Nevin Manimala

J Comp Eff Res. 2022 Sep 12. doi: 10.2217/cer-2022-0044. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Aim: Technical Support Document 21 discusses trial-based, flexible relative survival models. The authors generalized flexible relative survival models to the network meta-analysis (NMA) setting while accounting for different treatment-effect specifications. Methods: The authors compared the standard parametric model with mixture, mixture cure and nonmixture cure, piecewise, splines and fractional polynomial models. The optimal treatment-effect parametrization was defined in two steps. First, all models were run with treatment effects on all parameters and subsequently the optimal model was defined by removing uncertain treatment effects, for which the parameter was smaller than its standard deviation. The authors used a network in previously treated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. Results: Flexible model-based NMAs impact fit and incremental mean survival and they increase corresponding uncertainty. Treatment-effect specification impacts incremental survival, reduces uncertainty and improves the fit statistic. Conclusion: Extrapolation techniques already available for individual trials can now be used for NMAs to ensure that the most plausible extrapolations are being used for health technology assessment submissions.

PMID:36093741 | DOI:10.2217/cer-2022-0044

Phys Chem Chem Phys. 2022 Sep 12. doi: 10.1039/d2cp02110b. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Ionanofluids (INFs), nanoparticles dispersed into a base fluid, e.g. an ionic liquid, are a novel class of alternative heat transfer fluids. Addition of nanoparticles to a base ionic liquid is the prime reason for an enhancement in the thermophysical properties of ionanofluids. However, due to very limited research on ionanofluids, further studies are required to understand changes in the isobaric heat capacity of ionanofluids as a function of size of cations of the base ionic liquid structure and concentration of nanoparticles. Herein, isobaric heat capacity was measured as a function of temperature for the prepared ionanofluid samples from a series of imidazolium ionic liquids and multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Moreover, the influence of the size of cations on the isobaric heat capacity enhancement mechanism and the stability of ionanofluid samples was studied. Furthermore, experimental isobaric heat capacity data were assessed by a novel non-statistical data analysis method named mathematical gnostics (MG). MG marginal analysis was used to evaluate the most probable values from the measured data set. A robust linear regression along a gnostic influence function was also used to find the best fit to correlate the measured data.

PMID:36093723 | DOI:10.1039/d2cp02110b

J Alzheimers Dis. 2022 Sep 7. doi: 10.3233/JAD-220610. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Dysregulated glucose metabolism in the brain is considered to be one of the key causes of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Abnormal glucose uptake in AD is tightly associated with decreased levels of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) and GLUT3 in the brain, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to explore the cause and mechanism of impaired glucose uptake in AD.

METHODS: N2a/WT and N2a/APP695swe cells were cultured in vitro, and cellular glucose uptake and ATP content, as well as the expression of GLUT1, GLUT3, and PI3K/Akt pathway members, were detected. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were detected by flow cytometry. After treatment with the ROS scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), the above indicators were detected again.

RESULTS: GLUT1 expression was significantly decreased (p = 0.0138) in N2a/APP695swe cells, while GLUT3 expression was no statistical difference (p > 0.05). After NAC treatment, PI3K and Akt phosphorylation levels, GLUT1 expression, glucose uptake and ATP levels were remarkably increased (p = 0.0006, p = 0.0008, p = 0.0009, p = 0.0001, p = 0.0013), while Aβ levels were significantly decreased (p = 0.0058, p = 0.0066). After addition of the PI3K inhibitor LY29004, GLUT1 expression was reduced (p = 0.0008), and Aβ levels were increased (p = 0.0009, p = 0.0117). In addition, increases in glucose uptake and ATP levels induced by the Akt activator SC79 were hindered by the GLUT1 inhibitor WZB117 (p = 0.0002, p = 0.0005). Aβ levels were decreased after SC79 treatment and increased after WZB117 treatment (p = 0.0212, p = 0.0006).

CONCLUSION: Taken together, scavenging of ROS prevents from Aβ deposition via activation of the PI3K/Akt/GLUT1 pathway, and improved the impaired glucose uptake in N2a/APP695swe cells.

PMID:36093707 | DOI:10.3233/JAD-220610

J Alzheimers Dis. 2022 Sep 9. doi: 10.3233/JAD-220556. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Preliminary work by our center has reported behavior and functional benefits in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) following targeted micronutritional supplementation.

OBJECTIVE: To build on the existing exploratory research and investigate the impact of these micronutrients on the natural progression of AD in a randomized controlled trial.

METHODS: Patients with mild-moderate AD consumed daily 1 g fish oil (of which 500 mg DHA, 150 mg EPA), 22 mg carotenoids (10 mg lutein, 10 mg meso-zeaxanthin, 2 mg zeaxanthin), and 15 mg vitamin E or placebo for 12 months in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial. Carotenoids, ω-3FAs, and vitamin E were quantified in blood. Carotenoids were also measured in skin. AD severity was measured using the mini-mental state examination and dementia severity rating scale tools. Behavior, mood, and memory were measured using an informant-based questionnaire.

RESULTS: Following 12 months of supplementation, the active group (n = 50) compared to the placebo group (n = 27), demonstrated statistically significant improvements in skin carotenoid measurements, blood carotenoids, ω-3FAs, and vitamin E concentrations (p < 0.05, for all). The active group also performed better in objective measures of AD severity (i.e., memory and mood), with a statistically significant difference reported in the clinical collateral for memory (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Exponential increases in the prevalence of AD and its relentless progressive nature is driving the need for interventions that help to ameliorate symptoms and improve quality of life in AD patients. Given the positive outcomes demonstrated in this trial, this combined micronutrient dietary supplement should be considered in the overall management of AD.

PMID:36093704 | DOI:10.3233/JAD-220556

J Alzheimers Dis. 2022 Sep 6. doi: 10.3233/JAD-220385. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Eye-movement behavior has been used as a reliable tool to identify cognitive and behavioral patterns in individuals with different neuropsychiatric disorders including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Most studies in the field have been dedicated to evaluating eye-movement behavior during cognitive tasks in different protocols using multiple parameters.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the differences of eye-movement behavior in healthy subjects, subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and those with AD in a simple color task with and without cognitive demand.

METHODS: 91 subjects: 18 AD, 47 MCI, and 26 healthy controls had their oculomotor parameters assessed during baseline (no cognitive demand involved) and during a simple computational color memory task using an eye-tracker.

RESULTS: Baseline showed statistically different and heterogeneous results between normal cognition and MCI groups. Familiarization phase of the task could not discriminate between groups in any of the analyzed parameters. AD subjects made longer fixations and visits on distractors, and more frequent fixations and visits on the target areas than other groups during the response phase.

CONCLUSION: Eye-tracking time-related parameters differentiate AD subjects from other groups under cognitive demand even in a simple color memory task.

PMID:36093694 | DOI:10.3233/JAD-220385

Cancer Biomark. 2022 Sep 2. doi: 10.3233/CBM-220002. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Bladder Cancer (BCa) is the tenth most incidental malignancy worldwide. BCa is mostly attributed to environmental exposure and lifestyle, particularly tobacco smoking. The Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Repressor (AhRR) participates in the induction of many enzymes involved in metabolizing carcinogens, including tobacco smoke components. Additionally, studies have shown that smoking demethylates the (AhRR) gene in blood, suggesting AhRR demethylation as a specific serum smoking biomarker.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to validate AhRR demethylation as a smoking biomarker in the target tissue and investigate its contribution to bladder carcinogenesis.

METHODS: AhRR percent methylation was tested for its association with patient smoking status and oncogenic outcome indicators, particularly p53, RB1, and FGFR3 activating mutations, muscle-invasiveness, and tumor grade, in 180 BCa tissue-based DNA.

RESULTS: Results showed significantly higher AhRR percent methylation in muscle-invasive compared to non-muscle invasive tumors (42.86% vs. 33.98%; p= 0.011), while lower AhRR methylation was significantly associated with FGFR3 Codon 248 mutant genotype compared to wild-type (28.11% ± 9.44 vs. 37.87% ± 22.53; p= 0.036). All other tested associations were non-statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS: Although AhRR methylation did not predict smoking status in BCa tumors, it seems to play a role in carcinogenesis and disease progression. Our findings make a basis for further research.

PMID:36093686 | DOI:10.3233/CBM-220002

J Sports Sci. 2022 Sep 11:1-16. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2022.2117474. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Injury assessment during sporting collisions requires estimation of the associated kinematics. While marker-based solutions are widely accepted as providing accurate and reliable measurements, setup times are lengthy and it is not always possible to outfit athletes with restrictive equipment in sporting situations. A new generation of markerless motion capture based on deep learning techniques holds promise for enabling measurement of movement in the wild. The aim of this work is to evaluate the performance of a popular deep learning model “out of the box” for human pose estimation, on a dataset of ten staged rugby tackle movements performed in a marker-based motion capture laboratory with a system of three high-speed video cameras. An analysis of the discrepancy between joint positions estimated by the marker-based and markerless systems shows that the deep learning approach performs acceptably well in most instances, although high errors exist during challenging intervals of heavy occlusion and self-occlusion. In total, 75.6% of joint position estimates are found to have a mean absolute error (MAE) of less than or equal to 25 $mm$, 17.8% with MAE between 25 and 50 $mm$ and 6.7% with MAE greater than 50 $mm$. The mean per joint position error is 47 $mm$.

PMID:36093680 | DOI:10.1080/02640414.2022.2117474

Work. 2022 Sep 8. doi: 10.3233/WOR-211088. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Studies in noise-exposed animals have shown changes in vestibular structures. Likewise, studies in humans have been suggesting that noise can damage the vestibular system, even with normal assessment results.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the vestibular system of workers exposed to noise and to compare with individuals not exposed.

METHODS: Twenty normal-hearing male adults were divided in the study group (SG), exposed to occupational noise, and control group (CG). We conducted the following procedures: medical history, Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Dix-Hallpike maneuver, and electronystagmography (eye and caloric tests).

RESULTS: The DHI score did not differ between groups. The Dix-Hallpike maneuver was normal for both groups. All individuals had normal responses in the eye tests. 50% of the SG had hyperreflexia in the caloric tests, with a significant difference between the groups. There was a trend towards a statistical significance in the absolute values of angular speed of the slow component in the cold-air test, which were higher in the SG. There was a significant difference between the groups in the relative values of labyrinthine preponderance, which were higher in the SG.

CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that 70% of the workers exposed to occupational noise had vestibular alterations identified with electronystagmography, whereas 100% of the individuals in the CG had normal results in the vestibular assessment. Moreover, only 20% of the sample in both groups had vestibular complaints, indicating the presence of subclinical vestibular changes in 50% of the individuals exposed to occupational noise.

PMID:36093670 | DOI:10.3233/WOR-211088

Work. 2022 Sep 8. doi: 10.3233/WOR-205197. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: During the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, if it is considered that educated manpower is the most valuable resource of countries, it can be thought that various policies should be developed both at the macro- and micro-levels to minimize the loss of healthcare employees.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the effects of the corporate policies for COVID-19 on the work stress and anxiety of healthcare employees.

METHOD: The sample of the study consists of 136 of 265 healthcare employees in Sakarya Provincial Health Directorate Emergency Health Services in Turkey. The average age of the participants was 34.43 years old; the average duration of professional experience was 12.12 years. Approximately 61% of the participants are male and 51% have a bachelor’s degree or higher level. A questionnaire form was used in the study as the data collection tool consisting of socio-demographic characteristics, institutional policies on COVID-19, work stress, and the Status Anxiety Scale. Process Macro Model 4, descriptive statistics and correlation analysis were used for the data analysis.

RESULTS: According to the results of the study, the corporate policies for COVID-19 perception of participants was above average (3.30±0.82) while work stress (2.99±0.88) and anxiety (2.65±0.56) were below average. The corporate policies for COVID-19 perception of participants reduced their work stress (β= – 0.430) and anxiety (β= – 0.361). Additionally, anxiety played a mediating role in the effect of the corporate policies for COVID-19 perception on work stress, and it further raised the impact of corporate policies for COVID-19 perception on the work stress reduction (β= – 0.169).

CONCLUSIONS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, health managers should determine and control the anxiety and stress levels of the health employees on their staff and take a number of steps to reduce their anxiety and stress.

PMID:36093654 | DOI:10.3233/WOR-205197

Technol Health Care. 2022 Sep 2. doi: 10.3233/THC-220230. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The failure of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) signal suppression in postmortem fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) of the brain is a problem.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was to clarify the relationship between the temperature of deceased persons and CSF T1, and to optimize the postmortem brain FLAIR imaging method using synthetic MRI.

METHODS: Forehead temperature was measured in 15 deceased persons. Next, synthetic MRI of the brain was performed, the CSF T1 was measured, and the optimal TI was calculated. Two types of FLAIR images were obtained with the clinical and optimal TI. The relationship between forehead temperature and the CSF T1 and optimal TI was evaluated. The optimized FLAIR images were physically and visually evaluated.

RESULTS: The CSF T1 and optimal TI were strongly correlated with forehead temperature. Comparing the average SNR and CNR ratios and visual evaluation scores of the two FLAIR images, those captured with the optimal TI showed statistically lower SNR, higher CNR, and higher visual evaluation scores (p< 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: Synthetic MRI enables the quantification of the CSF T1 resulting from postmortem temperature decreases and calculation of the optimal TI, which could aid in improving the failure of CSF signal suppression and in optimizing postmortem brain FLAIR imaging.

PMID:36093648 | DOI:10.3233/THC-220230