Tag: nevin manimala

Bull Math Biol. 2024 Nov 26;87(1):5. doi: 10.1007/s11538-024-01366-1.

ABSTRACT

The genome galaxy identified in bacteria is studied by expressing the reading frame retrieval (RFR) function according to the YZ-content (GC-, AG- and GT-content) of bacterial codons. We have developed a simple probabilistic model for ambiguous sequences in order to show that the RFR function is a measure of the gene reading frame retrieval. Indeed, the RFR function increases with the ratio of ambiguous sequences and the ratio of ambiguous sequences decreases when the codon usage dispersion increases. The classical GC-content is the best parameter for characterizing the upper arm, which is related to bacterial genes with a low GC-content, and the lower arm, which is related to bacterial genes with a high GC-content. The galaxy center has a GC-content around 0.5. Then, these results are confirmed by expressing the GC-content of bacterial codons as a function of the codon usage dispersion. Finally, the bacterial genome galaxy is better described with the GC3-content in the 3rd codon site compared to the GC1-content and GC2-content in the 1st and 2nd codons sites, respectively. Whereas the codon usage is used extensively by biologists, its dispersion, which is an important parameter to reveal this genome galaxy, is surprisingly little known and unused. Therefore, we have developed a mathematical theory of codon usage dispersion by deriving several formulæ. It shows three important parameters in codon usage: the minimum and maximum codon probabilities and the number of codons with high frequency, i.e. with a probability at least 1/64. By applying this theory to the evolution of the genetic code, we see that bacteria have optimised the number of codons with high frequency to maximise the codon dispersion, thus maximising the capacity to retrieve the reading frame in genes. The derived formulæ of dispersion can be easily extended to any weighted code over a finite alphabet.

PMID:39589676 | DOI:10.1007/s11538-024-01366-1

EJNMMI Res. 2024 Nov 26;14(1):117. doi: 10.1186/s13550-024-01179-2.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) analysis relies on qualitative visual assessment or semi-quantitative measures like total perfusion deficit that play a critical role in the non-invasive diagnosis of coronary artery disease by assessing regional blood flow abnormalities. Recently, machine learning (ML) -based analysis of SPECT images for coronary artery disease diagnosis has shown promise, with its utility in predicting long-term patient outcomes (prognosis) remaining an active area of investigation. In this review, we comprehensively examine the current landscape of ML-based analysis of SPECT imaging with an emphasis on prognostication of coronary artery disease.

MAIN BODY: Our systematic search yielded twelve retrospective studies, investigating SPECT-based ML models for prognostic prediction in coronary artery disease patients, with a total sample size of 73,023 individuals. Several of these studies demonstrate the superior prognostic capabilities of ML models over traditional logistic regression (LR) models and total perfusion deficit, especially when incorporating demographic data alongside SPECT imaging. Meta-analysis of 6 studies revealed promising performance of the included ML models, with sensitivity and specificity exceeding 65% for major adverse cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. Notably, the integration of demographic information with SPECT imaging in ML frameworks shows statistically significant improvements in prognostic performance.

CONCLUSION: Our review suggests that ML models either independently or in combination with demographic data enhance prognostic prediction in coronary artery disease.

PMID:39589669 | DOI:10.1186/s13550-024-01179-2

Sleep Breath. 2024 Nov 26;29(1):7. doi: 10.1007/s11325-024-03171-5.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study aims to examine the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) risk, as assessed by the STOP-Bang questionnaire, and couples’ self-rated health. It also investigates how sleep behaviors (snoring, daytime tiredness, and observed apnea) reported in the STOP-Bang items affect couples’ self-rated health.

METHODS: Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2019-2021) were analyzed, including 2,498 couples with complete STOP-Bang and self-rated health data. Logistic regression was used to explore these associations.

RESULTS: 59.2% of husbands and 11.0% of wives were at high risk for OSA. After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, comorbidities, and health behaviors, OSA risk and daytime tiredness were associated with poor self-rated health in both spouses (OR 1.52-3.38 in husbands, 2.23-2.63 in wives). After adjusting for these confounding factors and individual OSA risk, husbands whose wives reported snoring or daytime tiredness had higher odds of self-rated poor health (OR 2.69 [95% CI: 1.63-4.43] and 1.75 [95% CI: 1.25-2.45], respectively) compared to husbands whose wives did not report these behaviors. However, wives’ self-rated health was not significantly influenced by their husbands’ sleep behaviors. Additionally, the adjusted odds of self-rated poor health were 1.51 (95% CI: 1.06-2.16) in husbands if either partner had a high OSA risk, and 1.83 (95% CI: 1.15-2.90) in wives if both partners had a high OSA risk.

CONCLUSION: Husbands’ self-rated poor health is associated with wives’ snoring and daytime tiredness. The presence of OSA in one or both partners was also associated with poorer perceived health in the couple.

PMID:39589644 | DOI:10.1007/s11325-024-03171-5

Vet Res Commun. 2024 Nov 26;49(1):40. doi: 10.1007/s11259-024-10610-x.

ABSTRACT

The aim was to compare the outcomes acquired from the OSA-Vet^® device with conventional quantitative and qualitative tear tests and between groups within each test, in brachycephalic dogs both healthy and those diagnosed with keratoconjunctivitis sicca. The dogs were divided into four groups: healthy dogs (HD), with mild KCS (MIKCS); moderate KCS (MOKCS); severe KCS (SKCS). All patients underwent ocular surface diagnostic examination in the following order, with a 10-minute interval between tests: non-invasive tear film breakup time (TBUTNI – OSA-Vet^®), tear meniscus height (TMH-OSA-Vet^®), meniscometry (I-Tear^® test), Schirmer Tear Test-1 (STT-1), and tear film breakup time (TBUT). Kruskal-Wallis H tests were performed to establish the difference between the groups and Spearman´s correlation coefficient test to assess the correlation between tests. And an analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey-Kramer post-hoc test was performed for TMH. Results with (p <.05) were considered statistically significant. The correlation of conventional tests in relation to those obtained by OSA-Vet^® proved to be low, except between TBUTNI (OSA-Vet^®) and TBUT in MOKCS, with a strong correlation (r =.925). In the comparison between TBUTNI (OSA-Vet^®) and TBUT in MIKCS the correlation was moderate (r =.547) as well as STT-1 and I-Tear^® test in MOKCS (r =.416). In the comparison between groups, the main result observed was a significant difference between all the KCS groups and HD, in the TBUT and TBUTNI (OSA-Vet^®) test. The OSA-Vet^® and conventional tests are useful for evaluating the ocular surface of brachycephalic dogs. However, the OSA-Vet^® does not correlate well with conventional standardized tests.

PMID:39589642 | DOI:10.1007/s11259-024-10610-x

Oral Radiol. 2024 Nov 26. doi: 10.1007/s11282-024-00789-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: The present radiographic study was conducted to assess the subject and tooth prevalence of dilaceration in a cohort of Tamil population aided by morphometric analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: After obtaining clearance from institutional human ethical clearance committee, 575 panoramic radiographs were retrieved. After exclusion of 233 radiographs based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 342 panoramic radiographs were included. The angulation was estimated on Angle Meter software and categorized into three classes as mild, moderate and extreme. The data were recorded on Microsoft Excel spreadsheet 2021, and descriptively analyzed using IBM SPSS software.

RESULTS: Of the 342 subjects, there were 172 males and 170 females (1.012M:1F). Overall mean age was 33.75 ± 13.86 years. 100/342 subjects showed dilaceration in one or more teeth yielding a subject prevalence of 29.24%. There was no statistically significant difference in age and gender between the individuals who showed dilaceration and those without. The tooth prevalence was 1.49% (150/10089). The mandibular third molars were the most commonly affected teeth. Further, 97/150 teeth were mildly dilacerated (64.67%), 34/150 teeth showed moderate dilaceration (22.67%) and extreme dilaceration was noted in 19 teeth (12.66%).

CONCLUSION: Within the limits of the present study, we reported morphometric analysis of dilacerated teeth from South Indian population after examination of permanent 10,089 teeth from 342 panoramic radiographs. Mandibular third molars were the most commonly affected teeth, which led us to speculate that dilaceration is a true developmental anomaly, unrelated to trauma or other external stimuli.

PMID:39589640 | DOI:10.1007/s11282-024-00789-9

Updates Surg. 2024 Nov 26. doi: 10.1007/s13304-024-02039-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Long-term survivors after pancreatic resection for PDAC are rare, constituting a specific subset of patients that remains poorly understood. The aim of this survey is to describe the current landscape related to survival in the Italian context and identify factors associated with long-term survival. An online survey, conducted by the Italian Society of Oncological Surgery (SICO) and endorsed by Italian Association of the Study of the Pancreas (AISP) and Italian Association of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery (AICEP), was distributed to surgeons in July 2023. The survey included 27 multiple-choice questions covering demographics, professional details, clinical practices, and long-term survival data. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression to identify factors related to long-term survival. The majority of surgeons (46.9%) considered LTS as “alive at 5 years, regardless of disease-free status”. The percentage of patients alive at 5 years post-2013 was higher compared to pre-2013. Almost all centers (93.2%) held multidisciplinary discussions. Very high-volume centers (> 100 resections/year) in comparison to very low-volume (< 10 resections/year) showed better long-term survival rates. No difference in survival were observed between centers with low, medium, high, and very high volumes. In addition, centers with multidisciplinary approach showed better survival rates. Centers with more neoadjuvant chemotherapy rates, low-grade and low-stage tumors were also associated with improved survival outcomes. This survey has allowed to understand the Italian scenario regarding survival in patients undergoing surgery for PDAC.

PMID:39589628 | DOI:10.1007/s13304-024-02039-3

Health Econ Rev. 2024 Nov 26;14(1):98. doi: 10.1186/s13561-024-00566-8.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The incomplete immunization has potentially exposed vulnerable children, especially from the socioeconomically disadvantage group, to vaccine preventable diseases. The schemes would maximize social benefit only when the immunization is effectively distributed on an equitable principle.

METHOD: The empirical study is based on unit level data from India’s National Sample Survey: “Social Consumption: Health Survey- NSS 75th Round (2017-18) database. The nationwide survey is designed on the stratified multi-stage sampling method with an objective to make the sample representative. The egalitarian equity principle requires that distribution of vaccine should be based on health needs of children, irrespective of their socioeconomic and regional factors and the principle is broadly based on two aspects – horizontal and vertical equity. The horizontal inequity (HI) is a direct form of injustice, when children with equal needs of routine immunisation are treated differentially due to their socioeconomic status, while vertical inequity (VI) is indirect form of injustice when children with differential health needs and risks exposure do not receive appropriately unequal but equitable immunisation. Using Indirect Standardisation Method and Erreygers’ Corrected Concentration Index, we measure the degree of horizontal and vertical inequities, and then linearly decompose them to identify the major factors contributing towards the respective indices.

CONCLUSION: Our findings show that incomplete immunization is significantly concentrated among children belonging to poorer households. After controlling for the confounding effects of need factors, the inequity is still significantly pro-poor (i.e., horizontal inequity). The decomposition reveals that lower education, lower consumption and rural habitation are the major factors driving the corresponding inequity. Further, the differential effect of the needs between all and the target groups (at least based on education), is observed, however, is not statistically significant enough to realize inequity (i.e., no vertical inequity). Overall, the inequity is being induced via non-need factors. We further find that community health services (like anganwadi) have contributed towards reducing the inequity in child immunization significantly. The paper highlights the policy recommendation that the child immunisation program should target factors driving HI and need to align their distribution in terms of risks exposures.

PMID:39589599 | DOI:10.1186/s13561-024-00566-8

World J Urol. 2024 Nov 26;42(1):646. doi: 10.1007/s00345-024-05373-8.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To assess active surveillance (AS) adherence for prostate cancer (PCa) in a “real-world” clinical practice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We utilized our institutional database which was built by interrogating electronic medical records for all men who got diagnosed with PCa from 1995 to 2022. Our cohort included all patients aged < 76 years, with PCa Gleason Grade (GG) 1 or 2, ≤ cT2c, PSA ≤ 20 ng/ml at diagnosis, enrolled on AS, and with at least one biopsy after diagnosis. Patients were separated into two groups based on the monitoring intensity. Patients with at least 1 PSA/year and at least 1 biopsy every 4 years were categorized as adherent to guidelines. Univariable and Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to examine the impact of covariates on non-adherence to guidelines. Competing risks cumulative incidence was used to depict prostate cancer-specific mortality (PCSM).

RESULTS: A total of 546 men met the inclusion criteria. Overall, 63 (11%) patients were adherent to guidelines (Group 1), while 483 (89%) were not (Group 2). Median PSAs/year and median biopsies/year were 2.3 (2.0-2.7) and 0.4 (0.3-0.6) for Group 1, and 1.2 (0.7-1.8) and 0.2 (0.1-0.2) for Group 2, respectively (both p < 0.0001). At multivariable analysis, Black men had a 2.20-fold higher risk of being in Group 2 than White men (p < 0.05). Patients with cT2 (OR:0.24, CI:0.11-0.52) and those with CCI ≥2 (OR:0.40, CCI:0.19-0.82) were less likely to be in Group 2, when compared to cT1 stage and CCI = 0, respectively (both p < 0.05). At 10 years, the cumulative incidence estimate of PCSM for the entire cohort was 2.1%.

CONCLUSION: We found substantial deviations from AS monitoring guidelines, particularly in biopsy frequency, which did not seem to compromise PCSM in patients with stable PSA. Notably, our findings suggest that strict adherence to guidelines, especially in patients with cT2 at diagnosis, remains crucial.

PMID:39589591 | DOI:10.1007/s00345-024-05373-8

Aging Clin Exp Res. 2024 Nov 26;36(1):226. doi: 10.1007/s40520-024-02879-4.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Elevated blood pressure is a major risk factor for severe medical conditions. Adherence to antihypertensive medication, especially in free-dose combinations, poses a significant challenge. This study aims to develop a novel method for assessing co-exposure to free-dose antihypertensive medications using secondary data sources.

METHODS: A register-based cohort study was conducted on individuals aged 65 years or older in Denmark who initiated antihypertensive therapy from 1996 to 2016 and followed for 730 days from the index date. A new method was developed to assess co-exposure to antihypertensive medications through redeemed prescriptions, treatment episodes, and overlapping medication events. The method’s accuracy was evaluated using a random sample of 400 individuals.

RESULTS: A total of 1,021,819 individuals were included in the study, with a mean age of 68.8 years, and 53.7% were women. The method achieved 100% accuracy in identifying co-exposure periods. During the early stage of the follow-up (0-180 days), 54.1% of individuals were co-exposed to at least two antihypertensive medications, while 37.5% were co-exposed during the late stage of the follow-up period (181-730 days). The most frequent antihypertensive combinations included bendroflumethiazide and potassium with either amlodipine or enalapril in the early (13.2% and 12.5% of patients, respectively) and late stages (16.9% and 15.0% of patients, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: The newly developed method effectively assesses co-exposure to antihypertensive medications, overcoming previous limitations. The findings reveal common co-exposure combinations and evolving trends in antihypertensive medication use among older individuals, reflecting changes in clinical practice and guidelines over two decades.

PMID:39589584 | DOI:10.1007/s40520-024-02879-4

Langenbecks Arch Surg. 2024 Nov 26;409(1):359. doi: 10.1007/s00423-024-03547-x.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Resection margin status is the important prognostic factor in resected perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA). Although the impact of ductal margin (DM) was reported in many studies, the influence of radial margin (RM) is unclear. This study aims to investigate the effect of positive RM on survival.

METHODS: Patients with pCCA underwent curative resection between 2013 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Resection margin status was divided into negative resection margin (R0) and positive resection margin (R1); positive RM alone (RM+) and positive DM with or without positive RM (DM+).

RESULTS: Of the 167 pCCA patients, 62 (37.1%) had R1 margin. Among 62 R1 patients; 17 (27.4%) had positive DM alone, 20 (32.3%) had positive RM alone and 25 (40.3%) had both positive DM and RM. The R1 patients had a significantly greater number of lymph node metastasis (LNM) and advanced tumor staging than R0 patients, however there was no difference between the RM + and DM + patients. The median survival time of patients with RM + was significantly poorer than R0 patients (13.8 vs. 24.5 months; p < 0.001, respectively) and similar to the DM + patients (9.1 months, p = 0.556). However, in patients with LNM, those who underwent R0 resection had no statistically significant difference in survival outcomes compared to those with R1 resection.

CONCLUSION: Positive resection margin remains the important prognostic factor, and positive RM is common in these patients. Positive RM also had a comparable effect on survival as positive DM. As a result, in pCCA, surgical resection should target both RM and DM.

PMID:39589565 | DOI:10.1007/s00423-024-03547-x