Nevin Manimala

Sci Adv. 2022 Nov 11;8(45):eabm9982. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abm9982. Epub 2022 Nov 9.

ABSTRACT

Effective policies to halt biodiversity loss require knowing which anthropogenic drivers are the most important direct causes. Whereas previous knowledge has been limited in scope and rigor, here we statistically synthesize empirical comparisons of recent driver impacts found through a wide-ranging review. We show that land/sea use change has been the dominant direct driver of recent biodiversity loss worldwide. Direct exploitation of natural resources ranks second and pollution third; climate change and invasive alien species have been significantly less important than the top two drivers. The oceans, where direct exploitation and climate change dominate, have a different driver hierarchy from land and fresh water. It also varies among types of biodiversity indicators. For example, climate change is a more important driver of community composition change than of changes in species populations. Stopping global biodiversity loss requires policies and actions to tackle all the major drivers and their interactions, not some of them in isolation.

PMID:36351024 | DOI:10.1126/sciadv.abm9982

Eur Heart J. 2022 Nov 9:ehac670. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehac670. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The choice of revascularization with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) versus percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in people with ischaemic left ventricular dysfunction is not guided by high-quality evidence.

METHODS: A trial of CABG versus PCI in people with heart failure was modelled in-silico using routinely collected healthcare data. The in-silico trial cohort was selected by matching the target trial cohort, identified from Hospital Episode Statistics in England, with individual patient data from the STICH trial. Allocation to CABG versus complex PCI demonstrated random variation across administrative regions in England and was a valid statistical instrument. The primary outcome was 5-year all-cause mortality or cardiovascular hospitalization. Instrumental variable analysis (IVA) was used for the primary analysis. Results were expressed as average treatment effects (ATEs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS: The target population included 13,519 heart failure patients undergoing CABG or complex PCI between April 2009 and March 2015. After matching, the emulated trial cohort included 2046 patients. The unadjusted primary outcome rate was 51.1% in the CABG group and 70.0% in the PCI group. IVA of the emulated cohort showed that CABG was associated with a lower risk of the primary outcome (ATE -16.2%, 95% CI -20.6% to -11.8%), with comparable estimates in the unmatched target population (ATE -15.5%, 95% CI -17.5% to -13.5%).

CONCLUSIONS: In people with heart failure, in-silico modelling suggests that CABG is associated with fewer deaths or cardiovascular hospitalizations at 5 years versus complex PCI. A pragmatic clinical trial is needed to test this hypothesis and this trial would be feasible.

PMID:36350978 | DOI:10.1093/eurheartj/ehac670

JBRA Assist Reprod. 2022 Nov 9. doi: 10.5935/1518-0557.20220043. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Multiple genetic variants have been studied for years to try to find an association with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This meta-analysis will investigate if there are associations between increased risk of PCOS and rs6165 polymorphism in follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) gene and rs2479106 polymorphism in differentially expressed in Differentially Expressed in Normal and Neoplastic Development Isoform 1A (DENND1A) gene.

METHODS: Studies were identified from PubMed library, and case-control studies with correct polymorphisms and available genotype frequencies were included. The statistical analysis is done in Review Manager 5.3, and odds ratio (OR) with corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated to see if any association with PCOS exists.

RESULTS: In the study of FSHR gene, eight articles with 1539 cases and 1877 controls were included. No relations were found between PCOS and rs6165 polymorphism in neither the allelic (OR=1.07, 95% CI=0.97-1.19, p=0.18), recessive (OR=1.21, 95% CI=0.98-1.50, p=0.07) nor the dominant (OR=1.05, 95% CI=0.91-1.20, p=0.53) model. The rs2479106 polymorphism in DENND1A gene included 10 studies with 3627 cases and 20325 controls. Only the Asian subgroup in the recessive model (OR=1.84, 95% CI=1.19-2.85, p=0.006) showed a positive relation with PCOS, while associations were not found within the overall results in the allelic (OR=1.09, 95% CI=0.98-1.21, p=0.10), recessive (OR=1.26, 95% CI=0.73-2.19, p=0.41) or the dominant (OR=1.31, 95% CI=1.00-1.71, p=0.05) model.

CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis suggests that rs2479106 polymorphism in DENND1A gene is associated with increased risk of PCOS in the Asian population. No relations were found with increased risk of PCOS and rs6165 polymorphism in FSHR gene.

PMID:36350975 | DOI:10.5935/1518-0557.20220043

Braz J Med Biol Res. 2022 Nov 4;55:e12141. doi: 10.1590/1414-431X2022e12141. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to compare the frequency of dysplasia and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in the anal canal of patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) with a control group and assess whether there is a correlation between use of immunosuppressants and anal manifestation of CD. Patients with CD and control individuals were submitted to anal cytology and material collection for polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The cytology was classified as normal, atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), or high-grade (HSIL). PCR was considered positive or negative according to virus presence or absence. A total of 117 patients were included (54 in the control group and 63 in the CD group, being 32 without and 31 with immunosuppressants). ASCUS and LSIL were found in 25.9 and 22.2% of control patients and 28.6 and 39.7% of CD patients. HPV was identified in 14.8% of the control group and 27% of the CD group. In CD patients, HPV was found in 37.5 and 16.1% of those without and with immunosuppressants, respectively. Patients with perianal involvement had 15.6% of PCR positivity. There was no statistical difference in dysplasia and infection by HPV between the groups. Use of immunosuppressants did not influence the result, but anal manifestation was inversely proportional to viral detection.

PMID:36350971 | DOI:10.1590/1414-431X2022e12141

Rev Gaucha Enferm. 2022 Nov 4;43:e20210230. doi: 10.1590/1983-1447.2022.20210230.en. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of using a mobile application on knowledge about human immunodeficiency virus among university students.

METHOD: A before-and-after intervention study, with 196 university students, from August to December 2018. The intervention consisted of using the educ@aids mobile application for 15 days. Univariate analyzes were performed using simple descriptive statistics and the McNemar test was used to compare knowledge before and after the intervention.

RESULTS: There was an improvement in knowledge after using educ@aids in the variables related to knowledge about the transmission of the virus; knowledge about treatment, cure and prevention; knowledge of other information about human immunodeficiency virus.

CONCLUSION: The use of educ@aids increased knowledge about the human immunodeficiency virus among health university students.

PMID:36350963 | DOI:10.1590/1983-1447.2022.20210230.en

Dental Press J Orthod. 2022 Nov 7;27(5):e222067. doi: 10.1590/2177-6709.27.5.e222067.oar. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed at determining the antibacterial properties of composites containing silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) or titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs), and a fluoride-releasing composite against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus, and to evaluate the effect on shear bond strength (SBS) of nanoparticles-modified composites.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: An orthodontic composite was modified by adding 1% w/w Ag NPs or 1% w/w TiO2 NPs. Composite discs were prepared to evaluate the antibacterial properties of these modified composites against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus, using three different antibacterial tests, namely: Disk agar diffusion test, Biofilm inhibition test and eluted component test. For evaluating the shear bond strength, 80 extracted premolars were collected and divided into four groups (n=20 each), which were bonded with stainless steel preadjusted Edgewise brackets, by using these modified composites. Their SBS was then compared with that of the control group, using a universal testing machine.

RESULTS: Composite discs containing nanoparticles and fluoride were capable of producing growth inhibition zones for all bacterial types. Results of the biofilm inhibition test showed that all the study groups inhibited the bacterial count, in comparison to the control group. A significant difference of SBS was observed between all groups.

CONCLUSION: The antibacterial activity of orthodontic composites modified with Ag and TiO2 nanoparticles was significant, compared with conventional and fluoride-containing composites. The control group showed the highest SBS, followed by fluoride, titanium, and silver groups, with statistically significant difference in mean SBS values among all groups.

PMID:36350944 | DOI:10.1590/2177-6709.27.5.e222067.oar

JMIR Res Protoc. 2022 Nov 9;11(11):e42681. doi: 10.2196/42681.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Web-based instruction plays an essential role in health professions education (HPE) by facilitating learners’ interactions with educational content, teachers, peers, and patients when they would not be feasible in person. Within the unsupervised settings where web-based instruction is often delivered, learners must effectively self-regulate their learning to be successful. Effective self-regulation places heavy demands on learners’ motivation, so effective web-based instruction must be designed to instigate and maintain learners’ motivation to learn. Models of motivational design integrate theories of motivation with design strategies intended to create the conditions for motivated engagement. Teachers can use such models to develop their procedural and conceptual knowledge in ways that help them design motivating instruction in messy real-world contexts. Studies such as randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and other quasi-experimental designs that compare different motivational design strategies play a critical role in advancing models of motivational design. Synthesizing the evidence from those studies can identify effective strategies and help teachers and researchers understand the mechanisms governing why strategies work, for whom, and under what circumstances.

OBJECTIVE: The planned review aims to analyze how studies comparing motivational design strategies for web-based instruction in HPE support and advance models of motivational design by (1) controlling for established risks to internal validity, (2) leveraging authentic educational contexts to afford ecological validity, (3) drawing on established theories of motivation, (4) investigating a wide breadth of motivational constructs, and (5) analyzing mediators and moderators of strategy effects.

METHODS: The planned review will use database searching, registry searching, and hand searching to identify studies comparing motivational design strategies for web-based instruction, delivered to learners in HPE. Studies will be considered from 1990 onward. Two team members will independently screen studies and extract data from the included studies. During extraction, we will record information on the design characteristics of the studies, the theories of motivation they are informed by, the motivational constructs they target, and the mediators and moderators they consider.

RESULTS: We have executed our database and registry searches and have begun screening titles and abstracts.

CONCLUSIONS: By appraising the characteristics of studies that have focused on the motivational design of web-based instruction in HPE, the planned review will produce recommendations that will ensure impactful programs of future research in this crucial educational space.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42022359521; https://tinyurl.com/57chuzf6.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/42681.

PMID:36350706 | DOI:10.2196/42681

JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2022 Nov 9;10(11):e37234. doi: 10.2196/37234.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Digital health interventions are efficacious in health-promoting behaviors (eg, healthy eating and regular physical activity) that mitigate health risks and menopausal symptoms in midlife. However, integrated evidence-based knowledge about the mechanisms of change in these interventions is unclear.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aimed to evaluate studies on behavior change techniques (BCTs) and mechanisms of change in digital health interventions aimed at promoting health-enhancing behaviors in midlife women (aged 40-65 years).

METHODS: A systematic literature search of the electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials in the Cochrane Library was conducted. In total, 2 independent reviewers selected the studies for inclusion, extracted data, and completed BCT mapping of eligible studies. The mechanism of action and intervention functions of eligible studies were evaluated using the behavior change wheel framework. Reporting of psychological theory use within these interventions was explored using the Theory Coding Scheme. Mode of delivery, psychological theory, and BCTs were presented as descriptive statistics.

RESULTS: In total, 13 interventions (including 1315 women) reviewed used 13 (SD 4.30, range 6-21) BCTs per intervention on average. The “Shaping knowledge” and “Repetition and substitution” behavior change categories were used most frequently, with 92% (12/13) of the interventions implementing at least one of the BCTs from these 2 categories. Only 13.98% (169/1209) of the 93 available BCTs were used, with “Instructions on behaviour” most frequently used (12/13, 92%). The behavior change wheel mapping suggests that half of the intervention content aimed to increase “Capability” (49/98, 50% of the intervention strategies), “Motivation” (41/98, 42%), and “Opportunity” (8/98, 8%). “Behavioural Regulation” was the most frequently used mechanism of action (15/98, 15%), followed by increasing “Knowledge” (13/98, 13%) and “Cognitive and Interpersonal skills” (10/98, 10%). A total of 78% (7/9) of the intervention functions were used in the studies to change behavior, primarily through “Enablement” (60/169, 35.5%), whereas no study used “Restriction” or “Modelling” functions. Although 69% (9/13) of the interventions mentioned a psychological theory or model, most (10/13, 77%) stated or suggested rather than demonstrated the use of a theoretical base, and none reported explicit links between all BCTs within the intervention and the targeted theoretical constructs. Technological components were primarily based on web-based (9/13, 69%) modes of delivery, followed by phone or SMS text message (8/13, 62%) and wearables (7/13, 54%).

CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this review indicate an overall weak use of theory, low levels of treatment fidelity, insignificant outcomes, and insufficient description of several interventions to support the assessment of how specific BCTs were activated. Thus, the identified limitations in the current literature provide an opportunity to improve the design of lifestyle health-enhancing interventions for women in midlife.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42021259246; https://tinyurl.com/4ph74a9u.

PMID:36350694 | DOI:10.2196/37234

Nucleic Acids Res. 2022 Nov 9:gkac966. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkac966. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Large biobank-scale whole genome sequencing (WGS) studies are rapidly identifying a multitude of coding and non-coding variants. They provide an unprecedented resource for illuminating the genetic basis of human diseases. Variant functional annotations play a critical role in WGS analysis, result interpretation, and prioritization of disease- or trait-associated causal variants. Existing functional annotation databases have limited scope to perform online queries and functionally annotate the genotype data of large biobank-scale WGS studies. We develop the Functional Annotation of Variants Online Resources (FAVOR) to meet these pressing needs. FAVOR provides a comprehensive multi-faceted variant functional annotation online portal that summarizes and visualizes findings of all possible nine billion single nucleotide variants (SNVs) across the genome. It allows for rapid variant-, gene- and region-level queries of variant functional annotations. FAVOR integrates variant functional information from multiple sources to describe the functional characteristics of variants and facilitates prioritizing plausible causal variants influencing human phenotypes. Furthermore, we provide a scalable annotation tool, FAVORannotator, to functionally annotate large-scale WGS studies and efficiently store the genotype and their variant functional annotation data in a single file using the annotated Genomic Data Structure (aGDS) format, making downstream analysis more convenient. FAVOR and FAVORannotator are available at https://favor.genohub.org.

PMID:36350676 | DOI:10.1093/nar/gkac966

J Feline Med Surg. 2022 Nov 9:1098612X221125570. doi: 10.1177/1098612X221125570. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the use of procalcitonin (PCT) as a biomarker in differentiating bacterial infections from viral infections in cats. In addition, the relationship between PCT and mortality rate was also examined.

METHODS: Forty-five cats were included in the study. The cats were categorised into two groups: bacterial (n = 20) and viral (n = 25) infection. Serum PCT level and PCT mRNA expression were analysed from blood samples collected before treatment.

RESULTS: Serum PCT level and PCT mRNA expression of the cats with presumed bacterial infection were higher than those with viral infection (P = 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed an area under the ROC curve value of 0.888 for serum PCT and 0.850 for PCT mRNA expression. There was no statistically significant difference among respiratory, urinary and gastrointestinal tract infections regarding serum PCT level and PCT mRNA expression in the presumed bacterial infection group (P = 0.741 and P = 0.141, respectively). In the presumed bacterial infection group, serum PCT level and PCT mRNA expression in the non-surviving cats were higher than those of the surviving cats (P = 0.021 and P = 0.026, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Serum PCT level and PCT mRNA expression were considered efficient biomarkers in cats to distinguish a bacterial infection from a viral infection. Moreover, ROC curve analysis was highly accurate in the discriminative capacity of these two parameters. PCT level and PCT mRNA expression offer substantial assistance in an efficient therapeutic approach and in avoiding unnecessary antibiotic use in feline clinical practice, particularly in emergency patients and those with non-specific clinical signs, decreasing the mortality rate. However, it should be noted that these data are only research data. More detailed future studies are needed.

PMID:36350675 | DOI:10.1177/1098612X221125570