Nevin Manimala

PLoS One. 2022 Nov 29;17(11):e0278285. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278285. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

Routine use of the Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS28) to assess the disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is limited due to its dependency on laboratory investigations and the complex calculations involved. In contrast, the clinical disease activity index (CDAI) is simple to calculate, which makes the “treat to target” strategy for the management of RA more practical. We aimed to assess the validity of CDAI compared to DAS28 in RA patients in Sri Lanka. A total of 103 newly diagnosed RA patients were recruited, and their disease activity was calculated using DAS 28 and CDAI during the first visit to the clinic (0 months) and re-assessed at 4 and 9 months of follow-up visits. The validity of the CDAI, compared to DAS 28, was evaluated. Patients had a female preponderance (6:1) and a short symptom duration (mean = 6.33 months). Internal consistency reliability of CDAI, as assessed by Cronbach’s α test, was 0.868. Convergent validity was assessed by correlation and Kappa statistics. Strong positive correlations were observed between CDAI and DAS 28 at the baseline (0 months), 4 and 9 months of evaluation (Spearman’s r = 0.935, 0.935, 0.910, respectively). Moderate-good inter-rater agreements between the DAS-28 and CDAI were observed (Weighted kappa of 0.660, 0.519, and 0.741 at 0, 4, and 9 months respectively). Discriminant validity, as assessed by ROC curves at 0, 4th, and 9th months of the evaluation, showed the area under the curve (AUC) of 0.958, 0.979, and 0.910, respectively. The suggested cut-off points for different CDAI disease activity categories according to ROC curves were ≤ 4 (Remission), > 4 to ≤ 6 (low), > 6 to ≤ 18 (moderate), > 18 (high). These findings indicate that the CDAI has good concordance with DAS 28 in assessing the disease activity in RA patients, in this study sample.

PMID:36445922 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0278285

PLoS One. 2022 Nov 29;17(11):e0277955. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277955. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Globally, at least 4.7 million people die from being overweight or obese. In Ethiopia, the level of overweight and obesity among women grew from 3% to 8%. However, as far as my literature searching, studies concerning the spatial variation of overweight/obesity and factors associated are not researched in Ethiopia using geospatial techniques. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the spatial variation of overweight/obesity and factor associated among reproductive age group women in Ethiopia using geospatial techniques.

MOTHED: A total weighted sample of 10,928 reproductive age women were included in the study. ArcGIS version10.7 was used to explore the spatial variation of overweight/obesity. Bernoulli based model was used to analyze the purely spatial cluster detection of overweight/obesity through SaTScan version 9.6.1 software. Ordinary Least Square analysis and geographically weighted regression analysis was employed to assess the association between an outcome variable and explanatory variables by using ArcGIS 10.7 software. P value of less than 0.05 was used to declare statically significant.

RESULT: The spatial distribution of overweight/obesity in Ethiopia was clustered. Statistically, a significant-high hot spot overweight/obesity was identified at Addis Ababa, harrari, Dire Dawa. SaTScan identified 66 primary spatial clusters (RR = 4.17, P < 0.001) located at Addis Ababa, southeast amhara, central part of oromia region and northern part of SNNP region. In geographically weighted regression, rich wealth index, women’s age (35-39 and 40-44 years), watching TV, internet use and not working were statistically significant that affecting spatial variation of overweight/obesity.

CONCLUSION: In Ethiopia, overweight/obesity varies across the region. Statistically, significant-high hot spots of overweight/obesity were detected in Addis Ababa, Harari, Dire Dawa, some parts of Amhara and afar region, most of the Oromia and Somalia region, and the South Nation Nationality and People region of Ethiopia. Therefore, the ministry of health and the Ethiopian public health institute, try to initiate policies and practices that could include providing funding for physical education as well as recreational centers in communities most in need. In addition, public and private mass media create awareness of healthy lifestyles is promoted by health education regarding increased physical activity and reduced sedentary behavior through various media platforms.

PMID:36445917 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0277955

PLoS One. 2022 Nov 29;17(11):e0277263. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277263. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Adolescent girls have a greater nutrient demand and their poor dietary intake is associated with micronutrient deficiencies and poor maternal outcomes. Having information on micronutrient intake inadequacy in adolescent girls is critical for promoting healthy behavior and breaking the cycle of intergenerational malnutrition. Thus, this study assessed overall micronutrient intake inadequacy and associated factors among school adolescent girls in Meshenti town of Bahir Dar City Administration, North West Ethiopia.

METHODS: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 401 adolescent girls from February 7 to 23, 2020. A Simple random sampling technique was used to select study participants. A multiple-pass 24-hour dietary recall with portion size estimation method and recommended dietary allowance cut-off point were used to assess micronutrient intake inadequacy. Overall micronutrient intake inadequacy was measured using the mean adequacy ratio. Nutrient databases were developed by ESHA FOOD PROCESSOR version 8.1 software. Data were entered into Epi-data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 23 for analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify determinants of overall micronutrient intake inadequacy and an adjusted odds ratio at a p-value of less than 0.05 was used to see the strength of statistical association.

RESULTS: The prevalence of overall micronutrient intake inadequacy was 44.4% (95% CI: 39.7%-49.6%). Early adolescent age (AOR: 2.75, 95% CI: 1.71-4.42), food-insecure household (1.74, 95%CI: 1.087-2.784), low dietary diversity score (AOR = 2.83, 95% CI: 1.35-5.92), and high peer pressure on eating and body concern (AOR = 1.853, 95% CI: 1.201-2.857) were significantly associated factors with overall micronutrient intake inadequacy.

CONCLUSION: Findings of this study revealed that micronutrient intake inadequacy among adolescent girls was a high public health problem in the study area. Therefore, attention should be given to adolescent girls of the study area, especially the ones in the early adolescent age. Interventions should also focus on nutrition-sensitive activities to address food insecurity, a less diversified diet, and the negative impact of peer influence.

PMID:36445906 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0277263

PLoS One. 2022 Nov 29;17(11):e0278019. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278019. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Despite the availability of various pressure injury (PI) prevention strategies (e.g., risk identification, use of pressure re-distribution surfaces, frequent repositioning), they persist as a significant issue for healthcare systems worldwide. Continuous pressure imaging (CPI) is a novel technology that could be integrated within a comprehensive approach to the prevention of PIs. We studied the perceptions of healthcare providers and patients/families to identify facilitators and barriers to the use of this technology.

METHODS: Hospitalized patients/family members from a randomized controlled trial assessing the efficacy of CPI in preventing PIs completed a survey after 72 hours (or upon discharge from hospital) of CPI monitoring. They were asked questions about prior and current experience with CPI technology. For healthcare providers, perceptions on the use of the device and its impact on care were explored through a survey distributed by email or hard copies.

RESULTS: A total of 125 healthcare providers and 525 patients/family members completed the surveys. Of the healthcare providers, 95% either agreed/strongly agreed that the CPI technology was easy to use and 65% stated that the device improved how they provided pressure relief for patients. Identified issues with the device were cost, the fitting of the mattress cover, and the fixation of the patients/families on the device. Over a quarter of the patient/family respondents agreed/strongly agreed that the device influenced how pressure relief was provided. This response was statistically associated with whether the monitor was turned on (intervention arm; 52.7%) or off (control arm; 4.2%).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: CPI technology was positively perceived by healthcare providers. Most patients/families felt it influenced care when the CPI monitor was turned on. Concerns raised around cost and the ease of use of these devices by healthcare providers may affect the decisions of healthcare system administrators to adopt and implement this technology.

PMID:36445905 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0278019

PLoS One. 2022 Nov 29;17(11):e0277460. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277460. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There is uncertainty in the treatment options for resectable hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

METHODS: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) was performed. Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library), MEDLINE, EMBASE, Science Citation Index, and Conference Proceedings databases and trial registries were searched until November 2020 for randomized controlled trials performed on resectable hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Two systematic review authors independently identified studies and extracted data. The primary outcomes evaluated were overall survival, disease-free survival, any recurrence, local recurrence, loco-regional recurrence, distal recurrence and laryngectomy-free survival. The secondary outcomes were response rates following neoadjuvant treatment and comparison of treatment-related toxicity. Assessment of risk of bias was performed for the selected studies using Cochrane’s tool for assessing risk of bias. The studies were evaluated for the quality of evidence using GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations). Risk ratios (RR), rate ratios, and hazard ratios (HR) were calculated along with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). The Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model.

RESULTS: Five RCTs met the inclusion criteria for this review. The risk of bias was unclear or high for the trials. Non-organ preservation(n = 140) versus organ preservation (n = 144) (two trials): no statistically significant difference could be identified for any of the primary outcomes. Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (n = 37) versus sequential chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy (n = 34) (one trial): no statistically significant difference was noted between the two treatment arms for overall survival, disease-free survival and loco-regional recurrence. Laryngectomy-free survival was found to be superior in concurrent chemoradiotherapy arm (HR:0.28, 95% CI 0.13, 0.57). Induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy (n = 53) versus induction chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy (n = 60) (one trial): no statistically significant difference was noted between the treatment arms for overall survival, disease-free survival and laryngectomy-free survival. Preoperative radiotherapy (n = 24) versus postoperative radiotherapy (n = 23) (one trial): overall survival was found to be better in the postoperative radiotherapy arm (HR:2.44, 95% CI1.18, 5.03). No statistically significant difference was noted in terms of treatment-related toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS: There are considerable uncertainties in the management of resectable hypopharyngeal cancer.

TRAIL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration: CRD42019155613.

PMID:36445884 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0277460

PLoS One. 2022 Nov 29;17(11):e0277921. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277921. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

Among non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (ND-CKD) patients, a low hematopoietic response to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) is a predictor for poor renal and cardiovascular outcome. To assess the method for evaluating hyporesponsiveness to ESA in patients with ND-CKD, a multicenter, prospective, observational study of 1,980 adult patients with ND-CKD with renal anemia was conducted. Darbepoetin alfa (DA) and iron supplement administrations were provided according to the recommendation of the attached document and the guidelines of JSDT (Japanese Society of Dialysis and Transplantation). The primary outcomes were progression of renal dysfunction and major adverse cardiovascular events. ESA responsiveness was assessed using pre-defined candidate formulae. During the mean follow-up period of 96 weeks, renal and cardiovascular disease (CVD) events occurred in 683 (39.6%) and 174 (10.1%) of 1,724 patients, respectively. Among pre-set candidate formulae, the one expressed by dividing the dose of DA by Hb level at the 12-week DA treatment was statistically significant in predicting renal (hazard ratio [HR], 1.449; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.231-1.705; P<0.0001) and CVD events (HR, 1.719; 95% CI, 1.239-2.386; P = 0.0010). The optimum cut-off values for both events were close to 5.2. In conclusion, hyporesponsiveness to ESA in ND-CKD cases, which is associated with a risk for renal and CVD events, may be evaluated practicably as the dose of DA divided by the Hb level at the 12-week DA treatment, and the cut-off value of this index is 5.2. A search for the causes of poor response and measures for them should be recommended in such patients. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials. gov Identifier: NCT02136563; UMIN Clinical Trial Registry Identifier: UMIN000013464.

PMID:36445882 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0277921

PLoS One. 2022 Nov 29;17(11):e0277497. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277497. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

In this paper, we propose a partial randomized response technique to collect reliable sensitive data for estimation of population proportion in ranked set sampling (RSS) scheme using auxiliary information. The idea is to increase confidence and (or) co-operation of the respondents by providing them the option of both ‘direct’ and ‘randomized’ response for the inquired sensitive question. This option is quite logical because perception of sensitive (insensitive) inquiry can vary among respondents. The properties of the proposed method are discussed and compared with existing randomized response techniques. Cost analysis is also carried out to prove supremacy of the suggested method. Finally, an application to clinical trial on AIDS is included.

PMID:36445862 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0277497

Quintessence Int. 2022 Nov 29;0(0):1-33. doi: 10.3290/j.qi.b3631841. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical performance of two methacrylate-based flowable composites and an Ormocer-based flowable composite in non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs) in adult participants.

METHOD AND MATERIALS: One hundred eighty-three restorations were performed on NCCLs. All cavities were restored using a universal adhesive system (Futurabond U, Voco GmbH) with selective enamel etching and with one of the three evaluated flowable composites (n = 61): low-viscosity methacrylate-based composite (GrandioSO Flow, LV), high-viscosity methacrylate-based composite (GrandioSO Heavy Flow, HV), and an Ormocer-based flowable composite (Admira Fusion Flow, ORM). All restorations were evaluated using FDI and USPHS criteria after 24 months. Kruskall Wallis analysis of variance rank (α = 0.05) was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS: After 24 months of clinical evaluation, sixteen restorations were lost (LV = 3, HV = 10, ORM = 3) and the retention rates (95% confidence interval) were 95.0% for LV, 82.2% for HV and 95.0% for ORM, with statistical differences observed between HV and LV as well as HV and ORM (p < 0.05). When secondary parameters were evaluated, no significant difference between groups were observed (p > 0.05). Thirty-three restorations (LV = 8, HV = 13, ORM = 12) showed minor marginal staining, seventy-one restorations (LV = 26, HV = 20, ORM = 25) presented small marginal adaptation defects and one restoration for HV presented recurrence of caries.

CONCLUSION: The universal adhesive associated with the Ormocer-based and methacrylate-based flowable composite showed promising clinical performance after 24 months. However, the heavy-flow restorations showed significantly more failures.

PMID:36445776 | DOI:10.3290/j.qi.b3631841

Games Health J. 2022 Nov 23. doi: 10.1089/g4h.2022.0134. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Active exergaming for improving cognitive function is a relatively novel concept as it has certain unique features that could prove advantageous in improving patient outcomes, particularly in patients with neurological disabilities. Hence, we have conducted this review to obtain a comprehensive estimate of effectiveness of active exergames for improving cognitive functioning in patients with neurological disabilities. Literature search was done in PubMed Central, SCOPUS, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar until February 2022. We carried out a meta-analysis with a random-effects model and reported pooled standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). In total, we analyzed 21 studies and half of them had a high risk of bias and were conducted in Korea and the United States. The pooled SMD for global cognition was 0.46 (95% CI: -0.01 to 0.94; I² = 81.2%), pooled SMD for attention function was 0.49 (95% CI: -0.12 to 0.10; I² = 81%), pooled SMD for perception function was 0.31 (95% CI: -0.02 to 0.65; I² = 0%), and pooled SMD for executive function was -0.26 (95% CI: -0.86 to 0.33; I² = 86.7%). Active exergames can have a beneficial effect on most cognitive outcomes, although not statistically significant for managing patients with neurological disabilities.

PMID:36445748 | DOI:10.1089/g4h.2022.0134

Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2022 Nov 29. doi: 10.5858/arpa.2022-0193-OA. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT.—: Evidence of T-cell clonality is often critical in supporting a T-cell lymphoma.

OBJECTIVES.—: To retrospectively explore the significance of copy number losses at the 14q11.2 T-cell receptor α locus in relation to the presence of a T-cell neoplasm and proportion of T cells by targeted next-generation sequencing.

DESIGN.—: Targeted next-generation sequencing data from 139 tissue biopsies including T-cell lymphomas, B-cell lymphomas, classic Hodgkin lymphomas, nonhematopoietic malignancies, and normal samples were reviewed for copy number losses involving the T-cell receptor α gene segments at chr14q11.2.

RESULTS.—: We found that biallelic or homozygous deletion of 14q11.2 was found in most (28 of 33, 84.8%) T-cell lymphomas. The magnitude of 14q11.2 loss showed a statistically significant correlation with the proportion of T cells in lymphoma tissue samples. Copy number losses could also be detected in other lymphomas with high number of T cells (8 of 32, 25% of B-cell lymphomas, 4 of 4 classical Hodgkin lymphomas), though biallelic/homozygous deletion of 14q11.2 was not significantly observed outside of T-cell lymphomas. Most nonhematopoietic neoplasms and normal tissues (59 of 64, 92.2%) showed no significant copy number losses involving the T-cell receptor α locus at chr14q11.2.

CONCLUSIONS.—: Analysis of copy number losses at the T-cell receptor α locus chr14q11.2 with targeted next-generation sequencing can potentially be used to estimate the proportion of T cells and detect T-cell neoplasms.

PMID:36445717 | DOI:10.5858/arpa.2022-0193-OA