Nevin Manimala

J Therm Biol. 2023 Jul 27;116:103673. doi: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2023.103673. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

As temperatures rise, understanding how ectotherms will become impacted by thermal stress is of critical importance. In this context, many researchers quantify critical temperatures – these are the upper (CTmax) and lower (CTmin) thermal limits at which organisms can no longer function. Most studies estimate CTs using bath-based methods where organisms are submerged within a set thermal environment. Plate-based methods (i.e. hot plates), however, offer huge opportunity for automation and are readily available in many lab settings. Plates, however, generate a unidirectional thermal boundary layer above their surface which means that the temperatures experienced by organisms of different sizes is different. This boundary layer effect can bias estimates of critical temperatures. Here, we test the hypothesis that biases in critical temperature estimation on hot plates are driven by organism height. We also quantify the composition of the boundary layer in order to correct for these biases. We assayed four differently sized species of UK ants for their CTmax in dry baths (with no boundary layer) and on hot plates (with a boundary layer). We found that hot plates overestimated the CTmax values of the different ants, and that this overestimate was larger for taller species. By statistically modelling the thickness of the thermal boundary layer, and combining with estimates of species height, we were able to correct this overestimation and eliminate methodological differences. Our study provides two main findings. First, we provide evidence that organism height is positively related to the bias present in plate-based estimates of CTmax. Second, we show that a relatively simple statistical model can correct for this bias. By using simple corrections for boundary layer effects, as we have done here, researchers could open up a new possibility space in the design and implementation of thermal tolerance assays using plates rather than restrictive dry or water baths.

PMID:37527565 | DOI:10.1016/j.jtherbio.2023.103673

Lab Med. 2023 Aug 1:lmad069. doi: 10.1093/labmed/lmad069. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Nonlinear curve fitting is an important process in laboratory medicine, particularly with the increased use of highly sensitive antibody-based assays. Although the process is often automated in commercially available software, it is important that clinical scientists and physicians recognize the limitations of the various approaches used and are able to select the most appropriate model. This article summarizes the key nonlinear functions and demonstrates their application to common laboratory data. Following this, a basic overview of the statistical comparison of models is presented and then a discussion of important algorithms used in nonlinear curve fitting. An accompanying Microsoft Excel workbook is available that can be used to explore the content of this article.

PMID:37527550 | DOI:10.1093/labmed/lmad069

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2023 Aug 1. doi: 10.1021/acsami.3c08118. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Hydrothermal synthesis is a highly efficient way to yield multiform Te nanosheets. However, the growth mechanisms and property discrepancies between different types of Te nanosheets are still unclear. In this paper, we perform an investigation on this issue by monitoring the hydrothermally synthesized Te nanosheets at different growth stages with transmission electron microscopy and electrical tests. Three main types of Te nanosheets and their variants are revealed including trapezoidal and “V”-shaped configurations. It is found that the different types of Te nanosheets dominate at different reaction stages, indicating a sequential growth scenario. Surfactants and surface energy co-determine the growth kinetics, while the crystallographic attachments lead to specifically included angles of 74° and 41° in the “V”-shaped Te nanosheets. The fractions of the three main types of Te nanosheets as a function of reaction time are statistically tracked, and their crystalline structures, interfaces, and preferential growth orientations are uncovered. Moreover, the electrical properties of the Te nanosheets are tested, and the results show an interface-related feature. These findings provide some new insights into the synthesis and property of low-dimensional Te functional materials.

PMID:37527542 | DOI:10.1021/acsami.3c08118

Eur J Endocrinol. 2023 Aug 1:lvad089. doi: 10.1093/ejendo/lvad089. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In many biomedical studies, subgroup analyses are performed to identify subgroups of patients in whom a treatment is most effective, or a risk factor has the largest effect. While both are referred to as subgroup analysis, it is important to distinguish between estimation of effects within subgroups and comparison of effects across subgroups. Both are discussed and we outline the implications regarding sample size and statistical methods for estimation of effects. Also, the risk of false-positive findings – which potentially increases with subgroup analysis – is discussed, as well as the distinction between effect modification and interaction.

PMID:37527541 | DOI:10.1093/ejendo/lvad089

J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv. 2023 Aug 7:1-9. doi: 10.3928/02793695-20230726-03. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The current study aimed to investigate the renal functions of inpatients with mental disorders. Data for this retrospective and descriptive study were collected from January 2021 to April 2021 from the records of patients who were hospitalized in the psychiatry clinic of a training and research hospital between 2018 and 2020. The study sample comprised hospital records of 376 patients. A significant negative relationship was determined between patients’ glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and glucose level, duration of mental disorder, number of hospitalizations, and duration of medication use (p < 0.05). According to the analysis of patients’ renal functions, mean GFR was statistically significantly lower in women with physical chronic diseases and diagnosed with personality disorders. Psychiatric-mental health nurses should evaluate and monitor renal functions of individuals with mental disorders and take precautions before kidney diseases develop. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, xx(x), xx-xx.].

PMID:37527518 | DOI:10.3928/02793695-20230726-03

Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2023 Aug 1:zxad172. doi: 10.1093/ajhp/zxad172. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

DISCLAIMER: In an effort to expedite the publication of articles, AJHP is posting manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time.

PURPOSE: With the implementation of a new electronic health record (EHR) system across Mayo Clinic, a project was approved to standardize and converge 9 region-specific large-volume infusion pump (LVP) drug libraries for Baxter SIGMA Spectrum pumps.

SUMMARY: The objectives of the project were to (1) develop recommendations for identified variances in practice, (2) consolidate regional drug libraries into a converged enterprise library, (3) improve the drug library management process, and (4) maintain or exceed previous Dose Error Reduction System (DERS) compliance for infusions administered. Harmonization efforts with infusion pumps decreased the number of drug libraries maintained, reduced content maintenance time, and increased readiness for smart infusion pump-EHR interoperability. Seven of the 8 regions for which change in DERS compliance was assessed showed improved compliance relative to baseline in the 30-day postwashout period. Furthermore, when comparing pre- and postimplementation DERS compliance, the number of regions meeting the minimum compliance rate of 95% increased from 5 to 6 regions.

CONCLUSION: The project improved the drug library management process, allowed for DERS compliance to be accurately compared across regions, and ensured that patients across the enterprise receive the same standard of care with the administration of intravenous medications.

PMID:37527506 | DOI:10.1093/ajhp/zxad172

J Infect Dis. 2023 Aug 1:jiad303. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiad303. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The Global Influenza Hospital Surveillance Network (GIHSN) has since 2012 provided patient-level data on severe influenza-like illnesses from over 100 participating clinical sites worldwide based on a core protocol and consistent case definitions. To our knowledge, this is the first study to analyze multiple years of global, patient-level data generated by prospective, hospital-based surveillance across a large number of countries to investigate geographic differences in influenza severity.

METHODS: We used multivariable logistic regression to assess the risk of intensive care unit admission, mechanical ventilation, and in-hospital death among hospitalized patients with influenza and explored the role of patient-level covariates and country income.

RESULTS: The dataset included 73,121 patients hospitalized with respiratory illness in 22 countries, with 15,660 laboratory-confirmed for influenza. After adjusting for patient-level covariates we found a 7-fold increase in the risk of influenza-related intensive care unit admission in lower middle-income countries, compared to high-income countries (p = 0.01). The risk of mechanical ventilation and in-hospital death also increases by four-fold in lower middle-income countries, though these values were not statistically significant. We also find that influenza severity increased with older age and number of comorbidities. Across all severity outcomes studied and after controlling for patient characteristics, infection with influenza A/H1N1pdm09 was more severe than with A/H3N2.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides new information on influenza severity in under-resourced populations, particularly those in lower middle-income countries. Understanding the mechanisms responsible for these disparities will be important to improve management of influenza, optimize vaccine allocation, and mitigate global disease burden.

PMID:37527470 | DOI:10.1093/infdis/jiad303

Nicotine Tob Res. 2023 Aug 1:ntad133. doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntad133. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Alaska Native and American Indian (ANAI) people have a smoking prevalence of 23%. Nicotine metabolite ratio (NMR) and genetic testing may enable tailored selection of tobacco cessation medication. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relative contributions of NMR, cessation medication, demographics, and tobacco use history to cessation.

METHODS: Participants were recruited into an observational cohort study consisting of a baseline visit prior to their quit date and 6 week follow-up. Demographic and tobacco use surveys and blood, urine, and breath samples were collected at each visit. Electronic health records were queried for cessation medications. NMR was categorized into slow or normal nicotine metabolism phenotypes (<0.31 and ≥0.31 respectively). The main outcome was cessation at 6 weeks. Analyses consisted of descriptive statistics, medication/phenotype concordance, and estimates of relative risk of quitting.

RESULTS: We enrolled 151 ANAI adults who smoked cigarettes daily. Two-thirds had normal nicotine metabolism phenotype. Retrospective medication/phenotype concordance was 39%. The overall quit rate was 25%. No demographic factors or tobacco use history were associated with quit success. Varenicline and bupropion increased the likelihood of quitting (RR=2.93 [1.42, 6.03] and RR=2.52 [1.12, 5.64] respectively) compared to nicotine replacement therapy. Non-optimal medication/phenotype concordance decreased likelihood of quit success (RR=0.44 [0.22, 0.91]) compared to optimal concordance.

CONCLUSION: This exploratory study found associations between quit success and tobacco cessation medication as well as medication/phenotype concordance. Additional research is needed to assess use of NMR for treatment selection among ANAI people.

IMPLICATIONS: These results broadly support additional community-engaged research to improve medication/phenotype concordance in tribal health settings. Such interventional research holds promise to improve expectations, quit success, and health outcomes amongst individuals attempting to quit smoking.

PMID:37527452 | DOI:10.1093/ntr/ntad133

Toxicol Ind Health. 2023 Aug 1:7482337231191162. doi: 10.1177/07482337231191162. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Inhalation exposure to cosmetic talc has generated much scientific debate regarding its potential as a risk factor for mesothelioma, a rare, but fatal cancer. Barbers, hairdressers, and cosmetologists have regularly used cosmetic talc-containing products, but the collective epidemiological evidence for mesothelioma in these occupations has yet to be described. As such, we conducted a systematic review of PubMed and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s (NIOSH) Numbered Publications list to identify original epidemiological literature reporting measures of association between these occupations and incidence of or death from mesothelioma. Literature screening was performed independently twice, the results of which were summarized and tabulated and underwent a review for their accuracy. A total of 12 studies met our inclusion criteria, including three cohort, six case-control, and three proportionate mortality/registration studies. The data from these studies were collected in 13 European and North American countries, spanning more than 50 years. We supplemented this review with queries of occupational mortality databases that are managed by the Washington State Department of Health and NIOSH for 26 U.S. states. Most findings were null and if statistically significant, nearly all showed an inverse relationship, indicative of a protective effect of these occupations on mesothelioma risk. Overall, the epidemiological evidence does not support an increased risk of mesothelioma for these occupations. This research fills an important data gap on the etiology of mesothelioma in barbers, hairdressers, and cosmetologists, and provides a benchmark for those with comparatively less exposure, such as non-occupational users of similar cosmetic talc-containing products.

PMID:37527434 | DOI:10.1177/07482337231191162

Surg Infect (Larchmt). 2023 Aug 2. doi: 10.1089/sur.2023.030. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Abstract Background: Herpes simplex virus encephalitis (HSVE) is a rare post-operative infection that can be fatal if treatment is delayed. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a more common cause of encephalitis than herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), however, a significant overlap exists. The goal of this project was to understand the frequency and trend of HSVE after neurosurgery through a case series at our institution and in the literature with a focus on comparing HSV-1 versus HSV-2. Patients and Methods: A literature review of all published cases and case series of HSVE after neurosurgery was performed. Descriptive statistics comparing HSV-1 and HSV-2 encephalitis were computed. Data on demographics, symptoms, surgery, treatment, immunosuppression, imaging findings, steroids, and mortality were collected. Results: We identified 55 total cases of HSVE post-neurosurgery. These included 28 cases of HSV-1, 10 cases of HSV-2, and 17 cases of HSV-unspecified encephalitis. There were no differences in age, gender, symptoms, surgery, or latency between surgery and symptom onset between HSV-1 and HSV-2. Mortality was higher with HSV-1 versus HSV-2 although not statistically significant. The primary surgical indication varied substantially between HSV-1 and HSV-2. Conclusions: Herpes simplex virus encephalitis is often overlooked in the setting of encephalitis after surgery. A high index of suspicion is needed to prevent a delay in treatment.

PMID:37527427 | DOI:10.1089/sur.2023.030