Category: Nevin Manimala

J Glob Health. 2022 May 14;12:04039. doi: 10.7189/jogh.12.04039.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: “Cest la Vie!” (CLV) is a serial drama that entertains, educates, and promotes positive health behaviors and social change for West African audiences. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if watching the CLV Season 2 series online had an impact on people’s health knowledge, attitudes, and norms, focusing on populations in francophone West Africa.

METHODS: Between July 2019 and October 2019, viewers of CLV and non-viewers were recruited from Facebook and YouTube. We conducted an online longitudinal cohort study that assessed changes in health knowledge, attitudes, and norms (KAN) between these groups. Participants completed a baseline survey prior to the online airing and up to three follow-up surveys corresponding to specific health stories in the series, including sexual violence, emergency contraception, and female circumcision. We used descriptive statistics to describe viewers and non-viewers, and an item response theory (IRT) analysis to identify the effect of viewing CLV on overall KAN.

RESULTS: A total of 1674 respondents participated in the study. One in four participants (23%, n = 388) had seen one of the three storylines from CLV Season 2 (ie, CLV viewers). At follow-up, viewers were more likely than non-viewers to know when to correctly use emergency contraception (P < 0.001) and to believe that the practice of female circumcision should end (P = 0.001). Compared to people who did not see CLV, viewers of the series had 26% greater odds of answering pro-health responses at follow-up about sexual assault, emergency contraception, and female circumcision. Further, the level of engagement with specific storylines was associated with a differential impact on overall outcome questions.

CONCLUSIONS: As internet access continues to grow across the globe and health education materials are created and adapted for new media environments, our study provides a novel approach to examining the impact of online entertainment-education content on health knowledge, attitudes, and norms.

PMID:35567587 | DOI:10.7189/jogh.12.04039

Dermatol Ther. 2022 May 14:e15583. doi: 10.1111/dth.15583. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There is limited evidence about the real-world survival of apremilast in patients with psoriasis, especially over the long term.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the long-term survival of apremilast and its predictive factors when used to treat psoriasis.

METHODS: A retrospective hospital-based study, including data collected from 104 patients. Survival curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier estimator. Proportional hazard Cox regression models were used for multivariate analysis.

RESULTS: The average duration of the treatment before discontinuation was 28.82 months (95% CI, 22.08-35.57 months) and the median was 12 months (95% CI, 2.68-21.31 months). The retention rates were 51% (1 year), and 33% (5 years). The survival study revealed statistically significant differences between patients with PASI<10 and those in the PASI≥10 group (log-rank test, p<0.001). The five-year prevalences were 64% for patients with a PASI of <10 and 5% for those with an index ≥10. In the PASI<10 patient group the retention rates were 77% (1 year) and 64% (5 years). Furthermore, 66% of patients who continued apremilast treatment for more than 2 years were receiving off-label doses (30 mg/day).

CONCLUSIONS: Apremilast may be a suitable and efficient alternative for the treatment of psoriasis patients in the PASI<10 group. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:35567525 | DOI:10.1111/dth.15583

Int J Dermatol. 2022 May 14. doi: 10.1111/ijd.16212. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Skin biopsies are crucial for the diagnosis of many cutaneous pathologies, yet specimen adequacy is essential for definitive diagnosis. Recent literature has noted a trend in decreasing biopsy size over time, which has created concern over implications regarding adequacy for diagnosis.

METHODS: This study sought to evaluate if clinician training length or type of residency training impacted the average biopsy size and sample adequacy. Dermatopathology reports for shave biopsies between January 1, 2021, and June 30, 2021, at Penn State Health were queried through PathNet, the software application for pathology reports in this health system’s electronic medical record system. Biopsy dimensions, volume, diagnosis, location, clinician training level, and descriptions of evaluation of deeper sections (recuts) and superficial sampling were recorded for each biopsy. Basic statistical calculations were performed to assess the mean and standard deviation for biopsy sizes per clinician group.

RESULTS: Differences in biopsy size between training levels were statistically significant despite qualitatively similar biopsy locations and final diagnosis categories for each clinician training group. After evaluating measures for sample adequacy, our data showed significantly smaller biopsies; however, overall frequencies were minimal. Additionally, more inadequate specimens were noted for clinician groups with the least amount of dermatology experience.

CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study identify a correlation with decreasing biopsy size amidst increased experience in dermatology training but find no evidence to support that this trend currently threatens sample adequacy.

PMID:35567519 | DOI:10.1111/ijd.16212

J Cosmet Dermatol. 2022 May 14. doi: 10.1111/jocd.15085. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The use of cosmetic products is growing in dominance in the Arab population, making it essential to measure its effects on users. The production of cosmetics has been largely driven by consumerism and a bid to keep abreast with the latest trends in the beauty industry with less attention on how the users’ quality of life (QoL) is affected.

AIMS: This study aims to investigate the effect of cosmetic products on users’ quality of life in eight Arab countries.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out using an online data collection approach. A validated and specialist instrument tool called BeautyQoL, which consists of five domains and a total of 52 questions, was distributed to a sample of 2219 cosmetic users. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was done using SPSS® version 26.0.

RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 34 ± 11.25 years, and more women were represented in the sample (71%) than men. The majority of respondents had oily skin type (39.6%) and tan skin tone (30.4%). QoL through cosmetic use is computed with a mean score of 51 out of 100. The users’ mean score satisfaction from cosmetic use is centred on attractiveness (56.1), followed by self-confidence (51.8). Cosmetics have a statistically significant effect on participants who are young adults, women, single, and employed with high income. As the respondents’ skin tone deepens from very fair to dark, the mean score for each domain significantly increases, whereas when skin type changes from very oily to dry, the mean score for each domain decreases.

CONCLUSION: The effect of cosmetics on the users’ QoL is limited, contrary to the narrative commonly portrayed in cosmetics’ advertisements. Therefore, the use of cosmetics among the Arab population should be from an informed perspective of their specific needs instead of conforming to the viral trends pedalled by influencers and bloggers on social media, which might be irrelevant for them.

PMID:35567513 | DOI:10.1111/jocd.15085

Rev Environ Health. 2022 May 5. doi: 10.1515/reveh-2022-0040. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The MOBI-Kids case-control study on wireless phone use and brain tumor risk in childhood and adolescence included the age group 10-24 years diagnosed between 2010 and 2015. Overall no increased risk was found although for brain tumors in the temporal region an increased risk was found in the age groups 10-14 and 20-24 years. Most odds ratios (ORs) in MOBI-Kids were <1.0, some statistically significant, suggestive of a preventive effect from RF radiation; however, this is in contrast to current knowledge about radiofrequency (RF) carcinogenesis. The MOBI-Kids results are not biologically plausible and indicate that the study was flawed due to methodological problems. For example, not all brain tumor cases were included since central localization was excluded. Instead, all brain tumor cases should have been included regardless of histopathology and anatomical localization. Only surgical controls with appendicitis were used instead of population-based controls from the same geographical area as for the cases. In fact, increased incidence of appendicitis has been postulated to be associated with RF radiation which makes selection of control group in MOBI-Kids questionable. Start of wireless phone use up to 10 years before diagnosis was in some analyses included in the unexposed group. Thus, any important results demonstrating late carcinogenesis, a promoter effect, have been omitted from analysis and may underestimate true risks. Linear trend was in some analyses statistically significant in the calculation of RF-specific energy and extremely low frequency (ELF)-induced current in the center of gravity of the tumor. Additional case-case analysis should have been performed. The data from this study should be reanalyzed using unconditional regression analysis adjusted for potential confounding factors to increase statistical power. Then all responding cases and controls could be included in the analyses. In sum, we believe the results as reported in this paper seem uninterpretable and should be dismissed.

PMID:35567503 | DOI:10.1515/reveh-2022-0040

Photochem Photobiol. 2022 May 14. doi: 10.1111/php.13645. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

We are needed effective and sustainable technologies for better microbiological control of crops, including Fusarium. However, photoluminescent UV-Vis methods are potential for diagnosing plant diseases with Fusarium. It has not been sufficiently studied despite the application of these methods for other biological researches. The excitation spectrum of the seeds during infection shifts to the shorter wavelength and a new maximum appears in the region λ≈232nm. The photoluminescence of infected seeds increases with excitation by radiation of wavelengths λ_e,1 =232 nm, λ_e,2 =362 nm and λ_e,3 =424 nm by 1.33-3.14 times, and λ_e,3 =424 nm – decreases by 1.1 times. Statistical moments μ₃ and μ₄ , asymmetry, kurtosis change only with short-wave excitation. When analyzing the decomposition of the frequency spectrum into Gaussian curves, the most informative ratio is the ratio of right-handed and left-handed Gaussians under excitation λ_e,2 =362 nm and λ_e,3 =424 nm. The ratios of their maxima change during infection by 1.36-3.2 times, and for excitation by radiation λ_e,2 , the frequency boundaries of Gaussians change. The results of measurements and calculations provide a basis for the development of a method and device for photoluminescence diagnostics of fusarium seeds in UV-Vis ranges.

PMID:35567504 | DOI:10.1111/php.13645

Rheumatology (Oxford). 2022 May 14:keac283. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keac283. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Investigate whether individuals with inflammatory arthritis, their treatments and shielding status affect the risk of adverse outcomes from COVID-19 for the entire population of Wales, U.K.

METHODS: Retrospective, population-based cohort study using linked, anonymised electronic health data from SAIL Databank, including primary/secondary care, rheumatology, Office for National Statistics Mortality and COVID-19 laboratory data. Individuals aged 18 years and over testing positive for COVID-19 between March 2020 and May 2021 with READ Codes present for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis formed the study cases.

RESULTS: A total of 1,966 people with IA and 166 602 without tested positive for COVID-19. The incidence rate was 3.5% (1,966/56 914) in IA, vs 6% in the general population (166 602/2,760 442), (difference: 2.5%, 95% CI: 2.4% to 2.7%, p = <0.001). In an adjusted Cox proportional hazard model, IA was not associated with higher mortality (HR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.18-1.64, p= 0.286). Significant risk factors included shielding (HR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.40-1.64, p = <0.001), hospitalisation for previous infections (HR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.12-1.28, p = <0.001), hospitalisations one year pre-pandemic (HR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.25-1.44, p = <0.001) and glucocorticoid use (HR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.09-1.25, p = <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with IA had a lower incidence of COVID-19, probably due to shielding. IA was not associated with increased mortality following COVID-19 infection; being vulnerable (shielded), comorbidities and other factors were associated with increased risk. These key risk factors can identify individuals with IA at greater risk from COVID-19 and advised to shield during high community prevalence.

PMID:35567479 | DOI:10.1093/rheumatology/keac283

Allergy. 2022 May 14. doi: 10.1111/all.15373. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:35567394 | DOI:10.1111/all.15373

J Prosthodont. 2022 May 14. doi: 10.1111/jopr.13534. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Innovations in macroimplant design, specifically ultrawide implants 7.0 mm or greater in diameter, have allowed immediate molar replacement. This is a retrospective study assessing the survival rates of ultrawide diameter implants (7.0, 8.0, 9.0 mm) immediately placed into molar extraction sockets. Implants were followed up to 144 months post-placement.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of all patients treated in a private surgical practice between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2020, who received ultrawide dental implants (7.0, 8,0, 9.0mm.) placed immediately into molar extraction sockets. Wide diameter healing abutments were placed on all implants at the time of surgery. Abutments and crown restorations were fabricated after at least 4 months of unloaded healing. Patient age, gender, implant location and implant diameters were examined for survival. Insertion torque values at the time of placement and time in function were also evaluated. Biometric statistics were computed with P values (<0.05. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were computed; P values were set at .05.

RESULTS: Five hundred forty-four patients (225 males; 319 females) [average age 62.5 years; range 27 to 95] had 563 implants placed. Five hundred thirty-five of five hundred sixty-three (535/563) implants survived; 28 failed [clinical survival rate (CSR) 95.03%]. Number and time in function were: 0-12 years 100%; 0-9 years 85%; 0-6 years 69%; 0-3 years 35% or 10-12 years 16%; 7-9 years 16%; 4-6 years 34%; 0-3 years 35%. No significant differences were found between gender and implant failures (p = 0.22). Maxillary (266/285; 93.3%) and mandibular (269/278; 96.8%) implant CSRs were not significantly different. Three implant diameters were used: 7.0 mm (206/563) [36.6%]; 8.0 mm (267/563) [47.4%]; 9.0 mm (90/563) [15.9%]. Clinical survival rates were: 7.0 mm (201/206) [97.6%]; 8.0 mm (252/267) [94.4%]; 9.0 mm (82/90) [91.1%]. Mean age for patients with failed implants did not show any significant differences (p = 0.1398). Fifteen of the 28 failed implants failed within 120 days of surgical placement (prior to definitive restoration; [53.6%]; 4 implants failed between 4 and 12 months [14.3%]; 9 implants failed at least 1-year post-loading [32.1%].

CONCLUSIONS: The results of this long-term retrospective study regarding ultrawide diameter implants suggested that these implants were viable treatment options for immediate molar replacement following tooth extraction in either jaw with an unloaded healing protocol. High clinical survival rates were reported over a 144 month (12 year) timeframe. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:35567405 | DOI:10.1111/jopr.13534

Laryngoscope. 2022 May 14. doi: 10.1002/lary.30214. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) is a rare, aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis. These tumors frequently stain positive for HER2/ErbB2, but data on the prognostic significance of HER2 status in SDC are mixed. We sought to determine whether HER2 status affects survival outcomes in SDC.

METHODS: PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched from inception to October 2020. Eligibility was restricted to studies reporting HER2/ErbB2 overexpression in histologically confirmed de novo SDC or SDC ex pleomorphic adenoma, with corresponding overall (OS) and disease-free (DFS) survival measures. Separate multivariable and univariable meta-analyses were performed using random-effects models. Statistical heterogeneity was estimated by Cochran’s Q and I² tests. Funnel plots were generated and Egger’s test was used to assess for publication bias. The risk of bias was assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

RESULTS: Of 183 unique citations, 14 studies of 663 patients were included. Most included studies determined HER2 status according to ASCO/CAP guidelines. The univariable meta-analysis did not reveal an effect between HER2 status and OS (HR 1.09, 95% CI 0.84-1.42). In the multivariable analysis, HER2 positivity was associated with a HR of 1.49 for OS (95% CI 0.96-2.30). Fewer studies reported data for DFS than OS, with no relationship between HER2 status and DFS found on multivariable or univariable meta-analyses.

CONCLUSION: In patients with salivary duct carcinoma, HER2 positivity was not found to be associated with worse overall survival. This information may be useful when counseling patients and considering treatment options. Laryngoscope, 2022.

PMID:35567387 | DOI:10.1002/lary.30214