Nevin Manimala

Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2022 Apr 17. doi: 10.1007/s13555-022-00720-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most common skin diseases, and it may be associated with skin cancer risk. However, there is a controversy pertaining to whether it implies a greater or decreased risk of skin cancers. We aimed to study the relationship between AD and skin cancer risk.

METHODS: PubMed and Embase databases from their inception to 4 August 2021 were systematically searched.

RESULTS: We evaluated 16 studies involving a total of 9,638,093 participants examining the contribution of AD to skin cancers. Random-effects model was applied to estimate the overall effect sizes. The pooled analysis of 16 studies indicated that AD was significantly associated with an overall increased risk of skin cancer. Subgroup pooled analyses showed that AD was statistically associated with an increased risk of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). With regard to cohort study, AD was statistically associated with an increased risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC), BCC, and SCC, but not melanoma risk. Sensitivity analysis revealed that excluding each study in turn did not alter the overall combined results. No publication bias existed among the studies.

CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that AD is associated with risk of skin cancers; however, this association still needs to be verified in well-designed, worldwide trials (especially prospective, non-Western studies). The mechanism of AD leading to skin cancer is not clear, and further research is needed to explore the possibility of a potential pathogenesis.

PMID:35430723 | DOI:10.1007/s13555-022-00720-2

Ann Surg Oncol. 2022 Apr 16. doi: 10.1245/s10434-022-11744-5. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:35430657 | DOI:10.1245/s10434-022-11744-5

Ann Surg Oncol. 2022 Apr 16. doi: 10.1245/s10434-022-11637-7. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:35430654 | DOI:10.1245/s10434-022-11637-7

World J Surg. 2022 Apr 16. doi: 10.1007/s00268-022-06558-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the consequences of repairing versus not repairing diaphragmatic injury caused by penetrating left thoracoabdominal stab wounds.

METHODS: Diagnostic laparoscopy was performed to evaluate the left diaphragm in patients with penetrating left thoracoabdominal stab wounds who did not have an indication for emergency laparotomy. Patients who did not consent to laparoscopy were discharged without undergoing surgery. Post-discharge radiological images of patients who underwent diaphragmatic repair and radiological images of patients who could not undergo laparoscopy, both during hospitalization and after discharge, were evaluated and compared.

RESULTS: Diagnostic laparoscopy was performed on 109 patients. Diaphragmatic injuries were detected and repaired in 32 (29.36%) of these patients. Seventeen patients were lost to follow-up. After a mean follow-up of 57.67 months, none of the remaining 15 patients developed a diaphragmatic hernia. On the other hand, 43 patients refused to undergo diagnostic laparoscopy. Twenty of them were lost from follow-up. The diaphragmatic injury was detected in seven of the remaining 23 patients (30.44%) during initial computed tomography (CT) examinations. In this group, the mean follow-up time was 42.57 months, and delayed diaphragmatic hernia developed in one patient (14.30%). Patients who underwent diaphragmatic repair were compared to patients who did not undergo diagnostic laparoscopy but had diaphragmatic injuries detected on their CT. No statistical differences were detected.

CONCLUSIONS: Diaphragmatic injuries caused by penetrating stab wounds can sometimes heal spontaneously. However, diagnostic laparoscopy is still relevant for revealing and repairing possible diaphragmatic injuries.

PMID:35430645 | DOI:10.1007/s00268-022-06558-1

Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2022 Apr 17. doi: 10.1007/s10384-022-00918-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To assess the risk factors for intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation during the early period post cataract surgery.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study.

METHODS: This study involved 1587 eyes that underwent cataract surgery at the Baptist Eye Institute, Kyoto, Japan between April 2020 and May 2021. In all subjects, risk factors for early postoperative IOP elevation (i.e., an increase of IOP of 10 mmHg or more at 1-day postoperative compared with that at baseline, or a postoperative IOP of 28 mmHg or more) were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS: Of the 1587 treated eyes in this study, 100 (6.3%) experienced early-postoperative IOP elevation. Of those 100 eyes, 78.0% were men, 27.0% had an axial length (AL) of ≥ 26.5 mm, 23.0% had a history of glaucoma treatment, 11.0% had poor mydriasis and 10.0% had intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS). Multivariate analysis findings revealed that male [odds ratio (OR) 4.36; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.63-7.23; P < 0.001], AL of ≥ 26.5 mm (3.11; 1.83-5.30; P < 0.001), a history of glaucoma treatment (2.83; 1.63-4.91; P < 0.001), poorly mydriasis (2.63; 1.16-6.01; P = 0.02), IFIS (4.37; 1.78-10.74; P = 0.001) and baseline high IOP (1.09; 1.01-1.18; P = 0.03) were associated with increased IOP during the early period post cataract surgery.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings in this study reveal that male sex, high myopia, a history of glaucoma treatment, poor mydriasis, IFIS and baseline high IOP are risk factors for IOP elevation during the early period post cataract surgery.

PMID:35430642 | DOI:10.1007/s10384-022-00918-z

Mycopathologia. 2022 Apr 16. doi: 10.1007/s11046-022-00631-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Whether cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene mutations contribute to the high prevalence of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) in India remains unknown. We aimed to evaluate the occurrence of CFTR mutations in subjects with ABPA complicating asthma.

METHODS: We sequenced the CFTR gene using genomic DNA from blood on the Illumina NextSeq500 platform. Before undertaking zygosity analysis by genome analysis toolkit, the known or novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and indels were called. For rigorous analysis, we included only high-quality SNPs (scores > 500) and coverage ranging from 30 × 150x.

RESULTS: We included 18, 12, and eight adult participants of ABPA, asthma, and healthy controls, respectively. The frequency of SNPs was higher in asthmatic subjects than ABPA or healthy controls, albeit not statistically significant (9/12 [75%] vs. 11/18 [61.1%] vs. 3/8 [37.5%], p = 0.24). Of the 38 subjects, 23 yielded 50 variants (healthy controls [n = 5], ABPA [n = 22], asthma [n = 23]) corresponding to six SNPs not previously linked with ABPA. Of these, four SNPs (rs213950, rs200735475, rs1800113, and rs1800136) were catalogued in the NCBI database. We identified two novel SNPs (chr7:117250703, chr7:117282655) in four (ABPA [n = 1], asthma [n = 3]) subjects without corresponding reference SNP. Most SNPs (85.5%) were heterozygous. The frequency of SNPs was higher in ABPA subjects with high-attenuation mucus (52.2%) and bronchiectasis (39.1%) than serological ABPA (8.7%).

CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests the role of CFTR mutations in the pathogenesis of ABPA. The SNPs in the CFTR gene may contribute to disease severity in ABPA. Larger studies are required to confirm our findings.

PMID:35430640 | DOI:10.1007/s11046-022-00631-y

Nicotine Tob Res. 2022 Apr 17:ntac107. doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntac107. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Bans of menthol characterizing flavor in tobacco products have been proposed, however there is limited data regarding the impact on current menthol cigarette smokers of including e-cigarettes in such bans.

METHODS: In this six-week pilot study, menthol smokers were randomized to receive all tobacco products from an experimental marketplace simulating either no menthol ban, a menthol ban for cigarettes but not e-cigarettes or a ban for both (“total menthol ban”).

RESULTS: At the first experimental marketplace visit, all but one participant selected cigarettes with e-cigarettes selected by 38%, 69% and 40% of participants in the no ban, menthol cigarette ban and total menthol ban groups, respectively. Over the study period, the total menthol ban group smoked more than the menthol cigarette ban group (estimated mean ratio [EMR] in cigarettes per day = 1.38; 95% CI: 1.1, 1.75; p=0.006). Compared to the no ban condition, the menthol cigarette ban group smoked slightly fewer (EMR = 0.87; 95% CI: 0.68, 1.11) and the total menthol ban group smoked slightly more (EMR = 1.20; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.45) although neither difference reached statistical significance. In both menthol ban conditions, ratings were lower (vs. no ban) on several measures of craving and of cigarette effects and liking.

CONCLUSIONS: Menthol bans that include e-cigarettes may result in different patterns of tobacco use than if only combustible cigarettes are included, although e-cigarettes were not extensively used in any group. Larger studies are needed to determine which policies most likely provide the largest public health benefit.

IMPLICATIONS: Bans of menthol characterizing flavor have been proposed, however the effects on menthol cigarette smokers of including e-cigarettes in such bans are not clear. This study found that smokers randomized to a simulated ban on menthol in both cigarettes and e-cigarettes smoked more cigarettes per day over the 6-week study period than those randomized to a simulated ban on menthol in only cigarettes suggesting that smoking patterns among current menthol smokers differ depending on which products are included in a menthol ban. Larger studies are needed to determine policies most likely to provide the largest public health benefit.

PMID:35430631 | DOI:10.1093/ntr/ntac107

Sci Rep. 2022 Apr 16;12(1):6378. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-10479-3.

ABSTRACT

Recent wildfire events (e.g. Mediterranean region, USA, and Australia) showed that this hazard poses a serious threat for wildland-urban interface (WUI) areas around the globe. Furthermore, recent events in regions where wildfire does not constitute a frequent hazard (e.g. Siberia, Scandinavia) indicated that the spatial pattern of wildfire risk might have significantly changed. To prepare for upcoming extreme events, it is critical for decision-makers to have a thorough understanding of the vulnerability of the built environment to wildfire. Building quality and design standards are important not only because building loss is costly but also because robust buildings may offer shelter when evacuation is not possible. However, studies aiming at the analysis of wildfire vulnerability for the built environment are limited. This paper presents an innovative solution for the vulnerability assessment to wildfires, making use of an all-relevant feature selection algorithm established on statistical relationships to develop a physical vulnerability index for buildings subject to wildfire. Data from a recent and systematically documented wildfire event in Greece (Mati, 2018) are used to select and weight the relevant indicators using a permutation-based automated feature selection based on random forests. Building characteristics including the structural type, the roof type, material and shape, the inclination of the ground, the surrounding vegetation, the material of the shutters and the ground covering were selected and formed into the index. The index may be used in other places in Europe and beyond, especially where no empirical data are available supporting decision-making and risk reduction of an emerging hazard amplified by climate change.

PMID:35430626 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-022-10479-3

Sci Rep. 2022 Apr 16;12(1):6385. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-10416-4.

ABSTRACT

Babesiosis, caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Babesia, and ixodid ticks are considered to be one of the most important causes that result in significant economic losses in cattle production worldwide, including in Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was undertaken in the Dasenech and Salamago Districts of South Omo zone Ethiopia to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of babesia infection and ixodid ticks of cattle using Giemsa-stained thin and thick film techniques and morphological identification keys for babesia species and tick identification, respectively. Out of 470 examined cattle, 102 (21.7%) were infected by Babesiosis (15.53% Babesia bigemina and 6.17% Babesia bovis). A statistically significant association (p < 0.05) was observed between babesia infection and season and tick infestation. However, cattle that were infected with the Babesia parasite revealed a lower mean PCV value (21.49%) than noninfected cattle (28.29%) and showed a statistically significant (p < 0.05) difference with the occurrence of Babesia infection. The overall prevalence of ixodid ticks was 53.8% (253/470) and revealed a statistically significant association (p < 0.05) between the season and origin of the animal. However, no statistically significant association (p > 0.05) was observed between sex, age, and body condition score of the animal with the occurrence of ixodid tick. A total of 8040 adult ticks belonging to four tick genera, Amblyomma, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus), Hyalomma, and Rhipicephalus, were collected from various body parts and identified. The high prevalence of Babesia infection and ixodid ticks in cattle at the study sites requires seroprevalence and molecular studies to identify the predominant Babesia species and to detect Babesia in tick hemolymph for the identification of tick genera responsible for the occurrence of Babesia infection. Additionally, tailoring suitable and coordinated tick management methods using chemotherapy as well as strategic treatment to overt clinical cases of bovine babesiosis is critical.

PMID:35430623 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-022-10416-4

Sci Rep. 2022 Apr 16;12(1):6377. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-10422-6.

ABSTRACT

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a clinical syndrome with multiple metabolic disorders. As the diagnostic criteria for MS still lacking of imaging laboratory method, this study aimed to explore the differences between healthy people and MS patients through infrared thermography (IRT). However, the observation region of the IRT image is uncertain, and the research tried to solve this problem with the help of knowledge mining technology. 43 MS participants were randomly included through a cross-sectional method, and 43 healthy participants were recruited through number matching. The IRT image of each participant was segmented into the region of interest (ROI) through the preprocessing method proposed in this research, and then the ROI features were granulated by the K-means algorithm to generate the formal background, and finally, the two formal background were separately built into a knowledge graph through the knowledge mining method based on the attribute partial order structure. The baseline data shows that there is no difference in age, gender, and height between the two groups (P > 0.05). The image preprocessing method can segment the IRT image into 18 ROI. Through the K-means method, each group of data can be separately established with a 43 × 36 formal background and generated a knowledge graph. It can be found through knowledge mining and independent-samples T test that the average temperature and maximum temperature difference between the chest and face of the two groups are statistically different (P < 0.01). IRT could reflect the difference between healthy people and MS people. The measurement regions were found by the method of knowledge mining on the premise of unknown. The method proposed in this paper may add a new imaging method for MS laboratory examinations, and at the same time, through knowledge mining, it can also expand a new idea for clinical research of IRT.

PMID:35430598 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-022-10422-6