Nevin Manimala

Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za Zhi. 2021 Oct 15;35(10):1286-1292. doi: 10.7507/1002-1892.202103099.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of femoral neck system (FNS) and cannulate compression screw (CCS) in the treatment of femoral neck fractures in young and middle-aged patients.

METHODS: The clinical data of 82 young and middle-aged patients with femoral neck fracture treated between January 2018 and September 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into FNS group (24 cases) and CCS group (58 cases) according to different surgical methods. There was no significant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05) in general data such as gender, age, height, body mass, cause of injury, complications, fracture location, and fracture classification (Garden classification and Pauwells classification). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, complications (nonunion, osteonecrosis of the femoral head, shortening of femoral neck, etc.), visual analogue scale (VAS) score at 2 days after operation, clinical healing time of fracture, and Harris score of hip joint after operation were recorded and compared between the two groups.

RESULTS: The operation time and VAS score at 2 days after operation in FNS group were significantly lower than those in CCS group ( P<0.05); there was no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss between the two groups ( t=0.263, P=0.796). The patients in CCS group were followed up 6-18 months, with an average of 13.6 months; and the follow-up time in FNS group was 3-12 months, with an average of 7.3 months. There was no complication of internal fixator loosening in both groups. There were 2 cases of osteonecrosis of the femoral head, 1 case of bone nonunion, and 13 cases of femoral neck shortening in CCS group and only 2 cases of femoral neck shortening in FNS group. The difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups (27.6% vs. 8.3%) was significant ( χ ²=36.670, P=0.015). In CCS group, 3 cases underwent secondary artificial hip arthroplasty due to bone nonunion and osteonecrosis of the femoral head, and the remaining 55 cases achieved clinical healing; in FNS group, 6 patients excluded in the statistics because the follow-up time was less than 6 months, and the remaining 18 fractures healed clinically; there was significant difference in fracture healing time between the two groups ( t=4.481, P=0.000). The difference of Harris score of hip joint between 9 months and 6 months after operation in FNS group was significantly higher than that in CCS group ( P<0.05), and the Harris score at 9 months after operation was significantly higher than that at 6 months after operation in both groups ( P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: FNS can accelerate the healing of femoral neck fractures in young and middle-aged patients, so that patients can start functional exercise as soon as possible, thereby reducing the incidence of related complications.

PMID:34651482 | DOI:10.7507/1002-1892.202103099

Plant Genome. 2021 Oct 14:e20153. doi: 10.1002/tpg2.20153. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Genomic selection has become a valuable tool for selecting cultivar candidates in many plant breeding programs. Genomic selection of elite parents and crossing combinations with germplasm developed outside a breeding program has, however, hardly been explored until now. The aim of this study was to assess the potential of this method for commonly ranking and selecting elite germplasm developed within and beyond a given breeding program. A winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) population consisting of 611 in-house and 87 externally developed lines was used to compare training population compositions and statistical models for genomically predicting baking quality in this framework. Augmenting training populations with lines from other breeding programs had a larger influence on the prediction ability than adding in-house generated lines when aiming to commonly rank both germplasm sets. Exploiting preexisting information of secondary correlated traits resulted likewise in more accurate predictions both in empirical analyses and simulations. Genotyping germplasm developed beyond a given breeding program is moreover a convenient way to clarify its relationships with a breeder’s own germplasm because pedigree information is oftentimes not available for this purpose. Genomic predictions can thus support a more informed diversity management, especially when integrating simply to phenotype correlated traits to partly circumvent resource reallocations for a costly phenotyping of germplasm from other programs.

PMID:34651462 | DOI:10.1002/tpg2.20153

Sci Rep. 2021 Oct 14;11(1):20401. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-99664-4.

ABSTRACT

Musculoskeletal disorders of the trunk and neck are common among cleaners. Vacuum cleaning is a demanding activity. The aim of this study was to present the movement profile of the trunk and neck during habitual vacuuming. The data were collected from 31 subjects (21f./10 m) using a 3D motion analysis system (Xsens). 10 cycles were analysed in vacuuming PVC and carpet floors with 8 vacuum cleaners. The joint angles and velocities were represented statistically descriptive. When vacuuming, the trunk is held in a forwardly inclined position by a flexion in the hip and rotated from this position. In the joint angles and velocities of the spine, the rotation proved to be dominant. A relatively large amount of movement took place in the cervical spine and also in the lumbar spine. The shown movement profile is rather a comfort area of vacuuming which may serve as a reference for ergonomics in vacuuming.

PMID:34650152 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-021-99664-4

Sci Rep. 2021 Oct 14;11(1):20465. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-99589-y.

ABSTRACT

PICALM and CLU genes have been linked to alterations in brain biochemical processes that may have an impact on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) development and neurophysiological dynamics. The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between the electroencephalographic (EEG) activity and the PICALM and CLU alleles described as conferring risk or protective effects on AD patients and healthy controls. For this purpose, EEG activity was acquired from: 18 AD patients and 12 controls carrying risk alleles of both PICALM and CLU genes, and 35 AD patients and 12 controls carrying both protective alleles. Relative power (RP) in the conventional EEG frequency bands (delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma) was computed to quantify the brain activity at source level. In addition, spatial entropy (SE) was calculated in each band to characterize the regional distribution of the RP values throughout the brain. Statistically significant differences in global RP and SE at beta band (p-values < 0.05, Mann-Whitney U-test) were found between genotypes in the AD group. Furthermore, RP showed statistically significant differences in 58 cortical regions out of the 68 analyzed in AD. No statistically significant differences were found in the control group at any frequency band. Our results suggest that PICALM and CLU AD-inducing genotypes are involved in physiological processes related to disruption in beta power, which may be associated with physiological disturbances such as alterations in beta-amyloid and neurotransmitter metabolism.

PMID:34650147 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-021-99589-y

Sci Rep. 2021 Oct 14;11(1):20455. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-99836-2.

ABSTRACT

Genome-wide DNA methylation profiling have been used to find maternal CpG sites related to the occurrence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). However, none of these differential sites found has been verified in a larger sample. Here, our aim was to evaluate whether first trimester changes in target CpG sites in the peripheral blood of pregnancy women predict subsequent development of GDM. This nested case-control study was based upon an early pregnancy follow-up cohort (ChiCTR1900020652). Target CpG sites were extracted from related published literature and bioinformatics analysis. The DNA methylation levels at 337 CpG sites of 80 GDM cases and 80 matched healthy controls during the early pregnancy (10-15 weeks) were assessed using MethylTarget sequencing. The best cut-off level for methylation of CpG site was determined using the generated ROC curve. The independent effect of CpG site methylation status on GDM was analyzed using conditional logistic regression. Methylation levels at 6 CpG sites were significantly higher in the GDM group than in controls, whereas those at another 6 CpG sites were significantly lower (FDR < 0.05). The area under the ROC curve at each methylation level of the significant CpG sites ranged between 0.593 and 0.650 for the occurrence of GDM. After adjusting for possible confounders, the hypermethylation status of CpG site 68167324 (OR = 3.168, 1.038-9.666) and 24837915 (OR = 5.232, 1.659-16.506) was identified as more strongly associated with GDM; meanwhile, the hypermethylation of CpG site 157130156 (OR = 0.361, 0.135-0.966) and 89438648 (OR = 0.206, 0.065-0.655) might indicate lower risk of GDM. The methylation status of target CpG sites in the peripheral blood of pregnant women during the first trimester may be associated with GDM pathogenesis, and has potential as a predictor of GDM.

PMID:34650136 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-021-99836-2

Sci Rep. 2021 Oct 14;11(1):20404. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-99681-3.

ABSTRACT

Endometriosis is a chronic disease that requires a suitable, lifelong treatment. To our knowledge, the Visanne Post-approval Observational Study (VIPOS) is to date the largest real-world, non-interventional study investigating hormonal management of endometriosis. We describe women’s experiences of endometriosis in the real world by considering their symptoms and the diagnostic process in their healthcare setting. Overall, 27,840 women were enrolled from six European countries via networks of gynecologists or specialized centers. Of these, 87.8% of women were diagnosed based on clinical symptoms; the greatest and lowest proportions of women were in Russia (94.1%) and Germany (61.9%), respectively. Most women (82.8%) experienced at least one of the triad of endometriosis-associated pain symptoms: pelvic pain, pain after/during sexual intercourse, and painful menstrual periods. The most frequently reported endometriosis-associated symptoms were painful periods (61.8%), heavy/irregular bleeding (50.8%), and pelvic pain (37.2%). Women reported that endometriosis impacted their mood; 55.6% reported feeling “down”, depressed, or hopeless, and 53.2% reported feeling like a failure or having let down family/friends. VIPOS broadens our understanding of endometriosis based on real-world data by exploring the heterogeneity of symptoms women with endometriosis experience and the differences in diagnostic approaches between European countries.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01266421; registered 24 December 2010. Registered in the European Union electronic Register of Post-Authorisation Studies as number 1613.

PMID:34650132 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-021-99681-3

Sci Rep. 2021 Oct 14;11(1):20399. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-99573-6.

ABSTRACT

This research aimed to develop a new digital evaluation protocol to objectively quantify the volumetric changes of root coverage periodontal plastic surgery when combined with connective tissue graft. Consecutive patients with Cairo recession type 1 (RT1) or Cairo recession type 2 (RT2) were treated. Accurate study models obtained at baseline and follow-ups were optically scanned. Healing dynamics were measured by calculating volume differences between time points. Nineteen patients were treated between December 2014 and January 2019. At 3-month follow-up, root coverage was 95.6% (± 14.5%) with tunnel and connective tissue graft (TUN + CTG) technique, and 88.9% (± 20.5%) with the vestibular incision subperiosteal tunnel access and connective tissue graft (VISTA + CTG) technique. Recession decreased 1.33 (± 0.86) mm and 1.42 (± 0.92) mm, respectively (p = 0.337). At 6-month follow-up, root coverage was 96.5% (± 10.4%) with the TUN + CTG and 93.9% (± 10.3%) with the VISTA + CTG. Recession decreased 1.35 (± 0.85) mm and 1.45 (± 0.82) mm, respectively (p = 0.455). Complete root coverage was achieved in 86.7% (± 0.4%) with TUN + CTG and 70.6% (± 0.5%) with VISTA + CTG. No statistically significant differences were found between techniques. The digital protocol presented proved to be a non-invasive technique for accurate measurements of clinical outcomes. Both techniques reduce gingival recessions, with no statistically significant differences.

PMID:34650129 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-021-99573-6

Sci Rep. 2021 Oct 14;11(1):20462. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-99182-3.

ABSTRACT

Influenza viruses cause severe respiratory infections in humans and birds, triggering global health concerns and economic burden. Influenza infection is a dynamic process involving complex biological host responses. The objective of this study was to illustrate global biological processes in ileum and cecal tonsils at early time points after chickens were infected with low pathogenic avian influenza virus (LPAIV) H9N2 through transcriptome analysis. Total RNA isolated from ileum and cecal tonsils of non-infected and infected layers at 12-, 24- and 72-h post-infection (hpi) was used for mRNA sequencing analyses to characterize differentially expressed genes and overrepresented pathways. Statistical analysis highlighted transcriptomic signatures significantly occurring 24 and 72 hpi, but not earlier at 12 hpi. Interferon (IFN)-inducible and IFN-stimulated gene (ISG) expression was increased, followed by continued expression of various heat-shock proteins (HSP), including HSP60, HSP70, HSP90 and HSP110. Some upregulated genes involved in innate antiviral responses included DDX60, MX1, RSAD2 and CMPK2. The ISG15 antiviral mechanism pathway was highly enriched in ileum and cecal tonsils at 24 hpi. Overall, most affected pathways were related to interferon production and the heat-shock response. Research on these candidate genes and pathways is warranted to decipher underlying mechanisms of immunity against LPAIV in chickens.

PMID:34650121 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-021-99182-3

Sci Rep. 2021 Oct 14;11(1):20495. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-99368-9.

ABSTRACT

The outbreak of novel COVID-19 disease elicited a wide range of anti-contagion and economic policies like school closure, income support, contact tracing, and so forth, in the mitigation and suppression of the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, a systematic evaluation of these policies has not been made. Here, 17 implemented policies from the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker dataset employed in 90 countries from December 31, 2019, to August 31, 2020, were analyzed. A Poisson regression model was applied to analyze the relationship between policies and daily confirmed cases using a generalized estimating equations approach. A lag is a fixed time displacement in time series data. With that, lagging (0, 3, 7, 10, and 14 days) was also considered during the analysis since the effects of policies implemented on a given day may affect the number of confirmed cases several days after implementation. The countries were divided into three groups depending on the number of waves of the pandemic observed in each country. Through subgroup analysis, we showed that with and without lagging, contact tracing and containment policies were significant for countries with two waves, while closing, economic, and health policies were significant for countries with three waves. Wave-specific analysis for each wave showed that significant health, economic, and containment policies varied across waves of the pandemic. Emergency investment in healthcare was consistently significant among the three groups of countries, while the Stringency index was significant among all waves of the pandemic. These findings may help in making informed decisions regarding whether, which, or when these policies should be intensified or lifted.

PMID:34650119 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-021-99368-9

Sci Rep. 2021 Oct 14;11(1):20418. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-98556-x.

ABSTRACT

We present a subcritical fracture growth model, coupled with the elastic redistribution of the acting mechanical stress along rugous rupture fronts. We show the ability of this model to quantitatively reproduce the intermittent dynamics of cracks propagating along weak disordered interfaces. To this end, we assume that the fracture energy of such interfaces (in the sense of a critical energy release rate) follows a spatially correlated normal distribution. We compare various statistical features from the obtained fracture dynamics to that from cracks propagating in sintered polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) interfaces. In previous works, it has been demonstrated that such an approach could reproduce the mean advance of fractures and their local front velocity distribution. Here, we go further by showing that the proposed model also quantitatively accounts for the complex self-affine scaling morphology of crack fronts and their temporal evolution, for the spatial and temporal correlations of the local velocity fields and for the avalanches size distribution of the intermittent growth dynamics. We thus provide new evidence that an Arrhenius-like subcritical growth is particularly suitable for the description of creeping cracks.

PMID:34650113 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-021-98556-x