Nevin Manimala

Dent Mater. 2021 Feb 26:S0109-5641(21)00069-5. doi: 10.1016/j.dental.2021.02.007. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the incorporation of chlorhexidine-hexametaphosphate nanoparticles (CHX-HMP NPs) on antibacterial, cytotoxic and physicochemical properties of AH Plus (AH), MTA Fillapex (MTA) and Pulp Canal Sealer (PCS).

METHODS: The NPs were synthesized and characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), zeta potential, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS). The incorporation was made by weight, 2% and 5% of NPs. The antimicrobial activity, cytotoxicity, flow, radiopacity, setting time, solubility and pH were evaluated. The statistical analysis was performed by two-way analysis of variance test and Tukey post hoc test (P < 0.05).

RESULTS: SEM analysis showed the tendency for CHX-HMP NPs to cluster, the effective mean diameter measured by DLS: 169.39 nm and the zeta potential: -10.18 mV. The NPs were individually measured by AFM: 22.99-52.75 nm. EDS analysis identified the presence of C, N, O, Na, P, Cl. After incorporation: The Direct Contact Test showed an increase in the antimicrobial action of AH, PCS and MTA; the sealers showed a decrease in flow and at 24 h of immersion also an increase in solubility, but did not affect the radiopacity of the samples; AH setting time increased and MTA did not reach setting under any of the conditions tested. All samples showed a decrease in pH value as the immersion time progressed.

SIGNIFICANCE: The incorporation of NPs can improve the antimicrobial performance of endodontic sealers without impairing other biological and physicochemical properties.

PMID:33648745 | DOI:10.1016/j.dental.2021.02.007

Injury. 2021 Feb 18:S0020-1383(21)00152-2. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2021.02.049. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: . Early hip fracture surgery (<48 hours) has shown to improve mortality for geriatric patients and is recommended in national hip fracture guidelines. However, this may be at the expense of surgery being performed out-of-hours where concerns about mortality risk exist. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to determine the mortality risk for hip fracture surgery performed in-hours (IH) compared to out-of-hours (OH), and on weekdays (WD) compared to weekends (WE).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: . A systematic search of literature in the databases of MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase and Cochrane from the dates of inception was performed. All studies published in English were included. Risk of Bias in Non-randomised Studies (ROBINS-I) and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) framework were utilised. Relative risk (RR) was used for dichotomous outcomes, while mean difference (MD) was used for continuous variables, with 95% confidence intervals. Alpha was set at 0.05.

RESULTS: . A total of 13 studies with 177,090 patients were included for analysis. Overall, there was no statistically significant difference for 30-day or inpatient mortality in IH vs OH groups (RR 0.93, p=0.46 and RR 1.16, p=0.63) and for WD vs WE groups (RR 0.98, p=0.73 and RR 0.76, p=0.67). There was no difference in length of stay between groups (p>0.05). The number of patients with American Society of Anaesthesiology (ASA) physical status classification ≥3 and male gender between the groups were similar (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION: . Performing hip fracture surgery OH or on the WE does not appear to increase the risk of 30-day or inpatient mortality or post-operative complications. Consideration should be given to performing hip fracture surgery out-of-hours to meet national guidelines (<48 hours).

PMID:33648740 | DOI:10.1016/j.injury.2021.02.049

J Natl Med Assoc. 2021 Feb 26:S0027-9684(21)00027-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jnma.2021.02.001. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The African American (AA) community in Washington DC is at an elevated risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that has a dismal prognosis. The recent rapid increase in the incidence and diagnosis of HCC and liver metastases (LM) in DC prompted us to evaluate the past six decades of this incidence and some of its underlying causes using a single institutional cohort in a hospital located in the center of the city. Electronic medical and pathology records of 454 liver cancer patients from 1959 to 2013 at Howard University Hospital (HUH) were reviewed. Demographic, clinical and pathology characteristics were examined, and statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Incidence of HCC rose substantially between 1959 and 2013, increasing eight-fold from 1.05 to 8.0 per 100,000 AAs. The rate of increase in the last decade was highest at 550%. Cases were disproportionately male (67.2%), and median age at diagnosis was 57 years. Towards the last decade, the most common etiology for HCC was nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) followed by NAFLD/HCV combination. Liver cancer was clustered in the eastern region of DC in wards 4, 5, 7, and 8. Cases of liver metastases clinically diagnosed and confirmed by biopsies increased 96.4% from 1959 to 1968 to 2009-2013. This study confirms that HCC incidence has been increasing (initially driven by HCV, and NAFLD in the latter decades) more rapidly in DC than previously believed, highlighting the impact of case definitions especially regarding NAFLD in the context of changing diagnostic approaches including the revised ICD10. The rising burden, disproportionate population distribution, and low survival rate among AAs emphasize the importance of prevention and early detection as a public health imperative.

PMID:33648723 | DOI:10.1016/j.jnma.2021.02.001

Biol Psychiatry. 2021 Jan 9:S0006-3223(21)00033-0. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.12.024. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The origin of sex differences in prevalence and presentation of neuropsychiatric and behavioral traits is largely unknown. Given established genetic contributions and correlations, we tested for a sex-differentiated genetic architecture within and between traits.

METHODS: Using European ancestry genome-wide association summary statistics for 20 neuropsychiatric and behavioral traits, we tested for sex differences in single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based heritability and genetic correlation (r_g < 1). For each trait, we computed per-SNP z scores from sex-stratified regression coefficients and identified genes with sex-differentiated effects using a gene-based approach. We calculated correlation coefficients between z scores to test for shared sex-differentiated effects. Finally, we tested for sex differences in across-trait genetic correlations.

RESULTS: We observed no consistent sex differences in SNP-based heritability. Between-sex, within-trait genetic correlations were high, although <1 for educational attainment and risk-taking behavior. We identified 4 genes with significant sex-differentiated effects across 3 traits. Several trait pairs shared sex-differentiated effects. The top genes with sex-differentiated effects were enriched for multiple gene sets, including neuron- and synapse-related sets. Most between-trait genetic correlation estimates were not significantly different between sexes, with exceptions (educational attainment and risk-taking behavior).

CONCLUSIONS: Sex differences in the common autosomal genetic architecture of neuropsychiatric and behavioral phenotypes are small and polygenic and unlikely to fully account for observed sex-differentiated attributes. Larger sample sizes are needed to identify sex-differentiated effects for most traits. For well-powered studies, we identified genes with sex-differentiated effects that were enriched for neuron-related and other biological functions. This work motivates further investigation of genetic and environmental influences on sex differences.

PMID:33648717 | DOI:10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.12.024

Br J Anaesth. 2021 Feb 26:S0007-0912(21)00077-5. doi: 10.1016/j.bja.2021.02.001. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:33648702 | DOI:10.1016/j.bja.2021.02.001

Clin Exp Reprod Med. 2021 Mar;48(1):61-68. doi: 10.5653/cerm.2020.03965. Epub 2021 Feb 17.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to investigate the relationship of semen parameters in samples used for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with fertilization and pregnancy rates in infertile couples.

METHODS: In this prospective study of Infertile couples with male factor infertility that had undergone ICSI, fractions of the same semen samples obtained for microinjection (to ensure the best predictability) were evaluated to determine the semen parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) on the day of oocyte recovery.

RESULTS: In total, 120 couples completed the study and were subdivided into fertilized (n=87) and non-fertilized couples (n=33). The fertilized couples were further classified into pregnant (n=48) and non-pregnant (n=39) couples. Compared to non-fertilized and non-pregnant couples, fertilized and pregnant couples showed statistically significantly higher sperm viability and percentage of normal sperm morphology, as well as significantly lower sperm DFI values. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of data from the 120 ICSI cycles showed that sperm viability, normal sperm morphology percentages, and sperm DFI were significant prognostic indicators of fertilization at cutoff values of 40%, 7%, and 46%, respectively. A sperm DFI of 46% showed sensitivity and specificity of 95% and 90%, respectively, for predicting fertilization, and no clinical pregnancies occurred in couples with a sperm DFI above 46%.

CONCLUSION: Semen parameters from the ICSI day sample, especially sperm viability, normal morphology, and DFI, had an impact on fertilization and pregnancy outcomes in ICSI cycles.

PMID:33648046 | DOI:10.5653/cerm.2020.03965

Pediatr Obes. 2021 Mar 1:e12781. doi: 10.1111/ijpo.12781. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There are concerns that fruit juice and milk contribute to childhood obesity.

OBJECTIVE: Determine the relationship between fruit juice and milk intakes and body mass index (BMI) change among preadolescents/adolescents.

METHODS: Participants aged 9 to 16 years old from the Growing Up Today Study II completed surveys including validated food frequency questionnaires in 2004, 2006 and 2008. The contributions of one serving of juice or milk to total energy intake and 2-year change in BMI were evaluated using multiple linear regression. Additional analyses were conducted with subgroups of juice (orange juice and other fruit juice) and milk (low fat and high fat). Missing values for BMI were imputed using a multiple imputation approach, after which data from 8173 participants and 13 717 2-year interval observations were analysed.

RESULTS: Baseline fruit juice consumption was inversely associated with BMI change in girls (β = -.102 kg/m² , SE = 0.038, P value = .008) but not boys after controlling for race, age, baseline BMI, and baseline and 2-year changes in total energy intake and physical activity. Orange juice was inversely associated with BMI change among girls (β = -.137 kg/m² , SE = 0.053, P value = .010) while other fruit juice, low fat and high fat milk were not associated with BMI change.

CONCLUSION: Orange juice was inversely associated with 2-year BMI change among preadolescent/adolescent girls but not boys and there were no significant associations with other juices or milk among either gender.

PMID:33648027 | DOI:10.1111/ijpo.12781

J Reconstr Microsurg. 2021 Mar 1. doi: 10.1055/s-0041-1723816. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Approximately half of all patients presenting for autologous breast reconstruction have abdominal scars from prior surgery, the presence of which is considered by some a relative contraindication for abdominally based reconstruction. This meta-analysis examines the impact of prior abdominal surgery on the complication profile of breast reconstruction with abdominally based free tissue transfer.

METHODS: Literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Included studies examined patients with a history of prior abdominal surgery who then underwent abdominally based free flap breast reconstruction. Prior liposuction patients and those with atypical flap designs were excluded. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess study quality. Flap complications included total and partial flap loss, fat necrosis, infection, and reoperation. Donor-site complications included delayed wound healing, infection, seroma, hematoma, and abdominal wall morbidity (hernia, bulge, laxity). Relative risk and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) between groups were calculated. Forest plots, I ² statistic heterogeneity assessments, and publication bias funnel plots were produced. Publication bias was corrected with a trim-and-fill protocol. Overall effects were assessed by fixed-effects and random-effects models.

RESULTS: After inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, 16 articles were included for final review. These included 14 cohort and 2 case-control studies, with 1,656 (46.3%) patients and 2,236 (48.5%) flaps having undergone prior surgery. Meta-analysis showed patients with prior abdominal surgery were significantly more likely to experience donor-site delayed wound healing with a risk ratio of 1.27 (random 95% CI [1.00; 1.61]; I ²= 4) after adjustment for publication bias. No other complications were statistically different between groups.

CONCLUSION: In patients with a history of prior abdominal surgery, abdominally based free tissue transfer is a safe and reliable option. Abdominal scars may slightly increase the risk of delayed donor-site wound healing, which can aid the surgeon in preoperative counseling.

PMID:33648009 | DOI:10.1055/s-0041-1723816

J Health Polit Policy Law. 2021 Feb 22:8893515. doi: 10.1215/03616878-8893515. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT: Understanding the role of drug-related issues in political campaign advertising can provide insight on the salience of this issue and the priorities of candidates for elected office. This study sought to quantify the share of campaign advertising mentioning drugs in the 2012 and 2016 election cycles and to estimate the association between local drug overdose mortality and drug mentions in campaign advertising across US media markets.

METHODS: The analysis used descriptive and spatial statistics to examine geographic variation in campaign advertising mentions of drugs across all 210 US media markets, and it used multivariable regression to assess area-level factors associated with that variation.

FINDINGS: The share of campaign ads mentioning drugs grew from 0.5% in the 2012 election cycle to 1.6% in the 2016 cycle. In the 2016 cycle, ads airing in media markets with overdose mortality rates in the 95th percentile were more than three times as likely to mention drugs as ads airing in areas with overdose mortality rates in the 5th percentile.

CONCLUSIONS: A small proportion of campaign advertising mentioned drug-related issues. In the 2016 cycle, the issue was more prominent in advertising in areas hardest hit by the drug overdose crisis and in advertising for local races.

PMID:33647977 | DOI:10.1215/03616878-8893515

Bioinformatics. 2021 Feb 27:btab136. doi: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btab136. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

MOTIVATION: Many recent advancements in single molecule localisation microscopy exploit the stochastic photo-switching of fluorophores to reveal complex cellular structures beyond the classical diffraction limit. However, this same stochasticity makes counting the number of molecules to high precision extremely challenging, preventing key insight into the cellular structures and processes under observation.

RESULTS: Modelling the photo-switching behaviour of a fluorophore as an unobserved continuous time Markov process transitioning between a single fluorescent and multiple dark states, and fully mitigating for missed blinks and false positives, we present a method for computing the exact probability distribution for the number of observed localisations from a single photo-switching fluorophore. This is then extended to provide the probability distribution for the number of localisations in a dSTORM experiment involving an arbitrary number of molecules. We demonstrate that when training data is available to estimate photoswitching rates, the unknown number of molecules can be accurately recovered from the posterior mode of the number of molecules given the number of localisations. Finally, we demonstrate the method on experimental data by quantifying the number of adapter protein Linker for Activation of T cells (LAT) on the cell surface of the T cell immunological synapse.

AVAILABILITY: Software available at https://github.com/lp1611/mol_count_dstorm.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

PMID:33647949 | DOI:10.1093/bioinformatics/btab136