Tag: nevin manimala

Phytomedicine. 2021 Dec 3;95:153868. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2021.153868. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Huashibaidu Formula (HSBD) for the COVID-19 treatment has been supported by the China’s Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia. However, it is not clear whether HSBD can improve blood oxygen saturation and when it should be used with conventional therapies.

PURPOSE: To access the effect of HSBD combined with conventional treatment on blood oxygen saturation of COVID-19 patients.

METHODS: A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted to collect the confirmed severe COVID-19 patients’ information, treated by the National Traditional Chinese Medicine Medical Team at the Jinyintan hospital between January 24 and March 31, 2020. According to whether HSBD was used during hospitalization, participants were separated into the conventional treatment group and the HSBD group (HSBD and conventional treatment). The primary observation indicators included the time for relieving blood oxygen saturation and the improvement ratio of blood oxygen saturation in each group.

RESULTS: Of 111 patients with severe COVID-19, 53.2% (59/111) received HSBD, and 46.8% (52/111) only received conventional treatment, respectively. No statistically significant difference was found in image, clinical symptoms, and past medical history between the two groups (p > 0.05). Notably, the median time for relieving blood oxygen saturation in the conventional treatment group was 11 days (IQR, 8-14.25), while that in the HSBD group was only 6 days (IQR, 3.25-10.75), which was significantly shortened by 4.09 days (95%CI, 2.07-6.13; p= 0.0001), compared with the conventional treatment group. After repeated measurement design analysis, the main effect within times (p< 0.001) and the main effect were significantly different under the oxygen saturation dimension between two groups (p= 0.004). However, time and group interaction were observed no significant difference (p= 0.094). After 14 days of treatment, the improvement ratio of the HSBD group over the conventional treatment group was 1.20 (95%CI, 0.89-1.61).

CONCLUSION: For severe COVID-19 patients, the HSBD has a tendency to shorten the time for relieving blood oxygen saturation. After taking a course of HSBD, the effect can be more obvious.

PMID:34929564 | DOI:10.1016/j.phymed.2021.153868

Nurse Educ Pract. 2021 Dec 15;58:103277. doi: 10.1016/j.nepr.2021.103277. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To explore nurses’ knowledge, skills and personal attributes for competent health education practice and their association with potential influencing factors.

BACKGROUND: Clinical nurses are expected to perform effective health education interventions, but they do not feel competent. The self-assessment of the health education competence and its conditional factors is paramount for professional development.

DESIGN: A cross-sectional study.

METHODS: A total of 458 clinical nurses from two health specialized centers in Spain participated in this study. Data were collected using the Nurse Health Education Competence Instrument and a second self-report questionnaire from January to February 2019. Descriptive statistics, t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson’s and Spearman’s correlation and multiple linear regression were used to analyse the data. The STROBE guideline was used RESULTS: The mean scores of the knowledge (70.10 ± 15.11), skills (92.14 ± 15.18) and personal attributes scales (32.32 ± 5.89) were found to be low to moderate. The main influencing factors for the health education implementation were lack of education and training (71.4%), lack of time (67.5%) and high workload (67.3%). Nurses with higher educational level and perceived self-efficacy for competently providing health education, more extensive professional experience and previous training in health education rated higher in knowledge, skills and personal attributes. Age and years of experience were negatively correlated with knowledge scores, but positively with the rest of domains of the competence and self-efficacy. The regression models for the overall health education competence’s domains were significant (p < 0.001) with R2 values ranging from 28.0% to 49.3%. Self-efficacy, previous health education training and working in intensive care units were found to be significant in all cognitive, psychomotor and attitudinal scales.

CONCLUSION: Clinical nurses reported on some skills and personal attributes for health education practice, but they seem to lack health education knowledge necessary for a competent practice. This study suggested that effective education and training and supportive organizational cultures are key to enhance nurses’ health education competence. Identifying nurses’ educational needs on the main domains of the competence and its intrinsic/extrinsic influential factors may assist in both planning and organizing tailored training strategies and in promoting appropriate environments to support a high-quality health education practice TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Nurses’ knowledge, skills and attitudes about health education competence are low to moderate. Training and organizational support are key.

PMID:34929565 | DOI:10.1016/j.nepr.2021.103277

Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2021 Dec 16;137:105631. doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105631. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Alterations in cognitive performance have been described in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the specific risk factors of these changes are not yet known. This study aimed to explore whether inmunometabolic parameters are related to cognitive performance in MDD in comparison to healthy controls (HC) METHODS: Sample consisted of 84 MDD patients and 78 HC. Both groups were compared on the results of cognitive performance measured with the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), the presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and an inflammatory/oxidative index calculated by a principal component analysis of peripheral biomarkers (tumor necrosis factor, C-reactive protein and 4-hydroxynonenal). A multiple linear regression was carried out, to study the relationship between inmunometabolic variables and the global cognitive performance, being the latter the dependent variable.

RESULTS: Significant differences were obtained in the inflammatory/oxidative index between both groups (F₍₁₁₅₇₎= 12.93; p < .001), also in cognitive performance (F₍₁₁₅₇₎= 56.75; p < .001). The inmunometabolic covariate regression model (i.e., condition (HC/MDD), sex, age and medication loading, MetS, inflammatory/oxidative index and the interaction between MetS and inflammatory/oxidative index) was statistically significant (F₍₇₁₅₇₎= 11.24; p < .01) and explained 31% of variance. The condition, being either MDD or HD, (B=-0.97; p < .001), age (B=-0.28; p < .001) and the interaction between inflammatory/oxidative index and MetS (B=-0.38; p = .02) were factors associated to cognitive performance.

LIMITATIONS: Sample size was relatively small. The cross-sectional design of the study limits the possibilities of analysis.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide evidence on the conjoint influence of metabolic and inflammatory dysregulation on cognitive dysfunction in MDD patients. In this way, our study opens a line of research in immunometabolic agents to deal with cognitive decline associated with MDD.

PMID:34929555 | DOI:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105631

Health Place. 2021 Dec 17;73:102731. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2021.102731. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

A scoping review was performed to identify how Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries measure overall health for sub-national geographies within each country. Sixty publications were selected from MEDLINE, Scopus and Google Scholar, plus information extracted from 37 of 38 OECD countries statistical agency and/or public health institute websites that were available in English. Data sources varied by categorisation into national statistical agency mortality (n = 7) or population-level survey morbidity (n = 5) health indicators. Region was the most common geographic scale (e.g., eight indicators for 26 countries), slightly fewer indicators for urban areas (max countries per most frequent indicator = 24), followed by municipality (range of 1-14 countries per indicator). Other geographies, particularly those at smaller granularity, were infrequently available across health indicators and countries. Wider availability of health indicators at smaller, and non-administrative, geographies is needed to explore the best way to measure comparative population health in local areas.

PMID:34929525 | DOI:10.1016/j.healthplace.2021.102731

Curr Opin Pharmacol. 2021 Dec 17;62:74-81. doi: 10.1016/j.coph.2021.11.005. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Hypertension is a global disease that is extremely harmful to humans. Timely lowering of blood pressure is necessary in order to avoid the occurrence of corresponding complications. This review shows that soy peptides are beneficial in resisting hypertension. One of the advantages is the abundance of raw materials for producing soybean peptides. Secondly, there are no reports of adverse reactions due to soy peptides. Moreover, they exert protective effect against hypertension-induced complications such as long-term memory impairment and kidney damage. However, there are still some obstacles associated with the development of soybean peptides. Therefore, this review is focused on statistical analysis of peptide sequences, amino acid residues, and possible targets of anti-hypertensive soybean peptides. Eventually, it proposes that application of genetic engineering technology to specifically modify the N- and C-terminal of the soybean peptides, and possible targets in identifying the likely drug targets involved in the antihypertensive effects of these peptides.

PMID:34929528 | DOI:10.1016/j.coph.2021.11.005

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2021 Dec 17;229:113086. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.113086. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

An attempt has been made in this study to evaluate the factors favoring the uranium mobilization into the groundwater of Northwest India using uranium isotope activity ratio (²³⁴U/²³⁸U), radon (²²²Rn) and environmental isotopes of water (²H, ¹⁸O and ³H). The values range from 23 – 597 µg/L for total uranium and 634-3210 Bq/m³ for radon and the corresponding annual effective dose is estimated to be 18.9-490 µSv/a and 6.2-31.5 μSv/a respectively. Uranium activity ratio (UAR) varies from 0.68 – 1.17 and maximum samples indicate secular equilibrium. Environmental isotopic data indicates that the source to groundwater is vertical percolation of rainwater in the case of shallow zone while regional flows from outcrop areas recharge the deep groundwater. A wide scatter is noticed in environmental ³H content (0.23-6.62 TU) indicating both fast and sluggish water flows. The UAR phase diagram suggests that leaching process controls the uranium mobilization into the groundwater. The correlations among UAR, uranium and U_excess further indicate oxidative nature of leaching process. Statistical treatment of the obtained data along with available geochemical and isotope evidences suggest that source of uranium is common but the driving processes are different for shallow and deep zone. Influences of root zone CO₂, oxic species from irrigation return flows and water level fluctuations are also evaluated. Low uranium, low UAR, low ³H and high ²²²Rn activity in deep zone suggest uranium being released from the roll front as well as transported from outcrop regions. This study highlights the application of uranium isotope ratio, radon and environmental isotopes in assessing vulnerability of alluvial aquifers towards uranium contamination.

PMID:34929505 | DOI:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.113086

Lymphology. 2021;54(3):154-163.

ABSTRACT

Surgical intervention and subsequent wound healing process are known to induce neo-lymphangiogenesis, but few studies have been reported to utilize this mechanism for lymphedema treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate feasibility of subdermal dissection for neo-lymphangiogenesis induction (SDN) to treat lower extremity lymphedema (LEL). Medical records of secondary LEL patients who had undergone ICG lymphography and SDN procedure were reviewed. SDN was performed by dissecting fat tissues just below the dermis from the most proximal area showing dermal backflow through abdominal-toaxillary lymphatic pathways. Perioperative lymphedematous conditions were evaluated with lymphedema quality of life score (LeQOLiS) and LEL index. Seventeen female patients were included. SDN could be performed in 10 minutes on average without postoperative complication. Postoperative ICG lymphography showed new lymphatic pathways in 6 (35.3%) cases. Postoperative LeQOLiS ranged from 9 to 66, which was statistically lower than preoperative LeQOLiS (32.9 ± 19.2 vs. 36.6 ± 19.3, p = 0.048), whereas there was no statistically significant difference between pre- and post-operative LEL index (275.2 ± 23.3 vs. 270.5 ± 20.8, P = 0.073). Subdermal dissection, although its probability is not high, has a potential to induce neo-lymphangiogenesis. Further studies are required to improve and demonstrate efficacy of the procedure for new lymphatic pathway creation.

PMID:34929076

Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2021 Dec 20. doi: 10.1002/ijgo.14075. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the American College of Surgeons surgical risk calculator’s reliability in predicting outcomes in hysterectomies.

METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study at a large community-based hospital. 21 preoperative and postoperative criteria were abstracted from the electronic medical record and entered into the online ACS calculator to determine a risk score. Logistical regression was used to determine the association between risk score and actual outcome. The prediction capability was analyzed with c-statistic, Hosmer-Lemeshow and Brier score.

RESULTS: 634 hysterectomies were performed during the study period from January to April 2019. Patients were predominantly 55 years old, white (53%) and overweight (BMI 30). Predicted perioperative adverse events were significantly higher than actual adverse events across all domains. 54/634 (8.5%) patients experienced postoperative urinary tract infection. C-statistic for return to operating room, renal failure, and readmission were 0.607 (95% C-statistic index [CI] 0.370-0.845), 0.882 (95% CI 0.802-0.962), 0.637 (95% CI 0.524-0.750) respectively. Brier scores approached one in all categorical domains.

CONCLUSION: The ACS surgical risk calculator holds the promise of predicting postoperative complications or length of stay for patients undergoing hysterectomy. Further adjustment to this tool is required before it can be advocated for use in the clinical setting.

PMID:34929052 | DOI:10.1002/ijgo.14075

Vet Ophthalmol. 2021 Dec 20. doi: 10.1111/vop.12966. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To establish tear film osmolarity (TFO) values in Pugs and Shih-Tzus, with and without keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS).

ANIMALS STUDIED: A total of 82 adult dogs were evaluated.

PROCEDURE: The inclusion criteria for the healthy group was a Schirmer tear test (STT-1) ≥15 mm/min with no clinical signs of KCS, whereas those with KCS had clinical signs and a STT-1 ≤10 mm/min. All animals underwent complete ophthalmological evaluation prior to STT-1 and TFO. Student’s t tests were used to compare STT-1 and TFO in KCS and healthy eyes as well as possible differences in TFO between breeds. In addition, a linear regression to model the relationship between the two variables (STT-1 and TFO) was performed. A P-value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: STT-1 results were significantly lower (p = 0.0001) in the KCS group (4.46 ± 1.74) compared with the control group (18.80 ± 2.02). Mean TFO results were significantly higher in the KCS group (353.02 ± 16.58 mOsm/L) (p < 0.0001) compared with the control group (315.27 ± 6.15 mOsm/L). The formula Y = 365.059-2.625 * X significantly predicts (p < 0.001) the value of the variable Y (TFO mOsm/L) as a function of the variable X (STT-1 mm/min), with a coefficient of determination of 0.71.

CONCLUSIONS: The results revealed differences in TFO and STT-1 between KCS and healthy dogs. Additionally, STT-1 and TFO values were correlated with the aim to use STT-1 values to predict TFO values in brachycephalic breeds.

PMID:34929058 | DOI:10.1111/vop.12966

Arch Clin Neuropsychol. 2021 Dec 20:acab093. doi: 10.1093/arclin/acab093. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the factor structure of the verbal paired-associates (VPA) subtest in the WMS-III using a theoretically driven model of semantic processing previously found to be well-fitting for the WMS-IV version of the test.

METHOD: Archival data were used from 267 heterogeneous neurosciences patients and 223 seizure disorder patients who completed the WMS-III as part of a standard neuropsychological evaluation. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test theoretically driven models for VPA based on principles of semantic processing. Four nested models of different complexities were examined and compared for goodness-of-fit using chi-squared difference testing. Measurement invariance testing was conducted across heterogeneous neuroscience and seizure disorder samples to test generality of the factor model.

RESULTS: After removing items with limited variability (very easy or very hard; 12 of 40 items), a four-factor model was found to be best-fitting in the present patient samples. The four factors were “recreational”, “functional”, “material”, and “symbolic”, each representing semantic knowledge associated with the function of the target word referent. This model subsequently met the criteria for the strict measurement invariance, showing good overall fit when factor loadings, thresholds, and residuals were held to equality across samples.

CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study provide further evidence that “arbitrary” associations between word pairs in VPA items have an underlying semantic structure, challenging the idea that unrelated hard-pairs are semantic-free. These results suggest that a semantic-structure model may be implemented as an alternative scoring in future editions of the WMS to facilitate interpretation.

PMID:34929041 | DOI:10.1093/arclin/acab093