Tag: nevin manimala

Value Health. 2023 Jun 27:S1098-3015(23)03025-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jval.2023.06.008. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Digital health technologies (DHTs) can optimise healthcare costs and improve quality and efficiency of care. However, the fast-paced rate of innovation and varying evidence standards can make it difficult for decision-makers to assess these technologies in an efficient and evidence-based manner.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to develop a comprehensive framework to assess the value of novel patient-facing DHTs used to manage chronic diseases by eliciting stakeholder value preferences.

METHODS: Literature review and primary data collection from a three-round web-Delphi exercise was utilised. 79 participants from five stakeholder groups (patients, physicians, industry, decision-makers and influencers) and three countries (USA, UK and Germany) took part. Likert scale data was statistically analysed to determine inter-group differences in both country and stakeholder groups, stability of results, and overall consensus.

RESULTS: The resulting co-created framework comprised 33 stable indicators with consensus from quantitative value judgements across domains: health inequalities, data rights and governance, technical and security, economic characteristics, clinical characteristics and user preferences. Lack of stakeholder consensus was observed on the importance of value-based care models, optimizing resources for sustainable systems, and stakeholder involvement in DHT design, development, and implementation; however, this was due to high rates of neutrality and not negative judgements. Supply-side actors and academic experts were the most unstable stakeholder groups.

CONCLUSION: Stakeholder value judgements revealed a need for a coordinated regulatory and HTA policy response that updates laws to meet technological innovations, offers a pragmatic approach to evidence standards to assess DHTs and involves stakeholders to understand and meet their needs.

PMID:37385445 | DOI:10.1016/j.jval.2023.06.008

Neuroreport. 2023 Aug 24;34(11):575-582. doi: 10.1097/WNR.0000000000001927. Epub 2023 Jun 7.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to investigate the temporal variations of S100β in the hippocampus, cerebellum and cerebral cortex of neonatal rats (Wistar strain) under anoxic conditions. Real-time PCR and western blotting techniques were used for gene expression and protein analysis. Animals were divided into two groups, a control group and an anoxic group, and further separated at different time points for analysis. After anoxia, S100β gene expression showed a significant peak in the hippocampus and cerebellum after 2 h, followed by a decline compared to the control group at other time points. The increased gene expression in these regions was also accompanied by an increase in S100β protein levels in the anoxia group, observable 4 h after injury. In contrast, S100β mRNA content in the cerebral cortex never exceeded control values at any time point. Similarly, the protein content of S100β in the cerebral cortex did not show statistically significant differences compared to control animals at any assessment time point. These results suggest that the production profile of S100β differs by brain region and developmental stage. The observed differences in vulnerability between the hippocampus, cerebellum and cerebral cortex may be attributed to their distinct developmental periods. The hippocampus and cerebellum, which develop earlier than the cerebral cortex, showed more pronounced effects in response to anoxia, which is supported by the gene expression and protein content in this study. This result reveals the brain region-dependent nature of S100β as a biomarker of brain injury.

PMID:37384931 | DOI:10.1097/WNR.0000000000001927

Telemed J E Health. 2023 Jun 29. doi: 10.1089/tmj.2023.0073. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Objective: The pandemic has pushed hospital system to re-evaluate the ways they provide care. West Tennessee Healthcare (WTH) developed a remote patient monitoring (RPM) program to monitor positive COVID-19 patients after being discharged from the hospital for any worsening symptomatology and preemptively mitigate the potential of readmission. Methods: We sought to compare the readmission rates of individuals placed on our remote monitoring protocol with individuals not included in the program. We selected remotely monitored individuals discharged from WTH from October 2020 to December 2020 and compared these data points with a control group. Results: We analyzed 1,351 patients with 241 patients receiving no RPM intervention, 969 patients receiving standard monitoring, and 141 patients enrolled in our 24-h remote monitoring. Our lowest all cause readmission rate was 4.96% (p = 0.37) in our 24-h remote monitoring group. We also collected 641 surveys from the monitored patients with two statistically significant answers. Discussion: The low readmission rate noted in our 24-h remotely monitored cohort signifies a potential opportunity that a program of this nature can create for a health care system struggling during a resource-limited time to continue to provide quality care. Conclusion: The program allowed the allocation of hospital resources for individuals with more acute states and monitored less critical patients without using personal protective equipment. The novel program was able to offer an avenue to improve resource utilization and provide care for a health system in a rural area. Further investigation is needed; however, significant opportunities can be seen with data obtained during the study.

PMID:37384922 | DOI:10.1089/tmj.2023.0073

Biomed Khim. 2023 Jun;69(3):184-187. doi: 10.18097/PBMC20236903184.

ABSTRACT

Renalase (RNLS) is a recently discovered protein, which plays different roles inside and outside cells. Intracellular RNLS is a FAD-dependent oxidoreductase (EC 1.6.3.5), while extracellular RNLS lacks its N-terminal peptide, FAD cofactor, and exhibits various protective effects in a non-catalytic manner. Certain evidence exists, that plasma/serum RNLS is not an intact protein secreted into the extracellular space, and exogenous recombinant RNLS is effectively degraded during short-term incubation with human plasma samples. Some synthetic analogues of the RNLS sequence (e.g. the Desir’s peptide RP-220, a 20-mer peptide corresponding to the RNLS sequence 220-239) have effects on cell survival. This suggests that RNLS-derived peptides, formed during proteolytic processing, may have own biological activity. Based on results of a recent bioinformatics analysis of potential cleavage sites of RNLS (Fedchenko et al., Medical Hypotheses, 2022) we have investigated the effect of four RNLS-derived peptides as well as RP-220 and its fragment (RP-224) on the viability of two cancer cell lines: HepG₂ (human hepatoma) and PC3 (prostate cancer). Two RNLS-derived peptides (RP-207 and RP-220) decreased the viability of HepG₂ cells in a concentration dependent manner. The most pronounced and statistically significant effect (30-40% inhibition of cell growth) was observed at 50 μM concentration of each peptide. In the experiments with PC3 cells five of six RNLS-derived peptides had a significant impact on the cell viability. RP-220 and RP-224 decreased cell viability; however, no concentration dependence of this effect was observed in the range of concentrations studied (1-50 μM). Three other RNLS-derived peptides (RP-207, RP-233, and RP-265) increased viability of PC3 cells by 20-30%, but no concentration-dependence of this effect was found. Data obtained suggest that some RNLS-derived peptides may influence the viability of various cells and manifestation and direction of the effect (increase of decrease of the cell viability) is cell-type-specific.

PMID:37384910 | DOI:10.18097/PBMC20236903184

Dent Med Probl. 2023 Apr-Jun;60(2):267-272. doi: 10.17219/dmp/149278.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease caused by a group of specific microorganisms that provoke the destruction of the periodontal ligament and the alveolar bone, along with pocket formation or recession, or both.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to compare the efficacy of tetracycline, doxycycline and minocycline in improving fibrin clot adhesion over manually instrumented periodontally affected root surfaces with the use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 45 single-rooted extracted teeth were sectioned into 45 dentinal blocks and divided into 3 groups: tetracycline (group I); doxycycline (group II); and minocycline (group III). A drop of blood was added over the dentinal blocks, allowed to clot, and later rinsed with phosphatebuffered saline (PBS),1% formaldehyde, and 0.02% glycine. Then, the surfaces were post-fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde and dehydrated in a graded ethanol series of 30%, 50%, 75%, 90%, 95%, and 100%. Afterward, the samples were examined under a SEM to assess fibrin clot adhesion and the number of blood cells.

RESULTS: Minocycline demonstrated better fibrin clot adhesion, followed by tetracycline and doxycycline. Statistical significance was observed at ×2,000 magnification (p = 0.021), whereas no significance was noted at ×5,000 magnification.

CONCLUSIONS: Dentinal blocks treated with minocycline had a better fibrin network and a greater number of entrapped erythrocytes, which is vital in the early wound-healing process leading to the formation of connective tissue attachment.

PMID:37384897 | DOI:10.17219/dmp/149278

JCO Glob Oncol. 2023 Jun;9:e2200263. doi: 10.1200/GO.22.00263.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Over 400,000 children are diagnosed with cancer around the world each year, with over 80% of these children residing in low- and middle-income countries. This study aims to summarize the epidemiology and care patterns of newly diagnosed childhood cancer patients in Northern Tanzania.

METHODS: Data from all children and adolescents (age 0-19 years) with newly diagnosed cancers were collected from the Kilimanjaro Cancer Registry located at the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre. Descriptive and inferential analyses were used to compare the demographic and clinical characteristics of the participants over time, stage, and status at last contact. Statistical significance was set at P < .05. Secondary descriptive analysis was conducted on a subset sample with available staging data.

RESULTS: A total of 417 patients were diagnosed with cancer between 2016 and 2021. There was an increase in the rate of patients with newly diagnosed pediatric cancer each year, particularly among children under age 5 years and 10 years. Leukemias and lymphomas were the leading diagnoses and accounted for 183 (43.8%) of all patients. Over 75% of patients were diagnosed at stage III or above. From a subset analysis of patients with available staging data (n = 101), chemotherapy was the most common treatment (87.1%), compared with radiotherapy and surgery.

CONCLUSION: There is a significant burden of children with cancer in Tanzania. Our study fills crucial gaps in the literature related to the large burden of disease and survival for children with cancer in the Kilimanjaro region. Furthermore, our results can be used to understand the regional needs and guide research and strategic interventions to improve childhood cancer survival in Northern Tanzania.

PMID:37384861 | DOI:10.1200/GO.22.00263

JCO Glob Oncol. 2023 Jun;9:e2300074. doi: 10.1200/GO.23.00074.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: International twinning programs have been well-established between institutions in childhood cancer and have led to pediatric cancer units in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) adopting multidisciplinary forms of care. To advance nutritional care in LMICs, the International Initiative for Pediatrics and Nutrition (IIPAN) provided the structural framework and personnel for the delivery of nutritional care. We describe the impact of a newly established nutrition program on the delivery of nutritional care and nutrition-related clinical outcomes in children and adolescents undergoing treatment for cancer in Nicaragua and Honduras.

METHODS: A prospective cohort (N = 126) collected clinical data over a 2-year period. Collection of IIPAN’s nutritional services received during treatment and clinical data were abstracted from medical charts and registered in Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) database. Chi-square, ANOVA, and generalized linear mixed models were used; P < .05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: Nutritional assessments led to a higher number of patients receiving recommended standard of care. Children classified as underweight during treatment presented higher number of infections and toxicities, length of hospital stay, and days of treatment delays during treatment. Overall, from the start to end of treatment, 32.5% of patients improved nutritional status, 35.7% maintained it, and 17.5% worsened. On the basis of metrics, the cost per consultation was less than 4.80 US dollars (USD; Honduras) and 1.60 USD (Nicaragua).

CONCLUSION: Integration and equitable access of the nutritional care process for all patients needs to be recognized as a component of the basic management in pediatric oncology care. IIPAN’s nutritional program demonstrates that nutritional care is economical and feasible in a limited resource setting.

PMID:37384860 | DOI:10.1200/GO.23.00074

JCO Glob Oncol. 2023 Jun;9:e2200372. doi: 10.1200/GO.22.00372.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Mexico and Central America have the highest childhood cancer incidence in the West. Pediatric-specific oncology knowledge contributes to the disparity. We sought to (1) determine the self-identified treatment patterns and needs of Mexican pediatric radiation oncologists and (2) pilot a workshop to improve contouring accuracy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Partnering with local experts and the Sociedad Mexicana de Radioterapeutas (SOMERA), a 35-question survey was designed to ascertain pediatric radiotherapy capacity and distributed through the SOMERA listserv. The most challenging malignancies were selected for workshop. Participants received precontouring and postcontouring homework to assess improvement per the Dice metric. The Wilcoxon sign-rank test was used for comparative statistics.

RESULTS: Ninety-four radiation oncologists attempted and 79 completed the survey. Forty-four (76%) felt comfortable treating a pediatric patient, and 36 (62%) were familiar with national protocols for pediatric treatment. Most had access to nutrition, rehabilitation, endocrinology, and anesthesia; 14% had access to fertility services and 27% to neurocognitive support; 11% noted no support, and only one respondent had child-life support. The postsurvey contouring workshop was conducted for high-grade glioma, medulloblastoma, and Hodgkin lymphoma. Significant improvements were seen in all target volumes.

CONCLUSION: We present the first national survey of Mexico’s pediatric radiotherapy capacity and Latin American e-contouring educational intervention with preworkshop and postworkshop Dice metrics, noting statistically significant improvement in all target volumes. Participation improved compared with prior experience through SOMERA partnership and Continuing Medical Education incentivization.

PMID:37384858 | DOI:10.1200/GO.22.00372

Acta Medica (Hradec Kralove). 2023;66(1):24-27. doi: 10.14712/18059694.2023.11.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: The sex ratio at birth approximates 0.515 (male : total, M/T), with 515 boys per 485 girls. Many factors have been shown to influence M/T including acute and chronic stress. Increasing maternal age is associated with a decline in M/T. In Aotearoa New Zealand, circa 15% of the population identify as of Māori heritage. This populationis generally considered to be socioeconomically disadvantaged. This study analysed M/T for Māori and non-Māori M/T births in Aotearoa New Zealand and relates these to mean maternal age at delivery.

METHODS: Live births by sex and maternal age at delivery were available from the website of Tatauranga Aotearoa Stats NZ for 1997-2021.

RESULTS: This study analysed 1,474,905 births (28.4% Māori) Pooled data shows that Māori M/T is significantly higher than non-Māori M/T (chi = 6.8, p = 0.009). Mean maternal age at delivery was less for Māori mothers but this was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS: Several studies have shown that M/T is decreased in socioeconomically deprived populations, and for this reason Māori M/T is expected to be lower and not higher than non-Māori M/T. A lower mean maternal age at delivery might have explained the M/T differences noted in this analysis but this was not a statistically significant difference.

PMID:37384806 | DOI:10.14712/18059694.2023.11

J Infect Dis. 2023 Jun 29:jiad244. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiad244. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Varicella causes a major health burden in many low- to middle-income countries located in tropical regions. Because of the lack of surveillance data, however, the epidemiology of varicella in these regions remains uncharacterized. Here, based on an extensive dataset of weekly varicella incidence in children ≤10 during 2011-2014 in 25 municipalities, we aimed to delineate the seasonality of varicella across the diverse tropical climates of Colombia.

METHODS: We used generalized additive models to estimate varicella seasonality, and clustering and matrix correlation methods to assess its correlation with climate. Furthermore, we developed a mathematical model to examine whether including the effect of climate on varicella transmission could reproduce the observed spatiotemporal patterns.

RESULTS: Varicella seasonality was markedly bimodal, with latitudinal changes in the peaks’ timing and amplitude. This spatial gradient strongly correlated with specific humidity (Mantel-statistic = 0.412, p-value = 0.001), but not temperature (Mantel-statistic = 0.077, p-value = 0.225). The mathematical model reproduced the spatial patterns observed not only in Colombia, but also México, and predicted a latitudinal gradient in Central American countries.

CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate large variability in varicella seasonality across Colombia. They further suggest that spatiotemporal humidity fluctuations can explain the calendar of varicella epidemics in Colombia, México, and potentially other countries in Central America.

PMID:37384795 | DOI:10.1093/infdis/jiad244