Nevin Manimala

J Appl Clin Med Phys. 2022 Aug 22:e13755. doi: 10.1002/acm2.13755. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study compared the reproducibility of chestwall and heart position using surface-guided versus RPM (real-time position management)-guided deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH) radiotherapy for left sided breast cancer. Forty DIBH patients under either surface-guided radiotherapy (SGRT) or RPM guidance were studied. For patients treated with tangential fields, reproducibility was measured as the displacements in central lung distance (CLD) and heart shadow to field edge distance (HFD) between pretreatment MV (megavoltage) images and planning DRRs (digitally reconstructed radiographs). For patients treated with volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), sternum to isocenter (ISO) distance (StID), spine to rib edge distance (SpRD), and heart shadow to central axis (CAX) distance (HCD) between pretreatment kV images and planning DRRs were measured. These displacements were compared between SGRT and RPM-guided DIBH. In tangential patients, the mean absolute displacements of SGRT versus RPM guidance were 0.19 versus 0.23 cm in CLD, and 0.33 versus 0.62 cm in HFD. With respect to planning DRR, heart appeared closer to the field edge by 0.04 cm with surface imaging versus 0.62 cm with RPM. In VMAT patients, the displacements of surface imaging versus RPM guidance were 0.21 versus 0.15 cm in StID, 0.24 versus 0.19 cm in SpRD, and 0.72 versus 0.41 cm in HCD. Heart appeared 0.41 cm further away from CAX with surface imaging, whereas 0.10 cm closer to field CAX with RPM. None of the differences between surface imaging and RPM guidance was statistically significant. In conclusion, the displacements of chestwall were small and were comparable with SGRT- or RPM-guided DIBH. The position deviations of heart were larger than those of chestwall with SGRT or RPM. Although none of the differences between SGRT and RPM guidance were statistically significant, there was a trend that the position deviations of heart were smaller and more favorable with SGRT than with RPM guidance in tangential patients.

PMID:35993318 | DOI:10.1002/acm2.13755

Australas J Ageing. 2022 Aug 22. doi: 10.1111/ajag.13116. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To examine the demographic drivers that contribute to the future growth in the population of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living with dementia in Australia.

METHODS: Design: Multistate, Indigenous status, cohort component, population projection model.

SETTING: National-level, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population.

DATA: Data prepared by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on births, deaths, migration and identification change. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare estimates of dementia prevalence alongside estimates from several studies.

MAJOR OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of older people living with dementia alongside a decomposition of demographic drivers of growth.

RESULTS: By 2051, the relative growth in the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 50+ with dementia ranges from 4½ to 5½ times (under three prevalence scenarios) its 2016 estimate. Cohort flow (the gradual movement of younger cohorts into the 50+ age group, and the depletion of older cohorts from death, over time) is a key driver of the growth in the number of older people living with dementia.

CONCLUSIONS: High growth in the number of people living with dementia poses implications for culturally appropriate care, health-care access and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, carers and their communities.

PMID:35993283 | DOI:10.1111/ajag.13116

Int J Artif Organs. 2022 Aug 22:3913988221119524. doi: 10.1177/03913988221119524. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: A growing number of physically active patients undergoing total knee replacement (TKR) desires to resume their preoperative activity levels and to be able to engage in sports after surgery. The purpose of this study was to assess the sporting and physical activities of patients who had undergone TKR. It was hypothesized that the majority of patients treated by TKR would have been able to return to amateur sports and recreational activity .

METHODS: Ninety-seven patients who underwent TKR between 2014 and 2016, were retrospectively reviewed. Mean age was 70.1 years (range 64-83). Average follow-up time was 4.2 years (SD: 1.7). Assessment included Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), and Tegner activity level. Sporting and physical activities of all patients were reported. Wilcoxon’s signed ranks test was used for comparison between pre-operative and follow-up data. Significance was set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS: Both KOOS score and IKDC significantly improved after surgery (p < 0.001). No statistically significant differences were reported concerning Tegner activity level before and after surgery (p = n.s.). After surgery, a total number of 52 patients (53.6%) successfully returned to sporting and recreational activities, such as cycling, hiking, dancing and swimming. A return to activity rate of 81% of patients practicing sport before surgery was reported.

CONCLUSIONS: TKR provides a high rate of return to sport postoperatively and confirms improved subjective results and reduced pain compared to preoperative status. However, most patients returned to low-impact activities, while a significant decrease was reported for mid- and high-impact sports.

PMID:35993237 | DOI:10.1177/03913988221119524

Sports Biomech. 2022 Aug 22:1-16. doi: 10.1080/14763141.2022.2113118. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The rider’s ability to consistently coordinate their movements to their horse is a key determinant of performance in equestrian sport. This study investigated the inter-segmental coordination variability between the vertical displacement of a riding simulator and the pitch rotation of 28 competitive female dressage riders’ head, trunk, pelvis, and left foot, in simulated medium and extended trot. A statistical non-parametric mapping three-way repeated-measures ANOVA investigated the influence of gait, competition level and segment on coordination variability. There was a significant main effect of gait and segment (p = 0.05), however, no significant effect of competition level. In medium trot, simulator-pelvis coupling was significantly (p < 0.001) less variable than simulator-head, -trunk, and -foot couplings. Significantly greater coordination variability of simulator-head and -foot relative to the trunk and pelvis suggested that riders can maintain stability in the saddle with their trunk and pelvis while allowing greater variability of their head and foot coupling to the simulator’s vertical displacement. It is proposed that stronger coupling of the rider’s pelvis relative to their other segments is one facet of the equestrian dressage skill of the independent seat. However, greater perturbations during simulated extended trot may necessitate a decrease in the independence of the rider’s seat.

PMID:35993195 | DOI:10.1080/14763141.2022.2113118

Int J Occup Saf Ergon. 2022 Aug 21:1-18. doi: 10.1080/10803548.2022.2115657. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The construction industry has been plagued with safety challenges, resulting in a wide occurrence of devastating accidents and fatalities. As previous studies have attributed the persistent safety challenges in Nigeria to non-compliance to safety regulations, this study builds on the existing literature by assessing the antecedents of non-compliance to safety regulations amongst construction workers. To achieve this, the study pursued two main objectives which involved the assessment of workers’ safety attitude, and workers’ safety behavior as the antecedents of safety regulation compliance. A quantitative research approach was adopted using a questionnaire to elicit responses from randomly selected respondents. Data collected were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings from the study showed relatively low levels of safety attitude and behavior amongst construction workers, which limit their ability to be comply to instituted safety regulations. Thus, improving the attitude and behavior of construction workers towards better compliance was recommended.

PMID:35993170 | DOI:10.1080/10803548.2022.2115657

Sports Biomech. 2022 Aug 22:1-21. doi: 10.1080/14763141.2022.2110514. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Past investigations provided limited information regarding instep kicking kinematics in soccer. It is unclear how foot dominance and ball approach angle impact whole-body kinematics and consequently the ball velocity. We aimed to analyse the effects of the ball approach angle and the foot used on the whole-body kinematics of soccer players performing an instep kick. Twenty-four soccer players performed maximal instep kicks, using the dominant and non-dominant feet, with the ball stationary or rolling from four different directions. Whole-body motion was recorded during the kicking action and kinematic time-series were extracted and resampled to 200 points equally divided into kicking and follow-through phases. 1-D statistical parametric mapping two-way ANOVA tested for the effect of ball condition and foot dominance. Ball approach angle affected most of the swinging and support limb variables and some upper body variables. Performance-related variables such as CoM, foot, and shank velocities were reduced when the ball approached posteriorly. The linear and angular velocities of the swinging limb, and CoM vertical position, were higher when kicking with dominant foot. Based on these findings, as a practical implication, coaches should vary ball approach angles and the foot used during kicking drills to improve technical effectiveness in various situations.

PMID:35993147 | DOI:10.1080/14763141.2022.2110514

Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2022 Aug 22. doi: 10.1002/ijgo.14415. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To find whether mild forms of placenta creta (MPC) are more common in placentas delivered by cesarean section for non-anatomical indications than in placentas from vaginal deliveries.

METHODS: This is a retrospective clinical study. MPC was diagnosed histologically by the presence of myometrial fibers in the decidua basalis or parietalis or in direct contact with the Rohr fibrinoid or chorionic villi. After excluding 111 cases at high risk for anatomical PC, placentas from 830 consecutive cesarean deliveries (Group 1) were retrospectively statistically compared to 907 placentas from vaginal deliveries (Group 2).

RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found in 6 independent clinical and 7 placental phenotypes: More frequent preeclampsia, abnormal fetal heart rate tracing and umbilical artery dopplers, hypercoiled umbilical cord, diffuse post uterine pattern of chronic hypoxic placental injury, and clusters of avascular or mineralized chorionic villi were found in Group 1, while preterm delivery, induction of labor and histological patterns related to stillbirth were observed in Group 2.

CONCLUSION: MPC diagnosed in placentas from cesarean sections performed for non-anatomical indications is not statistically significantly more common than in those after vaginal delivery. Therefore, MPC may feature similar diagnostic correlations and portend similar prognosis for future pregnancies.

PMID:35993138 | DOI:10.1002/ijgo.14415

Zool Res. 2022 Sep 18;43(5):827-842. doi: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2022.014.

ABSTRACT

During faunal studies of psammophilic ciliates along the coast of Qingdao, China, several marine karyorelictean species were isolated. Among them, four species within the genus Remanella were investigated, including two species new to science: i.e., R. rugosa, Remanella elongata sp. nov., Remanella aposinica sp. nov., and R. unicorpusculata. Remanella rugosa has been reported several times, but this study is the first to provide detailed morphological characters and phylogenetics. Remanella elongata sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by the presence of complex cortical granules, fewer macronuclei, and longer body size. Remanella aposinica sp. nov. differs from its congeners by having 14-17 right lateral ciliary rows and 24-37 dikinetids of intrabuccal kinety. Poorly known Remanella rugosa var. unicorpusculata (Kahl, 1933) Foissner, 1996 should be elevated from subspecies to species level, Remanella unicorpusculata (Foissner, 1996) stat. nov., based on detailed redescriptions with statistical data, living morphology, infraciliature, and species definitions. Small subunit (SSU) rDNA was sequenced for the four species, and phylogenetic analysis revealed that all known taxa in Remanella formed the outline branch to the genus Loxodes with moderate to high bootstrap support among Remanella lineages.

PMID:35993134 | DOI:10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2022.014

Clin Transl Radiat Oncol. 2022 Aug 3;36:106-112. doi: 10.1016/j.ctro.2022.08.001. eCollection 2022 Sep.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The microscopic tumor extension before, during or after radiochemotherapy (RCHT) and its correlation with the tumor microenvironment (TME) are presently unknown. This information is, however, crucial in the era of image-guided, adaptive high-precision photon or particle therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this pilot study, we analyzed formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor resection specimen from patients with histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma (SCC; n = 10) or adenocarcinoma (A; n = 10) of the esophagus, having undergone neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy followed by resection (NRCHT + R) or resection (R)]. FFPE tissue sections were analyzed by immunohistochemistry regarding tumor hypoxia (HIF-1α), proliferation (Ki67), immune status (PD1), cancer cell stemness (CXCR4), and p53 mutation status. Marker expression in HIF-1α subvolumes was part of a sub-analysis. Statistical analyses were performed using one-sided Mann-Whitney tests and Bland-Altman analysis.

RESULTS: In both SCC and AC patients, the overall percentages of positive tumor cells among the five TME markers, namely HIF-1α, Ki67, p53, CXCR4 and PD1 after NRCHT were lower than in the R cohort. However, only PD1 in SCC and Ki67 in AC showed significant association (Ki67: p = 0.03, PD1: p = 0.02). In the sub-analysis of hypoxic subvolumes among the AC patients, the percentage of positive tumor cells within hypoxic regions were statistically significantly lower in the NRCHT than in the R cohort across all the markers except for PD1.

CONCLUSION: In this pilot study, we showed changes in the TME induced by NRCHT in both SCC and AC. These findings will be correlated with microscopic tumor extension measurements in a subsequent cohort of patients.

PMID:35993091 | PMC:PMC9385880 | DOI:10.1016/j.ctro.2022.08.001

Vet World. 2022 Jun;15(6):1550-1556. doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2022.1550-1556. Epub 2022 Jun 27.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) is an infectious disease widely distributed globally and is considered the main cause of various reproductive and respiratory tract diseases in cattle and buffaloes. This study aimed to estimate seroprevalence and determine risk factors associated with the presentation of IBR in the municipality of Sotaquirá, Boyacá (Colombia).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study with simple random sampling was performed, and the sample size was 1,000 cattle. Blood samples were obtained by coccygeal venipuncture and processed through indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using the Synbiotics^® kit (Zoetis, New Jersey, USA) with a sensitivity and specificity of 96% and 98%, respectively. Data were processed using the statistical program EpiInfo^® (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Atlanta, Georgia).

RESULTS: A high seroprevalence of 57.5% was established. Seroprevalence was the highest in cattle >4 years of age (65.0% apparent seroprevalence [AS]; 67% true seroprevalence [TS]) and in the Holstein breed (65.5% AS; 67.8% TS). The breed and age of the animals were significantly associated with each other. The Holstein breed, age group >4 years, uncertified semen, and fetal death were established as risk factors for IBR. In comparison, the age groups of <1 and 1-2 years and the Normande breed were established as protective factors against the bovine herpesvirus-1 virus.

CONCLUSION: Management factors, such as livestock from other owners and animal purchases, which affect disease presentation, are evident. The implementation and development of novel prevention and control measures for IBR at the national level are necessary.

PMID:35993084 | PMC:PMC9375214 | DOI:10.14202/vetworld.2022.1550-1556