Tag: nevin manimala

Br J Radiol. 2023 Mar 31:20220682. doi: 10.1259/bjr.20220682. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The novel CT-TDV scoring system, identifying T3c + disease; presence/absence of tumour deposits and EMVI has been shown to be superior in predicting prognosis when compared to the CT-TNM staging system in the evaluation of colon cancer. Reproducibility of this scoring system between specialist GI radiologists has not been assessed previously. The aim of this study was to assess the inter rater agreement of gastrointestinal radiologists in assessing the novel pre-operative CT-TDV scoring of patients with potentially curable right-sided colon cancer.

METHODS: 93 right colon cancer pre-operative CT scans were graded as CT TDV ‘good’ versus TDV ‘poor’ by four radiologists. Inter rater agreement was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) between all four readers and individual readers against the central radiologist using Cohen’s κ statistic.

RESULTS: The ICC comparing those graded as TDV ‘good’ versus TDV ‘poor’ for all 93 cases was 0.61 (0.51-0.70) indicating moderate reliability. Individual κ scores across the 93 cases were 0.76, 0.59 and 0.59 (p < 0.001) indicating moderate to substantial agreement.

CONCLUSION: The CT TDV scoring system is reproducible amongst trained gastrointestinal radiologists in the assessment of newly diagnosed right colon cancer.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: This further validates the clinical utility of the CT TDV scoring system as a prognostic tool to guide the management of patients with potentially curable right colon cancer.

PMID:37000465 | DOI:10.1259/bjr.20220682

J Occup Environ Hyg. 2023 Mar 31:1-16. doi: 10.1080/15459624.2023.2197634. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study provides an overview on the relationships between exposure to work-related, hand-arm vibration and the occurrence of pre-defined disorders of the hands. We searched Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Central, and PsycINFO for cross-sectional and longitudinal studies on the association between work-related vibration exposure and the occurrence of hand-arm vibration syndrome (including vibration-induced white finger), Dupuytren’s contracture, or hypothenar hammer syndrome. We used a 16-item checklist for assessing risk of bias. We present results narratively, and we conducted random effects meta-analyses if possible. We included 10 studies with more than 24,381 participants. Our results showed statistically significant associations between the exposure to hand-arm vibrations and the occurrence of the selected disorders, with pooled odds ratios ranging between 1.35 (95% CI: 1.28 to 2.80) and 3.43 (95% CI: 2.10 to 5.59). Considerable between-study hetereogeneity was observed. Our analyses show that exposure to vibrating tools at work is associated with an increased risk for the occurrence of selected disorders of the hands. Due to the majority of studies being cross-sectional, no firm conclusion is possible regarding causal relationships between vibration exposure and disorder occurrence. Future research should specifically address whether reducing the exposure to hand-held vibrating tools at work reduces the incidence of the disorders of the hands investigated in this systematic review.

PMID:37000463 | DOI:10.1080/15459624.2023.2197634

JAMA Netw Open. 2023 Mar 1;6(3):e236185. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.6185.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: A previous meta-analysis of the association between alcohol use and all-cause mortality found no statistically significant reductions in mortality risk at low levels of consumption compared with lifetime nondrinkers. However, the risk estimates may have been affected by the number and quality of studies then available, especially those for women and younger cohorts.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between alcohol use and all-cause mortality, and how sources of bias may change results.

DATA SOURCES: A systematic search of PubMed and Web of Science was performed to identify studies published between January 1980 and July 2021.

STUDY SELECTION: Cohort studies were identified by systematic review to facilitate comparisons of studies with and without some degree of controls for biases affecting distinctions between abstainers and drinkers. The review identified 107 studies of alcohol use and all-cause mortality published from 1980 to July 2021.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Mixed linear regression models were used to model relative risks, first pooled for all studies and then stratified by cohort median age (<56 vs ≥56 years) and sex (male vs female). Data were analyzed from September 2021 to August 2022.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Relative risk estimates for the association between mean daily alcohol intake and all-cause mortality.

RESULTS: There were 724 risk estimates of all-cause mortality due to alcohol intake from the 107 cohort studies (4 838 825 participants and 425 564 deaths available) for the analysis. In models adjusting for potential confounding effects of sampling variation, former drinker bias, and other prespecified study-level quality criteria, the meta-analysis of all 107 included studies found no significantly reduced risk of all-cause mortality among occasional (>0 to <1.3 g of ethanol per day; relative risk [RR], 0.96; 95% CI, 0.86-1.06; P = .41) or low-volume drinkers (1.3-24.0 g per day; RR, 0.93; P = .07) compared with lifetime nondrinkers. In the fully adjusted model, there was a nonsignificantly increased risk of all-cause mortality among drinkers who drank 25 to 44 g per day (RR, 1.05; P = .28) and significantly increased risk for drinkers who drank 45 to 64 and 65 or more grams per day (RR, 1.19 and 1.35; P < .001). There were significantly larger risks of mortality among female drinkers compared with female lifetime nondrinkers (RR, 1.22; P = .03).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this updated systematic review and meta-analysis, daily low or moderate alcohol intake was not significantly associated with all-cause mortality risk, while increased risk was evident at higher consumption levels, starting at lower levels for women than men.

PMID:37000449 | DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.6185

J Spinal Cord Med. 2023 Mar 31:1-11. doi: 10.1080/10790268.2023.2183334. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT: The Spinal Cord Independence Measure is a comprehensive functional rating scale for individuals with spinal cord lesion (SCL).

OBJECTIVE: To validate the scores of the three subscales of SCIM IV, the fourth version of SCIM, using advanced statistical methods.

STUDY DESIGN: Multi-center cohort study.

SETTING: Nineteen SCL units in 11 countries.

METHODS: SCIM developers created SCIM IV following comments by experts, included more accurate definitions of scoring criteria in the SCIM IV form, and adjusted it to assess specific conditions or situations that the third version, SCIM III, does not address. Professional staff members assessed 648 SCL inpatients, using SCIM IV and SCIM III, at admission to rehabilitation, and at discharge. The authors examined the validity and reliability of SCIM IV subscale scores using Rasch analysis.

RESULTS: The study included inpatients aged 16-87 years old. SCIM IV subscale scores fit the Rasch model. All item infit and most item outfit mean-square indices were below 1.4; statistically distinct strata of abilities were 2.6-6; most categories were properly ordered; item hierarchy was stable across most clinical subgroups and countries. In a few items, however, we found misfit or category threshold disordering. We found SCIM III and SCIM IV Rasch properties to be comparable.

CONCLUSIONS: Rasch analysis suggests that the scores of each SCIM IV subscale are reliable and valid. This reinforces the justification for using SCIM IV in clinical practice and research.

PMID:37000427 | DOI:10.1080/10790268.2023.2183334

Interdiscip Sci. 2023 Mar 31. doi: 10.1007/s12539-023-00564-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Over the last few years, an increasing number of protein mis-localization events have been reported under various conditions. It is important to understand these events and their relationship with complex disorders. Although many efforts had been made in establishing models with statistical or machine learning algorithms, a comprehensive database resource is still missing. Since the records of experimental-validated protein mis-localization events spread across many literatures, a collection of all these reports in a unique website is demanded. In this paper, we created the dbMisLoc database by manually curating conditional protein mis-localization events from various literatures. The dbMisLoc database records the protein localizations, mis-localizations, conditions for mis-localization, and the original reports. The dbMisLoc database allows the users to intuitively view, search, visualize and download protein mis-localization records. The dbMisLoc database integrates a BLAST search engine, which can search mis-localized proteins that are similar to user queries. The dbMisLoc database can be accessed directly through ( https://dbml.pufengdu.org ). The source code of dbMisLoc database is available from the GitHub repository ( https://github.com/quinlanW/dbMisLoc ) for free. Users can host their own mirrors of dbMisLoc database on their own servers. dbMisLoc is database for manually curated protein mis-localization events. It contains mis-localization events in 14 categories of conditions such as diseases, drug treatments and environmental stresses.

PMID:37000408 | DOI:10.1007/s12539-023-00564-0

Acta Neurol Belg. 2023 Mar 31. doi: 10.1007/s13760-023-02251-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Protein misfolding within specific brain regions is a common characteristic of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Therefore, a common term often used for these disorders is “proteinopathy”. Currently, there has been increasing attention toward the overlap of pathogenesis between proteinopathies.

AIMS: We aimed to explore the cross-sectional and longitudinal level of the CSF α-synuclein (α-syn), amyloid βeta (Aβ1-42), total tau (t-tau), and phosphorylated tau (p-tau) in PD subjects with tremor dominant (TD) and a non-tremor dominant (nonTD) subtype from the Parkinson Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI).

METHODS: We enrolled 411 early-stage PD patients and 187 healthy controls (HCs) from the PPMI. We compared the level of CSF biomarkers at four time points including baseline, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years. To investigate longitudinal changes in CSF proteins within each group, we used linear mixed models.

RESULTS: The level of CSF biomarkers was significantly lower in PD patients compared to HCs at any visit. Moreover, there was no statistically significant difference in the level of CSF α-syn, Aβ1-42, t-tau, and p-tau between PD-TD and PD-nonTD. Longitudinal analysis showed significant CSF α-syn reduction after one year from baseline in PD-TD patients (P = 0.047). Also, there was a significant reduction in the level of CSF Aβ1-42 after two years in PD-nonTD patients but not HCs and PD-TD (P = 0.033).

CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that different patterns in longitudinal changes of CSF biomarkers could be due to different pathophysiological mechanisms involved in each PD motor subtype.

PMID:37000407 | DOI:10.1007/s13760-023-02251-9

Aging Clin Exp Res. 2023 Mar 31. doi: 10.1007/s40520-023-02385-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hip fracture is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in elderly people. A drop in serum albumin after hip surgery has been reported, but few data are available on the effect on complications. The aim of this study was to assess the role of two distinct orthopedic surgical procedures (fixation or prosthesis) and pre-surgery albumin serum level on the development of clinical complications.

METHODS: Of 176 subjects aged 65 and older with hip fracture hospitalized either in orthopedics or geriatrics ward in a 15-month period, the data of 152 patients were analyzed. Interventions were fixation or prosthesis. Measurements included gender, age, surgical procedure, medical complications, admission albumin level (g/L), and post-surgical albumin level (g/L).

RESULTS: All patients (n = 152), regardless of the surgical procedure, underwent a loss of albumin from (mean ± standard deviation) 32.6 ± 4.3 to 25.0 ± 3.8 g/L. Complications were associated with albumin level both at pre-surgery (no complications mean ± SD 33.9 ± 3.5 g/L; n = 80; complications mean ± SD 31.2 ± 4.7 g/L; n = 72; p < 0.001) and post-surgery (no complications mean ± SD 26.2 ± 3.5 g/L; n = 80; complications mean ± SD 23.7 ± 3.6 g/L; n = 72; p < 0.001). When considering a multivariable model, an increased risk in the incidence of complications was found in subjects with preoperative albumin below 30 g/L (reference albumin greater than or equal to 30 g/L; OR 3.74; CI 95% 1.43-9.80) and in subjects undergoing prosthesis procedure (reference: fixation; OR 1.97; CI 95% 1.00-3.88).

CONCLUSIONS: We observed that fixation and prosthesis were associated with a decrease in albumin level. Given a low pre-surgery level of albumin, the risk of complications was higher than in patient with pre-surgery normal level of albumin. This pilot study suggests further prospective research, considering whether albumin administration could be effective in preventing a fall in the albumin level after surgery, thus reducing the postoperative complication rate.

PMID:37000402 | DOI:10.1007/s40520-023-02385-z

Hepatol Int. 2023 Mar 31. doi: 10.1007/s12072-023-10518-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The prevalence and severity of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) are increasing. The incidence of alcohol-related cirrhosis has risen up to 2.5%. This study aimed to identify novel metabolite mechanisms involved in the development of ALD in patients. The use of gut microbiome-derived metabolites is increasing in targeted therapies. Identifying metabolic compounds is challenging due to the complex patterns that have long-term effects on ALD. We investigated the specific metabolite signatures in ALD patients.

METHODS: This study included 247 patients (heathy control, HC: n = 62, alcoholic fatty liver, AFL; n = 25, alcoholic hepatitis, AH; n = 80, and alcoholic cirrhosis, AC, n = 80) identified, and stool samples were collected. 16S rRNA sequencing and metabolomics were performed with MiSeq sequencer and liquid chromatography coupled to time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (LC-TOF-MS), respectively. The untargeted metabolites in AFL, AH, and AC samples were evaluated by multivariate statistical analysis and metabolic pathotypic expression. Metabolic network classifiers were used to predict the pathway expression of the AFL, AH, and AC stages.

RESULTS: The relative abundance of Proteobacteria was increased and the abundance of Bacteroides was decreased in ALD samples (p = 0.001) compared with that in HC samples. Fusobacteria levels were higher in AH samples (p = 0.0001) than in HC samples. Untargeted metabolomics was applied to quantitatively screen 103 metabolites from each stool sample. Indole-3-propionic acid levels are significantly lower in AH and AC (vs. HC, p = 0.001). Indole-3-lactic acid (ILA: p = 0.04) levels were increased in AC samples. AC group showed an increase in indole-3-lactic acid (vs. HC, p = 0.040) level. Compared with that in HC samples, the levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs: acetic acid, butyric acid, propionic acid, iso-butyric acid, and iso-valeric acid) and bile acids (lithocholic acids) were significantly decreased in AC. The pathways of linoleic acid metabolism, indole compounds, histidine metabolism, fatty acid degradation, and glutamate metabolism were closely associated with ALD metabolism.

CONCLUSIONS: This study identified that microbial metabolic dysbiosis is associated with ALD-related metabolic dysfunction. The SCFAs, bile acids, and indole compounds were depleted during ALD progression.

CLINICAL TRIAL: Clinicaltrials.gov, number NCT04339725.

PMID:37000389 | DOI:10.1007/s12072-023-10518-9

J Fluoresc. 2023 Mar 31. doi: 10.1007/s10895-023-03217-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Highly fluorescent nitrogen doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) were prepared by a single-step method based on microwave heating of cane sugar and urea. The produced N-CQDs were applied as nano-sensors for the spectrofluorimetric determination of eplerenone and spironolactone. A strong emission band at 376 nm was obtained after excitation at 216 nm due to the produced N-CQDs. The native fluorescence of N-CQDs was obviously quenched upon adding increased concentrations of each drug. A strong correlation was found between the fluorescence quenching of N-CQDs and the concentration of each drug. The method was found to be linear over the range of 0.5 to 5.0 μg/mL for eplerenone and 0.5 to 6.0 μg/mL for spironolactone with LOQ of 0.383 μg/mL and 0.262 μg/mL. The developed method was further extended for determination of both drugs in their pharmaceutical tablets and spiked human plasma. The results obtained were statistically compared with those of reported methods. The mechanism of fluorescence quenching of N-CQDs by the two drugs was discussed.

PMID:37000365 | DOI:10.1007/s10895-023-03217-z

J Assist Reprod Genet. 2023 Mar 31. doi: 10.1007/s10815-023-02787-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To assess the impact of elevated BMI on the success of modified natural cycle frozen embryo transfers (mNC-FET) of euploid embryos.

METHODS: This retrospective cohort study at a single academic institution reviewed mNC-FET involving single euploid blastocysts from 2016 to 2020. Comparison groups were divided by pre-pregnancy BMI (kg/m²) category: normal weight (18.5-24.9), overweight (25-29.9) or obese (≥ 30). Underweight BMI (< 18.5) was excluded from the analysis. The primary outcome was live birth rate (LBR) and secondary outcome was clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), defined as presence of fetal cardiac activity on ultrasound. Absolute standardized differences (ASD) were calculated to compare descriptive variables and p-values and multivariable logistic regressions with generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to compare pregnancy outcomes.

RESULTS: 562 mNC-FET cycles were completed in 425 patients over the study period. Overall, there were 316 transfers performed in normal weight patients, 165 in overweight patients, and 81 in obese weight patients. There was no statistically significant difference in LBR across all BMI categories (55.4% normal weight, 61.2% overweight, and 64.2% obese). There was also no difference for the secondary outcome, CPR, across all categories (58.5%, 65.5%, and 66.7%, respectively). This was confirmed in GEE analysis when adjusting for confounders.

CONCLUSION: While increased weight has commonly been implicated in poor pregnancy outcomes, the effect of BMI on the success of mNC-FET remains debated. Across five years of data from a single institution using euploid embryos in mNC-FET cycles, elevated BMI was not associated with reduced LBR or CPR.

PMID:37000344 | DOI:10.1007/s10815-023-02787-y