Tag: nevin manimala

Ir Vet J. 2022 Jul 14;75(1):16. doi: 10.1186/s13620-022-00223-8.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Reliable information about national pet dog populations is an important contributor to informed decision-making, both by governments and national dog welfare organisations. In some countries, there is an improved understanding of aspects of the national pet dog population, but as yet limited published information is available in Ireland. The current study reviews the utility of existing data to inform our understanding of recent changes to the pet dog population in Ireland, including both biological and organisational processes.

RESULTS: Based on national data on dog licencing and microchipping registration, pet dog numbers have remained relatively stable in recent years (ie prior to the COVID-19 pandemic). Since 2015, there has been a substantial decrease in the number of dogs managed through dog control centres. Although the completeness of the data are likely variable, there appears to be substantial, and increasing, number of dogs moving from Ireland to other countries, including UK, Sweden, Italy, Germany and Singapore. We also note an increase (albeit much smaller) in the number of dogs being moved into Ireland.

CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the challenges faced when using existing national data to gain insights into the dog population of Ireland. The linking of existing national databases (individual dog identification, dog licencing, dog control statistics) has the potential to improve both the representativeness and accuracy of information about the Irish pet dog population. In the next phases of our work, we will focus on the work of dog welfare organisations, given both the increased role played by these organisations and the substantial public funding that has been committed in this sector.

PMID:35836251 | DOI:10.1186/s13620-022-00223-8

Environ Health. 2022 Jul 14;21(1):68. doi: 10.1186/s12940-022-00875-7.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Inorganic arsenic (iAs) is a ubiquitous metalloid and drinking water contaminant. Prenatal exposure is associated with birth outcomes across multiple studies. During metabolism, iAs is sequentially methylated to mono- and di-methylated arsenical species (MMAs and DMAs) to facilitate whole body clearance. Inefficient methylation (e.g., higher urinary % MMAs) is associated with increased risk of certain iAs-associated diseases. One-carbon metabolism factors influence iAs methylation, modifying toxicity in adults, and warrant further study during the prenatal period. The objective of this study was to evaluate folate, vitamin B12, and homocysteine as modifiers of the relationship between biomarkers of iAs methylation efficiency and birth outcomes.

METHODS: Data from the Biomarkers of Exposure to ARsenic (BEAR) pregnancy cohort (2011-2012) with maternal urine and cord serum arsenic biomarkers and maternal serum folate, vitamin B12, and homocysteine concentrations were utilized. One-carbon metabolism factors were dichotomized using clinical cutoffs and median splits. Multivariable linear regression models were fit to evaluate associations between each biomarker and birth outcome overall and within levels of one-carbon metabolism factors. Likelihood ratio tests of full and reduced models were used to test the significance of statistical interactions on the additive scale (α = 0.10).

RESULTS: Among urinary biomarkers, % U-MMAs was most strongly associated with birth weight (β = – 23.09, 95% CI: – 44.54, – 1.64). Larger, more negative mean differences in birth weight were observed among infants born to women who were B12 deficient (β = – 28.69, 95% CI: – 53.97, – 3.42) or experiencing hyperhomocysteinemia (β = – 63.29, 95% CI: – 154.77, 28.19). Generally, mean differences in birth weight were attenuated among infants born to mothers with higher serum concentrations of folate and vitamin B12 (or lower serum concentrations of homocysteine). Effect modification by vitamin B12 and homocysteine was significant on the additive scale for some associations. Results for gestational age were less compelling, with an approximate one-week mean difference associated with C-tAs (β = 0.87, 95% CI: 0, 1.74), but not meaningful otherwise.

CONCLUSIONS: Tissue distributions of iAs and its metabolites (e.g., % MMAs) may vary according to serum concentrations of folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine during pregnancy. This represents a potential mechanism through which maternal diet may modify the harms of prenatal exposure to iAs.

PMID:35836250 | DOI:10.1186/s12940-022-00875-7

BMC Womens Health. 2022 Jul 14;22(1):291. doi: 10.1186/s12905-022-01849-0.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Anal intercourse (AI) is not uncommon among U.S. women and, when condomless, confers a far greater likelihood of HIV transmission than condomless vaginal intercourse. We aim to identify determinants preceding AI, among women with, and women without HIV.

METHODS: 3708 women living with (73%), and without HIV (27%) participating in the Women’s Interagency HIV Study provided sexual behavior and other data at 6-monthly visits over a median of 9 years (1994-2014). We used generalized estimating equation models to examine sociodemographic, structural and behavioral determinants reported in the visit preceding (1) AI, and (2) condomless AI.

RESULTS: AI was reported at least once over follow-up by 31% of women without, and 21% with HIV. AI was commonly condomless; reported at 76% and 51% of visits among women living without HIV, and with HIV, respectively. Women reporting AI were more likely to be younger (continuous variable, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.97, 95% confidence interval (CI):0.96-0.98), Hispanic (aOR = 1.88, CI:1.47-2.41) or White (aOR = 1.62, CI:1.15-2.30) compared to Black, and have at least high school education (aOR = 1.33, CI:1.08-1.65). AI was more likely following the reporting of either (aOR = 1.35, CI:1.10-1.62), or both (aOR = 1.77, CI:1.13-2.82) physical and sexual violence, excessive drinking (aOR = 1.27, CI:1.05-1.66) or any drug use (aOR = 1.34, CI:1.09-1.66), multiple male partners (aOR = 2.64, CI:2.23-3.11), exchange sex (aOR = 3.45, CI:2.53-4.71), one or more female sex partners (aOR = 1.32, CI:1.01-1.75), condomless vaginal intercourse (aOR = 1.80, CI:1.53-2.09), and high depressive symptoms (aOR = 1.23, CI:1.08-1.39).

CONCLUSION: AI disproportionally follows periods of violence victimization, substance use, multiple sex partners and depression. Better prevention messaging and biomedical interventions that reduce acquisition or transmission risk are needed, but when AI occurs in the context of violence against women, as our findings indicate, focusing on gender-based violence reduction and immediate treatment to reduce HIV transmission risk is important.

PMID:35836248 | DOI:10.1186/s12905-022-01849-0

BMC Public Health. 2022 Jul 14;22(1):1346. doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-13656-1.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Along with the development of the times and progress of the society, the total fertility rate (TFR) markedly changed in each country. Therefore, it is critical to describe the trend of TFR and explore its influencing factors. However, previous studies did not consider the time lag and cumulative effect in the associations between the influencing factors and TFR. Thus, our study aimed to analyze the associations from a new dimension.

METHODS: The study was employed using national-level data from the World Bank and United Nations Development Programme. Distributed lag non-linear models with 5-year lag were used to examine the independent associations between the relevant factors and TFR.

RESULTS: The cumulative exposure-TFR curves were inverted U-shaped for log gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and life expectancy at birth, while the cumulative exposure-response curves were approximately linear for female expected years of schooling and human development index (HDI). However, it is worth noting that in the developed regions, TFR increased slightly with the high level of GDP per capita, female expected years of schooling and HDI.

CONCLUSIONS: Nowadays, with the growth of GDP per capita, life expectancy at birth, female expected years of schooling and HDI, TFR are on a drastic downward trend in most regions. Besides, with the development of society, when levels of the factors continued to increase, TFR also showed a slight rebound. Therefore, governments, especially those in developing countries, should take measures to stimulate fertility and deal with a series of problems caused by declining TFR.

PMID:35836246 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-022-13656-1

BMC Psychiatry. 2022 Jul 14;22(1):470. doi: 10.1186/s12888-022-04119-3.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Orthorexia Nervosa (ON), a compulsive obsession with vigorous eating, has increasingly caught researchers’ attention. Although Orthorexia Nervosa has not been labeled an eating disorder, research about ON highlighted a strong link with anorexia nervosa or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Therefore, this study aimed to (1) validate the Arabic version of the Obsession-Compulsion Inventory (OCI-12 and OCI-4) and (2) check if there is an overlap between ON and OCD among a sample of Lebanese adults.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 487 Lebanese participants between July and August 2021. The Dusseldorf Orthorexia Scale (DOS) was used to assess ON; scores between 25 and 29 indicate probable ON, whereas scores ≥ 30 indicate ON tendencies. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was carried out using SPSS AMOS v.24 on the OCI-12 and OCI-4 scales’ items. The root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) statistic, the Tucker Lewis Index (TLI) and the comparative fit index (CFI) were used to evaluate the goodness-of-fit of the model.

RESULTS: The CFA results indicated an excellent fit of the model: the Maximum Likelihood Chi-Square = 147.73 and Degrees of Freedom = 48, which gave a χ2/df = 3.08, TLI = 0.934, CFI = 0.952, and RMSEA = 0.065 [95% CI 0.054-0.078]. The fit indices of the one-factor structure of the OCI-4 were excellent as well: χ2/df = 6.15/2 = 3.08, TLI = 0.95, CFI = 0.98 and RMSEA = 0.065 [95% CI 0.007-0.127]. The Area Under the Curve was 0.600 [95% CI 0.524-0.674]. There was no cutoff value that showed good sensitivity or specificity at the same time. At the DOS cutoff of 25, sensitivity was 19.1%, whereas the specificity was 90.6%. The positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) at this cutoff value were 24.4% and 88.7% respectively. At the DOS cutoff of 30, sensitivity was 8.8%, whereas the specificity was 94.3%. The PPV and NPV at this cutoff value were 10.6% and 92.5% respectively. The results showed that higher total OCD scores (Beta = 0.15) were significantly associated with more ON tendencies. Moreover, higher OCD washing scores (Beta = 0.52), physical activity index (Beta = 0.06), and Body Mass Index (Beta = 0.17) were significantly associated with more ON tendencies.

CONCLUSION: The present results suggest that ON, as measured by the DOS, shares more common features with disordered eating and cannot adequately predict the presence of OCD symptoms.

PMID:35836242 | DOI:10.1186/s12888-022-04119-3

BMC Med Ethics. 2022 Jul 14;23(1):73. doi: 10.1186/s12910-022-00811-x.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Junior medical doctors have a key role in discussions and decisions about treatment and end-of-life care for people with dementia in hospital. Little is known about junior doctors’ decision-making processes when treating people with dementia who have advance care directives (ACDs), or the factors that influence their decisions. To describe among junior doctors in relation to two hypothetical vignettes involving patients with dementia: (1) their legal compliance and decision-making process related to treatment decisions; (2) the factors influencing their clinical decision-making; and (3) the factors associated with accurate responses to one hypothetical vignette.

METHOD: A cross-sectional survey of junior doctors, including trainees, interns, registrars and residents, on clinical rotation in five public hospitals located in one Australian state. The anonymous, investigator-developed survey was conducted between August 2018 and June 2019. Two hypothetical vignettes describing patients with dementia presenting to hospital with an ACD and either: (1) bacterial pneumonia; or (2) suspected stroke were presented in the survey. Participants were asked to indicate whether they would commence treatment, given the ACD instructions described in each vignette.

RESULTS: Overall, 116 junior doctors responded (35% consent rate). In Vignette 1, 58% of respondents (n = 67/116) selected the legally compliant option (i.e. not commence treatment). Participants who chose the legally compliant option perceived ‘following patient wishes’ (n = 32/67; 48%) and ‘legal requirements to follow ACDs’ (n = 32/67; 48%) as equally important reasons for complying with the ACD. The most common reason for not selecting the legally compliant option in Vignette 1 was the ‘ACD is relevant in my decision-making process, but other factors are more relevant’ (n = 14/37; 38%). In Vignette 2, 72% of respondents (n = 83/116) indicated they would commence treatment (i.e. not follow the ACD) and 18% (n = 21/116) selected they would not commence treatment. (i.e. follow the ACD). Similar reasons influenced participant decision-making in Vignette 2, a less legally certain scenario.

CONCLUSIONS: There are critical gaps in junior doctors’ compliance with the law as it relates to the implementation of ACDs. Despite there being differences in relation to the legal answer and its certainty, clinical and ethical factors guided decision-making over and above the law in both vignettes. More education and training to guide junior doctors’ clinical decision-making and ensure compliance with the law is required.

PMID:35836232 | DOI:10.1186/s12910-022-00811-x

Malar J. 2022 Jul 14;21(1):220. doi: 10.1186/s12936-022-04221-7.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Malaria related mortality is associated with significant deregulation of host inflammatory factors such as interferon-inducible protein 10, a member of the CXC or α-subfamily (CXCL10), and host angiogenic factors such as angiopoietin 1 (Ang-1) and angiopoietin 2 (Ang-2). However, detection of these factors in malaria patients requires the drawing of blood, which is invasive and increases the risk of accidental blood-borne infections. There has been an increased interest in the use of saliva as the body fluid of choice for the diagnosis of many infectious diseases including malaria. Here, saliva levels of CXCL10, Ang-1, and Ang-2 previously shown to be predictive of severe malaria in malaria patients in Ghana were assessed in malaria patients.

METHODS: This study was conducted in the Shai-Osudoku District Hospital in Dodowa, Accra, Ghana and the study population comprised 119 malaria patients and 94 non-malaria subjects. The non-malaria subjects are healthy community participants with no malaria infection. Plasma and saliva levels of CXCL10, Ang-1 and Ang-2 of the study participants were measured using an enzyme-linked immunoassay. Complete blood counts of each participant were measured with a haematology autoanalyzer. Pearson correlation was used to evaluate the correlation between plasma and saliva levels of each biomarker in malaria patients. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered significant. Box plots of median biomarker concentrations were plotted. SPSS version 14.2 software was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS: The non-malaria subjects had a median age of 29 years compared to 23 years for malaria patients (p = 0.001). Among the malaria patients, there was a strong significant relationship between CXCL10 (R² = 0.7, p < 0.0001) and Ang-1 (R² = 0.7, p < 0.0001). Malaria patients had lower saliva levels of Ang-1 (p = 0.009) and higher saliva levels of CXCL10 (p = 0.004) and Ang-2 (p = 0.001) compared to non-malaria subjects.

CONCLUSIONS: This study provides the first evidence of elevated levels of CXCL10 and Ang-2 in the saliva of malaria patients. Detection of CXCL10, Ang-1 and Ang-2 in saliva may have a potential application for non-invasive malaria diagnosis.

PMID:35836234 | DOI:10.1186/s12936-022-04221-7

Int J Equity Health. 2022 Jul 14;21(1):96. doi: 10.1186/s12939-022-01697-2.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Research has generally found a significant inverse relationship in mortality risk across socioeconomic (SE) groups. This paper focuses on Spain, a country for which there continues to be very little evidence available concerning retirement pensioners. We draw on the Continuous Sample of Working Lives (CSWL) to investigate disparities in SE mortality among retired men aged 65 and above over the longest possible period covered by this data source: 2005-2018. We use the initial pension income (PI) level as our single indicator of the SE status of the retired population.

METHODS: The mortality gradient by income is quantified in two ways: via an indicator referred to as “relative mortality”, and by estimating changes in total life expectancy (LE) by PI level at ages 65 and 75 over time. We show that, should the information provided by the relative mortality ratio not be completely clear, a second indicator needs to be introduced to give a broad picture of the true extent of inequality in mortality.

RESULTS: The first indicator reveals that, for the period covered and for all age groups, the differences in death rates across PI levels widens over time. At older age groups, these differences across PI levels diminish. The second indicator shows that disparities in LE at ages 65 and 75 between pensioners in the lowest and highest income groups are relatively small, although slightly higher than previously reported for Spain. This gap in LE widens over time, from 1.49 to 2.54 years and from 0.71 to 1.40 years respectively for pensioners aged 65 and 75. These differences are statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS: Along with other behavioral and structural aspects, a combination of factors such as the design of the pension system, the universality and quality of the health system, and high levels of family support could explain why LE inequalities for retired Spanish men are relatively small. To establish the reasons for this increased inequality in LE, more research needs to be carried out. An analysis of all Spanish social security records instead of just a sample would provide us with more information.

PMID:35836221 | DOI:10.1186/s12939-022-01697-2

BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2022 Jul 14;23(1):671. doi: 10.1186/s12891-022-05641-x.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that on the coronal plane, whether the direction of the distal locking screw is parallel to the tangent line of the tibiotalar joint can be used to determine whether there is varus or valgus deformity after the treatment of distal tibial fractures with intramedullary nail (IMN) fixation. However, there has been no statistical analysis of the included angle on the coronal plane, and there have been no reports on whether there is a relationship between the direction of the distal locking screw on the sagittal plane or the included angle of the tangent line of the tibiotalar joint and the postoperative alignment of distal tibial fractures treated with IMN fixation.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between the angles formed by the distal locking screw and the tibiotalar joint tangent (ADTTs) on the sagittal and coronal planes and postoperative alignment in the treatment of distal tibial fractures with IMN fixation.

METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 100 patients with distal tibial fractures treated with IMN fixation using the suprapatellar approach. On the coronal and sagittal planes, the ADTTs were arranged from small to large and divided into 4 groups, namely, groups A, B, C and D. One-way ANOVA was used to compare the lateral distal tibial angle (LDTA) and anterior distal tibial angle (ADTA) among all groups, and the chi-square test was used to compare the incidence of postoperative tibial misalignment among all groups. Univariate analysis was performed using chi-square tests to identify factors that might be associated with dislocation, including fibular open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), limited open reduction, ADTT, IMN diameter, injury mechanism, open vs. closed fracture, comminution, and fibular fracture level. Then, the statistically significant variables in the univariate analysis were included in a multivariate logistic regression equation to evaluate the independent factors related to misalignment.

RESULTS: On the coronal plane, the ADTTs of groups A, B, C and D were < 0°, 0°-1.3°, 1.3°-2.7° and > 2.7°, respectively. The mean LDTAs of groups B and C (0°-1.3° and 1.3°-2.7°), group A (< 0°) and group D (> 2.7°) were 89.5 ± 1.6°, 92.0 ± 3.2° and 85.8 ± 3.5°, respectively (P < 0.01). Deformity greater than 5° were more likely in groups A and D than groups B and C [14 of 50 (28%) vs. 1 of 50 (2%), P < 0.001]. On the sagittal plane, the ADTTs of groups A, B, C and D were < 8.9°, 8.9°-10.4°, 10.4°-11.7° and > 11.8°, respectively. The average ADTAs of groups B and C (8.9°-10.4° and 10.4°-11.7°), group A (< 8.9°) and group D (> 11.8°) were 80.4 ± 1.3°, 83.1 ± 3.7° and 77.9 ± 2.5°, respectively (P < 0.01). Deformity greater than 5° was more likely in groups A and D than groups B and C [13 of 50 (26%) vs. 0 of 50 (0%), P < 0.001]. An ADTT of 0°-2.7° on the coronal plane and 8.9°-11.7° on the sagittal plane (OR: 0.08, P = 0.02) and limited open reduction (OR: 0.21, P < 0.01) were independent factors that reduced the likelihood of misalignment.

CONCLUSION: The alignment of distal tibial fractures after surgery is sensitive to the ADTT and use of limited open reduction. Controlling the ADTT between 0° and 2.7° on the coronal plane and between 8.9° and 11.7° on the sagittal plane is helpful to reduce the occurrence of misalignment after the treatment of distal tibial fractures by IMN fixation.

PMID:35836214 | DOI:10.1186/s12891-022-05641-x

Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2022 Jul 14;20(1):109. doi: 10.1186/s12955-022-02012-x.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Drug abuse has many negative effects not only on individuals but also on society. Nowadays, researchers pay a lot of attention to quality of life of drug addicts. However, there are few scales available to measure quality of life of drug addicts. The scale QLICD-DA (quality of life instrument for chronic diseases-drug addition) developed by modular approach could be used to measure quality of life of drug addicts with good validity, reliability and sensitivity.

OBJECTIVE: This study is aimed to understand the quality of life status and influencing factors in drug addicts by suitable sensitively scale, with the hypothesis of the quality of life in drug addicts being different from that of other peoples and possibly being influenced by many factors.

METHODS: By cluster random sampling method, 192 drug addicts at Kunming compulsory drug rehabilitation center were recruited to take part in the investigation. All participants completed the general information questionnaire and the scale QLICD-DA. We used a t-test to compare the scores of the quality of life of the participants with the norm (QOL scores from 1953 patients of 10 chronic diseases). A stepwise regression method was applied to explore the influencing factors of the quality of life in drug addicts.

RESULTS: 192 participants ranged in age from 19 to 59 with an average age of 34.86. Most of them were male (70.3%), high school education level (67.7%) and of Han nationality (82.8%). The quality of life of drug addicts was lower than the norm in the physical domain, psychological domain, social domain, and general module, and the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Sex and mode of drug abuse were the influencing factors in total score (p = 0.006) and specific module (p = 0.019). Past family atmosphere and the mode of drug abuse were the influencing factors in the general module (p = 0.027, p = 0.037).

CONCLUSION: The quality of life of drug addicts was worse than that of patients with other chronic diseases, and the influencing factors of the quality of life of drug abusers were sex, mode of drug abuse, and past family atmosphere.

PMID:35836188 | DOI:10.1186/s12955-022-02012-x