Tag: nevin manimala

PLoS One. 2022 Oct 14;17(10):e0276286. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276286. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: For primary angle-closure and angle-closure glaucoma, the fact that refractive error sometimes deviates from predictions after intraocular lens (IOL) implantation is familiar to cataract surgeons. Since controversy remains in the accuracy of IOL power calculation formulas, both traditional and network meta-analysis on formula accuracy were conducted in patients with primary angle-closure conditions.

METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted through Aug 2022, focusing on studies on intraocular lens power calculation in primary angle-closure (PAC) and primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG). A systemic review and network meta-analysis was performed. Quality of studies were assessed. Primary outcomes were the mean absolute errors (MAE) and the percentages of eyes with a prediction error within ±0.50 diopiters (D) or ±1.00 D (% ±0.50/1.00 D) by different formulas.

RESULTS: Six retrospective studies involving 419 eyes and 8 formulas (Barrett Universal II, Kane, SRK/T, Hoffer Q, Haigis, Holladay I, RBF 3.0 and LSF) were included. SRK/T was used as a reference as it had been investigated in all the studies included. Direct comparison showed that none of the involved formula outperformed or was defeated by SRK/T significantly in terms of either MAE or % ±0.50/1.00 D (all P>0.05). Network comparison and ranking possibilities disclosed BUII, Kane, RBF 3.0 with statistically insignificant advantage. No significant publication bias was detected by network funnel plot.

CONCLUSIONS: No absolute advantage was disclosed among the formulas involved in this study for PAC/PACG eyes. Further carefully designed studies are warranted to evaluate IOL calculation formulae in this target population.

TRAIL REGISTRATION: Registration: PROSEPRO ID: CRD42022326541.

PMID:36240196 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0276286

PLoS One. 2022 Oct 14;17(10):e0275669. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275669. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 continues to impose itself on all populations of the world. Given the slow pace of vaccination in the developing world and the absence of effective treatments, adherence to precautionary infection control measures remains the best way to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic from spiraling out of control. In this study, we aim to evaluate the extent to which the Syrian population adheres to these measures and analyze the relationship between demographic variables and adherence.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study took place in Syria between January 17 and March 17, 2021. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. The questionnaire was distributed in both electronic and printed versions. Our sample consisted of 7531 individuals. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS v.25. The chi-square test was used to address the correlation between adherence and demographic variables.

RESULTS: Of the 10083 reached out, only 8083 responded, and 7531 included in the final analysis with an effective response rate of 74.7%. Of them, 4026 (53.5%) were women, 3984 (52.9%) were single, and 1908 (25.3%) had earned university degrees. 5286 (70.25) were in the high level of adherence category to protective measures. Statistically significant differences were documented when investigating the correlation between commitment to preventive measures and age, sex, marital status, financial status, employment, and educational attainment. Furthermore, those who believed that COVID-19 poses a major risk to them, or society were more committed to preventive measures than those who did not.

CONCLUSION: The participants in this study generally showed a high level of adherence to the preventive measures compared to participants in other studies from around the world, with some concerns regarding the sources of information they depend on. Nationwide awareness campaigns should be conducted and focus on maintaining, if not expanding, this level of commitment, which would mitigate the pandemic’s impact on Syrian society.

PMID:36240156 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0275669

Scand J Psychol. 2022 Oct 14. doi: 10.1111/sjop.12869. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Personality traits play a role in prosocial behavior in relation to containment measures intended to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. Empirical findings indicated that individuals high in socially aversive traits such as callousness are less compliant with containment measures. This study aimed to add cross-cultural data on the relationship between antisocial traits and adherence to COVID-19 containment measures. The sample consisted of 4,538 adults recruited by convenience in nine countries (Australia, Brazil, England, Iraq, Iran, Italy, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United States). Statistical analyses indicated two latent profiles from our sample, empathic and antisocial, and six COVID-19 containment-measure-related factors using measures covering antisocial traits (PID-5), empathy (ACME), global personality pathology (LPFS-BF), and COVID-19 behaviors and beliefs. Through MANCOVA, the antisocial profile consistently showed less compliance and concern about the COVID-19 containment measures, even when controlling for demographics and local pandemic covariables. The network analysis indicated a lack of empathy and callousness as crucial traits of the predisposition to non-compliant behavior. In elaborating on prosocial campaigns in community emergencies, our cross-cultural findings would need to consider personality traits that focus on antisociality, anticipating similar associations and potential impacts in future disease outbreaks.

PMID:36240143 | DOI:10.1111/sjop.12869

Neurology. 2022 Sep 2:10.1212/WNL.0000000000201163. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000201163. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive muscle degenerative disorder with a well-characterized disease phenotype but considerable interindividual heterogeneity that is not well understood. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of dystrophin mutations and genetic modifiers of DMD on rate and age of muscle replacement by fat.

METHODS: 175 corticosteroid treated participants from the ImagingDMD natural history study underwent repeated magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) of the vastus lateralis (VL) and soleus (SOL) to determine muscle fat fraction. MRS was performed annually in the majority of instances; however, some individuals had additional visits at 3 or 6 month intervals. Fat fraction changes over time were modeled using nonlinear mixed effects to estimate disease trajectories based on the age that the VL or SOL reached half-maximum change in fat fraction (mu) and the time required for fat fraction change (sigma). Computed mu and sigma values were evaluated for dystrophin mutations that have demonstrated the ability to lead to a mild phenotype as well as compared between different genetic polymorphism groups.

RESULTS: Participants with dystrophin gene deletions amenable to exon 8 skipping (n=4) had minimal increases in SOL fat fraction and had an increase in VL mu value by 4.4 years compared to a reference cohort (p=0.039). Participants with nonsense mutations within exons that may produce milder phenotypes (n=11) also had minimal increases in SOL and VL fat fractions. No differences in estimated fat fraction trajectories were seen for individuals amenable to exon 44 skipping (n=10). Modeling of the SPP1, LTBP4, and THBS1 genetic modifiers did not result in significant differences in muscle fat fraction trajectories between genotype groups (p>0.05); however, trends were noted for the polymorphisms associated with long-range regulation of LTBP4 and THBS1 that deserve further follow-up.

DISCUSSION: The results of this study link the historically mild phenotypes seen in individuals amenable to exon 8 skipping and with certain nonsense mutations with alterations in trajectories of lower extremity muscle replacement by fat.

PMID:36240102 | DOI:10.1212/WNL.0000000000201163

J Sci Food Agric. 2022 Oct 14. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.12276. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In this study, pea (Pisum sativum L.) pod powder (PPP) was incorporated (1 and 3% w/w) into a probiotic ice cream formulation containing Enterococcus faecium M74 to investigate the potential effect of PPP on the probiotic survivability in the ice cream throughout 60 days of frozen storage. Moreover, the produced symbiotic ice creams were evaluated for the physiochemical properties, stability, and sensory acceptability.

RESULTS: Incorporation of PPP in ice cream caused significantly (p<0.05) increased protein and ash content and lower pH values. Besides that, the addition of PPP resulted in ice creams with higher hardness and lower overrun. A significant diminishing was observed in the melting rates of the ice creams as increased the percentage of PPP and progressed storage time. Ice cream with PPP presented lower lightness and higher greenness and yellowness compared with control. All ice creams had viable counts of E. faecium M74 of ≥6 log cfu g^-1 during storage and provided the number of viable cells that the probiotic product should contain. On day 60, the viability of E. faecium M74 in ice cream containing 1% PPP (7.64±0.02) was higher than the control (7.28±0.00). Sensory analyzes revealed that there was no statistical difference in ice cream with 1%PPP and the control without PPP in terms of general acceptability.

CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the pea pod, which is a waste product of the pea industry and obtained at zero cost, could be used as a potential prebiotic and an agent to improve technological properties of dairy products. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:36240011 | DOI:10.1002/jsfa.12276

Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2022 Oct 14. doi: 10.1308/rcsann.2022.0109. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to report on current practice in the management of radial head fractures (RHFs) in the United Kingdom and to review the literature to identify areas for future investigation.

METHODS: A 12-question online survey was sent to 500 surgeon members of the British Elbow and Shoulder Society in 2021. Questions focused on clinical assessment, indications for surgical treatment and willingness to participate in future studies. Descriptive statistical analysis summarised the responses.

RESULTS: The response rate was 20.4% (n = 102). For minimally displaced RHFs, non-operative management with immediate mobilisation was reported by 90.2% (n = 92) as opposed to 9.8% (n = 10) for initial immobilisation in plaster or brace. The most cited indication for radial head arthroplasty as opposed to fixation was increased patient age or low functional demand in 69.9% of responses (n = 71). In total, 41.2% (n = 42) indicated the need for a future randomised controlled trial (RCT) concerning the management of RHF. Only five RCTs were returned by the literature review.

DISCUSSION: There is considerable variability in the management of RHF among an experienced cohort of surgeons. With the interest declared by the participating surgeons, there is a call for a well-designed sufficiently powered RCT.

PMID:36239976 | DOI:10.1308/rcsann.2022.0109

Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2022 Oct 3;63(11):9. doi: 10.1167/iovs.63.11.9.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to test if optic nerve head (ONH) myelin basic protein (MBP), 2′,3′-cyclic nucleotide 3′-phosphodiesterase (CNPase), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) proteins are altered in non-human primate (NHP) early/moderate experimental glaucoma (EG).

METHODS: Following paraformaldehyde perfusion, control and EG eye ONH tissues from four NHPs were paraffin embedded and serially (5 µm) vertically sectioned. Anti-MBP, CNPase, GFAP, Iba1, and nuclear dye-stained sections were imaged using sub-saturating light intensities. Whole-section images were segmented creating anatomically consistent laminar (L) and retrolaminar (RL) regions/sub-regions. EG versus control eye intensity/pixel-cluster density data within L and two RL regions (RL1 [1-250 µm]/RL2 [251-500 µm] from L) were compared using random effects models within the statistical program “R.”

RESULTS: EG eye retinal nerve fiber loss ranged from 0% to 20%. EG eyes’ MBP and CNPase intensity were decreased within the RL1 (MBP = 31.4%, P < 0.001; CNPase =62.3%, P < 0.001) and RL2 (MBP = 19.6%, P < 0.001; CNPase = 56.1%, P = 0.0004) regions. EG eye GFAP intensity was decreased in the L (41.6%, P < 0.001) and RL regions (26.7% for RL1, and 28.4% for RL2, both P < 0.001). Iba1+ and NucBlue pixel-cluster density were increased in the laminar (28.2%, P = 0.03 and 16.6%, P = 0.008) and both RL regions (RL1 = 37.3%, P = 0.01 and 23.7%, P = 0.0002; RL2 = 53.7%, P = 0.002 and 33.2%, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Retrolaminar myelin disruption occurs early in NHP EG and may be accompanied by laminar and retrolaminar decreases in astrocyte process labeling and increases in microglial/ macrophage density. The mechanistic and therapeutic implications of these findings warrant further study.

PMID:36239974 | DOI:10.1167/iovs.63.11.9

JAMA Netw Open. 2022 Oct 3;5(10):e2236609. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.36609.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: There is a lack of information regarding the need to postpone conception after COVID-19 vaccination.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the time interval between the first dose of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine and in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment as well as the rate of pregnancy after a fresh embryo transfer.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cohort study was conducted at a single public IVF center in China. Female patients aged 20 to 47 years and undergoing IVF treatment were consecutively registered from May 1 to December 22, 2021, with follow-up until March 31, 2022. Patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection before or during IVF treatment and those who underwent 2 or more IVF treatments, received the noninactivated or unknown COVID-19 vaccine, or did not have a fresh embryo transfer were excluded from this study.

EXPOSURES: The vaccinated group (subdivided into 4 subgroups of time interval from first vaccination to fertilization treatment: ≤30 days, 31-60 days, 61-90 days, and ≥91 days) and nonvaccinated group.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Risk ratios (RRs) for the association between the time interval and ongoing pregnancy (pregnancy continued at least 12 weeks).

RESULTS: A total of 3052 female patients (mean [SD] age, 31.45 [3.96] years) undergoing IVF treatment were analyzed in this study. There were 667 vaccinated patients receiving IVF (35 were vaccinated ≤30 days, 58 were vaccinated 31-60 days, 105 were vaccinated 61-90 days, and 469 were vaccinated ≥91 days before fertilization treatment), and 2385 unvaccinated patients receiving treatment. The ovarian stimulation and laboratory parameters were similar among all groups. Ongoing pregnancy was significantly lower in the 30 days or less subgroup (34.3% [12 of 35]; adjusted RR [aRR], 0.61; 95% CI, 0.33-0.91) and the 31 to 60 days’ subgroup (36.2% [21 of 58]; aRR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.42-0.85). A slightly but not statistically lower rate was found in the 61 to 90 days’ subgroup, and no reduced risk for ongoing pregnancy in the 91 days or more subgroup was observed (56.3% [264 of 469]; aRR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.88-1.04) compared with the unvaccinated group (60.3% [1439 of 2385], as reference).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Findings of this study suggest that receipt of the first inactivated COVID-19 vaccine dose 60 days or less before fertilization treatment is associated with a reduced rate of pregnancy. In patients undergoing IVF treatment with a fresh embryo transfer, the procedure may need to be delayed until at least 61 days after COVID-19 vaccination.

PMID:36239937 | DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.36609

JAMA Netw Open. 2022 Oct 3;5(10):e2236763. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.36763.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: Breast cancer diagnosed within 5 to 10 years after childbirth, called postpartum breast cancer (PPBC), is associated with increased risk for metastasis and death. Whether a postpartum diagnosis is an independent risk factor or a surrogate marker of cancer features associated with poor outcomes remains understudied.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether diagnostic temporal proximity to childbirth is associated with features of breast cancer associated with poor outcomes, including tumor stage, estrogen receptor (ER) status, and risk for distant metastasis and breast cancer-specific mortality, using a population database from the state of Utah.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This population-based cohort study using the Utah Population Database (UPDB) included individuals with stage I to III breast cancer diagnosed at age 45 years or younger between 1996 and 2017, followed-up until February 2020. Participant data were analyzed from November 2019 to August 2022.

EXPOSURE: The primary exposures were no prior childbirth or time between most recent childbirth and breast cancer diagnosis. Patients were grouped by diagnoses within less than 5 years, 5 to less than 10 years, or 10 years or more since recent childbirth.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The 2 primary outcomes were distant metastasis-free survival and breast cancer-specific death. Cox proportional hazard models were used to investigate associations between exposures and outcomes adjusting for diagnosis year, patient age, tumor stage, and estrogen receptor (ER) status.

RESULTS: Of 2970 individuals with breast cancer diagnosed at age 45 years or younger (mean [SD] age, 39.3 [5.0] years; 12 Black individuals [0.4%], 2679 White individuals [90.2%]), breast cancer diagnosis within 5 years of recent childbirth was independently associated with approximately 1.5-fold elevated risk for metastasis (hazard ratio [HR], 1.5; 95% CI, 1.2-2.0) and breast cancer-specific death (HR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1-2.1) compared with nulliparous individuals. For cancers classically considered to have tumor features associated with good outcomes (ie, stage I or II and ER-positive), a postpartum diagnosis was a dominant feature associated with increased risk for metastasis and death (eg, for individuals with ER-positive disease diagnosed within <5 years of childbirth: age-adjusted metastasis HR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1-2.1; P = .01; age-adjusted death HR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.0-2.1; P = .04) compared with nulliparous individuals. Furthermore, liver metastases were specifically increased in the group with diagnosis within 5 years postpartum and with positive ER expression (38 of 83 patients [45.8%]) compared with the nulliparous (28 of 77 patients [36.4%]), although the difference was not statistically significant. Overall, these data implicate parity-associated breast and liver biology in the observed poor outcomes of PPBC.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this cohort study of individuals with breast cancer diagnosed at age 45 years or younger, a postpartum breast cancer diagnosis was a risk factor associated with poor outcomes. Irrespective of ER status, clinical consideration of time between most recent childbirth and breast cancer diagnosis could increase accuracy of prognosis in patients with young-onset breast cancer.

PMID:36239933 | DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.36763

J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. 2022 Oct 14. doi: 10.1007/s40615-022-01429-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

A spatially disadvantaged census tract is one that is surrounded by disadvantaged tracts. More spatially disadvantaged neighborhoods may experience more violence, independent of their own level of disadvantage, and majority Black middle-class neighborhoods are more likely to be spatially disadvantaged than majority white neighborhoods. The purpose of this paper is to study how much of the racial difference in gun homicide rates between majority Black and majority white middle-class neighborhoods can be explained by differences in spatial disadvantage. To study this, comparable majority Black and majority white tracts were matched to understand how gun homicide rates differ in neighborhoods with similar levels of disadvantage. Further matching on spatial disadvantage reduced the disparity in gun homicides between majority Black and majority white middle-class neighborhoods, suggesting that spatial disadvantage accounts for some but not all of the disparity.

PMID:36239904 | DOI:10.1007/s40615-022-01429-w