Category: Nevin Manimala

Nat Commun. 2022 Nov 28;13(1):7315. doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-35055-1.

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 course and immunity differ in children and adults. We analyzed immune response dynamics in 28 families up to 12 months after mild or asymptomatic infection. Unlike adults, the initial response is plasmablast-driven in children. Four months after infection, children show an enhanced specific antibody response and lower but detectable spike 1 protein (S1)-specific B and T cell responses than their parents. While specific antibodies decline, neutralizing antibody activity and breadth increase in both groups. The frequencies of S1-specific B and T cell responses remain stable. However, in children, one year after infection, an increase in the S1-specific IgA class switch and the expression of CD27 on S1-specific B cells and T cell maturation are observed. These results, together with the enhanced neutralizing potential and breadth of the specific antibodies, suggest a progressive maturation of the S1-specific immune response. Hence, the immune response in children persists over 12 months but dynamically changes in quality, with progressive neutralizing, breadth, and memory maturation. This implies a benefit for booster vaccination in children to consolidate memory formation.

PMID:36437276 | DOI:10.1038/s41467-022-35055-1

Sci Rep. 2022 Nov 27;12(1):20372. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-22805-w.

ABSTRACT

Kinship analysis in forensics is based on the calculation of the respective kinship indices. However, this calculation is only possible when the subject under identification has been associated with a particular population, whose allele frequency data is available for the particular set of STR markers used in the forensic practices. In the case of mass disasters, where a large number of individuals are to be identified, gathering the population frequency data and calculating the kinship indices can be an intricate process which requires a lot of time and huge resources. The new method of allele matching cut off score (AMCOS) developed in this study is based on the allele sharing approach. This approach simply refers to the number of shared alleles (1 or 2) between the two individuals; also known as identical by state (IBS) alleles which might have been inherited from a recent common ancestor in which the alleles are identical by descendent (IBD). In case of mass disasters, this method can be used to narrow down the number of pairs (dead and alive) to be matched for kinship without using the allele frequency data. The results obtained from this method could further be confirmed by LR based method, which uses the allele frequency data of the respective population of the pairs being tested for kinship. AMCOS method has been tested for its sensitivity, specificity and various other statistical parameters and has shown promising values for the same in various types of kinship analyses. This ascertains the authenticity and potential use of this method in forensic practice but only after its validation in a larger sample size. AMCOS method has been tested on siblings and grandparent-grandchildren by using autosomal and X-STR markers both, as the reference samples from the parents cannot always be available for the identification. The present study also compared the results shown by the autosomal and X-STR markers in siblings and grandparent-grandchildren identification, thereby suggesting the use of better set of markers on the basis of obtained values of various statistical parameters.

PMID:36437267 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-022-22805-w

Sci Rep. 2022 Nov 27;12(1):20365. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-24560-4.

ABSTRACT

Numerous researches have evaluated the prevalence and clinical outcome of vitamin D deficiency in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). But the quantitative vitamin D status in acute kidney injury (AKI) patients and its relationship with prognosis remains controversial. We conducted this systemic review and meta-analysis to assess the quantitative difference of vitamin D status, including serum 25(OH) D and 1,25(OH)2D levels, between AKI patients and non-AKI controls, and further explore whether vitamin D status can be clearly correlated with the mortality of AKI. Major databases, including PubMed, Web of Science and EBSCO, were searched until 1st September 2021. All published observational studies related to vitamin D and AKI According to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria were extracted. Meta-analyses were performed using Review Manager 5.3.5. Four studies including five cohorts were included with a total of 413 patients. The serum 25(OH)D levels showed no statistically significant difference in AKI patients and non-AKI controls. On the other hand, the serum 1,25(OH)2D levels were significant lower in AKI patients than in non-AKI controls (MD = – 17.79, 95% CI = – 32.73 to – 2.85, P = 0.02). As for the relationship between serum vitamin D status and AKI patients’ mortality, we were unable to give a consistent conclusion based on current limited and conflict study results. Our meta-analysis suggested that serum 1,25(OH)2D levels, rather than 25(OH)D, is significantly lower in AKI patients. The relationship between vitamin D status and clinical outcome of AKI remains controversial based on current evidence. Future comprehensive studies are required to confirm these relations and to elucidate potential mechanisms.

PMID:36437252 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-022-24560-4

Sci Data. 2022 Nov 27;9(1):730. doi: 10.1038/s41597-022-01828-y.

ABSTRACT

The present study describes a new dataset that estimates seasonally integrated agricultural gross primary productivity (GPP). Several models are being used to estimate GPP using remote sensing (RS) for regional and global studies. Using biophysical and climatic variables (MODIS, SBSS, ECWMF reanalysis etc.) and validated by crop statistics, the present study provides a new dataset of agricultural GPP for monsoon and winter seasons in India for two decades (2001-2019). This dataset (GPPCY-IN) is based on the light use efficiency (LUE) principle and applied a dynamic LUE for each year and season to capture the seasonal variations more efficiently. An additional dataset (NGPPCY-IN) is also derived from crop production statistics and RS GPP to translate district-level statistics at the pixel level. Along with validation with crop statistics, the derived dataset was also compared with in situ GPP estimations. This dataset will be useful for many applications and has been created for estimating integrated yield loss by taking GPP as a proxy compared to resource and time-consuming field-based methods for crop insurance.

PMID:36437246 | DOI:10.1038/s41597-022-01828-y

Clin Exp Optom. 2022 Nov 27:1-5. doi: 10.1080/08164622.2022.2145182. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Autonomic nervous system abnormalities in the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder are controversial. Pupillary features may be affected as a result of autonomic nervous system abnormalities in bipolar disorder. Small changes in pupillary responses may not be noticeable on clinical examination. Automated pupillemetries can be helpful in demonstrating these changes reliably and quantitatively.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the static and dynamic pupillary responses of bipolar patients with healthy controls. In addition, pupillary response differences between mania, depression and remission stages were investigated.

METHODS: The bipolar patient group consisted of 39 eyes of 39 patients with 13 patients in each of the stages: mania, depression and remission. The control group consisted of 39 eyes of 39 healthy volunteers. After the ophthalmic examination, static and dynamic pupillometry measurements were made. The mean pupil dilatation speed was calculated according to dynamic measurements. Static pupillometry measurements including scotopic, mesopic and photopic pupil diameters; the first dynamic measurements at 0th second and pupillary dilatation speed were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS: There was no difference static and the first dynamic pupillometry measurements between the bipolar and control groups (p > 0.05 for all parameters), but there was a significant difference in mean pupil dilatation speed (p = 0.041). No significant differences were found between the 3 groups for all static and the first dynamic pupillometry measurements and the mean pupil dilatation speed (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Static and the first dynamic measurements of bipolar patients were not different from healthy controls. The mean pupil dilatation speed of bipolar patients was significantly lower, but this difference had a low effect size.

PMID:36436223 | DOI:10.1080/08164622.2022.2145182

Rhinology. 2022 Dec 1;60(6):474-478. doi: 10.4193/Rhin22.053.

ABSTRACT

Mepolizumab improves quality of life and reduces activity impairments in patients with CRSwNP.

PMID:36436220 | DOI:10.4193/Rhin22.053

Psychiatriki. 2022 Nov 24. doi: 10.22365/jpsych.2022.098. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

One of the issues that have risen the past few decades due to excessive use of technological advances is internet gaming disorder (IGD). Past research has concluded that there is a negative association between IGD and exercise as well as a positive association between IGD and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, the existing studies on these subjects are scarce. Furthermore, researchers have showcased that symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress are positively associated with IGD and ADHD but negatively associated with exercise. Consequently, maybe these symptoms mediate the relationships between IGD, exercise and ADHD. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the relationship between IGD and exercise as well as between IGD and ADHD. A correlational study was conducted on 515 adults through Google forms. The Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short-Form was used to detect IGD symptoms, the Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire was utilized so as to evaluate participants’ leisure – time exercise habits, and the Barkley Adult ADHD Rating Scale was used to assess ADHD symptoms. Furthermore, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 was utilized to evaluate symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. It was found that there is a negative correlation between IGD symptoms and leisure time exercise as well as a positive correlation between IGD symptoms and ADHD symptoms. Moreover, when taking all the variables that were examined into consideration, it was indicated that inattention symptoms and impulsivity symptoms were significantly associated with IGD symptoms whereas symptoms of depression were partially and significantly mediating the association between IGD symptoms and Attention deficit as well as the association between IGD symptoms and Impulsivity. The findings of the current study suggest that people who deal with IGD symptoms tend to exercise less on their free time. Additionally, people with more IGD symptoms display not only more ADHD symptoms, symptoms of inattention and impulsivity specifically, but also more symptoms of depression. Therefore, clinicians should evaluate the possible coexistence of such symptoms when treating people with IGD, in order to prevent as well as treat more efficiently IGD and its consequences.

PMID:36436217 | DOI:10.22365/jpsych.2022.098

Psychiatriki. 2022 Nov 17. doi: 10.22365/jpsych.2022.095. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study examines the associations of the COVID -19 pandemic stressors with mental health and quality of life (QoL) of the general population in different demographic areas of Athens. The random sample of the study consisted of 602 participants, 389 (64,6%) women and 213 (35,4%) men residing in Attica (Greece). It was conducted with telephone interviews during the first wave of the pandemic. The instruments used were: World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument (WHOQOL-BREF), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS – 21), Body Vigilance Scale (ΒVS), Dimensional Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Category 1: contamination obsessions -decontamination compulsions) (DOCS) and a set of socio-demographic data and questions on stressors related to the COVID-19 outbreak. A range of statistical analyses were used, including descriptive statistics, examination of the questionnaires’ internal consistency, calculating Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, as well as multiple linear regression analyses with dependent variables the WHOQOL-BREF, DASS-21, DOCS, and BVS scales. According to the results of our study: a) The greater the extent of negative emotions due to the pandemic and the imposed restrictive measures, such as worry and fear, the higher the score of depression, anxiety, stress, obsessive-compulsive symptomatology, body vigilance and the lower the scores of the WHOQOL domains (Physical Health, Psychological Health, Social Relationships, Environment), b) the fear of being contaminated by the virus seems to have intensified depression-anxiety-stress (DASS-21), obsessive-compulsive (DOCS) and hypochondriacal (BVS) symptomatology. c) The independent variables of depression, stress and anxiety and obsessive – compulsive and hypochondriacal symptomatology were negatively associated with QoL d) The most vulnerable groups in terms of QoL and mental health indicators in our study were those with psychiatric or/and physical illness, the elderly, the unemployed during the lockdown period, those with low educational/ socioeconomic status and those living alone. In conclusion, the negative emotions associated with the COVID-19 outbreak and the imposed restrictive measures had a serious impact on mental health and QoL of the population. This and other similar findings should be taken into account by authorities and decision-makers to prevent and deal with the effects of the pandemic. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic is still continuing and the imposition of new restrictive measures is considered. This increases the relevance of research like the one presented here.

PMID:36436214 | DOI:10.22365/jpsych.2022.095

Psychiatriki. 2022 Nov 11. doi: 10.22365/jpsych.2022.093. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a common metabolic disorder with various medical and psychological adverse effects. Well-being in patients with T2DM is often compromised. The aim of the present study was to investigate clinicodemographic predictors of well-being in patients with T2DM with no known psychiatric history and explore the mediatory role of undiagnosed anxiety and depression. We recruited 175 outpatients with T2DM (54.3% males, aged 34-79 (mean 59.9) years) followed-up at the Diabetes Center of the General Hospital of Nikaia-Peiraeus in Athens. Patients included had no severe diabetes-related complications or known psychiatric history. Well-being was measured with the Mental Health Continuum Short-Form (MHC-SF), a novel 14-item tool measuring the emotional (EWB), social (SWB) and psychological (PWB) dimensions of well-being, as well as a total score of well-being (WBT). Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used for screening for undiagnosed anxiety (HADS-A) and depression (HADS-D). Patients’ demographics, Body Mass Index (BMI), glycemic control (HbA1c), T2DM duration, comorbid hypertension or dyslipidemia and type of antidiabetic medication were investigated as predictors of well-being or its dimensions in stepwise linear regression models, also including or excluding HADS-A and HADS-D. Mediational effects of HADS-A and HADS-D were explored in structural equation models through path analyses. Results showed that 21.1% of participants had comorbid depression (HADS-D≥11) and 5.1% comorbid anxiety disorder (HADS-A≥11). In the models without HADS, higher WBT as well as EWB and PWB were significantly predicted by lower HbA1c (all p=0.001) and lower BMI (p=0.015, 0.019 and 0.030, respectively). After being included in the model, HADS-A and HADS-D significantly predicted WBT and every dimension of well-being, but the effects of HbA1c and BMI were no longer statistically significant. In path analyses, the indirect effects of HbA1c and BMI on well-being via HADS-D were statistically significant, while the direct and indirect effects via HADS-A were not. Therefore, the effects of HbA1c and BMI on EWB, PWB and WBT were completely mediated by HADS-D. Concludingly, this is the first study using MHC-SF to measure well-being in patients with T2DM. High levels of undiagnosed depression were recorded, in agreement with other studies. Depression was predicted by HbA1c and BMI and finally predicted well-being. Undiagnosed depression fully explained the effects of HbA1c and BMI on well-being. The interplay of glycemic control and positive mental health should be further investigated.

PMID:36436212 | DOI:10.22365/jpsych.2022.093

Environ Toxicol. 2022 Nov 27. doi: 10.1002/tox.23716. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

According to the alarming statistical analysis of global cancer, there are over 19 million new diagnoses and more than 10 million deaths each year. One such cancer is the oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), which requires new therapeutic strategies. Ficus septica extract has been used in traditional medicine to treat infectious diseases. In this study, we examined the anti-proliferative effects of an extract of F. septica bark (FSB) in OSCC cells. Our results showed that FSB caused a concentration-dependent reduction in the viability of SCC2095 OSCC cells, as determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assays, and was less sensitive to fibroblasts. In addition, FSB induced apoptosis by activating caspases, accompanied by the modulation of Akt/mTOR/NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling. Moreover, FSB increased reactive oxygen species generation in a concentration-dependent manner in SCC2095 cells. Furthermore, FSB inhibited cell migration and modulated the levels of the cell adhesion molecules including E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and Snail in SCC2095 cells. Pinoresinol, a lignan isolated from FSB, showed antitumor effects in SCC2095 cells, implying that this compound might play an important role in FSB-induced OSCC cell death. Taken together, FSB is a potential anti-tumor agent against OSCC cells.

PMID:36436203 | DOI:10.1002/tox.23716