Nevin Manimala

Int J Cancer. 2022 Sep 24. doi: 10.1002/ijc.34299. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Although pre-diagnostic circulating concentrations of the immune activation markers soluble CD27 (sCD27), sCD30 and chemokine ligand-13 (CXCL13) have been associated with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) risk, studies have been limited by sample size in associations with NHL subtypes. We pooled data from eight nested case-control studies to investigate subtype-specific relationships for these analytes. Using polytomous regression, we calculated odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) relating study-specific analyte tertiles to selected subtypes vs. controls (n=3,310): chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL; n=623), diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL; n=621), follicular lymphoma (FL; n=398), marginal zone lymphoma (MZL; n=138), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL; n=82) and T cell lymphoma (TCL; n=92). We observed associations with DLBCL for elevated sCD27 [OR for 3^rd vs. 1^st tertile (OR_T3 )=2.2, 95% CI=1.6-3.1], sCD30 (OR_T3 =2.0, 95% CI=1.6-2.5) and CXCL13 (OR_T3 =2.3, 95% CI=1.8-3.0). We also observed associations with sCD27 for CLL/SLL (OR_T3 =3.3, 95% CI=2.4-4.6), MZL (OR_T3 =7.7, 95% CI=3.0-20.1) and TCL (OR_T3 =3.4, 95% CI=1.5-7.7), and between sCD30 and FL (OR_T3 =2.7, 95% CI=2.0-3.5). In analyses stratified by time from phlebotomy to case diagnosis, the sCD27-TCL and all three DLBCL associations were equivalent across both follow-up periods (<7.5, ≥7.5 years). For other analyte-subtype comparisons, associations were stronger for the follow-up period closer to phlebotomy, particularly for indolent subtypes. In conclusion, we found robust evidence of an association between these immune markers and DLBCL, consistent with hypotheses that mechanisms related to immune activation are important in its pathogenesis. Our other findings, particularly for the rarer subtypes MZL and TCL, require further investigation.

PMID:36151863 | DOI:10.1002/ijc.34299

Scand J Clin Lab Invest. 2022 Sep 24:1-5. doi: 10.1080/00365513.2022.2123387. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Persisting inflammation has been discovered in lungs and other parenchymatous organs of some COVID-19 convalescents. Calprotectin, neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), syndecan-1 and neopterin are general key inflammatory markers, and systemically enhanced levels of them may remain after the COVID-19 infection. These inflammatory markers were therefore measured in serum samples of 129 COVID-19 convalescent and 27 healthy blood donors or employees at Oslo Blood bank, Norway. Also antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antigen were measured, and timing of sampling and severity of infection noted. Whereas neopterin and NETs values remained low and those for syndecan-1 were not raised to statistically significant level, concentrations for calprotectin, as measured by a novel mixed monoclonal assay, were significantly increased in the convalescents. Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antigen were elevated, but did not correlate with levels of inflammatory markers. Difference between the groups in only one biomarker makes evaluation of ongoing or residual inflammation in the convalescents difficult. If there is a low-grade inflammation, it would in that case involve neutrophils.

PMID:36151851 | DOI:10.1080/00365513.2022.2123387

Int Rev Psychiatry. 2022 May-Jun;34(3-4):413-422. doi: 10.1080/09540261.2022.2108313. Epub 2022 Aug 25.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To identify psychological interventions that improve outcomes for those who overdose, especially amongst Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Questioning populations.

OBJECTIVE: To recognize and assess the results from all studies including randomized control trials (RCTs) that have studied the efficiency of psychiatric and psychological assessment of people who have depression that undergo non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) by self-poisoning, presenting to UK Accident and Emergency Departments.

METHOD: A scoping review of all studies including RCTs of psychiatric and psychological therapy treatments. Studies were selected according to types of engagement and intervention received. All studies including RCTs available in databases since 1998 in the Wiley version of the Cochrane controlled trials register in 1998 till 2021, Psych INFO, Medline, Google Scholar and from manually searching of journals were included. Studies that included information on repetition of the NSSI behaviour were also included. Altogether this amounts to 3900 randomized study participants with outcome data.

RESULTS: Seven trials reported repetition of NSSI as an outcome measure which were classified into four categories. Problem-solving therapy is indicated as a promising therapy and has shown to significantly reduce repetition in participants who NSSI by overdosing than patients in the control treatment groups consisting of standard after care.

CONCLUSION: The data show that manualized cognitive therapy psychological intervention was more effective than TAU after care. However, these differences are not statistically significant with p = .15; CI 0.61, 1.0 which crosses the line of no effect. And psychodynamic interpersonal therapy is more effective than the standard treatment. Despite being only one study in this subgroup the analysis shows a statistical significance with p = .009, CI 0.08; 0.7.

PMID:36151829 | DOI:10.1080/09540261.2022.2108313

Int Rev Psychiatry. 2022 May-Jun;34(3-4):266-273. doi: 10.1080/09540261.2022.2034603. Epub 2022 Feb 7.

ABSTRACT

Homophobic bullying is a major social issue, especially in the school settings. This may be particularly common in many Western countries but it appears globally. Bullying causes both short and long-term problems hence its prevention must be seen as a relevant and urgent step in educational settings. Psycho-educational programs should be promoted in order to help eliminate school-children’s prejudices and bias about gay and lesbian peers, homophobic bullying. 191 school-children (n = 101 females, n = 90 males), aged 12-14 years old, attending a secondary school in Foggia (Italy) were recruited and assessed at baseline (T0) and 2 months (T1) after receiving a systematized, repeated psycho-education aimed to promote their awareness on sexual variations, and reduce homophobic prejudices and stereotypes. They were assessed for their empathy quotients, their knowledge of gender- related stereotypes, homophobic attitudes, anger, emotional regulation, before (T0) and after the intervention (T1) in a standardized manner. The psychoeducational program significantly reduced homophobia levels towards gays (-9.38%) and lesbians (-5.42%,) as well as improved emotional adjustment (+25.9%) and pro-sociality (+3.85%) among school-children (0.0486≤ all p < 0.0001). Also, a statistically significant improvement of empathy (+11.3%) and levels of state anger (+0.35%) has been significantly reported. This study reports on the benefits of a repeated, systematic, prospective psycho-educational intervention conducted in the school-setting leading to an improvement of empathy, pro-sociality, emotional regulation and a reduction of homophobic attitudes and anger among students.

PMID:36151823 | DOI:10.1080/09540261.2022.2034603

Int Rev Psychiatry. 2022 May-Jun;34(3-4):282-291. doi: 10.1080/09540261.2022.2076583. Epub 2022 May 27.

ABSTRACT

In several countries, no gender identity- and sexual orientation-related data is routinely collected, if not for specific health or administrative/social purposes. Implementing and ensuring equitable and inclusive socio-demographic data collection is of paramount importance, given that the LGBTI community suffers from a disproportionate burden in terms of both communicable and non-communicable diseases. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there exists no systematic review addressing the methods that can be implemented in capturing gender identity- and sexual orientation-related data in the healthcare sector. A systematic literature review was conducted for filling in this gap of knowledge. Twenty-three articles were retained and analysed: two focussed on self-reported data, two on structured/semi-structured data, seven on text-mining, natural language processing, and other emerging artificial intelligence-based techniques, two on challenges in capturing sexual and gender-diverse populations, eight on the willingness to disclose gender identity and sexual orientation, and, finally, two on integrating structured and unstructured data. Our systematic literature review found that, despite the importance of collecting gender identity- and sexual orientation-related data and its increasing societal acceptance from the LGBTI community, several issues have to be addressed yet. Transgender, non-binary identities, and also intersex individuals remain often invisible and marginalized. In the last decades, there has been an increasing adoption of structured data. However, exploiting unstructured data seems to overperform in identifying LGBTI members, especially integrating structured and unstructured data. Self-declared/self-perceived/self-disclosed definitions, while being respectful of one’s perception, may not completely be aligned with sexual behaviours and activities. Incorporating different levels of information (biological, socio-demographic, behavioural, and clinical) would enable overcoming this pitfall. A shift from a rigid/static nomenclature towards a more nuanced, dynamic, ‘fuzzy’ concept of a ‘computable phenotype’ has been proposed in the literature to capture the complexity of sexual identities and trajectories. On the other hand, excessive fragmentation has to be avoided considering that: (i) a full list of options including all gender identities and sexual orientations will never be available; (ii) these options should be easily understood by the general population, and (iii) these options should be consistent in such a way that can be compared among various studies and surveys. Only in this way, data collection can be clinically meaningful: that is to say, to impact clinical outcomes at the individual and population level, and to promote further research in the field.

PMID:36151822 | DOI:10.1080/09540261.2022.2076583

Am J Ind Med. 2022 Sep 24. doi: 10.1002/ajim.23430. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Fragmented industry and occupation surveillance data throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has left public health practitioners and organizations with an insufficient understanding of high-risk worker groups and the role of work in SARS-CoV-2 transmission.

METHODS: We drew sequential probability samples of noninstitutionalized adults (18+) in the Michigan Disease Surveillance System with COVID-19 onset before November 16, 2020 (N = 237,468). Among the 6000 selected, 1839 completed a survey between June 23, 2020, and April 23, 2021. We compared in-person work status, source of self-reported SARS-CoV-2 exposure, and availability of adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) by industry and occupation using weighted descriptive statistics and Rao-Scott χ² tests. We identified industries with a disproportionate share of COVID-19 infections by comparing our sample with the total share of employment by industry in Michigan using 2020 data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

RESULTS: Employed respondents (n = 1244) were predominantly female (53.1%), aged 44 and under (54.4%), and non-Hispanic White (64.0%). 30.4% of all employed respondents reported work as the source of their SARS-CoV-2 exposure and 78.8% were in-person workers. Work-related exposure was prevalent in Nursing and Residential Care Facilities (65.2%); Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities (63.3%); and Food Manufacturing (57.5%). By occupation, work-related exposure was highest among Protective Services (57.9%), Healthcare Support (56.5%), and Healthcare Practitioners (51.9%). Food Manufacturing; Nursing and Residential Care; and Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities were most likely to report having adequate PPE “never” or “rarely” (36.4%, 27.9%, and 26.7%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: Workplaces were a key source of self-reported SARS-CoV-2 exposure among employed Michigan residents during the first year of the pandemic. To prevent transmission, there is an urgent need in public health surveillance for the collection of industry and occupation data of people infected with COVID-19, as well as for future airborne infectious diseases for which we have little understanding of risk factors.

PMID:36151779 | DOI:10.1002/ajim.23430

Brief Bioinform. 2022 Sep 24:bbac373. doi: 10.1093/bib/bbac373. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Biomedical data preprocessing and efficient computing can be as important as the statistical methods used to fit the data; data processing needs to consider application scenarios, data acquisition and individual rights and interests. We review common principles, knowledge and methods of integrated research according to the whole-pipeline processing mechanism diverse, coherent, sharing, auditable and ecological. First, neuromorphic and native algorithms integrate diverse datasets, providing linear scalability and high visualization. Second, the choice mechanism of different preprocessing, analysis and transaction methods from raw to neuromorphic was summarized on the node and coordinator platforms. Third, combination of node, network, cloud, edge, swarm and graph builds an ecosystem of cohort integrated research and clinical diagnosis and treatment. Looking forward, it is vital to simultaneously combine deep computing, mass data storage and massively parallel communication.

PMID:36151775 | DOI:10.1093/bib/bbac373

Gerodontology. 2022 Sep 23. doi: 10.1111/ger.12657. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This register-based study on public sector patients aged 60 years and over assessed annual age-specific volume of and reasons for tooth extractions as well as changes in these across the period 2007-2015.

BACKGROUND: Alongside the rapidly ageing population, the demand for public oral healthcare services is growing. Damaged teeth may induce a long-lasting inflammation burden in old age.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data used the electronic documentation of oral healthcare procedures recorded according to healthcare regulation. The study population consisted of all patients over 60 years of age (n = 216 059) who were treated 2007-2015 in public oral health care available to all citizens of Helsinki, Finland. Data for the 9-year time series included reasons for tooth extractions and were aggregated by patient age into 5-year groups. Statistical analyses included rates and proportions, mean values, correlation coefficients and linear regression modelling.

RESULTS: Extraction patients (n = 48 623) were more likely in the older age groups: 21.8% in the age group 60-64 and 27.5% in the age group 90+. Mean number of tooth extractions among all patients was 0.4 per patient and 1.7 per extraction patient. Among all tooth extractions (n = 82 677), main reasons were caries 29.5%, apical periodontitis 19.4%, tooth remnant 19.4% and periodontitis 18.0%. Tooth remnant predominated as extraction reason in the oldest age groups, while apical periodontitis displayed an upward trend by calendar year.

CONCLUSION: Tooth extractions attributable to caries were common in all old-age groups, tooth remnant extractions were most common in older age groups, and apical periodontitis abounded as extraction reason during 2007-2015.

PMID:36151752 | DOI:10.1111/ger.12657

Muscle Nerve. 2022 Sep 23. doi: 10.1002/mus.27726. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION/AIMS: Epidermal nerve fiber involvement in chronic inflammatory demyelinating neuropathy (CIDP) has been reported in a limited number of patients. We quantified small fiber involvement in a mixed cohort of patients with typical CIDP and CIDP variants to evaluate relationships with clinical outcome measures at different disease stages.

METHODS: Intraepidermal nerve fiber densities (IENFDs) were evaluated by skin punch biopsies of 23 patients with CIDP and 13 healthy controls at the forearm, thigh, and distal leg. Skin sections were optimally interpreted in all three regions in 16 CIDP patients and 10 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Statistical analysis was performed in those subjects.

RESULTS: The IENFDs in forearm, thigh and distal leg were similar among 7 typical CIDP and 9 CIDP variants. IENFDs in those regions were significantly reduced in CIDP compared to healthy controls, and showed moderate negative correlation with International Neuropathy Cause and Treatment (INCAT) Upper Limb Functional Disability Scores. Reduction in IENFD compared to controls was more remarkable in the distal leg. In clinically unstable CIDP patients, the IENFDs of distal leg and forearm were significantly reduced compared to stable CIDP and controls. Stable CIDP patients had significantly reduced IENFDs in distal leg and forearm compared to controls.

DISCUSSION: In this exploratory study, we confirm that small fibers are also affected in CIDP. Larger studies are needed to explore longitudinal changes of IENFD in CIDP and its relation to disease stage. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:36151750 | DOI:10.1002/mus.27726

Phytochem Anal. 2022 Sep 23. doi: 10.1002/pca.3174. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The presence of chlorogenic acid (CGA) not only imparts a characteristic flavour to foods but also makes them useful against chronic diseases and metabolic syndromes, especially diabetes mellitus and asthma.

OBJECTIVES: The present study was designed to develop a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) and pragmatic method to analyse CGA in plant-based products by applying dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) followed by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography under a diode array detector (RP-HPLC-DAD).

METHODOLOGY: The DLLME was carried out using Triton X-100 as a dispersant and ethanol as an extraction solvent, while method development and validation activities were performed on a Shimadzu 10-AT HPLC-DAD system equipped with C-18 columns as stationary phases.

RESULTS: The well-resolved peak for the standard CGA was observed at 2.92 min for the mobile phase comprising 0.1% aqueous formic acid-ethanol (22:78 v/v) of pH 3.0 programmed under an isocratic flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The developed method was found to be linear (R² = 0.9976) over 1-500 μg/mL of CGA concentration at 328 nm. Moreover, the assay was found to be repeatable with RSD ≤ 5.0, and the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were 0.0281 and 0.0853 μg/mL of CGA, respectively. The DLLME offered an overall recovery rate between 97.60% and 99.54% at an acceptable level of reproducibility [relative standard deviation (RSD) ≤ 5.0].

CONCLUSION: The developed assay was found to be a QuEChERS and pragmatic choice for the high-throughput analysis of CGA in plant-based products/foods. Finally, the analysis revealed the presence of an ample level of CGA in guava fruit in addition to coffee beans and black tea.

PMID:36151736 | DOI:10.1002/pca.3174