Category: Nevin Manimala

PLoS One. 2022 Jun 7;17(6):e0269573. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269573. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused over 500 million cases and over six million deaths globally. From these numbers, over 12 million cases and over 250 thousand deaths have occurred on the African continent as of May 2022. Prevention and surveillance remains the cornerstone of interventions to halt the further spread of COVID-19. Google Health Trends (GHT), a free Internet tool, may be valuable to help anticipate outbreaks, identify disease hotspots, or understand the patterns of disease surveillance. We collected COVID-19 case and death incidence for 54 African countries and obtained averages for four, five-month study periods in 2020-2021. Average case and death incidences were calculated during these four time periods to measure disease severity. We used GHT to characterize COVID-19 incidence across Africa, collecting numbers of searches from GHT related to COVID-19 using four terms: ‘coronavirus’, ‘coronavirus symptoms’, ‘COVID19’, and ‘pandemic’. The terms were related to weekly COVID-19 case incidences for the entire study period via multiple linear and weighted linear regression analyses. We also assembled 72 variables assessing Internet accessibility, demographics, economics, health, and others, for each country, to summarize potential mechanisms linking GHT searches and COVID-19 incidence. COVID-19 burden in Africa increased steadily during the study period. Important increases for COVID-19 death incidence were observed for Seychelles and Tunisia. Our study demonstrated a weak correlation between GHT and COVID-19 incidence for most African countries. Several variables seemed useful in explaining the pattern of GHT statistics and their relationship to COVID-19 including: log of average weekly cases, log of cumulative total deaths, and log of fixed total number of broadband subscriptions in a country. Apparently, GHT may best be used for surveillance of diseases that are diagnosed more consistently. Overall, GHT-based surveillance showed little applicability in the studied countries. GHT for an ongoing epidemic might be useful in specific situations, such as when countries have significant levels of infection with low variability. Future studies might assess the algorithm in different epidemic contexts.

PMID:35671301 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0269573

PLoS Genet. 2022 Jun 7;18(6):e1010252. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010252. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

De novo variants (DNVs) with deleterious effects have proved informative in identifying risk genes for early-onset diseases such as congenital heart disease (CHD). A number of statistical methods have been proposed for family-based studies or case/control studies to identify risk genes by screening genes with more DNVs than expected by chance in Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) studies. However, the statistical power is still limited for cohorts with thousands of subjects. Under the hypothesis that connected genes in protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks are more likely to share similar disease association status, we developed a Markov Random Field model that can leverage information from publicly available PPI databases to increase power in identifying risk genes. We identified 46 candidate genes with at least 1 DNV in the CHD study cohort, including 18 known human CHD genes and 35 highly expressed genes in mouse developing heart. Our results may shed new insight on the shared protein functionality among risk genes for CHD.

PMID:35671298 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pgen.1010252

PLoS Comput Biol. 2022 Jun 7;18(6):e1009773. doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009773. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Transcription factor (TF) regulates the transcription of DNA to messenger RNA by binding to upstream sequence motifs. Identifying the locations of known motifs in whole genomes is computationally intensive.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: This study presents a computational tool, named “Grit”, for screening TF-binding sites (TFBS) by coordinating transcription factors to their promoter sequences in orthologous genes. This tool employs a newly developed mixed Student’s t-test statistical method that detects high-scoring binding sites utilizing conservation information among species. The program performs sequence scanning at a rate of 3.2 Mbp/s on a quad-core Amazon server and has been benchmarked by the well-established ChIP-Seq datasets, putting Grit amongst the top-ranked TFBS predictors. It significantly outperforms the well-known transcription factor motif scanning tools, Pscan (4.8%) and FIMO (17.8%), in analyzing well-documented ChIP-Atlas human genome Chip-Seq datasets.

SIGNIFICANCE: Grit is a good alternative to current available motif scanning tools.

PMID:35671296 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009773

Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin. 2022 Jun 7:1-7. doi: 10.1080/10255842.2022.2082246. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The noninvasive pressure support ventilation (NPSV) has been one of mechanical ventilation widely applied for the respiratory patients in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), etc. To investigate and develop the technologies in NPSV conveniently and in low-cost, in this article, a therapy system model of NPSV was designed with developing the mathematical submodels of NPSV respirator and respiratory patient in COPD and ARDS. By simulating the respirator, breath circuit, mask and respiratory patients, a MATLAB-based virtual experimental platform was developed for virtual ventilations. And in order to test the authenticity and practicability of the therapy system model of NPSV, a lot of ASL5000-based physical experiments were carried out for comparative analysis with the simulated outputs: pressures, flows and volumes. The statistical conclusions demonstrate that the simulated results are consist with the results from the physical experiments (TTEST P > 0.39). The experimental results tell that the therapy system model of NPSV is effective and workable. The developed therapy system model of NPSV will be beneficial for clinician and researcher to explore the therapeutic methods and some potential measures in NPSV for saving the respiratory patient’s health and life.

PMID:35670282 | DOI:10.1080/10255842.2022.2082246

Neurourol Urodyn. 2022 Jun 7. doi: 10.1002/nau.24978. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Urinary incontinence (UI) is one of the most common complications of radical prostatectomy (RP). Impaired urethral sphincter function is generally considered to be the most important contributing factor for UI; however, the mechanism of onset and recovery of urinary continence has not been fully elucidated. The objective of this research was to evaluate preoperative functional urethral length (FUL) and maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP) as early continence recovery predictors after open retropubic RP (ORRP).

METHODS: The research was conducted on a group of 43 patients with localized prostate cancer (PCa) in the period from July 2019 to May 2021. The urodynamic method of urethral pressure profile (UPP) was used to assess FUL and MUCP, and correlate with the postprostatectomy continence recovery. The severity of UI and bothersome were assessed using fully validated International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire – Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF) and number of pads used in 24 h. Patients were interviewed about the use of urinary pads and asked to fill out the ICIQ-UI SF before and 2, 8, 16 and 24 weeks after ORRP.

RESULTS: The median value of FUL (mm) and MUCP (cmH2O) was 69 (28-94) and 76 (16-223), respectively. Correlation and linear regression showed a statistically significant negative correlation between preoperative values of FUL and MUCP with ICIQ symptom score and the number of pads used per day at the four observed time intervals (p < 0.05). Such a result showed that patients with higher preoperative FUL and MUCP values were more likely to recover urinary continence earlier. A value of 65 mm for FUL and 80 cmH₂ O for MUCP proved to be the cut-off values for continence recovery in 24 weeks after ORRP.

CONCLUSION: Preoperatively evaluated FUL and MUCP seem to be valuable prognostic factors for early continence recovery after ORRP. Further investigation on a larger patient cohort is needed to evaluate the role of UPP in the preoperative management of patients with PCa.

PMID:35670263 | DOI:10.1002/nau.24978

Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2022 Jun 7:zvac041. doi: 10.1093/eurjcn/zvac041. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: Social support is critical in follow-up of patients after heart transplant (HTx) and positively influences well-being and clinical outcomes such as medication adherence. The purpose of this study was to (i) explore received social support variation (emotional and practical) in HTx recipients at country and centre level and (ii) to assess multi-level correlates.

METHODS AND RESULTS: Secondary data analysis of the multi-level cross-sectional BRIGHT study was conducted in 36 HTx centres in 11 countries. Received social support related to medication adherence was measured with emotional and practical sub-scales. The Conceptual Model of Social Networks and Health guided selection of patient, micro (interpersonal and psychosocial), meso (HTx centre) and macro-level (country health system) factors. Descriptive statistics, intraclass correlations, and sequential multiple ordinal mixed logistic regression analysis were used. A total of 1379 adult HTx recipients were included. Patient level correlates (female sex, living alone, and fewer depressive symptoms) and micro-level correlates (higher level of chronic disease management and trust in the healthcare team) were associated with better emotional social support. Similarly, patient level (living alone, younger age, and male sex), micro-level and meso-level (patient and clinician-rated higher level of chronic disease management) were associated with better practical social support. Social support varied at country and centre levels for emotional and practical dimensions.

CONCLUSIONS: Social support in HTx recipients varies by country, centre, and was associated with multi-level correlates. Qualitative and longitudinal studies are needed to understand influencing factors of social support for intervention development, improvement of social support, and clinical outcomes.

PMID:35670232 | DOI:10.1093/eurjcn/zvac041

Headache. 2022 Jun 7. doi: 10.1111/head.14334. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The involvement of inflammation in the pathophysiology of cluster headache (CH) has been suggested, with a role implied for interleukin (IL)-1β. We aimed to measure peripheral blood expression levels of IL-1β-inducing systems, the inflammasome complex, and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) signaling, and investigate their values as putative biomarkers in CH.

METHODS: In this cross-sectional study conducted in the Headache Unit of Istanbul University, Turkey, blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and sera were collected from 30 patients with episodic migraine, 4 with chronic CH, and 47 healthy individuals. Levels of inflammasome complex components (NLRP1, NLRP3, caspase 1, and ASC), end products of inflammasome complex activity (IL-1β, IL-18, and nitric oxide synthase isoforms), neuron-specific enolase, other inflammatory factors (NF-κB, HMGB1, and s100b), and anti-inflammatory IL-4 were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and/or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS: NLRP3 expression levels were significantly reduced in PBMC samples of patients with CH, obtained during CH attacks (n = 24) or headache-free (out of cycle) episodes (n = 10). CH-attack patients showed greater expression levels of IL-1β (2^-ΔΔCT median [25th-75th percentile], 0.96 [0.66-1.29 vs. 0.52 [0.43-0.73]) and NF-κB (1.06 [0.66-3.00] vs. 0.62 [0.43-1.19]) in PBMCs but not in sera compared with headache-free CH patients. However, these differences did not attain statistical significance (p = 0.058 and p = 0.072, respectively). Moreover, NLRP1 (52.52 [35.48-67.91] vs. 78.66 [54.92-213.25]; p = 0.017), HMGB1 (11.51 [5.20-15.50] vs. 13.33 [8.08-18.13]; p = 0.038), S100b (569.90 [524.10-783.80] vs. 763.40 [590.15-2713.00]; p = 0.013), NSE (11.15 [6.26-14.91] vs. 13.93 [10.82-19.04]; p = 0.021), nNOS (4.24 [3.34-12.85] vs. 12.82 [4.52-15.44]; p = 0.028), and eNOS (64.83 [54.59-91.14] vs. 89.42 [61.19-228.40]; p = 0.034) levels were lower in patients with three or more autonomic manifestations (n = 9). No correlation was found between inflammation factors and clinical parameters of CH.

CONCLUSION: Our results support the involvement of the IL-1β system in attacks of CH. However, the components of the inflammasome complex are suppressed in the peripheral blood and do not appear to play a role in the pathophysiology of CH. These findings argue against a potential biomarker value of the inflammasome complex in CH.

PMID:35670197 | DOI:10.1111/head.14334

Anim Genet. 2022 Jun 7. doi: 10.1111/age.13201. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Liancheng white duck has two phenotypic traits: white feather and black beak-black foot, but the genes controlling these phenotypic traits are unknown. The objective of this study is to identify various candidate genes related to the plumage of Liancheng white duck. This study used F₂ population construction generated between white Kaiya duck and Liancheng white duck and F_ST analysis between the dominant and recessive loci associated with the Liancheng white duck white feather in order to identify specific gene regions. As per the feather color statistics of the F₂ population, it is estimated that there are about three or four genes controlling the white feather of Liancheng white ducks, and the F_ST results showed that four significant signals were found on chromosomes 4, 12, 13, and 21. Further annotation of these regions led to the identification of five genes involved in the melanin pathway, namely, KIT, CLOCK, MITF, CEBPA, and DOK5. Among them, CEBPA and DOK5 might be affecting the white feather traits of Liancheng white duck by regulating the melanin production and its transfer to the feather. The results provide insightful understanding into the genetic mechanisms of white feather in Liancheng white duck.

PMID:35670225 | DOI:10.1111/age.13201

No Shinkei Geka. 2022 May;50(3):578-585. doi: 10.11477/mf.1436204590.

ABSTRACT

Skull base surgery for malignant skull base disease is one of the most difficult surgeries. The success of the surgery depends on the harmonization of the excellent skills of the three departments: neurosurgery, otorhinolaryngology/head and neck surgery, and plastic surgery. In addition, it is necessary to perform complete resection, that is, resection in which the malignant tumor is removed along with some surrounding healthy tissue. It is known that there is a statistically significant difference between negative and positive resection margins. In the event of a positive resection margin, chemoradiation with high-dose cisplatin is standard for the most common squamous cell carcinomas.

PMID:35670171 | DOI:10.11477/mf.1436204590

Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2022 Jun 7. doi: 10.1111/ggi.14398. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: This study contributes to previous initiatives examining healthy and active aging in the Philippines.

METHODS: We employed the Sullivan method to calculate healthy life expectancy (HLE) and active life expectancy (ALE) using the 2007 Philippine Survey on Aging and the 2018 Longitudinal Study of Ageing and Health. We compared the estimates at two time points, providing evidence of change over time.

RESULTS: There was no statistically significant change in the relative proportion of HLE over time for both sexes, suggesting dynamic equilibrium. For men, the increase in life expectancy was mainly an increase in unhealthy state (UHLE). The slight increases in HLE for all ages were not statistically significant. The differences in relative increase in HLE were not statistically significant. HLE for women increased over time, with statistically significant increases at ages 60 and 70 years. ALE declined in all age groups for both sexes, but the decline was statistically significant only among women in their 60s and 70s. There was also a statistically significant decline in the proportion of remaining life in an active state for all ages among both men and women, suggesting an expansion of morbidity.

CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest no evidence of compression of morbidity in the Philippines from 2007 to 2018. The HLE results suggest a dynamic equilibrium, while ALE results indicate an expansion of morbidity. The findings emphasize the need for the government to promote life course interventions that foster healthy choices and conduct further research to understand the factors influencing longevity and active aging in the Philippines. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; ••: ••-••.

PMID:35670130 | DOI:10.1111/ggi.14398