Nevin Manimala

Pigment Cell Melanoma Res. 2023 Aug 18. doi: 10.1111/pcmr.13119. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

A PTEN deficiency leads to the activation of phospho-Akt at serine 473 (p-Akt) and promotes the tumorigenesis of melanomas by coupling with NUAK2 amplification. We tested the prognostic impact of p-Akt and/or NUAK2 expression on the relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) of melanoma patients. Primary tumors from patients with acral melanomas (112), Low-cumulative sun damage (CSD) melanomas (38), and High-CSD melanomas (18) were examined using immunohistochemistry and their prognostic significance was analyzed statistically. The expression of p-Akt was found in 32.1%, 68.4%, and 55.6% of acral, Low-CSD, and High-CSD melanomas, while NUAK2 expression was found in 46.4%, 76.3%, and 50.0%, respectively. Either p-Akt or NUAK2 expression was inversely correlated with the RFS of primary melanoma patients and acral melanoma patients (p-Akt: p < .0001, p < .0001; NUAK2; p = .0005, p < .0001, respectively). Strikingly, multivariate analyses revealed that p-Akt had a significant impact on RFS (Hazard ratio = 4.454; p < .0001), while NUAK2 did not. Further subset analyses revealed that p-Akt expression had an inferior RFS of patients with acral melanomas (Hazard ratio = 4.036; p = .0005). We conclude that the expression of p-Akt has a significant impact on RFS of patients with primary melanomas and can predict the relapse of patients with acral melanomas.

PMID:37596787 | DOI:10.1111/pcmr.13119

Am J Ind Med. 2023 Aug 18. doi: 10.1002/ajim.23529. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Long shifts and short rest periods (SRP) between shifts are important factors that greatly affect shift workers’ health. However, reports on the psychological effects of shift work, such as depression, have been inconsistent. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the combined effect of long shifts and SRP on depression in shift workers.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 3295 shift workers in the sixth Korean Working Conditions Survey. The relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI) was computed to estimate the combined effect of long shifts and SRP on depression.

RESULTS: Depression in shift workers was not significantly associated with long shifts or SRP after adjustment, but the risk was significantly increased when exposed to both factors simultaneously (odds ratio 1.36, 95% confidence interval 1.03-1.79). The RERI between the two factors was statistically significant (p = 0.020), indicating a synergistic interaction with depression. Sensitivity analysis by occupation showed a significant interaction in the combined group of office and service workers (p = 0.034).

CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous exposure to SRP and long shifts should be avoided when planning shift work schedules or devising health policies for shift workers. Special consideration is needed for healthcare and service workers, who may be particularly vulnerable to negative health impacts due to shift work.

PMID:37596767 | DOI:10.1002/ajim.23529

Am J Health Behav. 2023 Jun 30;47(3):428-449. doi: 10.5993/AJHB.47.3.1.

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Actual use of nicotine pouch products is not well studied. The objectives of this study were to characterize on ® nicotine pouch (Test Products (TP)) use behavior, including association with cigarette and smokeless tobacco (ST) product use. Methods: Adults who smoke cigarettes (AS) and/or adults who use ST (ASTU) (N=1147) that were not planning to quit and had expressed interest in trying and using TP after a 5-day trial were offered ad libitum use of TPs (7 flavors at 5 nicotine levels) for 6 weeks. Results: Participants used a median of ~5-6 pouches/day of a variety of flavors and nicotine levels. In the final week of the study, 27% of AS and 71% of ASTU reported no use of cigarettes or ST respectively, while reporting continued use of TPs. Additionally, 39% of AS and 14% of ASTU reduced consumption of cigarettes or ST products respectively by 50%-99%, compared to reported use at screening. We found a statistically significant inverse relationship between TP flavor varieties and number of cigarettes/ST. Conclusions: These data suggest that TPs can be potential substitutes for cigarettes/ST products, and complete switching may offer harm reduction potential for AS and ASTU not interested in quitting.

PMID:37596760 | DOI:10.5993/AJHB.47.3.1

Am J Health Behav. 2023 Jun 30;47(3):628-641. doi: 10.5993/AJHB.47.3.20.

ABSTRACT

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of narrative therapy in reducing work pressure and improving health behavior among clinical and anesthesia frontline nurses. Methods: We used convenience sampling to select clinical and anesthesiology department nurses from hospitals between May 2019 and May 2021. We used a nursing knowledge-attitude-behavior questionnaire to assess the status of nurses and assess the effectiveness of the narrative therapy intervention. We analyzed our data using SPSS and Smart PLS. Results: We found statistically significant differences in scores on the Competence Scale (NCS) and the Nursing Caring Characters Assessment Tool (NCCAT) (p<.05). The average scores of items in each dimension of clinical and anesthesiology department narrative nursing knowledge and behavior were: knowledge score (3.67±0.52), attitude score (5.48±0.62), and behavior score (4.74±0.77). Conclusion: The ADDIE-based narrative nursing training program improved nurses’ narrative nursing ability and humanistic care quality, reducing work pressure and promoting health behavior. These findings highlight the importance of narrative therapy in clinical practice for frontline nurses.

PMID:37596759 | DOI:10.5993/AJHB.47.3.20

Am J Health Behav. 2023 Jun 30;47(3):533-538. doi: 10.5993/AJHB.47.3.10.

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Since the outbreak of COVID-19, Internet use has become more frequent as the reaction to quarantine and social distancing have continued, which has had a significant impact on mental health. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between Internet use and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We obtained data from the 2020 China Family Panel Study (CFPS), a nationwide typical longitudinal follow-up social survey that began in 2010 and is implemented every 2 years. We assessed Internet use by whether or not people used a mobile device or a computer to access the Internet. We measured the mental health of individuals using values for the depression variable, which was collected through the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Statistical analysis involved independent sample t-tests and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: Internet use was significantly associated with a decrease in depression scores; the length of Internet use was significantly associated with an increase in depression scores. The relationship between various Internet functions and depression scores differed significantly, with gaming and social functions being significantly associated with a decrease in depression scores; shopping and learning functions were not significantly associated with depression scores. For youth, play functioning was significantly associated with a decrease in depression scores, while shopping functioning was significantly associated with an increase in depression scores; for the middle-aged group, social functioning was significantly associated with a decrease in depression scores; and for the elderly, social and shopping functioning were significantly associated with a decrease in depression scores.Conclusion: Public mental health can be promoted through the use of the Internet during the COVID-19 pandemic. Different groups should make reasonable use of Internet functions but control the length of time spent using them.

PMID:37596757 | DOI:10.5993/AJHB.47.3.10

Am J Health Behav. 2023 Jun 30;47(3):510-519. doi: 10.5993/AJHB.47.3.8.

ABSTRACT

Objectives: In this study, we investigate the relationships among personal well-being, self-esteem, supervisor support, life satisfaction, and happiness in a sample of nurses. In this study, we also investigate the mediating role of life satisfaction. Methods: Present research was quantitative in nature and the research design was cross-sectional. Data were collected from a convenience sample of nurses working in hospitals by using a self-administered survey. We used partial least square-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) for the assessment of statistical significance of the proposed model. Results: We found a statistically significant and positive relationship between personal well-being, life satisfaction, and happiness. Similarly, self-esteem and supervisor support positively affected life satisfaction. Conclusion: Our research adds to the present literature on the factors that affect happiness among nurses. The study also adds to the current literature on PLS-SEM in terms of the assessment of mediation and direct relationships. Our findings are helpful for decision-makers in the health sector in developing happiness and life satisfaction among nurses. These results are also valuable for academicians for their future studies.

PMID:37596749 | DOI:10.5993/AJHB.47.3.8

Am J Health Behav. 2023 Jun 30;47(3):498-509. doi: 10.5993/AJHB.47.3.7.

ABSTRACT

Objectives: In this paper, we examined the impact of abusive leadership (AB) on psychological well-being (PWB) and presenteeism (PR) by considering the moderating effect of mental health (MH) of employees in Saudi small and medium enterprises (SME’s). Methods: We used non-probability sampling to collect data from employees in the Saudi SME’s. We used 152 complete questionnaires for statistical analysis, including descriptive statistics, validity and reliability tests, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling. Results: AB significantly and negatively impacted the PWB of employees in the Saudi SME’s (p<.05). Furthermore, we found a statistically significant association (p<.05) between AB and PR, where increased AB increased presenteeism. Regarding the moderation effect, findings revealed that MH significantly suppressed the negative association between AB and PWB and significantly dampened the positive relationship between AB and PR. Conclusion: Leadership plays a ctitical role in employees’ well-being and presenteeism; therefore, our study has important implications for managers, workers, and policymakers to promote healthy leadership for improved employee well-being and productivity.

PMID:37596746 | DOI:10.5993/AJHB.47.3.7

Am J Health Behav. 2023 Jun 30;47(3):579-587. doi: 10.5993/AJHB.47.3.15.

ABSTRACT

Objective: This research was conducted to analyze the relationship between maternal body mass index (BMI) before pregnancy and weight gain in childbirth. This research is also an approach to understand women health behavior for BMI. Methods: In this descriptive analysis of 588 singleton pregnancies, their pre-pregnancy BMI was measured and gestational weight growth in the third trimester, all reserved pregnant women were tracked, and the method of delivery was recorded in Maternity Teaching Hospital from February to December 2020. The data collected throughout the investigation were analyzed using the SPSS 25 package application. Results: According to the study’s findings, the average age of women was 24.4 years old, with a standard deviation of 5.04. About 66% of women had standard BMI, 17.56% were underweight, 10.13% were overweight, and 6.08% were obese. Conclusion: A statistically significant association was discovered between maternal weight during pregnancy and mode of delivery in this study. The study highlighted that women health behavior is significant factor to improve their BMI during pregnancy and delivery.

PMID:37596743 | DOI:10.5993/AJHB.47.3.15

Clin Cardiol. 2023 Aug 18. doi: 10.1002/clc.24109. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: An unmet need exists to reliably predict the risk of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) treated with oral anticoagulants (OACs).

HYPOTHESIS: An externally validated model improves ICH risk stratification.

METHODS: Independent factors associated with ICH were identified by Cox proportional hazard modeling, using pooled data from the GARFIELD-AF (Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation) and ORBIT-AF (Outcomes Registry for Better Informed Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation) registries. A predictive model was developed and validated by bootstrap sampling and by independent data from the Danish National Patient Register.

RESULTS: In the combined training data set, 284 of 53 878 anticoagulated patients had ICH over a 2-year period (0.31 per 100 person-years; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.28-0.35). Independent predictors of ICH included: older age, prior stroke or transient ischemic attack, concomitant antiplatelet (AP) use, and moderate-to-severe chronic kidney disease (CKD). Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) were associated with a significantly higher risk of ICH compared with non-VKA oral anticoagulants (NOACs) (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.61; 95% CI: 1.25-2.08; p = .0002). The ability of the model to discriminate individuals in the training set with and without ICH was fair (optimism-corrected C-statistic: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.65-0.71) and outperformed three previously published methods. Calibration between predicted and observed ICH probabilities was good in both training and validation data sets.

CONCLUSIONS: Age, prior ischemic events, concomitant AP therapy, and CKD were important risk factors for ICH in anticoagulated AF patients. Moreover, ICH was more frequent in patients receiving VKA compared to NOAC. The new validated model is a step toward mitigating this potentially lethal complication.

PMID:37596725 | DOI:10.1002/clc.24109

Plant Genome. 2023 Aug 18:e20374. doi: 10.1002/tpg2.20374. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are powerful statistical methods that detect associations between genotype and phenotype at genome scale. Despite their power, GWAS frequently fail to pinpoint the causal variant or the gene controlling a given trait in crop species. Assessing genetic variants other than single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) could alleviate this problem. In this study, we tested the potential of structural variant (SV)- and k-mer-based GWAS in soybean by applying these methods as well as conventional SNP/indel-based GWAS to 13 traits. We assessed the performance of each GWAS approach based on loci for which the causal genes or variants were known from previous genetic studies. We found that k-mer-based GWAS was the most versatile approach and the best at pinpointing causal variants or candidate genes. Moreover, k-mer-based analyses identified promising candidate genes for loci related to pod color, pubescence form, and resistance to Phytophthora sojae. In our dataset, SV-based GWAS did not add value compared to k-mer-based GWAS and may not be worth the time and computational resources invested. Despite promising results, significant challenges remain regarding the downstream analysis of k-mer-based GWAS. Notably, better methods are needed to associate significant k-mers with sequence variation. Our results suggest that coupling k-mer- and SNP/indel-based GWAS is a powerful approach for discovering candidate genes in crop species.

PMID:37596724 | DOI:10.1002/tpg2.20374