Tag: nevin manimala

Heliyon. 2023 Aug 28;9(9):e19411. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19411. eCollection 2023 Sep.

ABSTRACT

The common disorder, Keratoconus (KC), is distinguished by cumulative corneal slimming and steepening. The corneal ring implantation has become a successful surgical procedure to correct the KC patient’s vision. The determination of suitable patients for the surgery alternative is among the paramount concerns of ophthalmologists. To reduce the burden on them and enhance the treatment, this research aims to previse the ocular condition of KC patients after the corneal ring implantation. It focuses on predicting post-surgical corneal topographic indices and visual characteristics. This study applied an efficacious artificial neural network approach to foretell the aforementioned ocular features of KC subjects 6 and 12 months after implanting KeraRing and MyoRing based on the accumulated data. The datasets are composed of sufficient numbers of corneal topographic maps and visual characteristics recorded from KC patients before and after implanting the rings. The visual characteristics under study are uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), sphere (SPH), astigmatism (Ast), astigmatism orientation (Axe), and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA). In addition, the statistical data of multiple KC subjects were registered, including three effective indices of corneal topography (i.e., Ast, K-reading, and pachymetry) pre- and post-ring embedding. The outcomes represent the contribution of practical training of the introduced models to the estimation of ocular features of KC subjects following the implantation. The corneal topographic indices and visual characteristics were estimated with mean errors of 7.29% and 8.60%, respectively. Further, the errors of 6.82% and 7.65% were respectively realized for the visual characteristics and corneal topographic indices while assessing the predictions by the leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV) procedure. The results confirm the great potential of neural networks to guide ophthalmologists in choosing appropriate surgical candidates and their specific intracorneal rings by predicting post-implantation ocular features.

PMID:37681187 | PMC:PMC10480659 | DOI:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19411

Heliyon. 2023 Aug 27;9(9):e19448. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19448. eCollection 2023 Sep.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to determine the relationships between some potentially toxic elements (PTE) (Cu, Mn, Ni, Zn) in human stomach and intestinal tissues and toxic element contents in soil, vegetables and fruits. This study was conducted in the eastern of Erciyes Strato volcano, an area of 2400 km² in Turkey. Tissue samples taken from the stomach and intestines of people living in the study area, soils, vegetables, and fruits were used as material. In the study, tissue samples of 26 people’s stomach and intestines, 576 soil samples from 192 points and 3 different depths (0-30 cm, 30-60 cm, and 60-90 cm) and vegetable and fruit samples from 137 sampling points were taken. Cu, Mn, Ni, and Zn contents of human tissue samples, soil samples, vegetable and fruit samples were determined. Artificial Neural Networks method (ANN) and Fuzzy Linear Regression Analysis (FLRA) methods were used to determine the relationships between PTE contents in human tissue samples and soils, vegetables, and fruits. Root Mean squared error (RMSE) and coefficient of determination (R²) indices were used as the test criteria for goodness of fit. When compared with ANN method, it was determined that PTE values in stomach and intestinal tissue estimated by FLRA method had the lowest error and high R² values. It was found that the most effective variable in estimating the average PTE value in stomach and intestinal tissue is PTE values in soil. It was determined that the FLRA regression analysis method has a better predictive power than the ANN method. Using FLRA and ANN regression methods, it was determined that there is a statistically high relationship between PTE contents in soils and stomach and intestinal tissues. It is recommended to make the study findings more meaningful with effective and reliable service planning by using different regression analysis methods in ecological and clinical studies.

PMID:37681186 | PMC:PMC10481309 | DOI:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19448

Heliyon. 2023 Aug 21;9(9):e19277. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19277. eCollection 2023 Sep.

ABSTRACT

There is no uniform regimen for refractory Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH). We retrospectively described patients with refractory multisystem and risk organ involvement LCH treated with the low-dose (Ara-c, 100 mg/m²/d × 5day; 2-CDA, 5 mg/m²/d × 5day) chemotherapy (LDC) and the intermediate-dose (Ara-c, 500 mg/m²/d × 5day; 2-CDA, 9 mg/m²/d × 5day) chemotherapy (IDC). 26 patients and 10 patients receiving the LDC and IDC regimen from January 2013 to December 2016 were included in the study. The overall response rate exhibited no significant difference between the LDC and IDC groups after four courses (76.9% vs 90%, P = 0.375) and eight courses (80.8% vs 100%, P = 0.135) of treatment. No statistical differences in the overall survival rate were observed between the two groups, but 5-year event-free survival rate of patients in the IDC group was higher than that in the LDC group at the median follow-up of 6.16 and 5.07 years (88.9% vs 52.9%, P = 0.033). The patients in the IDC group had more severe myelosuppression than those in the LDC group (grade 3/4 myelosuppression, 80% vs 19.2%, P = 0.001). The intermediate-dose regimen of 2CDA and Ara-c had a higher event-free survival rate and a similar overall survival rate compared with the low-dose regimen.

PMID:37681174 | PMC:PMC10481182 | DOI:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19277

Heliyon. 2023 Aug 26;9(9):e19477. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19477. eCollection 2023 Sep.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The goal of the present research was to employ CBCT imaging to assess the root and canal anatomy of maxillary second molars in a population from the Hail province of Saudi. The effects of gender and side were taken into account.

METHODS: The investigation included a sample size of 499 completely developed right and left untreated maxillary second molars obtained from 250 Saudi people. The root morphology of each tooth was evaluated. The examination also included an analysis of the canal morphology for each tooth, utilizing Vertucci’s categorization. The effect of genders as well as sides was recorded. Results were analyzed using the Chi-square test.

RESULTS: 464 teeth had three roots (93.0%), whereas 20 teeth (4.0%) had two roots. One root was recorded in 7 (1.4%) of the study sample, whilst 8 (1.6%) had four roots. Although there were no significant differences between the left and right sides (p = .075), gender had a significant influence on the number of roots (p = .030). 240 M (48.1%) had three canal orifices, and 247 (49.5%) had four root canal orifices. Eight molars (1.6%) had two canal orifices, while one and five canal orifices were found in 3 (0.6%) and one (0.2%), respectively. Gender had a significant impact on the number of root canal orifices (p = .039). The observed differences in the orifices of the root canals between the left and right sides were not statistically significant (p = .059). The prevalence of MB2 in maxillary second molars was found to be 49.7%. In the mesiobuccal root, the Vertucci type I configuration had the highest canal frequency (50.3%), followed by the Vertucci types II (14.4%), IV (13.8%), V (12.0%), and III (7.6%), and VI (1.8%). The prevalence of Vertucci type I canal configurations was found to be higher in the distobuccal root (99.4%) and palatal root (98.2%) of maxillary second molars.

CONCLUSIONS: Significant variations in root canal anatomy were observed within the Saudi population. The majority of the subjects from Saudi Arabia in this study exhibited the presence of maxillary second molars with three roots. Approximately half of the sample under investigation exhibited the presence of the four canals.

PMID:37681163 | PMC:PMC10481312 | DOI:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19477

Heliyon. 2023 Aug 19;9(9):e19310. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19310. eCollection 2023 Sep.

ABSTRACT

A zebra crossing is a form of pedestrian crossing provision point on roads that have significant volumes of traffic. It is one of the safety measures employed to reduce avoidable pedestrian-motorist conflicts and accidents on such roads. In the past several studies have been conducted on the behaviours of road users (pedestrians and motorists) especially on non-signal intersections. Although, various recommendations and solutions have been proffered to the many road-crossing challenges. But there has been little to no change in pedestrians’ perceptions and preferences of zebra crossing. Contemporary researches have tried to rectify this by applying several models to rate the use of pedestrian zebra crossing. This study uses a Regression Model Techniques to analyse factors influencing utilization rate of pedestrian zebra crossing. In this study, 450 samples were collected from 12 locations, covering school, public building, residential and business areas to examine the utilization rate of the zebra crossing by pedestrians. To examine the significance level on the crossing utilization rates by pedestrian at 95% confidence interval, a pedestrian utilization rate (PUR) was acting as the dependent variable and the remaining variables served as the independent variables. The Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) model was also used to determine the utilization rate needed to develop the zebra crossing utilization model. From the findings, the calibrated R2 value was discovered to be at 0.937 and the descriptive statistics of MLR test, t and p-values, were also found within an acceptable range. The result also showed that, out of all the variables which were used, only three have a significant effect on the utilization rates of pedestrian zebra crossing while the remaining variables have an insignificant effect. The study concluded that among the different variables, Guardrail, number of lanes and Width of zebra crossing were the most influential variables. It is believed that the conclusions drawn from this research are expected to be useful to improve the state of pedestrian facilities in Malaysia.

PMID:37681154 | PMC:PMC10480594 | DOI:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19310

Heliyon. 2023 Aug 25;9(9):e19493. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19493. eCollection 2023 Sep.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 accounts for more than half a billion deaths globally. The clinical manifestations may vary in due course. Despite several studies aimed at determining the extent to which the disease’s severity and mortality remain high when combined with other comorbidities, more research is required. Therefore, this review aimed to measure the pooled prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) among COVID-19 patients, specifically those with a history of CAD. Additionally, we aim to assess the association between mortality due to CAD and the severity of COVID-19 among hospitalized patients.

METHOD: A comprehensive search in PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and the WHO COVID-19 database was conducted. English studies with original data on CAD, mortality, and ARDS among COVID-19 patients were included. PRISMA guidelines were followed.

RESULTS: Among the 2007 identified articles, 76 studies met the inclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence of CAD among COVID-19 patients was 14.4%(95% CI: 12.7-16.2). The highest prevalence was observed in European studies at 18.2%(95% CI: 13.3-24.2), while the lowest was in Asian studies at 10.4% (95% CI: 6.4-16.3). Participants with concurrent CAD at the time of hospital admission had twice the odds of mortality due to COVID-19 (2.64 [95% CI: 2.30-3.04]) with moderate heterogeneity (I2 = 45%, p < 0.01). Hospitalized COVID-19 patients with CAD had a 50% higher risk of ARDS (95% CI: 0.62-3.66), but this difference was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION: Although our analysis revealed evidence for a relationship between concurrent CAD at the time of hospital admission and mortality from COVID-19, however, global variation in health infrastructure, limitations of data reporting, and the effects of emerging variants must be considered in future investigations.

PMID:37681130 | PMC:PMC10480662 | DOI:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19493

Inj Epidemiol. 2023 Sep 7;10(1):44. doi: 10.1186/s40621-023-00455-4.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Injury is a leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in the USA. Ongoing surveillance is needed to understand changing injury patterns to effectively target prevention efforts. Launched jointly in 2000 by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-All Injury Program (NEISS-AIP) provides national-level estimates of US emergency department visits for nonfatal injuries. A scoping review of peer-reviewed articles was conducted to characterize how NEISS-AIP data have been used for injury surveillance in the USA.

MAIN BODY: This review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Three bibliographic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar) were systematically searched for English language peer-reviewed articles that used NEISS-AIP data as the primary data source during 2001-2021. Key article characteristics from included articles were abstracted to generate descriptive summary statistics to understand the use and limitations of NEISS-AIP for injury surveillance. Database queries returned 6944 citations; 594 citations were manually reviewed, and 167 non-duplicate journal articles were identified. An average of 8.0 articles (range: 1-14) were published annually during 2001-2021. Articles appeared in 72 different journals representing a diverse audience with the majority of articles written by CDC authors. Starting in 2013, a higher proportion of articles were published by non-CDC authors. The largest number of articles examined injury among all age groups (n = 71); however, the pediatric population was the specific age group of greatest interest (n = 48), followed by older adults (n = 23). Falls (n = 20) and motor-vehicle-related injuries (n = 10) were the most studied injury mechanisms. The most commonly identified limitation identified by authors of reviewed articles was that NEISS-AIP only produces national estimates and therefore, cannot be used for state- or county-level injury surveillance (n = 38).

CONCLUSIONS: NEISS-AIP has contributed to nonfatal injury surveillance in the USA. CDC and CPSC continue to work together to expand and enhance NEISS-AIP data collection. Researchers are encouraged to continue using this publicly available dataset for injury surveillance.

PMID:37679835 | DOI:10.1186/s40621-023-00455-4

J Occup Med Toxicol. 2023 Sep 7;18(1):20. doi: 10.1186/s12995-023-00388-0.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: So far, previous research suggests positive effects of mental demands at the workplace. However, it may depend on how stressfull these demands are perceived on an individual level.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to build on previous research by investigating how mental demands are related to stress, overload, and work discontent and whether this relationship is mediated by individuals resources, such as resilience.

METHOD: A sub-sample of the LIFE Adult Cohort (n = 480) was asked to answer questions on sociodemographic characteristics, objective stress (using the Trier Inventory of Chronic Stress (TICS)), and perceptions of stress with regard to verbal and executive mental demands at work.

RESULTS: According to generalized linear regression models, higher verbal as well as executive mental demands were associated with higher levels of chronic stress, work overload and discontent. Higher levels of resilience were associated with lower levels of these outcomes. Analyses regarding interaction effects revealed that the interaction between resilience and perceived stress of verbal mental demands was significant only in terms of work overload.

CONCLUSION: Higher perceived stressfulness of mental demands was associated with higher chronic stress, work overload and work discontent. Therefore, mental demands should be targeted by occupational interventions that aim to improve job conditions and employees’ overall well-being. Besides resilience, other potential influencers or personal resources should be focused on in future studies to develop interventions.

PMID:37679809 | DOI:10.1186/s12995-023-00388-0

J Orthop Surg Res. 2023 Sep 7;18(1):666. doi: 10.1186/s13018-023-04072-1.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Degenerative spine conditions are common and frequent clinical diseases, and adjacent segment disease (ASD) after spinal fusion (SF) is a common complication after spinal fusion (SF). In this study, we established an animal model of ASD after interbody fusion to observe the morphologic changes of adjacent segment (AS) disks and to determine the expression and significance of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) in ASD tissues to provide a good experimental basis and reference for clinical prevention and treatment of ASD after interbody fusion.

METHODS: Thirty-six male and female New Zealand rabbits weighing 2.0-2.5 kg were randomly divided into control group (group A) and experimental groups (groups B, C, and D), with 9 rabbits in each group, of which groups B, C, and D were the 4-, 8-, and 12-week groups, respectively. Autologous iliac bone grafts were used as the bone graft material. In the experimental groups, a SF was performed on the C2-C3 intervertebral space. The C3-4 adjacent segments were examined. In the experimental group, the animals were subjected to gross observation, X-ray examination, hand touch inspection, and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) 4, 8, and 12 weeks after surgery. The micromorphologic changes of the cervical disks in the segments of the control group and experimental groups were observed under light microscopy. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of TNF-α and IL-1β in the AS tissues after interbody fusion in the control and experimental groups.

RESULTS: The measurement data of the rabbit cervical spine bony structures indicated that the length of the vertebral body and the sagittal diameter of the lower end of the vertebral body decreased gradually from the 2nd-6th cervical vertebrae, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The difference in the transverse diameter of the lower end of the vertebral body was not statistically significant (P > 0.05), the change in the oblique diameter of the lower end of the vertebral body fluctuated, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The fusion rate of the cervical spine by hand touch inspection was 22.2% (2/9), 55.6% (5/9), and 88.9% (8/9) in groups B, C, and D, respectively. The differences in bone volume-to-total volume (BV/TV) and X-ray scores were statistically significant in groups B, C, and D (P < 0.05). Significant degeneration occurred in groups B, C, and D compared with group A. The expression of TNF-α and IL-1β in the intervertebral disk tissue was significantly higher in groups B, C, and D compared with group A (P < 0.05), and increased with time.

CONCLUSION: In this study, an animal model of ASD after interbody fusion fixation in rabbits was successfully established. Postoperative imaging and hand touch inspection showed a positive correlation between the amount of new intervertebral bone and the degree of fusion with time. The results of immunohistochemistry and Western blot showed that TNF-α and IL-1β were highly expressed in the AS tissues of the experimental group after interbody fusion, and the degree of disk degeneration was positively correlated with the time after interbody fusion.

PMID:37679790 | DOI:10.1186/s13018-023-04072-1

Lipids Health Dis. 2023 Sep 7;22(1):146. doi: 10.1186/s12944-023-01909-w.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Lipid metabolism affects type 2 immunity; however, the association between plasma lipids and eosinophilic inflammation in humans is uncertain. This study analysed the relationship between plasma lipids and peripheral eosinophils and whether patterns differ with different body mass indexes (BMI).

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey including 62,441 healthy participants recruited from a regular health screening programme was conducted. Participants were divided into normal weight, overweight and obese subgroups according to BMI.

RESULTS: Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that elevated logarithmic-transformed eosinophil counts (log(EOS)) significantly correlated with high total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C)levels in the overall population, as well as in men and women, while certain associations between peripheral blood eosinophil percentage and serum lipids varied by gender. These correlations existed across almost all BMI subgroups, and standardised β values decreased sequentially with increasing BMI. HDL-C had the most significant effect on eosinophils in obese women. Two-factor analysis of variance showed log(EOS) increased with higher BMI and hyperlipidemia whether in male or female and a synergistic effect exists of lipid levels (TG and LDL-C) and BMI in men.

CONCLUSIONS: Blood eosinophil counts were correlated with blood lipid levels and modified by body mass index status. The effects of lipid levels and body mass index on blood eosinophil counts were synergistic. Therefore, lipid metabolism may be involved in systemic eosinophil inflammation.

PMID:37679775 | DOI:10.1186/s12944-023-01909-w