Nevin Manimala

Huan Jing Ke Xue. 2022 Mar 8;43(3):1315-1322. doi: 10.13227/j.hjkx.202107116.

ABSTRACT

Composting plants are an important source of airborne fungi. At present, no research has been reported on differences in the types and abundance of escaped fungi in different working areas, which makes it very difficult to comprehensively assess the ecological health risks of the air in composting plants. In light of this situation, this study collected air samples from the composting, packaging, office, and downwind areas of the composting plants and used high-throughput sequencing technology to analyze and compare the biological diversity and community structure of airborne fungi in the four areas. The source of airborne fungi in offices and downwind areas was further traced. The results showed that the highest abundance and diversity of airborne fungi were found in the packing and composting areas of the composting plants. Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were two fungal phyla with the highest relative abundance in the four regions. Overall, the distribution of dominant fungal genera differed; Trichocomaceae and Davidiella were the dominant genera in three areas of the composting plants. Among the 136 detected fungal genera, the number of endemic airborne fungal genera in the composting and packaging area was the largest, and 52.94% of the fungal genera was shared by the four areas. At the level of fungal genera, the community structures in the air in three areas of the composting plants were similar. The statistical difference analysis results of the key genera in different areas of the composting plants showed that the number of different fungal genera between the downwind, packaging, and composting areas was the largest, and no statistically different fungal genera were detected in the air between the packaging and composting areas. The Source Tracker analysis results showed that the contribution percentage of the packaging and composting areas to the airborne fungi in the office and downwind areas was between 9.52%-15.85%. The results of this study will provide basic data for evaluating the relationship between airborne fungal exposure and human health in different areas of the composting plant, as well as its ecological impact on the surrounding air environment.

PMID:35258195 | DOI:10.13227/j.hjkx.202107116

Eur J Pain. 2022 Mar 8. doi: 10.1002/ejp.1931. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that chronotype, the individual preference for 24-hour circadian rhythms, influences health. Sleep problems and mental distress are among the greatest risk factors for musculoskeletal (MS) pain. The aims of this study were first, to explore the associations between chronotypes and MS pain, with special reference to disabling MS pain, and second, to test whether mental distress and insomnia have a modifying role in the associations between chronotypes and MS pain.

METHODS: The dataset of 4,961 individuals was composed of Northern Finns surveyed on MS pain, chronotypes, and confounding factors (sex, insomnia, sleep duration, smoking, mental distress, occupational status, education level, and number of co-existing diseases) at 46 years. The relationships between chronotypes (evening [E], intermediate [I], and morning [M]) and MS pain were evaluated using multinomial logistic regression. To address the second aim, we included an interaction term (chronotype*mental distress, chronotype*insomnia) in the logistic model.

RESULTS: Compared to the M-types, both the E- and I-types had increased odds of suffering ‘disabling pain’ in the unadjusted model (odds ratio [OR] 1.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.37-2.33; OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.29-1.84, respectively). However, the association remained statistically significant only after adjusting for all covariates among the I-types (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.15-1.67). Neither mental distress nor insomnia was found to modify the chronotype-MS pain association.

CONCLUSIONS: The results highlight the importance of chronotypes for individuals’ MS health but suggest the presence of confounding factors in the interplay between these factors.

PMID:35258149 | DOI:10.1002/ejp.1931

J Magn Reson Imaging. 2022 Mar 8. doi: 10.1002/jmri.28135. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is one of the most devastating diseases worldwide, and it is meaningful to assess the subtype and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) status in lung cancer noninvasively by imaging methods.

PURPOSE: To differentiate noninvasively small cell lung cancer (SCLC) from nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and EGFR mutation-type from wild-type NSCLC by comparing amide proton transfer-weighted imaging (APTWI), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and 2-[¹⁸ F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography (¹⁸ F-FDG PET).

STUDY TYPE: Prospective.

POPULATION: A total of 99 patients with lung cancer.

FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: APTWI and DWI at ¹⁸ F-FDG PET/MRI 3.0 T.

ASSESSMENT: The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), magnetization transfer ratio asymmetry (MTRasym [3.5 ppm]), maximum standardized uptake value (SUV_max ), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) were calculated and compared.

STATISTICAL TESTS: Individual sample t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Logistic regression, and P < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: In NSCLC, MTRasym (3.5 ppm), MTV, and TLG were significantly lower and ADC was significantly higher than in SCLC; MTRasym (3.5 ppm) was significantly higher and SUV_max , MTV, and TLG were significantly lower in EGFR mutation-type NSCLC than in EGFR wild-type NSCLC. In the identification of SCLC and NSCLC, MTRasym (3.5 ppm), ADC, and MTV were independent predictors, the AUCs of the combination of independent predictors, MTV, TLG, MTRasym (3.5 ppm), and ADC were 0.942, 0.875, 0.843, 0.814, and 0.687, respectively. In the identification of EGFR mutation-type and wild-type NSCLC, MTRasym (3.5 ppm) and MTV were independent predictors, the AUCs of the combination of independent predictors, TLG, MTV, MTRasym (3.5 ppm), and SUV_max were 0.919, 0.834, 0.813, 0.795, and 0.771, respectively.

DATA CONCLUSION: In the noninvasive assessment of lung cancer subtype and EGFR status, APTWI has similar utility to diffusion and metabolic parameters.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 2.

PMID:35258145 | DOI:10.1002/jmri.28135

J Prosthodont. 2022 Mar 8. doi: 10.1111/jopr.13504. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate, in a minipig model, the soft tissue integration of four different transmucosal materials, as well as the peri-implant bone remodeling.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 implants were placed in five minipigs in a single stage surgery, and two of each of the following abutment materials were used in each animal: (1) titanium (Ti; control), (2) polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), (3) zirconia (Zi), and (4) veneering ceramic (VC). After a healing period of 3 months, the samples were collected and subjected to non-decalcified histology. The soft tissue dimensions (sulcus, junctional epithelium, and connective tissue attachment) were assessed on each abutment and the distance from the implant margin to first bone-to-implant contact (BIC) was measured.

RESULTS: The mean biological width-characterized by the sum of junctional epithelium and connective tissue measurements-was 3.8 (0.6) mm and no statistically significant difference was found between the four groups (P = 0.41). However, a long junctional epithelium (3.3-3.8 mm) and a very short connective tissue attachment (0.1-0.2 mm) were observed with all abutments. The measured peri-implant bone remodeling was similar in all four groups (P = 0.88).

CONCLUSIONS: Within its limitations, the present study showed that all tested materials allowed soft tissue integration, consisting of a long junctional epithelium, extending close to the bone level, and a rather short portion of connective tissue. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:35258144 | DOI:10.1111/jopr.13504

J Magn Reson Imaging. 2022 Mar 8. doi: 10.1002/jmri.28143. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Heart involvement is frequent although often clinically silent in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. Early identification of cardiac involvement can be improved by noninvasive methods such as MRI, in addition to transthoracic echocardiography (TTE).

PURPOSE: To assess the ability of phase-contrast (PC)-MRI to detect subclinical left (LV) and right (RV) ventricular diastolic dysfunction in SSc patients.

STUDY TYPE: Prospective.

POPULATION: Thirty-five consecutive SSc patients (49 ± 14 years) and 35 sex- and age-matched healthy controls (48.6 ± 13.5 years) who underwent TTE and MRI in the same week.

FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: 5 T/PC-MRI using a breath-hold velocity-encoded gradient echo sequence.

ASSESSMENT: LV TTE (E/E’) and LV and RV PC-MRI indices of diastolic function (LV early and late transmitral [E_M , Ef_M , A_M , Af_M ] and RV transtricuspid [E_T , Ef_T , A_T , Af_T ] peak filling flow velocities and flow rates, as well as LV [ EM‘ ] and RV [ ET‘ ] peak longitudinal myocardial velocities during diastole) were measured.

STATISTICAL TESTS: Two-tailed t-test, Wilcoxon test, or Fischer test for comparison of variables between SSc and healthy control groups; sensitivity, specificity, receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) area under the curve (AUC) to assess discriminative ability of variables. A P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: TTE LV E/E’ and MRI E_M / EM‘ and E_T / ET‘ were significantly higher in SSc patients than in controls (8.27 ± 1.25 vs. 6.70 ± 1.66; 9.43 ± 2.7 vs. 6.51 ± 1.50; 6.51 [4.70-10.40] vs. 4.13 [3.22-5.75], respectively) and separated SSc patients and healthy controls with good sensitivity (68%, 71%, and 80%), specificity (85%, 94%, and 62%), and AUC (0.787, 0.807, and 0.765). LV Ef_M was significantly higher in SSc patients than in controls (347.1 ± 113.7 vs. 284.7 ± 94.6) as RVAf_T (277 [231-355] vs. 220 [154-253] mL/sec) with impaired relaxation pattern (Ef_T /Af_T , 0.95 [0.87-1.21] vs. 1.12 [0.93-1.47]).

DATA CONCLUSION: MRI was able to detect LV and RV diastolic dysfunction in SSc patients with good accuracy in the absence of LV systolic dysfunction at echocardiography. Use of MRI can allow to better assess the early impact of myocardial fibrosis related to SSc.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 2.

PMID:35258133 | DOI:10.1002/jmri.28143

Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2022 Mar 8. doi: 10.1002/uog.24896. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twin complicated by type III selective fetal growth restriction (sFGR) are at high risk of fetal death. Our aim was to identify predictors of fetal death.

METHODS: We performed an international multicenter retrospective cohort study. Type III sFGR was defined as fetal growth of one twin below the 10th percentile and intertwin growth difference of 25% or more, in combination with intermittent absent or reversed end-diastolic flow in the umbilical artery of the smaller fetus. Predictors of fetal death were longitudinally recorded throughout gestation and assessed in uni- and multivariable using logistic regression models. The classification and regression trees (CART) method was used to construct a prediction model of fetal death using significant predictors derived from the univariable analysis.

RESULTS: Three-hundred and eight twin pregnancies (616 fetuses) were included in the analysis. In 273 pregnancies (88.6%) both twins were liveborn, whereas in 35 pregnancies there was either a single (n=19; 6.2%) or a double fetal death (n=16; 5.2%). Earlier gestational age at diagnosis of type III sFGR, oligohydramnios of the smaller twin and deterioration of umbilical artery Doppler flow were associated with an increased risk of fetal death. Neither parameter identified in the univariable analysis maintained statistical significance in multivariable analysis. The CART model allowed to identify three risk groups: a low risk group (risk of fetal death 6.8%) where the umbilical artery Doppler did not deteriorate, an intermediate risk group (risk of fetal death 16.3%) where the umbilical artery Doppler deteriorated but the diagnosis of sIUGR was first made after 16+5 weeks’ gestation and a high-risk group (risk of fetal death 79%) where the umbilical artery Doppler deteriorated and gestational age at diagnosis was less than 16+5 weeks’ gestation.

CONCLUSIONS: Type III sFGR is associated with a high risk of fetal death. A prediction algorithm can help identifying the highest risk group (Doppler deterioration and early presentation). Further studies should investigate the potential benefit of fetal surveillance and intervention in this cohort. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:35258125 | DOI:10.1002/uog.24896

J Nurs Manag. 2022 Mar 8. doi: 10.1111/jonm.13578. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM(S): To analyse whether patient verbal aggression would be related to emotional exhaustion and whether this relationship would be mediated by work-family conflict and moderated by dehumanization and resilience.

BACKGROUND: Although patient verbal aggression has been identified as one of the most experienced forms of aggression, its effects on Italian healthcare providers during the pandemic are still poorly known.

METHOD(S): A total of 197 Italian healthcare professionals completed paper-and-pencil questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and moderated mediation analyses were performed.

RESULTS: Patient verbal aggression was positively related to healthcare professionals’ emotional exhaustion, both directly and indirectly, as mediated by work-family conflict. Healthcare providers were more likely to become emotionally exhausted when they had low resilience and, simultaneously, tended to ascribe patients non-uniquely human traits.

CONCLUSION(S): Patient verbal aggression may spill over onto healthcare professionals’ family lives. Dehumanization represents an ineffective coping strategy that exacerbate the effects of aggression on work-family conflict, while resilience represents a protective resource against emotional exhaustion.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Hospital organizations could benefit from providing their staff with stress management interventions, aggression management, psychological support, and psychological resilience training programs. These programs should incorporate coping skills on establishing work-home boundaries and balancing empathy with cognitive problem-solving abilities.

PMID:35258120 | DOI:10.1111/jonm.13578

J Bone Miner Res. 2022 Mar 8. doi: 10.1002/jbmr.4541. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Repositioning error in longitudinal high-resolution peripheral-quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) imaging can lead to different bone volumes being assessed over time. To identify the same bone volumes at each time point, image registration is used. While cross-sectional area image registration corrects axial misalignment, 3D-registration additionally corrects rotations. Other registration methods involving matched angle analysis (MA) or boundary transformations (3D-TB) can be used to limit interpolation error in 3D-registering micro finite-element data. We investigated the effect of different image registration methods on short-term in vivo precision in adults with osteogenesis imperfecta, a collagen-related genetic disorder resulting in low bone mass, impaired quality, and increased fragility. The radii and tibiae of 29 participants were imaged twice on the same day with full repositioning. We compared the precision error of different image registration methods for density, microstructural and micro finite-element outcomes with data stratified based on anatomical site, motion status, and scanner generation. Regardless of the stratification, we found that image registration improved precision for total and trabecular bone mineral densities, trabecular and cortical bone mineral contents, area measurements, trabecular bone volume fraction, separation, and heterogeneity, as well as cortical thickness and perimeter. 3D-registration marginally outperformed cross-sectional area registration for some outcomes, such as trabecular bone volume fraction and separation. Similarly, precision of micro finite-element outcomes was improved after image registration, with 3D-TB and MA methods providing greatest improvements. Our regression model confirmed the beneficial effect of image registration on HR-pQCT precision errors, while motion had a detrimental effect on precision even after image registration. Collectively, our results indicate that 3D-registration is recommended for longitudinal HR-pQCT imaging in adults with osteogenesis imperfecta. Since our precision errors are similar to those of healthy adults, these results can likely be extended to other populations, although future studies are needed to confirm this. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:35258112 | DOI:10.1002/jbmr.4541

Biosci Rep. 2022 Mar 8:BSR20212084. doi: 10.1042/BSR20212084. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Bacterial virulence factors are often located in their genomic islands (GIs). Helicobacter pylori, a highly diverse organism is reported to be associated with several gastrointestinal diseases like, gastritis, gastric cancer, peptic ulcer, duodenal ulcer etc. A novel similarity score-based comparative analysis with GIs of fifty H. pylori strains revealed clear idea of the various factors which promote disease progression. Two putative pathogenic GIs in some of the H. pylori strains were identified. One GI, having a putative labile enterotoxin and other dynamin-like proteins (DLPs), is predicted to increase the release of toxin by membrane vesicular formation. Another island contains a virulence-associated protein D (vapD) which is a component of a type-II toxin-antitoxin system (TAs), leads to enhance the severity of the H. pylori infection. Besides the well-known virulence factors like CagA, and VacA, several GIs have been identified which showed to have direct or indirect impact on H. pylori clinical outcomes. One such GI, containing lipopolysaccharide (LPS) biosynthesis genes was revealed to be directly connected with disease development by inhibiting the immune response. Another collagenase-containing GI worsens ulcers by slowing down the healing process. GI consisted of fliD operon was found to be connected to flagellar assembly and biofilm production. By residing in biofilms, bacteria can avoid antibiotic therapy, resulting in chronic infection. Along with well-studied CagA and VacA virulent genes, it is equally important to study these identified virulence factors for better understanding H. pylori induced disease prognosis.

PMID:35258077 | DOI:10.1042/BSR20212084

J Bras Nefrol. 2022 Feb 28:S0101-28002022005018401. doi: 10.1590/2175-8239-JBN-2021-0161. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: This article describes the main differences between COVID-19-induced acute kidney injury (AKI-COVID19) in patients with previous normal renal function (AKI-NRF) and those with chronic kidney disease (AKI-CKD) treated in a high complexity clinic in Barranquilla (Colombia).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The patients included in this study (n: 572) were those with a positive diagnosis of COVID-19 confirmed by detection of a positive PCR for SARS-CoV-2. Of these patients, 188 developed AKI during their hospital stay. Patients’ epidemiological data, serum parameters, and clinical frailty status were recorded. Statistical analysis and comparison among AKI-NRF, AKI-CKD, and non-AKI patients were performed.

RESULTS: The incidence of COVID-19-induced AKI was 33%, with the majority classified as AKIN 1, 16% requiring renal replacement therapy, and AKI-COVID19 mortality of 68%. A significantly higher prevalence of hypertension, cardiac disease, and serum reactive C-protein and lower albumin values in AKI-CKD patients was recorded. Mortality rate, invasive ventilation requirement, and D-dimer levels were significantly higher in AKI-NRF patients.

CONCLUSION: Different clinical patterns between AKI-NRF and AKI-CKD were documented.

PMID:35258071 | DOI:10.1590/2175-8239-JBN-2021-0161