Category: Nevin Manimala

J Clin Exp Hepatol. 2023 Feb 14. doi: 10.1016/j.jceh.2023.02.001. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIM: COVID-19 pandemic has strained several healthcare resources across the world. While Liver transplantation (LT) is the only curative therapy for patients with end stage liver disease, we aimed to determine the clinical outcome of patients waitlisted for DDLT during COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS: A retrospective comparative observational study of adult patients waitlisted for DDLT from January 2019 to January 2022 at our liver unit (Dr Rela Institute and Medical Center, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India) was carried out. Patient demographics, disease etiology, MELD Na (Model for end stage liver disease sodium) score were calculated for all patients listed during the study period. Clinical event was defined as number of DDLT, death in the absence of transplant and patients awaiting liver transplantation were compared. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS V24.0.

RESULTS: 310 patients were waitlisted for DDLT, of whom 148, 63 and 99 patients listed during 2019, 2020 and 2021 (till January 2022), respectively. 22 (53.6%), 10 (24.3%) and 9 (21.9%) patients underwent DDLT in the year 2019, 2020 and 2021 (P=0.000). 137 patients (44.19%) died on the DDLT waitlist of whom 41 (29.9%), 67 (48.9%) and 29 (21.1%) in the year 2019, 2020 and 2021 (P=0.000), respectively. Waitlist mortality was significantly higher during the COVID first wave.

CONCLUSION: COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted patients waitlisted for DDLT in India. With limited access to healthcare facilities and decreased organ donation rates during the pandemic, there was a considerable reduction in the patients waitlisted for DDLT, lesser number of patients underwent DDLT, higher waitlist mortality during the pandemic year. Efforts to improve organ donation in India should be strongly implemented.

PMID:36846504 | PMC:PMC9937687 | DOI:10.1016/j.jceh.2023.02.001

Educ Inf Technol (Dordr). 2023 Feb 22:1-24. doi: 10.1007/s10639-023-11601-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Artificially intelligent robots as teachers (AI teachers) have attracted extensive attention due to their potential to relieve the challenge of global teacher shortage and realize universal elementary education by 2030. Despite mass production of service robots and discussions about their educational applications, the study of full-fledged AI teachers and children’s attitudes towards them is quite preliminary. Here, we report a new AI teacher and an integrated model to assess how pupils accept and use it. Participants included students from Chinese elementary schools via convenience sampling. Questionnaires (n = 665), descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling based on software SPSS Statistics 23.0 and Amos 26.0 were carried out in data collection and analysis. This study first developed an AI teacher by coding a lesson design, course contents and Power Point with script language. Based on the popular Technology Acceptance Model and Task-Technology Fit Theory, this study identified key determinants of the acceptance, including robot use anxiety (RUA), perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU) and robot instructional task difficulty (RITD). Moreover, this study found that pupils’ attitudes towards the AI teacher, which could be predicted by PU, PEOU and RITD, were generally positive. It is also found that the relationship between RITD and acceptance was mediated by RUA, PEOU and PU. This study holds significance for stakeholders to develop independent AI teachers for students.

PMID:36846493 | PMC:PMC9944412 | DOI:10.1007/s10639-023-11601-2

Eur Phys J Spec Top. 2023 Feb 17:1-10. doi: 10.1140/epjs/s11734-023-00791-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Recent studies have focused on the similarity between SARS Cov-2 and various viruses from the Coronaviridae family (such as MERS Cov, SARS Cov and Bat Cov RaTG13) to uncover the mystery of SARS Cov-2. Specifically, some studies identified that the SARS Cov-2 is closely related to Bat Cov RaTG13 (a SARS-related coronavirus found in bats) rather than the other viruses in that family. These studies are mainly focusing on the biological techniques to show the similarity between the SARS Cov-2 and other viruses. Examining proteins is not easy for common researchers unless for biologists. To rectify this flaw, we have to convert the protein to one of the known formats, which are easy to understand. Consequently, this study uses viral structural proteins to analyse the relationship between SARS Cov-2 and the rest of the coronavirus with the help of mathematical and statistical parameters and explores the various graph representations of MERS Cov, SARS Cov, Bat Cov RaTG13 and SARS Cov-2 structural proteins, such as zig-zag curve, Protein Contact Map ( $\mathrm{PCM}$ ) and Chaos Game Representation ( $\mathrm{CGR}$ ). Though these graph interpretations are visually similar, a slight variation between the graphs reflects their structural and functional differences. Thus, we use an elegant parameter known as the fractal dimension to observe their minor changes. According to the nature of the graph, we employ different types of fractal dimensions, namely mass dimension and box dimension. Furthermore, we perform the similarity tests with normalized cross-correlation and cosine similarity to assess the comparability of the $\mathrm{PCM}$ and $\mathrm{CGR}$ graphs. The acquired $C{C}_n$ values are near the sequence identity between SARS Cov-2 and MERS Cov, SARS Cov, Bat Cov RaTG13.

PMID:36846473 | PMC:PMC9936937 | DOI:10.1140/epjs/s11734-023-00791-y

Curr Res Food Sci. 2022 Nov 12;6:100386. doi: 10.1016/j.crfs.2022.11.005. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

The biodiversity of Ecuadorian stingless bees is almost 200 species. Traditional pot-honey harvest in Ecuador is mostly done from nests of the three genera selected here Geotrigona Moure, 1943, Melipona Illiger, 1806, and Scaptotrigona Moure, 1942. The 20 pot-honey samples collected from cerumen pots and three ethnic honeys “abeja de tierra”, “bermejo”, and “cushillomishki” were analyzed for qualitative and quantitative targeted ¹H-NMR honey profiling, and for the Honey Authenticity Test by Interphase Emulsion (HATIE). Extensive data of targeted organic compounds (41 parameters) were identified, quantified, and described. The three honey types were compared by ANOVA. Amino acids, ethanol, hydroxymethylfurfural, aliphatic organic acids, sugars, and markers of botanical origin. The number of phases observed with the HATIE were one in Scaptotrigona and three in Geotrigona and Melipona honeys. Acetic acid (19.60 ± 1.45 g/kg) and lactic acid (24.30 ± 1.65 g/kg) were particularly high in Geotrigona honey (in contrast to 1.3 g/kg acetic acid and 1.6 g/kg lactic acid in Melipona and Scaptotrigona), and with the lowest fructose + glucose (18.39 ± 1.68) g/100g honey compared to Melipona (52.87 ± 1.75) and Scaptotrigona (52.17 ± 0.60). Three local honeys were tested using PCA (Principal Component Analysis), two were assigned with a correct declared bee origin, but “bermejo” was not a Melipona and grouped with the Scaptotrigona cluster. However after HCA (Hierarchical Cluster Analysis) the three honeys were positioned in the Melipona–Scaptotrigona cluster. This research supports targeted ¹H-NMR-based profiling of pot-honey metabolomics approach for multi-parameter visualization of organic compounds, as well as descriptive and pertained multivariate statistics (HCA and PCA) to discriminate the stingless bee genus in a set of Geotrigona, Melipona and Scaptotrigona honey types. The NMR characterization of Ecuadorian honey produced by stingless bees emphasizes the need for regulatory norms. A final note on stingless bee markers in pot-honey metabolites which should be screened for those that may extract phylogenetic signals from nutritional traits of honey. Scaptotrigona vitorum honey revealed biosurfactant activity in the HATIE, originating a fingerprint Honey Biosurfactant Test (HBT) for the genus in this set of pot-honeys.

PMID:36846470 | PMC:PMC9947262 | DOI:10.1016/j.crfs.2022.11.005

Soc Sci Humanit Open. 2023 Feb 20:100449. doi: 10.1016/j.ssaho.2023.100449. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This paper examines the effectiveness of provincially enacted policies to deter the COVID-19 mortality rate during the pre-vaccine rollout pandemic in Canada. The data has been collected from Statistics Canada and other various online resources including the Blavatnik School of Government and provincial statements. Relevant information was collected for individual provinces from 11 March 2020 to 31 Jan 2021. A two-stage least squares methodology was applied by examining, by province, the cumulative number of deaths reported as due to COVID-19 before and after policy implementation. We examine the effect of each of several policies based on a 20 plus day lagged period after being put into place. Our main finding is that workplace closures and strict gathering restrictions are associated with a decrease in mortality rates of COVID-19 in Canada. We also find that the strength of the policies overall is associated with a decrease in mortality rates of COVID-19 in Canada. Using data from the Google Mobility Report we confirm that the announcements of the policies had significant behavioural effects on individuals’ movements. We interpret that social distance policies, specifically the workplace closure and strict gathering policies, have been effective factors decreasing mortality from the Coronavirus epidemic in Canada.

PMID:36846438 | PMC:PMC9939403 | DOI:10.1016/j.ssaho.2023.100449

Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol. 2023 Jan 17;8(1):296-302. doi: 10.1002/lio2.1010. eCollection 2023 Feb.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Access to cochlear implantation may be negatively influenced by extended travel time to a cochlear implant (CI) center or lower socioeconomic status (SES) for the individual. There is a critical need to understand the influence of these variables on patient appointment attendance for candidacy evaluations, and CI recipients’ adherence to post-activation follow-up recommendations that support optimal outcomes.

METHODS: A retrospective chart review of adult patients referred to a CI center in North Carolina for initial cochlear implantation candidacy evaluation between April 2017 and July 2019 was conducted. Demographic and audiologic data were collected for each patient. Travel time was determined using geocoding. SES was proxied using ZCTA-level Social Deprivation Index (SDI) information. Independent samples t tests compared variables between those who did and did not attend the candidacy evaluation. Pearson correlations assessed the association of these variables and the duration of time between initial CI activation and return for first follow-up visit.

RESULTS: Three hundred and ninety patients met the inclusion criteria. There was a statistically significant difference between SDI of those who attended their candidacy evaluation versus those who did not. Age at referral or travel time did not show statistical significance between these two groups. There was no significant correlation with age at referral, travel time, or SDI with the duration of time (days) between initial activation and the 1-month follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that SES may influence a patient’s ability to attend a cochlear implantation candidacy evaluation appointment and may further impact the decision to pursue cochlear implantation.Level of evidence: 4 – Case Series.

PMID:36846426 | PMC:PMC9948562 | DOI:10.1002/lio2.1010

Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol. 2023 Jan 20;8(1):25-33. doi: 10.1002/lio2.1012. eCollection 2023 Feb.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Sudden chemosensory changes were considered an early predictor of COVID-19. Here, the effects of comorbidities on changes in taste and smell in COVID-19 patients were investigated based on a worldwide study.

METHODS: Data analyzed here were collected from the Global Consortium for Chemosensory Research (GCCR) core questionnaire, including questions regarding preexisting disease conditions. Overall, the final sample of 12,438 participants who were diagnosed with COVID-19 included patients with preexisting conditions. Mixed linear regression models were used to test our hypothesis, and the p-value of interaction was examined.

RESULTS: A total of 61,067 participants completed the GCCR questionnaire, including 16,016 participants had preexisting diseases. The multivariate regression analysis showed that individuals with high blood pressure, lung disease, or sinus problems, or neurological diseases exhibited worse self-reported smell loss (p < .05), but no apparent significant differences in the smell or taste recovery. COVID-19 patients with seasonal allergy/hay fever lost their olfactory ability more than patients who did not have it (with 11.90 [9.67, 14.13] vs. without 6.97 [6.04, 7.91], p < .0001). The taste ability, smell loss and taste loss after COVID-19 recovery also decreased in the COVID-19 patients with seasonal allergy/hay fever (p < .001). Preexisting condition of diabetes did not worsen to chemosensory disorder but also had no obvious impact on the chemosensory recovery after acute infection. Preexisting diseases also affected the type of smell change in the COVID-19 patients with seasonal allergy/hay fever or sinus problems (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 patients with high blood pressure, lung disease, or sinus problems, or neurological diseases exhibited worse self-reported smell loss, but no differences in the smell or taste recovery. COVID-19 patients with seasonal allergy/hay fever had greater loss of smell and taste, poorer smell and taste recovery.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

PMID:36846410 | PMC:PMC9948579 | DOI:10.1002/lio2.1012

Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol. 2022 Nov 28;8(1):113-119. doi: 10.1002/lio2.962. eCollection 2023 Feb.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) and salivary leaks are well known complications of head and neck surgery. The medical management of PCF has included the use of octreotide without a well-defined understanding of its therapeutic mechanism. We hypothesized that octreotide induces alterations in the saliva proteome and that these alterations may provide insight into the mechanism of action underlying improved PCF healing. We undertook an exploratory pilot study in healthy controls that involved collecting saliva before and after a subcutaneous injection of octreotide and performing proteomic analysis to determine the effects of octreotide.

METHODS: Four healthy adult participants provided saliva samples before and after subcutaneous injection of octreotide. A mass-spectrometry based workflow optimized for the quantitative proteomic analysis of biofluids was then employed to analyze changes in salivary protein abundance after octreotide administration.

RESULTS: There were 3076 human, 332 Streptococcus mitis, 102 G. haemolyans, and 42 Granulicatella adiacens protein groups quantified in saliva samples. A paired statistical analysis was performed using the generalized linear model (glm) function in edgeR. There were and ~300 proteins that had a p < .05 between the pre- and post-octreotide groups ~50 proteins with an FDR-corrected p < .05 between pre- and post-groups. These results were visualized using a volcano plot after filtering on proteins quantified by 2 more or unique precursors. Both human and bacterial proteins were among the proteins altered by octreotide treatment. Notably, four isoforms of the human cystatins, belonging to a family of cysteine proteases, that had significantly lower abundance after treatment.

CONCLUSION: This pilot study demonstrated octreotide-induced downregulation of cystatins. By downregulation of cystatins in the saliva, there is decreased inhibition of cysteine proteases such as Cathepsin S. This results in increased cysteine protease activity that has been linked to enhanced angiogenic response, cell proliferation and migration that have resulted in improved wound healing. These insights provide first steps at furthering our understanding of octreotide’s effects on saliva and reports of improved PCF healing.

PMID:36846407 | PMC:PMC9948565 | DOI:10.1002/lio2.962

Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2023 Jan 5:S0939-4753(23)00002-9. doi: 10.1016/j.numecd.2022.12.025. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Cardio-metabolic diseases has been shown to be strongly associated with obesity. The aim of this study was to compare the predictive value of traditional and novel anthropometric measurement indices for cardio-metabolic diseases risk and evaluate whether new indicators can provide important information in addition to traditional indicators.

METHODS AND RESULTS: China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) data were obtained for this study. Baseline information for healthy participants was gathered from 1997 to 2004. The incidence of cardio-metabolic diseases was collected from 2009 to 2015 for cohort analysis. The predictive ability of each index for the risk of cardio-metabolic diseases was evaluated with time-dependent ROC analysis. Body mass index (BMI) showed the greatest predictive ability for cardio-metabolic disease incidence among all traditional and novel indices (Harrell’s C statistic (95% CI): 0.7386 (0.7266-0.7507) for hypertension, 0.7496 (0.7285-0.7706) for diabetes, 0.7895 (0.7593-0.8196) for stroke and 0.7581 (0.7193-0.7969) for myocardial infarction). The addition of novel indices separately into the BMI model did not improve the predictive ability. Novel anthropometric measurement indices such as a body shape index (ABSI), abdominal volume index (AVI) and triponderal mass index (TMI), had a certain prediction ability for adults with BMI <24 kg/m² compared to those with BMI ≥24 kg/m².

CONCLUSION: No strong evidence supports novel anthropometric measurement indices were better than BMI in the prediction of cardio-metabolic diseases incidence among Chinese adults. Novel anthropometric measurement indices, mainly for abdominal obesity, may have a high predictive effect for adults with BMI <24 kg/m².

PMID:36842959 | DOI:10.1016/j.numecd.2022.12.025

Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2023 Jan 5:S0939-4753(23)00003-0. doi: 10.1016/j.numecd.2022.12.028. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Chronic exposure to hyperglycemia is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Advanced glycation end products (AGES) result from multiple sugar-dependent reactions interacting with proteins and their receptors, generating endothelial dysfunction and CVD. However, there is little epidemiological data about its impact on CVD risk. We aimed to assess the association between circulating AGES and CVD risk in the Mexican population.

METHODS AND RESULTS: We used longitudinal data from waves 2004-2006 and 2010-2012 of 1195 participants from the Health Workers Cohort Study. Circulating AGES were assessed by radioimmunoassay, and cardiovascular risk (CVR) was computed with the Framingham risk score. Linear and logistic fixed-effects regression models were used to assess the interest association, adjusting for confounding factors. An increase in 200 μU/ml of AGES was associated with a 0.18% increased risk of CVD (95% CI 0.05-0.31%). After adjusting for physical activity and smoking status, individuals who increased their AGES category had higher odds of middle-high CVR (low to medium AGES: OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.11-3.20; low to high AGES: OR 2.61, 95% CI 1.51-4.50). The associations remained statistically significant when we further adjusted for insulin resistance, dietary intake of AGES, and total daily calorie intake.

CONCLUSION: Our data show that circulating AGES are associated with the Framingham CVD risk score, independently of other major risk factors for CVD in the Mexican population.

PMID:36842957 | DOI:10.1016/j.numecd.2022.12.028