Tag: nevin manimala

Zootaxa. 2023 Jun 19;5306(1):61-96. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.5306.1.3.

ABSTRACT

Host- and habitat-induced morphological shape and size variations are common in phytophagous and parasitic taxa. Several integrated morphological and molecular techniques have been commonly used to understand host-induced morpho-cryptic species forms. Compared to other arthropods, cryptic speciation was more common in Acari. This study focused on the host-specific morphological cryptic shape and size variations of Tetranychus neocaledonicus, collected from moringa and cassava hosts. We used geometric morphometric analysis to uncover the shape and size of inter-and intra-spider mite populations, and discovered that host-specific shape and size variations existed in spider mites regardless of sex. Interestingly, there was no phylogenetic signal in spider mites, implying that the morpho-cryptic speciation of T. neocaledonicus is solely based on the host-induced selection. The molecular clock hypothesis was accepted in our CO1 and 18s rRNA phylogeny analyses, and spider mites collected from both hosts were genetically less diverse. We conclude that T. neocaledonicus exhibited morphologically detectable cryptic population diversity in each host but that these populations are evolutionarily young form. Apart from these host-induced variations, we also monitored the impact of the clearing agent (lactic acid) on the shape and size of T. neocaledonicus; from this study, we proved that the clearing agent significantly alters the taxonomically important morphological traits of spider mites irrespective of the mites’ sex, as confirmed by multivariate statistical analysis. This is the first study report to investigated the host-induced morphological variations of spider mites and the impact of a clearing agent.

PMID:37518535 | DOI:10.11646/zootaxa.5306.1.3

Zootaxa. 2023 May 19;5293(1):179-184. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.5293.1.9.

ABSTRACT

A new tiger beetle species, Cicindela timbisha Duran, Chambers, Nelson & Roman n. sp., of the tribe Cicindelini, is described from the Death Valley ecoregion of eastern California, USA. It is most similar to C. senilis G.Horn, 1866 but is distinguished on the basis of multiple morphological characteristics, including differences in maculations, chaetotaxy of the antennae and a statistically significant difference in body size (P<0.001). The new species also differs from C. senilis in that it is found in an isolated freshwater spring in an inland basin east of the Sierra Nevada mountains, whereas C. senilis is found in saline soils, primarily coastal areas and inland plains, west of the Sierra Nevada range.

PMID:37518490 | DOI:10.11646/zootaxa.5293.1.9

Zootaxa. 2023 May 22;5293(2):201-229. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.5293.2.1.

ABSTRACT

Many insect subspecies are described without a statistical assessment of differences. In this work, an attempt is made to statistically process the morphological differences of some recently described subspecies. In this regard, a taxonomic review of Entomoscelis adonidis (Pallas, 1771) (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) and related taxa described from European Russia and the Caucasus is presented. Statistical processing of numerous materials (782 specimens) from type localities of the nominal taxa adonidis, spuria Jacobson, 1896, caucasica Kippenberg, 2020, and bashkiriae Kippenberg, 2020, and their environs showed the presence of geographical variability in several characters, which, however, does not reach the level of species or subspecies. For subspecies, the classic “75 %” rule is applied. Therefore, all these specimens are considered to belong to the same species and subspecies. For nomenclature stability and to clarify the taxonomic position of closely related taxa, the neotype of Chrysomela adonidis Pallas is designated from the type locality; the neotype is in accordance with the currently used interpretation of E. adonidis adonidis. Besides that, the lectotype of Entomoscelis adonidis var. spuria Jacobson is designated. The paratypes of E. adonidis caucasica Kippenberg and E. dorsalis bashkiriae Kippenberg were studied. The following new synonyms are proposed: E. adonidis adonidis (Pallas, 1771) = E. adonidis caucasica Kippenberg, 2020 (syn. nov.) = E. dorsalis bashkiriae Kippenberg, 2020 (syn. nov.). The status of E. adonidis var. spuria Jacobson, 1896 as a junior synonym of E. adonidis adonidis is confirmed. The endophallus, particularly, flagellum of E. adonidis was studied for the first time. Several Brassicaceae species, namely Berteroa incana, Barbarea vulgaris, Sisymbrium officinale, Capsella bursa-pastoris, and Thlaspi arvense, as well as Adonis vernalis (Ranunculaceae) are confirmed as host plants of the adults of E. adonidis in cages.

PMID:37518487 | DOI:10.11646/zootaxa.5293.2.1

Int Heart J. 2023;64(4):606-613. doi: 10.1536/ihj.22-714.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (CPVI) on autonomic nervous function and prognosis in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) with or without sinus bradycardia.A total of 66 patients with paroxysmal AF accompanied by sinus bradycardia and who underwent CPVI were recruited as the sinus bradycardia group. A total of 91 patients with paroxysmal AF but without sinus bradycardia and who underwent catheter ablation were selected as the control group. After surgical contraindications were eliminated, CPVI was performed by three-dimensional mapping system. 24-hour dynamic electrocardiogram was used to observe the changes of heart rate before and 2 days after surgery.A total of 45 (68%) and 51 (56%) patients in the sinus bradycardia and control groups, respectively, maintained sinus rhythm. There was an increase in heart rate after CPVI in both groups. The standard deviation of normal-to-normal (NN) intervals (SDNN), standard deviation of the average NN intervals (SDANN), low frequency (LF), and LF/high frequency (HF) in the sinus bradycardia and control groups decreased after CPVI (P < 0.01). Moreover, SDANN was higher in patients with sinus bradycardia treated by successful ablation than in those with recurrence (P < 0.01), while SDNN, a standard statistical measure of heart rate variability (rMSSD), LF, and HF were significantly lower in patients with sinus bradycardia (P < 0.05).CPVI was able to produce a significant reduction effect on vagal nerve and sympathetic activity regardless of whether patients with paroxysmal AF had sinus bradycardia. Moreover, CPVI exerted a certain influence on the success rate of AF catheter ablation.

PMID:37518342 | DOI:10.1536/ihj.22-714

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2023 Dec;36(2):2241100. doi: 10.1080/14767058.2023.2241100.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to create a new screening for spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) based on artificial intelligence (AI).

METHODS: This study included 524 singleton pregnancies from 18th to 24th-week gestation after transvaginal ultrasound cervical length (CL) analyzes for screening sPTB < 35 weeks. AI model was created based on the stacking-based ensemble learning method (SBELM) by the neural network, gathering CL < 25 mm, multivariate unadjusted logistic regression (LR), and the best AI algorithm. Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve to predict sPTB < 35 weeks and area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, predictive positive and negative values were performed to evaluate CL < 25 mm, LR, the best algorithms of AI and SBELM.

RESULTS: The most relevant variables presented by LR were cervical funneling, index straight CL/internal angle inside the cervix (≤ 0.200), previous PTB < 37 weeks, previous curettage, no antibiotic treatment during pregnancy, and weight (≤ 58 kg), no smoking, and CL < 30.9 mm. Fixing 10% of false positive rate, CL < 25 mm and SBELM present, respectively: AUC of 0.318 and 0.808; sensitivity of 33.3% and 47,3%; specificity of 91.8 and 92.8%; positive predictive value of 23.1 and 32.7%; negative predictive value of 94.9 and 96.0%. This machine learning presented high statistical significance when compared to CL < 25 mm after T-test (p < .00001).

CONCLUSION: AI applied to clinical and ultrasonographic variables could be a viable option for screening of sPTB < 35 weeks, improving the performance of short cervix, with a low false-positive rate.

PMID:37518185 | DOI:10.1080/14767058.2023.2241100

J Egypt Natl Canc Inst. 2023 Jul 31;35(1):23. doi: 10.1186/s43046-023-00183-2.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Immunohistochemical expression of P53 protein is so closely related to status of mutation of P53 gene which is tightly linked with pathogenesis of nephroblastoma or Wilms tumor. This study aims to determine the immunohistochemical expression of P53 protein and its predictors in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue blocks of patients with nephroblastoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A series of 83 histologically diagnosed cases of nephroblastoma from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue blocks archived at the Department of Pathology, Makerere University, in Kampala, Uganda, were analyzed. Monoclonal anti-p53 antibody (DO-7, DAKO) was used to assess the expression of P53 protein expression. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the predictors of P53 protein immunohistochemical expression, and statistical significance was considered when p-value was less than 0.05.

RESULTS: Most (42.2%, n = 35) of the cases were in advanced tumor stages (III-V), and almost one-quarter (21.7%, n = 18) of the cases were in high-risk group. The immunohistochemical expression of P53 protein was (8.4%, n = 7), and there were more (83.3%, n = 5) positive anaplastic cases for P53 protein compared with (2.6%, n = 2) of P53 expression for non-anaplastic cases. High risk (AOR = 3.42, 95% CI = 7.91-12.55, p = 0.037) and anaplasia (AOR = 1.41, 95% CI = 13.85-4.46, p = 0.001) were potential predictors of immunohistochemical expression of P53 protein.

CONCLUSION: Most of patients with nephroblastoma in resources-limited settings are diagnosed with advanced clinical stages. Association of P53 protein with anaplasia found in this study indicates the possibility of having novel target therapy for treatment of patients with anaplastic form of nephroblastoma with a focus of identifying molecules that lead to its suppression in such subpopulations of patients with nephroblastoma.

PMID:37518096 | DOI:10.1186/s43046-023-00183-2

BMJ Open. 2023 Jul 30;13(7):e075142. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-075142.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Peer online mental health forums are commonly used and offer accessible support. Positive and negative impacts have been reported by forum members and moderators, but it is unclear why these impacts occur, for whom and in which forums. This multiple method realist study explores underlying mechanisms to understand how forums work for different people. The findings will inform codesign of best practice guidance and policy tools to enhance the uptake and effectiveness of peer online mental health forums.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS: In workstream 1, we will conduct a realist synthesis, based on existing literature and interviews with approximately 20 stakeholders, to generate initial programme theories about the impacts of forums on members and moderators and mechanisms driving these. Initial theories that are relevant for forum design and implementation will be prioritised for testing in workstream 2.Workstream 2 is a multiple case study design with mixed methods with several online mental health forums differing in contextual features. Quantitative surveys of forum members, qualitative interviews and Corpus-based Discourse Analysis and Natural Language Processing of forum posts will be used to test and refine programme theories. Final programme theories will be developed through novel triangulation of the data.Workstream 3 will run alongside workstreams 1 and 2. Key stakeholders from participating forums, including members and moderators, will be recruited to a Codesign group. They will inform the study design and materials, refine and prioritise theories, and codesign best policy and practice guidance.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval was granted by Solihull Research Ethics Committee (IRAS 314029). Findings will be reported in accordance with RAMESES (Realist And MEta-narrative Evidence Syntheses: Evolving Standards) guidelines, published as open access and shared widely, along with codesigned tools.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN 62469166; the protocol for the realist synthesis in workstream one is prospectively registered at PROSPERO CRD42022352528.

PMID:37518092 | DOI:10.1136/bmjopen-2023-075142

BMJ Open. 2023 Jul 30;13(7):e066876. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-066876.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: In Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ), socioeconomic status and being of Māori ethnicity are often associated with poorer health outcomes, including after surgery. Inequities can be partially explained by differences in health status and health system biases are hypothesised as important factors for remaining inequities. Previous work identified inequities between Māori and non-Māori following cardiovascular surgery, some of which have been identified in studies between 1990 and 2012. Days Alive and Out of Hospital (DAOH) is an emerging surgical outcome metric. DAOH is a composite measure of outcomes, which may reflect patient experience and longer periods of DAOH may also reflect extended interactions with the health system. Recently, a 1.1-day difference in DAOH was observed between Māori and non-Māori at a hospital in NZ across a range of operations.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will conduct a secondary data analysis using data from the National Minimum Data Set, maintained by the Ministry of Health. We will report unadjusted and risk-adjusted DAOH values between Māori and non-Māori using direct risk standardisation. We will risk adjust first for age and sex, then for each of deprivation (NZDep18), levels of morbidity (M3 score) and rurality. We will report DAOH values across three time periods, 30, 90 and 365 days and across nine deciles of the DAOH distribution (0.1-0.9 inclusive). We will interpret all results from a Kaupapa Māori research positioning, acknowledging that Māori health outcomes are directly tied to the unequal distribution of the social determinants of health.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval for this study was given by the Auckland Health Research Ethics Committee. Outputs from this study are likely to interest a range of audiences. We plan to disseminate our findings through academic channels, presentations to interested groups including Māori-specific hui (meetings), social media and lay press.

PMID:37518091 | DOI:10.1136/bmjopen-2022-066876

BMJ Open. 2023 Jul 30;13(7):e070509. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-070509.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Chronic pain (CP) is a poorly recognised and frequently inadequately treated condition affecting one in five adults. Reflecting on sociodemographic disparities as barriers to CP care in Canada was recently established as a federal priority. The objective of this study was to assess sex and gender differences in healthcare utilisation trajectories among workers living with CP.

DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS: This study was conducted using the TorSaDE Cohort which links the 2007-2016 Canadian Community Health Surveys and Quebec administrative databases (longitudinal claims). Among 2955 workers living with CP, the annual number of healthcare contacts was computed during the 3 years after survey completion.

OUTCOME: Group-based trajectory modelling was used to identify subgroups of individuals with similar patterns of healthcare utilisation over time (healthcare utilisation trajectories).

RESULTS: Across the study population, three distinct 3-year healthcare utilisation trajectories were found: (1) low healthcare users (59.9%), (2) moderate healthcare users (33.6%) and (3) heavy healthcare users (6.4%). Sex and gender differences were found in the number of distinct trajectories and the stability of the number of healthcare contacts over time. Multivariable analysis revealed that independent of other sociodemographic characteristics and severity of health condition, sex-but not gender-was associated with the heavy healthcare utilisation longitudinal trajectory (with females showing a greater likelihood; OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.6 to 4.1).

CONCLUSIONS: Our results underline the importance of assessing sex-based disparities in help-seeking behaviours, access to healthcare and resource utilisation among persons living with CP.

PMID:37518085 | DOI:10.1136/bmjopen-2022-070509

BMJ Open. 2023 Jul 30;13(7):e071492. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-071492.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Individuals at an inherited high-risk of developing adult-onset disease, such as breast cancer, are rare in the population. These individuals require lifelong clinical, psychological and reproductive assistance. After a positive germline test result, clinical genetic services provide support and care coordination. However, ongoing systematic clinical follow-up programmes are uncommon. Digital health solutions offer efficient and sustainable ways to deliver affordable and equitable care. This paper outlines the codesign and development of a digital health platform to facilitate long-term clinical and psychological care, and foster self-efficacy in individuals with a genetic disease predisposition.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We adopt a mixed-methods approach for data gathering and analysis. Data collection is in two phases. In phase 1, 300 individuals with a high-risk genetic predisposition to adult disease will undertake an online survey to assess their use of digital health applications (apps). In phase 2, we will conduct focus groups with 40 individuals with a genetic predisposition to cardiac or cancer syndromes, and 30 clinicians from diverse specialities involved in their care. These focus groups will inform the platform’s content, functionality and user interface design, as well as identify the barriers and enablers to the adoption and retention of the platform by all endusers. The focus groups will be audiorecorded and transcribed, and thematic and content data analysis will be undertaken by adopting the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. Descriptive statistics will be calculated from the survey data. Phase 3 will identify the core skillsets for a novel digital health coordinator role. Outcomes from phases 1 and 2 will inform development of the digital platform, which will be user-tested and optimised in phase 4.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study was approved by the Peter MacCallum Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC/88892/PMCC). Results will be disseminated in academic forums, peer-reviewed publications and used to optimise clinical care.

PMID:37518079 | DOI:10.1136/bmjopen-2022-071492