Nevin Manimala

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2022 Feb 5. doi: 10.1111/jdv.17986. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) following Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) among patients with diabetes is largely unknown.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate diabetes as a potential SSI risk factor in MMS by comparing SSI incidence in a cohort of patients with and without diabetes.

METHODS: 5-year retrospective review to determine SSI rate in patients with diabetes compared to patients without diabetes. SSI incidence in patients with diabetes was further compared by A1c, and the impact of antibiotics on SSI rate was also examined.

RESULTS: Overall rate of SSI was 1.47% (53/3,597 cases). SSI rate among patients with diabetes was 1.95% (14/719 cases) compared to 1.35% (39/2,878 cases) in patients without diabetes, with a non-significant odds ratio for SSI of 1.45 (95% CI = 0.78-2.68, p = 0.241). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed no difference in SSI. Stratification of diabetic patients by A1c into ≥7.0 and <7.0 compared to patients without diabetes yielded no statistically significant difference in SSI among all groups (p = 0.815). Whether an antibiotic was prescribed did not significantly impact SSI rate between groups.

CONCLUSION: No significant difference in postoperative SSI was found in patients with diabetes compared to patients without diabetes following MMS regardless of degree of glycemic control.

PMID:35122334 | DOI:10.1111/jdv.17986

Dig Endosc. 2022 Feb 4. doi: 10.1111/den.14244. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Three high-risk flat and depressed lesions (FDLs), laterally spreading tumors non-granular type (LST-NG), depressed lesions, and large sessile serrated lesions (SSLs), are highly attributable to post-colonoscopy colorectal cancer (CRC). Efficient and organized educational programs on detecting high-risk FDLs are lacking. We aimed to explore whether a web-based educational intervention with training on FIND clues (fold deformation, intensive stool/mucus attachment, no vessel visibility, and demarcated reddish area) may improve the ability to detect high-risk FDLs.

METHODS: This was an international web-based randomized control trial that enrolled non-expert endoscopists in 13 Asian countries. The participants were randomized into either education or non-education group. All participants took the pre-test and post-test to read 60 endoscopic images (40 high-risk FDL, 5 polypoid, 15 no lesions) and answered whether there was a lesion. Only the education group received a self-education program (video and training questions and answers) between the tests. The primary outcome was a detection rate of high-risk FDLs.

RESULTS: In total, 284 participants were randomized. After excluding non-responders, the final data analyses were based on 139 participants in the education group and 130 in the non-education group. The detection rate of high-risk FDLs in the education group significantly improved by 14.7% (66.6% to 81.3%) compared with -0.8% (70.8% to 70.0%) in the non-education group. Similarly, the detection rate of LST-NG, depressed lesions, and large SSLs significantly increased only in the education group by 12.7%, 12.0%, and 21.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSION: Short self-education focusing on detecting high-risk FDLs was effective for Asian non-expert endoscopists. (UMIN000042348).

PMID:35122323 | DOI:10.1111/den.14244

Cogn Sci. 2022 Feb;46(2):e13102. doi: 10.1111/cogs.13102.

ABSTRACT

How does prior linguistic knowledge modulate learning in verbal auditory statistical learning (SL) tasks? Here, we address this question by assessing to what extent the frequency of syllabic co-occurrences in the learners’ native language determines SL performance. We computed the frequency of co-occurrences of syllables in spoken Spanish through a transliterated corpus, and used this measure to construct two artificial familiarization streams. One stream was constructed by embedding pseudowords with high co-occurrence frequency in Spanish (“Spanish-like” condition), the other by embedding pseudowords with low co-occurrence frequency (“Spanish-unlike” condition). Native Spanish-speaking participants listened to one of the two streams, and were tested in an old/new identification task to examine their ability to discriminate the embedded pseudowords from foils. Our results show that performance in the verbal auditory SL (ASL) task was significantly influenced by the frequency of syllabic co-occurrences in Spanish: When the embedded pseudowords were more “Spanish-like,” participants were better able to identify them as part of the stream. These findings demonstrate that learners’ task performance in verbal ASL tasks changes as a function of the artificial language’s similarity to their native language, and highlight how linguistic prior knowledge biases the learning of regularities.

PMID:35122322 | DOI:10.1111/cogs.13102

J Clin Lab Anal. 2022 Feb 5:e24258. doi: 10.1002/jcla.24258. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Calprotectin is a calcium-binding protein that can be measured in serum, plasma, and feces. Increased serum and plasma calprotectin concentrations have been found in chronic inflammatory rheumatic disorders. An analytical and clinical evaluation of the DiaSorin Liaison® fecal Calprotectin assay using LIAISON® XL was performed.

METHODS: The protocol included an analytical and clinical evaluation in which imprecision, the linearity of dilution, differences between serum and plasma samples and method comparison with CalproLab™ ELISA kit were assessed. Serum calprotectin concentrations in active (n = 26) and remission (n = 23) rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients were compared.

RESULTS: The intra-day and inter-day analytical imprecision CVs ranged from 2.9% to 4.0% and 2.7% to 10.4%, respectively. Correlation between measured and expected values was high (R > 0.99), indicating good linearity. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed that serum and plasma matched samples presented statistically significant differences (p < 0.001) being the highest concentrations of calprotectin observed in serum samples. Deming regression equation was as follows: Diasorin calprotectin (μg/ml) = -0.32 (95% CI: -0.65 – -0.05) +1.58 (95% CI: 1.42-1.79).* Calprolab calprotectin (μg/ml). Significantly higher serum calprotectin levels were found in RA patients with active disease when compared to patients with low disease activity or in clinical remission (mean ± SD) [(3.35 μg/ml ± 1.55) vs. (1.63 μg/ml ± 0.52), p < 0.001] and these levels correlated well with all disease activity indices.

CONCLUSIONS: The DiaSorin Liaison® fecal Calprotectin assay adapted for serum samples showed adequate technical performances and the clinical performances were similar to other assays.

PMID:35122317 | DOI:10.1002/jcla.24258

Cogn Sci. 2022 Feb;46(2):e13100. doi: 10.1111/cogs.13100.

ABSTRACT

Humans have the ability to learn surprisingly complicated statistical information in a variety of modalities and situations, often based on relatively little input. These statistical learning (SL) skills appear to underlie many kinds of learning, but despite their ubiquity, we still do not fully understand precisely what SL is and what individual differences on SL tasks reflect. Here, we present experimental work suggesting that at least some individual differences arise from stimulus-specific variation in perceptual fluency: the ability to rapidly or efficiently code and remember the stimuli that SL occurs over. Experiment 1 demonstrates that participants show improved SL when the stimuli are simple and familiar; Experiment 2 shows that this improvement is not evident for simple but unfamiliar stimuli; and Experiment 3 shows that for the same stimuli (Chinese characters), SL is higher for people who are familiar with them (Chinese speakers) than those who are not (English speakers matched on age and education level). Overall, our findings indicate that performance on a standard SL task varies substantially within the same (visual) modality as a function of whether the stimuli involved are familiar or not, independent of stimulus complexity. Moreover, test-retest correlations of performance in an SL task using stimuli of the same level of familiarity (but distinct items) are stronger than correlations across the same task with stimuli of different levels of familiarity. Finally, we demonstrate that SL performance is predicted by an independent measure of stimulus-specific perceptual fluency that contains no SL component at all. Our results suggest that a key component of SL performance may be related to stimulus-specific processing and familiarity.

PMID:35122313 | DOI:10.1111/cogs.13100

Cogn Sci. 2022 Feb;46(2):e13093. doi: 10.1111/cogs.13093.

ABSTRACT

Prior research suggests that visual features of the classroom environment (e.g., charts and posters) are potential sources of distraction hindering children’s ability to maintain attention to instructional activities and reducing learning gains in a laboratory classroom. However, prior research only examined short-term exposure to elements of classroom décor, and it remains unknown whether children habituate to the visual environment with repeated exposure. In study 1, we explored experimentally the possibility that children may habituate to the visual environment if the visual displays are static. We measured kindergarten children’s patterns of attention allocation in a decorated classroom environment over a 2-week period and compared the percentage of time children spent off-task to a baseline condition in which the classroom environment was streamlined (i.e., charts, posters, and manipulatives were removed). The findings indicate that with more prolonged exposure to a static visual environment, partial habitation effects were observed: Attention to the environment declined at the end of the exposure period compared to the beginning of the study; however, the environment remained a significant source of off-task behavior even after 2 weeks of exposure. In study 2, we extend this work by conducting a longitudinal observation of six primary classrooms in which we measured children’s patterns of attention allocation in real classrooms for 15 weeks to investigate whether increasing familiarity with the classroom décor would influence attention toward the visual environment. No evidence of habituation was observed in genuine classrooms in study 2. Potential implications for classroom design and future directions are discussed.

PMID:35122312 | DOI:10.1111/cogs.13093

Cogn Sci. 2022 Feb;46(2):e13094. doi: 10.1111/cogs.13094.

ABSTRACT

Children with developmental language disorder (DLD) served as a test case for determining the role of extant vocabulary knowledge, endogenous attention, and phonological working memory abilities in cross-situational word learning. First-graders (M_age = 7 years; 3 months), 44 with typical development (TD) and 28 with DLD, completed a cross-situational word-learning task comprised six cycles, followed by retention tests and independent assessments of attention, memory, and vocabulary. Children with DLD scored lower than those with TD on all measures of learning and retention, a performance gap that emerged in the first cycle of the cross-situational protocol and that we attribute to weaknesses in initial encoding. Over cycles, children with DLD learned words at a similar rate as their TD peers but they were less flexible in their strategy use, demonstrating a propose-but-verify approach but never a statistical aggregation approach. Also, they drew upon different mechanisms to support their learning. Attention played a greater role for the children with DLD, whereas extant vocabulary size played a greater role for the children with TD. Children navigate the problem space of cross-situational learning via varied routes. This conclusion is offered as motivation for theorists to capture all learners, not just the most typical ones.

PMID:35122309 | DOI:10.1111/cogs.13094

Artif Organs. 2022 Feb 4. doi: 10.1111/aor.14193. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) use in the United States occurs often in cardiothoracic ICUs (CTICU). It is unknown how it varies across ICU types.

METHODS: We identified 10,893 ECMO runs from the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) Registry across 2018 and 2019. Primary outcome was ECMO case volume by ICU type (CTICU vs. non-CTICU). Adjusting for pre-ECMO characteristics and case mix, secondary outcomes were on-ECMO physiologic variables by ICU location stratified by support type.

RESULTS: CTICU ECMO occurred in 65.1% and 55.1% (2018 and 2019) of total runs. A minority of total runs related to cardiac surgery procedures (CTICU: 21.7% [2018], 18% [2019]; non-CTICU: 11.2% [2018], 13% [2019]). After multivariate adjustment, non-CTICU ECMO for cardiac support associated with lower 4- and 24-hour circuit flow (3.9 liters per minute [LPM] vs. 4.1 LPM, p<0.0001; 4.1 LPM vs. 4.3 LPM, p<0.0001); for respiratory support, lower on-ECMO mean fraction of inspired oxygen ([F_i O₂ ], 67% versus 69%, p=0.02) and lower respiratory rate (14 versus 15, p<0.0001); and, for extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR), lower ECMO flow rates at 24 hours (3.5 liters per minute [LPM] versus 3.7 LPM, p=0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: ECMO mostly remains in CTICUs though a minority is associated with cardiac surgery. Statistically significant but clinically minor differences in on-ECMO metrics were observed across ICU types.

PMID:35122290 | DOI:10.1111/aor.14193

J Sci Food Agric. 2022 Feb 4. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.11806. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) are coproducts of the biofuels industries that use corn as raw material. This cereal is commonly contaminated by mycotoxins, including fumonisins (FBs), which can pose a serious health threat to humans and animals. Corn DDGS are typically used as a protein-rich animal feed. As mycotoxins from the original cereal grains become concentrated in DDGS, mycotoxicological monitoring is highly required before their use as ingredient in the industry.

RESULTS: This work aimed to develop a methodology for predicting fumonisins B₁ (FB₁ ) and B₂ (FB₂ ) in corn DDGS using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) technology associated with chemometric methods. One hundred and ninety corn DDGS samples originating from Brazilian ethanol plants and feed mills were included in this assessment. Two datasets were created, one for calibration (132 samples) and another for external validation (58 samples). Partial least squares regression and a cross-validation approach were applied to build the models. Liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry was used as the reference methodology. Calibration results of correlation coefficient and residual prediction deviation for FB₁ and FB₂ were, respectively: 0.90 and 0.88; and 2.16 and 2.06.

CONCLUSIONS: Values of the external validation dataset were compared and no statistical difference was found between groups, thus indicating a satisfactory predictive ability and confirming the potential of NIRS to predict fumonisins in corn DDGS. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:35122263 | DOI:10.1002/jsfa.11806

J Dent Educ. 2022 Feb 4. doi: 10.1002/jdd.12889. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of the study was to determine the relative predictive power of admissions criteria and predoctoral academic performance in the area of restorative dentistry in order to better understand and guide the dental school admissions process.

METHODS: In addition to admissions criteria, student performance in restorative dentistry, such as the Final Restorative Treatment course, the didactic and preclinical examinations, and the objective structured clinical examinations (OSCE), was measured for the 172 predoctoral students representing the graduating classes of 2017-2021.

RESULTS: The association between the didactic score in restorative dentistry and grade point average (GPA, p = 0.009) and Dental Admission Test (DAT, p = 0.002) score was statistically significant. Although no statistically significant association was found between preclinical scores and gender, GPA, or DAT, there was a statistically significant association between preclinical scores and the Perceptual Ability Test (PAT) score (p = 0.012). Preclinical scores included laboratory examinations for fixed prosthodontics, such as crown preparation and temporization, representing hand skills assessment. Finally, there was no statistically significant association found between the OSCE score and any of the admissions criteria.

CONCLUSION: The dental admissions criteria could play a role in predicting academic performance in the didactic portion and preclinical component of restorative dentistry.

PMID:35122260 | DOI:10.1002/jdd.12889