Category: Nevin Manimala

Gan To Kagaku Ryoho. 2021 Aug;48(8):987-991.

ABSTRACT

Cancer cachexia is defined as a multifactorial syndrome that causes anorexia and an ongoing loss of skeletal muscle mass (with or without loss of fat mass). When patients got cachexia, the effectiveness and tolerance for anti-cancer therapy is reduced, leading to their poor prognosis. Although known as such disease, there had been no effective cure for cancer cachexia. Ghrelin is a peptide hormone that promotes appetite and improve cachexia. However, there is a limitation as a drug because its half-life is short and must be intravenous injected. Anamorelin is a first novel drug, an orally active, non- peptidic ghrelin mimetic and growth hormone secretagogue approved in Japan in January 2021. Like ghrelin, anamorelin also increases the appetite and lean body mass of patients with cancer cachexia. On the other hand, in clinical trials, there was no statistical significance for increasing the 6-minute walk test distance and recovering non-dominant hand grip strength. As for the functional recovery, a new program has been developed for non-pharmacotherapy with nutritional and exercise interventions. These 2 kinds of interventions will become effective anti-cachexia therapy. Research is also underway to produce anti-cachexia drugs other than anamorelin. Somes are already in their clinical trials. Anti-cachexia therapy will be a new option for treating advanced cancer.

PMID:34404062

PLoS One. 2021 Aug 17;16(8):e0256239. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256239. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In the Indian state of Bihar, visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a major public health issue that has been aggravated by the rising incidence of new Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. In endemic areas, the risk of VL infections in patients living with HIV (PLHIV) is higher. It is important to investigate the disease-related knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of PLHIV in Bihar in order to monitor HIV/VL co-infection. Adequate knowledge, a positive attitude, and good practices for VL control are essential to stamp out the disease. This study investigated the KAP towards VL in HIV patients attending antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinic at ICMR-RMRIMS, Patna.

METHODS: A questionnaire based cross-sectional study was performed among 120 HIV patients aged ≥18 years, to evaluate their KAP regarding visceral leishmaniasis. For the KAP indicators, each correct answer received a score of 1, while unsure and incorrect responses received a score of 0. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used for the analysis. Data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27.

RESULTS: The study population had a male (68.30%) preponderance with a mean age of 37.03 years ± 9.80 years of standard deviation. The majority (93.30%) of the study participants had previously heard about VL. Only 32.10% of those who had heard about VL knew that the disease was transmitted by the sandfly. Most (80.40%) of the study respondents were ignorant of the sandfly breeding grounds. The vast majority (75.90%) had no idea how to recognize sandflies and were unaware of their biting time, leishmaniasis transmission season, and preventive practices. Although PLHIV are vulnerable to VL, only 27.70% of them agreed that VL is a fatal disease if untreated, and 42.90% believed they wear not at risk of developing the disease. Regarding the control methods of sandflies, 28.60% of participants did not use any methods to avoid sandfly bites. The multivariable analysis revealed that occupation and family history were the two independent predictor variables of the knowledge index. Age and gender were significantly associated with attitude towards VL. Participants working as laborers had significantly lesser odds (AOR: 0.248, 95% CI: 0.073-0.844) to follow good preventive practices. There were significantly higher odds of having good practice among participants aged 18-40 years (AOR: 6.866, 95% CI: 1.694-27.834) and those residing in urban areas (AOR: 4.159, 95% CI: 1.317-13.139) than their peers. Overall, 27.7% of respondents were knowledgeable, 41.1% had a positive mindset, and 33.9% had strong VL preventive habits, according to the study.

CONCLUSION: The study determined a remarkable gap in the knowledge attitude and practices towards VL among PLHIV. This underscores the need of augmented health education initiatives for PLHIV in endemic areas for good VL awareness and preventive practices.

PMID:34404087 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0256239

J Athl Train. 2021 Aug 17. doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-0006.21. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT: Athletic trainers’ (ATs) job satisfaction has been extensively researched, yet little is known about how satisfaction relates to organizational culture.

OBJECTIVE: To examine ATs’ level of job satisfaction and organizational fit perceptions within their employment setting.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.

SETTING: Web-based questionnaire.

PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: 5,704 ATs (full-time employment, nonacademic appointment) were contacted via email; 841 participants began our survey (access rate = 14.7%), and 285 completed the survey (5.0% response rate; 33.9% completion rate; men = 107 (37.5%), women = 178 (62.5%); age = 34.8±9.9 years; employment setting = 34.7% NCAA D1 (n=99), 18.9% NCAA DII (n=54), 29.5% NCAA DIII (n=84), and 16.9% other.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Participants responded to an online survey consisting of demographic questions, a 36-item Likert scale Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS), and the Cable and Judge revision of O’Reilly, Chatman, and Caldwell’s 40-item ranking organizational cultures profile (OCP) survey. Multiple linear regression models for total or subscale job satisfaction were used to analyze the data. All models adjusted for the same demographic measures and the independent variables of interest were created from the organizational culture survey responses.

RESULTS: Coworkers (min=9, max=24, rho=0.79), communications (min=9, max=24, rho=0.78), and work itself (min=4, max=24, rho=0.71) were the most correlated with the total job satisfaction score (min=96, max=175). 54% of respondents selected adaptability, stability, and taking individual responsibility as one of their two most characteristic attributes in the organizational culture profile. 83% of respondents indicated being aggressive, high pay for good performance, and being distinctive/different from others as their two least characteristic traits.

CONCLUSIONS: ATs’ job satisfaction was impacted most by organizational factors, such as coworkers and communication, as well as individual attributes like adaptability, stability, and taking personal responsibility.

PMID:34404089 | DOI:10.4085/1062-6050-0006.21

Geriatr Nurs. 2021 Aug 14;42(5):1143-1150. doi: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2021.07.007. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study explores the prevalence and correlates of bone and joint diseases and its association with falls among older adults in India. Data from the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (2017-18) were utilized for analysis (n = 31,464). Bivariate and logistic regression was used to fulfill the study objectives. The findings revealed that 19.71% of older adults had bone and joint disease, which was higher among women (22.79%) than men (16.25%). The strongest predictors of such diseases included being currently employed, physically inactive, having difficulties in performing functional activities and higher economic status. The fall in the last two years was reported by 12.63% of older adults, and bone and joints diseases were significantly associated with falls (AOR = 1.287; 95% CI: 1.117-1.483) after adjusting for several socio-demographic and health covariates. These findings imply that policymakers and providers must implement interventions designed to reduce the risk of those diseases and associated falls.

PMID:34404017 | DOI:10.1016/j.gerinurse.2021.07.007

Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2021 Aug 17:1-7. doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2020-0834. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess neuromuscular performance capabilities over an in-season mesocycle in early-career professional soccer players and examine the relationship with training workload.

METHODS: Neuromuscular performance capabilities (isometric knee extensor: peak force, rate of force development, and peak twitch force) of 12 professional soccer players were assessed weekly over a 6-week period. Training and match workload were also recorded over the same period for each player (high-intensity running distance). Changes in neuromuscular performance and workload variables were analyzed.

RESULTS: There was evidence of fluctuations in neuromuscular performance capability over the mesocycle that reached statistical (P < .05) and practical (13.3% [peak-to-peak]) significance alongside interweek heterogeneity in training and match workload (∼17.5% [coefficient of variation], P < .05). Congruence among fluctuating patterns of intramesocycle training load and concomitant neuromuscular performance responses was noted over time for acute training load and acute:chronic workload ratio with peak force and rate of force development.

CONCLUSION: Neuromuscular performance capabilities fluctuate over an in-season mesocycle and are influenced by high-intensity running workload, emphasizing the need for acute monitoring in elite soccer players.

PMID:34404025 | DOI:10.1123/ijspp.2020-0834

J Affect Disord. 2021 Jul 21;295:50-55. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.07.041. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Many perinatal mental health risk factor studies report that antenatal depression is a signifcant risk factor for women being depressed postnatally. They often describe the strength of the risk as being ‘strong’ or ‘strongly predictive’ (or similar phrases), though usually without explaining why these terms are used. It is possible that readers of such research may misunderstand these qualitative descriptors.

METHOD: As part of routine teaching regarding risk analyses, we explored participants’ understanding of the conclusion stated in one specific perinatal risk study, which was that antenatal depression “strongly predicts” postnatal depression. Participants were groups of mental health professionals and postgraduate students, in Italy (N = 56) and Australia (N = 34).They completed an Estimate Survey, in which they indicated the actual number of antenatally depressed women they expected would have been depressed postpartum, given the study’s conclusion.

RESULTS: The majority of survey respondents (~80%) expected that “strongly predicts” meant that a much higher proportion of women with the risk then became depressed than was actually the case. Some participants expressed major concern at the study’s conclusion.

LIMITATION: Participants comprised two small convenience samples of health professionals and postgraduate students, and thus may not be representative of the population.

CONCLUSION: Studies that rely on the statistical significance of their analyses to conclude whether antenatal depression is a strong predictor or risk for postnatal depression may not accord with how health professionals interpret the data, once the absolute risk information is clearly provided. Recommendations for improving the reporting of results in such studies are made.

PMID:34403934 | DOI:10.1016/j.jad.2021.07.041

Acta Psychol (Amst). 2021 Aug 14;219:103396. doi: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2021.103396. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Despite extensive existing research concerning source memory (i.e., memory for what has been said, given, or done to us by whom) during social interaction, destination memory (i.e., memory for what we have said, given, or done to whom) remains to be explored. Furthermore, although destination memory is believed to involve a self-reference process, it remains unclear whether such a process is sufficient to trigger a self-positivity bias. To address these issues, we combined the destination memory paradigm with the social dilemma game to compare destination memory for cooperation and cheating. Both behavioral performance and the neural index of successful encoding, the Dm (difference due to memory) effect, were concerned. Behaviorally, destination memory for cooperative, cheating, and neutral behaviors decreased successively. For neural activities, the pre-400 ms Dm effects during 200-400 ms were non-significant under any condition. In the latency windows of 400-800 ms and 800-1000 ms, the post-400 ms Dm effects were reliably observed for both cooperative and cheating behaviors and were statistically comparable between the two behavior types, but the effect was not obtained for neutral behaviors. These data suggest a self-positivity bias in the behavioral performance but not in the encoding-related Dm effects of destination memory.

PMID:34403980 | DOI:10.1016/j.actpsy.2021.103396

J Environ Manage. 2021 Aug 14;298:113524. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113524. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Macroplastics are a ubiquitous and growing environmental contaminant with impacts in both marine and terrestrial systems. Marine sampling has dominated research in this field, despite the terrestrial origins of most plastic debris. Due to the high surface water connectivity facilitated by roadside ditches, these landscape features provide a unique sampling location linking terrestrial and surface water systems. We collected and analyzed macroplastic accumulation by number of pieces, mass, and polymer type in roadside ditches across four land uses, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Finger Lakes Region of New York State. Commercial land use plastic accumulation rate was highest, while forested land use accumulation rates were lowest on a piece basis. Pre-COVID-19 piece accumulation rates were significantly higher than COVID-19 piece accumulation rates across all land uses. Mass accumulation rates followed similar patterns observed in piece accumulation, but the patterns were not always statistically significant. Plastic type 4 (i.e. thin plastic films), especially plastic bags and wrappers, was the most frequently collected type of macroplastic by piece across all land uses within the 1-7 Resin Identification Codes. By mass, the data were distributed less consistently across land uses. Cigarette filters, containing the polymer cellulose acetate, were the most frequently found roadside plastic, but are not within the 1-7 classification system. Our results suggest that policies in place limiting plastic bag usage could substantially reduce roadside plastics but other plastics, such as food wrappers and other single use plastic films, which comprised a large proportion of the plastic debris collected, should also be regulated to further decrease macroplastic pollution.

PMID:34403916 | DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113524

J Environ Manage. 2021 Aug 14;298:113513. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113513. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Mitigation of carbon dioxide emissions has become an utmost important global agenda, keeping into consideration the associated environmental hardships. As a result, it is important to unearth the factors which can neutralize carbon emissions to transform the world economy into a low-carbon one. Against this backdrop, this study explores the carbon dioxide neutralizing effects of economic growth, international tourism, clean energy promotion, and technological innovation in the context of five European Union (EU-5) nations during the 1990-2015 period. This study’s main contribution is in terms of its approach to test the interaction effect between foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows and energy innovation on carbon dioxide emissions. The econometric analysis chronologically involves the employment of unit root, cointegration, causality, and regression methods. Overall, the findings support the inverted-U-shaped economic growth-carbon dioxide emissions nexus to verify the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis. Besides, the Pollution Haven Hypothesis in the context of the selected panel is also verified as higher FDI inflows are seen to boost the carbon dioxide emission levels. The results also confirm that energy innovation moderates the harmful effect of air transport (a proxy for international tourism) on carbon dioxide emissions during the developing stage of the tourism industry. On the other hand, renewable energy promotion is found to curb carbon dioxide emissions. These findings suggest that the European governments need to enhance investments in their respective renewable energy sectors and simultaneously ensure the development of clean industries, which can collectively help these nations become carbon-neutral in the future.

PMID:34403918 | DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113513

Heart Lung. 2021 Aug 14;50(6):893-897. doi: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2021.07.013. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Patients admitted to the intensive care units encounter many complications due to the nature of the disease and invasive medical procedures such as intubation and mechanical ventilation. Among these complications, agitation is a frequently-observed and serious problem.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the effect of Shiatsu massage on agitation in mechanically ventilated patients.

METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, a total of 68 mechanically ventilated patients were selected and then randomly assigned to two groups of intervention and control. Patients in the intervention group received three 5-minute periods of Shiatsu massage with a 2-minute break between them, while patients in the control group only received a touch on the area considered for the message. Data were collected before and after the intervention using the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) and then analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 25.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, N.Y., USA).

RESULTS: The results showed that the level of agitation significantly decreased in the intervention group compared to the control group (p=.001).

CONCLUSION: Application of shiatsu massage seems to be effective in managing agitation in mechanically ventilated patients. Further studies with greater sample size and longer follow-up period are needed to confirm the current findings.

PMID:34403892 | DOI:10.1016/j.hrtlng.2021.07.013