Nevin Manimala

Sci Rep. 2024 Feb 26;14(1):4628. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-54719-0.

ABSTRACT

We develop a single two-layered model framework that captures and replicates both the statistical properties of the network as well as those of the intrinsic quantities of the agents. Our model framework consists of two distinct yet connected elements that were previously only studied in isolation, namely methods related to temporal network structures and those associated with money transport flows. Within this context, the network structure emerges from the first layer and its topological structure is transferred to the second layer associated with the money transactions. In this manner, we can explain how the micro-level dynamics of the agents within the network lead to the exogenous manifestation of the aggregated system statistical data en-wrapping the very same agents within the system. This is done by capturing the essential dynamics of collective motion in complex networks that enable the simultaneous emergence of tent-shaped distributions in growth rates within the agents, together with the emergence of scaling properties within the network in the study. We can validate the model framework and dynamics by applying these to the context of the real-world inter-firm trading network of firms in Japan and comparing the results of the statistical distributions at both network and agent levels in a temporal manner. In particular, we compare our results to the fundamental quantities supporting the seven empirical laws observed in data: the degree distribution, the mean degree growth rate over time, the age distribution of the firms, the preferential attachment, the sales distribution in steady states, their growth rates, their scaling relations generated by the model. We find these results to be nearly identical to the real-world data. The framework has the potential to be transformed into a forecasting tool to support decision-makers on financial and prudential policies.

PMID:38409204 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-024-54719-0

Sci Rep. 2024 Feb 26;14(1):4684. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-54533-8.

ABSTRACT

Diverse cases regarding the impact, with its related factors, of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health have been reported in previous studies. In this study, multivariable datasets were collected from 751 college students who could be easily affected by pandemics based on the complex relationships between various mental health factors. We utilized quantum annealing (QA)-based feature selection algorithms that were executed by commercial D-Wave quantum computers to determine the changes in the relative importance of the associated factors before and after the pandemic. Multivariable linear regression (MLR) and XGBoost models were also applied to validate the QA-based algorithms. Based on the experimental results, we confirm that QA-based algorithms have comparable capabilities in factor analysis research to the MLR models that have been widely used in previous studies. Furthermore, the performance of the QA-based algorithms was validated through the important factor results from the algorithms. Pandemic-related factors (e.g., confidence in the social system) and psychological factors (e.g. decision-making in uncertain situations) were more important in post-pandemic conditions. Although the results should be validated using other mental health variables or national datasets, this study will serve as a reference for researchers regarding the use of the quantum annealing approach in factor analysis with validation through real-world survey dataset analysis.

PMID:38409195 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-024-54533-8

Niger J Clin Pract. 2024 Feb 1;27(2):289-295. doi: 10.4103/njcp.njcp_402_23. Epub 2024 Feb 26.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections are widely treated with antibiotic regimens such as “Amoxicillin 1 gr 2 × 1 tablet, Clarithromycin 500 mg 2 × 1 tablet, and Lansoprazole 30 mg 2 × 1 tablet” for 14 days. We conducted a prospective observational study to explore whether this treatment protocol serves as a predisposing factor for the colonization of resistant gastrointestinal microflora, namely vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), extended-spectrum beta-lactamase Enterobacterales (ESBL-E), and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pre- and post-treatment stool samples from 75 patients diagnosed with H. pylori, without a prior treatment history, were cultured and evaluated based on the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) criteria.

RESULTS: Of the 75 evaluated patients, a pronounced surge in ESBL-E positivity was observed. Before initiating antibiotic treatment, 12 patients (16%) had ESBL-E-positive strains in their gastrointestinal tract. Notably, this number surged to 24 patients (32%) after the conclusion of the 14-day treatment regimen. The change was statistically significant, with a P value of less than 0.002, indicating a clear association between treatment for H. pylori and heightened ESBL-E colonization. Notably, VRE and CRE remained undetected in patients throughout the study, suggesting that the treatment regimen may specifically amplify the risk of ESBL-E colonization without affecting VRE and CRE prevalence.

CONCLUSIONS: As the inaugural report from Turkey on this issue, our study suggests that antibiotic regimens for H. pylori eradication contribute to the increased risk of ESBL-positive bacterial colonization in the gastrointestinal tract.

PMID:38409160 | DOI:10.4103/njcp.njcp_402_23

Niger J Clin Pract. 2024 Feb 1;27(2):280-288. doi: 10.4103/njcp.njcp_676_23. Epub 2024 Feb 26.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Although it is known that religion is used to cope with health problems, there is a lack of information about the effect of religion on menopausal symptoms and cancer screening attitudes of climacteric women.

AIM: This study was conducted to determine the relationship between the religious attitudes of women in the climacteric period and their attitudes toward menopausal symptoms and cancer screening.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 381 women in the climacteric period in the Central Anatolia region of Türkiye. Data collection form, the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), OK-Religious Attitude Scale (ORAS), and attitude for cancer screening (short form) (ASCS) were used to collect data. Correlation analysis assessed the relationship between MRS, ORAS, and ASCS.

RESULTS: There was a low positive correlation between women’s ORAS mean score (35.19 ± 4.80) and MRS mean score (12.68 ± 7.24) (r = 0.284, P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant relationship between the mean ORAS scores of the women and the mean ASCS scores (64.59 ± 10.47) (r = 0.089, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Women who experienced more severe menopausal symptoms had stronger religious attitudes. Women’s religious attitudes did not affect their attitudes toward cancer screening. It is therefore recommended that health professionals organize counseling and training activities to protect and improve the health of menopausal women and increase their participation in screening and treatment programs.

PMID:38409159 | DOI:10.4103/njcp.njcp_676_23

Niger J Clin Pract. 2024 Feb 1;27(2):268-271. doi: 10.4103/njcp.njcp_452_23. Epub 2024 Feb 26.

ABSTRACT

AIM: Volvulus is a disease characterized by the abnormal twisting of a gaseous distension of the loop of the intestine around itself. Colonic volvulus is the third common cause of colonic obstruction. The study aimed to determine whether the percentage of immature granulocytes is a marker of early necrosis in the volvulus.

METHODS: Demographic characteristics of the cases were collected in the study. In addition, age, gender, white blood cell count, immature granulocyte count, immature granulocyte percentage, platelet lymphocyte ratio, and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio were compared between groups with and without necrosis in terms of treatment.

RESULTS: The effectiveness of immature granulocyte percentage (IG%) and IG markers were statistically significant in predicting necrosis. The AUC was the highest for IG (0.820, 95% CI: 0.586-1), followed by IG% (0.820, 95% CI: 0.617-1). The optimal cut-off value for the IG was 0.65, with a sensitivity of 76.2% and specificity of 85.7% (P = 0.013). The optimal cut-off value for the IG% was 0.065, with a sensitivity of 85.7% and specificity of 71.4% (0.018).

CONCLUSION: IG% and IG count were found to be useful for predicting necrosis in patients with volvulus.

PMID:38409157 | DOI:10.4103/njcp.njcp_452_23

Niger J Clin Pract. 2024 Feb 1;27(2):260-267. doi: 10.4103/njcp.njcp_346_23. Epub 2024 Feb 26.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Recognizing the oral needs of people living with rheumatic heart disease (RHD), particularly in relation to their jaws, is of paramount importance.

AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate potential jaw bone changes in children and adolescents diagnosed with RHD and compare them with a group of healthy children and adolescents.

METHODS AND MATERIAL: The dental panoramic radiographs (DPRs) of 32 children and adolescents diagnosed with RHD comprised the case group. In contrast, the control group consisted of DPRs from 32 children and adolescents without any known diseases. Two regions of interest (ROI1 and ROI2) of trabecular bone and a separate region of interest (ROI3) of cortical bone were selected for fractal analysis. The mandibular cortical index (MCI) was evaluated.

RESULTS: The ROI1 fractal dimension (FD) value of the individuals in the case group was statistically higher in the right jaw than in the left jaw (P < 0.01). Significant differences were determined between the case and control groups regarding the left ROI1, and the left and the right ROI2 (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found between the patient and control groups regarding the MCI value (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that bone metabolism was affected unilaterally in the condyle region and bilaterally in the gonial region of patients with RHD. It also revealed that the cortical layer was not affected.

PMID:38409156 | DOI:10.4103/njcp.njcp_346_23

Niger J Clin Pract. 2024 Feb 1;27(2):228-235. doi: 10.4103/njcp.njcp_634_23. Epub 2024 Feb 26.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In the past five years, observational evidence suggests that the rates and determinants of preterm birth may have changed due to the effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and other humanitarian crises in our environment.

AIM: This study aimed to determine the incidence, associated factors, and outcomes of preterm birth in tertiary hospitals in Enugu, southeastern Nigeria.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 238 pregnant women from the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital (ESUT-TH) Parklane, and Mother of Christ Specialist Hospital (MOCSH), Enugu, from April 2022 to March 2023. Eligible and consenting participants were recruited from 28-36 weeks +6 days of gestational age and followed up until delivery. Relevant outcome variables, such as sociodemographic characteristics, gestational age at delivery, and pregnancy outcomes, were recorded in a pro forma. These data were analyzed using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) statistics for Windows, version 22.0, Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.

RESULTS: The incidence of preterm birth was 16.6% (37/223), with spontaneous preterm birth constituting 24 of 37 (64.5%) cases. The mean age of participants was 30.3 ± 4.8 years. Advanced maternal age (>35 years) (P = 0.01, adjusted odds ratio (AOR) =0.01, confidence interval (CI): 0.00-0.144), low socioeconomic status (P = 0.04, AOR = 0.40, CI: 0.11-1.46), and history of miscarriage (P = 0.02, AOR = 0.06, CI: 0.01-0.59) were the factors associated with spontaneous preterm birth. Neonatal death occurred in 21.6% (8/37) of cases within the first 24 hours. Rates of cesarean section and low birth weight were 73% (27/37) each.

CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of preterm birth is high in Enugu, and associated factors were advanced maternal age, low socioeconomic status, and a history of miscarriage.

PMID:38409152 | DOI:10.4103/njcp.njcp_634_23

Injury. 2024 Feb 15;55(4):111422. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2024.111422. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Whether displaced lateral clavicle fractures should be treated surgically remains controversial. This study aims to compare outcomes after surgical versus non-surgical treatment of such fractures.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: 113 patients with lateral clavicle fractures registered in the Swedish Fracture Register (SFR) during 2018 and with complete displacement on radiography were included in this cohort study. Linkage with the National Patient Register provided information on baseline medical comorbidities and further interventions. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) were assessed using the European Quality of Life Scale (EQ-5D-3L), the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA), and the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QDASH). The primary outcome was the total number of initial and delayed surgical procedures. The secondary outcome was difference in PROM between surgically and non-surgically treated patient groups.

RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 4.4 (range 3.9-4.9) years, 35 (67 %) of the 52 patients initially treated surgically had undergone a secondary procedure, mostly for implant removal. Of the 61 initially non-surgically treated patients, 3 (5 %) underwent delayed surgical treatment due to non- or malunion. 45 (40 %) patients responded to follow-up questionnaires, but no statistically significant differences were found in any PROM between groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Two thirds of surgically treated patients with displaced lateral clavicle fractures underwent two procedures. The need for delayed surgical treatment in non-surgically treated patients was low and PROM was similar in both treatment groups. Nonsurgical treatment should be considered as an option to surgery for fully displaced lateral fractures of the clavicle more often.

PMID:38408424 | DOI:10.1016/j.injury.2024.111422

Health Place. 2024 Feb 25;86:103209. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2024.103209. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Neighborhoods are complex and multi-faceted. Analytic strategies used to model neighborhoods should reflect this complexity, with the potential to better understand how neighborhood characteristics together impact health. We used latent profile analysis (LPA) to derive a residential neighborhood typology applicable for census tracts across the US.

METHODS: From tract-level 2015-2019 American Community Survey (ACS) five-year estimates, we selected five indicators that represent four neighborhood domains: demographic composition, commuting, socioeconomic composition, and built environment. We compared model fit statistics for up to eight profiles to identify the optimal number of latent profiles of the selected neighborhood indicators for the entire US. We then examined differences in national tract-level 2019 prevalence estimates of physical and mental health derived from CDC’s PLACES dataset between derived profiles using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).

RESULTS: The 6-profile LPA model was the optimal categorization of neighborhood profiles based on model fit statistics and interpretability. Neighborhood types were distinguished most by demographic composition, followed by commuting and built environment domains. Neighborhood profiles were associated with meaningful differences in the prevalence of health outcomes. Specifically, tracts characterized as “Less educated non-immigrant racial and ethnic minority active transiters” (n = 3,132, 4%) had the highest poor health prevalence (Mean poor physical health: 18.6 %, SD: 4.30; Mean poor mental health: 19.6 %, SD: 3.85), whereas tracts characterized as “More educated metro/micropolitans” (n = 15, 250, 21%) had the lowest prevalence of poor mental and physical health (Mean poor physical health: 10.6 %, SD: 2.41; Mean poor mental health: 12.4 %, SD: 2.67; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: LPA can be used to derive meaningful and standardized profiles of tracts sensitive to the spatial patterning of social and built conditions, with observed differences in mental and physical health by neighborhood type in the US.

PMID:38408408 | DOI:10.1016/j.healthplace.2024.103209

Pregnancy Hypertens. 2024 Feb 25;36:101116. doi: 10.1016/j.preghy.2024.101116. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The early and accurate diagnosis of preeclampsia is crucial to avoid serious complications for both the mother and baby. However, the current diagnostic methods are limited, and there is a need for new diagnostic biomarkers. Previous studies have shown that cathepsin D (CTD) participates in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia and is present in urine samples, making it a potential biomarker for the disease. This study aimed to compare urinary and serum levels of CTD in preeclamptic and normotensive women and analyze its potential role as a diagnostic biomarker in preeclampsia.

METHODS: The study included thirty-nine patients with preeclampsia and twelve normotensive pregnant women as controls. Biomarkers were determined using Multiplex Assay kit, and serum prolactin (Prl) and urinary TNF-α levels were also evaluated. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS: We found that urinary and serum CTD levels were significantly higher in the preeclampsia group than in the normotensive group, suggesting that CTD could be a diagnostic biomarker for preeclampsia. No significant differences were found in the levels of serum prolactin or urinary TNF-α between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS: The study provides evidence that non-invasive biological samples such as urine can be used to improve new therapeutic strategies for the early management of preeclampsia.

PMID:38408407 | DOI:10.1016/j.preghy.2024.101116