Nevin Manimala

Environ Monit Assess. 2021 Mar 24;193(4):219. doi: 10.1007/s10661-021-09013-1.

ABSTRACT

Hongjiannao groundwater exchange was the largest desert freshwater lake in China (57.25 km² in 1986). However, it shrank sharply over the past 34a (1986-2019), with the smallest lake area 31.41 km² in 2015. The objective of this study was to use the Landsat images, ASTER GDEM V2 data, and meteorology and statistics data, in combination with the water balance model to calculate the dynamics of water balance elements, quantify and characterize the interannual variations in lake-groundwater exchanges, and analyze its influencing factors by using the geographical detector. The results showed that in the stable stage (1986-1997), the average rate of the lake area, water level, and lake volume change was -0.26 km²/a, -0.0483 m/a, and -0.0009 km³/a, respectively. Precipitation, river inflow, and groundwater were 0.0203 km³, 0.0485 km³, and 0.0098 km³, which accounts for the whole input were 25.83%, 61.70%, and 12.47%, respectively; evaporation was 0.0786 km³. In the reduction stage (1998-2015), the average rate of the lake area, water level, and lake volume change was -1.21 km²/a, -0.2422 m/a, and -0.0101 km³/a, respectively. Before 2006, precipitation, river inflow, and groundwater were 0.0154 km³, 0.0475 km³, and -0.0025 km³, respectively; from 2006 to 2009, precipitation, river inflow, and groundwater were 0.0143 km³, 0.0334 km³, and 0.0058 km³, respectively; after 2009, precipitation, river inflow, and groundwater were 0.0139 km³, 0.0199 km³, and 0.0085 km³, respectively. Evaporation decreased from 0.0714 to 0.0480 km³ from 1998 to 2015. In the growth stage (2016-2019), the average rate of the lake area, water level, and lake volume change were 1.38 km²/a, 0.27 m/a, and 0.0088 km³/a, respectively. Precipitation, river inflow, and groundwater were 0.0209 km³, 0.0005 km³, and 0.0373 km³, which accounts for the whole input were 46.63%, 52.12%, and 1.25%, respectively; evaporation was 0.0187 km³. Compared with the stable stage, groundwater in the growth stage reduced from 12.47% (0.0098 km³) to only 1.25% (0.0005 km³). From 1998 to 2004, Hongjiannao Lake experienced continuous losing conditions (discharge from the lake to groundwater), with a variable exchange volume of up to -0.01582 km³ in 1999. Through geographical detector analysis, it was found that temperature was the dominant factor from 1988 to 1997, while human factors were the dominant factors from 1998 to 2015.

PMID:33760989 | DOI:10.1007/s10661-021-09013-1

Surg Endosc. 2021 Mar 24. doi: 10.1007/s00464-021-08447-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Perforated gastrojejunal ulcers are a known complication following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery requiring emergent surgical repair. The robotic approach has not been evaluated for emergency general surgery.

METHODS: A retrospective cohort study from 2015 to 2019 was performed identifying all patients who underwent repair of perforated gastrojejunal ulcers after RYGB at a single institution. Patient characteristics and outcomes were compared by robotic or laparoscopic approach.

RESULTS: Of the 44 patients analyzed, there were 24 robotic and 20 laparoscopic repairs of perforated gastrojejunal ulcers. No patients were initially approached with open surgery. In-room-to-surgery-start time was significantly faster in the robotic group than the laparoscopic group (25 versus 31 min, p = 0.01). Complication rate, complication severity, operating time, hospital length of stay, postoperative vasopressor requirement, discharge to home, hospital length of stay and 30-day readmission were all improved in the robotic group, although these were not statistically significant. Both total inpatient and procedural costs were more in the robotic group than the laparoscopic group.

CONCLUSION: Perforated hollow viscus is not a contraindication for the use of the surgical robot, which may improve outcomes.

PMID:33760973 | DOI:10.1007/s00464-021-08447-5

J Mol Evol. 2021 Mar 24. doi: 10.1007/s00239-021-10003-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Proteins can evolve by accumulating changes on amino acid sequences. These changes are mainly caused by missense mutations on its DNA coding sequences. Mutations with neutral or positive effects on fitness can be maintained while deleterious mutations tend to be eliminated by natural selection. Amino acid changes are influenced by the biophysical, chemical, and biological properties of amino acids. There is a multiplicity of amino acid properties that can influence the function and expression of proteins. Amino acid properties can be expressed into numerical indexes, which can help to predict functional and structural aspects of proteins and allow statistical inferences of selection pressure on amino acid usage. The accuracy of these analyses may be compromised by the existence of several numerical indexes that measure the same amino acid property, and the lack of objective parameters to determine the most accurate and biologically relevant index. In the present study, the gradient consistency test was used in order to estimate the magnitude of directional selection imparted by amino acid biochemical and biophysical properties on protein evolution.

PMID:33760966 | DOI:10.1007/s00239-021-10003-7

Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2021 Mar 24. doi: 10.1007/s00167-021-06537-4. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Extensor mechanism ruptures (EMR) of the knee are rare but debilitating injuries that always require surgery to restore knee function. The purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature to ascertain the rate of return to play following patellar or quadriceps tendon ruptures.

METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted based on PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, using the EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library databases. Inclusion criteria consisted of clinical studies reporting on return to play after patellar or quadriceps tendon repair. Statistical analysis was performed with the use of SPSS.

RESULTS: Our review found 48 studies including 1135 cases meeting our inclusion criteria. There were 33 studies including 757 patellar tendon (PT) repairs, and 18 studies including 378 quadriceps tendon (QT) repairs. The overall rate of return to play for PT repairs was 88.9%, with 80.8% returning to the same level of play. The overall rate of return to play for QT repairs was 89.8%, with 70.0% returning to the same level of play. Among professional athletes, the overall rate of return to play after PT repair and QT repair was 76.9% and 70.9%, respectively. Following PT repair, 95.8% were able to return to work, and following QT repair, 95.9% were able to return to work.

CONCLUSION: The overall rate of return to play was high following both PT and QT repairs. Moreover, a high percentage of those patients were able to return to their pre-operative level of sport with a low risk for re-rupture.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

PMID:33760963 | DOI:10.1007/s00167-021-06537-4

J Dent Educ. 2021 Mar 23. doi: 10.1002/jdd.12596. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: Dentistry is a challenging profession, subjecting students to various stressors which can affect well-being. This study in 2019 investigates the relationship between stress and work-life balance in dental students at University of Birmingham and The University of Hong Kong, from two different countries.

METHODS: Online anonymous questionnaires were completed by 54 students from Birmingham and 48 students from Hong Kong. Ethical approval was gained by both centres. Quantitative and qualitative data were captured with Likert scales and open questions. Using simple descriptive statistics in SPSS, Pearson chi-square tests determined statistical significance between categorical and quantitative variables (p < 0.05).

RESULTS: The majority of students from University of Birmingham (38.9%) felt “extremely stressed,” whereas the majority of students from The University of Hong Kong (45.8%) only felt “slightly stressed” (p < 0.001). Exercise and emotional support appeared to be positive approaches for stress relief. Hong Kong dental students (68.8%) reported a good work-life balance compared to significantly fewer students (24.1%) in University of Birmingham (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Major stressors in this study included examinations and fear of failure. Students found that hobbies and extracurricular activities contributed to a healthier lifestyle. A better work-life balance reduced reported stress levels.

PMID:33759460 | DOI:10.1002/jdd.12596

J Mother Child. 2021 Jan 29;23(3):172-177. doi: 10.34763/devperiodmed.20192303.172177.

ABSTRACT

AIM OF THE STUDY: To determine the impact of lung ultrasonography as an imaging method used to diagnose and monitor newborns with symptomatic pneumothorax and to assess the risk factors for pneumothorax and the outcomes in newborns with symptomatic pneumothorax.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A single-centre retrospective study enrolled patients born after 32 weeks of gestation, with a diagnosis of pneumothorax in the first week of life. The 118 patients who were included in the study were divided into two groups. Group A (51 infants) comprised those children who were treated between 2007 and 2010, while group B (n=67) those from the years 2013 to 2016. The children from group A were monitored with repeated chest X-rays. Those from group B received repeated lung ultrasonography supported by chest X-ray in those cases where there was diagnostic uncertainty. Comparison was made between the groups with respect to pneumothorax risk factors, treatment methods and the use of imaging during the period of treatment. The statistical analysis used χ2, Mann-Whitney and Student’s t-tests.

RESULTS: There were no significant demographic or clinical differences between the two groups. Both the use of nCPAP (nasal continuous positive airway pressure) (p<0.001) and diagnosed perinatal asphyxia (p=0.036) were higher in group B. Congenital pneumonia occurred more often in group A (p=0.041). Earlier detection of pneumothorax (p=0.001) and shorter hospital stay (p=0.03) were observed in group B. However, the total number of imaging (lung ultrasound and chest X-ray combined) was higher (p<0.001) in group B.

CONCLUSION: This study confirmed the usefulness of lung ultrasound in monitoring newborns with pneumothorax, moreover significantly limiting X-ray radiation.

PMID:33759427 | DOI:10.34763/devperiodmed.20192303.172177

J Mother Child. 2021 Jan 29;23(2):109-116. doi: 10.34763/devperiodmed.20192302.109116.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Self-rated health (SRH), an indicator which is extensively used in population studies, constitutes a measure of health closely linked to morbidity, mortality and overall health status and enjoys popularity in surveys monitoring adolescents. Most studies show that at puberty girls assess their health as worse than boys do, and the difference widens with age. Moreover, puberty is a crucial period for health, since it is the time when health risk behaviours are often initiated or become established.

AIM: To analyse the associations between high scores on self-rated health among 15-year-old girls, participants of the Healthy Me programme, and their selected health behaviours.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study covered a group of 1173 second-grade female students from 48 lower secondary schools located in rural and urban areas of 16 voivodeships all over Poland. The participants answered questions about chronic diseases or disability, self-rated health, diet, leisure activities, physical activity and health risk behaviours. In the statistical analysis, the association between self-rated health and individual indicators of health behaviour was examined using logistic regression.

RESULTS: Two thirds of the girls assessed their health as excellent or good. Only approximately 5% of the respondents made the “extreme negative” assessment. In the final multivariate analysis, five factors remained important predictors of high self-rated health scores: regular participation in physical education classes, vigorous physical activity, daily breakfast consumption, consumption of fruit at least once a day and sleep for at least 8 hours a day.

CONCLUSIONS: Regularparticipation in physical education classes, vigorousphysical activity, consumption of breakfast and fruit every day, as well as sleep for at least 8 hours a day are powerful predictors of high scores on self-rated health of 15-year-old adolescent girls.Public health activities aimed at adolescents should focus on the positive aspects of health and a lifestyle paying special attention on pro health behaviours.

PMID:33759409 | DOI:10.34763/devperiodmed.20192302.109116

J Mother Child. 2021 Jan 29;23(2):117-124. doi: 10.34763/devperiodmed.20192302.117124.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare the advantages of semi-elevated and side-lying positioning during bottle-feeding of preterm infants ≤34 weeks gestational age (34+0/7).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included six neonates (n=6) bom ≤34 weeks gestational age who reached the age ≥32 weeks of postmenstrual age on the day when the study began and were hospitalized in the neonatology ward. Four bottle-feeding sessions were tested in each of the newborns: two in the side-lying and two in the semi-elevated position. The position for the first test was chosen randomly. For each of the positions twelve feeding sessions were examined and each preterm infant hod bottle-feeding sessions analyzed both in the semi-elevated and side-lying positions. The level of saturation and heart rate were measured as the parameters indicative of the newborn’s physiological stability. The factors determining the qualitative aspect of feeding included the level of the newborn’s alertness and the occurrence of choking episodes. The amount of food consumed and the duration of the feeding were also recorded.

RESULTS: The side-lying position was more effective with regard to the totol amount of sustenance consumed as compared to the semi-elevated feeding position and the study result was statistically significant (p=0.007). The difference in the number of chokes between the study groups was not statistically significant, although a trend towards a reduced number of choking episodes was observed among infants fed in the side-lying position (p=0.090). There were no significant differences in oxygen saturation, heart rate and level of activity between the study groups.

CONCLUSIONS: The effects of this pilot study demonstrate the efficacy of the side-lying feeding position regarding the final amount of milk intake. The side-lying position may also reduce the number of choking episodes during the feeding. The results suggest the need to extend the study in order to confirm the potential benefits of using the side-lying position.

PMID:33759406 | DOI:10.34763/devperiodmed.20192302.117124

Brain Behav. 2021 Mar 23:e01880. doi: 10.1002/brb3.1880. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) affects a large percentage of Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients, and it is enhanced by dopamine agonist drugs. Currently, there is no treatment of choice for EDS in PD. Our aim was to check the clinical impression that some patients who were given selegiline, a selective inhibitor of monoamine oxidase B, experienced an improvement in their daytime somnolence.

METHODS: In the present study, we retrospectively identified 45 Parkinson’s disease patients (21 females and 24 males) among those referred to the PD Center in Varese that (a) showed excessive daytime sleepiness, usually developed after the introduction of a dopamine agonist, (b) were given selegiline 10 mg to improve their treatment schedule independently of excessive sleepiness, and (c) in whom the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the Parkinson’s Disease Sleep Scale (PDSS) scores were available both before and 3 months after the introduction of selegiline.

RESULTS: We compared the corresponding scores (ESS, PDSS, and UPDRS III) evaluated before and 3 months after the introduction of selegiline by the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test: The differences showed a statistically significant improvement of somnolence but no change in the UPDRS III scores.

CONCLUSION: Despite some limitations, our data suggest that selegiline may be a valuable add-on therapy in PD patients to reduce their daytime somnolence.

PMID:33759401 | DOI:10.1002/brb3.1880

Int J Numer Method Biomed Eng. 2021 Mar 24:e3458. doi: 10.1002/cnm.3458. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This paper shows how to obtain in addition to the standard deviations available after a data assimilation procedure based on the ensemble Kalman filter, an apportioning of the total uncertainty in the outputs of a patient-specific blood flow model into small portions of uncertainty due to input parameters. Statistical indicators generally used for identifying the importance of numerical parameters, namely the Sobol’ first order and total indices, are introduced and discussed. These allow the identification of the importance rank of the different input parameters for the patient-specific blood flow model, as well as the influence of the interactions between these parameters on the model output variance. The results show that knowing the importance rank of the model input parameters during the assimilation procedure is useful to avoid unnecessary over-solving and to find a suitable stopping criterion in clinical situations where faster diagnosis is always requested. Indeed, the work permits to reduce typically by a factor of six the time to solution and most importantly with very limited extra calculation using already available information. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:33759369 | DOI:10.1002/cnm.3458