Tag: nevin manimala

PLoS One. 2022 Sep 22;17(9):e0273393. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273393. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

This article presents the results of a study conducted on Polish university students to verify how they assess the probability of environmental risks and their potential impact on the socio-economic situation in Poland. To this end, 703 students of public universities in Warsaw were asked to complete risk assessment questionnaires. According to the respondents, of all identified types of threats, technological risks were found to be the most probable, with the environmental ones carrying the most significant social and economic impact. Among those risks, climate change was recognised as the most probable, while environmental contamination was perceived as having the strongest potential impact on Poland. No statistically significant differences were found in the views of women and men on the probability of environmental risks and their impact on the country’s socio-economic situation. Compared with students of technical and economic faculties, students of natural sciences, education, and nursing assessed the probability of environmental risks and the strength of their potential impact in Poland as much higher. The results of the study can be used to develop a communication strategy dedicated to young people in the education of environmental risks.

PMID:36137076 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0273393

PLoS One. 2022 Sep 22;17(9):e0272379. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272379. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Genetic variants identified through population-based genome-wide studies are generally of high frequency, exerting their action in the central part of the refractive error spectrum. However, the power to identify associations with variants of lower minor allele frequency is greatly reduced, requiring considerable sample sizes. Here we aim to assess the impact of rare variants on genetic variation of refractive errors in a very large general population cohort.

METHODS: Genetic association analyses of non-cyclopaedic autorefraction calculated as mean spherical equivalent (SPHE) used whole-exome sequence genotypic information from 50,893 unrelated participants in the UK Biobank of European ancestry. Gene-based analyses tested for association with SPHE using an optimised SNP-set kernel association test (SKAT-O) restricted to rare variants (minor allele frequency < 1%) within protein-coding regions of the genome. All models were adjusted for age, sex and common lead variants within the same locus reported by previous genome-wide association studies. Potentially causal markers driving association at significant loci were elucidated using sensitivity analyses by sequentially dropping the most associated variants from gene-based analyses.

RESULTS: We found strong statistical evidence for association of SPHE with the SIX6 (p-value = 2.15 x 10-10, or Bonferroni-Corrected p = 4.41×10-06) and the CRX gene (p-value = 6.65 x 10-08, or Bonferroni-Corrected p = 0.001). The SIX6 gene codes for a transcription factor believed to be critical to the eye, retina and optic disc development and morphology, while CRX regulates photoreceptor specification and expression of over 700 genes in the retina. These novel associations suggest an important role of genes involved in eye morphogenesis in refractive error.

CONCLUSION: The results of our study support previous research highlighting the importance of rare variants to the genetic risk of refractive error. We explain some of the origins of the genetic signals seen in GWAS but also report for the first time a completely novel association with the CRX gene.

PMID:36137074 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0272379

PLoS One. 2022 Sep 22;17(9):e0274995. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274995. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Anemia in reproductive age women is defined as the hemoglobin level <11g/dl for lactating or pregnant mothers and hemoglobin level <12 g/dl for none pregnant or non-lactating women. Anemia is a global public health problem affecting both developing and developed countries. Therefore this study aims to determine geographically weighted regression analysis of anemia and its associated factors among reproductive age women in Ethiopia using the 2016 Demographic and Health Survey.

METHOD: In this study, a total of 14,570 women of reproductive age were included. Multi-level binary logistic regression models were employed using STATA version 14. Odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval and p-values less than 0.05 was used to identify significant factors. Spatial scan statistics were used to identify the presence of anemia clusters using Kulldorf’s SaTScan version 9.6 software. ArcGIS 10.7 software was used to visualize the spatial distribution and geographically weighted regression of anemia among reproductive age women.

RESULT: Overall 23.8% of reproductive-age women were anemic. The SaTScan spatial analysis identified the primary clusters’ spatial window in Southeastern Oromia and the entire Somali region. The GWR analysis shows that having a formal education, using pills/injectables/implant decreases the risks of anemia. However, women who have more than one child within five years have an increased risk of anemia in Ethiopia. In addition to these, in multilevel analysis women who were married and women who have >5 family members were more likely to have anemia.

CONCLUSION: In Ethiopia, anemia among reproductive age women was relatively high and had spatial variations across the regions. Policymakers should give attention to mothers who have a low birth interval, married women, and large family size. Women’s education and family planning usage especially pills, implants, or injectable should be strengthened.

PMID:36136977 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0274995

Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol. 2022 Sep 22:1-10. doi: 10.1080/17483107.2022.2125089. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to investigate teachers’ use and perceptions of digital technology to promote learning and participation for all young students in early reading and writing education in inclusive primary schools.

METHODS: Primary school teachers [N = 289] in Sweden were asked to complete a survey about digital technology in reading and writing education. The data were analysed statistically and with summative content analysis.

RESULTS: The results showed that 82% of the teachers were interested in teaching young students to read and write using digital technology. More than 50% of the teachers included digital technology to promote students’ learning of phonological awareness, decoding skills, vocabulary, spelling, or text editing every week, and 74% used digital technology to support students with special needs every week. Those who perceived digital technology as a facilitator of all students’ participation in early reading and writing education also reported that they used digital technology to promote different reading and writing skills more frequently. Their perceived knowledge of managing digital technology was also positively related to their perception of digital technology as a facilitator of students’ participation in reading and writing education.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONTeachers who are positive about digital technology perceive such technology as beneficial for all students in reading and writing education, also for those students who have special needs.Teachers use digital technology to compensate students with special needs in reading and writing. However, there is an unawareness of the advantages of using digital technology in inclusive education.

PMID:36136960 | DOI:10.1080/17483107.2022.2125089

JMIR Res Protoc. 2022 Sep 22;11(9):e38788. doi: 10.2196/38788.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Chronic pain and access to care are identified as critical needs of the Veterans Health Administration. Music imagery and music listening interventions have shown promise as effective nonpharmacological options for pain management. However, most studies have focused on acute pain, passive music experiences, and in-person delivery.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to examine the feasibility and acceptability of 2 music interventions delivered through telehealth for chronic musculoskeletal pain, trial design, and theoretical model before conducting a fully powered efficacy or comparative effectiveness trial.

METHODS: FAMILIA (Feasibility and Acceptability of Music Imagery and Listening Interventions for Analgesia) is a 3-arm, parallel group, pilot trial. A total of 60 veterans will be randomized to one of the three conditions: music imagery, music listening, or usual care. Aim 1 is to test the feasibility and acceptability of a multicomponent, interactive music imagery intervention (8-weekly, individual sessions) and a single-component, minimally interactive music learning intervention (independent music listening). Feasibility metrics related to recruitment, retention, engagement, and completion of the treatment protocol and questionnaires will be assessed. Up to 20 qualitative interviews will be conducted to assess veteran experiences with both interventions, including perceived benefits, acceptability, barriers, and facilitators. Interview transcripts will be coded and analyzed for emergent themes. Aim 2 is to explore the effects of music imagery and music listening versus usual care on pain and associated patient-centered outcomes. These outcomes and potential mediators will be explored through changes from baseline to follow-up assessments at 1, 3, and 4 months. Descriptive statistics will be used to describe outcomes; this pilot study is not powered to detect differences in outcomes.

RESULTS: Recruitment for FAMILIA began in March 2022, and as of July 2022, 16 participants have been enrolled. We anticipate that enrollment will be completed by May 2023. We expect that music imagery and music listening will prove acceptable to veterans and that feasibility benchmarks will be reached. We hypothesize that music imagery and music listening will be more effective than usual care on pain and related outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS: FAMILIA addresses four limitations in music intervention research for chronic pain: limited studies in veterans, evaluation of a multicomponent music intervention, methodological rigor, and internet-based delivery. Findings from FAMILIA will inform a fully powered trial to identify putative mechanisms and test efficacy.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05426941; https://tinyurl.com/3jdhx28u.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/38788.

PMID:36136377 | DOI:10.2196/38788

Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2022 Sep 22:2122379. doi: 10.1080/21645515.2022.2122379. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Influenza causes significant mortality and morbidity in the United States (US). Employees are exposed to influenza at work and can spread it to others. The influenza vaccine is safe, effective, and prevents severe outcomes; however, coverage among US adults (50.2%) is below Healthy People 2030 target of 70%. These highlights need for more effective vaccination promotion interventions. Understanding predictors of vaccination acceptance could inform vaccine promotion messages, improve coverage, and reduce illness-related work absences. We aimed to identify factors influencing influenza vaccination among US non-healthcare workers. Using mixed-methods approach, we evaluated factors influencing influenza vaccination among employees in three US companies during April-June 2020. Survey questions were adapted from the WHO seasonal influenza survey. Most respondents (n = 454) were women (272, 59.9%), 20-39 years old (n = 250, 55.1%); white (n = 254, 56.0%); had a college degree (n = 431, 95.0%); and reported receiving influenza vaccine in preceding influenza season (n = 297, 65.4%). Logistic regression model was statistically significant, X (16, N = 450) = 31.6, p = .01. Education [(OR) = 0.3, 95%CI = 0.1-0.6)] and race (OR = 0.4, 95%CI = 0.2-0.8) were significant predictors of influenza vaccine acceptance among participants. The majority had favorable attitudes toward influenza vaccination and reported that physician recommendation would influence their vaccination decisions. Seven themes were identified in qualitative analysis: “Protecting others” (109, 24.0%), “Protecting self” (105, 23.1%), “Vaccine accessibility” (94, 20.7%), “Education/messaging” (71, 15.6%), “Policies/requirements” (15, 3.3%), “Reminders” (9, 2.0%), and “Incentives” (3, 0.7%). Our findings could facilitate the development of effective influenza vaccination promotion messages and programs for employers, and workplace vaccination programs for other diseases such as COVID-19, by public health authorities.

PMID:36136345 | DOI:10.1080/21645515.2022.2122379

JAMA Netw Open. 2022 Sep 1;5(9):e2231930. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.31930.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: Approximately 50% of all patients with cancer have an indication for radiotherapy, and approximately 50% of radiotherapy is delivered with palliative intent, with the aim of alleviating symptoms. Symptoms are best assessed by patient-reported outcomes (PROs), yet their reliable interpretation requires adequate reporting in publications.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the use and reporting of PROs in clinical trials of palliative radiotherapy.

EVIDENCE REVIEW: This preregistered systematic review searched PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Center Register of Controlled Trials for clinical trials of palliative radiotherapy published from 1990 to 2020. Key eligibility criteria were palliative setting, palliative radiotherapy as treatment modality, and clinical trial design (per National Institutes of Health definition). Two authors independently assessed eligibility. Trial characteristics were extracted and standard of PRO reporting was assessed in adherence to the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) PRO extension. The association of the year of publication with the use of PROs was assessed by logistic regression. Factors associated with higher CONSORT-PRO adherence were analyzed by multiple regression. This study is reported following the PRISMA guidelines.

FINDINGS: Among 7377 records screened, 225 published clinical trials representing 24 281 patients were eligible. Of these, 45 trials (20%) used a PRO as a primary end point and 71 trials (31%) used a PRO as a secondary end point. The most prevalent PRO measures were the Numeric Rating Scale/Visual Analogue Scale (38 trials), European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 (32 trials), and trial-specific unvalidated measures (25 trials). A more recent year of publication was significantly associated with a higher chance of PROs as a secondary end point (odds ratio [OR], 1.04 [95% CI, 1.00-1.07]; P = .03) but not as primary end point. Adherence to CONSORT-PRO was poor or moderate for most items. Mean (SD) adherence to the extension adherence score was 46.2% (19.6%) for trials with PROs as primary end point and 31.8% (19.8%) for trials with PROs as a secondary end point. PROs as a primary end point (regression coefficient, 9.755 [95% CI, 2.270-17.240]; P = .01), brachytherapy as radiotherapy modality (regression coefficient, 16.795 [95% CI, 5.840-27.751]; P = .003), and larger sample size (regression coefficient, 0.028 [95% CI, 0.006-0.049]; P = .01) were significantly associated with better PRO reporting per extension adherence score.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this systematic review of palliative radiotherapy trials, the use and reporting of PROs had room for improvement for future trials, preferably with PROs as a primary end point.

PMID:36136335 | DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.31930

JAMA Netw Open. 2022 Sep 1;5(9):e2232576. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.32576.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: Obtaining follow-up blood cultures (FUBCs) in patients with Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infection (BSI) is standard practice, although its utility in patients with gram-negative bacterial BSI (GN-BSI) is unclear.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether obtaining FUBCs is associated with decreased mortality (key question [KQ] 1) and whether positive vs negative FUBCs are associated with increased mortality (KQ2).

DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, and gray literature were searched from inception to March 11, 2022.

STUDY SELECTION: Two investigators used predefined eligibility criteria to independently screen titles, abstracts, and relevant full texts. Randomized clinical trials or observational studies that matched or statistically adjusted for differences in, at minimum, level of acute illness between patients in the intervention (eg, FUBCs obtained) and control (eg, FUBCs not obtained) groups were included in primary analyses. Articles published in languages other than English were excluded.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Data abstraction and quality assessments were performed by one investigator and verified by a second investigator. Risk of bias was assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Effect sizes were pooled using random-effects models. The study followed the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) reporting guideline.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Mortality before hospital discharge or up to 30 days from the index blood culture.

RESULTS: From 3495 studies, 15 were included (all nonrandomized). In the 5 studies (n = 4378 patients) that met criteria for the KQ1 primary analysis, obtaining FUBCs was associated with decreased mortality (hazard ratio, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.45-0.71). For KQ2, 2 studies met criteria for the primary analysis (ie, matched or statistically adjusted for differences in patients with positive vs negative FUBCs), so an exploratory meta-analysis of all 9 studies that investigated KQ2 (n = 3243 patients) was performed. Positive FUBCs were associated with increased mortality relative to negative blood cultures (odds ratio, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.54-3.34). Limitations of the literature included a lack of randomized studies and few patient subgroup analyses.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, obtaining FUBCs in patients with GN-BSI was associated with decreased mortality. The benefit of FUBCs may stem from identification of patients with positive FUBCs, which was a poor prognostic marker.

PMID:36136334 | DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.32576

JAMA Netw Open. 2022 Sep 1;5(9):e2232787. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.32787.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines currently recommend germline testing for high-risk genes in selected patients with breast cancer. The clinical utility of recommending testing all patients with breast cancer with multigene panels is currently under consideration.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the implications of universal testing of patients with breast cancer with respect to clinical decision-making.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Patients from a previously reported cohort were assessed as in-criteria or out-of-criteria according to the 2017 guidelines and underwent testing with a multigene germline panel between 2017 to 2018. Patients were women and men aged 18 to 90 years, with a new and/or previous diagnosis of breast cancer who had not undergone either single or multigene testing. Clinicians from 20 community and academic sites documented patient clinical information and changes to clinical recommendations made according to test findings. Association between prevalence of pathogenic or likely pathogenic germline variants and previously unreported clinical features, including scores generated by the BRCAPRO statistical model, was determined. Data were analyzed from April 2020 to May 2022.

EXPOSURE: New and/or previous diagnosis of breast cancer.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Disease management recommendations that were changed as a result of genetic testing results are reported.

RESULTS: Clinicians were asked to assess changes to clinical management as a result of germline genetic testing for 952 patients. Informative clinician-reported recommendations were provided for 939 (467 in-criteria and 472 out-of-criteria) of the patients with breast cancer (936 [99.7%] female; 702 [74.8%] White; mean [SD] age at initial diagnosis, 57.6 [11.5] years). One or more changes were reported for 31 of 37 (83.8%) in-criteria patients and 23 of 34 (67.6%) out-of-criteria patients with a pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant. Recommendations were changed as a result of testing results for 14 of 22 (63.6%) out-of-criteria patients who had a variant in a breast cancer predisposition gene. Clinicians considered testing beneficial for two-thirds of patients with pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants and for one-third of patients with either negative results or variants of uncertain significance. There was no difference in variant rate between patients meeting the BRCAPRO threshold (≥10%) and those who did not (P = .86, Fisher exact test). No changes to clinical recommendations were made for most patients with negative results (345 of 349 patients [98.9%]) or variants of uncertain significance (492 of 509 patients [96.7%]).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this cohort study, germline genetic testing was used by clinicians to direct treatment for most out-of-criteria patients with breast cancer with pathogenic or likely pathogenic germline variants, including those with moderate-risk variants. Universal germline testing informs clinical decision-making and provides access to targeted treatments and clinical trials for all patients with breast cancer.

PMID:36136330 | DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.32787

JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2022 Sep 22. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2022.2840. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: Intraoperative margin assessment is an important technique for ensuring complete tumor resection in malignant cancers. However, in patients undergoing transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for oropharyngeal carcinomas, tissue artifact may provide pathologic uncertainty.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the benefit of providing frozen section control samples (“positive tumor biopsies”) for use during intraoperative margin assessment for patients undergoing TORS for human papillomavirus (HPV)-16-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC).

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: In this cohort study, patients receiving curative-intent TORS for biopsy-proven HPV-16-positive OPSCC performed by a single attending surgeon (A.H.M.) at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center from 2017 to 2021 were included in a retrospective data analysis. Exclusion criteria included HPV-negative status, participation in clinical trials, and tumors of unknown primary origin.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Survival outcomes investigated included overall and disease-free survival. Adverse pathologic outcomes measured included occurrence of nondiagnostic margins and margin reversal from frozen to fixed pathology.

RESULTS: Of the 170 patients included (mean [SD] age, 61.8 [9.9] years; 140 [82%] male), 50% of patients (n = 85) received a frozen section control. Use of a frozen section control was associated with statistically significantly improved sensitivity of intraoperative margin assessment, from 82.8% to 88.9% (difference, 6.1%; 95% CI, 3.9%-8.3%). Eleven percent (n = 18) of all tumors evaluated exhibited at least 1 nondiagnostic intraoperative margin, and 11% (n = 18) experienced margin reversal from frozen to fixed pathology. In patients with nondiagnostic margins, use of frozen section controls was associated with statistically significantly reduced time spent in the operating room (Cohen d, 1.14; 95% CI, 0.12-2.14).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this cohort study, frozen intraoperative margins assessed during TORS resections of HPV-16-positive OPSCC were diagnostically challenging. Adverse pathologic outcomes, such as margin status reversal from positive on frozen pathology to negative on formal analysis, were common. Providing intraoperative frozen section control biopsies may offer clarity in cases with nondiagnostic margins, reducing the need for additional sampling and time spent in the operating room.

PMID:36136328 | DOI:10.1001/jamaoto.2022.2840