Nevin Manimala

Arch Oral Biol. 2021 Jul 29;131:105220. doi: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2021.105220. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the salivary metaproteomic characteristics of the children with and without severe early childhood caries (S-ECC).

DESIGN: In this study, we collected unstimulated saliva samples from 34 children (age 3-4 years) with caries free (NC, dmfs (= index of decayed, missing due to caries, or filled tooth surfaces) = 0, n = 23) and with S-ECC (dmfs≥10, n = 11). Salivary proteins were extracted and reduced, and then a Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry system was used to identify proteins.

RESULTS: Nearly 3000 proteins were identified in this study, and about 3.5 % of the proteins originated from human while 86 % were derived from microbes. The salivary protein types in the NC group were statistically greater than those in the S-ECC group (P <0.05). Specifically, the salivary protein types derived from microbes in the NC group were significantly greater than those in the S-ECC group. Three proteins, human lactoferrin, penicillin-binding protein 1C [Burkholderia ubonensis], human alpha-defensin 1 (F28a mutant), were decreased statistically in the NC group compared to the S-ECC group (P < 0.05). Only one protein, 50S ribosomal protein L17 secreted by Haemophilus haemolyticus, was significantly increased in the NC group compared to the S-ECC group. Salivary IgA was the top highest protein in the NC group whereas human lysozyme was the top highest protein in the S-ECC group.

CONCLUSIONS: The differential proteins recognized in this study may be conducive for finding a caries biomarker. Understanding the metaproteomic characteristics can help us to control the caries from human origin and microbial origin.

PMID:34461447 | DOI:10.1016/j.archoralbio.2021.105220

Neuroimage Clin. 2021 Aug 21;32:102787. doi: 10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102787. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Misophonia is a condition in which specific ordinary sounds provoke disproportionately strong negative affect and physiological arousal. Evidence for neurobiological abnormalities underlying misophonia is scarce. Since many psychiatric disorders show white matter (WM) abnormalities, we tested for both macro and micro-structural WM differences between misophonia patients and healthy controls. We collected T1-weighted and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance images from 24 patients and 25 matched controls. We tested for group differences in WM volume using whole-brain voxel-based morphometry and used the significant voxels from this analysis as seeds for probabilistic tractography. After calculation of diffusion tensors, we compared group means for fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, and directional diffusivities, and applied tract-based spatial statistics for voxel-wise comparison. Compared to controls, patients had greater left-hemispheric WM volumes in the inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, anterior thalamic radiation, and body of the corpus callosum connecting bilateral superior frontal gyri. Patients also had lower averaged radial and mean diffusivities and voxel-wise comparison indicated large and widespread clusters of lower mean diffusivity. We found both macro and microstructural WM abnormalities in our misophonia sample, suggesting misophonia symptomatology is associated with WM alterations. These biological alterations may be related to differences in social-emotional processing, particularly recognition of facial affect, and to attention for affective information.

PMID:34461433 | DOI:10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102787

Accid Anal Prev. 2021 Aug 27;161:106351. doi: 10.1016/j.aap.2021.106351. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Cyclists and pedestrians account for a disproportionate amount of the world’s 1.3 million road deaths every year. This is a growing problem in the United Sates where bicyclist and pedestrian fatalities have increased steadily since 2009. A large body of research suggests vehicle speeds are a key contributing factor for crashes. However, few studies of bicycle or pedestrian crash probability incorporate detailed vehicle speed data. This study uses probe vehicle speed data to examine the impact of vehicle speeds on bicycle and pedestrian crashes on the state of Georgia’s network of major arterial roadways. The analysis examines 7000 road segments throughout the state in 2017. A Negative Binomial model relates annual crash and speed data on each segment. Models using speed percentiles (85th, 50th and 15th) are contrasted with models using speed differences (85th-50th and 50th-15th percentile). A small set of covariates are included: segment length, number of lanes, Average Annual Daily Traffic, and urbanicity. Results indicate that larger differences in high-end speed percentiles are positively associated with bicycle and pedestrian crash frequency on Georgia arterials. Furthermore, the coefficients on the high end of the speed distribution, measured by the difference in 85th and 50th percentile speeds, have greater magnitude and statistical significance than the low end of the distribution. This research shows a negative relationship between speed and crashes may be flawed, as it does not account for the distributions of speed. The findings in this study suggest that planners and engineers should identify areas with large speed distributions, especially at the high vehicle speeds, and work to reduce the fastest speeds on these roadways. To do so, differences in speed percentiles measured using probe vehicle speeds can be used to determine where high risk areas are located.

PMID:34461395 | DOI:10.1016/j.aap.2021.106351

Dev Cogn Neurosci. 2021 Aug 26;51:101010. doi: 10.1016/j.dcn.2021.101010. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

When learning a new language, one must segment words from continuous speech and associate them with meanings. These complex processes can be boosted by attentional mechanisms triggered by multi-sensory information. Previous electrophysiological studies suggest that brain oscillations are sensitive to different hierarchical complexity levels of the input, making them a plausible neural substrate for speech parsing. Here, we investigated the functional role of brain oscillations during concurrent speech segmentation and meaning acquisition in sixty 9-year-old children. We collected EEG data during an audio-visual statistical learning task during which children were exposed to a learning condition with consistent word-picture associations and a random condition with inconsistent word-picture associations before being tested on their ability to recall words and word-picture associations. We capitalized on the brain dynamics to align neural activity to the same rate as an external rhythmic stimulus to explore modulations of neural synchronization and phase synchronization between electrodes during multi-sensory word learning. Results showed enhanced power at both word- and syllabic-rate and increased EEG phase synchronization between frontal and occipital regions in the learning compared to the random condition. These findings suggest that multi-sensory cueing and attentional mechanisms play an essential role in children’s successful word learning.

PMID:34461393 | DOI:10.1016/j.dcn.2021.101010

Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown). 2021 Aug 30:opab303. doi: 10.1093/ons/opab303. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Odontoidectomy is a challenging yet effective operation for decompression of non-neoplastic craniovertebral junction disease. Though both the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) and the transoral approach (TOA) have been discussed in the literature, there remain few direct comparisons between the techniques.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the perioperative outcomes of EEA vs TOA odontoidectomy.

METHODS: A retrospective review of all cases undergoing odontoidectomy by either the EEA or TOA was performed. Attention was paid to the need for prolonged nutritional support, prolonged respiratory support, and hospitalization times.

RESULTS: During the study period between 2000 and 2018, 25 patients underwent odontoid process resection (18 TOA and 7 EEA). The most common indication for surgery was basilar invagination. Hospital length of stay, intensive care unit length of stay, and intubation days were all significantly shorter in the EEA group compared to the TOA group (P < .01, P = .01, P < .01, respectively). Prolonged nutritional support in the form of a gastrostomy tube was required in 5 patients and tracheostomy was required in 4 patients; all of these underwent odontoidectomy by the TOA. There was no statistical difference in neurological outcomes between the EEA and TOA groups (P = .17).

CONCLUSION: Odontoidectomy can be performed safely through both the EEA and TOA. The results of this study suggest the EEA has shorter hospitalizations and a lower probability of requiring prolonged nutritional support. These advantages are likely the results of decreased oropharyngeal mucosa disruption as compared to the TOA.

PMID:34460927 | DOI:10.1093/ons/opab303

Clin Infect Dis. 2021 Aug 30:ciab742. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciab742. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Microbial cell-free DNA (mcfDNA) sequencing of plasma can identify presence of a pathogen in a host. This study evaluated the duration of pathogen detection by mcfDNA sequencing vs. conventional blood culture in patients with bacteremia.

METHODS: Blood samples from patients with culture-confirmed bloodstream infection were collected within 24 hours of the index positive blood culture and 48 to 72 hours thereafter. mcfDNA was extracted from plasma and next-generation sequencing (NGS) applied. Reads were aligned against a curated pathogen database. Statistical significance was defined with Bonferroni adjustment for multiple comparisons (p < 0.0033).

RESULTS: A total of 175 patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB; n=66), Gram-negative bacteremia (GNB; n=74), or non-infected controls (n=35) were enrolled. The overall sensitivity of mcfDNA sequencing compared to index blood culture was 89.3% (125/140) and the specificity was 74.3%. Among patients with bacteremia, pathogen specific mcfDNA remained detectable for significantly longer than conventional blood cultures (median 15 days vs. 2 days; p<0.0001). Each additional day of mcfDNA detection significantly increased the odds of metastatic infection (Odds Ratio [OR]: 2.89; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.53-5.46; p=0.0011).

CONCLUSIONS: Pathogen mcfDNA identified the bacterial etiology of bloodstream infection for a significantly longer interval than conventional cultures, and its duration of detection was associated with increased risk for metastatic infection. mcfDNA could play a role in the diagnosis of partially treated endovascular infections.

PMID:34460909 | DOI:10.1093/cid/ciab742

Psychiatr Pol. 2021 Jun 30;55(3):659-673. doi: 10.12740/PP/OnlineFirst/110686. Epub 2021 Jun 30.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Assessment of the prevalence of risk factors associated with the course of pregnancy and childbirth and the condition of the child after birth in agroup of children and adolescents with ADHD and a control group.

METHODS: 205 unrelated children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD and 106 primary and secondary school students aged 7-17. Method. Mothers of children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD, and those from the control group, were asked to provide a medical history in order to obtain data to supplement the Pregnancy and perinatal history questionnaire.

RESULTS: Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were demonstrated for the incidence rates of factors related to the course of pregnancy and childbirth such as: the occurrence of maternal diseases during pregnancy, especially in the I/II trimester, and other problems during pregnancy; exposure to stress and taking medication during pregnancy; smoking during pregnancy; mother’s age at childbirth, i.e., < 25 years or > 35 years; use of pain reducing substances during labor and problems with the child during the delivery;an APGAR score in the range of 5-7 points; the occurrence of neonatal jaundice necessitating treatment, especially replacement transfusion; physical anomalies or other congenital problems in the newborn, as well as adaptive problems necessitating neonatal oxygen administration or placement in an incubator.

CONCLUSIONS: Significantly more frequent occurrence of risk factors related to the course of pregnancy, childbirth and the child’s condition after birth in the ADHD group may indicate their potential role in the etiology of ADHD.

PMID:34460889 | DOI:10.12740/PP/OnlineFirst/110686

Psychiatr Pol. 2021 Jun 30;55(3):607-620. doi: 10.12740/PP/OnlineFirst/110478. Epub 2021 Jun 30.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: As part of this study, a comparative analysis of the temporal and masseter muscle electrical activity at rest and during mandible excursion positions (protrusion, laterotrusion and maximal occlusion) was performed among patients aged 21 to 68 years.

METHODS: Each of three groups: opioid addicts, alcohol addicts and the control group – consisted of 30 individuals (90 individuals in total, including 37 females and 53 males). Electrodes were placed on the masseter venters and mandibular movements were executed: right/left lateral, protrusion, intercuspation, rest and MVC. Then the same routine was applied to the anterior parts of temporal muscles.

RESULTS: Based on EMG data in alcohol addicts, higher electrical activity of masseters and temporal muscles was observed during the mandible excursions, compared to the control group. In comparison of opiate addicts to healthy controls, no statistical significance was observed in electrical activity of masseter and temporal muscles.

CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the conducted research, a conclusion can be drawn that alcohol addiction significantly affects the function of the largest muscles of the stomatognathic system.

PMID:34460885 | DOI:10.12740/PP/OnlineFirst/110478

Psychiatr Pol. 2021 Jun 30;55(3):497-509. doi: 10.12740/PP/OnlineFirst/126230. Epub 2021 Jun 30.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess anxiety among Poles between the 35th and the 42nd day after the introduction of the state of epidemiological threat, and to compare the obtained results with global reports and the pre-pandemic state.

METHODS: The study was conducted on 2,457 respondents from Poland. The research methods comprised an original survey questionnaire, distributed via the Internet from 17 to 24 April 2020, assessing the sociodemographic state, and standardized psychometric tools: the Beck Depression Inventory, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7) and Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life.

RESULTS: The results of 71% of the respondents indicated the presence of anxiety symptoms with various degrees of severity. In 45% of the respondents, the total score was ≥10 points, indicating signs of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Female respondents scored significantly higher than men. Place of residence, marital status and the type of performed work had no statistically significant impact on the level of anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected the mental condition of Poles, resulting in increased anxiety, fear and concerns regarding the future. 71% of the respondents showed different degrees of anxiety severity, and 44% of them scored at least 10 points in the GAD-7 scale, which indicates the presence of signs of Generalized Anxiety. There is a great need to provide Poles with mental support during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PMID:34460877 | DOI:10.12740/PP/OnlineFirst/126230

PLoS One. 2021 Aug 30;16(8):e0250332. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250332. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

This study reports comprehensive clinical pathology data for hematology, serum, and plasma biochemistry reference intervals for 174 apparently healthy common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and reference values for 27 Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus), 13 beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas), and 6 Pacific white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens) in zoos and aquariums accredited by the Alliance for Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums and the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. Blood samples were collected as part of a larger study titled “Towards understanding the welfare of cetaceans in zoos and aquariums” (colloquially called the Cetacean Welfare Study). Two blood samples were collected following a standardized protocol, and two veterinarian examinations were conducted approximately six months apart between July to November 2018 and January to April 2019. Least square means, standard deviations, and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for hematology, serum, and plasma biochemical variables. Comparisons by age, gender, and month revealed statistically significant differences (p < 0.01) for several variables. Reference intervals and values were generated for samples tested at two laboratories for up to 56 hematologic, serum, and plasma biochemical variables. To apply these data, ZooPhysioTrak, an iOS mobile software application, was developed to provide a new resource for cetacean management. ZooPhysioTrak provides species-specific reference intervals and values based on user inputs of individual demographic and sample information. These data provide a baseline from which to compare hematological, serum, and plasma biochemical values in cetaceans in zoos and aquariums.

PMID:34460864 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0250332