001) from their preoperative values in both device generations. There were no differences, pre-operatively, between the two groups in terms of KOOS-JR, KS functional, KS objective, patient satisfaction, and expectation scores; however, there were statistically significant (p < 0.001) lower values of KOOS-JR and KS functional scores for first versus second generation at 6 months (81 vs. 89 and 69 vs. 74, respectively).

CONCLUSION: While significant improvement in KS objective, subjective, and patient satisfaction scores were noted with both knee systems, KOOS-JR and KS function scores were significantly higher at the early (6-month) follow-up in the second-generation group. Patients responded acutely to the design change as evidenced by significantly improved patient-reported outcome scores for the second generation.

PMID:36882774 | DOI:10.1186/s12893-023-01948-1