Nevin Manimala

Eur J Nutr. 2024 Nov 13;64(1):2. doi: 10.1007/s00394-024-03521-9.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The potential association between oral health and nutritional status of the very old, has been poorly investigated. Thus, we carried out the cross-sectional study to evaluate the association of oral health with the nutritional status of the older adults.

METHODS: 210 participants aged over 75 years were included in the study. Nutritional status was assessed by the Short-form Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA-SF) and body composition measurement. Data were available for self-reported oral health (10-item Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) and Chewing Function Questionnaire (CFQ)) and specific experimental tests including salivary flow, tongue and lip pressure, occlusal force, water swallow test and taste test for the detection of oral functions. Spearman rank correlation was used to analyze the correlation between body composition and oral health. Logistic regression and restricted cubic spline models were applied to examine the association of oral health with malnutrition.

RESULTS: The study reveals that poor oral health is related to the malnutrition. The tongue pressure and molar occlusal force were significantly associated with malnutrition in an L-shaped dose-response relationship after adjustment for potential confounding factors. The higher the tongue pressure and molar occlusal force, the lower the risk of malnutrition. Besides, the CFQ score, salty, sour, and bitter taste, are risk factors for malnutrition.

CONCLUSIONS: The presence of malnutrition is significantly associated with poor oral health in older adults. Our study supposes that the design of food suitable for oral conditions of the older adults may be another feasible solution to the nutritional problems among them.

PMID:39535606 | DOI:10.1007/s00394-024-03521-9

West Afr J Med. 2024 Nov 10;41(11 Suppl 1):S19.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell cardiomyopathy is becoming a neglected tropical cardiovascular disease, yet the most common cause of death in HbSS patients. Myocardial strain using speckle tracking has recently been validated as a tool for the detection of subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Its utility in sickle cell disease in Nigeria is unknown.

OBJECTIVES: The study aims to evaluate global longitudinal left ventricular (GL LV) strain pattern in black SCD patients in steady state, and correlate that with clinico-laboratory and electrocardiographic (ECG) measurements. Furthermore, we will evaluate the timeline for the earliest detectable cardiac changes in SCD detectable by ECG or speckle tracking.

METHOD: 60 sickle cell patients between ages 5 and 40 years will be matched with 60 controls. Baseline clinic-laboratory data will be collected. All participants will have electrocardiography and speckle-tracking echocardiography of the left ventricle. The primary outcome is the global LV longitudinal strain in HBSS and matched control. Secondary outcomes are the clinico-laboratory and electrocardiographic correlates of LV strain in black HBSS patients as well as tracking the earliest detectable cardiovascular change in the life spectrum from childhood to adulthood. Regression analysis and other statistical models will be used.

CONCLUSION: The simplicity of the study design is crafted to spark interest in life-threatening cardiovascular complications of sickle cell disease beyond pulmonary hypertension.

PMID:39535588

Plant Biol (Stuttg). 2024 Nov 7. doi: 10.1111/plb.13735. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The root system harbours complex bacterial communities, which are critical for plant growth and health. Significant differences exist between bacterial communities in the root compartments; however, limited reports have explored their phylogenetic composition and niche conservatism in the root system of sorghum. We used the sorghum Hongyingzi cultivar as test plant, and applied 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing and various statistical approaches. Phylogenetic composition of bacterial communities in root compartments were primarily driven by closely related species with similar environmental adaptations. We also found evidence of phylogenetic niche conservatism in bacterial communities for edaphic factors in the various root compartments, with pH and available N playing essential roles in shaping community composition. Environmental threshold analysis revealed threshold ranges of dominant taxa for pH and available N, indicating wider adaptive thresholds for more abundant taxa. Reconstruction of ancestral states suggested evolutionary changes in adaptability of certain bacterial taxa to edaphic factors, suggesting a shift towards slightly acidic, high N environments and reflecting the prolonged mutual interaction between bacteria and plants in cultivated soils. These findings enhance our understanding of environmental responses and evolutionary dynamics of root-associated microbiota in young sorghum plants and provide novel insights into ecological adaptations, shedding light on their responses to environmental factors. Our study contributes to a better understanding of the ecological dynamics of root-associated microbiota and offers analytical pathways for exploring the nutritional regulation of root microbiota.

PMID:39506791 | DOI:10.1111/plb.13735

Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci. 2024 Nov 7;33:e61. doi: 10.1017/S2045796024000623.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: At the basis of many important research questions is causality – does X causally impact Y? For behavioural and psychiatric traits, answering such questions can be particularly challenging, as they are highly complex and multifactorial. ‘Triangulation’ refers to prospectively choosing, conducting and integrating several methods to investigate a specific causal question. If different methods, with different sources of bias, all indicate a causal effect, the finding is much less likely to be spurious. While triangulation can be a powerful approach, its interpretation differs across (sub)fields and there are no formal guidelines. Here, we aim to provide clarity and guidance around the process of triangulation for behavioural and psychiatric epidemiology, so that results of existing triangulation studies can be better interpreted, and new triangulation studies better designed.

METHODS: We first introduce the concept of triangulation and how it is applied in epidemiological investigations of behavioural and psychiatric traits. Next, we put forth a systematic step-by-step guide, that can be used to design a triangulation study (accompanied by a worked example). Finally, we provide important general recommendations for future studies.

RESULTS: While the literature contains varying interpretations, triangulation generally refers to an investigation that assesses the robustness of a potential causal finding by explicitly combining different approaches. This may include multiple types of statistical methods, the same method applied in multiple samples, or multiple different measurements of the variable(s) of interest. In behavioural and psychiatric epidemiology, triangulation commonly includes prospective cohort studies, natural experiments and/or genetically informative designs (including the increasingly popular method of Mendelian randomization). The guide that we propose aids the planning and interpreting of triangulation by prompting crucial considerations. Broadly, its steps are as follows: determine your causal question, draw a directed acyclic graph, identify available resources and samples, identify suitable methodological approaches, further specify the causal question for each method, explicate the effects of potential biases and, pre-specify expected results. We illustrated the guide’s use by considering the question: ‘Does maternal tobacco smoking during pregnancy cause offspring depression?’.

CONCLUSIONS: In the current era of big data, and with increasing (public) availability of large-scale datasets, triangulation will become increasingly relevant in identifying robust risk factors for adverse mental health outcomes. Our hope is that this review and guide will provide clarity and direction, as well as stimulate more researchers to apply triangulation to causal questions around behavioural and psychiatric traits.

PMID:39506622 | DOI:10.1017/S2045796024000623

Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci. 2024 Nov 7;33:e60. doi: 10.1017/S2045796024000489.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: Humanitarian migrants are at increased risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and elevated psychological distress. However, men and women often report varying degrees of stress and experience different challenges during migration. While studies have explored PTSD, psychological distress, gender, and resettlement stressors, they have not explored the interplay between these factors. This study aims to address that gap by investigating gender disparities in PTSD and psychological distress among humanitarian migrants in Australia, with a focus on the moderating role of socioeconomic factors.

METHODS: This study used data from five waves of the Building a New Life in Australia (BNLA) survey, a longitudinal study of 2,399 humanitarian migrants who arrived in Australia in 2013. PTSD and psychological distress were measured using the PTSD-8 and Kessler-6 (K6) scales, respectively. We conducted generalised linear mixed-effect logistic regression analyses stratified by gender.

RESULTS: Female humanitarian migrants exhibited a significantly higher prevalence of PTSD and psychological distress than males over five years of resettlement in Australia. Women facing financial hardship, unemployment, or residing in short-term housing reported greater levels of PTSD and distress compared to men.

CONCLUSIONS: Women facing financial hardship, inadequate housing, and unemployment exhibit higher rates of PTSD and psychological distress, underscoring the significant impact of socioeconomic factors. Addressing these challenges at both individual and systemic levels is essential for promoting well-being and managing mental health among female humanitarian migrants.

PMID:39506621 | DOI:10.1017/S2045796024000489

J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol. 2024 Dec;45(1):2424417. doi: 10.1080/0167482X.2024.2424417. Epub 2024 Nov 7.

ABSTRACT

Our current understanding of postpartum people’s functioning while managing substance use disorder (SUD) recovery is limited. This study explored whether having a SUD impacts maternal functioning and examined the reliability of the Barkin Index of Maternal Functioning (BIMF) in postpartum people with SUDs. We conducted a prospective, cross-sectional survey (n = 141) by administering the BIMF and a demographic questionnaire with a sample of postpartum people with SUD (n = 48) and a comparative sample of postpartum people without SUD (n = 93). The internal reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = .86) was consistent with previous studies. SUD diagnosis was significantly associated with lower functioning, with individuals in the SUD group having an 8-point lower BIMF score compared to persons without SUDs, although both groups reported moderately high BIMF scores (>80). While not statistically significant, participants with SUDs had reduced functioning scores over time. Considering the increasing rate of overdose deaths in postpartum persons, further examination of functioning in postpartum persons with SUDs is warranted. Integration of the BIMF into SUD screening and treatment can provide a holistic view of postpartum experiences in this high-risk population and serve as a unique tool to understand the needs of new mothers navigating SUD recovery.

PMID:39506619 | DOI:10.1080/0167482X.2024.2424417

Clin Lab. 2024 Nov 1;70(11). doi: 10.7754/Clin.Lab.2024.240614.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The purpose of clinical microbiology testing is to provide important information for clinical diagnosis and treatment. The correct collection, processing, and transportation of specimens are the key to the success of clinical microbiological examination.

METHODS: Retrospective analysis was done on the composition and causes of unqualified microbial samples submitted by clinical departments from 2019 to 2020 at the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University. The solutions were proposed from the perspective of nursing management.

RESULTS: In 2019, the hospital received 64,244 clinical microbial specimens. The unqualified rate of samples was 8.96%, of which the unqualified sputum accounted for 84.74%. After strengthening the communication with the medical laboratory, increasing publicity and training, and improving the information system and other auxiliary monitoring functions, the unqualified rate of clinical microbial specimens was reduced to 6.05% in 2020.

CONCLUSIONS: Continuously improving the theoretical and practical abilities of nurses can reduce the unqualified rate of samples.

PMID:39506602 | DOI:10.7754/Clin.Lab.2024.240614

Clin Lab. 2024 Nov 1;70(11). doi: 10.7754/Clin.Lab.2024.240915.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Despite saving a vast number of lives through blood transfusions, transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) still threaten the lives of people needing blood transfusion. Hence, screening blood donors and reviewing the prevalence of TTIs amongst blood donors might show the impact of these infections among our people. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence rates of transfusion-transmitted infections among blood donors in Makkah as foundation for providing harmless blood transfusion in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out at the Central Blood Bank in Makkah city, Saudi Arabia, from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023. A total of 13,706 samples were collected and screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B surface antibodies (HBsAbs), hepatitis B core antibodies (HBcAbs), antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV), antibodies to HIV 1 and 2 (HIV I/II Ab), antibodies to HTLV 1 and 2 (HTLV I/II Ab), Malarial antibodies, and antibodies to VDRL.

RESULTS: A total of 13,706 blood units were received and tested. Out of the total, 52% were non-Saudi donors and 47.9% were Saudi donors; 28.4% were aged 18 – 28 years, 42.8% were aged 29 – 39 years, 24.4% were aged 40 – 50 years, and 4.4% were aged 51 – 60 years. The majority was O+ blood group (42.7%), followed by A+ (26.2%), B+ (18.7%), AB+ (4.6%), O- (3.8%), A- (2.1%), B- (1.5%), and AB- (0.4%). While 42.6% of the blood units donated were from voluntary donors, 57.4% were donated by replacement donors. Sixty-one samples (0.4%) tested positive for HBsAg, 824 samples (6%) for HBcAb, 43 samples (0.3%) for HCV antibodies, 754 samples (5.5%) for HBsAb, and 44 samples (0.3%) for HIV I/II Ag/Ab combinations. Further, 44 samples (0.3%) were positive for HTLV I/II antibodies, 83 samples (0.6%) for VDRL antibodies, and only 3 samples (nearly 0%) for malaria antibodies. Forty-three samples (0.3%) were positive for NAT-HBV, 7 samples (0.1%) were positive for NAT-HCV, and 6 samples (0.1%) were positive for NAT-HIV. The analysis revealed a statistically significant and strong correlation between HBsAgs and NAT-HBV (r = 0.819, p < 0.0001). In contrast, while there was a statistically significant association between HBsAgs and HBcAbs, the correlation was weak (r = 0.191, p < 0.0001). Additionally, there was an association between HBsAbs and HBsAgs, but the Spearman correlation indicated a very weak relationship (r = 0.042, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence rates of transfusion-transmitted infections showed a steady decline in 2023, and these rates were much lower in Makkah than in other parts of the country or in neighboring countries. The importance of using NAT in the screening of blood donors was indicated in this study. These findings could contribute to improving the understanding of TTIs epidemiology and supporting health authorities in controlling blood-borne pathologies.

PMID:39506595 | DOI:10.7754/Clin.Lab.2024.240915

Clin Lab. 2024 Nov 1;70(11). doi: 10.7754/Clin.Lab.2024.240608.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the effect and clinical implications of IL-1β on the development of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

METHODS: This retrospective study included a total of 80 participants, and these participants were divided into the following two groups: control group (healthy participants) and experimental group (aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients). Then, all of the participants received digital subtraction angiography or computed tomography angiography. Participants’ general data were collected and analyzed. IL-1β expression in blood samples were determined by ELISA, and then IL-1β protein were determined by western blotting.

RESULTS: A total of 80 participants was included in this study, and the participants` general data, including gender, age, and previous medical history, showed no significant differences between the experimental group and control group. The IL-1β value in the experimental group was significantly increased, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Upregulated IL-1β can promote the development of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, indicating that IL-1β is a key factor in evaluating the prognosis of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

PMID:39506594 | DOI:10.7754/Clin.Lab.2024.240608

Clin Lab. 2024 Nov 1;70(11). doi: 10.7754/Clin.Lab.2024.240511.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUNDS: AML patients with FLT3-ITD mutation experience a poor prognosis. Our study evaluated the clini¬cal characteristics, remission, relapse, and clinical outcomes of these patients. We also assessed the effectiveness of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and sorafenib in treating AML patients with FLT3-ITD mutation.

METHODS: Fifty-five newly diagnosed AML patients with FLT3-ITD mutation in our center were retrospectively enrolled between January 2018 and June 2023. Multiple fusion genes and gene mutations were identified for the diagnosis of AML. Survival curves were calculated by employing the Kaplan-Meier method, and the differences between them were evaluated by using the log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test.

RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients underwent allo-HSCT. The allo-HSCT group had a significantly extended follow-up period compared to the non-HSCT group (p < 0.001). Mutations in both NPM1 and FLT3-ITD were present in 18 out of the 55 patients (32.7%). Among them, eleven patients were given sorafenib plus chemotherapy induction therapy, and forty-four received mono-chemotherapy. The HSCT group had a higher overall survival (OS) rate than the non-HSCT group (p < 0.001), and a higher relapse-free survival (RFS) rate as well (p = 0.0017). No statistically significant difference in OS and RFS was observed when compared with sorafenib plus chemotherapy and mono-chemotherapy (p > 0.05). FLT3-ITD-positive patients with and without NPM1 mutation did not experience a significant difference in OS and RFS rates (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Allo-HSCT immediately following complete remission could improve outcomes for young adults diagnosed with FLT3-ITD-positive AML. However, we found no statistical difference in the overall response rate (ORR) and clinical outcome between sorafenib combined with chemotherapy and chemotherapy alone.

PMID:39506591 | DOI:10.7754/Clin.Lab.2024.240511