Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Biosecurity adoption in Québec dairy farms: results from a risk assessment questionnaire analyzed using conventional and unsupervised artificial intelligence methods

J Dairy Sci. 2024 Mar 22:S0022-0302(24)00620-9. doi: 10.3168/jds.2023-24256. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study documents the current state of biosecurity on dairy farms in Québec following the implementation of a mandatory biosecurity risk evaluation that was part of the proAction® accreditation program developed by Dairy Farmers of Canada. Using a cross-sectional design, 3,825 risk assessment questionnaires completed between 2018 and 2021 were extracted from Vigil-Vet database, which is a software utilized by veterinarians for conducting the proAction® risk assessment. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the practices adopted by dairy producers. Additionally, multiple correspondence analysis was used to explore the association between the diseases of most concern and the adoption of biosecurity practices. Moreover, we used a hierarchical cluster analysis on principal components to identify distinct patterns of biosecurity practices among dairy producers. This analysis enabled the identification of typologies or clusters of farms based on the specific biosecurity practices they currently employ. The results of the descriptive statistics indicated that mastitis was the disease of most concern for most dairy farmers (40%). Moreover, given that only 10% of the 2,237 dairy farmers who acquired animals adhered to quarantine practices, there seems to be a need for improved implementation of biosecurity measures aimed at restricting the introduction of diseases when introducing new animals. Conversely, cleaning stalls and health equipment were adequately addressed by 95% and 86% of dairy producers, respectively. The multiple correspondence analysis indicated no significant association between the disease of most concern and the farm’s biosecurity profile, except for respondents who identified digital dermatitis as their disease of most concern. Through the hierarchical cluster analysis, 3 clusters were identified among 3,581 farms: (1) Cluster 1 included farms with good management of sick animals; (2) Cluster 2 included farms with good management of young animals; and (3) Cluster 3 included farms with poor management of sick animals and young animals. Our study makes an important contribution by providing valuable insights into the biosecurity practices currently adopted on Québec dairy farms. It establishes a baseline for assessing progress in biosecurity practices adoption and serves as a reference point for future evaluations. In addition, these findings play a key role in monitoring the effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving biosecurity on dairy farms. By making use of this knowledge, stakeholders can make informed decisions that prioritize animal health, increase productivity, and ensure sustainability of the dairy industry.

PMID:38522832 | DOI:10.3168/jds.2023-24256

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Effect of music therapy on pain during thyroid fine needle aspiration biopsy; a randomized controlled clinical trial

Endocr Pract. 2024 Mar 22:S1530-891X(24)00091-0. doi: 10.1016/j.eprac.2024.03.008. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: High-resolution ultrasonography devices have led to the increased detection of thyroid nodules and the need for fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). However, FNAB is an invasive procedure that can cause discomfort and pain. Music therapy has been used for centuries to alleviate pain, and our clinical trial was conducted to investigate its impact on pain scores during thyroid FNAB.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a randomized, controlled clinical trial, including adult patients undergoing thyroid FNAB. We evaluated the non-pharmacological intervention of listening to music before and during thyroid FNAB. We used a slow, non-lyrical, flowing melody with a tempo of 60 to 80 beats per minute as a therapeutic intervention for managing anxiety and pain. It had low tones, minimal percussion, and a volume of around 60 decibels. The Beck Anxiety Inventory and Visual Pain Scale were used.

RESULTS: The study included 529 patients assigned to either the music group (n=258, 48.7%) or the control group (n=271, 51.2%). The patients were categorized into subgroups based on either a single nodule (73.63%) or multiple nodules (24.18%). When all patients or single nodule and multiple data are examined separately, the intervention group showed statistically significantly lower pain scores than the control group.

CONCLUSION: Our study is among the first on this topic and the largest in the available literature to demonstrate that listening to music during FNAB significantly reduces pain and anxiety. Music therapy is an effective, safe, and noninvasive intervention that can improve patient care and reduce distress and pain.

PMID:38522825 | DOI:10.1016/j.eprac.2024.03.008

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

New Insights into the Importance of Dietary Cholesterol in Preventing Cardiovascular Disease

Endocr Pract. 2024 Mar 22:S1530-891X(24)00090-9. doi: 10.1016/j.eprac.2024.03.007. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:38522824 | DOI:10.1016/j.eprac.2024.03.007

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Time-dependent changes in cell population data obtained using Sysmex XN-series hematology analyzer in bacterial infections

J Infect Chemother. 2024 Mar 22:S1341-321X(24)00083-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jiac.2024.03.008. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Time-dependent changes in cell populations during acute bacterial infections remain unclear. We assessed time-dependent changes in fluorescent light intensity of the neutrophil area (NE-SFL) and fluorescent light distribution width index of the neutrophil area (NE-WY) and their association with sepsis and bacteremia.

METHODS: Patients with acute bacterial infections were enrolled in this prospective, observational cohort study. Blood samples were collected from all patients at the onset of bacterial infections (day 0) and on days 1 and 3. Microbiological evaluation included the examination of blood bacterial load using PCR. Cell population data were assessed using an automated hematology analyzer (Sysmex series XN-2000).

RESULTS: Forty-three participants with acute bacterial infections were enrolled in the study. Twenty-five participants developed definite sepsis. All the participants improved after the onset of infection. NE-WY levels showed significant time-dependent changes in participants with sepsis, peaking on day 0 and significantly decreasing until day 3, whereas these changes were not statistically significant for NE-SFL. A significant correlation with the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score was observed with NE-WY and NE-SFL in the entire cohort on days 0 and 1. However, only NE-WY showed a significant correlation with blood bacterial load on days 0 and 1.

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that NE-WY elevation in sepsis peaked earlier than NE-SFL, which may partly reflect the early bacterial invasion into circulation. These findings advocate caution in interpreting cell population data values as sepsis biomarkers and propose the potential of NE-WY as a therapeutic indicator.

PMID:38522794 | DOI:10.1016/j.jiac.2024.03.008

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Post-COVID Analysis of Which United States Medical Schools Produce the Most Neurosurgery Residents: 2021-2023 in Review

World Neurosurg. 2024 Mar 22:S1878-8750(24)00461-3. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2024.03.092. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The process surrounding application to the national residency matching program changed drastically because of COVID. Virtual interviews, pre-interview zoom socials, and limitations on sub-internships are major changes that applicants worldwide have had to overcome. The available literature does not reflect the impact of major changes to the interview process. Here, we examine the neurosurgery resident cohort from 2021-2023 to investigate differences between United States medical schools pre- and post-COVID.

METHODS: A database was constructed reporting the number of students matched to neurosurgery for U.S. medical schools (MD and DO) from 2021-2023. Percentage of total graduates matched to neurosurgery was calculated and institutions were ranked by this metric. This rank was compared to the rank reported by Antar et al in 2021. Variables were compared across the pre- and post-COVID cohorts.

RESULTS: Case Western, Johns Hopkins, Mayo Clinic, Vanderbilt, University of Illinois and University of California San Francisco produced the most neurosurgical residents as a percentage of total graduates. There was a statistically significant difference in the post-COVID cohort between medical schools with a home program vs those without. For the top 20 ranked U.S. News medical schools, there was a statistically insignificant increase in the number of graduates matched to neurosurgery CONCLUSIONS: With the data provided, there have not been many significant changes in which medical schools produce the most neurosurgery residents since COVID changes were implemented. The playing field has remained relatively the same in the setting of major changes that were made.

PMID:38522786 | DOI:10.1016/j.wneu.2024.03.092

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Status Testing in Humans: A Narrative Review of Commercially Available Options

J Nutr. 2024 Mar 22:S0022-3166(24)00164-0. doi: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2024.03.015. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

There is an increasing body of evidence supporting a link between low intakes of omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) and numerous diseases and health conditions. However, few people are achieving the levels of fish/seafood or eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid intake recommended in national and international guidelines. Knowledge of a person’s omega-3 LCPUFA status will benefit the interpretation of research results and could be expected to lead to an increased effort to increase intake. Dietary intake survey methods are often used as a surrogate for measuring omega-3 PUFA tissue status and its impact on health and functional outcomes. However, since individuals vary widely in their ability to digest and absorb omega-3 PUFA, analytical testing of biological samples is desirable to accurately evaluate omega-3 PUFA status. Adipose tissue is the reference biospecimen for measuring tissue fatty acids, but less invasive methods, such as measurements in whole blood or its components (e.g., plasma, serum, red blood cell membranes) or breast milk are often used. Numerous commercial laboratories provide fatty acid testing of blood and breast milk samples by different methods and present their results in a variety of reports such as a full fatty acid profile, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid profiles, fatty acid ratios, as well as the Omega-3 Index, the Holman Omega-3 Test, OmegaScore™, and OmegaCheck®, among others. This narrative review provides information about the different ways to measure omega-3 LCPUFA status (including both dietary assessments and selected commercially available analytical tests of blood and breast milk samples) and discusses evidence linking increased omega-3 LCPUFA intake or status to improved health, focusing on cardiovascular, neurological, pregnancy, and eye health, in support of recommendations to increase omega-3 LCPUFA intake and testing.

PMID:38522783 | DOI:10.1016/j.tjnut.2024.03.015

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Validation of the natural sedimentation technique in the diagnosis of chronic fasciolosis

Parasitol Int. 2024 Mar 22:102889. doi: 10.1016/j.parint.2024.102889. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

There are various diagnostic techniques available for chronic fasciolosis in ruminants. However, many of them exhibit low specificity and sensitivity, making them impractical for field use and in low-resource laboratories. The present study evaluates the usefulness of the Natural Sedimentation technique in diagnosing chronic fasciolosis in three domestic species conducted at the Laboratorio de Parasitología y Enfermedades Parasitarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinas, Universidad Nacional de Cajamarca. Fecal samples were collected from n = 323 cattle, n = 362 sheep, and n = 231 swine for Fasciola hepatica fecal egg counts. The visualization of adult parasites in animal livers post-mortem was considered the gold standard. Additionally, the sensitivity of the technique was evaluated using five different amounts of feces. In cattle, a sensitivity of 0.93 ± 0.03, specificity of 0.91 ± 0.06, positive predictive value of 0.96 ± 0.03, and negative predictive value of 0.86 ± 0.07 were obtained. In sheep, a sensitivity of 0.79 ± 0.05, specificity of 0.83 ± 0.07, positive predictive value of 0.90 ± 0.04, and negative predictive value of 0.66 ± 0.08 were observed. In swine, a sensitivity of 0.92 ± 0.06, specificity of 1.00 ± 0.00, positive predictive value of 1.00 ± 0.00, and negative predictive value of 0.96 ± 0.03 were found. There was no statistical difference in egg counts when using 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 g of feces (p = 0.907). Furthermore, 1 to 688 fecal eggs of F. hepatica were counted in 1 g of feces. The Natural Sedimentation technique has both qualitative and quantitative applications with satisfactory results when using 1 g of feces in the diagnosis of chronic fasciolosis in domestic animals. Due to its simplicity, it can be implemented in field conditions and low-resource laboratories.

PMID:38522780 | DOI:10.1016/j.parint.2024.102889

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Type V Superior-Labrum Anterior-Posterior (SLAP) Repair – A Systematic Review

J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2024 Mar 22:S1058-2746(24)00215-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jse.2024.01.054. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to systematically review the evidence in the literature to ascertain the functional outcomes, recurrence rates, and subsequent revision rates following type V superior labrum anterior-posterior (SLAP) repair.

METHODS: Two independent reviewers performed a literature search based on PRISMA guidelines, utilizing the EMBASE, MEDLINE, and The Cochrane Library Databases. Studies were included if they had clinical outcomes on the patients undergoing type V SLAP repair. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA). A P value of < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

RESULTS: Our review found 13 studies, including 451 shoulders meeting our inclusion criteria. The majority of patients were male (89.3%), with an average age of 25.9 years (range 15-58) and a mean follow-up of 53.8 months. The Rowe score was the most utilized functional outcome score, with a weighted mean of 88.5. Additionally, the mean Constant score was 91.0, the mean ASES score was 88.3, the mean SSV score was 85.5%, and the mean VAS pain score was 1.2. The overall rate of return to play was 84.8%, with 80.2% returning to the same level of play. The overall reoperation rate was 6.1%, with a recurrent dislocation rate of 8.2%. In the studies comparing type V SLAP and isolated Bankart repair, there were statistically insignificant differences in VAS pain scores (MD; 0.15, 95% CI, -0.13 to 0.44, I2 = 0%, p = 0.29) and recurrence rates (RR; 1.38, 95% CI, 0.88 to 2.15, I2 = 0%, p = 0.16).

CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic repair of type V SLAP tears results in excellent functional outcomes, with high return to play rates in athletes. There are low rates of reoperations and recurrent dislocations. Additionally, in comparison to an isolated Bankart repair, SLAP repair does not increase recurrence rates or postoperative pain.

PMID:38522776 | DOI:10.1016/j.jse.2024.01.054

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Differences in excess mortality by recipient sex after heart transplant: An Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis

J Heart Lung Transplant. 2024 Mar 22:S1053-2498(24)01536-5. doi: 10.1016/j.healun.2024.03.016. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Identification of differences in mortality risk between female and male heart transplant recipients may prompt sex-specific management strategies. Because worldwide, males of all ages have higher absolute mortality rates than females, we aimed to compare the excess risk of mortality (risk above the general population) in female versus male heart transplant recipients.

METHODS: We used relative survival models conducted separately in SRTR and CTS cohorts from 1988-2019, and subsequently combined using two-stage individual patient data meta-analysis, to compare the excess risk of mortality in female versus male first heart transplant recipients, accounting for the modifying effects of donor sex and recipient current age.

RESULTS: We analyzed 108,918 patients. When the donor was male, female recipients 0-12 years (Relative excess risk (RER) 1.13, 95% CI 1.00-1.26), 13-44 years (RER 1.17, 95% CI 1.10-1.25), and ≥45 years (RER 1.14, 95% CI 1.02-1.27) showed higher excess mortality risks than male recipients of the same age. When the donor was female, only female recipients 13-44 years showed higher excess risks of mortality than males (RER 1.09, 95% CI 1.00-1.20), though not significantly (p= 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: In the setting of a male donor, female recipients of all ages had significantly higher excess mortality than males. When the donor was female, female recipients of reproductive age had higher excess risks of mortality than male recipients of the same age, though this was not statistically significant. Further investigation is required to determine the reasons underlying these differences.

PMID:38522764 | DOI:10.1016/j.healun.2024.03.016

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

The ADAM17 inhibitor ZLDI-8 sensitized hepatocellular carcinoma cells to sorafenib through Notch1-integrin β-talk

Pharmacol Res. 2024 Mar 22:107142. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107142. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

ZLDI-8 is an A disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain 17 (ADAM17) inhibitor that suppresses the shedding of Notch1 to the Notch1 intracellular domain (NICD). In previous studies, we found that ZLDI-8 was able to sensitize HCC to sorafenib, but the mechanism of action remains unclear. The sensitizing effects of ZLDI-8 were tested both in vitro and in vivo. EMT-related factors, sorafenib sensitivity-related proteins and ECM-related gene expression were assessed using immunohistochemistry, RTPCR and Western blotting. Knockdown assays were conducted to determine the relationship between the Notch and Integrin pathways. CoIP assays, nuclear and cytoplasmic fractionation and immunofluorescence colocalization were applied to explore the interaction between the Notch and Integrin pathways. Appropriate statistical analysis methods were used to assess the significance of the experimental results and to ensure the scientific validity and reliability of the experimental design. We found that ECM- and EMT-related proteins were downregulated after ZLDI-8 treatment (P<0.05). ZLDI-8 significantly downregulated Integrinβ1 and Integrinβ3 in HCC in vitro and in vivo (P<0.05), possibly through Foxc2-dependent regulation. Mechanistically, interfering with the expression of both Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) and the NICD may downregulate the expression of proteins targeted by sorafenib, thereby sensitizing cells to sorafenib. The retroregulation of Integrinβ by ILK may occur through the interaction between the NICD and ILK and may be the result of the translocation of the complexus. Our study indicates that blocking the Notch pathway may affect Integrinβ through crosstalk between the Notch1 and Integrinβ/ILK signaling pathways, thus providing a potential therapeutic strategy for HCC.

PMID:38522759 | DOI:10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107142