Nevin Manimala

Brain Behav. 2021 Oct 17:e2394. doi: 10.1002/brb3.2394. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Vitamin B6 has been linked to a variety of probable roles, including anti-inflammatory, homocysteine-lowering, serotonin-regulating, and dopamine-lowering. In this study, we investigated the possible effect of vitamin B6 on bipolar disorder in manic episode with psychotic feature in a placebo-controlled double-blind clinical trial in a psychiatric hospital.

METHODS: This study was performed on 50 patients who were equally divided into two groups (each group included 25 patients) using 80 mg of vitamin B6 daily or placebo. At the beginning and end of the study, they were evaluated for lab tests, inflammatory biomarkers and level of blood homocysteine. Also, at the baseline and in weeks 2, 4, and 8, they were evaluated based on the anthropometric measurements, score obtained from the Young Mania Questionnaire, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Questionnaire.

RESULTS: Accordingly, based on Yang Mania scoring scale, no significant difference was observed between the two groups receiving vitamin B6 and placebo (22.68 ± 5.39 vs. 21.80 ± 5.39 [p-value = .51]). Based on MMSE, significant improvement in cognitive status was obtained in group placebo compared to vitamin B6 group (25.24 ± 1.96 vs. 24.40 ± 3.25, respectively [p-value = .01]). At the Pittsburg scale (total, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups receiving vitamin B6 and placebo (1.04 ± 0.20 vs. 0.48 ± 0.50 [p-value = .23]). Additionally, no significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding the anthropometric status.

CONCLUSIONS: According to this study, the daily dose of 80 mg of vitamin B6 for 8 weeks in patients with bipolar disorder in the manic episode with psychotic feature treated daily with lithium, was not associated with a significant improvement in mood status compared to the control-placebo group. It is recommended to perform similar studies in a multi-center manner with a larger sample size and longer duration.

PMID:34662000 | DOI:10.1002/brb3.2394

Plant Genome. 2021 Oct 18:e20159. doi: 10.1002/tpg2.20159. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

High winter mortality limits biomass yield of lowland switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) planted in the northern latitudes of North America. Breeding of cold tolerant switchgrass cultivars requires many years due to its perennial growth habit and the unpredictable winter selection pressure that is required to identify winter-hardy individuals. Identification of causal genetic variants for winter survivorship would accelerate the improvement of switchgrass biomass production. The objective of this study was to identify allelic variation associated with winter survivorship in lowland switchgrass populations using bulk segregant analysis (BSA). Twenty-nine lowland switchgrass populations were evaluated for winter survival at two locations in southern Wisconsin and 21 populations with differential winter survivorship were used for BSA. A maximum of 10% of the individuals (8-20) were bulked to create survivor and nonsurvivor DNA pools from each population and location. The DNA pools were evaluated using exome capture sequencing, and allele frequencies were used to conduct statistical tests. The BSA tests revealed nine quatitative trait loci (QTL) from tetraploid populations and seven QTL from octoploid populations. Many QTL were population-specific, but some were identified in multiple populations that originated across a broad geographic landscape. Four QTL (at positions 88 Mb on chromosome 2N, 115 Mb on chromosome 5K, and 1 and 100 Mb on chromosome 9N) were potentially the most useful QTL. Markers associated with winter survivorship in this study can be used to accelerate breeding cycles of lowland switchgrass populations and should lead to improvements in adaptation within USDA hardiness zones 4 and 5.

PMID:34661986 | DOI:10.1002/tpg2.20159

ANZ J Surg. 2021 Oct 18. doi: 10.1111/ans.17275. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To describe our institutional experience in the management of locally advanced primary, and recurrent pelvic sarcoma through pelvic exenteration (PE).

METHODS: Patients undergoing PE for locally advanced primary or recurrent pelvic sarcoma between 2003 and 2017 were identified from a prospectively maintained database at a single quaternary referral hospital in Sydney, Australia were eligible for review. The primary outcomes measured were surgical resection margin and survival. Secondary outcome measures included 30-day morbidity, in hospital length of stay (LOS) and return to theatre.

RESULTS: There were 29 patients who underwent PE for pelvic sarcoma during the study period, with 55% (n = 16) having advanced primary tumours and 45% (n = 13) having recurrent disease. The R0 resection rate was 52% (n = 15); and five-year-survival of 38% (n = 11). The R0 resection was noted to be higher in patients having primary advanced tumours (56%) compared to those with recurrent disease (46%), however this failed to reach statistical significance in this cohort. There was no recorded 30-day mortality. Grade 3 or higher Clavien-Dindo complications were uncommon (14%), but more likely in patients undergoing surgery for recurrent disease (75%).

CONCLUSION: In our cohort of patients with locally advanced and recurrent disease, more than 50% achieved an R0 resection. Recurrent disease makes R0 resection more difficult and can lead to higher morbidity, need for 30-day re-intervention and longer in hospital LOS. PE surgery remains the only curative option for locally advanced, and recurrent sarcoma in the pelvis, and can be performed with acceptable survival and morbidity outcomes.

PMID:34661958 | DOI:10.1111/ans.17275

J Prosthodont. 2021 Oct 18. doi: 10.1111/jopr.13443. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To compare the accuracy of printed to digital casts produced from various intraoral and extraoral scanners with different scanning technologies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A conventional stone cast was fabricated from the reference typodont cast and scanned with two intraoral scanners (TRIOS 3 version 1.4.7.5, and Dental Wings version 2.1.0.421), and two extraoral scanners (S600 Arti, Zirkonzahn, and Ceramill map 600, Amann Girrbach GmbH). All digital scans were saved in the form of STL files and measurements were calculated using Geomagic analysis software. Two types of measurements were assessed on the casts: tooth- and arch-level measurements. Absolute errors were calculated by subtracting the measurements on 3D-printed, digital, and conventional stone casts from the measurements on the reference typodont cast. One-way ANOVA was used for comparing different measurement errors between groups. Linear regression was performed to determine the association between different explanatory variables, and the average measurement errors (dependent variable) adjusted to reference cast measurements. Regression coefficients (B) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated.

RESULTS: For both 3D printed, and digital casts, Dental Wings showed significantly greater error compared to other scanners and to the conventional stone cast at all measurements except AL (in the 3D printed modality only), while conventional casts showed the lowest error. Error was significantly higher in intraoral than extraoral scanners (B = 0.009, 95% CI = 0.005, 0.02), and in arch level measurements than tooth level measurements (B = 0.03, 95% CI = 0.01, 0.04), and significantly lower in 3D printed than digital casts (B = -0.04, 95% CI = -0.05, -0.04). There were no statistically significant differences between measurement errors of both arches (maxillary and mandibular arches).

CONCLUSIONS: Extraoral scanners showed higher accuracy than intraoral scanners, and 3D-printed casts showed higher accuracy than their digital counterparts. Dental Wings scanner had the greatest measurement error. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:34661950 | DOI:10.1111/jopr.13443

Ying Yong Sheng Tai Xue Bao. 2021 Sep;32(9):3213-3222. doi: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.202109.013.

ABSTRACT

Continuous rain disaster is a kind of complex disaster with high frequency in the Basin area of Sichuan Province. Continuous rainy weather may appear in every growing stage of rice, with consequences on the yield and quality. Based on the meteorological data of 105 meteorological stations between 1981 and 2019, combining the observation data of rise production, agricultural statistics and the basic geographic information, we quantitatively evaluated and compared the continuous-rain disasters in the whole growth period and the four growth stages (sowing-jointing, jointing-booting, booting-early filling, mid-late filling-maturity) between transplanted rice and direct-seeded rice in the basin area of Sichuan Province. The results showed that the disaster index of continuous-rain for rice was higher in the sowing-jointing stage and the mid-late filling-maturity stage, higher in the northern and southwest edges of the basin, and lower in the middle, western and southern basin. The area with high-risk was relatively limited, which concentrated in the northern edge of the basin and scattered in the southern region of the basin. The low-risk area was the most widely distributed, which concentrated in the western and central parts of the basin. The total area of high-disaster areas for transplanted rice was 2.4 times as large as that for direct-seeded rice.

PMID:34658207 | DOI:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202109.013

Ying Yong Sheng Tai Xue Bao. 2021 Sep;32(9):3152-3158. doi: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.202109.026.

ABSTRACT

We analyzed the growth dynamic and bolting rate of Angelica sinensis, soil quality and enzyme activities and weed density and control effect in a field experiment under different mulching patterns, to provide theoretical basis for the application of plastic film in genuine producing area of A. sinensis. The planting patterns were conducted as hole seeding under ridging with plastic-film mulching (LS), trenching and slant planting under film-side cultivation (MC) and trenching and slant planting in open field (LD). Our results showed that, 1) compared with LD, soil organic matter content in top layer under the treatments of LS and MC was increased by 4.4% and 14.3%, respectively, with that under MC being statistically significant. Soil bulk density was significantly decreased by 11.6% and 8.5%, while pH was significantly decreased by 4.6% and 1.7%. The activities of soil sucrase, phosphatase and urease were significantly increased by the two mulching methods, but that of catalase was inhibited to a certain extent. 2) Mulching film improved the speed of returning green after transplanting, the early bolting rate, and the individual medicinal quality of A. sinensis. MC showed the fastest, the most uniform, and the highest greening rate. LS bolting rate was the highest, and the fresh mass of MC and LS was significantly increased by 20.4% and 58.4%, respectively. 3) Weed density under the treatment of MC and LS was significantly reduced by 34.0% and 25.8%. Compared with LS, MC significantly increased the control effect of plant and fresh mass by 21.7% and 63.4%, respectively. In conclusion, film cultivation methods could improve the environment for root growth, reduce weed density, improve weed control effect, and promote growth process and substance accumulation, but could promote the bolting of A. sinensis in early phase.

PMID:34658200 | DOI:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202109.026

J Cosmet Dermatol. 2021 Oct 18. doi: 10.1111/jocd.14524. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cesarean section scars are post-surgical problems in women. Many active ingredients have been found to diminish scar formation. Clinical investigations on the onion extract have gained more attention due to its properties, such as improvement of scar appearance and texture. However, published studies evaluating the usefulness of the onion extract in the treatment of scars are controversial.

METHODS: The three-month study period followed a prospective, randomized, and double-blinded design. Each enrolled subject’s post-cesarean completely sealed wounds were divided into two halves along the closure axis. Each half was randomly assigned to the treatment with either silicone gel containing 5% onion extract or the silicone gel containing vitamin C. All subjects were respectively evaluated at the one, two, and three months of the treatment.

RESULTS: After the three-month follow-up, there was a statistically significant difference in scar improvement between before and after treatment. None of statistically significant difference in the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) and Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) scores and melanin value was found between silicone gel containing 5% onion extract and the control silicone gel. However, the improvement of scar erythema by treatment with the silicone gel containing 5% onion extract was significantly greater than in the control group. No adverse effects were reported in either group.

PMID:34658139 | DOI:10.1111/jocd.14524

J Nurs Scholarsh. 2021 Oct 18. doi: 10.1111/jnu.12718. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Visually explore the rates of and relationships between overall physical and mental health, sleep disturbances, and depression rates in a single sample of caregivers of persons with dementia, caregivers of persons with other chronic illness, and non-caregiving adults.

DESIGN: Exploratory descriptive study utilizing data visualization methods.

METHODS: Data were analyzed from the 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System dataset. Multiple graphs and charts were developed to visualize data between groups. Descriptive statistics analyzed the rates of variables of interest across the three groups. One-way analysis of variance assessed relationships between variables.

RESULTS: Caregivers of persons with dementia and of other chronic illnesses reported poorer health outcomes as compared to non-caregiving adults. However, caregivers of persons with other chronic illnesses reported the worst outcomes of all groups. Depression and sleep disturbances were prevalent in all three groups.

CONCLUSIONS: The quality of life of caregivers of persons with dementia and chronic illness is impacted by poorer health outcomes, specifically mental health and sleep.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Findings support the need for caregiver-specific interventions that target overall physical and mental health, depression, and sleep disturbances. However, we also found support for mental health and sleep interventions for all individuals.

PMID:34658133 | DOI:10.1111/jnu.12718

Microsurgery. 2021 Oct 17. doi: 10.1002/micr.30820. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: While microsurgical breast reconstruction may require multiple planned operations, unplanned reoperations has not been studied. We sought to investigate unplanned reoperations after microsurgical breast reconstruction.

METHODS: We queried the American College of Surgeons’ National Surgical Quality Improvement Program between 2005 and 2018. Current Procedural Terminology code 19364 was used to identify all patients with microsurgical breast reconstruction. Patient demographics, medical comorbidities, preoperative laboratory results, and operative data were analyzed. The primary outcome measure was 30-day unplanned reoperation.

RESULTS: Of 8449 patients meeting inclusion criteria, 1021 required an unplanned reoperation (12.1%). These patients were more likely to be obese, smokers, hypertensive, on steroids preoperatively, needing concomitant mastectomy, and with prolonged operating room time >9 h (p < .05). Multivariable regression model revealed preoperative steroids intake (OR = 1.92, CI 1.09-3.38, p = .03), concomitant mastectomy (OR = 1.45, CI 1.23-1.71, p < .01), and operating room time >9 h (OR = 1.37, CI 1.16-1.62, p < .01) as independent risk factors. Mastectomy was found to be an independent risk factor for early reoperation, that is, ≤2 days (OR = 1.44, CI 1.14-1.82, p < .01), whereas obesity was an independent risk factor for three reoperations (OR = 3.92, CI 1.14-13.46, p = .03).

CONCLUSION: Unplanned reoperations within 30-days after microsurgical breast reconstruction are a significant problem. Mastectomy is an independent risk factor for early reoperation whereas obesity is an independent risk factor for multiple reoperations. Identification of such patients preoperatively may help microsurgeons improve patient safety and quality of care.

PMID:34658057 | DOI:10.1002/micr.30820

Andrologia. 2021 Oct 17:e14275. doi: 10.1111/and.14275. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The updated meta-analysis was conducted to further verify the effect of varicocele on sperm DNA damage, supplying clinicians and researchers with high-grade evidence. The sperm DNA damage was evaluated by DNA fragmentation index (DFI), associated with the male fertility capability tightly. PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library were searched extensively for eligible studies with the search terms: varicocele, sperm DNA and sperm DNA damage. Finally, a total of 12 studies were included in our meta-analysis with a total of 845 patients diagnosed with varicocele and 2,377 healthy controls. A statistical difference of DFI between varicocele patients and healthy controls was found after pooling the data ((Standardised mean difference) SMD: 1.40, 95%CI: 0.83-1.98, p < .0001), using the random effect model. We conducted subgroup analysis according to study region (Brazil and Other countries), detection methods of DFI (TUNEL, Comet, and SCSA), sample size (<50 and >50) and age (<30 and >30 years), based on substantial heterogeneity among eligible studies. The stability of pooled results was verified by sensitivity analysis. All these statistical analyses were conducted using Stata version 16.0. In conclusion, patients diagnosed with clinical varicocele had higher DFI than healthy controls, which means varicocele could impair sperm DNA, consequently the fertility potential of affected men.

PMID:34658054 | DOI:10.1111/and.14275