Nevin Manimala

Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2024 Oct 27. doi: 10.1007/s00406-024-01894-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale-Revised (RAADS-R) demonstrated excellent results in its original study, with a sensitivity of 97% and a specificity of 100% (Ritvo et al. in J Autism Dev Disord 41:1076-1089, 2011). As a result, it was included in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines (Recommendations | Autism spectrum disorder in adults: diagnosis and management | Guidance | NICE, 2022). The questionnaire includes 80 questions across four subcategories (language, social relatedness, circumscribed interests, sensory motor). So far, the subcategory sensory motor has not been addressed in most available instruments, despite being part of the diagnostic criteria specified in DSM-5 (Falkai et al., in Diagnostisches Und Statistisches Manual Psychischer Störungen DSM-5. Hogrefe, 2015) and ICD-11 (ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics, 2022). In our validation study, we tested a translated German version of the questionnaire in 299 individuals (110 persons with ASD according to ICD-10 F84.0, F84.5, 64 persons with an primary mental disorders (PMD), 125 persons with no disorders). To enhance the practical use of the instrument in clinical everyday practice, the questionnaire was completed by the participants without the presence of a clinician-unlike the original study. Psychiatric diagnoses were established following the highest standards, and psychometric properties were calculated using established protocols. The German version of the RADS-R yielded very good results, with a high sensitivity of 92.5% and a high specificity of 93.6%. The area under the curve (AUC = 0.976), indicates a high quality and discriminatory power of RADS-R. Furthermore, the ROC curve analysis showed that the optimal threshold to distinguish between the ASD and non-ASD groups in the German version of the RAADS-R is a score of 81. In comparison to the RADS-R, the co-administered instruments Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), and Empathy Quotient (EQ) each showed slightly better specificity but worse sensitivity in this sample.The study included individuals already diagnosed with ASD according to ICD-10 (F84.0, F84.5), with or without an primary mental disorders, preventing us from identifying the influence of comorbidities on the RADS-R results. In addition, a self-report questionnaire has generally only limited objectivity and may allow for false representation of the symptoms. The RADS-R compares well with other questionnaires and can provide valuable additional information. It could turn out to be a helpful diagnostic tool for patients in Germany. We propose naming the German version RADS-R (Ritvo Autism Diagnostic Scale – rRevised) to reflect the change in terminology.

PMID:39465450 | DOI:10.1007/s00406-024-01894-w

J Orthop Surg Res. 2024 Oct 28;19(1):696. doi: 10.1186/s13018-024-05186-w.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a promising treatment for knee osteoarthritis (OA). However, exercise therapy and activities of daily living (ADL) guidance are recommended as core treatments in the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) guidelines. However, the effects of PRP combined with exercise therapy are not fully understood. This study aimed to clarify the effectiveness of this treatment.

METHODS: We assigned patients diagnosed with knee OA and treated between January 2021 and December 2022 to groups who underwent PRP + exercise (PE), PRP (P), or exercise (E) therapy. Outcomes were evaluated using Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores (KOOS) before, and 1, 3, and 12 months after treatment. Within-group comparisons according to the time of each score were statistically assessed using a one-way analysis of variance, then differences were analyzed using Bonferroni multiple comparisons p < 0.05). Treatment responses were determined using Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT)-OARSI Responder criteria.

RESULTS: Pre-treatment KOOS did not significantly differ among the groups. Pain in the PE group improved within 1 month, symptoms, ADL, and quality of life (QOL) improved after 3, months and continued for 12 months. Pain and symptoms improved in the P group within 1 month, but ADLs and the QOL did not significantly change. Pain improved after 3 months in the E group and ADL, and QOL improved by 12 months. The response among the groups was the highest for the PE, with 50.0% at 1 and 3 months, and 65.0% at 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS: Therapy with PRP immediately relieved pain, whereas exercise conferred late, but enduring effects. Combining PRP with exercise conferred synergistic advantages that persisted for up to 12 months.

PMID:39465403 | DOI:10.1186/s13018-024-05186-w

BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2024 Oct 28;25(1):856. doi: 10.1186/s12891-024-07979-w.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis causes pain and disability in many people worldwide, for which no definitive treatment has yet been proposed. In this study, we investigated the safety and efficacy of placental mesenchymal stromal cells-derived extracellular vesicles in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

METHODS: This triple-blind, randomized clinical trial included patients suffering from bilateral knee osteoarthritis with grade 2 or 3. The knees of each patient were randomized to intervention and control. For the intervention knee, 5 cc of placental mesenchymal stromal cells-derived extracellular vesicles were injected, and for the control knee, 5 cc of normal saline was injected. The patients’ symptoms were evaluated before the intervention and 2 and 6 months after the intervention using VAS, WOMAC questionnaire, and Lequesne index. MRI was performed before the intervention and 6 months after the intervention to evaluate retropatellar and tibiofemoral cartilage volume, medial and lateral meniscal disintegrity, ACL injury, and effusion-synovitis.

RESULTS: 62 knees (31 patients) were enrolled in this study. There were 31 knees as intervention and 31 knees as control. Finally, the data of 58 knees (29 patients) were analyzed, including 28 women and 1 man. The mean age of the patients was 55.38 ± 6.07 years. No statistically significant difference was detected between the two groups in clinical outcomes (including VAS, WOMAC, and Lequesne scores) before treatment and 2 and 6 months after treatment. Also, no statistically significant difference was detected between the two groups in MRI findings before treatment and 6 months after treatment. No systemic complications or severe local reactions occurred in the patients.

CONCLUSION: A single intra-articular injection of placental mesenchymal stromal cells-derived extracellular vesicles (5 cc, 7 × 10⁹ particles/cc) is safe, but does not improve clinical symptoms or MRI findings in knee osteoarthritis beyond placebo. The protocol of this study was approved on 11 May 2022 with registration number IRCT20210423051054N1.

PMID:39465400 | DOI:10.1186/s12891-024-07979-w

BMC Med Educ. 2024 Oct 27;24(1):1222. doi: 10.1186/s12909-024-06157-9.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of 7E instructional model in the teaching of nursing students in nursing clinical probation.

METHODS: One hundred and fifty-nine nursing undergraduates of the class of 2018 who were on probation in our hospital from November 2020 to June 2021 were selected as the control group by convenience sampling, and the traditional teaching model was adopted; an additional 171 nursing undergraduates of the class of 2019 who were on clinical probation in the same hospital from November 2021 to June 2022 were selected as the experimental group, and the 7E instructional model was adopted, including elicit, engagement, exploration, explain, elaborate, evaluate and extend.

RESULTS: After the intervention, the experimental group was higher than the control group in theoretical knowledge scores (59.47 ± 4.51 VS 54.11 ± 8.46), practical skills scores (19.62 ± 1.36 VS 19.14 ± 1.24) and total course scores (90.13 ± 2.98 VS 84.67 ± 4.47); total scores of learning motivation (30.57 ± 5.24 VS 29.41 ± 4.77), learning cooperation ability (20.35 ± 4.41 VS 19.02 ± 4.25), information literacy (23.14 ± 4.36 VS 21.12 ± 3.95) and self-regulated learning ability (114.00 ± 19.72 VS 109.07 ± 18.61); total scores of viewpoint acquisition (43.58 ± 5.21 VS 42.16 ± 5.10), emotional care (33.41 ± 4.54 VS 32.09 ± 4.47), transposition thinking (13.04 ± 2.97 VS 11.56 ± 2.43) and empathy ability (89.03 ± 13.87 VS 85.81 ± 13.55); and total scores of positive attitudes toward communication skills (55.39 ± 7.03 VS 51.54 ± 6.54), with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The 7E instructional model contributes to improved course grades, self-regulated learning and empathy, and positive attitudes toward communication skills among nursing students in their nursing clinical probation.

PMID:39465399 | DOI:10.1186/s12909-024-06157-9

BMC Plant Biol. 2024 Oct 28;24(1):1012. doi: 10.1186/s12870-024-05640-1.

ABSTRACT

A multi-season research trial entitled ‘crop residue management effects on yield and water productivity of summer mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) under different irrigation regimes in Indian Punjab’ was conducted at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Regional Research Station (RRS), Bathinda, during rabi 2020 and 2021. The field experiment was conducted in a split-plot layout with nine treatment combinations and replicated thrice. The treatments consisted of T₁ (no wheat residue along with tillage), T₂ (leftover wheat residue with zero tillage), and T₃ (incorporated wheat residue along with tillage) in main plots and irrigation regimes viz., I₁ (vegetative growth and flowering stage), I₂ (vegetative growth, flowering, and pod filling stage) and I₃ (vegetative growth, flowering, pod formation and pod filling stage) in sub-plots, respectively. The growth and yield attributing characters were significantly higher under T₃ than T₁ but statistically at par with T₂ during both years. An increase of 24.1% and 19.0% in grain yield was found in residue incorporation (T₃) and residue retention (T₂) over residue removal (T₁), respectively. Maximum crop and irrigation water productivity was observed under T₃ due to reduced water use and increased yield. Among the irrigation regimes, the I₃ recorded significantly higher grain yield (0.70 and 0.79 t ha^{– 1}) than I₁. It was at par with I₂ during both years due to higher irrigation frequency at the pod formation and pod filling stage. Crop water productivity (CWP) was higher under I₃, whereas irrigation water productivity (IWP) was higher under I₁ during both years. Additional irrigation at the pod-filling stage increased the grain yield by 36.5%, and two additional irrigations at the pod-formation and pod-filling stage further increased yield by 46.2% compared to only two irrigations at the vegetative and flowering stages. The treatment combinations of T₂I₂ and T₃I₂ outperformed T₁I₃ in terms of growth and yield attributing characters viz. plant height, dry matter accumulation (DMA), leaf area index (LAI), pods plant^{– 1}, seeds pod^{– 1}, and 1000-seed weight, which resulted in higher grain yield in these treatment combinations over T₁I₃. Applying crop residue can help minimize water use and increase crop water productivity. So, retaining crop residue in summer mung bean resulted in saving irrigation water due to lesser evapotranspiration from the soil surface.

PMID:39465391 | DOI:10.1186/s12870-024-05640-1

BMC Pediatr. 2024 Oct 28;24(1):683. doi: 10.1186/s12887-024-05162-7.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Impaired visuomotor integration (VMI) is commonly observed in children with developmental delay (DD). This pilot study aimed to evaluate the effects of tablet computer-based cognitive training on the VMI in children with DD.

METHODS: This study included children aged 4 to under 18 years diagnosed with DD. The children participated in a 12-week tablet computer-based visual-spatial and visuomotor training program. They were administered the Mind Rx Kids Program (Brain Academy, Seoul, South Korea). The participants underwent daily 30-min tablet computer-based training for 12 weeks. The primary visuomotor function was measured using the Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration, 6th Edition (VMI-6). For secondary outcomes, measurements were taken before and after 12-week treatment using the Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test (QUEST), Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM), Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Rating Scale (ARS), and Child Smartphone Addiction Observer Scale. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the pre- and post-treatment outcomes.

RESULTS: Ten children with DD participated in this study. The results of the 12-week tablet computer-based cognitive training showed significant improvements in the raw score, standard score, percentile score, and equivalent age of the Beery VMI-6. Additionally, there were significant improvements in QUEST and WeeFIM scores. Although there were improvements in the CARS, ARS, and smartphone addiction observer scale, these were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION: This pilot study confirmed that applying tablet computer-based cognitive training to children with DD not only improves VMI, but also enhances fine motor skills and activities of daily living. Furthermore, the results of this study indicate that tablet computer-based cognitive training does not increase digital media addiction. Therefore, children with DD can engage in tablet computer-based cognitive training at home without concerns about digital media addiction.

PMID:39465386 | DOI:10.1186/s12887-024-05162-7

BMC Plant Biol. 2024 Oct 28;24(1):1018. doi: 10.1186/s12870-024-05739-5.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Light is a critical environmental factor in plants, encompassing two vital aspects: intensity and quality. To assess the influence of different light intensities on Origanum majorana L., pots containing the herb were subjected to four levels of light intensity: 20, 50, 70, and 100% natural light. After a 60-day treatment period, the plants were evaluated for metabolite production, including total sugar content, protein, dry weight, antioxidant indices, expression of monoterpenes biosynthesis genes, and essential oil compounds. The experimental design followed a randomized complete blocks format, and statistical analysis of variance was conducted.

RESULTS: The results indicated a correlation between increased light intensity and elevated total sugar and protein content, which contributed to improved plant dry weight. The highest levels of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde (MDA) were observed under 100% light intensity. Catalase and superoxide dismutase enzymes exhibited increased activity, with a 4.23-fold and 2.14-fold increase, respectively, under full light. In contrast, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase enzyme activities decreased by 3.29-fold and 3.24-fold, respectively. As light intensity increases, the expression level of the 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase (DXR) gene increases. However, beyond a light intensity of 70%, the DXR gene expression level decreased. Furthermore, the expression levels of the cytochrome P450 genes CYP71D178 and CYP71D179 exhibited an increasing trend in response to elevated light intensity. Essential oil content increased from 0.02 to 0.5% until reaching 70% light intensity. However, with further increases in light intensity, the essential oil content decreased by 54 to 0.23%.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings emphasize the importance of balancing plant growth promotion and stress management under different light conditions. The research suggests that sweet marjoram plants thrive best in unshaded open spaces, resulting in maximum biomass. However, essential oil production decreases under the same conditions. For farmers in areas with an average light intensity of approximately 1700 µmol m^-2s^-1, it is recommended to cultivate sweet marjoram in shade-free fields to optimize biomass and essential oil production. Towards the end of the growth cycle, it is advisable to use shades that allow 70% of light to pass through. The specific duration of shade implementation can be further explored in future research.

PMID:39465361 | DOI:10.1186/s12870-024-05739-5

Sci Rep. 2024 Oct 27;14(1):25623. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-77268-y.

ABSTRACT

Adolescence is a crucial period of growth and the best time to recognize, rebuild, and improve different psychological and social aspects of a person’s life. Anxiety is one of the variables that affect a person’s mental health. Also, there is a connection between parenting styles and mental health during adolescence. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between perceived parenting styles and anxiety of adolescents in Isfahan (Iran). This descriptive-analytical study was conducted with the participation of 197 teenagers in the age group of 12-18 years in Isfahan, Iran. The participants were selected by cluster random sampling. The Parenting Styles Questionnaire (PSQ) and March Children’s Anxiety Questionnaire were used to collect information. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics through SPSS 26. The mean and standard deviation of anxiety in adolescents were 45.96 and 16.51, respectively (at a low level). The participants evaluated their parenting style in order as permissive (32%), authoritative (24.9%), neglectful (21.8%), and authoritarian (21.3%). A significant difference was observed between the anxiety level of adolescents and their parenting style (p < 0.001). In this way, the highest anxiety was related to the children of permissive parents, and the most minor anxiety was associated with the authoritarian parents (p < 0.001). The findings of this research indicate that there is a significant difference between the perceived parenting styles in terms of the level of children’s anxiety. Therefore, considering the importance of parenting styles on children’s psychological characteristics, It is recommended to educate parents about the importance of their parenting style on their children’s health.

PMID:39465351 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-024-77268-y

Sci Rep. 2024 Oct 27;14(1):25658. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-77449-9.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to compare polishing systems on color stability, surface roughness, and gloss of additively manufactured permanent and conventional resin composites. Totally 250 disc specimens (6 mm*2 mm) were prepared from resin-based materials [G-ænial Posterior (GP), Clearfil Majesty Esthetic (CME), SonicFill-2 (SF), Tescera (Tes), and Crowntec (CT)]. Following baseline color (ΔE₀₀), gloss (GU), and surface roughness (Ra) measurements, the specimens were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 10/group) according to polishing systems: Control (mylar strips); OneGloss; OneGloss + Platina Hi-Gloss; OptiDisc; and OptiDisc + Platina Hi-Gloss. Specimens were immersed in coffee for 144 h following polishing. ΔE₀₀, GU, and Ra measurements were repeated. Atomic force microscopy images were taken in all groups. Spearman’s rho correlation coefficient, Robust ANOVA, and Bonferroni correction were used for statistical analysis. Significance level was taken as p < 0.050. Significant differences in ΔE₀₀ values were found among resin-based materials, polishing systems, and their interactions (p < 0.001,p < 0.01, and p = 0.001). Regardless of polishing system, the lowest ΔE₀₀ values were observed in CT, while lowest gloss (GU) values were found in Tes. The lowest surface roughness (Ra) values were detected at OptiDisc group (p < 0.001). A single type of polishing system may not be sufficient to achieve optimal results in resin-based materials.

PMID:39465348 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-024-77449-9

Sci Rep. 2024 Oct 27;14(1):25641. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-77033-1.

ABSTRACT

This study aims to develop machine learning (ML)-assisted models for analyzing datasets related to Gleason scores in prostate cancer, conducting statistical analyses on the datasets, and identifying meaningful features. We retrospectively collected data from 717 hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (HSPC) patients at Yunnan Cancer Hospital. Of these, data from 526 patients were used for modeling. Seven auxiliary models were established using Logistic Regression (LR), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF), Decision Tree (DT), Extreme gradient boosting tree (XGBoost), Adaptive Boosting (Adaboost), and artificial neural network (ANN) based on 21 clinical biochemical indicators and features. Evaluation metrics included accuracy (ACC), precision (PRE), specificity (SPE), sensitivity (SEN) or regression rate(Recall), and f1 score. Evaluation metrics for the models primarily included ACC, PRE, SPE, SEN or Recall, f1 score, and area under the curve(AUC). Evaluation metrics were visualized using confusion matrices and ROC curves. Among the ensemble learning methods, RF, XGBoost, and Adaboost performed the best. RF achieved a training dataset score of 0.769 (95% CI: 0.759-0.835) and a testing dataset score of 0.755 (95% CI: 0.660-0.760) (AUC: 0.786, 95%CI: 0.722-0.803), while XGBoost achieved a training dataset score of 0.755 (95% CI: 95%CI: 0.711-0.809) and a testing dataset score of 0.745 (95% CI: 0.660-0.764) (AUC: 0.777, 95% CI: 0.726-0.798). Adaboost scored 0.789 on the training dataset (95% CI: 0.782-0.857) and 0.774 on the testing dataset (95% CI: 0.651-0.774) (AUC: 0.799, 95% CI: 0.703-0.802). In terms of feature importance (FI) in ensemble learning, Bone metastases at first visit, prostatic volume, age, and T1-T2 have significant proportions in RF’s FI. fPSA, TPSA, and tumor burden have significant proportions in Adaboost’s FI, while f/TPSA, LDH, and testosterone have the highest proportions in XGBoost. Our findings indicate that ensemble learning methods demonstrate good performance in classifying HSPC patient data, with TNM staging and fPSA being important classification indicators. These discoveries provide valuable references for distinguishing different Gleason scores, facilitating more accurate patient assessments and personalized treatment plans.

PMID:39465343 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-024-77033-1