Tag: nevin manimala

IEEE Trans Vis Comput Graph. 2022 Sep 1;PP. doi: 10.1109/TVCG.2022.3203003. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

While user’s perception and performance are predominantly examined independently in virtual reality, the Action-Specific Perception (ASP) theory postulates that the performance of an individual on a task modulates this individual’s spatial and time perception pertinent to the task’s components and procedures. This paper examines the association between performance and perception and the potential effects that tactile feedback modalities could generate. This paper reports a user study (N=24), in which participants performed a standardized Fitts’s law target acquisition task by using three feedback modalities: visual, visuo-electrotactile, and visuo-vibrotactile. The users completed 3 Target Sizes × 2 Distances × 3 feedback modalities = 18 trials. The size perception, distance perception, and (movement) time perception were assessed at the end of each trial. Performance-wise, the results showed that electrotactile feedback facilitates a significantly better accuracy compared to vibrotactile and visual feedback, while vibrotactile provided the worst accuracy. Electrotactile and visual feedback enabled a comparable reaction time, while the vibrotactile offered a substantially slower reaction time than visual feedback. Although amongst feedback types the pattern of differences in perceptual aspects were comparable to performance differences, none of them was statistically significant. However, performance indeed modulated perception. Significant action-specific effects on spatial and time perception were detected. Changes in accuracy modulate both size perception and time perception, while changes in movement speed modulate distance perception. Also, the index of difficulty was found to modulate all three perceptual aspects. However, individual differences appear to affect the magnitude of action-specific effects. These outcomes highlighted the importance of haptic feedback on performance, and importantly the significance of action-specific effects on spatial and time perception in VR, which should be considered in future VR studies.

PMID:36048989 | DOI:10.1109/TVCG.2022.3203003

Int J Dent Hyg. 2022 Sep 1. doi: 10.1111/idh.12619. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluated the relationship between serum vitamin D levels and periodontal healing outcomes in patients with mild or moderate periodontitis.

METHODS: Serum vitamin D levels and periodontal pockets and gingival bleeding were evaluated in 51 patients before and six months after non-surgical periodontal treatment. A t-test and chi-square test were used to analyze the data (p ≤ 0.05).

RESULTS: The mean reduction of periodontal pocket depth was statistically significant higher in patients with vitamin D ≥ 30 ng/mL compared to those with < 30 ng/mL (CI= -0.23 – 0.42, p= 0.05), but not clinically significant. Vitamin D level was not associated with the percentage of sites gingival bleeding on probing at the final evaluation (OR= 0.58, 95% CI= 0.17-1.99, p= 0.39).

CONCLUSION: Lower serum vitamin D level was associated with a slightly reduced periodontal healing after non-surgical periodontal therapy, which should be further investigated in a larger population.

PMID:36048921 | DOI:10.1111/idh.12619

Rev Med Inst Mex Seguro Soc. 2022 Aug 31;60(5):563-568.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Communication in the health field is essential, since it depends on it that the physician has complete and accurate information to carry out the fulfillment of his functions. The relationship with the medical staff leads the patient to feel listened to and cared for, in order to understand their state of health.

OBJECTIVE: To know the perception of patients about the communicative competence of family physicians during the consult at the Family Medicine Unit No. 27.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive and cross-sectional study that identifies patients who attended Family Medicine Unit No. 27 in Tijuana in September 2021. The Communication Assessment Tool was applied to participants to measure the perception of communicative competence of doctors. The responses obtained were collected and analyzed with descriptive statistics.

RESULTS: 200 patients who met selection criteria were studied, made up of patients on morning and afternoon shifts equally. 54.6% of the studied population considers the communicative competence of family doctors to be excellent.

CONCLUSIONS: The communicative competence in the family physicians of the studied unit had a better result than others studies of several countries; however, it has areas of opportunity to optimize this competence, since medical knowledge must include the area of communication and interpersonal relationships.

PMID:36048909

Rheumatology (Oxford). 2022 Sep 1:keac484. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keac484. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between vaccination against Covid-19 and autoimmune rheumatic disease (AIRD) flare.

METHODS: Patients with AIRDs vaccinated against Covid-19 who consulted for disease flare between 01/12/2020 and 31/12/2021 were ascertained in Clinical Practice Research Datalink (Aurum). AIRD flare was defined as consultation for AIRD with corticosteroid prescription on the same day or the next day. Vaccination was defined using date of vaccination and product code. The observation period was partitioned into vaccine-exposed (21-days after vaccination), pre-vaccination (7-days before vaccination), and remaining vaccine-unexposed periods. Participants contributed data with multiple vaccinations and outcomes. Season adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using self-controlled case-series analysis.

RESULTS: Data for 3554 AIRD cases, 72% female, mean age 65 years, and 68.3% with rheumatoid arthritis were included. Covid-19 vaccination was associated with significantly fewer AIRD flares in the 21-day vaccine-exposed period when all vaccinations were considered (aIRR(95%CI) 0.89(0.80-0.98)). Using dose-stratified analyses there was a statistically significant negative association in 21-days after first Covid-19 vaccination but no association after the second or third Covid-19 vaccinations (aIRR(95%CI) 0.76(0.66-0.89), 0.94(0.79-1.11) and 1.01(0.85-1.20) respectively). On AIRD type stratified analyses, vaccination was not associated with disease flares. Vaccination without or after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and with vectored DNA or mRNA vaccines associated with comparable reduced risk of AIRD flares in the vaccine-exposed period after first Covid-19 vaccination.

CONCLUSION: Vaccination against Covid-19 was not associated with increased AIRD flares regardless of prior Covid-19, AIRD type, and whether mRNA or DNA vaccination technology were used.

PMID:36048896 | DOI:10.1093/rheumatology/keac484

PLoS One. 2022 Sep 1;17(9):e0273070. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273070. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is an important area of action because of the mortality and morbidity of the disease, and the potential for effective prevention by screening. Involving the social support groups by health education improves cervical cancer screening and early detection of the disease in the community. In the ongoing efforts to strengthen cervical cancer prevention, control, and management, digital health and technology will have a significant role to play.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of the mHealth-based intervention on cervical cancer preparedness among women social support groups.

MATERIALS & METHODS: A pre-post interventional study was conducted among women social support groups from lower socio-economic status, identified from the field practice area. Purposive sampling technique was employed. A Cervical Cancer Awareness Measure (CAM) instrument was used to assess the cancer preparedness among the social support group women After taking inputs from the stakeholders’ mobile health application was developed. The mHealth educational intervention was given to 102 women. Both pre-and post-test questionnaires were administered through mHealth application to assess the change in knowledge after a gap of 1 month to 2 months. The data obtained was coded and entered into Microsoft Excel worksheet 2016 and was later imported and analyzed using SPSS version 22 (licensed to the Institute). The difference in median scores of knowledge and practice were interpreted as statistically significant at p value of < 0.05.

RESULTS & CONCLUSION: Before the intervention only 13 (12.7%) of them had heard about cervical cancer. There was a significant increase in the knowledge about warning signs & symptoms, risk factors of cervical cancer, and HPV vaccination. Around 5% increase in Pap smear test uptake.

PMID:36048892 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0273070

Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2022 Sep 1. doi: 10.1111/aogs.14431. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Spontaneous hemoperitoneum in pregnancy is defined as a sudden non-traumatic intraperitoneal bleeding in pregnancy and up to 42 days postpartum. In the present study we aim to estimate the incidence and investigate the risk factors, the management and the outcomes of spontaneous hemoperitoneum in pregnancy in order to improve its clinical identification and reduce avoidable maternal deaths.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a prospective population-based cohort study, set in maternity units from nine Italian regions covering 75% of the national births. The study population comprises all women admitted for spontaneous intraperitoneal hemorrhage during pregnancy and up to 42 days postpartum between November 2017 and March 2020. Incident cases were reported by trained clinicians through electronic data collection forms. Descriptive statistics were performed. The main outcome measures included incidence rate of spontaneous hemoperitoneum in pregnancy, association with potential risk factors, clinical management and maternal and perinatal outcomes.

RESULTS: Twenty-nine cases met the adopted definition of spontaneous hemoperitoneum in pregnancy with an estimated incidence rate of 0.04 per 1000 births. An increased risk ratio (RR) of this condition was observed in pregnancies conceived by assisted reproductive technology (RR = 6.60, 95% CI 2.52-17.29), in the case of multiple pregnancies (RR = 6.57, 95% CI 1.99-21.69) and maternal age ≥35 years (RR 2.10, 95% CI 1.01-4.35). In 17/29 cases the bleeding site was intra-pelvic (23.5% in the posterior uterine wall and 35.2% in the left hemipelvis). Laparotomy represented the surgical treatment in 27 cases (93%), and most women underwent a cesarean delivery (92.6%). Median blood loss was 1900 mL, one hysterectomy was necessary, and two women died. Twenty-two preterm births were recorded.

CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous hemoperitoneum in pregnancy is a rare, life-threatening condition associated with high perinatal morbidity and mortality. Maternal age ≥35 years, multiple pregnancies and assisted reproductive technology were associated to a higher risk of the condition. Two women of 29 died and 70% of births occurred preterm.

PMID:36047477 | DOI:10.1111/aogs.14431

Phys Chem Chem Phys. 2022 Sep 1. doi: 10.1039/d2cp02365b. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Cumulant mapping employs a statistical reconstruction of the whole by sampling its parts. The theory developed in this work formalises and extends ad hoc methods of ‘multi-fold’ or ‘multi-dimensional’ covariance mapping. Explicit formulae have been derived for the expected values of up to the 6th cumulant and the variance has been calculated for up to the 4th cumulant. A method of extending these formulae to higher cumulants has been described. The formulae take into account reduced fragment detection efficiency and a background from uncorrelated events. Number of samples needed for suppressing the statistical noise to a required level can be estimated using Matlab code included in Supplemental Material. The theory can be used to assess the experimental feasibility of studying molecular fragmentations induced by femtosecond or X-ray free-electron lasers. It is also relevant for extending the conventional mass spectrometry of biomolecules to multiple dimensions.

PMID:36047473 | DOI:10.1039/d2cp02365b

Foot Ankle Int. 2022 Sep 1:10711007221116567. doi: 10.1177/10711007221116567. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There is a high prevalence of concomitant lateral ankle ligament injuries and syndesmotic ligamentous injuries. However, it is unclear whether syndesmotic ligaments directly contribute toward the stability of the lateral ankle. Therefore, the aim of this study was to fluoroscopically evaluate the role of the syndesmotic ligaments in stabilizing the lateral ankle.

METHODS: Twenty-four cadaveric specimens were divided into 3 groups and fluoroscopically evaluated for lateral ankle stability with all syndesmotic and ankle ligaments intact and then following serial differential ligamentous transection. Group 1: (1) anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL), (2) calcaneofibular ligament (CFL), and (3) posterior talofibular ligament (PTFL). Group 2: (1) anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (AITFL), (2) interosseous ligament (IOL), (3) posterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (PITFL), (4) ATFL, (5) CFL, and (6) PTFL. Group 3: (1) AITFL, (2) ATFL, (3) CFL, (4) IOL, (5) PTFL, and (6) PITFL. At each transection state, 3 loading conditions were used: (1) anterior drawer test performed using 50 and 80 N of direct force, (2) talar tilt <1.7 Nm torque, and (2) lateral clear space (LCS) <1.7 Nm torque. These measurements were in turn compared with those of the stressed intact ligamentous state. Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to compare the findings of each ligamentous transection state to the intact state. A P value <.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: The lateral ankle remained stable after transection of all syndesmotic ligaments (AITFL, IOL, PITFL). However, after additional transection of the ATFL, the lateral ankle became unstable in varus and anterior drawer testing conditions (P values ranging from .036 to .012). Lateral ankle instability was also observed after transection of the ATFL and AITFL in varus and anterior drawer testing conditions (P values ranging from .036 to .012). Subsequent transection of the CFL and PTFL worsened the lateral ankle instability.

CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that isolated syndesmosis disruption does not result in lateral ankle instability. However, the lateral ankle became unstable when the syndesmosis was injured along with ATFL disruption.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: When combined with ATFL release, disruption of the syndesmosis appeared to destabilize the lateral ankle.

PMID:36047450 | DOI:10.1177/10711007221116567

Ann Pharmacother. 2022 Sep 1:10600280221120405. doi: 10.1177/10600280221120405. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Despite US naloxone access laws, community pharmacists lack training and confidence in providing naloxone.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of the Empowering Community Pharmacists program on pharmacists’ knowledge, perceived barriers, attitudes, confidence, and intentions regarding naloxone services implementation, as well as naloxone prescriptions dispensed.

METHODS: A 3-month pragmatic randomized controlled trial was conducted from December 2018 to March 2019. Alabama community pharmacists were recruited by mail, email, phone, and fax and randomized to intervention (monthly resources/reminders + educational webinar) or control (monthly reminders only). Outcome measures were assessed via online surveys at baseline (T1), immediately post-intervention (T2), and 3 months post-intervention (T3), including naloxone knowledge (%correct); perceived barriers, attitudes, confidence, and intention regarding naloxone services implementation (7-point Likert-type scale; 1 = strongly disagree, 7 = strongly agree); and number of naloxone prescriptions dispensed. Mean differences between control and intervention from T1 to T3 were assessed using 2-way mixed analysis of variance and adjusted analyses were conducted using generalized estimating equations with negative binomial distribution to assess associations between variables.

RESULTS: Of 55 participants (n = 27 intervention, n = 28 control), most were female (80.3%), white (80.6%), in independently owned pharmacies (39.1%). Increases in mean [SD] confidence (5.52 [1.03]-6.16 [0.74], P < 0.0005) and intention (5.35 [1.51]-6.10 [0.96], P = 0.023) occurred from pre- to post-program within the intervention group and were statistically significant compared with control (confidence P = 0.016, intention P = 0.014). Confidence (exp(β) = 1.46, P = 0.031) and perceived barriers (exp(β) = 0.75, P = 0.022) were associated with number of naloxone prescriptions dispensed.

CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: The Empowering Community Pharmacists program improved community pharmacists’ confidence and intention regarding naloxone services implementation. Other states can adapt program elements according to their laws.

CLINICALTRIALS.GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT05093309.

PMID:36047381 | DOI:10.1177/10600280221120405

J Card Surg. 2022 Sep 1. doi: 10.1111/jocs.16834. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: We reviewed our center’s experience with neonatal and infant hypoplastic aortic arch, unassociated with intracardiac malformations, and investigated changes in prenatal detection rates over time for those requiring therapeutic procedures.

METHODS: We identified all prenatal diagnoses of hypoplastic aortic arch with situs solitus, unassociated with intracardiac malformations, made in Nevada between May 2017 and April 2022. In addition, we identified all those 0-180 days old, with prenatal care, that underwent a surgical or interventional cardiac catheterization aortic arch procedure, whether prenatally or postnatally diagnosed. We excluded those with ventricular septal defects, functionally univentricular hearts, interrupted aortic arches, or any associated malformation requiring an additional surgical or interventional procedure ≤6 months old. Additionally, we calculated prenatal detection rates for those undergoing a surgical or interventional catheterization procedure for each of the 5 years.

RESULTS: We identified 107 patients prenatally and postnatally. Of the 107 patients, 56 (34 prenatally diagnosed and 22 postnatally diagnosed) underwent an aortic arch procedure, and 51 additionally prenatally diagnosed, live-born infants did not undergo a procedure. Of the 56 procedures, 2 were by interventional catheterization, and 54 underwent a surgical repair. Prenatal detection for those undergoing a procedure statistically significantly increased over the 5 years from 38% to 82%, rho = 0.95 (p = .04).

CONCLUSIONS: Currently in Nevada, our prenatal detection rate is >80% in the general population for those between 0 and 6 months old who require a therapeutic procedure for aortic arch obstruction without intracardiac malformations.

PMID:36047366 | DOI:10.1111/jocs.16834