Nevin Manimala

Health Econ Rev. 2022 Jun 20;12(1):32. doi: 10.1186/s13561-022-00375-x.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Given that South Africa experienced significant food insecurity even before the COVID-19 pandemic, it is not surprising that the pandemic would result in even greater food insecurity in the country. This paper provides additional evidence on the relationship between food insecurity and health.

METHODS: Data came from the National Income Dynamics Study-Coronavirus Rapid Mobile Survey, a longitudinal survey of adult South Africans. Health was a self-reported indicator of general health, while food insecurity was measured by household hunger, the frequency of household hunger, and households running out of money to buy food. We performed descriptive and econometric analyses.

RESULTS: Food insecurity has remained high even in the face of greater re-opening of the economy. Moreover, among hunger-affected households, between a quarter and a third struggled with hunger almost daily or daily. Belonging to a hunger-affected household was associated with a 7-percentage point higher probability of worse health compared to not experiencing hunger. Compared to being unaffected by hunger, being hungry everyday was associated with a 15-percentage point higher probability of worse health in wave 1, an effect that became statistically insignificant by wave 4.

CONCLUSIONS: These results show the enormity of the hunger problem in South Africa and its adverse effects on health. In the face of economic uncertainty and the removal of COVID-19 palliatives like the grant top-ups, we enjoin policy makers to protect the vulnerable from food insecurity by continuing the implementation of anti-hunger policies and other measures that enhance food security in the country.

PMID:35723759 | DOI:10.1186/s13561-022-00375-x

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2022 Jun 20. doi: 10.1007/s00405-022-07492-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The current studies in the literature report that periostin contributes to the formation of nasal polyps and may be a molecular biomarker for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). This study aims to investigate the effect of periostin in determining polyp burden in CRSwNP patients and evaluate its impact on postoperative surgical results and its functionality as a biomarker.

METHODS: The study included 26 patients who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery due to CRSwNP and 30 patients who were scheduled to undergo septoplasty due to isolated nasal septum deviation. We performed preoperative Lund-Mackay scoring and preoperative and postoperative SNOT-22 and Modified Lund-Kennedy scoring for the patients. Tissue and serum samples were collected from all patients in surgery and another serum sample was taken from CRSwNP patients at postoperative month 6.

RESULTS: Tissue eosinophil (p < 0.001), preoperative serum (p < 0.001), and tissue (p = 0.002) periostin were significantly higher in the CRSwNP group. We observed a statistically significant positive correlation between tissue eosinophil values and tissue periostin values in CRSwNP patients (p = 0.004). We found a statistically significant positive correlation between the tissue periostin values and postoperative SNOT-22 scores of the CRSwNP group patients (p = 0.005).

CONCLUSION: According to the results of our study, we think that periostin can be used as a biomarker in the prediction, determination of disease severity, and prognosis of CRSwNP. Comprehensive cohort studies with larger patient series are needed to provide more information on the role and effects of periostin in cases of CRSwNP undergoing surgical treatment.

PMID:35723731 | DOI:10.1007/s00405-022-07492-7

Childs Nerv Syst. 2022 Jun 20. doi: 10.1007/s00381-022-05585-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To review the literature and analyze the efficacy and safety of two surgery procedures, intracranial drainage and extracranial shunt, for intracranial arachnoid cysts.

METHODS: We searched the online Medlars, PubMed, and Cochrane Central electronic databases and collected studies of patients with intracranial arachnoid cysts treated with two surgical methods.

RESULTS: The meta-analysis results shows that there were not statistically significant in clinical symptoms improvement, cyst reduction, the improvement of epilepsy, epidural hematoma, cerebrospinal fluid leak, and recurrence rate (P > 0.05, with RR values are 0.99, 0.94, 1.00, 0.94, 1.21, and 0.75 respectively). There was statistically significant in the occurrence rate of intracranial infection (P = 0.0004, RR = 0.28). The intracranial drainage group was lower than extracranial shunt group.

CONCLUSION: The results indicated that the efficacy and safety of two surgery procedures are similar in the treatment of intracranial arachnoid cysts, but the intracranial drainage was better than extracranial shunt in reducing the risk of intracranial infection.

PMID:35723726 | DOI:10.1007/s00381-022-05585-6

Oral Health Prev Dent. 2022 Jun 20;20(1):253-262. doi: 10.3290/j.ohpd.b3147141.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This randomized, controlled clinical trial aimed to evaluate the clinical, adjunctive effects of an approved botanical barrier device or patch on probing parameters in patients with periodontitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty patients with periodontitis were recruited for this single-blinded trial. Patient demographic data, including gender, age, self-reported smoking status, and history of diabetes or cardiovascular disease, were collected. At baseline, all patients received a full-mouth probing examination followed by scaling and root planing (SRP). Thereafter, patients were randomized to receive either adjunctive botanical patch applications (i.e. at 2-4 treatment sites with baseline pocket depth PD ≥6 mm) or no additional therapy (SRP alone, control). Patients applied botanical patch devices per randomization to treatment sites three times on day 0 and once daily on days 1-6. Study devices were spontaneously shed or removed by the patient at 2-2.5 h after each application. Patients were recalled for probing reexaminations at 1, 2 and 3 months. Statistical analyses focused on intergroup differences in probing parameters and included ANOVA for baseline measures and ANCOVA controlling for baseline measures at 1, 2 and 3 months in the overall population and in subpopulations (e.g. smokers vs nonsmokers).

RESULTS: Randomized patient groups were balanced with respect to baseline periodontal status (mean and extent PD) but not smoking, with statistically significantly more smokers clustering in the control group (p = 0.002). For the overall population and the non-smoking subpopulation, statistically significantly improved PD and clinical attachment levels (CAL) were observed with adjunctive botanical patch therapy vs control at 1 and 2 months (p < 0.05) but not 3 months (p = 0.08 for PD). For smokers, no statistically significant intergroup differences in PD or CAL were detected with botanical patch treatment.

CONCLUSIONS: The data from this trial indicate short-term improvements in probing parameters with the botanical patch device when used adjunctively with SRP, especially with non-smoking periodontitis patients.

PMID:35723714 | DOI:10.3290/j.ohpd.b3147141

Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2022 Jun 20. doi: 10.1007/s00402-022-04503-4. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Lateral Hoffa nonunion are rare injuries. A significant percentage of these nonunions are due to missed acute lateral Hoffa fractures. Operative management of these injuries is difficult and complicated by the presence of bone loss, infection, and soft-tissue contractures. In this study, the aim was to assess clinical and functional outcome in our group of patients with lateral Hoffa nonunion who had undergone operative management and to determine whether variables such as fracture type, infection, and previous surgery affect nonunion/complication rates.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were analyzed for patients with lateral Hoffa nonunion who underwent surgical fixation from January 2008 to December 2020 at a tertiary-care referral center. Patients with lateral condyle Hoffa nonunion and having a minimal follow-up of 1 year were included in this study. Patients with medial Hoffa nonunion, pathological fractures, and children aged less than 16 years were excluded from the study. The fractures were classified by the AO/OTA and Letenneur classification systems. Clinical and functional outcomes were assessed by the Knee society score (KSS) and the lower extremity functional scale (LEFS).

RESULTS: All the 12 patients had united in our series. One patient had reduction failure at 3 months who united after re-fixation. The union rate in our patients was 100%, with a loss of reduction rate of 7.7%, and post-traumatic arthrosis of 7.7%. The average follow-up period was 52.16 ± 27.7 months. The mean knee flexion obtained at the final follow-up was 104.5° (80°-130°). The average KSS clinical score was 80.6 (65-88). The average KSS functional score was 92 (70-100). The average LEFS score was 71 (47-79). There is a statistically significant improvement in the knee range of motion in our patients (p = 0.001). However, no correlation could be detected between variables like type of fracture, infection, and previous surgeries and outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS: Lateral Hoffa nonunion can be managed with careful planning of surgical approaches and fixation techniques.

PMID:35723709 | DOI:10.1007/s00402-022-04503-4

Cancer Sci. 2022 Jun 20. doi: 10.1111/cas.15464. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

It is unclear whether tumor vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 expression affects the therapeutic efficacy of immune-checkpoint inhibitors and anti-angiogenic agents. This retrospective, multi-center study included patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who were treated with immune-checkpoint inhibitors. We constructed tissue microarrays and performed immunohistochemistry with an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 antibody. We analyzed immune and tumor cell staining separately in order to determine their correlation with the objective response rate, progression-free survival and overall survival in patients receiving immune-checkpoint inhibitors. Of 364 patients, 37 (10%) expressed vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 in immune cells and 165 (45%) in tumor cells. The objective response rate, progression-free survival and overall survival were significantly worse in patients treated with immune-checkpoint inhibitor monotherapy who expressed vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 in immune cells than those who did not (10% vs. 30%, p = 0.028; median = 2.2 vs. 3.6 months, p = 0.012; median = 7.9 vs. 17.0 months, p = 0.049, respectively), while there was no significant difference based on tumor cell expression (24% vs. 30%, p = 0.33; median = 3.1 vs 3.5 months, p = 0.55; median = 13.6 vs. 16.8 months, p = 0.31). There was no significant difference in overall survival between patients treated with and without anti-angiogenic agents in any treatment period based on vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 expression. Immune-checkpoint inhibitor efficacy was limited in patients expressing vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 in immune cells.

PMID:35722982 | DOI:10.1111/cas.15464

Glob Health Promot. 2022 Jun 19:17579759221095078. doi: 10.1177/17579759221095078. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: One of the areas most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic is health promotion. In order to improve the quality of life of elderly individuals, it is important to develop and implement effective intervention strategies that can prevent negative health outcomes.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to determine the effect of health promotion training provided to elderly individuals on healthy lifestyle behaviors.

METHODS: This study was conducted as a randomized-controlled experimental study. The study was completed with 140 elderly individuals over 65 years of age, including 70 participants in intervention group and 70 participants in control group. The data were collected using the Information Form and the Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale-I. Training was provided to the intervention group as one session a week for three weeks. Percentage, arithmetic mean, and standard deviation as well as chi-square, dependent samples t-test, and independent samples t-test were used to assess the data.

FINDINGS: While the pretest mean score of the intervention group for the overall Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale-I was 103.90 ± 16.96, their posttest mean score was 136.17 ± 19.60 and it was found that there was a statistically significant difference between the results (p = 0.000). While the pretest mean score of the control group for the overall Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale-I was 107.22 ± 21.09, their posttest mean score was 106.57 ± 21.49 and it was found that there was no statistically significant difference between the results (p = 0.609).

CONCLUSION: It was observed that healthy lifestyle behaviors of elderly individuals in the intervention group improved positively.

PMID:35722980 | DOI:10.1177/17579759221095078

J Appl Microbiol. 2022 Jun 20. doi: 10.1111/jam.15676. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: Hexavalent Chromium (Cr⁺⁶ ) is one of the most toxic heavy metals that have deteriorating effects on the growth and quality of the end product of wheat. Consequently, this research was designed to evaluate the role of Bacillus subtilis and phosphorus fertilizer on wheat facing Cr⁺⁶ stress.

METHODS AND RESULTS: The soil was incubated with Bacillus subtilis and phosphorus fertilizer before sowing. The statistical analysis of the data showed that the co-application of B. subtilis and phosphorus yielded considerably more significant (p<0.05) results compared to an individual application of the respective treatments. The co-treatment improved the morphological, physiological, and biochemical parameters of plants as compared to untreated controls. The increase in shoot length, root length, shoot fresh weight, and root fresh weight was 38.17%, 29.31%, 47.89%, and 45.85%, respectively, compared to untreated stress-facing plants. The application of B. subtilis and phosphorus enhanced osmolytes content (proline 39.98%, and sugar 41.30%), relative water content, and stability maintenance of proteins (86.65%) and cell membranes (66.66%). Furthermore, augmented production of antioxidants by 67.71% (superoxide dismutase), 95.39% (ascorbate peroxidase), and 60.88% (catalase), respectively, were observed in the Cr⁺⁶ – stressed plants after co-application of B. subtilis and phosphorus.

CONCLUSION: It was observed that the accumulation of Cr⁺⁶ was reduced by 54.24%, 59.19%, and 90.26% in the shoot, root, and wheat grains, respectively. Thus, the combined application of B. subtilis and phosphorus has the potential to reduce the heavy metals toxicity in crops.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: B. This study explored the usefulness of B. subtilis and phosphorus application on wheat in heavy metal stress. It’s a step toward the combinatorial use of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) with nutrients to improve the ecosystems’ health.

PMID:35722974 | DOI:10.1111/jam.15676

Psychol Rep. 2022 Jun 19:332941221109115. doi: 10.1177/00332941221109115. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In recent years, the problem of mobile phone addiction (MPA) has become increasingly serious among mainland Chinese adolescents. Studies have found that self-esteem may be related to MPA, but the conclusions are inconsistent. Consequently, this meta-analysis aims to explore the real relationship between self-esteem and MPA, and analyze the moderator variables. The relevant studies used in meta-analysis were obtained by searching China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wan Fang Data, Chongqing VIP Information Co., Ltd. (VIP), PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Medline and Embase. Then articles were screened and coded, and statistical analysis was carried out by Stata 16.0 software. A total of 45,765 participants from 64 articles were included in the research. Meta-analysis showed that there was a moderate negative correlation between self-esteem and MPA(r = -.25, 95%CI = -.29, -.21). Subgroup analysis and meta-regression analysis showed that the age and publication time can significantly moderate the relationship between self-esteem and MPA, but MPA measurement instrument, gender, region and publication type have no significant moderating effect. The current meta-analysis provided solid evidence that self-esteem was negatively correlated with MPA. Longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the causality between them, so as to make more specific practice and policy recommendations.

PMID:35722969 | DOI:10.1177/00332941221109115

Am J Health Promot. 2022 Jun 19:8901171221109524. doi: 10.1177/08901171221109524. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To expand the reach of health-promotion efforts for people with disabilities, we piloted a health-coaching intervention with a disability-specific curriculum. We evaluated the intervention’s effects on health-related quality of life and health behavior change.

DESIGN: Mixed-methods research design using pre-post measures and semi-structured interviews.

SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of community-dwelling adults with disabilities (n = 39).

INTERVENTION: Participants engaged in a curriculum-based health coaching intervention, titled Health My Way, which used weekly one-on-one coaching for up to 12 weeks.

METHODS: Participants completed pre- and post-intervention surveys including questions from the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) measure and the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II. A subset of participants completed in-depth interviews to explore how health coaching influences health behavior change (n = 12).

RESULTS: We found statistically significant effects on poor-health days due to physical and mental health, and effects on physical activity. We saw additional effects with engagement in relevant curriculum content. Qualitative main themes (tailoring of information, enthusiasm for personally meaningful goals, and social support) indicated processes by which health coaching supported health behavior changes.

CONCLUSIONS: The results of this pilot study indicate health coaching appears to be effective for improving HRQOL and health behavior, especially physical activity, for people with disabilities. Apparent key factors include enthusiasm for personally meaningful goals, having tailored information, and social support.

PMID:35722956 | DOI:10.1177/08901171221109524