Nevin Manimala

Optom Vis Sci. 2023 Oct 20. doi: 10.1097/OPX.0000000000002076. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

SIGNIFICANCE: Recently, novel refraction and lens manufacturing technology claims to provide more efficient, higher-resolution refractions and resulting lenses. It is unclear, however, if these benefits are realized and appreciated by the patient.

PURPOSE: This study investigated benefits and drawbacks of high-resolution refraction technology over standard, specifically in terms of the refraction, glasses prescription, and participant’s perceptions of the technology.

METHODS: Sixty progressive addition lens (PAL) wearers (aged 35-70) and 60 single-vision (SV) wearers (age 18+) were randomized to a high-resolution refraction (Vision-R 800, essilorinstrumentsusa.com) and standard refraction in a 2-week crossover dispensing design. Refractive results were converted to M, J0 and J45 and analyzed using multivariate t-tests. Bayesian estimation was used to analyze differences between refraction type and age group for subjective outcomes.

RESULTS: Differences in refractive error between the two refractions were small and none differed statistically (P value > .05) or clinically (e.g., <0.25D) in either subgroup. Visual acuities at distance and near were better than 0.00 logMAR; none of the mean differences between the refractions reached statistical or clinical (e.g., <0.25D) significance. Participants significantly preferred the high-resolution refraction for its quickness and efficiency, improved comfort, and less stress. Bayesian analysis indicated a 76% probability that participants had higher confidence in the high-resolution refraction, 93% probability they would seek it out for their care, and 94% probability they would recommend an optometrist using this technology.

CONCLUSIONS: Refractive and acuity endpoints were similar with the high-resolution and standard refraction. Participants, however, perceived several key benefits of the high-resolution refraction and prescription for their care, the care of their friends/family, and the practice itself.

PMID:37861987 | DOI:10.1097/OPX.0000000000002076

Curr Environ Health Rep. 2023 Oct 20. doi: 10.1007/s40572-023-00412-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on the relation between fluoride exposure and skeletal fluorosis (SF) using a novel statistical methodology for dose-response modeling.

RECENT FINDINGS: Skeletal fluorosis, a major health issue that is endemic in some regions, affects millions of people worldwide. However, data regarding the dose-response relation between fluoride exposure and SF are limited and outdated. We included twenty-three studies in the meta-analysis. When comparing the highest versus the lowest fluoride category, the summary risk ratio (RR) for SF prevalence was 2.05 (95% CI 1.60; 2.64), with a value of 2.73 (95% CI 1.92; 3.90) for drinking water and 1.40 (95% CI 0.90; 2.17) for urinary fluoride. The RR by the risk of bias (RoB) was 2.37 (95% CI 1.56; 3.58) and 1.78 (95% CI 1.34; 2.36) for moderate and high RoB studies, respectively. The dose-response curve based on a one-stage cubic spline regression model showed an almost linear positive relation between exposure and SF occurrence starting from relatively low concentrations up to 5 mg/L and 2.5 mg/L, respectively, for water and urinary fluoride, with no substantial increase above this threshold. The RR for developing moderate-severe forms increases at 5.00 mg/L and 2.5 mg/L of water and urinary fluoride, respectively. Better-quality studies are needed to confirm these results, but greater attention should be given to water fluoride levels to prevent SF, in addition to the other potential adverse effects of fluoride exposure.

PMID:37861949 | DOI:10.1007/s40572-023-00412-9

Int Ophthalmol. 2023 Oct 20. doi: 10.1007/s10792-023-02886-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the effect of combined photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) on intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with keratoconus (KC).

METHODS: We included 64 eyes of 34 patients (19 males and 15 females; age: 19-40y) with stages 1-2 keratoconus which had undergone combined wavefront-optimized photorefractive keratectomy and corneal collagen cross linking. Two other groups of patients were added as controls: the PRK group including 110 eyes of 57 patients (23 males and 34 females; age: 18-44y) which had undergone wavefront-optimized photorefractive keratectomy for myopic refractive errors, and the CXL group including 36 eyes of 23 patients (14 males and 9 females; age: 12-38y) with keratoconus, not filling the inclusion criteria for combined PRK and CXL, which had undergone corneal collagen cross-linking. IOP was recorded preoperatively and postoperatively at 3, 6 and 12 months follow-up visits.

RESULTS: Preoperative IOP in both CXL (12.1 ± 2.53 mmHg) and PRK + CXL (13.2 ± 2.50 mmHg) groups was significantly lower than PRK group (15.8 ± 3.10 mmHg) (F = 30.505, p < 0.001). At 3 months postoperatively, IOP showed no statistically significant difference between the three studied groups (F = 1.821, p = 0.164). At 6 months postoperatively, IOP in the CXL group (14.6 ± 2.64 mmHg) was significantly higher than both PRK (13.4 ± 2.27 mmHg) and PRK + CXL (13.3 ± 2.62 mmHg) groups (F = 3.721, p = 0.026). At 12 months postoperatively, IOP in the CXL group (14.3 ± 2.69 mmHg) was significantly higher than the PRK group (13.2 ± 2.23 mmHg) and was higher than PRK + CXL group (13.3 ± 2.59 mmHg) although not statistically significant (F = 3.393, p = 0.035). Regarding the percent of change from preoperative IOP, a statistically significant difference between the three studied groups was detected at 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively (H = 117.459, 109.303, 122.694 respectively, p < 0.001). The median percent of change from preoperative IOP in the PRK group was -16.7%, -15%, and -16.7%, in the CXL group was + 14.3%, + 19.4%, and + 19.1%, while in PRK + CXL group was 0% at 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. (Post-hoc power analysis 75%).

CONCLUSIONS: Combined PRK and CXL in patients with KC shows no significant effect on IOP, in contrast to either procedure performed separately.

PMID:37861937 | DOI:10.1007/s10792-023-02886-w

Curr Microbiol. 2023 Oct 20;80(12):379. doi: 10.1007/s00284-023-03505-8.

ABSTRACT

The isolation of endogenous yeast strains from traditionally fermented food products to use as functional starter cultures has become more popular for improved food safety, quality, and beneficial health effects. In this study, 107 Pichia kudriavzevii strains were isolated from sourdough, shalgam, tarhana, artisanal Tulum cheese, and yogurt. The strains were identified by DNA fingerprinting using iPBS-PCR method before technological and probiotic characterization. The multivariate statistical approach revealed that five strains were most promising in terms of technological characterization, including different harsh growth conditions. These strains were also examined in terms of probiotic properties with a commercial S. cerevisiae var boulardii MYA-796 strain. The multivariate statistical analyses indicated that P. kudriavzevii 5S5 were most promising in in vitro probiotic properties such as surviving in human GI conditions, adhering to intestinal cell lines, and exhibiting high hydrophobicity. Therefore, it seems to be a great starter candidate for the production of functional fermented food products.

PMID:37861932 | DOI:10.1007/s00284-023-03505-8

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2023 Oct 20. doi: 10.1007/s11356-023-30385-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In the framework of an environmental Kuznets curve, the linkage between shadow economy and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions was evaluated for 145 countries from 1991 to 2017. In assessing the effect of the shadow economy on CO₂ emissions, we used panel quantile regression, panel fixed effects, and panel smooth transition regression as estimation methods. In addition, to deal with parameter heterogeneity, we resorted to the procedure of Lin and Ng (2012). We found two country groups that share homogeneous parameters. No environmental Kuznets curve was found for the set of all countries. Nevertheless, one was found for each of the homogeneous parameter country groups. This result supports different turning points for different groups of countries. Shadow economy contributed to reducing CO₂ emissions in group 1 and aggravated it in group 2. Manufacturing was revealed to be statistically significant for the countries of group 1. Fossil fuel rents increased the CO₂ emissions, mainly in group 2. Urbanization contributed to the hike of CO₂ emissions in both country groups but much more intensely for group 1. Evidence of a tendency for decreasing CO2 emissions was also found, reflecting the efficiency gains over time.

PMID:37861842 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-023-30385-z

Int J Cardiovasc Imaging. 2023 Oct 20. doi: 10.1007/s10554-023-02975-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Cardiac Magnetic resonance (CMR) derived left ventricular longitudinal and circumferential strain is known to be abnormal in myocarditis. CMR strain is a useful additional tool that can identify subclinical myocardial involvement and may help with longitudinal follow-up. Right ventricular strain derived by CMR in children has not been studied. We sought to evaluate CMR derived biventricular strain in children with acute myocarditis.

METHODS: Children with acute myocarditis who underwent CMR between 2016-2022 at our center were reviewed, this group included subjects with COVID-19 myocarditis. Children with no evidence of myocarditis served as controls Those with congenital heart disease and technically limited images for CMR strain analysis were excluded from final analysis. Biventricular longitudinal, circumferential, and radial peak systolic strains were derived using circle cvi42®. Data between cases and controls were compared using an independent sample t-test. One-way ANOVA with post hoc analysis was used to compare COVID-19, non-COVID myocarditis and controls.

RESULTS: 38 myocarditis and 14 controls met inclusion criteria (mean age 14.4 ± 3 years). All CMR derived peak strain values except for RV longitudinal strain were abnormal in myocarditis group. One-way ANOVA revealed that there was a statistically significant difference with abnormal RV and LV strain in COVID-19 myocarditis when compared to non-COVID-19 myocarditis and controls.

CONCLUSION: CMR derived right and left ventricular peak systolic strain using traditionally acquired cine images were abnormal in children with acute myocarditis. All strain measurements were significantly abnormal in children with COVID-19 even when compared to non-COVID myocarditis.

PMID:37861812 | DOI:10.1007/s10554-023-02975-y

Eur Radiol. 2023 Oct 20. doi: 10.1007/s00330-023-10306-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate CT-based deep learning (DL) models that learn morphological and histopathological features for lung adenocarcinoma prognostication, and to compare them with a previously developed DL discrete-time survival model.

METHODS: DL models were trained to simultaneously predict five morphological and histopathological features using preoperative chest CT scans from patients with resected lung adenocarcinomas. The DL score was validated in temporal and external test sets, with freedom from recurrence (FFR) and overall survival (OS) as outcomes. Discrimination was evaluated using the time-dependent area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (TD-AUC) and compared with the DL discrete-time survival model. Additionally, we performed multivariable Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS: In the temporal test set (640 patients; median age, 64 years), the TD-AUC was 0.79 for 5-year FFR and 0.73 for 5-year OS. In the external test set (846 patients; median age, 65 years), the TD-AUC was 0.71 for 5-year OS, equivalent to the pathologic stage (0.71 vs. 0.71 [p = 0.74]). The prognostic value of the DL score was independent of clinical factors (adjusted per-percentage hazard ratio for FFR (temporal test), 1.02 [95% CI: 1.01-1.03; p < 0.001]; OS (temporal test), 1.01 [95% CI: 1.002-1.02; p = 0.01]; OS (external test), 1.01 [95% CI: 1.005-1.02; p < 0.001]). Our model showed a higher TD-AUC than the DL discrete-time survival model, but without statistical significance (2.5-year OS: 0.73 vs. 0.68; p = 0.13).

CONCLUSION: The CT-based prognostic score from collective deep learning of morphological and histopathological features showed potential in predicting survival in lung adenocarcinomas.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Collective CT-based deep learning of morphological and histopathological features presents potential for enhancing lung adenocarcinoma prognostication and optimizing pre-/postoperative management.

KEY POINTS: • A CT-based prognostic model was developed using collective deep learning of morphological and histopathological features from preoperative CT scans of 3181 patients with resected lung adenocarcinoma. • The prognostic performance of the model was comparable-to-higher performance than the pathologic T category or stage. • Our approach yielded a higher discrimination performance than the direct survival prediction model, but without statistical significance (0.73 vs. 0.68; p=0.13).

PMID:37861801 | DOI:10.1007/s00330-023-10306-x

Eur J Pediatr. 2023 Oct 20. doi: 10.1007/s00431-023-05264-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Repeated exposure to pain and stress in early life may cause alterations in pain sensitivity later in life. Children born preterm are often exposed to painful invasive procedures. This study aimed to explore the relationship between being born preterm and self-report of spinal pain in pre-adolescence. This prospective study was based on the Danish National Birth Cohort and consisted of 47,063 11-14-year-olds. Data from the Danish National Birth Cohort were linked with national registers through Statistics Denmark. Analyses were performed as multiple logistic regression models estimating odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Spinal pain (neck, mid back, and/or low back pain) was assessed using a subdivision of the Young Spine Questionnaire. Severe spinal pain was defined as having pain often or once in a while with an intensity of four to six on the Revised Faces Pain Scale. Inverse probability weighting was used to account for potential selection bias. Girls born very preterm (< 34 full weeks of gestation) were less likely to report spinal pain (OR: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.40-0.93) compared with those term-born. The associations were weaker when examining moderate to severe spinal pain and when examining the three spinal regions separately. None of these was statistically significant.

CONCLUSION: We found no associations for boys. In conclusion, this study indicates that girls born very preterm are seemingly less likely to have severe spinal pain in pre-adolescence than girls born at term.

WHAT IS KNOWN: • Spinal pain is one of the largest disease burdens globally, and the evidence regarding the etiology of spinal pain in children and adolescents is limited. • Repeated exposure to pain and stress in early life (i.e., being preterm) may cause alterations in pain sensitivity later in life.

WHAT IS NEW: • Girls born very preterm (< 34 full weeks of gestation) seem less likely to report severe spinal pain in pre-adolescence compared with girls born at full term. • There is no association between gestational age and later experience of spinal pain in pre-adolescent boys.

PMID:37861793 | DOI:10.1007/s00431-023-05264-x

J Math Biol. 2023 Oct 20;87(5):74. doi: 10.1007/s00285-023-02001-8.

ABSTRACT

Infectious diseases continue to pose a significant threat to the health of humans globally. While the spread of pathogens transcends geographical boundaries, the management of infectious diseases typically occurs within distinct spatial units, determined by geopolitical boundaries. The allocation of management resources within and across regions (the “governance structure”) can affect epidemiological outcomes considerably, and policy-makers are often confronted with a choice between applying control measures uniformly or differentially across regions. Here, we investigate the extent to which uniform and non-uniform governance structures affect the costs of an infectious disease outbreak in two-patch systems using an optimal control framework. A uniform policy implements control measures with the same time varying rate functions across both patches, while these measures are allowed to differ between the patches in a non-uniform policy. We compare results from two systems of differential equations representing transmission of cholera and Ebola, respectively, to understand the interplay between transmission mode, governance structure and the optimal control of outbreaks. In our case studies, the governance structure has a meaningful impact on the allocation of resources and burden of cases, although the difference in total costs is minimal. Understanding how governance structure affects both the optimal control functions and epidemiological outcomes is crucial for the effective management of infectious diseases going forward.

PMID:37861753 | DOI:10.1007/s00285-023-02001-8

Phys Chem Chem Phys. 2023 Oct 20. doi: 10.1039/d3cp03977c. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The threshold photoionization and dissociative ionization of benzonitrile (C₆H₅CN) were studied using double imaging photoelectron photoion coincidence (i²PEPICO) spectroscopy at the Vacuum Ultraviolet (VUV) beamline of the Swiss Light Source (SLS). The threshold photoelectron spectrum was recorded from 9.6 to 12.7 eV and Franck-Condon simulations of ionization into the ionic ground state, X̃⁺, as well as the B̃⁺ and C̃⁺ states were performed to assign the observed vibronic structures. The adiabatic ionization energies of the X̃⁺, B̃⁺ and C̃⁺ states are determined to be (9.72 ± 0.02), (11.85 ± 0.03) and, tentatively, (12.07 ± 0.04) eV, respectively. Threshold ionization mass spectra were recorded from 13.75 to 19.75 eV and the breakdown diagram was constructed by plotting the fractional abundances of the parent ion and ionic dissociation products as a function of photon energy. The seven lowest energy dissociative photoionization channels of benzonitrile were found to yield CN˙ + c-C₆H₅⁺, HCN + C₆H₄˙⁺, C₂H₄ + HC₅N˙⁺, HC₃N + C₄H₄˙⁺, H₂C₃N˙ + C₄H₃⁺, CH₂CHCN + C₄H₂˙⁺ and H₂C₄N˙ + c-C₃H₃⁺. HCN loss from the benzonitrile cation is the dominant dissociation channel from the dissociation onset of up to 18.1 eV and CH₂CHCN loss becomes dominant from 18.1 eV and up. We present extensive potential energy surface calculations on the C₆H₅CN˙⁺ surface to rationalize the detected products. The breakdown diagram and time-of-flight mass spectra are fitted using a Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus statistical model. Anchoring the fit to the CBS-QB3 result (3.42 eV) for the barrier to HCN loss, we obtained experimental dissociation barriers for the products of 4.30 eV (CN loss), 5.53 eV (C₂H₄ loss), 4.33 eV (HC₃N loss), 5.15 eV (H₂C₃N loss), 4.93 eV (CH₂CHCN loss) and 4.41 eV (H₂C₄N loss). We compare our work to studies of the electron-induced dissociative ionization of benzonitrile and isoelectronic phenylacetylene (C₈H₆), as well as the VUV-induced dissociation of protonated benzonitrile (C₆H₅CNH⁺). Also, we discuss the potential role of barrierless association reactions found for some of the identified fragments as a source of benzonitrile(˙⁺) in interstellar chemistry and in Titan’s atmosphere.

PMID:37861750 | DOI:10.1039/d3cp03977c