Nevin Manimala

Anal Chem. 2024 Aug 8. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.4c03092. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

A one-step, enzyme-free, and highly sensitive digital microRNA (miRNA) assay is rationally devised based on flow cytometric counting of target miRNA-clicked nanobead dimers via a facile mix-and-read manner. In this strategy, highly efficient miRNA-sandwiched click chemical ligation of two DNA probes may remarkably stabilize and boost the dimer formation between two kinds of fluorescence-coded nanobeads, and the number of as-produced bead dimers will be target dose-responsive, particularly when the trace number of miRNA is much less than that of employed nanobeads. Finally, each fluorescence-coded bead dimer can be easily identified and digitally counted by a powerful flow cytometer (FCM) and accordingly, the amount of target miRNA can be accurately quantified in a digital way. This new digital miRNA assay can be accomplished with a facile mix-and-read operation just by simply mixing the target miRNA with two kinds of preprepared DNA probe-functionalized nanobeads, which do not require any nucleic acid amplification, purification, and complex operation procedures. In spite of the extremely simple one-step operation, benefiting from the low-background but high target-mediated click ligation efficiency, and the powerfully digital statistical capability of FCM, this strategy achieves high sensitivity with a quite low detection limit of 5.2 fM target miRNA as well as high specificity and good generality for miRNA analysis, pioneering a new direction for fabricating digital bioassays.

PMID:39114879 | DOI:10.1021/acs.analchem.4c03092

Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2024 Aug 6;12(8):e6024. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000006024. eCollection 2024 Aug.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Driven by demand for nonexcisional alternatives to address lax skin following liposuction, various energy-based technologies have become available. Helium plasma radiofrequency (RF) and bipolar RF have gained prominence. These technologies have distinctly different methods of action and indications, potentially influencing procedural safety and duration.

METHODS: Conducted to collect and evaluate real-world procedure and safety data, this retrospective, single-center, contiguous series study included patients who underwent either helium plasma RF or bipolar RF following a liposuction or body contouring procedure.

RESULTS: The helium plasma RF group (N = 229) averaged 4.9 concurrent procedures, whereas the bipolar RF group (N = 236) averaged 4.4 concurrent procedures. The total treatment time, including concurrent procedures, was 182 minutes for the helium plasma RF group and 196 minutes for the bipolar RF group. The findings from the subanalysis group (n = 9) indicated that the treatment time for the helium plasma RF side of the body was 50% shorter than the bipolar RF side. A statistically significant difference in adverse events by group was observed. There were 45 events in 34 patients for helium plasma RF and 93 events in 62 patients for bipolar RF. Notably, fewer occurrences of burns, hematoma, hypertrophic scar, and seroma were reported for helium plasma RF compared with bipolar RF.

CONCLUSIONS: The analysis reveals a notable difference in the occurrence of adverse events, with statistically significantly fewer incidents observed for helium plasma RF compared with bipolar RF. Data suggests that helium plasma RF exhibits shorter durations in the operating room compared with bipolar RF, suggesting increased procedural efficiency.

PMID:39114803 | PMC:PMC11302937 | DOI:10.1097/GOX.0000000000006024

Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2024 Aug 7;12(8):e6034. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000006034. eCollection 2024 Aug.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Craniosynostosis, a common congenital anomaly, results from premature fusion of the cranial sutures. One of the forms of craniosynostosis is premature fusion of the metopic suture, referred to as trigonocephaly, but the diagnosis of metopic suture synostosis remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to clarify, using geometric morphometric analysis, if a metopic ridge alone observed in cases of mild trigonocephaly represents a pathological phenomenon.

METHODS: Three different cranial morphologies were compared among patients up to 2 years old who were categorized into the true group, the mild group, and the normal group, based on the presence or absence of specific symptoms, history of cranioplasty for trigonocephaly, or lack of any abnormality on computed tomography. Using the obtained computed tomography images, 235 anatomical landmarks and semi-landmarks were plotted on the entire cranial surface for analysis of neurocranial morphology, and the cranial shapes represented by landmarks were analyzed using geometric morphometrics. Principal components of shape variations among specimens were then computed, based on the variance-covariance matrix of the Procrustes residuals of all specimens, and statistically analyzed.

RESULTS: The principal component analyses of the variations in endocranial shape, frontal bone shape, and occipital bone shape did not show any significant differences in cranial morphology between mild trigonocephaly and normal skulls; however, true trigonocephaly was found to differ significantly from mild trigonocephaly and normal skulls.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that in assessments of cranial morphology, the presence of a ridge alone cannot be diagnosed as fundamentally pathological, and may represent normal morphology.

PMID:39114798 | PMC:PMC11305778 | DOI:10.1097/GOX.0000000000006034

Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2024 Aug 7;12(8):e6040. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000006040. eCollection 2024 Aug.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: As HIV-positive individuals utilizing highly active antiretroviral therapy live longer, the burden of breast cancer increases in the population. Breast reconstruction is an integral aspect of surgical treatment for many patients after a breast cancer diagnosis, prompting this examination of the characteristics and outcomes of breast reconstruction in this growing patient population.

METHODS: Using Merative MarketScan Research Databases, a large multipayer database, HIV-positive adult patients who underwent autologous or implant-based breast reconstruction between 2007 and 2021 were identified using International Classification of Disease codes and Common Procedural Terminology codes. In both HIV-positive and -negative cohorts, patient demographics, procedure-related complications, and postoperative revisions were recorded. Shapiro-Wilk, chi-square, Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney, and multivariable logistic regression tests were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS: Of 173,421 patients who underwent breast reconstruction, 1816 had an HIV diagnosis. HIV-positive patients were younger (P < 0.001), underwent surgery more recently (P < 0.001), more often underwent immediate breast reconstruction (P < 0.001), and had higher comorbidity levels (P < 0.001). There was a regional variation in which the patient cohorts underwent breast reconstruction. There was no significant difference in overall complication rates between patient groups, but HIV-negative patients more often underwent revision procedures (P = 0.009).

CONCLUSIONS: When compared to their HIV-negative counterparts, breast reconstruction can be considered safe and efficacious in patients living with HIV. HIV-positive patients are a growing demographic who seek breast reconstruction, and surgeons must continue to further understand the unique implications of breast reconstruction in this population.

PMID:39114797 | PMC:PMC11305706 | DOI:10.1097/GOX.0000000000006040

Can Med Educ J. 2024 Jul 12;15(3):116-118. doi: 10.36834/cmej.77055. eCollection 2024 Jul.

ABSTRACT

Medical student-led walk and talk programs, such as Walk with a Future Doc (WWAFD), provide a means for the medical community and community at-large to interact in a non-clinical setting. This environment can increase attendance accountability, enhance patient-provider relationships, and allow medical professionals to be leading examples of healthy, active living. We demonstrate the positive interest for this program, rationale of participants for joining, and the feasibility of its setup. As one of the only WWAFD programs in Canada, we encourage other medical schools to implement this program to promote continuity of hands-on, community-engaged learning amongst their students.

PMID:39114786 | PMC:PMC11302763 | DOI:10.36834/cmej.77055

Can Med Educ J. 2024 Jul 12;15(3):37-44. doi: 10.36834/cmej.77088. eCollection 2024 Jul.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Medical students experience high levels of stress due to their rigorous training, which can negatively affect their mental health. This study aimed to investigate substance use habits of medical students at Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa and the association on their mental health and demographic factors.

METHODS: This cross-sectional survey study was conducted in March-April 2022 among preclinical medical students (years 1-3 of a 6-year program). A confidential, anonymous online survey consisting of four sections on sociodemographic and educational characteristics, nicotine use and dependence [Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND)], alcohol use [Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)], mental health status [12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12)], was distributed to 1131 students via WhatsApp and Telegram text messages. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis tests compared variables’ distribution in the questionnaire categories. Spearman’s correlation assessed associations between scales. Significance was p < 0.05.

RESULTS: The study included 190 medical students. A total of 26.3% of the participants were smokers, with 8.4% showing moderate to high levels of nicotine dependence. An estimated 45.8% and 8.4%reported low-risk consumption and risky usage of alcohol, respectively. There were statistically significant associations between substance use and demographic factors such as sex, GPA, and religious belief. The study found a statistically significant correlation between FTND scores and GHQ-12 scores, and, between FTND scores and AUDIT scores.

CONCLUSION: The findings of this study will inform the development of interventions to improve the mental health and academic performance of medical students at Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa. Furthermore, it will raise awareness about the importance of addressing substance use among medical students in Turkey.

PMID:39114776 | PMC:PMC11302766 | DOI:10.36834/cmej.77088

Can Med Educ J. 2024 Jul 12;15(3):18-25. doi: 10.36834/cmej.77580. eCollection 2024 Jul.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Although medical courses are frequently evaluated via surveys with Likert scales ranging from “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree,” low response rates limit their utility. In undergraduate medical education, a new method with students predicting what their peers would say, required fewer respondents to obtain similar results. However, this prediction-based method lacks validation for continuing medical education (CME), which typically targets a more heterogeneous group than medical students.

METHODS: In this study, 597 participants of a large CME course were randomly assigned to either express personal opinions on a five-point Likert scale (opinion-based method; n = 300) or to predict the percentage of their peers choosing each Likert scale option (prediction-based method; n = 297). For each question, we calculated the minimum numbers of respondents needed for stable average results using an iterative algorithm. We compared mean scores and the distribution of scores between both methods.

RESULTS: The overall response rate was 47%. The prediction-based method required fewer respondents than the opinion-based method for similar average responses. Mean response scores were similar in both groups for most questions, but prediction-based outcomes resulted in fewer extreme responses (strongly agree/disagree).

CONCLUSIONS: We validated the prediction-based method in evaluating CME. We also provide practical considerations for applying this method.

PMID:39114774 | PMC:PMC11302746 | DOI:10.36834/cmej.77580

Can Med Educ J. 2024 Jul 12;15(3):121-122. doi: 10.36834/cmej.77077. eCollection 2024 Jul.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:39114771 | PMC:PMC11302765 | DOI:10.36834/cmej.77077

S Afr J Psychiatr. 2024 Jul 30;30:2217. doi: 10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v30i0.2217. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Adolescent pregnancy carries significant global ramifications. Community health workers (CHWs) play a role in empowering adolescents through counselling skills, thereby promoting informed decision-making for better outcomes.

AIM: The study aims to evaluate the counselling skills of CHWs in their efforts to support pregnant adolescents (PA) in Limpopo province.

SETTING: The research was carried out with CHWs in the Mopani and Vhembe districts of the Limpopo province.

METHODS: A quantitative descriptive approach was used to evaluate CHWs’ counselling skills for PAs in Limpopo. A sample of 81 respondents was selected using simple random sampling. Ethical approval was obtained. Data were collected using a questionnaire guided by the Theory of Reasoned Action. Descriptive statistics were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists version 24. The questionnaire’s validity was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, resulting in a correlation coefficient of 0.710.

RESULTS: The study identified significant variations in counselling recommendations. Preparation: Using private space with fewer distractions showed considerable variability (standard deviation = 0.218). Introduction: High variability was observed in using the SOLER method (standard deviation = 0.316). Working phase: Suggesting rather than advising had notable variability (standard deviation = 0.396). Termination: Avoiding abrupt endings and informing clients about the session’s conclusion demonstrated variability (standard deviation = 0.283). Additionally, the majority (64%) of the participants found record-keeping unnecessary, which demonstrated the highest variability (standard deviation = 0.482).

CONCLUSION: The study revealed CHWs’ proficiency in counselling techniques and emphasised the importance of following the counselling stages.

CONTRIBUTION: The research highlights the importance of evaluating the counselling skills of CHWs and identifying areas for improvement to develop targeted interventions and enhancing health outcomes for PAs.

PMID:39114755 | PMC:PMC11304368 | DOI:10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v30i0.2217

S Afr J Psychiatr. 2024 Jul 16;30:2275. doi: 10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v30i0.2275. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound global impact, affecting individuals, including those with mental illness, through early and widespread information dissemination. Although the neurobiological basis of delusions remains unclear, external stimuli and historical events are known to influence them. The pandemic provided a unique opportunity to explore this phenomenon.

AIM: To determine the prevalence of COVID-19-related delusional content, among individuals presenting for treatment of psychosis during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and investigate associated clinical and demographic factors.

SETTING: Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in-patient psychiatry department.

METHODS: Data were extracted retrospectively from adult psychiatric admissions spanning April to September 2020 on patients whose presenting complaints included delusions. Demographic factors, symptoms, psychiatric, medical and substance use history, and a documented Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) diagnosis by the attending psychiatrist were collected.

RESULTS: The prevalence of COVID-19-related delusional content was 25.5%. Significant demographic association was observed with education level of Grade 12 and above (p = 0.000338). The odds of a diagnosis of schizophrenia and related disorders were 2.72 times greater than mood and psychotic disorder due to another medical condition in those with COVID- 19-related delusional content (OR 2.19, 95% CI: [1.4-3.4]).

CONCLUSION: The presence of COVID-19-related delusional content in patients admitted to hospital with psychosis provides further evidence of the role of external stimuli in the formation of delusions.

CONTRIBUTION: This study underscores the influence of socio-cultural factors on delusions and advocates for interventions and expanded research to address mental health outcomes.

PMID:39114754 | PMC:PMC11304377 | DOI:10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v30i0.2275