Nevin Manimala

Malar J. 2024 May 12;23(1):143. doi: 10.1186/s12936-024-04965-4.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Despite continuous prevention and control strategies in place, malaria remains a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa including Ethiopia. Moreover, prevalence of malaria differs in different geographical settings and epidemiological data were inadequate to assure disease status in the study area. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of malaria and associated risk factors in selected rural kebeles in South Ethiopia.

METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted between February to June 2019 in eight malaria-endemic kebeles situated in four zones in South Ethiopia. Mult-stage sampling techniques were employed to select the study zones, districts, kebeles and households. Blood sample were collected from 1674 participants in 345 households by finger prick and smears were examined by microscopy. Sociodemographic data as well as risk factors for Plasmodium infection were collected using questionnaires. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to analyse the data.

RESULTS: The overall prevalence of malaria in the study localities was 4.5% (76/1674). The prevalence was varied among the study localities with high prevalence in Bashilo (14.6%; 33/226) followed by Mehal Korga (12.1%; 26/214). Plasmodium falciparum was the dominant parasite accounted for 65.8% (50/76), while Plasmodium vivax accounted 18.4% (14/76). Co-infection of P. falciparum and P. vivax was 15.8% (12/76). Among the three age groups prevalence was 7.8% (27/346) in age less than 5 years and 7.5% (40/531) in 5-14 years. The age groups > 14years were less likely infected with Plasmodium parasite (AOR = 0.14, 95% CI 0.02-0.82) than under five children. Non-febrile individuals 1638 (97.8%) were more likely to had Plasmodium infection (AOR = 28.4, 95% CI 011.4-70.6) than febrile 36 (2.2%). Individuals living proximity to mosquito breeding sites have higher Plasmodium infection (AOR = 6.17, 95% CI 2.66-14.3) than those at distant of breeding sites.

CONCLUSIONS: Malaria remains a public health problem in the study localities. Thus, malaria prevention and control strategies targeting children, non-febrile cases and individuals living proximity to breeding sites are crucial to reduce malaria related morbidity and mortality.

PMID:38735957 | DOI:10.1186/s12936-024-04965-4

J Orthop Surg Res. 2024 May 12;19(1):292. doi: 10.1186/s13018-024-04768-y.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In this retrospective case investigation, we analysed the data of patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) to reveal demographic and clinical diagnostic features of ONFH in three northeastern provinces of China and provide a reference for its prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

METHODS: We collected data from patients in Beijing Orthopaedic Hospital of Liaoning, focusing on the aetiology and diagnosis of ONFH. Medical records and self-designed questionnaires were used to collect information for statistical analysis, including age, aetiology, reason for glucocorticoid use, hospital level at first visit, and diagnosis.

RESULTS: In total, 906 patients with complete medical records were included in the analysis. The mean patient age was 47.65 ± 12.12 years. The peak age distribution was in the 40s for men and the 50s for women. Among the total cohort, 72 patients (7.95%; 40 men and 32 women) had traumatic ONFH, 198 (21.85%; 131 men and 67 women) had steroid-induced ONFH, 230 (25.39%; 121 men and 109 women) had idiopathic ONFH, and 406 (44.81%; 397 men and 9 women) had alcohol-induced ONFH. Six hundred and twenty patients were diagnosed with ONFH at the first visit, while 286 patients were misdiagnosed, with a diagnosis rate of 68.43%. The diagnosis rate at the first visit in tertiary hospitals was 76.14%. The diagnosis rate at the first visit in second-class hospitals was 52.07%.ONFH was most likely to be misdiagnosed as lumbar disc herniation.

CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with ONFH in three northeastern provinces of China were middle-aged, male, and had alcohol-induced ONFH. The misdiagnosis rate of ONFH at the first visit was very high, especially for misdiagnosis of lumbar disc herniation, indicating that the diagnosis of ONFH requires further improvement.

PMID:38735955 | DOI:10.1186/s13018-024-04768-y

BMC Genomics. 2024 May 13;25(1):462. doi: 10.1186/s12864-024-10373-4.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Detecting epistatic interactions (EIs) involves the exploration of associations among single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and complex diseases, which is an important task in genome-wide association studies. The EI detection problem is dependent on epistasis models and corresponding optimization methods. Although various models and methods have been proposed to detect EIs, identifying EIs efficiently and accurately is still a challenge.

RESULTS: Here, we propose a linear mixed statistical epistasis model (LMSE) and a spherical evolution approach with a feedback mechanism (named SEEI). The LMSE model expands the existing single epistasis models such as LR-Score, K2-Score, Mutual information, and Gini index. The SEEI includes an adaptive spherical search strategy and population updating strategy, which ensures that the algorithm is not easily trapped in local optima. We analyzed the performances of 8 random disease models, 12 disease models with marginal effects, 30 disease models without marginal effects, and 10 high-order disease models. The 60 simulated disease models and a real breast cancer dataset were used to evaluate eight algorithms (SEEI, EACO, EpiACO, FDHEIW, MP-HS-DHSI, NHSA-DHSC, SNPHarvester, CSE). Three evaluation criteria (pow1, pow2, pow3), a T-test, and a Friedman test were used to compare the performances of these algorithms. The results show that the SEEI algorithm (order 1, averages ranks = 13.125) outperformed the other algorithms in detecting EIs.

CONCLUSIONS: Here, we propose an LMSE model and an evolutionary computing method (SEEI) to solve the optimization problem of the LMSE model. The proposed method performed better than the other seven algorithms tested in its ability to identify EIs in genome-wide association datasets. We identified new SNP-SNP combinations in the real breast cancer dataset and verified the results. Our findings provide new insights for the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: https://github.com/scutdy/SSO/blob/master/SEEI.zip .

PMID:38735952 | DOI:10.1186/s12864-024-10373-4

BMC Oral Health. 2024 May 12;24(1):555. doi: 10.1186/s12903-024-04348-w.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of fence tray matching care (FTMC) in bracket bonding by measuring excess adhesive, as well as linear and angular deviations, and by comparing it with the half-wrapped tray (HWT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: An intraoral scanner was used to acquire data on the maxillary dental arch of a patient with periodontitis.Furthermore, 20 maxillary dental arch models were 3D printed. Using 3Shape, PlastyCAD software, and 3D printing technology, 10 FTMC (method I) and HWT (method II) were obtained. By preoperative preparation, intraoperative coordination, and postoperative measurement, the brackets were transferred from the trays to the 3D-printed maxillary dental arch models. Additionally, the bracket’s excess adhesive as well as linear and angular deviations were measured, and the differences between the two methods were analyzed.

RESULTS: Excess adhesive was observed in both methods, with FTMC showing less adhesive (P< 0.001), with a statistical difference. Furthermore, HWT’s vertical, tip and torque, which was significantly greater than FTMC (P< 0.05), with no statistical difference among other respects. The study data of incisors, canines, and premolars, showed that the premolars had more adhesive residue and were more likely to have linear and angular deviations.

CONCLUSIONS: The FTMC had higher bracket bonding effect in comparison to HWT, and the adhesive residue, linear and angular deviations are smaller. The fence tray offers an intuitive view of the precise bonding of the bracket, and can remove excess adhesive to prevent white spot lesions via care, providing a different bonding method for clinical applications.

PMID:38735948 | DOI:10.1186/s12903-024-04348-w

Ital J Pediatr. 2024 May 12;50(1):96. doi: 10.1186/s13052-024-01642-9.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In 1974, the World Health Organization (WHO) established the Expanded Program on Immunization to control vaccine-preventable diseases, saving millions of lives annually. However, the coverage of basic vaccines recommended by the WHO in Africa was only 75%, which fell short of the goal of 90% by 2015. To formulate effective policies and implementation programs to reduce incomplete vaccination rates, it is important to conduct a study to determine the factors contributing to incomplete immunization among children aged 12-23 months.

METHODS: The study was conducted in 16 sub-Saharan African countries, using data extracted from the latest DHS data. It was a community-based cross-sectional survey that used two-stage stratified probability sampling sample designs. The vaccination coverage was assessed using vaccination cards and mother recalls. Multilevel multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the extent of incomplete immunization and the individual and community-level factors associated with partial immunization among children aged 12-23 months. Variables with a p-value less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant predictors of incomplete immunization.

RESULT: A total of 35, 193 weighted samples were used to determine the pooled prevalence of partial immunization. The pooled prevalence of incomplete immunization was 36.06%. In the final model factors significantly associated were: being uneducated mother(AOR:1.75;95%CI:1.48,2.05), being an unemployed mother (AOR:1.16;95%CI:1.09,1.23), no history of family planning utilization (AOR: 1.71; 95% CI: 1.61, 1.84), non-antenatal care (AOR: 1.79; 95% CI: 1.58, 2.04), non-postnatal care (AOR: 1.25; 95%CI: 1.17, 1.35), rural residence(AOR:1.50;95%CI:1.37,1.63), home delivery (AOR: 2.04; 95%CI:1.89, 2.21), having children more than five (AOR: 1.56; 95%CI: 1.13, 2.17), and non-utilization of health insurance (AOR: 1.74; 95%CI: 1.48, 2.05).

CONCLUSION: The pooled prevalence of incomplete immunization was found to be high in this investigation. Based on the findings of the study we recommended that policymakers and stakeholders prioritize enhancing prenatal and postnatal care, contraception, and reducing home birth rates to minimize the rate of incomplete immunization.

PMID:38735946 | DOI:10.1186/s13052-024-01642-9

BMC Emerg Med. 2024 May 12;24(1):81. doi: 10.1186/s12873-024-00999-8.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In pre-hospital setting, ambulance provides emergency care and means of transport to arrive at appropriate health centers are as vital as in-hospital care, especially, in developing countries. Accordingly, Ethiopia has made several efforts to improve accessibility of ambulances services in prehospital care system that improves the quality of basic emergency care. Yet, being a recent phenomenon in Ethiopia, empirical studies are inadequate with regard to the practice and determinants of ambulance service utilization in pre-hospital settings. Hence, this study aimed to assess the ambulance service utilization and its determinants among patients admitted to the Emergency Departments (EDs) within the context of pre-hospital care system in public hospitals of Jimma City.

METHOD: A cross-sectional study design was used to capture quantitative data in the study area from June to July 2022. A systematic sampling technique was used to select 451 participants. Interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 26.0; descriptive and logistic regressions were done, where statistical significance was determined at p < 0.05.

RESULTS: Ambulance service was rendered to bring about 39.5% (of total sample, 451) patients to hospitals. The distribution of service by severity of illnesses was 48.7% among high, and 39.4% among moderately acute cases. The major determinants of ambulance service utilization were: service time (with AOR, 0.35, 95%CI, 0.2-0.6 for those admitted to ED in the morning, and AOR, 2.36, 95%CI, 1.3-4.4 for those at night); referral source (with AOR, 0.2, 95%CI, 0.1-0.4 among the self-referrals); mental status (with AOR, 1.9, 95%CI, 1-3.5 where change in the level of consciousness is observed); first responder (AOR, 6.3 95%CI, 1.5-26 where first responders were the police, and AOR, 3.4, 95%C1, 1.7-6.6 in case of bystanders); distance to hospital (with AOR,0.37, 95%CI, 0.2-0.7 among the patients within ≤15km radius); and prior experience in ambulance use (with AOR, 4.1,95%CI, 2.4-7).

CONCLUSION: Although the utilization of ambulance in pre-hospital settings was, generally, good in Jimma City; lower levels of service use among patients in more acute health conditions is problematic. Community-based emergency care should be enhanced to improve the knowledge and use of ambulance services.

PMID:38735937 | DOI:10.1186/s12873-024-00999-8

STAR Protoc. 2024 May 11;5(2):103063. doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2024.103063. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Studying neuronal morphology requires imaging and accurate extraction of tree-like shapes from noisy microscopy data. Here, we present a protocol for automatic reconstruction of branched structures from microscopy images using Neuronalyzer software. We describe the steps for loading neuron images, denoising, segmentation, and tracing. We then detail feature extraction (e.g., branch curvature and junction angles), data analysis, and plotting. The software allows batch processing and statistical comparisons across datasets. Neuronalyzer is scale-free and handles noise and variation across images. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Yuval et al.¹.

PMID:38735040 | DOI:10.1016/j.xpro.2024.103063

Anat Histol Embryol. 2024 May;53(3):e13053. doi: 10.1111/ahe.13053.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to determine the morphometric measurements anatomically and CT images of skulls of healthy male and female rabbits during postnatal development, to analyse the data statistically and to demonstrate the structural changes in bone. A total of 40 rabbits (20 females and 20 males) were divided into four groups including prepubertal period (group I (0-1 month)), period between adolescence and adulthood (group II (3-5 month)) and later (young adult period as group III (1-3 years) and old adult period as group IV (3-5 years)), with five animals in each group. After the morphometric measurements, the surface area and volume values of the skull were calculated. The skulls were reconstructed using a 3D Slicer (5.0.2), which is used for 3D modelling. The cranial bones in each group were then crushed using a grinder so that the powdered samples were obtained for XRF (X-ray fluorescence technique). The p-value was statistically highly significant between group and gender (p < 0.001). In morphometric measurements, males were generally higher than females. Only PL, GBOC and GNB measurements were higher in females. The p-value between groups (in all measurements), between genders (in TL, GLN, FL, VL, OZB and GBN parameters) and between groups and genders (in TL, DL and VL parameters) was statistically highly significant (p < 0.001). The p-value between the groups, p-value between sexes and p-value between group and sex in Si, P, K, Ca, Ni, Zn, Sr, Sr and Ca/P elements were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Consequently, metric, volume and surface area measurements were taken through 3D modelling of skull bone in prepubertal period (group I), period between adolescence and adulthood (group II) and later (young adult period as group III and old adult period as group IV) of rabbits and the change in the mineral structure during postnatal development and effect of sex on this change were investigated. This might be the first study to assess both metric and mineral changes at four age intervals taken during the life span of rabbits.

PMID:38735036 | DOI:10.1111/ahe.13053

Orv Hetil. 2024 May 12;165(19):747-753. doi: 10.1556/650.2024.33022. Print 2024 May 12.

ABSTRACT

Bevezetés: A rhinosinusitis az orr- és orrmelléküregek nyálkahártyájának váladékképződéssel és ödémás duzzanattal járó gyulladása. Az akut bakteriális rhinosinusitis főként szövődményes eseteiben gyakran szükséges fekvőbeteg-intézménybe való felvétel. Célkitűzés: A Szegedi Tudományegyetem Fül-Orr-Gégészeti és Fej-Nyaksebészeti Klinikájának fekvőbetegosztályára 2016 és 2022 között akut rhinosinusitis miatt felvett gyermekek anyagának retrospektív elemzése, illetve annak megállapítása, hogy a COVID–19-járvány befolyással volt-e a felvételt igénylő esetek arányára. Módszer: Demográfiai és klinikai adatok gyűjtése, az eredmények összehasonlítása hazai és nemzetközi irodalmi adatokkal. Eredmények: 497 gyermekből 471 beteg kezelése kizárólag ambulánsan történt. 26 gyermek, 17 fiú és 9 lány került felvételre (1 fő 2 alkalommal). Az átlagéletkor 7,65 év volt. A felvételek 52%-a a három téli hónapban, az összes felvétel 89%-a a novembertől áprilisig terjedő időszakban történt. 19 esetben akut ethmoiditis, 5 esetben akut sinusitis maxillaris, 2 esetben akut pansinusitis, 1 alkalommal akut sphenoiditis volt a felvételi diagnózis. A felvétel oka 19 gyermeknél a következményes szemhéjödéma, 7 esetben az alkalmazott terápia melletti progresszió volt, 1 betegnél intracranialis szövődmény igazolódott. Az átlagos hospitalizáció 4,2 nap volt. 16 esetben amoxicillin-klavulánsav, 11 esetben cefuroxim parenteralis adása történt. 9 esetben (8 orbitalis, 1 intracranialis szövődmény) elkerülhetetlen volt a műtét. Minden betegnél funkcionális endoszkópos beavatkozás történt. 2 alkalommal, orbitatályog miatt, külső megnyitásra is szükség volt, az intracranialis szövődménynél idegsebészeti műtét is történt. Megbeszélés: A vizsgált paraméterek korrelálnak az irodalmi adatokkal, a COVID–19-járványnak tulajdonítható esetszámváltozást nem tapasztaltunk. Következtetés: Az akut rhinosinusitis konzervatív terápiával általában gyógyítható, de előfordulhatnak súlyos, életet veszélyeztető szövődmények. Bár a kórházi felvételt igénylő esetek száma csökkent, a szövődmények aránya nem változott, ezért nagyon fontos azok gyors felismerése és hatékony kezelés. Orv Hetil. 2024; 165(19): 747–753.

PMID:38735033 | DOI:10.1556/650.2024.33022

Orv Hetil. 2024 May 12;165(19):734-741. doi: 10.1556/650.2024.33039. Print 2024 May 12.

ABSTRACT

Bevezetés: A vesetranszplantációt követő magas vérnyomás a krónikus allograftkárosodás fontos kockázati tényezője. Célkitűzés: A jelen vizsgálat célja a transzplantáció utáni hypertonia gyakoriságának és lehetséges kockázati tényezői szerepének meghatározása volt. Módszerek: Retrospektív kohorszvizsgálatot végeztünk a Szegedi Tudományegyetem Sebészeti Klinikáján 2007. január 1. és 2022. augusztus 19. között vesetranszplantáción átesett betegek körében, akik rendszeresen részt vettek otthoni vérnyomásmérésen. A recipiens demográfiai és laboratóriumi adatait, továbbá a donor jellemzőit a transzplantációt követő 6. és 12. hónapban elemeztük. A magas vérnyomás diagnózisát az Európai Hypertonia Társaság (ESH) iránymutatásai szerint határoztuk meg. Logisztikus regressziót alkalmaztunk a nem korrigált és a korrigált esélyhányados becslésére a transzplantáció utáni magas vérnyomás lehetséges kockázati tényezőinek felmérésére. Eredmények: A vizsgálatba 280 beteget vontunk be. A transzplantáció utáni magas vérnyomás prevalenciája a veseátültetést követően 6, illetve 12 hónappal 49,3%, illetve 53,5% volt. A többváltozós analízist elvégezve a vesetranszplantáció után 6 hónappal a hypertonia prediktív tényezői a férfinem (OR: 1,717, 95% CI: 1,007–2,927; p = 0,047) és a donor-hypertonia (OR: 2,038, 95% CI: 1,038–4,004; p = 0,039) voltak. A szérumhúgysavszint (OR: 1,004, 95% CI: 1,000–1,007; p = 0,033) és a férfinem (OR: 2,048, 95% CI: 1,161–3,614; p = 0,013) független kockázati tényező volt a vesetranszplantáció után 12 hónappal. Megbeszélés: A vesetranszplantáció után a hypertonia előfordulási gyakorisága 49,3% volt. Vizsgálatunk arra utal, hogy a férfinem, a hypertoniás donor és a szérumhúgysavszint a vesetranszplantáció utáni hypertonia lehetséges prediktorai. Következtetés: Az időben fel nem ismert és nem kezelt poszttranszplantációs hypertonia az allograft funkcionális romlásához vezet, s ezzel csökkenti a graft túlélését. Orv Hetil. 2024; 165(19): 734–741.

PMID:38735032 | DOI:10.1556/650.2024.33039