Tag: nevin manimala

J Korean Med Sci. 2021 Oct 4;36(38):e272. doi: 10.3346/jkms.2021.36.e272.

ABSTRACT

The proportion of population vaccinated cannot be directly translated into the herd immunity. We have to account for the age-stratified contact patterns to calculate the population immunity level, since not every individual gathers evenly. Here, we calculated the contact-adjusted population immunity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in South Korea using age-specific incidence and vaccine uptake rate. We further explored options to achieve the theoretical herd immunity with age-varying immunity scenarios. As of June 21, 2021, when a quarter of the population received at least one dose of a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine, the contact-adjusted immunity level was 12.5% under the social distancing level 1. When 80% of individuals aged 10 years and over gained immunity, we could achieve a 58.2% contact-adjusted immunity level. The pros and cons of vaccinating children should be weighed since the risks of COVID-19 for the young are less than the elderly, and the long-term safety of vaccines is still obscure.

PMID:34609093 | DOI:10.3346/jkms.2021.36.e272

JBRA Assist Reprod. 2021 Oct 5. doi: 10.5935/1518-0557.20210059. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Data on the possible influence of women´s region of residence, within the same country, on the outcomes of medically assisted reproduction cycles are scarce. This study aims to assess the impact of the women’s region of residence on the results of in-vitro fertilization cycles.

METHODS: We evaluated in-vitro fertilization cycles between 2010 and 2017, performed in a northern Portugal assisted reproduction center. We defined two groups: Douro Litoral (group 1; n=783), and Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (group 2; n=178). We analyzed demographics and cycle-related variables, and we calculated the rates for embryo transfer cycles. We used the Mann-Whitney and Chi-square tests and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: We included 961 cycles. The region of residence had no effect on the following variables: women´s age; body mass index; or duration of infertility (p>0.05). Group 2 had a statistical significant lower number of previous cycles than group 1 (1.3±0.5 and 1.5±0.7; p=0.005). In the sub-analysis of cycles with embryo transfer (n=781), group 1 obtained had rates of normal fertilization (62.5% vs. 57.5%; p=0.04), miscarriage rate (30.0 vs. 10.9%; p=0.007), and lower implantation rates compared to group 2 (33.3% vs. 50.0%; p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Women from the region of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro had a lower number of previous cycles, compared to those from the Douro Litoral, despite the absence of statistical significant differences in terms of age or infertility duration. These findings reinforce the need to contemplate the sociodemographic and socioeconomic variables in this context.

PMID:34609110 | DOI:10.5935/1518-0557.20210059

J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2021 Oct 5. doi: 10.1002/jcsm.12799. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by progressive weight loss and nutritional deterioration. This wasting has been linked to poor survival outcomes, alterations in host defenses, decreased functional ability, and diminished health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in pancreatic cancer patients. There are currently no standardized approaches to the management of pancreatic cancer cachexia. This study explores the feasibility and efficacy of enteral tube feeding of a peptide-based formula to improve weight stability and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in advanced PDAC patients with cachexia.

METHODS: This was a single-institution, single-arm prospective trial conducted between April 2015 and March 2019. Eligible patients were adults (>18 years) diagnosed with advanced or locally advanced PDAC and cachexia, defined as greater than 5% unexplained weight loss within 6 months from screening. The study intervention included three 28 day cycles of a semi-elemental peptide-based formula, administered through a jejunal or gastrojejunal feeding tube. The primary outcome was weight stability at 3 months (Cycle 3), defined as weight change less than 0.1 kg/baseline BMI unit from baseline. Secondary outcomes included changes in lean body mass, appendicular lean mass, bone mineral density, fat mass, and percent body fat, as measured with a DEXA scan, HRQOL (EORTC QLQC30) and NIH PROMIS PROs assessed at each cycle. Daily activity (steps, distance, active minutes, heart rate, and sleep) were remotely monitored using a wearable activity monitor (Fitbit) over the 3 month study period.

RESULTS: Thirty-six patients were screened for eligibility, 31 patients consented onto study and underwent jejunal tube placement, and 16 patients completed treatment: mean age 67 years (SD 9.3), 43.8% male. Among evaluable patients (n = 16), weight stability was achieved in 10 patients (62.5%), thus completing the trial early. Increases in lean body mass (1273.1, SD: 4078, P = 0.01) and appendicular lean mass (0.45, SD: 0.6, P = 0.02) were observed. Statistically significant improvements at Cycle 3 from baseline were also observed for QLQC30 role function [mean difference (MD): 20.1, P = 0.03], appetite (MD: 27.4, P = 0.02), and global health scores (MD: 13.3, P = 0.05) as well as for NIH PROMIS t-scores for depression (MD: -10.4, P = 0.006) and pain interference (MD: -7.5, P = 0.05). Objectively monitored (Fitbit) activity levels increased, although statistical significance was not reached.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that enteral nutrition support may improve weight stability, lean body mass, appendicular lean mass and PROs in PDAC patients with cachexia who completed treatment, representing a subsample of the study population. The feasibility and role of enteral feeding in routine care remain unclear, and larger and randomized controlled trials are warranted.

PMID:34609081 | DOI:10.1002/jcsm.12799

J Korean Med Sci. 2021 Oct 4;36(38):e236. doi: 10.3346/jkms.2021.36.e236.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) can easily penetrate blood vessels and tissues through the human respiratory tract and cause various health problems. Some studies reported that particular matter (PM) exposure during pregnancy is associated with low birth weight or congenital cardiovascular anomalies. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the degree of exposure to PM ≤ 2.5 μm (PM_2.5) during pregnancy and congenital anomalies relevant to the field of pediatric surgery.

METHODS: Mother-infant dyads with registered addresses in the Metropolitan City were selected during 3 years. The electronic medical records of mothers and neonates were retrospectively analyzed, with a focus on maternal age at delivery, date of delivery, gestation week, presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) or hypertension, parity, the residence of the mother and infant, infant sex, birth weight, Apgar score, and presence of congenital anomaly. The monthly PM_2.5 concentration from the first month of pregnancy to the delivery was computed based on the mothers’ residences.

RESULTS: PM_2.5 exposure concentration in the second trimester was higher in the congenital anomaly group than in the non-congenital anomaly group (24.82 ± 4.78 µg/m³, P = 0.023). PM_2.5 exposure concentration did not affect the incidence of nervous, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal anomalies. While statistically insignificant, the groups with nervous, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and other congenital anomalies were exposed to higher PM_2.5 concentrations in the first trimester compared with their respective counterparts. The effect of PM_2.5 concentration on the incidence of congenital anomalies was significant even after adjusting for the mother’s age, presence of DM, hypertension, and parity. The incidence of congenital anomalies increased by 26.0% (95% confidence interval of 4.3% and 49.2%) per 7.23 µg/m³ elevation of PM_2.5 interquartile range in the second trimester.

CONCLUSIONS: The congenital anomaly group was exposed to a higher PM_2.5 concentration in the second trimester than the non-congenital anomaly group. The PM_2.5 exposure concentration level in the first trimester tended to be higher in groups with anomalies than those without anomalies. This suggests that continuous exposure to a high PM_2.5 concentration during pregnancy influences the incidence of neonatal anomalies in surgical respects.

PMID:34609089 | DOI:10.3346/jkms.2021.36.e236

Clin Implant Dent Relat Res. 2021 Oct 5. doi: 10.1111/cid.13045. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Sandwich osteotomy technique (Inlay bone grafting) is considered as a highly reliable procedure for vertical bone augmentation in the maxillary anterior esthetic zone. The aim of this study was to compare vertical bone gain and palatal tipping using computer-guided inlay technique versus the conventional technique.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a randomized clinical trial including 12 patients who were randomly divided into two groups: sandwich osteotomy with simultaneous implant placement at the anterior maxillary esthetic zone (six patients) using patient-specific guides (PSGs) in the study group versus conventional technique (six patients). In the control group, free-hand sandwich osteotomy was done, while in the study group all the procedures were performed with two sequential PSGs with cutting slits, guiding holes, and implant sleeves. Radiographic assessment included measurements of linear changes in the vertical dimensions of the labial plate of bone and palatal tipping on cross-sectional cuts of cone-beam computed tomography using special software.

RESULTS: All the procedures were uneventful except one case of the study group showed a cracked bony segment that did not affect the final outcome. Radiographic results showed comparable bone gain in both groups with no statistical significance difference (study group 4.4 mm, control group 3.9 mm). To the contrary, the computer-guided approach significantly reduced the palatal tipping to 0.4 mm compared to 2.1 mm in the conventional group, and there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p-value <0.001).

CONCLUSION: Sandwich osteotomy using PSGs appears to be efficient and showed promising results regarding improving the palatal tipping compared to the free-hand technique.

PMID:34609058 | DOI:10.1111/cid.13045

United European Gastroenterol J. 2021 Oct 5. doi: 10.1002/ueg2.12151. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To quantify lymphovascular invasion (LVI) and to assess the prognostic value in patients with pT1b esophageal adenocarcinoma.

METHODS: In this nationwide, retrospective cohort study, patients were included if they were treated with surgery or endoscopic resection for pT1b esophageal adenocarcinoma. Primary endpoint was the presence of metastases, lymph node metastases, or distant metastases, in surgical resection specimens or during follow-up. A prediction model to identify risk factors for metastases was developed and internally validated.

RESULTS: 248 patients were included. LVI was distributed as follows: no LVI (n = 196; 79.0%), 1 LVI focus (n = 16; 6.5%), 2-3 LVI foci (n = 21; 8.5%) and ≥4 LVI foci (n = 15; 6.0%). Seventy-eight patients had metastases. The risk of metastases was increased for tumors with 2-3 LVI foci [subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR) 3.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.10-5.47] and ≥4 LVI foci (SHR 3.81, 95% CI 2.37-6.10). The prediction model demonstrated a good discriminative ability (c-statistic 0.81).

CONCLUSION: The risk of metastases is higher when more LVI foci are present. Quantification of LVI could be useful for a more precise risk estimation of metastases. This model needs to be externally validated before implementation into clinical practice.

PMID:34609076 | DOI:10.1002/ueg2.12151

Milbank Q. 2021 Oct 5. doi: 10.1111/1468-0009.12532. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Policy Points Policies that increase county income levels, particularly for middle-income households, may reduce low birth weight rates and shrink disparities between Black and White infants. Given the role of aggregate maternal characteristics in predicting low birth weight rates, policies that increase human capital investments (e.g., funding for higher education, job training) could lead to higher income levels while improving population birth outcomes. The association between county income levels and racial disparities in low birth weight is independent of disparities in maternal risks, and thus a broad set of policies aimed at increasing income levels (e.g., income supplements, labor protections) may be warranted.

CONTEXT: Low birth weight (LBW; <2,500 grams) and infant mortality rates vary among place and racial group in the United States, with economic resources being a likely fundamental contributor to these disparities. The goals of this study were to examine time-varying county median income as a predictor of LBW rates and Black-White LBW disparities and to test county prevalence and racial disparities in maternal sociodemographic and health risk factors as mediators.

METHODS: Using national birth records for 1992-2014 from the National Center for Health Statistics, a total of approximately 27.4 million singleton births to non-Hispanic Black and White mothers were included. Data were aggregated in three-year county-period observations for 868 US counties meeting eligibility requirements (n = 3,723 observations). Sociodemographic factors included rates of low maternal education, nonmarital childbearing, teenage pregnancy, and advanced-age pregnancy; and health factors included rates of smoking during pregnancy and inadequate prenatal care. Among other covariates, linear models included county and period fixed effects and unemployment, poverty, and income inequality.

FINDINGS: An increase of $10,000 in county median income was associated with 0.34 fewer LBW cases per 100 live births and smaller Black-White LBW disparities of 0.58 per 100 births. Time-varying county rates of maternal sociodemographic and health risks mediated the association between median income and LBW, accounting for 65% and 25% of this estimate, respectively, but racial disparities in risk factors did not mediate the income association with Black-White LBW disparities. Similarly, county median income was associated with very low birth weight rates and related Black-White disparities.

CONCLUSIONS: Efforts to increase income levels-for example, through investing in human capital, enacting labor union protections, or attracting well-paying employment-have broad potential to influence population reproductive health. Higher income levels may reduce LBW rates and lead to more equitable outcomes between Black and White mothers.

PMID:34609027 | DOI:10.1111/1468-0009.12532

Dermatol Ther. 2021 Oct 5. doi: 10.1111/dth.15151. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin disorder that can vary in severity and extent of disease. While localized disease can be managed with topical medications, widespread disease often requires systemic therapy including biologics. This medication class targets different components of the immune system and thus modulates disease activity. The biologic secukinumab is a human monoclonal antibody against interleukin-17A used for the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis; cases of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been observed in clinical trials to be associated with this medication.

OBJECTIVE: This review aims to provide evidence for the relationships between secukinumab treatment and the development of inflammatory bowel disease.

METHODS: We have examined review articles and original research papers, published between 2010 and 2020, using the following keywords: psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, secukinumab, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, interleukin-17, IL-17, IL-17 inhibitor.

RESULTS: Case reports have noted an association between secukinumab use and IBD and have called for IBD pre-screening in patients who will be prescribed this medication. Clinical trials concluded that secukinumab was associated with IBD, while retrospective studies have had mixed results, with most studies showing no statistical significance between secukinumab and IBD but having seen patients with history of IBD or family histories experience new-onset IBD or flare-ups.

CONCLUSION: Given the utilization of secukinumab as a therapy for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, appropriate screening and risk stratification could help limit morbidity and mortality that can be associated with secukinumab-induced IBD. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:34609037 | DOI:10.1111/dth.15151

Neurourol Urodyn. 2021 Oct 5. doi: 10.1002/nau.24810. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: In August 2019, the European Association of Urology (EAU) and European Society for Paediatric Urology (ESPU) published updated guidelines on the management of neurogenic bladder in children and adolescents. Our study aimed to establish whether members of the ESPU are adhering to these guidelines.

METHODS: We designed a survey comprising 26 questions using SurveyMonkey®. Respondents were asked about management of neurogenic bladder at birth in newborns with spina bifida (SB), urological investigations, as well as short and long-term follow-up in their institutions.

RESULTS: There were 103 respondents to the survey (754 recipients, giving a response rate of 14%) spanning 36 countries. 100% of respondents carry out a renal/bladder ultrasound at birth. Only 53% routinely commence clean intermittent catheterization soon after birth as recommended by the guidelines. Only 56% recommend anticholinergic medications after abnormal videourodynamics (VUDs). The guidelines recommend the use of continued antibiotic prophylaxis if there is evidence of vesicoureteral reflux and hostile bladder/non-conclusive results on VUDs which is followed by only 30% of providers. 63% of respondents carry out baseline VUDs at the recommended time. Seeing larger volumes of SB patients, having a formal SB protocol, having formal SB multidisciplinary clinics and working in a tertiary referral center did not make respondents more likely to adhere to guidelines.

CONCLUSIONS: Our survey demonstrated that large variations from the EAU/ESPU guidelines exist in practice. The study confirms that further work is required across institutions and countries to implement these evidence-based recommendations for standardized practice.

PMID:34609014 | DOI:10.1002/nau.24810

Clin Anat. 2021 Oct 5. doi: 10.1002/ca.23797. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many educational institutions followed the blended learning system. Using the participants’ opinions, we evaluated the Blackboard Collaborate Platform for online team-based learning sessions for undergraduate students from different medical programs in the KSA. The participants were students on the MBBS Program (157 year two and 149 year three), together with 53 students in year one of the Nursing Program, 25 in year two of the Doctor of Pharmacy Program, and 11 in year two of the Medical Laboratory Sciences Program in Fakeeh College for Medical Sciences, KSA. To assess students’ recall, engagement, and satisfaction with the sessions, an online TBL plan was designed and reviewed by the Medical Education Department. The students completed an online survey at the end of each session. All responses in this study showed a statistically significant positive difference from the neutral mid-point response (P < 0.05), reflecting high satisfaction. In the MBBS Program, the survey was completed by 40 students in year two and 76 in year three. The mean responses were 4.1 ± 0.3 and 3.9 ± 0.2 respectively (mean ± SD). In the BSN Program, 19 students completed the survey. The mean response was 4.6 ± 0.2. In the Pharm D Program, 10 students completed the survey. The mean response was 4.9 ± 0.12. In the MLS Program, eight students completed the survey. The mean response was 4.8 ± 0.12. It was concluded that online TBL using Blackboard Collaborate is a successful anatomy learning tool among FCMS students on different programs. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:34609024 | DOI:10.1002/ca.23797