Nevin Manimala

Glob Chang Biol. 2023 Aug 21. doi: 10.1111/gcb.16914. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The TreeGOER (Tree Globally Observed Environmental Ranges) database provides information for most known tree species of their environmental ranges for 38 bioclimatic, eight soil and three topographic variables. It is based on species distribution modelling analyses of more than 44 million occurrences. The database can be accessed from https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7922927. Statistics that include 5% and 95% quantiles were estimated for a cleaned and taxonomically standardized occurrence data set with different methods of outlier detection, with estimates for roughly 45% of species being based on 20 or more observation records. Where sufficient representative observations are available, the ranges provide useful preliminary estimates of suitable conditions particularly for lesser-known species under climate change. Inferred core bioclimatic ranges of species along global temperature and moisture index gradients and across continents follow the known global distribution of tree diversity such as its highest levels in moist tropical forests and the ‘odd man out’ pattern of lower levels in Africa. To demonstrate how global analyses for large numbers of tree species can easily be done in R with TreeGOER, here I present two case studies. The first case study investigated latitudinal trends of tree vulnerability and compared these with previous results obtained for urban trees. The second case study focused on tropical areas, compared trends in different longitudinal zones and investigated patterns for the moisture index. TreeGOER is expected to benefit researchers conducting biogeographical and climate change research for a wide range of tree species at a variety of spatial and temporal scales.

PMID:37602408 | DOI:10.1111/gcb.16914

Nurs Ethics. 2023 Aug 21:9697330231174533. doi: 10.1177/09697330231174533. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Professional autonomy, which directly affects the quality of professional nursing in patient care, and cognitive flexibility, which is an important factor for adaptation to change and developing nursing roles, are important concepts for nursing.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES: This research was carried out to determine the effect of cognitive flexibility on attitudes towards professional autonomy in nurses.

RESEARCH DESIGN: This was a descriptive study.

PARTICIPANTS AND RESEARCH CONTEXT: The research was conducted with 415 nurses working in a city hospital of a province, meeting the inclusion criteria and agreeing to participate in the study. A questionnaire form, The Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI), and the Attitude Toward Professional Autonomy Scale for Nurses (APASN) were used to collect data.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS: Ethical approval was obtained from the university ethics committee before starting the study. Institutional permission was obtained from the city hospital where the study was conducted. Electronic informed consent was obtained from the nurses included in the study.

FINDINGS: In the study, the mean CFI score was 80.62 ± 11.55 and the mean APASN score was 70.42 ± 18.79. There was a weak positive correlation (r = 0.270; p < 0.05) between CFI and APASN scores. Moreover, the effect of the CFI mean score on the APASN mean score was found to be statistically significant (β = 0.278; p < 0.001). Furthermore, CFI explains 7.7% of APASN.

CONCLUSION: In the study, nurses’ attitudes towards professional autonomy and cognitive flexibility scores were found to be at a good level. Cognitive flexibility has a positive effect on attitudes towards professional autonomy. Interventional studies that will increase the level of cognitive flexibility are recommended in the development of nurses’ attitudes towards professional autonomy.

PMID:37602374 | DOI:10.1177/09697330231174533

Future Oncol. 2023 Aug 21. doi: 10.2217/fon-2023-0315. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Aim: This study evaluated event-free survival (EFS) as a surrogate outcome for overall survival (OS) in neoadjuvant therapy for early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (eTNBC). Methods: Meta-regression analyses based on a targeted literature review were used to evaluate the individual- and trial-level associations between EFS and OS. Results: In the individual-level analyses, 3-year EFS was a significant predictor of 5-year OS (p < 0.01; coefficient of determinations [R²]: 0.82 [95% CI: 0.68-0.91]). Additionally, there was a statistically significant association between the treatment effect on EFS and OS at the trial level (p < 0.001; R²: 0.64 [95% CI: 0.45-0.82]). Conclusion: This study demonstrates significant associations between EFS and OS and suggests that EFS is a valid surrogate for OS following neoadjuvant therapy for eTNBC.

PMID:37602372 | DOI:10.2217/fon-2023-0315

Risk Manag Healthc Policy. 2023 Aug 15;16:1555-1566. doi: 10.2147/RMHP.S418892. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The presence and extent of severity of esophageal varices (EV) in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) are predicted using noninvasive clinical, biochemical, and imaging parameters. The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy of noninvasive predictors of EV, such as the platelet count-to-spleen diameter ratio (PSR), platelet count-to-spleen volume ratio (PSVR), spleen size (SZ), and a combination of these markers in determining the severity of EV in patients with cirrhosis.

METHODS: We recruited 82 inpatients with LC from the Department of Gastroenterology at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University between January 2018 and December 2019 for this diagnostic investigation. All patients underwent endoscopy, ultrasound, computed tomography, and routine laboratory investigations. For the study, we evaluated and compared the diagnostic accuracy of PSR, PSVR, SZ, and their combinations.

RESULTS: There were significant differences in the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) in the prediction of severe and moderate/severe EV for all the variables. PSR+PSVR had the highest AUC at 0.735 (95% CI: 0.626-0.826) and 0.765 (95% CI: 0.659-0.852) for predicting severe and moderate/severe EV, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in the AUCs (95% CI) for PSR, PSVR, and PSR+PSVR in predicting the existence of EV. As per the overall model quality chart, the combination of PSR+PSVR was the best indicator for detecting the presence of EV (AUC, 0.696; 95% CI: 0.584-0.792).

CONCLUSION: In our study, we found that these noninvasive parameters could predict the extent of severity of EV in patients with LC. We anticipate the use of a combination of PSR + PSVR to emerge as the superior indicator as studies progress.

PMID:37602362 | PMC:PMC10439804 | DOI:10.2147/RMHP.S418892

Risk Manag Healthc Policy. 2023 Aug 15;16:1509-1520. doi: 10.2147/RMHP.S420330. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the questionnaire of the validity and reliability of knowledge, attitudes and practices concerning Mpox.

METHODS: This was an instrumental, cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 178 citizens from 3 sectors of Peru, who responded to a virtual questionnaire regarding knowledge, attitudes and practices concerning Mpox. The validity and reliability process of the questionnaire was carried out using Aiken’s V, Cronbach’s Alpha, McDonald’s Omega and principal component analysis.

RESULTS: After expert evaluation, the questionnaire was shown to have adequate content validity for measuring knowledge, attitudes and practices concerning Mpox, each in their respective dimensions, with Aiken’s V values above 0.90. For construct validity, exploratory factor analysis was used and the items were grouped into four dimensions for the level of knowledge, three dimensions for attitudes, and two for practices. With respect to the reliability analysis, the application of Cronbach’s α statistic and McDonald’s ω, obtained values above 0.70.

CONCLUSION: The results of the research enabled the attainment of a questionnaire that meets the adequate psychometric characteristics in order to be applied.

PMID:37602360 | PMC:PMC10439795 | DOI:10.2147/RMHP.S420330

Drugs Context. 2023 Aug 8;12:2022-10-5. doi: 10.7573/dic.2022-10-5. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study investigates the efficiency of two different types of immunomodulators for the treatment of non-severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and assesses their long-term effects.

METHODS: The study included 55 patients with non-severe CAP. Group 1 (control) received only standard CAP therapy; the other two groups received immunomodulators simultaneously with the standard therapy: bacterial lysate for group 2 and azoximer bromide (AzB) for group 3. TNF and IL-6 concentrations were determined on the day of hospitalization as well as on days 13 and 60 of follow-up. For 2 years, we monitored the incidence of low respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in the same patients with CAP (n=55).

RESULTS: The overall duration of all symptoms was lower in the immunomodulator groups compared with the control group. During treatment, TNF and IL-6 concentrations decreased on days 13 and 60 in all patients; in patients who received immunomodulators, TNF and IL-6 were reliably lower than in control patients. IL-6 concentration decreased on day 60 in the bacterial lysate and AzB treatment groups and did not differ (p=0.72). The odds ratio for the development of LRTIs in the AzB group was 0.15 (0.02-0.93) (p=0.04), suggesting its protective effect.

CONCLUSION: Inclusion of immunomodulators in the basic treatment of non-severe CAP reduces the duration of symptoms and is associated with improvement of the pro-inflammatory cytokine profile. In 2 years of follow-up, the long-term effects of the immunomodulatory therapy showed a statistically significant lower incidence of LRTIs in the AzB group only. However, given the small sample size of this study, further clinical studies are needed.

PMID:37602358 | PMC:PMC10435266 | DOI:10.7573/dic.2022-10-5

Int J Ophthalmol. 2023 Aug 18;16(8):1287-1292. doi: 10.18240/ijo.2023.08.15. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To determine the effects of change in light conditions on refractive error and visual functions including visual acuity, stereopsis and contrast sensitivity.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the optometry clinic of the Shahid Beheshti School of Rehabilitation on 48 students in 2021-2022. All of them had eye health and normal visual function and could have refractive errors or not. Light intensity of 4 lx was considered equivalent to photopic light condition and light intensity of 1 lx was considered to be equivalent to mesopic light condition. The amount of refractive error was checked by auto refractometer and its changes in mesopic light condition were subjectively measured. Also, visual acuity, stereopsis and contrast sensitivity (in five spatial frequencies of 1.5, 3, 6, 12, and 18 cycles per degree), were measured first in photopic light condition and then in mesopic light condition, by Snellen control vision chart, stereo butterfly test and the M&S technology monitor test respectively.

RESULTS: In the 48 student subjects with an average age of 22.69±3.56y, mean of refractive error as sphere equivalent, visual acuity and stereopsis were -1.25±1.74 diopters, 0 logMAR, 44.37±13.03 seconds of arc, respectively in photopic light condition while in mesopic light was equal to -1.56±1.75 diopters, 0.12±0.09 logMAR and 50.62±33.35 seconds of arc, respectively. The mean of contrast sensitivity measured at spatial frequencies of 1.5, 3, 6, 12, and 18 cycles per degree in photopic condition was equal to 2.38±0.04, 2.37±0.07, 2.04±0.21, 1.27±0.32, 0.82±0.27 logarithm of contrast sensitivity, respectively and in mesopic lighting condition was equal to 2.34±0.12, 2.30±0.16, 1.84±0.28, 1.02±0.28, 0.63±0.24 logarithm of contrast sensitivity, respectively. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference between the two lighting conditions in all evaluated variables [refractive error (P<0.001), visual acuity (P<0.001), stereopsis (P=0.008) and contrast sensitivity (P<0.001)].

CONCLUSION: The refractive error of the student subjects in mesopic light condition change towards myopia, and its amount is clinically significant. Also, the examination and comparison of the factors of visual acuity, stereopsis and contrast sensitivity in these two lighting conditions show that the decrease in brightness level to the mesopic level causes a decrease in the aforementioned visual functions.

PMID:37602349 | PMC:PMC10398513 | DOI:10.18240/ijo.2023.08.15

Int J Ophthalmol. 2023 Aug 18;16(8):1243-1249. doi: 10.18240/ijo.2023.08.09. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To evaluate whether latanoprost/timolol fixed combination (LTFC) dosed twice daily may provide further intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction and evaluate the safety profile at this dose.

METHODS: This is an open-labeled, randomized, prospective crossover study on fourty primary open angle glaucoma patients. Two weeks of washout period were followed by randomization to either once daily (OD, group A) or twice daily dosing (BD, group B) of LTFC for 4wk. After another 2-week washout period, the patients’ treatment dose was crossed-over for another 4wk. IOP reduction alongside ocular and systemic side effects were evaluated.

RESULTS: Mean baseline IOP was 18.57±2.93 and 17.8±3.01 mm Hg before OD and BD dose respectively, (P=0.27). Mean IOP after BD dose was statistically lower (12.49±1.59 mm Hg) compared to OD (13.48±1.81 mm Hg, P=0.017). Although IOP reduction after BD dose was more (5.32±3.24 mm Hg, 29.89%) than after OD dosing (5.04 mm Hg, 27.14%), it did not reach statistical significance (P=0.68). Patients switched from OD to BD (group A) showed mean IOP reduction by 0.69 mm Hg [95% confidence interval (CI): -0.09 to 1.48 mm Hg, P=0.078]; but patients switched from BD to OD (group B) had significantly higher mean IOP by 1.25 mm Hg (95%CI: -2.04 to -0.46 mm Hg, P=0.006). BD dose had more ocular side effects albeit mild.

CONCLUSION: Mean IOP after LTFC dosed twice daily is statistically lower, with additional mild side effects.

PMID:37602343 | PMC:PMC10398532 | DOI:10.18240/ijo.2023.08.09

Int J Ophthalmol. 2023 Aug 18;16(8):1260-1267. doi: 10.18240/ijo.2023.08.11. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To explore the correlation between diabetic retinopathy (DR) and Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection, based on data from a physical examination population.

METHODS: This cross-sectional retrospective analysis included data of 73 824 health examination participants from December 2018 to December 2019. Participants were divided into the diabetic group and non-diabetic group, non-diabetic retinopathy (NDR) group, non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) group, proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) group, and Hp infection group. Gender, age, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and Hp data were recorded to compare the degree of DR lesions and Hp infection. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between DR and Hp infection.

RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between the diabetic and non-diabetic group (χ²=94.17, P<0.0001). Logistic regression analysis showed that male sex, age, BMI, SBP, TG, LDL-C, and Hp infection were independent risk factors for DR. There was no correlation between the degree of DR lesions and Hp infection (ρ=-0.00339, P=0.7753). Age [odds ratio (OR)=1.035, 95%CI: 1.024, 1.046, P<0.0001] and SBP (OR=1.009, 95%CI: 1.004, 1.015, P=0.0013) were independent risk factors for the degree of DR.

CONCLUSION: There is a significant correlation between DR and Hp infection in the physical examination population. Hp infection is a risk factor for DR, and there is no significant difference between Hp infection and DR of different pathological degrees. Actively eradicating Hp may be of help to prevent DR.

PMID:37602340 | PMC:PMC10398527 | DOI:10.18240/ijo.2023.08.11

Int J Ophthalmol. 2023 Aug 18;16(8):1326-1336. doi: 10.18240/ijo.2023.08.20. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To assess the efficacy versus the adverse effects of various concentrations of atropine in the prevention of myopia in Asian children.

METHODS: Databases (PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and Web of science) were comprehensively searched from inception to April 2022. Types of studies included were randomized clinical trials (RCTs). The published languages were limited to English. Two researchers assessed the quality of included studies independently using Cochrane risk of bias tool based on the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Funnel plots and Egger’s test were used for detection of publication bias. Meta-analyses were conducted using STATA (version 15.0; StataCorp).

RESULTS: A total of 15 RCTs involving 2268 patients were included in the study. In the atropine group, spherical equivalent progressed at a significantly lower rate [weighted mean difference (WMD)=0.39, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.23, 0.54] than in the control group. A WMD of 0.15 mm was associated with less axial elongation (95%CI -0.19, -0.10). Different doses showed statistically significant differences (P<0.05) and an improved effect could result from a higher concentration. Changes in photopic pupil size and mesopic pupil size in atropine group is 0.70 mm (95%CI: 0.33, 1.06) and 0.38 mm (95%CI: 0.22, 0.54) more than the control group. In the present Meta-analysis, no changes in accommodative amplitude (AA) were associated with atropine administration. Atropine administration increased the risk of adverse effects by 1.37 times.

CONCLUSION: Concentrations of less than 1% atropine are able to effectively retard diopter and axis growth of myopia in Asian children in a dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, it caused pupil enlargement, but induced no change in the AA within this range. Further study is required to determine the dosage needed to achieve maximum efficacy and minimal side effects.

PMID:37602338 | PMC:PMC10398521 | DOI:10.18240/ijo.2023.08.20