Tag: nevin manimala

Pediatr Pulmonol. 2022 Apr 14. doi: 10.1002/ppul.25920. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Thrombosis and embolism are possible complications in COVID-19-positive pediatric patients. Although the risk is lesser in children than it is in adults, it does exist during acute infection and multiinflammatory syndrome (MIS-C). Biomarkers such as D-dimer, Prothrombin time (PT), and Fibrinogen degradation products (FDPs) are ineffective at detecting disease severity. Homocysteine (Hcy) is a prothrombotic factor that has been reported to be higher in adult COVID-19 patients, leading to speculation that it could be used as a biomarker for disease severity.

PURPOSE: to detect the correlation between serum total homocysteine (tHcy) level and the severity of COVID-19 in pediatrics.

METHODS: a cross-sectional study was conducted on 40 children with COVID-19 and 40 healthy control subjects. Serum tHcy was measured by ELISA and correlated with the clinical, laboratory, and radiological parameters of the patients.

RESULTS: The median serum tHcy level in COVID-19 patients was 27.5 (interquartile range:23 – 31.75) μmol/L, while that in the controls was 1.8 ((interquartile range:1.6 – 1.875) μmol/L. There was a statistically significant increase in tHcy level in cases compared to controls (p<0.001). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between serum tHcy and D-dimer, ferritin, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and a highly significant positive correlation between tHcy and CO-RADS score, PICU admission, and the disease severity classification.

CONCLUSION: Hcy could be a biomarker of importance in predicting the severity of COVID-19 in pediatrics. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:35420248 | DOI:10.1002/ppul.25920

J Magn Reson Imaging. 2022 Apr 14. doi: 10.1002/jmri.28205. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: MRI guidance of arterial endovascular interventions could be beneficial as it does not require radiation exposure, allows intrinsic blood-tissue contrast, and enables three-dimensional and functional imaging, however, clinical applications are still limited.

PURPOSE: To review the current state of MRI-guided arterial endovascular interventions and to identify the most commonly reported challenges.

STUDY TYPE: Systematic review.

POPULATION: Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library were systematically searched to find relevant articles. The search strategy combined synonyms for vascular pathology, endovascular therapy, and real-time MRI guidance.

FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: No field strength or sequence restrictions were applied.

ASSESSMENT: Two reviewers independently identified and reviewed the original articles and extracted relevant data.

STATISTICAL TESTS: Results of the included original articles are reported.

RESULTS: A total of 24,809 studies were identified for screening. Eighty-eight studies were assessed for eligibility, after which data were extracted from 43 articles (6 phantom, 33 animal, and 4 human studies). Reported technical success rates for animal and human studies ranged between 42% to 100%, and the average complication rate was 5.8% (animal studies) and 8.8% (human studies). Main identified challenges were related to spatial and temporal resolution as well as safety, design, and scarcity of current MRI-compatible endovascular devices.

DATA CONCLUSION: MRI guidance of endovascular arterial interventions seems feasible, however, included articles included mostly small single-center case series. Several hurdles remain to be overcome before larger trials can be undertaken. Main areas of research should focus on adequate imaging protocols with integrated tracking of dedicated endovascular devices.

PMID:35420239 | DOI:10.1002/jmri.28205

J Magn Reson Imaging. 2022 Apr 14. doi: 10.1002/jmri.28203. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Early detection and accurate assessment of N-acetyl-p-aminophenol (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity can prevent further aggravation of liver injury and reduce the incidence of liver failure.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the potential of multiple MRI parameters for assessing APAP-induced hepatotoxicity in an experimental rat model.

STUDY TYPE: Prospective.

ANIMAL MODEL: Twenty-one APAP-treated rats and 12 control rats.

FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: A 3 T, T1 mapping, Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI, and intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM).

ASSESSMENT: The severity of histological changes was assessed by a liver pathologist. Rat livers were pathologically classified into three groups: normal (n = 12), mild necrosis (n = 13), and moderate necrosis (n = 8). T1 relaxation time (T1) and diffusion parameters were measured. The reduction rate of T1 (ΔT1%) at different time points, the maximum value of ΔT1%, time period to the maximum value of ΔT1%, and time period from ΔT1max (%) to 2/3 value of ΔT1max (%) (ΔT1-T2/3) were calculated. Transporters activities like organic anion-transporting polypeptide 1 (oatp1) and multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (mrp2) were compared among different necrotic groups.

STATISTICAL TESTS: ANOVA/Kruskal-Wallis. Pearson/Spearman correlation. P < 0.05 was considered statistical significance.

RESULTS: T1 Precontrast and ΔT1-T2/3 were strongly correlated with the severity of necrosis (r = 0.9094; r = 0.7978, respectively) and showed significant differences between the two groups. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and tissue diffusivity (D) values were significantly lower in the moderate necrosis group than in the normal and mild necrosis groups. The oatp1 activity of the necrosis groups was significantly reduced compared to that of the normal group, but the differences between normal and mild (P = 0.21), normal and moderate group (P = 0.56) were not significant. Meanwhile, enlargement of bile canaliculi and sparse microvilli was observed in the necrotic groups.

CONCLUSION: MRI parameters such as precontrast T1 and ΔT1-T2/3 had promising potential in assessing the severity of early-stage hepatotoxicity in an APAP overdose rat model.

EVIDENCE LEVEL: 1 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 1.

PMID:35420237 | DOI:10.1002/jmri.28203

J Prosthodont. 2022 Apr 14. doi: 10.1111/jopr.13518. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To compare prevalence and type of complications associated with metal resin fixed complete dentures based on implant distribution.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included data collected for a period of 12 years for patients treated with maxillary and mandibular implant-supported fixed complete dentures at the School of Dentistry. In total, 223 patient’s charts were reviewed which included 100 maxillary and 123 mandibular fixed complete dentures (FCDs). Implant distribution and prevalence of complications associated with each implant-supported FCD were documented. Teeth delamination, the most common complication associated with fixed complete dentures, was compared between 2 implant distribution groups in each arch. Covariates including age, sex, opposing arch, cantilever occluding units, and number of implants were evaluated to determine their association with tooth delamination. Data and hypotheses were statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics along with logistic regression model. All tests of hypotheses were considered statistically significant at an alpha level of 0.05.

RESULTS: In the maxillary arch, some effect of the prevalence of tooth delamination was seen for the group which had implants placed posterior to canine eminence but was not statistically significant. Denture tooth delamination had the highest prevalence among complications irrespective of implant distribution. Significant denture tooth delamination was seen for patients with opposing FCDs in comparison to patients with removable opposing arch prostheses.

CONCLUSIONS: Implant distribution is not a significant factor related metal resin FCDs. Opposing FCDs have a significantly higher association with DTDs. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:35420238 | DOI:10.1111/jopr.13518

J Magn Reson Imaging. 2022 Apr 14. doi: 10.1002/jmri.28196. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hyperpolarized ¹³ C MRI quantitatively measures enzyme-catalyzed metabolism in cancer and metabolic diseases. Whole-abdomen imaging will permit dynamic metabolic imaging of several abdominal organs simultaneously in healthy and diseased subjects.

PURPOSE: Image hyperpolarized [1-¹³ C]pyruvate and products in the abdomens of healthy volunteers, overcoming challenges of motion, magnetic field variations, and spatial coverage. Compare hyperpolarized [1-¹³ C]pyruvate metabolism across abdominal organs of healthy volunteers.

STUDY TYPE: Prospective technical development.

SUBJECTS: A total of 13 healthy volunteers (8 male), 21-64 years (median 36).

FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: A 3 T. Proton: T₁ -weighted spoiled gradient echo, T₂ -weighted single-shot fast spin echo, multiecho fat/water imaging. Carbon-13: echo-planar spectroscopic imaging, metabolite-specific echo-planar imaging.

ASSESSMENT: Transmit magnetic field was measured. Variations in main magnetic field (ΔB₀ ) determined using multiecho proton acquisitions were compared to carbon-13 acquisitions. Changes in ΔB₀ were measured after localized shimming. Improvements in metabolite signal-to-noise ratio were calculated. Whole-organ regions of interests were drawn over the liver, spleen, pancreas, and kidneys by a single investigator. Metabolite signals, time-to-peak, decay times, and mean first-order rate constants for pyruvate-to-lactate (k_PL ) and alanine (k_PA ) conversion were measured in each organ.

STATISTICAL TESTS: Linear regression, one-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests, paired t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Tukey’s multiple comparisons tests. P ≤ 0.05 considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: Proton ΔB₀ maps correlated with carbon-13 ΔB₀ maps (slope = 0.93, y-intercept = -2.88, R² = 0.73). Localized shimming resulted in mean frequency offset within ±25 Hz for all organs. Metabolite SNR significantly increased after denoising. Mean k_PL and k_PA were highest in liver, followed by pancreas, spleen, and kidneys (all comparisons with liver were significant).

DATA CONCLUSION: Whole-abdomen coverage with hyperpolarized carbon-13 MRI was feasible despite technical challenges. Multiecho gradient echo ¹ H acquisitions accurately predicted chemical shifts observed using carbon-13 spectroscopy. Carbon-13 acquisitions benefited from local shimming. Metabolite energetics in the abdomen compiled for healthy volunteers can be used to design larger clinical trials in patients with metabolic diseases.

EVIDENCE LEVEL: 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 1.

PMID:35420227 | DOI:10.1002/jmri.28196

J Nurs Manag. 2022 Apr 14. doi: 10.1111/jonm.13634. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To identify the patient and hospital characteristics related to nursing needs and nursing hours in acute hospital settings.

BACKGROUND: To determine appropriate staffing levels, accumulating empirical data through direct observation and surveys reflecting the actual situation is necessary.

METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we conducted direct observations of nurses in acute care hospitals from May 1 to August 31, 2020. Twenty-six hospitals in five cities participated, and 747 nursing personnel collected 1,681 patients’ data while performing nursing activities. The data of 1,605 individuals were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, analysis of variance, and linear regression.

RESULTS: Hospital size, admission day, patients’ dependence level, high fall risk, and disease diagnoses were variables associated with nursing needs (F = 73.49, P < 0.001) and nursing hours (F = 57.7, P < 0.001). Comparing the correlates of nursing needs and nursing hours revealed that, unlike nursing needs, nursing hours were not significantly associated with surgery and certain diagnoses.

CONCLUSION: This study confirmed the variables associated with nursing needs and nursing hours in acute hospitals; based on this, determining appropriate staffing levels, which is an important step in improving inpatients’ health outcomes, is necessary.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: In acute hospitals, an increased number of nurse staffing should be employed based on the number of newly hospitalized patients, patients with high dependence levels and specific diagnoses, and those at high risk of falling.

PMID:35420223 | DOI:10.1111/jonm.13634

J Am Geriatr Soc. 2022 Apr 14. doi: 10.1111/jgs.17799. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The medication-related death of a hospitalized older adult elucidated the inappropriateness of medication default doses in our electronic health record (EHR) for older adults. In response, we created and implemented the Geriatric Prescribing Context (GPC), an EHR-based set of age-specific dose and frequency defaults for patients 75 years and older, in July 2017. Inpatient medication orders aligned with GPC defaults and showed significant dose decreases at one year for nine of ten most commonly used medications. This follow-up investigation examined GPC alignment of dose and frequency over the 42-month time period after its implementation.

METHODS: Order data for the ten most commonly used medications at OHSU Hospital were collected retrospectively from July 2016 through December 2020. We used Statistical Process Control charts to assess the proportion of medication orders aligning with the GPC’s recommendations. Signals of special cause were evaluated to identify time periods when shifts in process averages likely occurred and suspected shifts were assessed using binomial proportion tests. We used RStudio (RStudio, Inc., version 1.2.5001) and Microsoft Excel (2016) to perform statistical analyses and control charts, respectively.

RESULTS: The preimplementation phase of all medications displayed no special causes. After significant initial improvement in 2017, control charts revealed three different patterns of performance. Eight medications maintained the initial improvement with one medication displaying a second significant improvement at a later date. Two medications showed a subsequent decline in performance not statistically different from baseline. Overall, eight of the ten medications were prescribed at more age-friendly doses and frequencies compared to baseline after 42 months.

CONCLUSIONS: The GPC is an effective method to support safer prescribing for hospitalized older patients, but long-term impacts may be medication-specific. Further investigation is needed to ensure appropriate prescribing across drug classes and understand the GPC’s impact on patient outcomes like adverse drug events.

PMID:35420159 | DOI:10.1111/jgs.17799

J Vet Intern Med. 2022 Apr 14. doi: 10.1111/jvim.16416. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: A recent study showed higher high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) concentrations in healthy dogs eating grain-free (GF) compared to those eating grain-inclusive (GI) diets.

HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Healthy dogs with subclinical cardiac abnormalities eating GF diets at baseline will show improvements in cardiac biomarkers and echocardiographic variables after diet change, whereas healthy dogs eating GI diets at baseline will not improve.

ANIMALS: Twenty healthy dogs with subclinical cardiac abnormalities (12 Golden Retrievers, 5 Doberman Pinschers, 3 Miniature Schnauzers).

METHODS: This prospective study included dogs with increased hs-cTnI or N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentrations, or echocardiographic abnormalities. Mixed modeling was used to evaluate echocardiographic, hs-cTnI, and NT-proBNP differences between groups (GF or GI diet at baseline) over time (1 y after diet change).

RESULTS: Ten GF and 10 GI dogs were evaluated. There were statistically significant time: group interactions for hs-cTnI (P = .02) and normalized left ventricular internal systolic diameter (LVIDsN; P = .02), with GF dogs showing larger decreases in these variables than GI dogs. Median (range) hs-cTnI (ng/mL) for GF dogs was 0.141 (0.012-0.224) at baseline and 0.092 (0.044-0.137) at 1 y, and for GI dogs was 0.051 (0.016-0.195) at baseline and 0.060 (0.022-0.280) at 1 y. Median LVIDsN for GF dogs was 1.01 (0.70-1.30) at baseline and 0.87 (0.79-1.24) at 1 y, and for GI dogs was 1.05 (0.84-1.21) at baseline and 1.10 (0.85-1.28) at 1 y.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Decreased hs-cTnI and LVIDsN in GF dogs after diet change supports reversibility of these subclinical myocardial abnormalities.

PMID:35420218 | DOI:10.1111/jvim.16416

Tijdschr Psychiatr. 2022;64(2):94-100.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Leukemia is the most common pediatric malignancy. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most commonly observed subtype.

AIM: To assess cognitive functioning in children and adolescents with ALL post-treatment: chemotherapy-only (CT-only) or in combination with radiation therapy (CTRT). METHODS We searched in PubMed and PsycINFO (OvidSP). Relevant data were analyzed using statistical program Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (version 2).

RESULTS: 44 studies were included in the overall meta-analysis with a total of 5059 patients. A weighted mean IQ of 100.1 (95% CI 99.1-101.0) was found overall after ALL treatment. In subanalyses, we found for CT-only a weighted mean IQ of 100.7 (95% CI: 99.5-101.9) and for CTRT-treatment a weighted mean IQ of 98.2 (95%100.7 (95% CI: 96.3-100.3). There was no significant difference from the normative control (mean: 100.0; SD: 15).

CONCLUSION: No significant cognitive sequelae were shown in childhood survivors of leukemia who were exposed to either CT-only or CTRT therapy. Prospective studies are needed with inclusion of pre-and post-treatment IQ measurements, ideally compared to age and socio-economic status matched control groups.

PMID:35420152

Cardiovasc Res. 2022 Apr 14:cvac042. doi: 10.1093/cvr/cvac053. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: The British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) annual statistical compendium is a comprehensive source of accessible epidemiological data in relation to cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the UK. Using datasets with multiple years of data from the compendium we have analysed trends in mortality, morbidity, and treatment for CVD within the UK.

METHODS AND RESULTS: CVD mortality in the UK has consistently declined over recent decades, from 1,045 deaths per 100,000 in 1969, shortly after the BHF was founded, to 255 per 100,000 in 2019. Despite this remarkable improvement, inequalities in CVD mortality persist between the UK nations, for example in 2019 the death rate in Scotland was 326 deaths per 100,000 compared with 246 per 100,000 in England. Improvements in CVD mortality have been paralleled by increased use of primary prevention medications (anti-hypertensives and statins) and interventional procedures. In recent years, progress in mortality outcomes has stalled, probably due to a combination of factors including a rise in risk factors such as obesity and diabetes. In terms of morbidity, CVD remains a significant burden in the UK, accounting for at least 1.18 million hospital admissions and reflect enormous economic burden of CVD, estimated at £19bn in the UK.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight the importance of accessible and comprehensive statistics in relation to the burden of CVD and the value of the BHF’s annual compendium in drawing out conclusions and opportunities for future research. One key area is to improve is the data on which estimation of prevalence is based. There is also a need for ongoing work to better understand the root causes of disparity between socio-economic groups in relation to CVD. One important way to address this will be to improve consistency of reporting of CVD heath data across all nations of the UK. Understanding the causes will inform UK healthcare planning in addition to providing analytical insights that will be applicable in other countries.

PMID:35420124 | DOI:10.1093/cvr/cvac053