Nevin Manimala

Biotechnol Biofuels Bioprod. 2022 Sep 9;15(1):92. doi: 10.1186/s13068-022-02191-1.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The yield and quality of soybean oil are determined by seed oil-related traits, and metabolites/lipids act as bridges between genes and traits. Although there are many studies on the mode of inheritance of metabolites or traits, studies on multi-dimensional genetic network (MDGN) are limited.

RESULTS: In this study, six seed oil-related traits, 59 metabolites, and 107 lipids in 398 recombinant inbred lines, along with their candidate genes and miRNAs, were used to construct an MDGN in soybean. Around 175 quantitative trait loci (QTLs), 36 QTL-by-environment interactions, and 302 metabolic QTL clusters, 70 and 181 candidate genes, including 46 and 70 known homologs, were previously reported to be associated with the traits and metabolites, respectively. Gene regulatory networks were constructed using co-expression, protein-protein interaction, and transcription factor binding site and miRNA target predictions between candidate genes and 26 key miRNAs. Using modern statistical methods, 463 metabolite-lipid, 62 trait-metabolite, and 89 trait-lipid associations were found to be significant. Integrating these associations into the above networks, an MDGN was constructed, and 128 sub-networks were extracted. Among these sub-networks, the gene-trait or gene-metabolite relationships in 38 sub-networks were in agreement with previous studies, e.g., oleic acid (trait)-GmSEI-GmDGAT1a-triacylglycerol (16:0/18:2/18:3), gene and metabolite in each of 64 sub-networks were predicted to be in the same pathway, e.g., oleic acid (trait)-GmPHS-D-glucose, and others were new, e.g., triacylglycerol (16:0/18:1/18:2)-GmbZIP123-GmHD-ZIPIII-10-miR166s-oil content.

CONCLUSIONS: This study showed the advantages of MGDN in dissecting the genetic relationships between complex traits and metabolites. Using sub-networks in MGDN, 3D genetic sub-networks including pyruvate/threonine/citric acid revealed genetic relationships between carbohydrates, oil, and protein content, and 4D genetic sub-networks including PLDs revealed the relationships between oil-related traits and phospholipid metabolism likely influenced by the environment. This study will be helpful in soybean quality improvement and molecular biological research.

PMID:36076247 | DOI:10.1186/s13068-022-02191-1

Pilot Feasibility Stud. 2022 Sep 8;8(1):200. doi: 10.1186/s40814-022-01157-2.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Many workers performing manual handling tasks suffer from musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). Previous research has identified several loading aspects associated with manual handling, but it is still unknown if lifting on an unstable surface is associated with increased biomechanical loading of different body parts.

AIM: This proof-of-concept study aims to study what kinematic and kinetic movement parameters, such as movement time, joint angles, torque, and muscle activity are feasible and of importance when studying the effect of lifting on surfaces with varying degrees of stability in an experimental set-up.

METHODS: Measurements were taken during three different surface conditions: stable, slightly unstable, and unstable. The participants were instructed to lift a box from the floor and place it on a table in front of them. The weight of the box varied from 0.5 to 15.5 kg. By using a motion capture system (VICON) with 28 reflective markers placed on the participants and one on the box, one Kistler force plate for measuring force levels and center of pressure movements (CoP), and four electromyographic transmitters (EMG), we analyzed the downward and upward phases of the lifting movement, using the Friedman’s test for repeated measures.

RESULTS: Statistically significant results with less joint movements in the lower and upper back were seen with increased instability during both the downward and upward phases. The decrease in trunk movements with increased instability resulted in a somewhat more flexed knee position during the movement, a lower torque in the lower back, and a decrease in CoP movements, but no differences in movement time or muscle activity in back and knee muscles.

CONCLUSION: Lifting while standing on unstable surfaces resulted in an alteration of both kinematics and kinetics parameters; however, further studies regarding whether this is an additional risk factor for developing lower back pain are needed. Muscle activity levels were not altered due to instability and due to the complexity of the measurement, and we suggest not including EMG measures in future experiments of this type.

PMID:36076246 | DOI:10.1186/s40814-022-01157-2

Parasit Vectors. 2022 Sep 8;15(1):320. doi: 10.1186/s13071-022-05444-y.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Polyarthritis has been associated with canine visceral leishmaniasis (CanVL), and co-infection with Ehrlichia canis is common and may alter clinical manifestations.

METHODS: A total of 89 dogs presenting CanVL were subdivided into two groups: (1) G1, consisting of 46 dogs seronegative to Ehrlichia spp., and (ii) G2, consisting of 43 dogs seropositive to Ehrlichia spp. Eight joints (carpal, tarsal, stifles and elbows) from each dog were evaluated by radiography and synovial fluid (SF) cytologic analysis.

RESULTS: Overall, 74 of the 89 (83.1%) dogs presented joint abnormalities suggestive of osteoarthritis by radiography (G1: 40/46 [86.9%]; G2: 34/43 [79.0%]), with no statistically significant between-group difference. All dogs with abnormal joint X-ray images presented radiographic lesions bilaterally, independent of the characteristics of the lesion. Soft tissue swelling around the joint and joint space narrowing were more commonly observed in G1 than in G2 dogs. There was no significant between-group difference in terms of other radiographic abnormalities suggestive of osteoarthritis (evident trabecular pattern, subchondral bone sclerosis, osteolysis, osteolytic-proliferative lesions or bone proliferation). SF from 174/315 (55.2%) and 152/307 (49.5%) joints from G1 and G2 dogs, respectively, presented an inflammatory infiltrate, but there was no significant association between the presence of inflammatory infiltrate and group. There was also no statistical difference between groups in either of the evaluated joints in terms of the percentage of neutrophils or mononuclear cells. Leishmania spp. amastigotes were found in 69/315 (21.9%) joints from G1 dogs and in 100/307 (32.5%) joints from G2 dogs (Fisher’s exact test, P = 0.002, odds ratio = 0.5, 95% confidence interval = 0.4-0.8). The neutrophilic infiltrate was significantly higher in joints with amastigote forms in both G1 (Mann-Whitney U-test, U₍₁₈₎ = 817, Z = -3.76, P = 0.0001) and G2 dogs (Mann-Whitney U-test, U₍₁₈₎ = 6543, Z = – 5.06, P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of arthritis in dogs with CanVL was found, and all dogs presented involvement in multiple joints. Although no difference was observed between groups in terms of the number of dogs with polyarthritis and the presence of an inflammatory infiltrate in SF, Leishmania spp. amastigotes were found more frequently in joints from G2 dogs. Further studies evaluating SF in dogs co-infected with L. infantum and E. canis should be performed to evaluate this finding.

PMID:36076242 | DOI:10.1186/s13071-022-05444-y

BMC Vet Res. 2022 Sep 8;18(1):338. doi: 10.1186/s12917-022-03433-y.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The conventional feeding management of horses is still characterized by high starch and low fibre diets, which can negatively affect horse’s gastrointestinal health. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare the effects of a high-starch (HS) vs. a high-fibre (HF) diet on gut health in horses. A total of 19 Bardigiano horses destined for slaughter and aged 14.3 ± 0.7 months were randomly allotted to two dietary groups: HS (5 fillies and 4 colts,) and HF group (7 fillies and 3 colts). They received the same first-cut meadow hay but different complementary feeds for 72 days: HS group was fed 8 kg/animal/day of a starch-rich complementary feed while HF group was fed 3.5 kg/animal/day of a fibre-rich complementary feed. At slaughter, stomachs were separated and washed for the evaluation of the glandular and squamous regions. Also, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, apex of the caecum, sternal flexure, pelvic flexure, right dorsal colon, rectum and liver were excised and submitted to histomorphometrical evaluation.

RESULTS: The glandular region of HS group presented more severe gastric mucosa lesions compared to the HF group (P = 0.006). Moreover, a statistical tendency (P = 0.060) was found for the squamous region, presenting a higher score in HS than HF diet. Regarding morphometry, in jejunum villus height to crypt depth (Cd) ratio was influenced by sex, being greater in males than in females (P = 0.037) while in ileum Cd depended on interaction between sex and diet, being greater in males of HS group (P = 0.029). Moreover, in the duodenum and right dorsal colon the severity of the inflammation depended on sex (P = 0.024 and 0.050), being greater in females than in males. On the contrary, in the jejunum and in the pelvic flexure, inflammation was influenced by diet, being more severe in HS than in HF group (P = 0.024 and 0.052).

CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that HS diet provoked more severe mucosa lesions in the glandular region of the stomach and a higher inflammation both in the jejunum and pelvic flexure. The present study can represent a starting point for further investigations on gut health in horses.

PMID:36076239 | DOI:10.1186/s12917-022-03433-y

BMC Public Health. 2022 Sep 8;22(1):1701. doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-14081-0.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Health space (HS) is a statistical way of visualizing individual’s health status in multi-dimensional space. In this study, we propose a novel HS in two-dimensional space based on scores of metabolic stress and of oxidative stress.

METHODS: These scores were derived from three statistical models: logistic regression model, logistic mixed effect model, and proportional odds model. HSs were developed using Korea National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey data with 32,140 samples. To evaluate and compare the performance of the HSs, we also developed the Health Space Index (HSI) which is a quantitative performance measure based on the approximate 95% confidence ellipses of HS.

RESULTS: Through simulation studies, we confirmed that HS from the proportional odds model showed highest power in discriminating health status of individual (subject). Further validation studies were conducted using two independent cohort datasets: a health examination dataset from Ewha-Boramae cohort with 862 samples and a population-based cohort from the Korea association resource project with 3,199 samples.

CONCLUSIONS: These validation studies using two independent datasets successfully demonstrated the usefulness of the proposed HS.

PMID:36076235 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-022-14081-0

BMC Public Health. 2022 Sep 8;22(1):1704. doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-14079-8.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: General health check-ups are an important element of healthcare, as they are designed to detect diseases, thereby reducing morbidity and mortality. Recent studies have found that financial literacy promotes preventive healthcare usage and reduces risky health behaviors such as smoking, lack of exercise, and gambling. Based on this evidence, we hypothesize that financial literacy, as a rational decision-making tool, is positively associated with health check-up behavior in Japan.

METHODS: We extracted data on financial literacy, the main explanatory variable of this study, from the 2010 wave of the Preference Parameter Study (PPS) of Osaka University. Data on health check-up behavior as a dependent variable, along with control variables, were obtained from the 2011 PPS wave. Our sample focused on Japan’s middle-aged working population (40-64 years), and we applied probit regressions to test our hypothesis.

RESULTS: Our final sample size was 2,208 participants after merging the two datasets. Descriptive statistics show that respondents had moderate financial literacy (mean = 0.62, SD = 0.33), low financial education (mean = 0.17, SD = 0.38), and low participation (mean = 31.75%, SD = 46.56%) in the health check-up. The probit regression analysis showed that financial literacy is insignificantly associated with health check-up behavior in Japan (coefficient = -0.0229; 95% CI: -0.2011-0.1551; p-value = 0.801). However, demographic factors such as being male (coefficient = -0.2299; 95% CI: -0.3649–0.0950; p-value = 0.001), older (coefficient = 0.0280; 95% CI: 0.0188 – 0.0371; p-value = 0.000), and married (coefficient = 0.3217; 95% CI: 0.0728 – 0.5705; p-value = 0.011), as well as risky health behavior such as smoking (coefficient = -0.2784; 95% CI: -0.4262–0.1305; p-value = 0.000) are significantly related to health check-up behavior.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that financial literacy insignificantly motivates people to behave rationally and understand the value of health check-ups as a tool for sustainable health.

PMID:36076219 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-022-14079-8

BMC Public Health. 2022 Sep 8;22(1):1708. doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-14090-z.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: By July 2021, Canada had received enough COVID-19 vaccines to fully vaccinate every eligible Canadian. However, despite the availability of vaccines, some eligible individuals remain unvaccinated. Differences in vaccination uptake can be driven by health inequalities which have been exacerbated and amplified by the pandemic. This study aims to assess inequalities in COVID-19 vaccination uptake and intent in adults 18 years or older across Canada by identifying sociodemographic factors associated with non-vaccination and low vaccination intent using data drawn from the June to August 2021 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS).

METHODS: The CCHS is an annual cross-sectional and nationally representative survey conducted by Statistics Canada, which collects health-related information. Since September 2020, questions about the COVID-19 pandemic are asked. Adjusted logistic regression models were fitted to examine associations between vaccination uptake or intent and sociodemographic and health related variables. Region, age, gender, level of education, Indigenous status, visible minority status, perceived health status, and having a regular healthcare provider were considered as predictors, among other factors.

RESULTS: The analysis included 9,509 respondents. The proportion of unvaccinated was 11%. Non-vaccination was associated with less than university education (aOR up to 3.5, 95% CI 2.1-6.1), living with children under 12 years old (aOR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.4), not having a regular healthcare provider (aOR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.2), and poor self-perceived health (aOR 1.8, 95% CI 1.3-2.4). Only 5% of the population had low intention to get vaccinated. Being unlikely to get vaccinated was associated with the Prairies region (aOR 2.2, 95% CI 1.2-4.1), younger age groups (aOR up to 4.0, 95% CI 1.3-12.3), less than university education (aOR up to 3.8, 95% CI 1.9-7.6), not being part of a visible minority group (aOR 3.0, 95% CI 1.4-6.4), living with children under 12 years old (aOR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1-2.9), unattached individuals (aOR 2.6, 95% CI 1.1-6.1), and poor self-perceived health (aOR 2.0, 95% CI 1.3-2.9).

CONCLUSIONS: Disparities were observed in vaccination uptake and intent among various sociodemographic groups. Awareness of inequalities in COVID-19 vaccination uptake and intent is needed to determine the vaccination barriers to address in vaccination promotion strategies.

PMID:36076208 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-022-14090-z

BMC Med. 2022 Sep 9;20(1):286. doi: 10.1186/s12916-022-02490-2.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Grip strength is a widely used and well-validated measure of overall health that is increasingly understood to index risk for psychiatric illness and neurodegeneration in older adults. However, existing work has not examined how grip strength relates to a comprehensive set of mental health outcomes, which can detect early signs of cognitive decline. Furthermore, whether brain structure mediates associations between grip strength and cognition remains unknown.

METHODS: Based on cross-sectional and longitudinal data from over 40,000 participants in the UK Biobank, this study investigated the behavioral and neural correlates of handgrip strength using a linear mixed effect model and mediation analysis.

RESULTS: In cross-sectional analysis, we found that greater grip strength was associated with better cognitive functioning, higher life satisfaction, greater subjective well-being, and reduced depression and anxiety symptoms while controlling for numerous demographic, anthropometric, and socioeconomic confounders. Further, grip strength of females showed stronger associations with most behavioral outcomes than males. In longitudinal analysis, baseline grip strength was related to cognitive performance at ~9 years follow-up, while the reverse effect was much weaker. Further, baseline neuroticism, health, and financial satisfaction were longitudinally associated with subsequent grip strength. The results revealed widespread associations between stronger grip strength and increased grey matter volume, especially in subcortical regions and temporal cortices. Moreover, grey matter volume of these regions also correlated with better mental health and considerably mediated their relationship with grip strength.

CONCLUSIONS: Overall, using the largest population-scale neuroimaging dataset currently available, our findings provide the most well-powered characterization of interplay between grip strength, mental health, and brain structure, which may facilitate the discovery of possible interventions to mitigate cognitive decline during aging.

PMID:36076200 | DOI:10.1186/s12916-022-02490-2

BMC Ophthalmol. 2022 Sep 8;22(1):364. doi: 10.1186/s12886-022-02581-x.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Cortical visual impairment (CVI) is the common cause of pediatric visual impairment in cerebral palsy (CP) while exotropia is the most common strabismus associated with CP. We aim to observe the strabismic surgery outcomes in pediatric patients with CP and CVI.

METHOD: Our medical records were collected from pediatric patients treated in our hospital from May 1, 2017 to Jan 1, 2022. With normal intelligence assessment and diagnosis of exotropia in children with CP and CVI, microsurgeries were performed under intravenous combined inhalation anesthesia. The strabismus was examined by the prism test under best vision correction and the contrast sensitivity testing (CST) was measured at five levels of spatial frequencies.

RESULT: A total of 38 exotropia patients with CP and CVI were identified and included for analysis during the study period with age ranged from 5 to 12 years (mean 8.45 years) and mean follow up duration was 8.7 months (6-42 months). After bilateral lateral rectus recession (with/without medial rectus resection or inferior oblique transposition), the exotropia amount of participants were obviously revealed from – 30 ~ – 140 (median, IQR: – 50, 40) prism diopters (PD) preoperatively to 0 ~ – 15 (0, 5) PD postoperatively. Statistically significantly improvements were observed at all levels of spatial frequency on CST postoperatively, especially at high spatial frequency areas (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that the effect of strabismus surgery on exotropia in children with CP and CVI were stable and monocular contrast sensitivity post- operation increased significantly at all spatial frequencies levels.

PMID:36076198 | DOI:10.1186/s12886-022-02581-x

BMC Public Health. 2022 Sep 8;22(1):1702. doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-13909-z.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is associated with age-related loss of muscle mass and function and is becoming prevalent in the older Chinese population. This systematic review aims to obtain a reliable estimation of the prevalence of sarcopenia among community-dwelling Chinese populations aged 65 years and older and to characterize its epidemiology.

METHODS: A literature search was performed in the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, and CQVIP databases up to September 31, 2021. All studies that reported the prevalence of sarcopenia in Chinese community-dwelling older adults were included, and Hoy et al.’s tool was used to assess the risk of bias. The overall prevalence of sarcopenia will be calculated as the primary outcome, and subgroup analyses will be performed by study year, age, sex, muscle mass assessment method, diagnostic criteria and area.

RESULTS: A total of 26 studies were included in this study, which involved 25,921 subjects, and 3597 had sarcopenia. Although significant heterogeneity between studies was reported, no statistically significant publication bias was detected. The overall prevalence of sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults aged over 65 years in the Chinese population was 17.4% (95% CI: 14.6%-20.2%). Subgroup analysis based on study year, age and sex, muscle mass assessment method, diagnostic criteria, region and area showed that the prevalence of sarcopenia was different in each subgroup.

IMPLICATIONS: The prevalence of sarcopenia in Chinese community-dwelling older adults was higher than that in previous studies. As a multidimensional survey of the prevalence of sarcopenia in older adults, this meta-analysis provides data support for the targeted management of sarcopenia among Chinese older adults.

PMID:36076194 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-022-13909-z