Category: Nevin Manimala

Front Behav Neurosci. 2023 Feb 6;17:1089631. doi: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1089631. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

Rats produce ultrasonic vocalisation (USVs) that are classified into different types, based on their average frequency. In pups 40 kHz USVs are produced upon social isolation, and in adults USVs can be associated with affective states and specific behavioural patterns (i.e., appetitive 50 kHz vocalisations of frequency range 30-100 kHz, or aversive 20 kHz vocalisations of frequency range 18-30 kHz). Generally, USVs of frequency around 50 kHz are linked to activation of brain reward pathways, during anticipation or experience of rewarding stimuli. Previous studies have described several subtypes of 50 kHz USVs, according to their acoustic properties. We asked whether USV production might be relevant to feeding behaviour. We recorded USVs from 14-week old adult rats during the satisfaction of a physiological need: refeeding following mild food deprivation (17 h overnight fast). We analysed a 10 min consummatory phase, preceded by a 10 min anticipatory phase, as a control for the experimental meal. Following identification of USV subtypes, we applied frequentist and Bayesian (Monte Carlo shuffling) statistical analyses to investigate the relationship between USV emission and rat behaviour. We found that it was not total USV quantity that varied in response to food consumption, but the subtype of USV produced. Most importantly we found that rats who feed tend to produce flat USVs of a frequency around 40 kHz. Beyond the previous reports of circumstantial association feeding-flat USVs, our observation directly correlate vocalisation and ingestive behaviour. Our study highlights that, in addition to quantification of the production rate, study of USV subtypes might inform us further on rat consummatory behaviour. Since this vocalisation behaviour can have a communicative purpose, those findings also illustrate nutrition studies might benefit from considering the possible social dimension of feeding behaviour.

PMID:36815182 | PMC:PMC9939450 | DOI:10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1089631

Front Public Health. 2023 Feb 6;11:1097485. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1097485. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Social robot interventions are being implemented to reduce cognitive decline, depression, and loneliness among older adults. However, the types, functions, and programs of effective social robots have not yet been confirmed. This study investigated whether a social robot intervention is effective in improving cognitive function, depression, loneliness, and quality of life in older adults living alone.

METHODS: This study used a non-equivalent control group pre-test-post-test design. It was conducted twice a week, with each session lasting 50 mi; twelve sessions were conducted over 6 weeks. This study was conducted at three senior welfare centers in Korea. In each group, 10 or fewer participants used the PIO social robot. The total participants included 64 people in the experimental (n = 31) and control groups (n = 33), and consisted of older people over 65 years of age living alone.

RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in the pre-post values for cognitive function (z = 5.21, p < 0.001), depression (z = -2.99, p = 0.003), and loneliness (t = -4.27, p < 0.001) in the experimental and control groups. However, there was no statistically significant difference for quality of life (z = 1.84, p = 0.066).

CONCLUSIONS: It was confirmed that a cognitive intervention program using the social robot PIO can improve cognitive function and reduce depression and loneliness in older adults living alone.

PMID:36815168 | PMC:PMC9939746 | DOI:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1097485

Front Public Health. 2023 Feb 6;11:1120567. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1120567. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Whilst acupuncture is widely used for treating psychosomatic diseases, there is little high-quality evidence supporting its application in comorbid perimenopausal depression (PMD) and insomnia (PMI) which are common complaints during climacteric. This feasibility, patient-assessor-blinded, randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial addresses this gap by investigating the efficacy and safety of acupuncture on depressed mood and poor sleep in women with comorbid PMD and PMI.

METHODS: Seventy eligible participants were randomly assigned to either real-acupuncture (RA) or sham-acupuncture (SA) groups. Either RA or SA treatment were delivered in 17 sessions over 8 weeks. The primary outcomes for mood and sleep were changes on 17-items Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D₁₇) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores, from baseline to 16-week follow-up. Secondary outcome measures involved anxiety symptoms, perimenopausal symptoms, quality of life, participants’ experience of and satisfaction with the acupuncture treatment. Blood samples were taken to measure reproductive hormone levels. Intention-To-Treat and Per-Protocol analyses were conducted with linear mixed-effects models. The James’ and Bang’s blinding indices were used to assess the adequacy of blinding.

RESULTS: Sixty-five participants completed all treatment sessions, and 54 and 41 participants completed the eight- and 16-week follow-ups, respectively. At post-treatment and 8-week follow-up, the RA group showed a significantly greater reduction in PSQI scores than the SA group did; although the reduction of HAM-D₁₇ scores in RA group was significant, the change was not statistically different from that of SA. There were no significant mean differences between baseline and 16-week follow-up in either HAM-D₁₇ or PSQI in either group. There were no significant between-group differences in serum reproductive hormone levels. All treatments were tolerable and no serious adverse events were reported, and the blinding was successful.

CONCLUSION: Acupuncture is safe and can contribute to clinically relevant improvements in comorbid PMD and PMI, with satisfactory short-and medium-term effects. Whether the anti-depressive benefit of acupuncture is specific or non-specific remains to be determined. No evidence was found for any longer-term benefit of acupuncture compared to sham at 16 weeks. Further research is required to elucidate mechanisms underlying the short to medium term effects of acupuncture.

PMID:36815166 | PMC:PMC9939459 | DOI:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1120567

Front Public Health. 2023 Feb 6;11:1100984. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1100984. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Pupils spend a significant portion of their time at school. As a result, the school serves as an important setting for both learning and the formation of healthy behaviors. Many children, and even fewer young people, do not fulfill the (inter)national health recommendations of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per day. The aim of this study was to examine pupils’ MVPA during schooltime in a longitudinal perspective, including the transition from primary to secondary school.

METHODS: The MVPA of 234 pupils’ was measured objectively using accelerometer monitors for seven consecutive days, in the spring of 2017, 2018, and 2019. Statistical analyses by Friedman, Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney U-test were used to answer the research questions.

RESULTS: The results showed a significant decrease in the pupils’ MVPA and fulfilment of health recommendations during schooltime, from 7^th to 8^th grade. The analyses also showed that MVPA during schooltime was higher among boys than girls, and also contributed more to boys’ fulfilment of the health recommendations at all three time periods.

DISCUSSION: The results indicate that the transition between primary and secondary school is vulnerable concerning pupils’ MVPA during schooltime. As schooltime accounted for significantly more MVPA for boys than for girls at all three time periods, we question whether physical activity is sufficiently facilitated for girls in school.

PMID:36815164 | PMC:PMC9939469 | DOI:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1100984

Front Public Health. 2023 Feb 6;11:1121554. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1121554. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Numerous recommendations from pulmonary scientific societies indicate the need to implement rehabilitation programs for patients after COVID-19. The aim of this study was to propose an innovative comprehensive intervention based on a hospital-based pulmonary rehabilitation program for individuals with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19.

METHODS: It was decided to evaluate two forms of hospital rehabilitation: traditional and one provided through virtual reality. Preliminary results are based on a group of 32 patients (20 female and 12 male), of average age 57.8 (4.92) years in the period of 3-6 months after the initial infection. Primary outcomes included analysis of lung function, exercise performance and stress level. A 3-week, high-intensity, five-times per week pulmonary rehabilitation program was designed to compare the effectiveness of a traditional form with a VR-led, novel form of therapy.

RESULTS: The analysis of the results showed a statistically significant improvement in both groups with regard to exercise performance expressed as 6MWT distance. Moreover, a statistically significant decrease in dyspnoea levels following the 6MWT was also noted in intergroup comparison, but the between-group comparison revealed non-statistically significant changes with low effect size. Regarding lung function, the analysis showed essentially normal lung function at baseline and a non-statistically significant improvement after the completion of the rehabilitation program. The analysis of the stress level showed a statistically significant improvement in both groups within the inter-group comparison, yet the between-group comparison of deltas values showed a non-significant difference with low effect size.

CONCLUSION: A 3-weeks inpatients pulmonary rehabilitation program led to improvement of the exercise performance of people with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19, but not lung function. Furthermore, the program was shown to reduce patients’ stress levels. A comparison of the traditional form of rehabilitation to the novel form using VR, shows similar effectiveness in terms of exercise performance and stress levels.

PMID:36815161 | PMC:PMC9939639 | DOI:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1121554

Front Public Health. 2023 Feb 6;11:1114223. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1114223. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Under five children are at risk of diarrhea-associated morbidity and mortality. Salmonella and Shigella are major causes of diarrhea in under-five children, especially in developing countries. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance pattern, and associated factors of Salmonella and Shigella among under-five diarrheic children in Debre Markos town public health facilities.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at public health facilities in Debre Markos town using a consecutive convenient sampling technique. Data on socio-demographic and associated factors were collected using a structured questionnaire. Salmonella serovars and Shigella species were identified using MacConkey, Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate, Salmonella Shigella agar, and biochemical tests. The antimicrobial resistance pattern was determined by using the modified Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion technique.

RESULTS: The overall prevalence of Salmonella and Shigella was 11.7% (26/222; 95% CI = 7.2-17.5%). Isolated Salmonella serovars showed a higher rate of resistance (85.7%, 6/7) for both Ampicillin and Amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid while Shigella isolates showed a higher resistance rate to Amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid (78.9%, 15/19) and Ampicillin (73.7%, 14/19). The overall multidrug resistance (MDR) rate of Salmonella and Shigella isolates was 88.5% (23/26). Parent/guardian educational status ≤ elementary school (AOR = 3.783; 95% CI = 1.28-11.19; P = 0.016), presence of two or more under-five children in the family (AOR = 8.999; 95% CI = 2.93-27.69; P < 0.001), unimproved source of drinking water (AOR = 5.010; 95% CI = 1.56-16.10; P = 0.007), the habit of storing cooked foods for later use (AOR = 3.199; 95% CI = 1.07-9.54; P = 0.037), attendance of the child at social gatherings (AOR = 5.387; 95% CI = 1.78-16.35; P = 0.003), and infrequent child fingernail trimming (every ≥ 2 weeks; AOR = 4.693; 95% CI = 1.47-14.94; P = 0.009) showed statistically significant association with the prevalence of culture-confirmed Salmonella and Shigella isolates.

CONCLUSION: The prevalence of culture-confirmed Salmonella and Shigella isolates was significantly high in the study area. Salmonella and Shigella isolates exhibited a high rate of MDR pattern. Parent/guardian education level below the elementary school, the presence of two or more under-five children in the family, using unimproved water source, a habit of storing cooked food, and infrequent fingernail trimming were independent predictors of culture-confirmed Salmonella and Shigella. Therefore, besides public health measures, regular surveillance of the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance pattern of Salmonella and Shigella should be routinely practiced in the study setting.

PMID:36815155 | PMC:PMC9939529 | DOI:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1114223

Eur J Health Econ. 2023 Feb 23. doi: 10.1007/s10198-023-01569-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: We investigate whether and how general population health state values were influenced by the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Changes could have important implications, as general population values are used in health resource allocation.

DATA: In Spring 2020, participants in a UK general population survey rated 2 EQ-5D-5L states, 11111 and 55555, as well as dead, using a visual analogue scale (VAS) from 100 = best imaginable health to 0 = worst imaginable health. Participants answered questions about their pandemic experiences, including COVID-19’s effect on their health and quality of life, and their subjective risk/worry about infection.

ANALYSIS: VAS ratings for 55555 were transformed to the full health = 1, dead = 0 scale. Tobit models were used to analyse VAS responses, as well as multinomial propensity score matching (MNPS) to create samples balanced according to participant characteristics.

RESULTS: Of 3021 respondents, 2599 were used for analysis. There were statistically significant, but complex associations between experiences of COVID-19 and VAS ratings. For example, in the MNPS analysis, greater subjective risk of infection implied higher VAS ratings for dead, yet worry about infection implied lower ratings. In the Tobit analysis, people whose health was affected by COVID-19 rated 55555 higher, whether the effect on health was positive or negative.

CONCLUSION: The results complement previous findings that the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic may have impacted EQ-5D-5L health state valuation, and different aspects of the pandemic had different effects.

PMID:36814039 | DOI:10.1007/s10198-023-01569-8

Int J Clin Oncol. 2023 Feb 22. doi: 10.1007/s10147-023-02314-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Although brachytherapy is a standard treatment option for patients with high-risk prostate cancer, only a few studies have compared low-dose-rate brachytherapy (LDR-BT) and high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT). We applied propensity score-based inverse probability treatment weighting (IPTW) to compare oncological outcomes for LDR-BT and HDR-BT.

METHODS: We retrospectively assessed prognosis in 392 patients with high-risk localized prostate cancer who had undergone brachytherapy plus external beam radiation. IPTW was applied to adjust the Kaplan-Meier survival analyses and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses, with the goal of minimizing bias from patient background.

RESULTS: The IPTW-adjusted Kaplan-Meier survival analyses showed no statistically significant differences for time to biochemical recurrence, clinical progression, castration-resistant prostate cancer, or death from any cause. The IPTW-adjusted Cox regression analyses also showed that the modality of brachytherapy was not an independent factor in these oncological outcomes. Notably, the two groups differed regarding complications; LDR-BT was associated with a higher rate of acute grade ≥ 2 GU toxicity, and late grade 3 toxicity was noted only in HDR-BT.

CONCLUSION: Our analysis of long-term outcomes in patients with high-risk localized prostate cancer shows no significant differences in oncological outcomes between LDR-BT and HDR-BT, but some differences in toxicity, and offers patients and clinicians useful information in deciding management strategies for high-risk localized prostate cancer.

PMID:36814038 | DOI:10.1007/s10147-023-02314-0

Eur Radiol. 2023 Feb 23. doi: 10.1007/s00330-023-09447-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to investigate a new device for axial loading MRI (alMRI) in the diagnosis of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS).

METHODS: A total of 87 patients with suspected LSS sequentially underwent conventional MRI and alMRI using a new device with pneumatic shoulder-hip compression mode. Four quantitative parameters of dural sac cross-sectional area (DSCA), sagittal vertebral canal diameter (SVCD), disc height (DH), and ligamentum flavum thickness (LFT) at L3-4, L4-5, and L5-S1 in both examinations were measured and compared. Eight qualitative indicators were compared as valuable diagnostic information. Image quality, examinee comfort, test-retest repeatability, and observer reliability were also assessed.

RESULTS: Using the new device, all 87 patients successfully completed alMRI with no statistically significant differences in image quality and examinee comfort from conventional MRI. Statistically significant changes were observed in DSCA, SVCD, DH, and LFT after loading (p < 0.01). SVCD, DH, LFT, and DSCA changes were all positively correlated (r = 0.80, 0.72, 0.37, p < 0.01). Eight qualitative indicators increased from 501 to 669 after axial loading, for a total increase of 168 (33.5%). Nineteen patients (21.8%, 19/87) developed absolute stenosis after axial loading and 10 of them (11.5%, 10/87) also had a significant reduction in DSCA (> 15 mm²). The test-retest repeatability and observer reliability were good to excellent.

CONCLUSION: The new device is stable for performing alMRI and can exacerbate the severity of spinal stenosis, providing more valuable information for diagnosing LSS and reducing missed diagnoses.

KEY POINTS: • The new axial loading MRI (alMRI) device could detect a higher frequency of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). • The new device with pneumatic shoulder-hip compression mode was used to investigate its applicability in alMRI and diagnostic value for LSS. • The new device is stable for performing alMRI and can provide more valuable information for diagnosing LSS.

PMID:36814030 | DOI:10.1007/s00330-023-09447-w