Tag: nevin manimala

Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2022 Apr 26:izac088. doi: 10.1093/ibd/izac088. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There is lack of knowledge concerning postpartum infections in women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Our aim is to determine the 30-day postpartum infectious complications in women with and without IBD who have a caesarian section, normal vaginal delivery, or assisted vaginal delivery.

METHODS: We used Danish national registries to establish a study population of liveborn, singleton births from January 1, 1997, through December 31, 2015. We examined 30-day postpartum maternal infectious complications in women with and without IBD, according to the mode of delivery. Statistical models were adjusted for multiple confounders.

RESULTS: In all, 3255 women with and 207 608 without IBD had a caesarian section. Within 30 days postpartum, 4.5% of women with and 3.7% without IBD had an infectious complication. Increased infectious complications included overall infections (adjusted OR [aOR], 1.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.35-2.47), infections of the gastrointestinal tract (aOR, 4.36, 95% CI 2.34-8.10), and infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (aOR, 4.45; 95% CI, 2.30-8.50). Other puerperal infections, urological and gynecological, and other infections were increased, although not significantly. For vaginal deliveries, 1.6% of 5771 women with IBD and 1.3% of 793 110 women without IBD had an infectious complication, and the aOR of infections of the gastrointestinal tract was 3.17 (95% CI, 1.47-6.85). There were too few outcomes to calculate the risk of infections after assisted vaginal delivery.

CONCLUSIONS: The risk of a 30-day postpartum infectious complication is increased in women with IBD. Physicians should carefully monitor their patients postpartum to prevent these adverse outcomes.

PMID:35472003 | DOI:10.1093/ibd/izac088

PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2022 Apr 26;16(4):e0010324. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010324. eCollection 2022 Apr.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The combination of Wolbachia-based incompatible insect technique (IIT) and radiation-based sterile insect technique (SIT) can be used for population suppression of Aedes aegypti. Our main objective was to evaluate whether open-field mass-releases of wAlbB-infected Ae. aegypti males, as part of an Integrated Vector Management (IVM) plan led by the Mexican Ministry of Health, could suppress natural populations of Ae. aegypti in urbanized settings in south Mexico.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We implemented a controlled before-and-after quasi-experimental study in two suburban localities of Yucatan (Mexico): San Pedro Chimay (SPC), which received IIT-SIT, and San Antonio Tahdzibichén used as control. Release of wAlbB Ae. aegypti males at SPC extended for 6 months (July-December 2019), covering the period of higher Ae. aegypti abundance. Entomological indicators included egg hatching rates and outdoor/indoor adult females collected at the release and control sites. Approximately 1,270,000 lab-produced wAlbB-infected Ae. aegypti males were released in the 50-ha treatment area (2,000 wAlbB Ae. aegypti males per hectare twice a week in two different release days, totaling 200,000 male mosquitoes per week). The efficacy of IIT-SIT in suppressing indoor female Ae. aegypti density (quantified from a generalized linear mixed model showing a statistically significant reduction in treatment versus control areas) was 90.9% a month after initiation of the suppression phase, 47.7% two months after (when number of released males was reduced in 50% to match local abundance), 61.4% four months after (when initial number of released males was re-established), 88.4% five months after and 89.4% at six months after the initiation of the suppression phase. A proportional, but lower, reduction in outdoor female Ae. aegypti was also quantified (range, 50.0-75.2% suppression).

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our study, the first open-field pilot implementation of Wolbachia IIT-SIT in Mexico and Latin-America, confirms that inundative male releases can significantly reduce natural populations of Ae. aegypti. More importantly, we present successful pilot results of the integration of Wolbachia IIT-SIT within a IVM plan implemented by Ministry of Health personnel.

PMID:35471983 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pntd.0010324

J Chem Theory Comput. 2022 Apr 26. doi: 10.1021/acs.jctc.1c00548. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Despite the variety of available computational approaches, state-of-the-art methods for calculating excitation energies, such as time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT), are computationally demanding and thus limited to moderate system sizes. Here, we introduce a new variation of constrained DFT (CDFT), wherein the constraint corresponds to a particular transition (T), or a combination of transitions, between occupied and virtual orbitals, rather than a region of the simulation space as in traditional CDFT. We compare T-CDFT with TDDFT and ΔSCF results for the low-lying excited states (S₁ and T₁) of a set of gas-phase acene molecules and OLED emitters and with reference results from the literature. At the PBE level of theory, T-CDFT outperforms ΔSCF for both classes of molecules, while also proving to be more robust. For the local excitations seen in the acenes, T-CDFT and TDDFT perform equally well. For the charge transfer (CT)-like excitations seen in the OLED molecules, T-CDFT also performs well, in contrast to the severe energy underestimation seen with TDDFT. In other words, T-CDFT is equally applicable to both local excitations and CT states, providing more reliable excitation energies at a much lower computational cost than TDDFT cost. T-CDFT is designed for large systems and has been implemented in the linear-scaling BigDFT code. It is therefore ideally suited for exploring the effects of explicit environments on excitation energies, paving the way for future simulations of excited states in complex realistic morphologies, such as those which occur in OLED materials.

PMID:35471972 | DOI:10.1021/acs.jctc.1c00548

J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev. 2022 Apr 1;6(4). doi: 10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-20-00084.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Variability in follow-up has previously been identified in orthopaedic trauma. Variability in follow-up for pediatric femur fractures has not previously been documented. The aim of this study was to document the variability in clinical and radiographic follow-up for pediatric femur fractures based on the fixation method and the treating surgeon.

METHODS: This retrospective case series identified isolated femoral fractures in patients younger than 18 years, treated by eight surgeons at a single center from 2010 to 2015. The total number and frequency of clinical visits, radiographic visits and discrete radiograph views, demographic data, fracture classification, treatment method, and presence of complications were extracted. Variability in follow-up was assessed through descriptive statistics and linear and Poisson regression models.

RESULTS: One hundred sixty-four femoral fractures in 160 patients were included. Fractures were stratified by the treating surgeon. The mean length of follow-up ranged from 6.5 to 13.6 months. Complications increased follow-up time by mean 1.7 months (1.3 to 2.4). Patients who were treated with rigid locking nails were followed for the shortest amount of time, averaging 9.9 months, while traction followed by rigid locking nails averaged 24.4 (0.5 to 9.3) months of follow-up.

DISCUSSION: Variation in the length of follow-up was identified and was associated with the fixation method and the treating surgeon. Few patients were followed long enough to definitively identify complications and sequelae known to occur after femur fractures such as femoral overgrowth or growth arrest. The results of this study indicate a need for additional study and consensus on an appropriate follow-up for pediatric femur fractures.

PMID:35471962 | DOI:10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-20-00084

J Am Coll Health. 2022 Apr 26:1-5. doi: 10.1080/07448481.2022.2068016. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The relative high rates of homelessness and housing insecurity among college students has become a public health concern within the U.S. This study explores the relationship between housing instability in relation to academic and mental health outcomes.

PARTICIPANTS: College students attending a larger public university (N = 1,416 students; M age = 22.54; 47.2% Pell Eligible; 54.6% racially/ethnically minoritized students) were surveyed employing cluster-sampling in the Fall Semester of 2019.

METHODS: Participants completed validated measures of housing instability, mental health outcomes, and demographics. Additional measures were matched with survey responses through the Office of Institutional Research (i.e., GPA, Pell Grant eligibility).

RESULTS: Students who experienced housing insecurity and homelessness were more likely to have a lower GPA as well as poorer mental health outcomes.

CONCLUSION: Findings highlight implications surrounding the need for housing programs and additional financial support in an effort to bolster students’ academic performance and mental well-being.

PMID:35471954 | DOI:10.1080/07448481.2022.2068016

Inquiry. 2022 Jan-Dec;59:469580221095799. doi: 10.1177/00469580221095799.

ABSTRACT

Background: Efficiency evaluation is an integral part of new medical reform and is necessary to solve the problem of limited and unbalanced medical resources. This study evaluated the efficiency of municipal-level Traditional Chinese Medicine hospitals by Data Envelopment Analysis application after a hierarchical medical treatment policy was implemented. We propose solutions to the problems existing in hospital operations and promote the utilization efficiency of medical resources in those hospitals. Methods: The sample included all municipal-level TCM hospitals in Gansu province from 2017 to 2019. The DEA-BCC model was employed to evaluate the relative efficiency of hospital operations, and the Manny-Whitney test was used to compare the input and output variables of technical efficiency efficient and inefficient hospitals. Results: From 2017 to 2019, the growth in the number of staff in secondary hospitals (25.88%) was lower than that in tertiary hospitals (31.98%). However, the increase in the number of beds (16.52%) in secondary hospitals was higher than that in tertiary hospitals (-0.30%). 5 (38.46%) achieved DEA efficient in secondary hospitals and 2 (40.00%) in tertiary hospitals. The means of technical efficiency, pure technical efficiency, and scale efficiency in secondary hospitals were 0.812, 0.887, and 0.908, respectively. The means in tertiary hospitals were 0.868, 0.926, and 0.935, respectively. The hospital areas were statistically different between the TE efficient and inefficient hospitals (P<0.05) in secondary hospitals. However, the number of outpatients between the two groups was statistically different (P<0.05) in tertiary hospitals. Conclusion: In this study, the medical and health services of municipal TCM hospitals in Gansu Province have made great progress. Due to the backward economy of Gansu Province, the classification of diagnosis and treatment of diseases was still based on Western medicine, resulting in the slow medical development of some municipal TCM hospitals. TCM hospitals should improve management efficiency, optimize hospital operation scale, improve the utilization efficiency of medical resources and promote efficient hospital development.

PMID:35471925 | DOI:10.1177/00469580221095799

J Feline Med Surg. 2022 Apr 26:1098612X221090456. doi: 10.1177/1098612X221090456. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The primary aims of this study were to determine preferences of North American cat owners when they are prescribed an antimicrobial for their cat with regard to cost, method of administration and the importance of antibiotics for treating infections in people, and to establish baseline knowledge, attitudes and influencers of cat owners on antimicrobial resistance and stewardship.

METHODS: An online questionnaire was used for data collection from two cat-owner groups: US cat owners and Canadian cat owners. Participants were queried on antimicrobial resistance and stewardship, and their preferences for their own cat when prescribed an antimicrobial, with respect to cost, method of drug administration and the importance of a drug for treating infections in people. Responses were evaluated through conjoint analysis and Likert-type questions. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytic statistics.

RESULTS: A total of 630 complete responses were included in the final analysis. Cost (37%) and method of administration (38%) were of similar participant preference when assessed using conjoint analysis. The importance of a drug for treating infections in people was lower priority (21%). The majority of cat owners preferred an antimicrobial that was ‘very important’ in treating human infections. A low proportion (21%) of participants responded that antimicrobial use in pets posed a risk to humans. Participants with a university education were more likely to respond that antimicrobial use in pets was a concern for people (31%; P <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Cat owners prioritize antimicrobial cost and method of administration equally. Few cat owners recognized the human antimicrobial resistance risks associated with antimicrobial use in pets.

PMID:35471142 | DOI:10.1177/1098612X221090456

Urologia. 2022 Apr 26:3915603221093913. doi: 10.1177/03915603221093913. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Bladder diary and questionnaire forms have an important role in the diagnosis of overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome and can predict response to OAB treatment. We aimed to evaluate the correlation between three different validated Turkish OAB questionnaires and bladder diary form.

METHODS: Patients aged over 18 years who admitted to the urology outpatient clinic with OAB symptoms between March 2019 and April 2020 were enrolled into the study. Demographic data of the patients were recorded, and they were asked to complete a 3-days bladder diary. In addition, the patients filled Turkish validated OAB version-8 (OABv8), the International Consultation of Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF), and OAB Symptom Score (OABSS) questionnaire. The relationship between these questionnaire forms and bladder diary was evaluated with statistical analysis. The significant p was p < 0.05.

RESULTS: A total of 592 patients were included in the study. The mean total points of the questionnaire forms were 22.07 ± 8.34 (0-38) for OABv8, 10.78 ± 7.21 (0-21) for ICIQ-SF, and 9.36 ± 3.53 (0-15) for OABSS, respectively. There was a positive poor correlation between OABv8 questionnaire form and nocturia (r = 0.287, p = 0.013). There was a positive moderate correlation between OABSS and the number of micturition (r = 0.405, p = 0.03) and nocturia (r = 0.508, p = 0.036), and the urgency incontinence was negatively moderate correlations (r = -0.525, p = 0.041).

CONCLUSION: Both questionnaire forms and bladder diaries are important in the evaluation of OAB patients. According to our results the bladder diary and OABSS questionnaire forms were interrelated.

PMID:35471101 | DOI:10.1177/03915603221093913

Gynecol Endocrinol. 2022 Apr 26:1-7. doi: 10.1080/09513590.2022.2068522. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes and preimplantation embryo development between underweight and normal-weight women.

METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 26 underweight women (body mass index [BMI] < 18.50 kg/m²) and 104 normal-weight women (BMI >20 and <24.9 kg/m²) who underwent a total of 204 in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) cycles and 358 fresh/frozen embryo transfers (ET) in our institution between January 2016 and December 2018. Statistical analyses compared selected ART outcomes (ovarian stimulation, fertilization, and pregnancy) between both weight groups. Morphokinetic and morphological parameters were also compared between 346 and 1467 embryos of underweight and normal-weight women, respectively.

RESULTS: The mean ± standard deviation age of the underweight and normal-weight women was similar (31.6 ± 4.17 vs 32.4 ± 3.59 years; p = .323). There were no differences in the peak estradiol levels, the number of retrieved oocytes, the number of metaphase II oocytes, and the oocyte maturity rates between the two groups. The IVF/ICSI fertilization rates and the number of embryos suitable for transfer or cryopreservation were similar for both groups. All morphokinetic parameters that were evaluated by means of time-lapse imaging as well as the morphological characteristics were comparable between low and normal BMI categories. There were no significant differences in pregnancy achievement, clinical pregnancy, live births, and miscarriage rates between the suboptimal and optimal weight women.

CONCLUSION: Underweight status has no adverse impacts on the outcomes of IVF/ICSI with either fresh or frozen ET or on preimplantation embryo development and quality.

PMID:35471122 | DOI:10.1080/09513590.2022.2068522

Microbiol Spectr. 2022 Apr 26:e0234521. doi: 10.1128/spectrum.02345-21. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra (Ultra) compared with its predecessor, Xpert MTB/RIF (Xpert), in the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) in a low TB incidence country. Retrospective analysis was performed on 689 clinical samples received between 2015 and 2018, on which Xpert was performed, and on 715 samples, received between 2018 and 2020, on which Ultra was performed. Samples were pulmonary (n = 830) and extrapulmonary (n = 574) in nature, and a total of 264 were culture positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC). The diagnostic performance of both assays was analyzed using culture as the reference standard. The sensitivity of Ultra for culture positive (smear positive and smear negative) MTBC samples, was 93.2% (110/118) compared with 82.2% (120/146) for Xpert (P = 0.0078). In smear negative-culture positive samples, Ultra had a sensitivity of 74.2% (23/31) versus 36.11% (13/36) for Xpert (P = 0.0018). Specificity of both assays was comparable at 94.8% (566/597) for Ultra and 95.8% (520/543) for Xpert (P = 0.4475). The sensitivity of Ultra and Xpert assays among exclusively pulmonary samples was 95.3% (82/86) and 90.3% (84/93), respectively (P = 0.1955), and 87.5% (28/32) and 67.9% (36/53), respectively, among extrapulmonary samples (P = 0.0426). Ultra showed improved performance compared with Xpert in a low TB incidence setting, particularly in smear negative and extrapulmonary MTBC disease. The specificity of Ultra was lower than Xpert, however, this was not statistically significant. IMPORTANCE The study demonstrates the improved sensitivity of the Ultra compared with the Xpert, particularly in smear negative TB disease, for both pulmonary and extrapulmonary samples in a low TB incidence setting. Cycle threshold (Ct) value for both assays was found to positively correlate with time to TB culture positivity, suggesting that Ct and semiquantitative results could be used as indicators of sample MTBC bacillary burden, and thus, perhaps, of transmission potential. This may have implications for the designation of patient isolation precautions.

PMID:35471095 | DOI:10.1128/spectrum.02345-21