Tag: pubmed

Ophthalmol Retina. 2023 May 20:S2468-6530(23)00223-3. doi: 10.1016/j.oret.2023.05.012. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To assess the risk of retinal displacement following scleral buckle (SB) versus pars plana vitrectomy with scleral buckle (PPV-SB).

DESIGN: Multi-center prospective non-randomized clinical trial.

METHODS: The study took place at VitreoRetinal Surgery in Minneapolis, USA; Sankara Nethralaya in Chennai, India and St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, Canada from July 2019 to February 2022. Patients who underwent successful SB or PPV-SB for fovea-involving rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) with gradable post-operative fundus autofluorescence (FAF) imaging were included in the final analysis. Two masked graders assessed FAF images 3-months post-operatively. Metamorphopsia and aniseikonia were assessed with MCHARTs and the New Aniseikonia Test, respectively. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with retinal displacement detected with retinal vessel printings (RVPs) on FAF in SB vs PPV-SB.

RESULTS: Ninety-one eyes were included in this study of which 46.2%(42/91) had SB and 53.8%(49/91) underwent PPV-SB. At 3-months post-operatively, 16.7%(7/42) in the SB group and 38.8%(19/49) in the PPV-SB group had evidence of retinal displacement (difference=22.1%;odds ratio=3.2,95%CI=1.2-8.6;p=0.02) on FAF. The statistical significance of this association increased after adjustment for extent of retinal detachment, baseline logMAR, lens status, and gender in a multivariate regression analysis (p=0.01). Retinal displacement was detected in 22.5%(6/27) of patients in the SB group with external subretinal fluid drainage and 6.7%(1/15) of patients without external drainage (difference=15.8%,odds ratio=4.0,95%CI=0.4-36.9;p=0.19). Mean vertical metamorphopsia, horizontal metamorphopsia and aniseikonia were similar between patients in the SB and PPV-SB groups. There was a trend to worse horizontal metamorphopsia in patients with retinal displacement vs those without retinal displacement (p=0.067).

CONCLUSIONS: SB, is associated with less retinal displacement compared to PPV-SB, indicating that traditional PPV techniques cause retinal displacement. There is a trend towards increased risk of retinal displacement in SB eyes that underwent external drainage compared to SB eyes without drainage which is consistent with our understanding, that the iatrogenic movement of subretinal fluid, such as that which occurs intraoperatively during external drainage with SB, may induce retinal stretch and displacement if the retina is then fixed in the stretched position. There was a trend to worse horizontal metamorphopsia at 3-months in patients with retinal displacement.

PMID:37217137 | DOI:10.1016/j.oret.2023.05.012

Rev Esp Cardiol (Engl Ed). 2023 May 20:S1885-5857(23)00139-1. doi: 10.1016/j.rec.2023.05.002. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: We aimed to describe the clinical outcomes of the use of the CentriMag acute circulatory support system as a bridge to emergency heart transplantation (HTx).

METHODS: We conducted a descriptive analysis of the clinical outcomes of consecutive HTx candidates included in a multicenter retrospective registry who were treated with the CentriMag device, configured either for left ventricular support (LVS) or biventricular support (BVS). All patients were listed for high-priority HTx. The study assessed the period 2010 to 2020 and involved 16 transplant centers around Spain. We excluded patients treated with isolated right ventricular support or venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation without LVS. The primary endpoint was 1-year post-HTx survival.

RESULTS: The study population comprised 213 emergency HTx candidates bridged on CentriMag LVS and 145 on CentriMag BVS. Overall, 303 (84.6%) patients received a transplant and 53 (14.8%) died without having an organ donor during the index hospitalization. Median time on the device was 15 days, with 66 (18.6%) patients being supported for > 30 days. One-year posttransplant survival was 77.6%. Univariable and multivariable analyses showed no statistically significant differences in pre- or post-HTx survival in patients managed with BVS vs LVS. Patients managed with BVS had higher rates of bleeding, need for transfusion, hemolysis and renal failure than patients managed with LVS, while the latter group showed a higher incidence of ischemic stroke.

CONCLUSIONS: In a setting of candidate prioritization with short waiting list times, bridging to HTx with the CentriMag system was feasible and resulted in acceptable on-support and posttransplant outcomes.

PMID:37217134 | DOI:10.1016/j.rec.2023.05.002

Environ Res. 2023 May 20:116209. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116209. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Bemisia tabaci Gennadius, also renowned as the silver leaf whitefly, is among the most damaging polyphagous insect pests in many commercially important crops and commodities. A set of field experiments were conducted for three consecutive years i.e., 2018-2020, to investigate the role of variations in rainfall, temperature, and relative humidity on the abundance of B. tabaci in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench). In the first experiment, the variety Arka Anamika was cultivated twice a year to analyse the incidence of B. tabaci concerning the prevailing weather factors and the overall pooled incidence recorded during the dry and wet season was 1.34 ± 0.51 to 20.03 ± 1.42 and 2.26 ± 1.08 to 18.3 ± 1.96, respectively. Similarly, it was observed that the highest number of B. tabaci catch (19.51 ± 1.64 whiteflies/3 leaves) was recorded in morning hours between 08:31 to 09:30 a.m. The Yellow Vein Mosaic Disease (YVMD) is a devastating disease of okra caused by begomovirus, for which B. tabaci acts as a vector. In another experiment, screening was conducted to check the relative susceptibility of three different varieties viz., Arka Anamika, Pusa Sawani, and Parbhani Kranti against B. tabaci (incidence) and YVMD ((Percent Disease Incidence (PDI), Disease Severity Index (DSI), and Area Under the Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC)). The recorded data was normalized by standard transformation and subjected to ANOVA for population dynamics and PDI. Pearson’s rank correlation matrix and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) have been used to relate the influences of various weather conditions on distribution and abundance. SPSS and R software were used to create the regression model for predicting the population of B. tabaci. Late sown Pusa Sawani evolved as a highly susceptible variety in terms of B. tabaci (24.83 ± 6.79 adults/3leaves; mean ± SE; N = 10) as well as YVMD i.e., PDI (38.00 ± 4.95 infected plants/50plants), DSI (71.6-96.4% at 30 DAS) and AUDPC (mean β-value = 0.76; R² = 0.96) while early sown Parbhani Kranti least susceptible to both. However, the variety Arka Anamika was observed as moderately susceptible to B. tabaci and its resultant disease. Moreover, environmental factors were predominantly responsible for regulating the population of insect pests in the field and hence its productivity like rainfall and relative humidity were negative while the temperature was positively correlated with B. tabaci (incidence) and YVMD (AUDPC). The findings are helpful for the farmers to choose need-based IPM strategies than timing-based, which would fit perfectly with the present agro-ecosystems in all ways.

PMID:37217129 | DOI:10.1016/j.envres.2023.116209

Environ Res. 2023 May 20:116206. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116206. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Air pollution has been linked to adverse neonatal outcomes, mainly in the case of prolonged exposures. This study focuses on the short-term effects on maternal health. We conducted a retrospective ecological time-series study in the Madrid Region covering the period 2013-2018. The independent variables were mean daily concentrations of tropospheric ozone (O₃), particulate matter (PM₁₀/PM_2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), as well as noise levels. The dependent variables were daily emergency hospital admissions due to complications in pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium. Poisson generalised linear regression models were fitted to quantify the relative and attributable risks, controlling for trend, seasonality, the autoregressive nature of the series, and a number of meteorological factors. There were 318 069 emergency hospital admissions due to obstetric complications across the 2191 days of study. Of this total: 13 164 (95%CI: 9930-16 398) admissions were attributable to exposure to O₃, the only pollutant to show a statistically significant (p < 0.05) association with admissions due to hypertensive disorders; and 10 575 (95%CI: 3573-17 566) admissions were attributable to daytime noise levels, while admissions due to hyperemesis gravidarum and vomiting were related to exposure to night noise. Other pollutants which also displayed statistically significant associations were: NO₂ concentrations, with admissions due to vomiting and preterm labour; PM₁₀ concentrations, with premature rupture of membranes: and PM_2.5 concentrations, with total complications. Exposure to a range of air pollutants, and ozone in particular, is associated with a higher number of emergency hospital admissions due to gestational complications. Hence, surveillance of environmental effects on maternal health should be intensified, and plans and strategies to minimise these should be drawn up.

PMID:37217123 | DOI:10.1016/j.envres.2023.116206

Microb Pathog. 2023 May 20:106160. doi: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106160. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD), and its complicated form, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), have been associated with gut dysbiosis with specific signatures. Endogenous ethanol production by Klebsiella pneumoniae or yeasts has been identified as a potential physio-pathological mechanism. A species-specific association between Lactobacillus and obesity and metabolic diseases has been reported. In this study, the microbial composition of ten cases of NASH and ten controls was determined using v3v4 16S amplicon sequencing as well as quantitative PCR (qPCR). Using different statistical approaches, we found an association of Lactobacillus and Lactoccocus with NASH, and an association of Methanobrevibacter, Faecalibacterium and Romboutsia with controls. At the species level, Limosilactobacillus fermentum and Lactococcus lactis, two species producing ethanol, and Thomasclavelia ramosa, a species already associated with dysbiosis, were associated with NASH. Using qPCR, we observed a decreased frequency of Methanobrevibacter smithii and confirmed the high prevalence of L. fermentum in NASH samples (5/10), while all control samples were negative (p = 0.02). In contrast, Ligilactobacillus ruminis was associated with controls. This supports the critical importance of taxonomic resolution at the species level, notably with the recent taxonomic reclassification of the Lactobacillus genus. Our results point towards the potential instrumental role of ethanol-producing gut microbes in NASH patients, notably lactic acid bacteria, opening new avenues for prevention and treatment.

PMID:37217120 | DOI:10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106160

J Clin Epidemiol. 2023 May 20:S0895-4356(23)00124-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2023.05.011. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Preliminary studies play a key role in developing large-scale interventions but may be held to higher or lower scientific standards during the peer review process because of their preliminary study status.

STUDY DESIGN: Abstracts from five published obesity prevention preliminary studies were systematically modified to generate 16 variations of each abstract. Variations differed by four factors: sample size (n=20 vs. n=150), statistical significance (P<.05 vs. P>.05), study design (single group vs. randomized two group), and preliminary study status (presence/absence of pilot language). Using an online survey, behavioral scientists were provided with a randomly selected variation of each of the five abstracts and blinded to the existence of other variations. Respondents rated each abstract on aspects of study quality.

RESULTS: Behavioral scientists (n=271, 79.7% female, median age 34 years) completed 1,355 abstract ratings. Preliminary study status was not associated with perceived study quality. Statistically significant effects were rated as more scientifically significant, rigorous, innovative, clearly written, warranted further testing, and had more meaningful results. Randomized designs were rated as more rigorous, innovative, and meaningful.

CONCLUSION: Findings suggest reviewers place a greater value on statistically significant findings and randomized control design and may overlook other important study characteristics.

PMID:37217107 | DOI:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2023.05.011

Clin Imaging. 2023 May 18;100:54-59. doi: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2023.05.006. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The effect of iodinated contrast material (CM) temperature on injection pressures and viscosity has been well established. However, the effect of extrinsic warming of CM on allergic reactions and extravasations remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to compare the rates of allergic reactions and extravasations between warmed CM to room temperature CM.

METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive systematic search using PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases for all studies that assess the impact of warmed CM on adverse reactions. The primary outcomes of our study were allergic reaction and extravasation rates. We calculated weighted pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for all outcomes using the random-effects model. A P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. We conducted subgroup analyses based on the viscosity of the CM.

RESULTS: A total of five studies, including 307,329 CM injections (86,676 at room temperature and 220,653 warmed to 37 °C), were included in the analysis. For high viscosity CM, pre-warming was associated with significantly lower allergic reaction rates (OR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.49-0.72, P < 0.00001). There was no significant difference in rates of extravasation for high viscosity CM (OR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.20-1.43, P = 0.21).

DISCUSSION: Our meta-analysis suggests that warming CM to 37 °C is a safe and effective approach to reduce the risk of allergic reactions and physiologic reactions during injection of high-viscosity CM. However, there was no significant difference in extravasation rates between warmed and room temperature CM, regardless of viscosity.

PMID:37216743 | DOI:10.1016/j.clinimag.2023.05.006

Ticks Tick Borne Dis. 2023 May 20;14(5):102200. doi: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102200. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Ticks and tick-borne diseases cause significant loss in livestock production with about 80% world’s cattle at risk. The cost of chemical control is high and there is an ever-increasing tick resistance to chemical acaricides. Genetic selection as alternative long-term control strategy is constrained by laborious phenotyping using tick counts or scores. This study explored the use of host volatile semiochemicals that may be attractants or repellents to ticks as a phenotype for new tick resistance, with potential to be used as a proxy in selection programmes. Approximately 100 young cattle composed of Bos indicus and Bos taurus were artificially infested with 2,500 African blue tick, Rhipicephalus decoloratus larvae, with daily female tick (4.5 mm) counts taken from day 20 post-infestation. Volatile organic compounds were sampled from cattle before and after tick infestation by dynamic headspace collection, analysed by high-resolution gas chromatography (GC) and subjected to multivariate statistical analysis. Using 6-day repeated measure analysis, three pre-infestation GC peaks (BI938 – unknown, BI966 – 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one and BI995 – hexyl acetate) and one post-infestation GC peak (AI933 – benzaldehyde / (E)-2-heptenal) were associated with tick resistance (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05 respectively). The high correlation coefficients (r = 0.66) between repeated records with all volatile compounds support the potential predictive value for volatile compounds in selective breeding programmes for tick resistance in cattle.

PMID:37216729 | DOI:10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102200

Biomed Pharmacother. 2023 May 20;164:114913. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114913. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Hepatic steatosis is a common condition found in the liver of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients, contributing to more severe forms of liver disease. In addition, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may accelerate this process. Alternatively, several immune checkpoint proteins have been reported to be upregulated and correlated with disease progression during HCV and HIV infections. In steatosis, a detrimental immune system activation has been established; however, the role of the immune checkpoints has not been addressed so far. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the association between plasma immune checkpoint proteins at baseline (before antiviral therapy) with hepatic steatosis index (HSI) increase at the end of follow-up (∼ five years after sustained virologic response (SVR)). We performed a multicenter retrospective study in 62 patients coinfected with HIV/HCV who started antiviral therapy. Immune checkpoint proteins were analyzed at baseline using a Luminex 200TM analyzer. The statistical association analysis was carried out using Generalized Linear Models (GLM) and Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA). Fifty-three percent of the patients showed HSI increase from baseline to the end of follow-up. Higher immune checkpoint protein levels of BTLA, CD137(4-1BB), CD80, GITR, LAG-3, and PD-L1 before HCV therapy were associated with a long-term increase in HSI after successful HCV therapy, suggesting a potential predictive role for early detection of progression towards steatosis in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients.

PMID:37216704 | DOI:10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114913

Accid Anal Prev. 2023 May 20;188:107117. doi: 10.1016/j.aap.2023.107117. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Belt-positioning boosters (BPB) may prevent submarining in novel seating configurations such as seats with reclined seatbacks. However, several knowledge gaps in the motion of reclined child occupants remain as previous reclined child studies only examined responses of a child anthropomorphic test device (ATD) and the PIPER finite element (FE) model in frontal impacts. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of reclined seatback angles and two types of BPBs on the motion of child volunteer occupants in low-acceleration far-side lateral-oblique impacts. Six healthy children (3 males, 3 females, 6-8 years, seated height: 66±3.2 cm, weight: 25.2±3.2 kg) were seated on two types of low-back BPB (standard and lightweight) on a vehicle seat and restrained by a 3-point simulated-integrated seatbelt on a low-acceleration sled. The sled exposed the participants to a low-speed lateral-oblique (80° from frontal) pulse (2 g). Three seatback recline angles (25°, 45°, 60° from vertical) with two BPB (standard and lightweight) were tested. A 10-camera 3D-motion-capture system (Natural Point Inc.) was used to capture peak lateral head and trunk displacements and forward knee-head distance. Three seat-belt load cells (Denton ATD Inc) captured peak seatbelt loads. Electromyography (EMG, Delsys Inc) recorded muscle activation. Repeated Measure 2-way ANOVAs were performed to evaluate the effect of seatback recline angle and BPB on kinematics. Tukey’s post-hoc test for pairwise comparisons was used. P-level was set to 0.05. Peak lateral head and trunk displacement decreased with the increasing seatback recline angle (p < 0.005, p < 0.001, respectively). Lateral peak head displacement was greater in the 25° compared to the 60° condition (p < 0.002) and in the 45° condition compared to the 60° condition (p < 0.04). Lateral peak trunk displacement was greater in the 25° condition than the 45° condition (p < 0.009) and the 60° condition (p < 0.001), and in the 45° condition than the 60° condition (p < 0.03). Overall peak lateral head and trunk displacements and knee-head forward distance were slightly greater in the standard than the lightweight BPB (p < 0.04), however these differences between BPBs were small (∼10 mm). Shoulder belt peak load decreased as the reclined seatback angle increased (p < 0.03): the shoulder belt peak load was statistically greater in the 25° condition than the 60° condition (p < 0.02). Muscle activation from the neck, upper trunk, and lower legs showed great activation. Neck muscles activation increased with the increase in seatback recline angle. Thighs, upper arms, and abdominal muscles showed small activation and no effect of conditions. Child volunteers showed decreased displacement suggesting that reclined seatbacks placed the booster-seated children in a more favorable position within the shoulder belt in a low-acceleration lateral-oblique impact, compared to nominal seatback angles. BPB type seemed to minimally influence the children’s motion: the small differences found may have been due to the slight difference in heights between the two BPBs. Future research with more severe pulses is needed to better understand reclined children’s motion in far-side lateral-oblique impacts.

PMID:37216696 | DOI:10.1016/j.aap.2023.107117