Category: Nevin Manimala

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2022 Dec 23:trac119. doi: 10.1093/trstmh/trac119. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Although the WHO has made an effort to ensure optimal participation of the community in mass drug administration (MDA) against lymphatic filariasis (LF) and soil-transmitted helminth infections (STHIs), studies are still reporting suboptimal coverage. This study assessed the knowledge and participation of the community in MDA against LF and SHTIs in Tanzania to provide updates on its acceptability.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Dar es Salaam from December 2021 to February 2022 among market vendors. The information regarding demographic characteristics, knowledge and participation in MDA was collected using a questionnaire. Statistical Package for Social science version 26 was used for data analysis.

RESULTS: More than half of the participants demonstrated an adequate level of knowledge of LF and STHI, 212 (50.8%) and 267 (64%), respectively. Only 286 (68.5%) reported having heard about MDA against LF and STHIs, out of which 119 (42%) had taken the medication. Of those who disagreed to participate in MDA, 20 (50%) claimed to fear the side effects of the medication.

CONCLUSIONS: This study found that the community has average knowledge and poor participation in MDA against LF and STHIs. Community sensitization is recommended to increase the participation of the community.

PMID:36563099 | DOI:10.1093/trstmh/trac119

J Pediatr Orthop. 2022 Dec 23. doi: 10.1097/BPO.0000000000002333. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Maintaining femoral head shape (FHS) and acetabular sphericity are important goals in preventing long-term osteoarthritis in hips in children with cerebral palsy (CP). As acetabular morphology has been widely studied, our objective was to determine FHS in CP after triradiate cartilage (TRC) closure, a proxy for skeletal maturity, and the risk factors associated with residual deformity and osteoarthritis.

METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, patients with CP [Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) IV to V], minimum 4 yearly hip radiographs after age 10 years, and at least 1 radiograph after age 16 years, were included. Primary outcome was FHS (Rutz), stratified as “less severe” (Rutz A to B) and “more severe” (Rutz C to D). Secondary outcomes included migration percentage (MP), age at TRC closure, previous reconstructive (femoral with/without pelvic osteotomies) surgery, previous intrathecal baclofen, Tönnis osteoarthritis grade, and GMFCS level. Statistical analyses included χ2 analysis and multiple logistic regression.

RESULTS: One hundred sixty-three patients (326 hips) met the inclusion criteria, with TRC closure at age 14.0 (SD: 1.8) years. At final follow-up of 4.4 (SD: 2.4) years after TRC closure, 17% (55 hips), had a “more severe” FHS. From TRC closure to final follow-up, the frequencies of “less severe” hips decreased (-10%, P<0.001), while “more severe” increased (+115%, P<0.001). In multiple regression analysis, MP at TRC closure was the only significant risk factor associated with a “more severe” FHS at final follow-up (P=0.03). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis determined MP≥30.5% to be associated with a “more severe” FHS at final follow-up (P<0.009). The FHS was not affected by reconstructive surgery, sex, GMFCS level, or intrathecal baclofen use. “Less severe” hips had lower Tönnis grades (0 to 1) compared with “more severe” hips (Tönnis grades 2 to 3) at final follow-up (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: No need for determinent FHS at skeletal maturity was not influenced by prior reconstructive surgery but was negatively affected when MP≥30.5% at the time of TRC closure. The extent of residual femoral head deformity correlated with the severity of osteoarthritis at final follow-up.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

PMID:36563091 | DOI:10.1097/BPO.0000000000002333

Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract. 2022 Dec 23:1-5. doi: 10.1080/13651501.2022.2158108. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of COVID-19 pandemic (COVID-19-P) on clinical and health organisational variables of patients evaluated by Liaison Psychiatry (LP).

METHODS: Revision of all collaboration requests (CR) to LP for patients hospitalised in a Portuguese General Hospital during the second wave of COVID-19-P, from 1 October to 31 December of 2020. Medical charts were analysed and selected variables were compared with those of the homologous non-pandemic period. Data were statistically analysed.

RESULTS: There was a 22.3% decrease in the number of CR in 2020. The most frequently given reasons for CR were depressive symptoms, psychomotor agitation, and difficulties in adapting to the disease in both years. However, 5.9% more patients reported suicidal ideation in 2020. The hospitalisation length before CR was smaller in 2020 than in 2019 (9 vs 11). There was a higher proportion of patients followed in a psychiatric consultation and previously taking psychotropic medication before hospitalisation in 2020 than in 2019. After the assessment, the trend was that both groups did not meet diagnostic criteria for any disorder and no pharmacological adjustment was needed.

CONCLUSION: This study highlights the need to better characterise the indirect repercussion of COVID-19-P, and focus on the prevention and treatment of mental illness particularly in adverse contexts.Key PointsFewer collaboration requests to liaison psychiatry during the second wave of COVID-19;Collaboration requests were made earlier in the hospitalisation;For patients with more medical comorbidities, psychiatric history, and psychotropic medication;Most because of depressive symptoms and more with suicidal ideation;Fewer collaboration requests to liaison psychiatry during COVID-19;Made earlier in the hospitalisation;For patients with more medical comorbidities, psychiatric history, and medication;Most because of depressive symptoms and more with suicidal ideation.

PMID:36563079 | DOI:10.1080/13651501.2022.2158108

J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2022 Dec 22:1-5. doi: 10.2460/javma.22.08.0341. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To examine weight estimations by veterinarians, veterinary nurses, and veterinary students to determine the accuracy of weight estimation in a veterinary emergency department. Secondary objectives included an initial evaluation of how body condition score (BCS), hair coat length, and hospital position of the estimator impacted accuracy of weight estimation.

ANIMALS: 101 dogs and 28 cats that presented to the emergency department from October 17, 2017, to September 3, 2019.

PROCEDURES: A written form was prospectively distributed to veterinarians, veterinary nurses, and veterinary students asking them to estimate a patient weight. Additional information about the patient, including estimated hair length and BCS, was recorded.

RESULTS: As dogs’ weights increased, all estimators underestimated the patients’ weight. As BCS increased, dogs’ weights were underestimated by veterinary students. Longer hair coat statistically significantly impacted accurate weight estimation in dogs. In cats, as BCS increased, veterinarians and veterinary nurses overestimated patient weight. Only 32% (32/101) and 20% (6/28) of weight estimations in dogs and cats, respectively, were within 10% of the patient’s actual weight.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Veterinarians, veterinary nurses, and veterinary students may not be reliable estimators of patient weight in the emergency department, especially with overweight animals. Prompt measurement of weight, if possible, is important for appropriate patient care.

PMID:36563068 | DOI:10.2460/javma.22.08.0341

Biomacromolecules. 2022 Dec 23. doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c01274. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Poloxamers─triblock copolymers consisting of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(propylene oxide) (PPO)─have demonstrated cell membrane stabilization efficacy against numerous types of stress. However, the mechanism responsible for this stabilizing effect remains elusive, hindering engineering of more effective therapeutics. Bottlebrush polymers have a wide parameter space and known relationships between architectural parameters and polymer properties, enabling their use as a tool for mechanistic investigations of polymer-lipid bilayer interactions. In this work, we utilized a versatile synthetic platform to create novel bottlebrush analogues to poloxamers and then employed pulsed-field-gradient NMR and an in vitro osmotic stress assay to explore the effect of bottlebrush architectural parameters on binding to, and protection of, model phospholipid bilayers. We found that the binding affinity of a bottlebrush poloxamer (BBP) (B-E₁₀⁴³P₅¹⁵, M_n ≈ 26 kDa) is about 3 times higher than a linear poloxamer with a similar composition and number of PPO units (L-E₉₃P₅₄E₉₃, M_n ≈ 11 kDa). Furthermore, BBP binding is sensitive to overall molecular weight, side-chain length, and architecture (statistical versus block). Finally, all tested BBPs exhibit a protective effect on cell membranes under stress at sub-μM concentrations. As the factors controlling membrane affinity and protection efficacy of bottlebrush poloxamers are not understood, these results provide important insight into how they adhere to and stabilize a lipid bilayer surface.

PMID:36563027 | DOI:10.1021/acs.biomac.2c01274

Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2022 Dec 23. doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00483.2022. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The use of digital image analysis and count regression models contributes to the reproducibility and rigor of histological studies in cardiovascular research. The use of formalized computer-based quantification strategies of histological images essentially removes potential researcher bias, allows for higher analysis throughput, and enables easy sharing of formalized quantification tools, contributing to research transparency and data transferability. Moreover, the use of count regression models rather than ratios in statistical analysis of cell population data incorporates the extent of sampling into analysis and acknowledges the non-gaussian nature of count distributions. Using quantification of proliferating cardiomyocytes in embryonic murine hearts as an example, we describe how these improvements can be implemented using open-source artificial intelligence-based image analysis tools and novel count regression models to efficiently analyze real-life data.

PMID:36563012 | DOI:10.1152/ajpheart.00483.2022

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 Dec 23. doi: 10.1007/s11356-022-24803-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

To investigate correlations between environmental and meteorological factors and frequency of presentation for coronary heart disease (CHD) in Beijing. Daily measurements of levels of six atmospheric pollutants were made, data relating to meteorological conditions collected, and CHD-related outpatient visits recorded from January 2015 to December 2019 in Beijing. A time-series analysis was made, using a generalized additive model with Poisson distribution, and R 3.6.3 software was used to estimate relationships among levels of atmospheric pollutants, ambient temperature, and visits occasioned by CHD. Results were controlled for time-dependent trend, other weather variables, day of the week, and holiday effects. Lag-response curves were plotted for specific and incremental cumulative effects of relative risk (RR). The aim was to correlate meteorological-environmental factors and the daily number of CHD-related hospital visits and to quantify the degree of correlation to identify any pathological associations. Response diagrams and three-dimensional diagrams of predicted exposure lag effects were constructed in order to evaluate relationships among the parameters of air pollution, temperature, and daily CHD visits. The fitted model was employed to predict the lag RR and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for specific and incremental cumulative effects of random air pollutants at random concentrations. This model may then be used to predict effects on the outcome variable at any concentration of any defined pollutant, giving flexibility for public health purposes. The overall lag-response RR curves for the specific cumulative effects of the pollutants, particulate matter (PM)2.5, PM10, SO₂, CO, and NO₂, were statistically significant and for PM2.5, PM10, CO, and NO₂, the overall lag-response RR curves for the incremental cumulative effect were statistically significant. When PM2.5, PM10, SO₂, CO, and NO₂ concentrations were above threshold values and the temperature was below 45 °F (reference value 70 °F), the number of CHD-related hospital visits increased with a time lag effect. The outpatient volume of CHD was predicted by the model to guide the flexible distribution of medical resources. Elevated PM2.5, PM10, SO₂, CO, and NO₂ concentrations in the atmosphere combined and low ambient temperature increased the risk of CHD with a time lag effect.

PMID:36562963 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-022-24803-x

Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins. 2022 Dec 23. doi: 10.1007/s12602-022-10024-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Hepcidin antimicrobial peptide (hamp) is active in teleosts against invading pathogens and plays important roles in the stress and immune responses of finfish. The response of hamp gene was studied in yellow perch (yp) (Perca flavescens) challenged with lipopolysaccharides to understand if this immunity response is sex-specifically different. The cloned hamp gene consists of an open-reading frame of 273 bp and encodes a deduced protein of 90 amino acids (a.a.), which includes a signal peptide of 24 a.a., a pro-domain of 40 a.a. and a mature peptide of 26 a.a. Yp hamp involves 8 cysteine residues with 4 disulfide bonds, and a protein with an internal alpha helix flanked with C- and N-terminal random coils was modeling predicted. RT-qPCR was used to analyze the relative abundances (RAs) of hamp mRNA in the livers of juvenile female and male yellow perch challenged with lipopolysaccharide. The expression levels of hamp were significantly elevated by 3 h (RA = 7.3) and then peaked by 6 h (RA = 29.4) post-treatment in females but the peak was delayed to 12 h (RA = 65.4) post-treatment in males. The peak mRNA level of challenged males was shown 7.6-fold higher than females. The post-treatment responses in both genders decreased to their lowest levels by 24 h and 48 h. Overall, female perch had an earlier but less-sensitive response to the lipopolysaccharide challenge than male.

PMID:36562953 | DOI:10.1007/s12602-022-10024-8

Drug Saf. 2022 Dec 23. doi: 10.1007/s40264-022-01266-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Little is known about the role played by anticoagulants in COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of previous anticoagulant treatment on risk of hospitalization due to COVID-19, progression to severe COVID-19 and susceptibility to COVID-19 infection.

METHODS: We conducted a multiple population-based case-control study in northwest Spain, in 2020, to assess (1) risk of hospitalization: cases were all patients admitted due to COVID-19 with PCR confirmation, and controls were a random matched sample of subjects without a positive PCR; (2) progression: cases were hospitalized COVID-19 subjects, and controls were all non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients; and (3) susceptibility: cases were patients with a positive PCR (hospitalized and non-hospitalized), and the controls were the same as for the hospitalization model. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated using a generalized linear mixed model.

RESULTS: The consumption of antivitamin K and direct-acting anticoagulants apparently was not associated with the risk of progression to severe COVID-19 (OR 0.93 [95% CI 0.74-1.17] and OR 1.04 [95% CI 0.79-1.36], respectively). Antivitamin K anticoagulants were associated with a significantly lower risk of hospitalization (OR 0.77 [95% CI 0.64-0.93]), which, in part, can be explained by a decreased risk of susceptibility to infection (OR 0.83 [95% CI 0.74-0.92]). The use of direct-acting anticoagulants was not associated with the risk of hospitalization, although it also seems to decrease susceptibility (OR 0.85 [95% CI 0.74-0.98]). It has also been observed that low-molecular-weight heparins were associated with an increased risk of progression to severe COVID-19 (OR 1.25 [95% CI 1.01-1.55]).

CONCLUSION: The results of this study have shown that antivitamin K anticoagulants and direct-acting anticoagulants do not increase the risk of progression to more severe stages. Antivitamin K consumption was associated with a lower risk of hospitalization and susceptibility to infection.

PMID:36562942 | DOI:10.1007/s40264-022-01266-0

Mol Cell Biochem. 2022 Dec 23. doi: 10.1007/s11010-022-04624-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Although 2,4-DNP is claimed to promote fast weight reduction, it is also related with an intolerable high risk of serious side effects to various tissues. On the other hand, it is known to have neuroprotective effects. These different effects of 2,4-DNP may be due to the administration conditions. For this reason, in this study, it was aimed for the first time to clarify the oxidative changes that occur in the brain during the use of 2,4-DNP, depending on the dose, time and gender. For this purpose, 60 Wistar rats (30 male, 30 female) were divided into ten groups: control groups, short-term/long-term groups and low dose/high dose groups. Except for the control groups, 2,4-DNP was administered to the other groups by oral gavage. End of the experiment, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARs), glutathione (GSH), nitric oxide (NOx) and ascorbic acid (AA) levels were measured in the brain tissues of sacrificed animals. 2,4-DNP administration showed attenuation impact on oxidative stress depending on both dose, time and gender. It can be said that it is more beneficial in terms of neuroprotection, especially in the short-term and male groups. In conclusion, our findings suggest that, depending on the dose, time, and gender, 2,4-DNP may be beneficial in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

PMID:36562917 | DOI:10.1007/s11010-022-04624-9