Nevin Manimala

Neuromodulation. 2021 Jul 27. doi: 10.1111/ner.13500. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of bilateral caudal zona incerta (cZi) deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson’s disease (PD) one year after surgery and to create anatomical improvement maps based on patient-specific simulation of the electric field.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We report the one-year results of bilateral cZi-DBS in 15 patients with PD. Patients were evaluated on/off medication and stimulation using the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). Main outcomes were changes in motor symptoms (UPDRS-III) and quality of life according to Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39). Secondary outcomes included efficacy profile according to sub-items of UPDRS-III, and simulation of the electric field distribution around the DBS lead using the finite element method. Simulations from all patients were transformed to one common magnetic resonance imaging template space for creation of improvement maps and anatomical evaluation.

RESULTS: Median UPDRS-III score off medication improved from 40 at baseline to 21 on stimulation at one-year follow-up (48%, p < 0.0005). PDQ-39 summary index did not change but the subdomains activities of daily living (ADL) and stigma improved (25%, p < 0.03 and 75%, p < 0.01), whereas communication worsened (p < 0.03). For UPDRS-III sub-items, stimulation alone reduced median tremor score by 9 points, akinesia by 3, and rigidity by 2 points at one-year follow-up in comparison to baseline (90%, 25%, and 29% respectively, p < 0.01). Visual analysis of the anatomical improvement maps based on simulated electrical fields showed no evident relation with the degree of symptom improvement and neither did statistical analysis show any significant correlation.

CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral cZi-DBS alleviates motor symptoms, especially tremor, and improves ADL and stigma in PD patients one year after surgery. Improvement maps may be a useful tool for visualizing the spread of the electric field. However, there was no clear-cut relation between anatomical location of the electric field and the degree of symptom relief.

PMID:34313376 | DOI:10.1111/ner.13500

Microsc Res Tech. 2021 Jul 27. doi: 10.1002/jemt.23880. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Hydroxyapatite (HA) co-doped with La³⁺ and F^– ions were synthesized by the precipitation method and sintered at 1,100°C for 1 hr. Samples were characterized by the standard experimental methods including the density, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to investigate their microstructure, phase formation, and bonding characteristics in detail. Moreover, the materials produced were identified using the microhardness tests. It was observed that in the most of materials, the hydroxyapatite was found to be the main phase with a minor amount of β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP). Furthermore, the presence of fluoride and small amount of β-TCP was verified with all the characteristic FTIR bands of hydroxyapatite for the majority of samples studied. The result in SEM evaluation is that the produced HA powders have less deformed, uniformly distributed, and regularly shaped particles. Here, the material density has changed towards a less dense state with the increasing rate of La doping, but statistically significant difference was not obtained (p, .1942 > .05) with increase of the F doping. A significant difference was obtained the microhardness values between La³⁺ and F^– ions co-doped HA materials and pure HA (p [.0053] < .05). Accordingly, this study confirmed that since the La³⁺ and F^– ions can potentially increase the efficacy of HA. According to the spectral, mechanical, and microstructure analysis result, this material can be as a good candidate product for use as an occluding material for dental application.

PMID:34313373 | DOI:10.1002/jemt.23880

Int J Nurs Pract. 2021 Jul 27:e12992. doi: 10.1111/ijn.12992. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a lifestyle training package that consisted of a 60- to 90-min session of group training, educational booklet and text messages on physical activity and nutritional status in obese and overweight pregnant women.

METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 140 obese or overweight women (gestational age: 16-20 weeks) covered by health centres in Tehran, Iran, were equally randomized into two parallel groups using block randomization and stratified by the body mass index. Participants completed the Food Frequency Questionnaire and International Physical Activity Questionnaire at baseline and fourth and eighth weeks after intervention. Participants were 38 obese and 102 overweight women who were later followed-up.

RESULTS: After the intervention, the mean weekly intake of the vegetable and fruit subgroups was significantly higher; and intake of fats and oils and the confections subgroups were significantly lower in the intervention compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Although physical activity was higher in the intervention group, 8 weeks after the intervention, this difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: The training package appears to offer a suitable strategy for adjusting the intake of the recommended food subgroups in obese and overweight pregnant women.

PMID:34313366 | DOI:10.1111/ijn.12992

Pediatr Transplant. 2021 Jul 27:e14098. doi: 10.1111/petr.14098. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Anti-human T-lymphocyte immunoglobulin is commonly used as prophylaxis for graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from unrelated donors. The studies according to optimum dose of ATLG especially in pediatric patients are limited.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Outcomes of 99 pediatric patients diagnosed with nonmalignant diseases, who received ATLG as GVHD prophylaxis for matched unrelated donor HSCT at a dose of 10 mg/kg (group 1), 20 mg/kg (group 2), and 30 mg/kg (group 3), were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS: The incidences of acute and chronic GVHD were statistically not different between three groups (p = .20 and p = .13), but we did not observe chronic GVHD in group 3 patients. Cox regression analysis showed that ATLG dose of 10 mg/kg (p = .007) and severe acute GVHD (p = .001) were significant prognostic factors for inferior overall survival. Although ATLG dose of 10 mg/kg is effective in pediatric patients on acute and chronic GVHD prevention, TRM and overall survival were superior in ATLG doses ≥20 mg/kg (p = .04 and p = .037) with no difference between 20 and 30 mg/kg.

CONCLUSION: Although ATLG dose of 10 mg/kg is effective in pediatric patients on acute and chronic GVHD prevention and safe from the point of infection, TRM and OS were superior in ATLG doses ≥20 mg/kg with no difference between 20 and 30 mg/kg. These observations should be supported with other multicenter prospective studies including larger patient population.

PMID:34313359 | DOI:10.1111/petr.14098

J Clin Lab Anal. 2021 Jul 27:e23925. doi: 10.1002/jcla.23925. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship of Apolipoprotein E (APOE) and solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 1B1 (SLCO1B1) gene polymorphisms with coronary artery disease (CAD).

METHODS: 1,129 CAD patients and 1,014 non-CAD controls were included in the study, and relevant information and medical records were collected. The single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were analyzed, including rs429358, rs7412 in APOE gene and rs2306283, rs4149056 in SLCO1B1 gene.

RESULTS: The CAD patients’ average age was 66.3 ± 10.7 years, while 65.5 ± 12.0 years in controls. The frequencies of APOE allele ɛ3, ɛ4, and ɛ2 were 83.01%, 10.08%, and 6.91% respectively. There were statistically significant differences in genotype ɛ3/ɛ4 (χ² = 8.077, p = 0.005) in CAD patients compared with the controls. The SLCO1B1 genotype *1b/*1b and haplotype *1b showed the highest frequency in the study sample. Moreover, ε4 carriers had significantly lower HDL-C, Apo-A1 levels than ε3 carriers among CAD patients, while ε2 carriers showed lower LDL-C, Apo-B level, and higher Apo-A1/Apo-B level than ε3 and ε4 carriers. In controls, ε2 carriers showed lower LDL-C and Apo-B level, higher Apo-A1, and Apo-A1/Apo-B level than ε4 carriers. Logistic regression analysis showed that high LDL-C and Apo-B level, low HDL-C level, smoking, and the ε4 allele were risks for the presence of CAD.

CONCLUSIONS: APOE ε4 allele may be associated with susceptibility to CAD in southern Chinese Hakka population. It indicated that the APOE SNPs rs429358 and rs7412 are associated with CAD, but not SNPs rs2306283 and rs4149056 of SLCO1B1 gene.

PMID:34313350 | DOI:10.1002/jcla.23925

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2021 Jul 27. doi: 10.1111/nyas.14673. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

We analyze the polar sea ice distribution and the global sea level pressure (SLP) and baroclinicity distributions over the “satellite” period of 1979-2020. In the Arctic, there are statistically significant sea ice extent (SIE) decreases in all calendar months, and the annual mean has lost 2.22 million km² over the four decades. The Antarctic SIE, in marked contrast, increased up to 2014, then commenced a remarkable retreat (the annual mean ice extent decreased by 2.03 million km² in the 3 years to 2017), and subsequently increased to near its long-term average value in 2020. The shifts in seasonal-mean SLP patterns are consistent with a warming planet. At the synoptic scale, we diagnose the changes in the baroclinicity, the mechanism by which cyclones, fronts, and other weather systems are generated. Through a novel presentation, we give an overview of the relative roles of changes in the vertical shear and static stability in influencing the global trends in baroclinicity. In both the Arctic and Antarctic regions, baroclinicity is shown to have increased in each season (with the sole exception of the Arctic in summer). This increase, coupled with midlatitude decreases in baroclinicity, results in poleward shifts of the storm tracks.

PMID:34313329 | DOI:10.1111/nyas.14673

Clin Genet. 2021 Jul 27. doi: 10.1111/cge.14038. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

First-degree relatives (FDRs) of familial pancreatic cancer (FPC) patients have increased risk of developing pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Investigating and understanding the genetic basis for PDAC susceptibility in FPC predisposed families may contribute towards future risk-assessment and management of high-risk individuals. Using a Danish cohort of 27 FPC families, we performed whole-genome sequencing of 61 FDRs of FPC patients focusing on rare genetic variants that may contribute to familial aggregation of PDAC. Statistical analysis was performed using the gnomAD database as external controls. Through analysis of heterozygous premature truncating variants (PTV), we identified cancer-related genes and cancer-driver genes harboring multiple germline mutations. Association analysis detected 20 significant genes with false discovery rate, q<0.05 including: PALD1, LRP1B, COL4A2, CYLC2, ZFYVE9, BRD3, AHDC1, etc. Functional annotation showed that the significant genes were enriched by gene clusters encoding for extracellular matrix and associated proteins. PTV genes were over-represented by functions related to transport of small molecules, innate immune system, ion channel transport, and stimuli-sensing channels. In conclusion, FDRs of FPC patients carry rare germline variants related to cancer pathogenesis that may contribute to increased susceptibility to PDAC. The identified variants may potentially be useful for risk prediction of high-risk individuals in predisposed families.

PMID:34313325 | DOI:10.1111/cge.14038

Int Health. 2021 Jul 27:ihab042. doi: 10.1093/inthealth/ihab042. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Radiographers have used social media networks for education, research, professional development and other purposes. However, in Saudi Arabia, there are no studies on the use of social media by radiographers. Therefore, the objective of this research was to evaluate the use of social media for the improvement of radiation safety knowledge among Saudi Arabian radiographers.

METHODS: A questionnaire was designed to collect the data from Saudi Arabian radiographers. The questionnaire was created using Google Forms and was sent to 530 radiographers using WhatsApp. In total, 159 participants completed and returned the questionnaire through WhatsApp. The response rate was 30%. Basic descriptive statistics were employed to analyse the data.

RESULTS: Most of the participants (79.9%) thought that social media could be used as a tool for the improvement of radiation safety knowledge. Also, almost half of participants (49.7%) employed social media when they needed to obtain information about radiation protection. Similarly, a majority of respondents (69.2%) used social media when they required information related to radiation safety. In addition, 81.7% of participants observed on video the existing information on radiation safety. Also, 71.7% of them were disposed to expand the use of social media to obtain information for radiation protection in their professional activities.

CONCLUSION: The results indicate that social media can help to improve radiation safety knowledge among Saudi Arabian radiographers. Consequently, participants were willing to increase the use of these tools in their professional work.

PMID:34313321 | DOI:10.1093/inthealth/ihab042

Dalton Trans. 2021 Jul 27. doi: 10.1039/d1dt01766g. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Emerging Bi2Se3-based anode materials are attracting great interest for lithium storage because of their high theoretical capacity. Although quite attractive, Bi2Se3 still faces the problem of large volume expansion during lithiation/delithiation, leading to poor cycling stability. Herein, a multi-core yolk-shell Bi2Se3@C nanocomposite was designed and synthesized via a solvothermal method followed by heat treatment. The as-prepared yolk-shell nanocomposite consists of two parts: several Bi2Se3 nanospheres (diameter of approximately 100 nm) as a core, and carbon (thickness of approximately 16 nm) as the shell. Owing to its unique structural features, multi-core yolk-shell Bi2Se3@C nanocomposite demonstrates excellent cycling stability with a capacity of 392.2 mA h g-1 at 0.2 A g-1 after 100 cycles for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). A reversible capacity of 416.9 mA h g-1 can be maintained even at a higher current density of 1 A g-1 after 1200 cycles. The reason for the superior electrochemical performance was further explored through electrochemical kinetic analysis and theoretical calculations. This work provides an effective strategy for the preparation of multi-core yolk-shell anode materials, and also affords a new method by which to prepare high-performance LIBs.

PMID:34313287 | DOI:10.1039/d1dt01766g

Shock. 2021 Jul 26. doi: 10.1097/SHK.0000000000001839. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Crush syndrome (CS) is the most common cause of deaths following earthquakes and other disasters. The pathogenesis of CS has yet to be fully elucidated. Thus, clinical choice of ideal drug treatments for CS remains deficient.

METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, we first evaluated the relation between extrusion force and the severities of CS. Rats were exposed to different extrusion forces: 1, 3, 5, and 8 kg, respectively. Survival rates, crushed muscle tissue edema, serum biochemical parameters, and histopathological staining were used to assess severity. Our results showed that there were no statistical differences in survival rate or changes in thigh circumference among the different extrusion forces groups. However, serum levels of potassium (K+), creatine kinase (CK), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr), and myoglobin (Mb) were elevated at 12- and 24-hours post-decompression in 5 and 8 kg groups, compared with 1 and 3 kg groups. Histopathological staining demonstrated that the degree of organ damage to kidney, muscle, and lung tissues correlated with increasing extrusion force. We next analyzed changes in serum protein profiles in 3 or 5 kg extrusion pressure groups. A total of 76 proteins (20 upregulated, 56 downregulated) were found to be altered at all three time points (0, 12, and 72 hours) post-decompression, compared to the control group. Three common upregulated proteins alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (α1-AGP), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and Haptoglobin were selected for validation of increased expression. α1-AGP was explored as a treatment for CS-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). Intraperitoneal injection of α1-AGP protected kidneys from CS-induced AKI by regulating TNF-α and IL-6 production, attenuating neutrophil recruitment and reducing renal cell apoptosis.

CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrated that the severity of crush injury is causally related to extrusion pressure and increase in blood serum markers. Our identification of the biomarker and treatment candidate, α1-AGP, suggests its implication in predicting the severity of CS and its use as mediator of CS-induced AKI, respectively.

PMID:34313253 | DOI:10.1097/SHK.0000000000001839