Tag: nevin manimala

Am J Audiol. 2024 Jun 18:1-9. doi: 10.1044/2024_AJA-22-00190. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to determine the normative vestibulo-ocular reflex gain output values of the computerized rotational head impulse test (crHIT) with stationary visual targets (earth bound) in healthy participants in each decade age band of life: 10-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70+ years.

METHOD: Seventy-seven community-dwelling participants (10-85 years of age) with normal lateral semicircular canal (SCC) functioning and no symptoms or history of vestibular dysfunction were recruited through convenience sampling and assessed with the crHIT using stationary targets. These participants were assessed using two standard protocols in a randomized order.

RESULTS: Results from 77 participants (M _age = 46 years; 43 women, 34 men) were analyzed. Pearson’s correlation coefficient and simple linear regression indicated a statistically significant relationship between crHIT gain output and age (p > .05) for right gain, 1030°/s², and left gain, 1005°/s². Although a statistically significant relationship was found, the slope was minor, demonstrating that the clinical effect of age on crHIT gain output was insignificant. Furthermore, no statistically significant relationship exists between crHIT gain output and gender (p > .05). Age-dependent normative data were calculated using the 2.5th and 97.5th confidence interval (CI) percentile method. The responses of angular vestibulo-ocular reflex (aVOR) gain values for crHIT are expected to occur within the range for lower limit reference interval (RI) of 0.85-0.9 and upper limit RI of 1.11-1.18 for 1030°/s² and lower limit RI of 0.86-0.92 and upper limit RI of 1.13-1.16 for 1005°/s². It can be expected that 90% CI of the population with normal lateral SCC functioning will have aVOR gain values that fall within this range.

CONCLUSION: Despite a statistically significant relationship that exists with aVOR gain output and age, the changes are minor, declining by 0.0088 units per 10 years, justifying the same normative data for all decade age bands.

PMID:38889375 | DOI:10.1044/2024_AJA-22-00190

J Clin Oncol. 2024 Jun 18:JCO2302099. doi: 10.1200/JCO.23.02099. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Socioeconomic status (SES) influences the survival outcomes of patients with early breast cancer (EBC). However, limited research investigates social inequalities in their quality of life (QoL). This study examines the socioeconomic inequalities in QoL after an EBC diagnosis and their time trends.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: We used data from the French prospective multicentric CANTO cohort (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01993498), including women with EBC enrolled between 2012 and 2018. QoL was assessed using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer QoL Core 30 questionnaire (QLQ-C30). summary score at diagnosis and 1 and 2 years postdiagnosis. We considered three indicators of SES separately: self-reported financial difficulties, household income, and educational level. We first analyzed the trajectories of the QLQ-C30 summary score by SES group. Then, social inequalities in QLQ-C30 summary score and their time trends were quantified using the regression-based slope index of inequality (SII), representing the absolute change in the outcome along socioeconomic gradient extremes. The analyses were adjusted for age at diagnosis, Charlson Comorbidity Index, disease stage, and type of local and systemic treatment.

RESULTS: Among the 5,915 included patients with data on QoL at diagnosis and at the 2-year follow-up, social inequalities in QLQ-C30 summary score at baseline were statistically significant for all SES indicators (SII_{financial difficulties} = -7.6 [-8.9; -6.2], SII_income = -4.0 [-5.2; -2.8]), SII_education = -1.9 [-3.1; -0.7]). These inequalities significantly increased (interaction P < .05) in year 1 and year 2 postdiagnosis, irrespective of prediagnosis health, tumor characteristics, and treatment. Similar results were observed in subgroups defined by menopausal status and type of adjuvant systemic treatment.

CONCLUSION: The magnitude of preexisting inequalities in QoL increased over time after EBC diagnosis, emphasizing the importance of considering social determinants of health during comprehensive cancer care planning.

PMID:38889372 | DOI:10.1200/JCO.23.02099

Sports Biomech. 2024 Jun 18:1-21. doi: 10.1080/14763141.2024.2368064. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study aims to profile biomechanical abilities during sprint front crawl by identifying technical stroke characteristics, in light of performance level. Ninety-one recreational to world-class swimmers equipped with a sacrum-worn IMU performed 25 m all-out. Intra and inter-cyclic 3D kinematical variabilities were clustered using a functional double partition model. Clusters were analysed according to (1) swimming technique using continuous visualisation and discrete features (standard deviation and jerk cost) and (2) performance regarding speed and competition calibre using respectively one-way ANOVA and Chi-squared test as well as Gamma statistics. Swimmers displayed specific technical profiles of intra-cyclic (smoothy and jerky) and inter-cyclic stroke regulation (low, moderate and high repeatability) significantly discriminated by speed (p < 0.001, η² = 0.62) and performance calibre (p < 0.001, V = 0.53). We showed that combining high levels of both kinds of variability (jerky + low repeatability) are associated with highest speed (1.86 ± 0.12 m/s) and competition calibre (ℽ = 0.75, p < 0.001). It highlights the crucial importance of variabilities combination. Technical skills might be driven by a specific alignment of stroke pattern and its associated dispersion according to the task constraints. This data-driven approach can assist eyes-based technical evaluation. Targeting the development of an explosive swimming style with a high level of body stability should be considered during training of sprinters.

PMID:38889362 | DOI:10.1080/14763141.2024.2368064

Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2024 Jun 18. doi: 10.1164/rccm.202404-0767RL. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:38889351 | DOI:10.1164/rccm.202404-0767RL

Future Oncol. 2024 Jun 18:1-15. doi: 10.1080/14796694.2024.2357537. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

We observed lack of clarity and consistency in end point definitions of large randomized clinical trials in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. These inconsistencies are such that trials might, in fact, address different clinical questions. They complicate interpretation of results, including comparisons across studies. Problems arise from different ways to account for events occurring after randomization including absence of improvement in disease status, treatment discontinuation or the initiation of new therapy. We call for more dialogue between stakeholders to define with clarity the questions of interest and corresponding end points. We illustrate that assessing different end point rules across a range of plausible patient journeys can be a powerful tool to facilitate such a discussion and contribute to better understanding of patient-relevant end points.

PMID:38889345 | DOI:10.1080/14796694.2024.2357537

Aggress Behav. 2024 Jun;50(4):e22160. doi: 10.1002/ab.22160.

ABSTRACT

Some emergency responders are more often exposed to workplace aggression than others. Victimological theories and previous studies suggest that characteristics of the target may predict exposure to workplace aggression. This paper examines the relationship between negative affect, hostile attribution, dominance, empathy, self-evaluations, and exposure to workplace aggression among emergency responders. Emergency medical workers, firefighters and police officers in the Netherlands filled in a survey during three measurement occasions (6 months apart). Results from the three occupational groups were presented separately. Results suggest that some psychological characteristics are related to exposure to workplace aggression, but that the contribution of these characteristics in the explanation of exposure to workplace aggression is limited. In addition, although differences between occupational groups could not be statistically tested due to differences in the factor structure of exposure to workplace aggression between the three groups of emergency response, differences seem to occur in models between emergency response contexts. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.

PMID:38889343 | DOI:10.1002/ab.22160

Infect Dis (Lond). 2024 Jun 18:1-4. doi: 10.1080/23744235.2024.2369152. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:38889338 | DOI:10.1080/23744235.2024.2369152

Infect Dis (Lond). 2024 Jun 18:1-7. doi: 10.1080/23744235.2024.2363887. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The assessment of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath or sweat represents a potential non-invasive and rapid diagnostic tool for respiratory diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if trained dogs can reliably identify the odour associated with COVID19.

METHODS: This is a monocentric prospective study carried out in the Emergency Department (ED) of a university hospital fromJulyto November 2021.Axillary sweat samples from all patients were collected bytwo trained health care professionals. The samples were collected in the form of sterile gauze swabs placed under the armpits for at least 4 h for each patient.Then, Tubes wereshiftedto the double-blind dog training centre for VOC detection by two individuals.

RESULTS: Dogs were tested using a total of 129 axillary sweat samples; 69 of the 107 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 based on their odours had a positive PCR/Antigen test and 19 of the 22 patients who were tested negative for COVID-19 by the dogs had a negative PCR test. The sniffer dog infection detection method had a sensitivity of 95.83% and a specificity of 33.33%. The PPV was 64.49% and the NPVwas 86.36%. The measurement of the intensity of the connection between the two variables (disease/sign) was very strong (Q = 0.84). This link is statistically significant (X² = 19.13) with a probability p ≤ 0.001.

CONCLUSION: Overall, the use of trained detection dogs as a screening method for SARS-CoV-2 is an interesting avenue of research that warrants further exploration and validation.

PMID:38889329 | DOI:10.1080/23744235.2024.2363887

Int J Radiat Biol. 2024 Jun 18:1-9. doi: 10.1080/09553002.2024.2369104. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Plutonium and iron share a common metabolism in terms of their transportation and accumulation in the human body. This study examined their concentrations in livers with different states of health, and the effects of fatty degeneration and cirrhosis on their accumulation in the liver.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We determined the concentrations of plutonium and iron in autopsy liver samples from 1976-1979. Using statistical analysis, we investigated the relationships between the different variables.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The burdens of ^239,240Pu and Fe correlated positively (R_s = 0.411) in the healthy livers, but not in the livers that had pathological findings. In contrast to the Fe content, the ^239,240Pu content in the fatty degenerated or cirrhotic livers was significantly lower than that in normal livers. This difference may suggest that plutonium and iron do not accumulate or are not excreted in the same way in fatty degenerated and cirrhotic livers. The reaction mechanisms for the binding and excretion of plutonium, particularly in a fatty degenerated liver, are not yet fully known.

PMID:38889304 | DOI:10.1080/09553002.2024.2369104

JNCI Cancer Spectr. 2024 Jun 18:pkae047. doi: 10.1093/jncics/pkae047. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Persons who speak languages other than English (LOE) are underrepresented in clinical trials; this may be due in part to inadequate multilevel resources. We conducted a survey of institutions affiliated with the Children’s Oncology Group (COG) to characterize current research recruitment practices and resources regarding translation and interpretation services.

METHODS: In October 2022, a 20-item survey was distributed electronically to institutions affiliated with COG to assess consent practices and resources for recruiting participants who speak LOE to COG trials. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize responses; responses were compared by institution size, type, and respondent role.

RESULTS: The survey was sent to a total of 230 institutions, and the response rate was 60% (n = 139). In total, 60% (n = 83) had access to short form consents. Full consent form translation was required at 50% of institutions, and 12% of Institutional Review Boards restricted use of centrally translated consent forms. Forty-six percent of institutions reported insufficient funding to support translation costs; 15% had access to no-cost translation services. Forty-four percent (n = 61) were required to use in-person interpreters for consent discussions; the most cited barrier to obtaining consent was lack of available in-person interpreters (56%). Forty-six percent (n = 69) reported that recruiting persons who speak LOE to clinical trials was somewhat or very difficult.

CONCLUSIONS: Institutions affiliated with COG face resource-specific challenges that impede recruitment of participants who speak LOE in clinical trials. These findings indicate an urgent need to identify strategies aimed at reducing recruitment barriers to ensure equitable access to clinical trials.

PMID:38889291 | DOI:10.1093/jncics/pkae047