Nevin Manimala

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2024 Apr 6. doi: 10.1007/s11356-024-33147-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

River water quality is closely related to the major ion sources and hydrological conditions. However, there is a limited cognition about the geochemical sources and the seasonal variations of major ions. Thus, in this study, a total of 90 water samples were collected from the Longjiang River and its three tributaries in the dry and wet seasons. The samples were analyzed, including major ion concentrations and physicochemical parameters. Statistical analysis, such as correlation analysis and principal component analysis (PCA), was employed to investigate the spatial and seasonal variations in major ion composition and their respective sources. Our study revealed that the predominant major ions in the studied samples are Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, HCO – 3, and SO2 – 4. Most of ions exhibited notable spatial disparities attributable to variations in geological settings and human activities. Regions characterized by igneous rock outcrops tend to exhibit higher levels of K⁺ and Na⁺, while areas with higher population densities in the middle and downstream segments show elevated concentrations of Cl^–, NO – 3, SO2 – 4, Na⁺, and K⁺. The observed peak SO2 – 4 levels may be attributed to active mining operations. Most parameters displayed higher values in flood season than those in dry season due to dilution effects. Stoichiometric analysis indicated that carbonate weathering inputs contribute to over 85% of the mean total cation concentrations in the water, followed by contributions from silicates, atmospheric deposition, and anthropogenic inputs. On the whole, although the water quality remains non-polluted and is suitable for drinking and irrigation purposes, the enrichment of SO2 – 4 and NO – 3 may contribute to water eutrophication. Caution is warranted during the dry season due to reduced water flow resulting from dam interceptions and limited dilution capacity, potentially leading to elevated pollutant concentrations. Taken together, our results provided a scientific basis for water quality managements of monsoon rivers.

PMID:38581634 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-024-33147-7

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2024 Apr 6. doi: 10.1007/s11356-024-33171-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study addresses the pressing challenge of inefficient waste management practices within the Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC), Bangladesh. Despite rapid urbanization and escalating waste generation rates, RCC struggles with diverse waste disposal practices, limited supervision, irregular waste collection schedules, and inadequate disposal infrastructure. In this context, this study examines the possible improvements that could be made by combining the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and Android application to improve waste management methods in the RCC. The study’s foundation is a vast amount of information gathered from residents, with particular attention paid to waste disposal methods, the role of the local government, the frequency of waste collection, and public attitudes toward waste management. The results point to a complicated waste management environment with a range of waste disposal practices, little supervision, irregular waste collection, and insufficient disposal methods. The importance of RCC in waste management is emphasized, highlighting the need for proactive measures including effective monitoring, constant waste collection, and routine drain cleaning. Additionally, it is suggested that combining IoT, AI, and Android technology is a possible way to improve waste management procedures. These technologies have the potential to increase productivity, lessen their negative effects on the environment, and produce cleaner, more sustainable urban environments.

PMID:38581631 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-024-33171-7

J Community Health. 2024 Apr 6. doi: 10.1007/s10900-024-01356-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Firearm carriage and possession predicts youth firearm violence victimization and perpetration. This study describes self-reported factors associated with firearm access, carriage, and possession among justice-involved youth. We conducted an exploratory, mixed-methods study. Participants were recruited from May 2022 to February 2023 from the Juvenile Justice Collaborative, a diversion program for justice-involved youth. We used online anonymous surveys to investigate exposures related to firearm access, carriage, and possession. We performed semi-structured interviews using the phenomenology framework. We used descriptive statistics to examine firearm exposures by participant demographics. We performed qualitative analyses using an iterative approach with constant comparison to identify key themes. We completed 28 surveys and 5 interviews. Most survey participants identified as male (57%) and Black (61%) with a median age of 18 years. Interview participants described the socialization and cultural normalization of firearms, most prominently among peers. Survey participants reported whether they had ever carried (25%) or possessed (21%) a firearm. Survey and interview participants endorsed protection in the context of increasing violence exposure over time as the primary motivation for firearm possession. Interview participants describe accessing firearms primarily through social networks while survey participants also reported access from strangers (25%) and licensed sellers/gun dealers (18%). In conclusion, justice-involved youth believe firearm carriage and possession may be needed for protection due to increasing violence exposure. Further investigation is necessary to determine interventions that may decrease firearm access, carriage, and possession among justice-involved youth.

PMID:38581624 | DOI:10.1007/s10900-024-01356-3

Eur J Epidemiol. 2024 Apr 6. doi: 10.1007/s10654-024-01114-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Aging is a multifaceted and intricate physiological process characterized by a gradual decline in functional capacity, leading to increased susceptibility to diseases and mortality. While chronological age serves as a strong risk factor for age-related health conditions, considerable heterogeneity exists in the aging trajectories of individuals, suggesting that biological age may provide a more nuanced understanding of the aging process. However, the concept of biological age lacks a clear operationalization, leading to the development of various biological age predictors without a solid statistical foundation. This paper addresses these limitations by proposing a comprehensive operationalization of biological age, introducing the “AccelerAge” framework for predicting biological age, and introducing previously underutilized evaluation measures for assessing the performance of biological age predictors. The AccelerAge framework, based on Accelerated Failure Time (AFT) models, directly models the effect of candidate predictors of aging on an individual’s survival time, aligning with the prevalent metaphor of aging as a clock. We compare predictors based on the AccelerAge framework to a predictor based on the GrimAge predictor, which is considered one of the best-performing biological age predictors, using simulated data as well as data from the UK Biobank and the Leiden Longevity Study. Our approach seeks to establish a robust statistical foundation for biological age clocks, enabling a more accurate and interpretable assessment of an individual’s aging status.

PMID:38581608 | DOI:10.1007/s10654-024-01114-8

Ophthalmol Ther. 2024 Apr 6. doi: 10.1007/s40123-024-00931-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: This study is a retrospective case series to compare the accuracy of the Barrett toric calculator using predicted posterior corneal astigmatism (PCA) and PCA measurements using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) and a Scheimpflug camera. This evaluation was conducted across different types of anterior and posterior astigmatism.

METHODS: A total of 146 eyes from 146 patients implanted with toric intraocular lenses were included. Mean absolute prediction error, standard deviation of prediction error, and the percentage of eyes with prediction errors within ±0.50 diopters (D) were calculated using vector analysis. Biometric measurements were conducted using the IOLMaster 700 and Pentacam HR. A subgroup analysis was conducted based on the orientation of both anterior and posterior corneal astigmatism.

RESULTS: The Barrett toric calculator with predicted PCA yielded the best results, with 78.1% having a prediction error ≤ 0.50 D, which was a significantly higher percentage than the Barrett formula with the two versions of measured PCA (P < 0.05). In the subgroup with a horizontally steep meridian PCA using the IOLMaster 700, the Barrett formula with predicted PCA yielded the best results, with 78.3% of cases having a prediction error of less than 0.5 D. This percentage was significantly higher than the other two measured PCA subgroups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The Barrett toric formula with predicted PCA demonstrated a statistically significantly higher proportion of cases with a prediction error ≤ 0.5 D compared to the two measured PCA formulas (from the IOLMaster 700 or Pentacam). This trend persisted even when the posterior corneal astigmatism was horizontally steep.

PMID:38581606 | DOI:10.1007/s40123-024-00931-0

Int Urol Nephrol. 2024 Apr 6. doi: 10.1007/s11255-024-04025-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) for treating renal calculi under different shock wave pathways.

METHODS: This study involved a prospective analysis of clinical data obtained from 264 eligible patients with renal stones treated at the Urology Department of Shanxi Bethune Hospital between January 2021 and June 2023. Among these patients, 125 underwent ESWL via the dorsal shock wave pathway (Group A), while 139 patients underwent ESWL via the ipsilateral clavicular midline shock wave pathway (Group B). Preoperatively, all patients underwent non-contrast abdominal CT (NCCT) scans to assess stone count, diameter, CT values, and Skin-to-Stone Distance (SSD). Intraoperatively, ultrasonography was utilized to remeasure SSD and monitor stone fragmentation continuously. The ESWL procedure employed a standardized intermittent stepwise energy escalation technique until treatment completion. Various metrics, including intraoperative Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores, number of shocks, total shock wave energy, stone-free rate (SFR) at 4 weeks post-operation, and postoperative complication rates, were recorded and subjected to statistical analysis.

RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding gender, age, BMI, stone count, stone diameter, stone CT values, intraoperative VAS pain scores, and postoperative complication rates (P>0.05). Preoperative SSD was significantly higher in Group B than in Group A (P<0.05), but there were no significant differences in intraoperative SSD between the groups (P>0.05). Group B showed significantly lower total shock wave energy and number of shocks compared to Group A (P<0.05). The stone-free rate (SFR) after 4 weeks did not exhibit significant differences between the groups (P>0.05). However, when the stone diameter was ≥1.3 cm, the SFR at 4 weeks post-operation in Group B was significantly higher than in Group A (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: ESWL emerges as a safe and efficacious approach for treating renal calculi. Our findings suggest that utilizing the ipsilateral clavicular midline shock wave pathway in ESWL necessitates less shock wave energy and enhances efficiency, particularly in cases with larger stone burdens.

PMID:38581588 | DOI:10.1007/s11255-024-04025-5

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2024 Apr 6. doi: 10.1007/s00405-024-08613-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Dysphagia is a prevalent symptom observed in acute stroke. Several bedside screening tests are employed for the early detection of dysphagia. Pulse oximetry emerges as a practical and supportive method to augment the existing techniques utilized during bedside swallowing assessments. Desaturation levels, as measured by pulse oximetry, are acknowledged as indicative of aspiration by certain screening tests. However, the predictive capability of pulse oximetry in determining aspiration remains a subject of controversy. The objective of this study was to compare aspiration and oxygen desaturation levels by time and aspiration severity in dysphagic patients compared to healthy controls. It also aimed to evaluate the accuracy of pulse oximetry by comparing it with VFSS findings in detecting aspiration in both liquid (IDDSI-0) and semi-solid (IDDSI-4) consistencies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty subjects (40 healthy and 40 acute stroke patients) participated. Patients suspected of dysphagia underwent videofluoroscopy as part of the stroke unit’s routine procedure. Baseline SpO₂ was measured before VFSS, and stabilized values were recorded. Sequential IDDSI-0 and IDDSI-4 barium tests were conducted with 5 ml boluses. Stabilized SPO₂ values were recorded during swallowing and 3-min post-feeding. Patients with non-dysphagia received equal bolus monitoring. Changes in SPO₂ during, before, and after swallowing were analyzed for each consistency in both groups.

RESULTS: The study revealed a statistically significant difference in SPO₂ between patients with dysphagia and controls for IDDSI-4 and IDSSI-0. In IDDSI-4, 20% of patients experienced SpO₂ decrease compared to 2.5% in control group (p = 0.013). For IDDSI-0, 35% of patients showed SpO₂ decrease, while none in the control group did (p = 0.0001). Aspiration rates were 2.5% in IDDSI-4 and 57.5% in IDDSI-0. In IDDSI-0, SpO₂ decrease significantly correlated with aspiration (p = 0.0001). In IDDSI-4, 20.5% had SpO₂ decrease without aspiration, and showing no significant difference (p = 0.613). Penetration-Aspiration Scale scores had no significant association with SpO₂ decrease (p = 0.602). Pulse oximetry in IDDSI-4 had limited sensitivity (0%) and positive predictive value, (0%) while in IDDSI-0, it demonstrated acceptable sensitivity (60.9%) and specificity (100%) with good discrimination capability (AUC = 0.83).

CONCLUSIONS: A decrease in SPO₂ may indicate potential aspiration but is insufficient alone for detection. This study proposes pulse oximetry as a valuable complementary tool in assessing dysphagia but emphasizes that aspiration cannot be reliably predicted based solely on SpO₂ decrease.

PMID:38581573 | DOI:10.1007/s00405-024-08613-0

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2024 Apr 6. doi: 10.1007/s00405-024-08603-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The intraoperative detection of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks during endoscopic skull base surgery is critical to ensure watertight sealed defects. Intrathecal fluorescein (ITF) is a valuable adjunct to intraoperative investigation. Hence, our aim is to summarize the evidence of the efficacy of ITF as an accurate diagnostic modality and reconstruction guide for non-congenital skull base defects.

METHODS: Using the Cochrane Central, MEDLINE, and Embase databases, we identified studies involving the use of ITF in non-congenital CSF leaks which were published until November 2023. The STATA 18 software was used for meta-analysis.

RESULTS: Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria, in which seven studies were included in the meta-analysis. ITF was used in 1898 (90.3%) of patients, with a detection rate of 88.1%. The overall detection rate of non-congenital CSF leaks among ITF concentrations of 5% and 10% had a statistically significant pooled effect size of 2.6 (95% CI = 2.25, 2.95), while when comparing the ITF to other alternative radiological tests, it was not statistically significant with a mean difference of 0.88 (95% CI = – 0.4, 2.16). Moreover, the pooled prevalence was statistically significant in regards of the complications associated with ITF with an effect size of 0.6 (95% CI = 0.39, 0.82), indicating that 60% of patients who underwent ITF would experience at least one of the measured complications.

CONCLUSION: ITF is considered as an efficient tool in localizing skull base defects. However, there was no significant results when comparing the ITF to other alternative radiological tests. Accordingly, if the ITF intervention is indicated, patients should be carefully selected based on their clinical need.

PMID:38581572 | DOI:10.1007/s00405-024-08603-2

Hormones (Athens). 2024 Apr 6. doi: 10.1007/s42000-024-00555-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to summarize the results of previous studies, standardize the data, and present new statistical results in order to provide physicians with clinically significant outcomes regarding the association between serum TSH concentration and bone mineral density (BMD).

METHODS: To perform this umbrella review, a systematic search was conducted in which major online medical databases, such as PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar, were searched for meta-analyses and systematic reviews regarding the effect of TSH on BMD. Furthermore, all primary studies were screened for statistical analysis.

RESULTS: The statistical outcomes of the present study were based on the data of 75,898 patients. The pooled risk ratio of any kind of fracture in patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism was estimated to be 1.36 (95% CI: 1.18-1.56; p < 0.001). The SMD for BMD in the distal radius in male patients receiving L-thyroxine suppression therapy was estimated to be -0.61 (95% CI: -1.10-(-0.11); p = 0.02). Furthermore, the pooled risk ratio of any fracture in patients receiving L-thyroxine suppression therapy was estimated to be 1.98 (95% CI: 0.98 – 3.98; p = 0.06). In these patients, the BMD may significantly differ from that in non-treated patients. However, the difference depends on the type of bone.

CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirmed that subclinical hyperthyroidism has a detrimental effect on bones, causing decreased BMD. Based on the obtained results, the authors suggest that a reduced TSH serum level itself may be an individual factor associated with decreased BMD and, thus, with a greater risk of bone fracture. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the effects of TSH suppression therapy differ between areas of interest for assessing BMD. Furthermore, the results have shown that this issue may, in specific areas, concern not only postmenopausal women but also male patients. These conclusions should contribute to a careful consideration of the application of TSH suppressive therapy in all patients. Particular attention should be given to patients after DTC, while all the advantages and disadvantages of implementing L-thyroxine therapy should be individually considered.

PMID:38581565 | DOI:10.1007/s42000-024-00555-w

EJNMMI Phys. 2024 Apr 6;11(1):36. doi: 10.1186/s40658-024-00637-z.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: A 2D image navigator (iNAV) based 3D whole-heart sequence has been used to perform MRI and PET non-rigid respiratory motion correction for hybrid PET/MRI. However, only the PET data acquired during the acquisition of the 3D whole-heart MRI is corrected for respiratory motion. This study introduces and evaluates an MRI-based respiratory motion correction method of the complete PET data.

METHODS: Twelve oncology patients scheduled for an additional cardiac ¹⁸F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (¹⁸F-FDG) PET/MRI and 15 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) scheduled for cardiac ¹⁸F-Choline (¹⁸F-FCH) PET/MRI were included. A 2D iNAV recorded the respiratory motion of the myocardium during the 3D whole-heart coronary MR angiography (CMRA) acquisition (~ 10 min). A respiratory belt was used to record the respiratory motion throughout the entire PET/MRI examination (~ 30-90 min). The simultaneously acquired iNAV and respiratory belt signal were used to divide the acquired PET data into 4 bins. The binning was then extended for the complete respiratory belt signal. Data acquired at each bin was reconstructed and combined using iNAV-based motion fields to create a respiratory motion-corrected PET image. Motion-corrected (MC) and non-motion-corrected (NMC) datasets were compared. Gating was also performed to correct cardiac motion. The SUV_max and TBR_max values were calculated for the myocardial wall or a vulnerable coronary plaque for the ¹⁸F-FDG and ¹⁸F-FCH datasets, respectively.

RESULTS: A pair-wise comparison showed that the SUV_max and TBR_max values of the motion corrected (MC) datasets were significantly higher than those for the non-motion-corrected (NMC) datasets (8.2 ± 1.0 vs 7.5 ± 1.0, p < 0.01 and 1.9 ± 0.2 vs 1.2 ± 0.2, p < 0.01, respectively). In addition, the SUV_max and TBR_max of the motion corrected and gated (MC_G) reconstructions were also higher than that of the non-motion-corrected but gated (NMC_G) datasets, although for the TBR_max this difference was not statistically significant (9.6 ± 1.3 vs 9.1 ± 1.2, p = 0.02 and 2.6 ± 0.3 vs 2.4 ± 0.3, p = 0.16, respectively). The respiratory motion-correction did not lead to a change in the signal to noise ratio.

CONCLUSION: The proposed respiratory motion correction method for hybrid PET/MRI improved the image quality of cardiovascular PET scans by increased SUV_max and TBR_max values while maintaining the signal-to-noise ratio. Trial registration METC162043 registered 01/03/2017.

PMID:38581561 | DOI:10.1186/s40658-024-00637-z