Tag: pubmed

Rev Med Inst Mex Seguro Soc. 2023 Oct 2;61(Suppl 3):S429-S436. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.8319823.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Nowadays elderly live longer but with more diseases and geriatric syndromes which can deteriorate their quality of life (QoL). Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a renal replacement therapy which seeks to prolong an improve QoL; however, this is uncertain in elderly. Therefore, comparing QoL before and after starting dialysis in this population may let us know if there is a benefit at this level.

OBJECTIVE: Identify the QoL that patients have before and after PD.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Longitudinal, comparative, prospective cohort, before and after study. Elderly with End Stage Renal Disease in whom hospitalization for PD was indicated. QoL was measured the instrument KDQOL SF 1.3. before and after 2 months of PD. Statistical Analysis: T paired test was performed with the basal value of QoL and after. Risks with 95% confidence intervals and X2 were obtained between the basal characteristics and the dependent variable of QoL.

RESULTS: 21 patients. After 2 months the QoL had an increment in comparison to basal QoL, but with no statistical significance (63.47 [SD 16.63] Vs 56.83 [16.01], P= 0.22. In the 7th decade PD increased QoL by 13.01 points (P= 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS: PD increases QoL in the 7th decade.

PMID:37934898 | DOI:10.5281/zenodo.8319823

Ginekol Pol. 2023 Nov 7. doi: 10.5603/gpl.97186. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to compare the evaluation of cervical length measured by the Bishop score and transvaginal ultrasonography in determining the need for prostaglandin application for cervical ripening in term nulliparous pregnancies.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: In our study, a total of 120 patients who were admitted to our hospital between February 2015 and August 2015 were divided into two groups as cervical length group and Bishop score group according to hospitalization order by applying the Permuted Block Randomization method, which is one of the Restricted Randomization methods. Each patient included in the study was evaluated with both the Bishop score and transvaginal ultrasonography. Groups were compared according to the APGAR scores in the 1st and 5th minutes, transition within 12 hours, birthing within 24 hours, birthing with only dinoprostone, birthing with only oxytocin, duration of administration of dinoprostone, duration of oxytocin administration, type of birth, rate of cesarean section, and need for neonatal intensive care.

RESULTS: While cervical ripening with dinoprostone was applied to 28 (46.7%) of 60 pregnant women in the Bishop group, labor induction with oxytocin was applied to the remaining 32 (53.3%) pregnant women. In the cervical length group, these values were 33 (55.0%) and 27 (45.0%), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between study groups in terms of the need for dinoprostone for cervical ripening (p = 0.361). Of those with a Bishop score of 4 or below, 78.6% (n = 22) had a cervical length of over 28 mm, and 71.4% (n = 20) needed oxytocin. Of those with a Bishop score above 4, none of them had a cervical length greater than 28 mm. A statistically significant difference was found between those with a Bishop score of 4 or below and those above 4 in terms of cervical length (p < 0.05). Among those with a Bishop score of 4 or below, the percentage of those with a cervical length above 28 mm was significantly higher than that of those with a Bishop score above 4.

CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the delivery time of those with a cervical length of 28 mm and above was significantly higher than those with a cervical length of less than 28 mm, while the bishop score was significantly lower. In order to develop a more objective method that can replace the Bishop scoring system in determining the need for cervical ripening before labor induction, prospective randomized studies that screen larger numbers of patients are needed.

PMID:37934896 | DOI:10.5603/gpl.97186

Adv Mater. 2023 Nov 7:e2308843. doi: 10.1002/adma.202308843. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The practical implementation of memristors in neuromorphic computing and bio-mimetic sensing suffers from unexpected temporal and spatial variations due to the stochastic formation and rupture of conductive filaments (CFs). Here, we patterned the bio-compatible silk fibroin (SF) with an on-demand nanocone array by using thermal scanning probe lithography (t-SPL) to guide and confine the growth of CFs in the Silver/Silk Fibroin/Gold (Ag/SF/Au) memristor. Benefiting from the high fabrication controllability, cycle-to-cycle (temporal) standard deviation of the set voltage for the structured memristor has been significantly reduced by ∼95.5% (from 1.535 V to 0.0686 V) and the device-to-device (spatial) standard deviation has also been reduced to 0.0648 V. Besides, the statistical relationship between the structural nanocone design and the resultant performance was confirmed, optimizing at the small operation voltage (∼0.5 V) and current (100 nA), ultrafast switching speed (sub-100 ns), large on/off ratio (10⁴ ), and the smallest switching slope (SS < 0.01 mV/dec). Finally, the short-term plasticity and leaky integrated-and-fire behavior were emulated, and a reliable thermal nociceptor system was demonstrated for practical neuromorphic applications. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:37934889 | DOI:10.1002/adma.202308843

Rev Med Inst Mex Seguro Soc. 2023 Oct 2;61(Suppl 3):S422-S428. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.8319775.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) in women is a challenge for functional urology. In Mexico there are few data that report the prevalence of OTSV in women, being up to 24% in a group of patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to compare six different definitions of bladder outlet obstruction and evaluate the interobserver agreement in an educational setting.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Urodynamic studies (UDS) of women with and without diagnosis of BOO were retrospectively assesed. Farrar, Chassagne, Lemack, Defreitas, Blavais and Groutz, Solomon-Greenwell definitions were evaluated. All UDS were independently reviewed by 5 observers. The easiest, the hardest and the fastest were chosen. Interobserver agreement to classify the patients as obstructed was assessed by kappa reliability statistical analysis. We classified the type of mistakes the participants made; error of interpretation and miscalculation.

RESULTS: A total of 28 urodynamic studies were reviewed. All observers had a substantial agreement (0.64-0.78) to classify BOO using all but Lemack and Solomon-Greenwell definitions. A total 120 errors from 840 responses were found; 45.8% errors of interpretation of UDS and 54.1% miscalculation of the equation. Finally, all the participants chose the Solomon-Greenwell was the most difficult definition.

CONCLUSION: Chassagne, Defreitas and Farrar definitions proved substantial interobserver agreement. Solomon-Greenwell and Lemack´s definitions had the highest number of pitfalls and the lowest level of agreement.

PMID:37934876 | DOI:10.5281/zenodo.8319775

Expert Rev Anticancer Ther. 2023 Nov 7. doi: 10.1080/14737140.2023.2280643. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of circulating long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in colorectal cancer (CRC), focusing on their associations with disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and clinicopathological features.

METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in databases (Embase, Web of Science, PubMed, and Cochrane Library) up to July 2022 to identify studies investigating the prognostic value of circulating lncRNAs in CRC. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Statistical analysis was performed with Review Manager 5.4 and Stata 17.0. Publication bias was assessed using Begg’s test, and sensitivity analysis was conducted to validate the meta-analysis results.

RESULTS: Ten articles, comprising 1,473 CRC patients and 18 different circulating lncRNAs, were included. Thirteen circulating lncRNAs were found to be up-regulated in CRC patients, while five were down-regulated. High expression of circulating lncRNAs up-regulated in CRC patients was associated with shorter CRC OS (HR = 2.91, 95% CI: 1.17, 7.22; P = 0.02, I2 = 86%). Conversely, high expression of circulating lncRNAs down-regulated in CRC patients was linked to longer CRC OS (HR = 0.16, 95% CI: 0.07, 0.40; P < 0.0001, I2 = 0%) and improved DFS (HR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.37, 0.74; P = 0.0002, I2 = 0%). Additionally, circulating lncRNA levels correlated with TNM staging, tumor location, and lymph node metastasis.

CONCLUSION: Circulating lncRNAs show promise as prognostic markers for CRC patients. However, further studies are warranted to validate these findings, given the limited number and representativeness of articles included in this study.

PMID:37934874 | DOI:10.1080/14737140.2023.2280643

Am J Nurs. 2023 Nov 6;Published Ahead of Print. doi: 10.1097/01.NAJ.0000996556.74490.80. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Nurse suicide is an alarming issue that remains largely underexplored and underaddressed. Moreover, rates of suicide among nurses, which are higher than those in the general population, may increase due to additional stressors caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a decided lack of data regarding nurse suicide or the efficacy of evidence-based prevention programs. This article examines the state of nurse suicide and explores the latest statistics on nurse suicide rates; contributing factors to nurse suicide; and current suicide prevention programs, such as the Critical Incident Stress Management and Healer Education Assessment and Referral programs.

PMID:37934871 | DOI:10.1097/01.NAJ.0000996556.74490.80

J Air Waste Manag Assoc. 2023 Nov 7. doi: 10.1080/10962247.2023.2279169. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The Canadian Federal Government promulgated new and lower NO₂ Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS) that went into effect in 2020 with additional decreases scheduled for 2025. The new hourly and annual NO₂ CAAQS are 60 and 17 ppb, respectively, and the 2025 hourly and annual CAAQS are 42 and 12 ppb, respectively. The province of Alberta has also promulgated Ambient Air Quality Objectives (AAAQO) for NO₂ currently set to 159 and 24 ppb on an hourly and annual basis, respectively. The Wood Buffalo Environmental Association (WBEA) in northeastern Alberta, Canada monitors NO₂ at 21 community and industrial sites throughout the Alberta Oil Sands Region (AOSR), for regulatory compliance using Thermo-Environmental (TEI) Model 42i Federal Reference Method (FRM) designated NO-NO₂-NOx analyzers. The 42i measures NO directly via NO-O₃ chemiluminescence, and NOx following the reduction of oxidized nitrogen to NO by a heated internal molybdenum converter. The difference between the NOx and NO channels is reported as NO₂. This study presents the results of a three year (2018-2021) WBEA comparison of four continuous NO₂ analyzers: TEI 42i FRM; the API Model T500U cavity attenuated phase shift (CAPS) Federal Equivalent Method (FEM); a total reactive odd nitrogen analyzer (TEI Model 42i-Y); and a TEI 42i equipped with an external photolytic converter. The study showed that NO₂ data from all analyzers were highly correlated and in general agreement, with r² values (versus the CAPS) ranging from 0.990 – 0.997 and slopes ranging from 0.933 – 0.992. Mean NO₂ concentrations over the study period ranged from 7.2-7.5 ppb. Differences between the TEI 42i, TEI 42i-Y, PhoNO, relative to the CAPS were all positive and highly significant (p < 0.0001), based upon non-parametric tests. The potential impact from the selection of different FRM/FEM measurement methods on current and future Canadian 2025 regulatory compliance in the region is evaluated.

PMID:37934868 | DOI:10.1080/10962247.2023.2279169

J Air Waste Manag Assoc. 2023 Nov 7. doi: 10.1080/10962247.2023.2279733. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Air pollution can have deleterious impacts on human health and the environment. Historically, air pollution studies have focused more on cities. However, it is also important to consider the impact on large suburban populations living closer to the major cities. In this study, nitrogen oxides (nitrogen dioxide and nitric oxide), sulfur dioxide, ozone, and ammonia concentrations were measured from fifteen sites in the Greater Philadelphia area, Pennsylvania, USA using Ogawa passive samplers from September 2021 to May 2022. The fall season had the highest mean NOx concentrations (11.03 ± 4.51 ppb) and spring had the highest mean O₃ concentration (18.65 ± 6.71 ppb) compared to other seasons. NOx concentrations were higher at suburban (30.43 ± 33.79 ppb) and urban sites (22.49 ± 12.54 ppb) compared to semi-rural sites (11.08 ± 9.20 ppb). SO₂ was not detected in most of the measurements. The positive statistically significant correlation between NO and NH₃ in urban (R² = 0.33, p-value <0.05) and suburban sites (R² = 0.37, p-value <0.05) during winter and spring suggests a high attribution of traffic emissions to NH₃ at urban and suburban sites. Influence of traffic emissions on air pollutant values for the study region is also supported by similar NOx concentrations between suburban and urban sites as well as decreasing NO₂/NOx ratios with increased distance from expressways. This study shows that passive sampling can be effectively used for assessing spatial and seasonal variations in air pollutants within an area of diverse land use.

PMID:37934867 | DOI:10.1080/10962247.2023.2279733

Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech. 2023 Oct 23. doi: 10.1097/SLE.0000000000001235. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Obesity is one of the most important risk factors for complications after ventral hernia repair (VHR), and minimally invasive (MIS) techniques are preferred in obese patients as they minimize wound complications. It is common practice to attempt weight loss to achieve a specific body mass index (BMI) goal; however, patients are often unable to reach it and fail to become surgical candidates. Therefore, we aim to perform a meta-analysis of studies comparing outcomes of obese and nonobese patients undergoing laparoscopic or robotic VHR.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A literature search of PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases was performed to identify studies comparing obese and nonobese patients undergoing MIS VHR. Postoperative outcomes were assessed by means of pooled analysis and meta-analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4. Heterogeneity was assessed with I2 statistics.

RESULTS: A total of 6483 studies were screened and 26 were thoroughly reviewed. Eleven studies and 3199 patients were included in the meta-analysis. BMI >40 kg/m2 cutoff analysis included 5 studies and 1533 patients; no differences in hernia recurrence [odds ratios (OR): 1.64; 95% CI: 0.57-4.68; P = 0.36; I2 = 47%), seroma, hematoma, and surgical site infection (SSI) rates were noted. BMI >35 kg/m2 cutoff analysis included 5 studies and 1403 patients; no differences in hernia recurrence (OR: 1.24; 95% CI: 0.71-2.16; P = 0.58; I2 = 0%), seroma, hematoma, and SSI rates were noted. BMI >30 kg/m2 cutoff analysis included 4 studies and 385 patients; no differences in hernia recurrence (OR: 2.07; 95% CI: 0.5-8.54; P = 0.32; I2 = 0%), seroma, hematoma, and SSI rates were noted.

CONCLUSION: Patients with high BMI undergoing MIS VHR have similar hernia recurrence, seroma, hematoma, and SSI rates compared with patients with lower BMI. Further prospective studies with long-term follow-up and patient-reported outcomes are required to establish optimal management in obese patients undergoing VHR.

PMID:37934831 | DOI:10.1097/SLE.0000000000001235

Nicotine Tob Res. 2023 Nov 2:ntad218. doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntad218. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Blinding participants to randomization is a cornerstone of science. However, participant beliefs about their allocation can influence outcomes. We examined blind integrity, the association between trial arm belief and cessation, and potential mechanisms linking treatment arm and treatment arm belief among people with major depressive disorder (MDD) who smoke receiving varenicline in a placebo-controlled trial.

METHODS: 175 participants were asked at the end of treatment (EOT) if they thought they received placebo, varenicline, or were not sure. We assessed the relationship between treatment arm belief and actual treatment allocation, examined the association between treatment arm belief and EOT cessation, and evaluated changes in craving, withdrawal, side effects, depression symptoms, and smoking reward as mediators through which treatment arm was believed.

RESULTS: Treatment arm belief was significantly associated with actual arm assignment (χ2(2)=13.0, p=0.002). Participants in the varenicline arm were >3 times as likely to believe they were taking varenicline, vs. “not sure” (RR=3.05 [1.41-6.60], p=0.005). Participants in the placebo arm were just as likely to believe they were taking placebo vs. “not sure” (χ2[2]=0.75, p=0.69). Controlling for treatment arm, belief that one received varenicline was significantly associated with an increase in cessation rate (OR=5.91 [2.06-16.92], p=0.001). Change in the rewarding experience of smoking may mediate participant ability to discern getting varenicline B=0.077 [0.002-0.192], p <0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Participants receiving varenicline can discern that they received varenicline and this belief is associated with higher cessation rates. Research is needed to continue to examine how participants correctly identify their allocation to varenicline.

PMID:37934573 | DOI:10.1093/ntr/ntad218