Tag: nevin manimala

J Infect Dis. 2023 Aug 10:jiad330. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiad330. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The knowledge on vertical human papillomavirus (HPV) transmission is limited. We aimed to determine whether HPV transmission from parents to their offspring occur before or during birth.

METHODS: Altogether, 321 mothers, 134 fathers and their 321 newborn offspring from the Finnish Family HPV study cohort were included. Parents’ genital and oral brush samples and semen samples were collected for HPV testing at baseline (36 weeks of pregnancy). Oral, genital and umbilical samples from the newborn and placenta samples were collected for HPV testing immediately after delivery. HPV risk for the newborn was calculated from mother’s and father’s HPV status by using logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS: Concordances between mothers’ and their newborns’ HPV genotype at any site were statistically significant with HPV6, HPV16, HPV18, HPV31 and HPV56; Odds Ratios (OR) ranged from OR 3.41 (95% CI: 1.80-6.48) for HPV16 to OR 634 (95% CI: 28.5-14087) for HPV31. Father-newborn HPV concordances were statistically significant with HPV6 and HPV31; OR 4.89 (95% CI: 1.09-21.9) and OR 65.0 (95% CI: 2.92-1448), respectively.ConclusionsThe genotype-specific HPV concordance between parents and their newborn is suggestive for vertical HPV transmission. However, transmission from the father to the newborn remains more uncertain.

PMID:37562006 | DOI:10.1093/infdis/jiad330

PLoS One. 2023 Aug 10;18(8):e0287002. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287002. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

This paper extends the existing literature by examining an important channel through which bank competition could drive the real economy by comprehensively influencing bank lending in three components-price, volume, and quality. For the measurement of bank competition, we build a series of different structural (concentration indicators) and non-structural (Lerner, Boone, and Panzar-Rose H-statistic indexes) measures, given that the reliance on solely one individual measure could lead to a misleading conclusion. Through a sample of commercial banks during 2007-2021 in a single Vietnamese banking market, we find a decline in bank loan growth and a rise in credit risk under the pressure of high competition. With respect to the association between bank competition and the price of credit, our empirical evidence is mixed based on different measures to analyze the banking market structure. Our findings support the view that greater competition results in a less proliferated banking sector with riskier assets. We also confirm that these findings are robust to additional tests, including employing alternative measures of bank lending dimensions and market structure, removing the periods of the financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, and changing the empirical estimation technique. In addition, our deeper analysis reveals that the adverse impact of bank competition on lending, shown by reduced credit supply and increased credit risk, is less pronounced for banks with a higher degree of income diversification. This result suggests that bank diversification may protect the quantity and quality of bank lending from the detrimental competition effect.

PMID:37561996 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0287002

J Anal Toxicol. 2023 Aug 9:bkad053. doi: 10.1093/jat/bkad053. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Few studies support the usage of <1% nominal sodium fluoride (NaF) to preserve ethanol in antemortem blood. Of these studies, several are limited by short study durations of 90 days or less, and there is limited research of authentic samples preserved with <1% NaF. In this retrospective analysis, data from initial and reanalysis testing of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in antemortem blood collected in 6 mL gray-top tubes (providing 0.25% nominal NaF) has been compiled, to evaluate changes in ethanol concentration that occurred after periods of refrigerated storage. The time between initial and reanalysis was determined by court request(s), and ranged 0.30-3.93 years. In each case, a previously unopened tube was selected for reanalysis testing. Comparable BAC values were found from initial testing, with BACs ranging from 0.025 to 0.394 g/100 mL, and reanalysis testing, with BACs ranging from 0.021 to 0.393 g/100 mL. Ethanol changes ranged from -0.013 g/100 mL (decrease) to 0.008 g/100 mL (increase). BAC reanalysis values that increased (n = 6) were within the uncertainty of measurement (UM) from the initial BAC test, i.e., were not statistically or analytically significant. For BAC decreases (n = 29), four test values exceeded the UM of the original test, with BAC losses ranging from 0.004 to 0.011 g/100 mL (relative percent changes 6.5-16.0% loss). The average ethanol change was -0.004 g/100 mL, which is comparable to or less than ethanol losses from studies using 1% NaF preservative of varying temperature and storage duration.

PMID:37561959 | DOI:10.1093/jat/bkad053

Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord. 2023 Jul 10. doi: 10.1097/WAD.0000000000000564. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The burden of dementia is increasing in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), but there are limited epidemiological data on dementia in SSA. This study investigated the prevalence and associations of dementia in older adults (less than 60 y) attending the outpatient department of Mount Meru Hospital in Tanzania.

METHODS: This one-phase cross-sectional study screened a sample using the Identification of Dementia in Elderly Africans (IDEA) cognitive screening tool. Those that screened as having possible and probable dementia were further assessed, and diagnosis of dementia was made according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). Demographic and risk factor data were collected.

RESULTS: Within those screened, 57/1141 (5.0%) (95% CI: 3.7-6.3) had dementia. Female sex [odds ratio (OR)=2.778, 95% CI: 1.074-7.189], having never attended school (OR=6.088, 95% CI: 1.360-27.256), alcohol (U/wk) (OR=1.080, 95% CI: 1.016-1.149), uncorrected visual impairment (OR=4.260, 95% CI: 1.623-11.180), body mass index <18.5 kg/m2 (OR=6.588, 95% CI: 2.089-20.775), and stroke (OR=15.790, 95% CI: 3.48-74.475) were found to be significantly, independently associated with dementia.

CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of dementia in this population is similar to a recent community-based rate in Tanzania and lower than a hospital-based rate in Senegal. This is the first time the association between visual impairment and dementia has been reported in SSA. Other associations are in keeping with previous literature.

PMID:37561952 | DOI:10.1097/WAD.0000000000000564

Nano Lett. 2023 Aug 10. doi: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c02176. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The use of DNA triplex association is advantageous for the reconfiguration of dynamic DNA nanostructures through pH alteration and can provide environmental control for both structural changes and molecular signaling. The combination of pH-induced triplex-forming oligonucleotide (TFOs) binding with toehold-mediated strand displacement has recently garnered significant attention in the field of structural DNA nanotechnology. While most previous studies use single-stranded DNA to displace or replace TFOs within the triplex, here we demonstrate that pH alteration allows a DNA duplex, with a toehold assistance, to displace TFOs from the components of another DNA duplex. We examined the dependence of this process on toehold length and show that the pH changes allow for cyclic oscillations between two molecular formations. We implemented the duplex/triplex design onto the surface of 2D DNA origami in the form outlining binary digits 0 or 1 and verified the oscillatory conformational changes between the two formations with atomic force microscopy.

PMID:37561947 | DOI:10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c02176

J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2023 Aug 8. doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-23-00123. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the clinical outcome of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF) versus standard revision diskectomy for recurrent lumbar disk herniation (RLDH).

BACKGROUND: RLDH is the most common cause of redo surgery after a microdiscectomy. Commonly, in patients without evidence of spinal instability, many surgeons would simply redo microdiscectomy, while others proceed to a redo microdiscectomy with arthrodesis. According to the literature, there is no evidence of what the best management of an RLDH would be.

METHODS: This study involved 90 patients who underwent lumbar microdiscectomy in the past and were now experiencing a new lumbar disk herniation for the first time. The patients were divided into two groups, each with 45 patients: group A received standard revision microdiscectomy, whereas group B received revision microdiscectomy with MIS TLIF.The Japanese Orthopaedic Association score, operating time, blood loss, duration of hospital stay, costs, and complications were all prospectively recorded in a database and examined. Back and leg discomfort were measured using the visual analog scale.

RESULTS: The mean total postoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association score across the groups exhibited no statistically significant difference, nor did the preoperative clinical and epidemiological data. Although postoperative leg pain was comparable in both groups, postoperative lower back pain in group A was much worse than that in group B. Additional revision surgery was necessary for six individuals in group A. Group A had higher rates of dural rupture and postoperative neurological impairment. Group A experienced much less intraoperative blood loss, longer operation times, and postoperative hospital stays.

CONCLUSION: In patients with RLDH, revision microdiscectomy is effective. In comparison with conventional microdiscectomy, MIS TLIF reduces intraoperative risk of dural rupture or neural injury, postoperative incidence of mechanical instability or recurrence, and postoperative lower back pain.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, multicenter, comparative study.

PMID:37561938 | DOI:10.5435/JAAOS-D-23-00123

J Nurs Educ. 2023 Aug;62(8):454-460. doi: 10.3928/01484834-20230612-04. Epub 2023 Aug 1.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Nurse educators are called to develop innovative teaching strategies to build clinical competency. Expert modeling videos (EMVs) promote clinical competency by demonstrating exemplar nursing care.

METHODS: A quasiexperimental research study was conducted using a prebriefing intervention of a nursing process video for demonstration (experimental) and discussion (control) groups of nursing students. Simulation competency was measured using the Creighton Competency Evaluation Instrument (CCEI).

RESULTS: Students in the experimental group demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in simulation competency (p = .001) and performed significantly better in the CCEI domains of communication (p = .009) and patient safety (p = .002).

CONCLUSION: The use of EMVs in simulation prebriefing is an innovative teaching strategy to prepare undergraduate nursing students with the knowledge and skills required to enter the simulated environment. Through watching an exemplar demonstration of desired behaviors, students significantly improved their simulation performance and demonstrated clinically competent care of an acutely ill simulated patient. [J Nurs Educ. 2023;62(8):454-460.].

PMID:37561901 | DOI:10.3928/01484834-20230612-04

J Nurs Educ. 2023 Aug;62(8):443-449. doi: 10.3928/01484834-20230612-02. Epub 2023 Aug 1.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Nursing students experience higher rates of mental health issues than other college students. This study examined the effect of a mindfulness meditation intervention on nursing students’ levels of self-reported depression, stress, and anxiety.

METHOD: This randomized, experimental study implemented an online mindfulness meditation intervention for an experimental group of nursing students and provided nursing news modules for a control group of nursing students. Participants in experimental and control groups completed the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale online before and after completing 4 weeks of audio modules.

RESULTS: Results showed a statistically significant decrease in reported scores for depression, stress, and anxiety in the experimental group.

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the potential benefits of implementing an online mindfulness meditation intervention to support and improve mental health for nursing students. [J Nurs Educ. 2023;62(8):443-449.].

PMID:37561896 | DOI:10.3928/01484834-20230612-02

Science. 2023 Aug 11;381(6658):eabq5693. doi: 10.1126/science.abq5693. Epub 2023 Aug 11.

ABSTRACT

Using DNA methylation profiles (n = 15,456) from 348 mammalian species, we constructed phyloepigenetic trees that bear marked similarities to traditional phylogenetic ones. Using unsupervised clustering across all samples, we identified 55 distinct cytosine modules, of which 30 are related to traits such as maximum life span, adult weight, age, sex, and human mortality risk. Maximum life span is associated with methylation levels in HOXL subclass homeobox genes and developmental processes and is potentially regulated by pluripotency transcription factors. The methylation state of some modules responds to perturbations such as caloric restriction, ablation of growth hormone receptors, consumption of high-fat diets, and expression of Yamanaka factors. This study reveals an intertwined evolution of the genome and epigenome that mediates the biological characteristics and traits of different mammalian species.

PMID:37561875 | DOI:10.1126/science.abq5693

Endocr Regul. 2023 Aug 10;57(1):144-151. doi: 10.2478/enr-2023-0018. Print 2023 Jan 1.

ABSTRACT

Objective. Adjuvant therapy with sodium-glucose cotransport 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) in type 1 diabetes (T1D) is associated with an improvement in glycemic control, but increases the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). However, real-life studies in individuals with T1D under continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) are still scarce. We present the first real-life study performed in patients with T1D exclusively treated with CSII. The aim of the present study was to assess the metabolic impact and safety of SGLT2i in T1D individuals under CSII. Methods. Retrospective study includes 34 T1D adult individuals under CSII, who started SGLT2i until 30th June 2021. Data regarding the glycemic control and acute diabetes complications at the moment of introduction of SGLT2i and after 3, 6, and 12 months of use were collected. Results. Twenty-three individuals were included. Comparing with the moment of SGLT2i introduction after 3, 6, and 12 months of use, there was a statistically significant increase of time in range (TIR) (∆_T3M=12.8%; ∆_T6M=11.5%; ∆_T12M=11.1%), and a decrease in time above range (∆_T3M=13.6%; ∆T6M=11.9%; ∆_T12M=10.5%). There were no significant differences in time below the range. Mean glucose and mean glucose management indicator significantly reduced in the 3 evaluated moments. A significant reduction in median weight was also observed (∆_T6M=2 kg; ∆_T12M=4.5 kg). Two patients (8.7%) developed mild euglycemic DKA during SGLT2i treatment, both were women and had body mass index (BMI) <27 kg/m². One of them had a total daily insulin dose (TDDI) reduction of 26.9% after 3 months of use. Conclusions. The use of SGLT2i, as an adjuvant treatment in T1D individuals under CSII, was associated with a significant increase of TIR without increasing time in hypoglycemia. It also had a weight benefit. Careful use in selected participants is necessary to reduce the occurrence of DKA.

PMID:37561831 | DOI:10.2478/enr-2023-0018