Nevin Manimala

J Equine Vet Sci. 2021 Oct 29;109:103798. doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103798. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The study investigated between-rider differences in pelvic roll and pitch motion during horseback riding as the horse walked around circles without rein contact (walk on long reins), with rein contact, and with moderate collection. Ten horses were ridden by five riders on left and right 10 m circles, in a partly crossed design, yielding 14 trials. Each trial included each of the three walk variations in both directions. Riders wore an inertial measurement unit (IMU), logging at 100 Hz, dorsally on the pelvis. Pelvic roll and pitch data were split into strides based on data from IMU-sensors on the horse’s hind cannons. Data were analyzed using signal decomposition into the fundamental frequency (the stride frequency) and its first two harmonics. Mixed models accounting for the type of walk were used to analyze how riders differed in roll and pitch pelvic motion in two ways: comparing amplitudes of the frequency components and comparing whole stride mean data. Graphically pelvic pitch showed substantial timing and amplitude differences between riders, and this was confirmed statistically. Pelvic roll timing was similar, but amplitude varied between the riders, both graphically and statistically. Individual rider patterns tended to persist across different horses and all exercises. These results suggest that exercises at walk can be ridden with different pelvis pitch timing, a fact that has so far not been discussed in the equestrian literature. Whether pelvic pitch timing affects the horse’s performance remains to be investigated.

PMID:34920247 | DOI:10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103798

J Thromb Haemost. 2021 Dec 17. doi: 10.1111/jth.15623. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Patients with lower-leg cast immobilization and patients undergoing knee arthroscopy have an increased risk of venous thrombosis (VT). Guidelines are ambiguous about thromboprophylaxis use and individual risk factors for developing VT are often ignored. To assist in VT risk stratification and guide thromboprophylaxis use, various prediction models have been developed. These models depend largely on clinical factors and provide reasonably good C-statistics of around 70%. We explored using protein levels in blood plasma measured by multiplexed quantitative targeted proteomics to predict VT. Our aim was to assess whether a VT risk prediction model based on absolute plasma protein quantification is possible.

METHODS: We used internal standards to quantify proteins in less than 10 μL plasma. We measured 270 proteins in samples from patients scheduled for knee arthroscopy or with lower-leg cast immobilization. The two prospective POT-(K)CAST trails allow complementary views of VT signature in blood, namely pre and post trauma, respectively. From approximately 3,000 patients, 31 patients developed VT who were included and matched with double the number of controls.

RESULTS: Top discriminating proteins between cases and controls included APOC3, APOC4, APOC2, ATRN, F13B, and F2 in knee arthroscopy patients and APOE, SERPINF2, B2M, F13B, AFM, and C1QC in patients with lower-leg cast. A logistic regression model with cross-validation resulted in C-statistics of 88.1% (95%CI: 85.7-90.6%) and 79.6% (95% CI: 77.2-82.0%) for knee arthroscopy and cast immobilization groups respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: Promising C-statistics merit further exploration of the value of proteomic tests for predicting VT risk upon additional validation.

PMID:34919779 | DOI:10.1111/jth.15623

Epilepsia. 2021 Dec 16. doi: 10.1111/epi.17145. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The integration of high-frequency oscillations (HFOs; ripples [80-250 Hz], fast ripples [250-500 Hz]) in epilepsy evaluation is hampered by physiological HFOs, which cannot be reliably differentiated from pathological HFOs. We evaluated whether defining abnormal HFO rates by statistical comparison to region-specific physiological HFO rates observed in the healthy brain improves identification of the epileptic focus and surgical outcome prediction.

METHODS: We detected HFOs in 151 consecutive patients who underwent stereo-electroencephalography and subsequent resective epilepsy surgery at two tertiary epilepsy centers. We compared how HFOs identified the resection cavity and predicted seizure-free outcome using two thresholds from the literature (HFO rate > 1/min; 50% of the total number of a patient’s HFOs) and three thresholds based on normative rates from the Montreal Neurological Institute Open iEEG Atlas (https://mni-open-ieegatlas.

RESEARCH: mcgill.ca/): global Atlas threshold, regional Atlas threshold, and regional + 10% threshold after regional Atlas correction.

RESULTS: Using ripples, the regional + 10% threshold performed best for focus identification (77.3% accuracy, 27% sensitivity, 97.1% specificity, 80.6% positive predictive value [PPV], 78.2% negative predictive value [NPV]) and outcome prediction (69.5% accuracy, 58.6% sensitivity, 76.3% specificity, 60.7% PPV, 74.7% NPV). This was an improvement for focus identification (+1.1% accuracy, +17.0% PPV; p < .001) and outcome prediction (+12.0% sensitivity, +1.0% PPV; p = .05) compared to the 50% threshold. The improvement was particularly marked for foci in cortex, where physiological ripples are frequent (outcome: +35.3% sensitivity, +5.3% PPV; p = .014). In these cases, the regional + 10% threshold outperformed fast ripple rate > 1/min (+3.6% accuracy, +26.5% sensitivity, +21.6% PPV; p < .001) and seizure onset zone (+13.5% accuracy, +29.4% sensitivity, +17.0% PPV; p < .05-.01) for outcome prediction. Normalization did not improve the performance of fast ripples.

SIGNIFICANCE: Defining abnormal HFO rates by statistical comparison to rates in healthy tissue overcomes an important weakness in the clinical use of ripples. It improves focus identification and outcome prediction compared to standard HFO measures, increasing their clinical applicability.

PMID:34919741 | DOI:10.1111/epi.17145

J Clin Lab Anal. 2021 Dec 17:e24180. doi: 10.1002/jcla.24180. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study is to explore the clinical significance of folate receptor-positive circulating tumor cells (FR⁺ CTC) in the early diagnosis and disease progress in patients with breast cancer.

METHODS: Folate receptor-positive circulating tumor cells was enriched from peripheral blood of the patients with immunomagnetic separation method and quantitated by folate receptor on the CTC with the ligand-targeted PCR.

RESULTS: The levels of FR⁺ CTC were significantly higher in breast cancer patients compared with healthy controls. Detective rate of FR⁺ CTC was decreased in 19 of 27 patients underwent the surgery in 2 weeks post-operation compared with pre-operation; statistical analysis showed the difference was significant. We also found that the combination of FR⁺ CTC, CEA, CA125, and CA153 can significantly improve the diagnostic efficiency for breast cancer.

CONCLUSIONS: This study showed the detective rate of FR⁺ CTC is significantly increased in the patients with breast cancer, and the detective level is associated with disease progress.

PMID:34919735 | DOI:10.1002/jcla.24180

Oper Dent. 2021 Dec 17. doi: 10.2341/20-059-LIT. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The following PICO (Patient/Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcomes) question was proposed: “Are retention rates of composite resin restorations in noncarious cervical lesions (NCCLs) when using adhesives considered “gold standard” (OptiBond FL and Clearfil SE Bond) higher than those obtained with other adhesives brands”?

METHODS: A search was performed in February 2019 (updated in November 2019) in the PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, BBO, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Grey Literature, and IADR abstracts (1990-2018); unpublished and ongoing trial registries, dissertations, and theses were also searched. Only randomized clinical trials (RCTs) conducted in NCCLs that compared either OptiBond FL or Clearfil SE Bond adhesive with other commercially available adhesives were included. The risk of bias (RoB) was applied by using the Cochrane Collaboration tool. A meta-analysis was performed for retention rates at different follow-up times using a random effects model for both the adhesives. Heterogeneity was assessed with the Cochran Q test and I2 statistics. Grading of Recommendations: Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) assessed the quality of evidence.

RESULTS: After removal of duplicates and noneligible articles, 25 studies remained for qualitative synthesis, as one study was common to the two adhesives, of which 9 studies were used for the OptiBond FL meta-analysis and 14 for the Clearfil SE Bond meta-analysis. No significant differences were observed for retention rates in follow-up periods of 12-24 months (p=0.97), 36-48 months (p=0.72), or 108-156 months (p=0.73) for OptiBond FL; and for 12-24 months (p=0.10) and 36-48 months (p=0.17) for Clearfil SE Bond. A significant difference was only found for OptiBond FL at 60-96 months (p=0.02), but only three studies were included in this meta-analysis.

CONCLUSIONS: The evidence from available RCTs conducted in NCCLs that compared OptiBond FL or Clearfil SE Bond does not support the widespread concept that these adhesives are better than any other competitive brands available in the dental market.

PMID:34919728 | DOI:10.2341/20-059-LIT

Oper Dent. 2021 Dec 17. doi: 10.2341/20-265-L. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the three-dimensional (3D) changes of three elastomeric impression materials using a novel measurement method for the first 24 hours after preparation.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: Three impression materials consisting of a low-viscosity polyvinyl siloxane (PVS) (Aquasil LV, Dentsply Sirona, Charlotte, NC, USA) and two vinyl polyether silicone (VPES) materials consisting of a light body (EXA’lence LB, GC America, Alsip, IL, USA) and monophase (EXA’lence Monophase, GC America) materials were used in this study. All materials were prepared following manufacturer’s recommendations with approximately 1-2 millimeters of material placed on the measurement pedestal of a calibrated noncontact, video imaging based, volumetric change measuring device (AcuVol ver 2.5.9, Bisco, Schaumburg, IL, USA). Data collection was initiated immediately, with measurements made every 30 seconds for 24 hours. Each material was evaluated 10 times (n=10). Evaluated parameters included were 24-hour mean shrinkage, mean shrinkage at time of recommended first pour, mean shrinkage between recommended first pour and 24 hours, mean maximum shrinkage, and the time of maximum shrinkage. Mean data, both within and between each group, was evaluated using Kruskal-Wallis/Dunn’s tests at a 95% level of confidence (α=0.05).

RESULTS: All three materials were found to have significant differences (p<0.001) in volumetric shrinkage over 24 hours. Aquasil LV and EXA’lence LB polymerization shrinkage rates were statistically similar all through the 24-hour evaluation (p=0.92). All three materials demonstrated similar (p=0.19) shrinkage between 10 and 15 minutes after preparation, while between 5 and 16 hours both EXA’lence Monophase and low-viscosity materials demonstrated similar polymerization shrinkage values (p=0.22). EXA’lence Monophase demonstrated significantly greater 24-hour mean shrinkage (p<0.008) as well as shrinkage between recommended first pour time and 24 hours (p=0.003) than Aquasil LV and EXA’lence LB. EXA’lence Monophase demonstrated significantly greater (p=0.002) shrinkage at the recommended time of first pour as compared to Aquasil LV and EXA’lence LB that displayed similar shrinkage (p=0.89). Furthermore, all materials demonstrated increasing polymerization shrinkage values that reached a maximum between 16 for Aquasil LV and 20 hours for EXA’lence LB, after which some relaxation behavior was observed. However, EXA’lence Monophase did not display any relaxation behavior over the 24-hour evaluation.

CONCLUSIONS: Under the conditions of this study, volumetric polymerization shrinkage was observed for one polyvinyl siloxane (PVS) and two vinyl polyether silicone (VPES) materials for up to 24 hours. All impression materials exhibited fast early volumetric shrinkage that continued past the manufacturer’s recommended removal time. Dimensional change behavior was not uniform within or between groups; resultant volume change between the manufacturer recommended pouring time and 24 hours might represent up to from 20% to 30% of the total material shrinkage. It may be prudent to pour elastomeric impressions at the earliest time possible following the manufacturer’s recommendations.

PMID:34919709 | DOI:10.2341/20-265-L

Hum Mol Genet. 2021 Dec 17:ddab361. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddab361. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Understanding the genetic effects on non-coding RNA (ncRNA) expression facilitates functional characterization of disease-associated genetic loci. Among several classes of ncRNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs) are key post-transcriptional gene regulators. Despite its biological importance, previous studies on the genetic architecture of miRNA expression focused mostly on the European individuals, underrepresented in other populations. Here, we mapped miRNA expression quantitative trait loci (miRNA-eQTL) for 343 miRNAs in 141 Japanese using small RNA sequencing (sRNA-seq) and whole-genome sequencing (WGS), identifying 1275 cis-miRNA-eQTL variants for 40 miRNAs (false discovery rate < 0.2). Of these, 25 miRNAs having eQTL were unreported in the European studies, including 5 miRNAs with their lead variant monomorphic in the European populations, which demonstrates the value of miRNA-eQTL analysis in diverse ancestral populations. MiRNAs with eQTL effect showed allele-specific expression (ASE) (e.g. miR-146a-3p), and ASE analysis further detected cis-regulatory variants not captured by the conventional miRNA-eQTL mapping (e.g. miR-933). We identified a copy number variation (CNV) associated with miRNA expression (e.g. miR-570-3p, P = 7.2 × 10-6), which contributes to a more comprehensive landscape of miRNA-eQTLs. To elucidate a post-transcriptional modification in miRNAs, we created a catalog of miRNA-editing sites, including ten canonical and six non-canonical sites. Finally, by integrating the miRNA-eQTLs and Japanese genome-wide association studies of 25 complex traits (mean n = 192 833), we conducted a transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS), identifying miR-1908-5p as a potential mediator for adult height, colorectal cancer, and type 2 diabetes (P < 9.1 × 10-5). Our study broadens the population diversity in ncRNA-eQTL studies and contributes to functional annotation of disease-associated loci found in non-European populations.

PMID:34919704 | DOI:10.1093/hmg/ddab361

J AOAC Int. 2021 Dec 17:qsab165. doi: 10.1093/jaoacint/qsab165. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The NEMIS Technologies N-LightTM L. monocytogenes assay utilizes chemiluminescence designed for the qualitative detection of Listeria monocytogenes from environmental surface samples.

OBJECTIVE: To validate the NEMIS Technologies N-LightTM L. monocytogenes assay as part of the AOAC Performance Tested MethodSM Program for the detection of L. monocytogenes on stainless steel, plastic (polystyrene) and ceramic environmental surfaces.

METHODS: Using the Vitl Life Science Solutions Lu-mini luminometer, the NEMIS Technologies N-LightTM L. monocytogenes assay was compared to the ISO 11290-1:2017: Microbiology of the Food Chain-Horizontal method for the detection and enumeration of Listeria monocytogenes and of Listeria spp. – Part 1 using a 1″ x 1″ stainless steel test area in an unpaired study design.

RESULTS: The NEMIS Technologies N-LightTM L. monocytogenes assay using the Vitl Life Science Solutions Lu-mini luminometer demonstrated no statistically significant differences between presumptive and confirmed results or between candidate and reference method results. Data for additional PTM studies met acceptance criteria requirements.

CONCLUSIONS: The NEMIS Technologies N-LightTM L. monocytogenes assay is an effective method for the qualitative detection of L. monocytogenes from stainless steel, plastic (polystyrene) and ceramic environmental surface samples.

HIGHLIGHTS: The NEMIS method is the first chemiluminescence detection system based on a novel, patented, dioxetane compound.

PMID:34919698 | DOI:10.1093/jaoacint/qsab165

J Anim Sci. 2021 Dec 17:skab368. doi: 10.1093/jas/skab368. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the most economically significant disease for cattle producers in the U.S. Cattle with advanced lung lesions at harvest have reduced average daily gain, yield grades and carcass quality outcomes. The identification of biomarkers and clinical signs that accurately predict lung lesions could benefit livestock producers in determining a BRD prognosis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves are graphical plots that illustrate the diagnostic ability of a biomarker or clinical sign. Previously we used the area under the ROC curve (AUC) to identify cortisol, hair cortisol and infrared thermography imaging as having acceptable (AUC > 0.7) diagnostic accuracy for detecting pain in cattle. Herein, we used ROC curves to assess the sensitivity and specificity of biomarkers and clinical signs associated with lung lesions after experimentally induced bovine respiratory disease (BRD). We hypothesized pain biomarkers and clinical signs assessed at specific timepoints after induction of BRD could be used to predict lung consolidation at necropsy. Lung consolidation of >10% was retrospectively assigned at necropsy as a true positive indicator of BRD. Calves with a score of <10% were considered negative for BRD. The biomarkers and clinical signs analyzed were serum cortisol; infrared thermography (IRT); mechanical nociceptive threshold (MNT); substance P; kinematic gait analysis; a visual analog scale (VAS); clinical illness score (CIS); computerized lung score (CLS); average activity levels; prostaglandin E2 metabolite (PGEM); serum amyloid A and rectal temperature. A total of 5,122 biomarkers and clinical signs were collected from 26 calves, eighteen of which were inoculated with M. haemolytica. All statistics were performed using JMP Pro 14.0. Results comparing calves with significant lung lesions to those without yielded the best diagnostic accuracy (AUC > 0.75) for right front stride length at 0 h; gait velocity at 32 h; VAS, CIS, average activity and rumination levels, step count and rectal temperature, all at 48 h; PGEM at 72 h; gait distance at 120 h; cortisol at 168 h; and IRT, right front force and serum amyloid A, all at 192 h. These results show ROC analysis can be a useful indicator of the predictive value of pain biomarkers and clinical signs in cattle with induced bacterial pneumonia. AUC values for VAS score, average activity levels, step count, and rectal temperature seemed to yield good diagnostic accuracy (AUC > 0.75) at multiple timepoints while MNT values, substance P concentrations, and CLS did not (all AUC values < 0.75).

PMID:34919697 | DOI:10.1093/jas/skab368

J Nutr. 2021 Dec 17:nxab425. doi: 10.1093/jn/nxab425. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Rice biofortification with Zinc (Zn) can improve the Zn status of rice-consuming populations. However, the metabolic impact in humans consuming Zn biofortified rice is unknown.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of Zn biofortified rice on lipid metabolism in normolipidemic men.

DESIGN: The men consumed a rice-based diet containing 6 mg Zn/d and 1.5 g phytate (phytate:Zn ratio = 44) for 2 weeks (wk) followed by a 10 mg Zn/d diet without phytate for 4 wk. An ad libitum diet supplemented with 25 mg Zn/d was then fed for 3 wk. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and at the end of each metabolic period for measuring plasma zinc, glucose, insulin, triglyceride (TG), low- and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, fatty acids, oxylipins, and fatty acid desaturase activities. Statistical differences were assessed by linear mixed model.

RESULTS: FADS1 activity decreased by 29.1% (P = 0.007) when the 6 mg Zn/d diet was consumed for 2 wk. This change was associated with significant decreases in HDL-c and LDL-c. The alterations in FADS1, HDL-c and TG remained unchanged when Zn intakes were increased to 10 mg/d for 4 wk. Supplementation with 25 mg Zn/d for 3 wk normalized these metabolic changes and significantly increased LDL-c at the end of this metabolic period compared to baseline. FADS1 activity was inversely correlated with FADS2 (rmcorr = -0.52; P = 0.001) and TG (rmcorr = -0.55; P = 0.001) at all timepoints.

CONCLUSION: A low zinc, high phytate rice-based diet reduced plasma HDL-c concentrations and altered fatty acid profiles in healthy men within 2 wk. Consuming 10 mg Zn/d without phytate for 4 wk did not improve the lipid profiles, but a 25 mg Zn/d supplement corrects these alterations in lipid metabolism within 3 wk. Registration: Clinical Trials.gov: NCT02861352.

PMID:34919682 | DOI:10.1093/jn/nxab425