Tag: pubmed

Brief Funct Genomics. 2023 May 8:elad016. doi: 10.1093/bfgp/elad016. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are essential for post-transcriptional gene regulation in eukaryotes, including splicing control, mRNA transport and decay. Thus, accurate identification of RBPs is important to understand gene expression and regulation of cell state. In order to detect RBPs, a number of computational models have been developed. These methods made use of datasets from several eukaryotic species, specifically from mice and humans. Although some models have been tested on Arabidopsis, these techniques fall short of correctly identifying RBPs for other plant species. Therefore, the development of a powerful computational model for identifying plant-specific RBPs is needed. In this study, we presented a novel computational model for locating RBPs in plants. Five deep learning models and ten shallow learning algorithms were utilized for prediction with 20 sequence-derived and 20 evolutionary feature sets. The highest repeated five-fold cross-validation accuracy, 91.24% AU-ROC and 91.91% AU-PRC, was achieved by light gradient boosting machine. While evaluated using an independent dataset, the developed approach achieved 94.00% AU-ROC and 94.50% AU-PRC. The proposed model achieved significantly higher accuracy for predicting plant-specific RBPs as compared to the currently available state-of-art RBP prediction models. Despite the fact that certain models have already been trained and assessed on the model organism Arabidopsis, this is the first comprehensive computer model for the discovery of plant-specific RBPs. The web server RBPLight was also developed, which is publicly accessible at https://iasri-sg.icar.gov.in/rbplight/, for the convenience of researchers to identify RBPs in plants.

PMID:37158175 | DOI:10.1093/bfgp/elad016

Climacteric. 2023 May 9:1-7. doi: 10.1080/13697137.2023.2202810. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine changes over a 10-year period in experiencing climacteric symptoms and their associations with sociodemographic and health-related background factors in a birth cohort of Finnish women who have never used menopausal hormone therapy (MHT).

METHODS: This nationwide population-based follow-up study consists of 1491 women who during the follow-up period moved from the age group 42-46 years to the age group 52-56 years. The experience of climacteric symptoms was assessed by 12 symptoms commonly associated with the climacterium. The data were analyzed using statistical techniques.

RESULTS: Both the intensity, expressed as a symptom score of four symptoms associated with a decrease in estrogen production (sweating, hot flushes, vaginal dryness, sleeping problems), and the prevalence of the five most common symptoms (sweating, hot flushes, sleeping problems, lack of sexual desire, depressive symptoms) increased clearly during the follow-up period. The examined sociodemographic and health-related variables did not explain the changes in experiencing the symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study can be considered in primary and occupational health care and in gynecological settings when working with symptomatic women or women with hidden climacteric problems and carrying out health promotion and counseling for them.

PMID:37158148 | DOI:10.1080/13697137.2023.2202810

Int J Surg. 2023 May 10. doi: 10.1097/JS9.0000000000000447. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: A pilonidal sinus (PS) is an acquired disease resulting from recurrent infections and chronic inflammation. A PS involving the sacrococcyx is referred to as a sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus (SPS). An SPS is a rare chronic infectious disease for which surgery is a good choice. The incidence of SPS has gradually increased worldwide in recent years. However, surgeons have not reached a consensus on the preferred surgical approach for SPS. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to analyze differences in the efficacy of different surgical approaches for the treatment of SPS.

METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in the PubMed database covering the period from January 1, 2003, to February 28, 2023. The primary outcome parameters were recurrence and infection. Finally, statistical analysis (meta-analysis) was carried out using RevMan 5.4.1 software. In addition, we systematically reviewed the latest progress in the surgical treatment of SPS over the past 20 years, especially as reported in the past 3 years.

RESULTS: Twenty-seven articles, 54 studies, and 3,612 participants were included in this meta-analysis. The recurrence rate following the midline closure (MC) technique was much higher than that of other techniques. Among the techniques analyzed, the differences between MC and Limberg flap (LF), and between MC and marsupialization (MA) were statistically significant (P=0.0002, RR=6.15, 95% CI 2.40, 15.80; P=0.01, RR=12.70, 95% CI 1.70, 95.06). The recurrence rate of open healing (OH) was higher than that of the Karydakis flap (KF) technique, and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.02, RR=6.04, 95% CI 1.37, 26.55). Most of the results comparing MC with other techniques suggested that the former had a higher infection rate, and the difference between MC and LF was statistically significant (P=0.0005, RR=4.14, 95% CI 1.86, 9.23). Comparison between KF and LF, Modified Limberg flap (MLF) and KF showed that the differences were not statistically significant in terms of recurrence and infection (P≥0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: There are various surgical treatment options for SPS, including incision and drainage, excision of diseased tissue with primary closure and secondary healing, and minimally-invasive surgery. It is still not possible to determine which surgical technique should be considered the gold standard for treatment, as even the results of different researchers using the same operation method are conflicting. But what is certain is that the midline closure technique has a much higher incidence of postoperative recurrence and infection than other techniques. Therefore, the anorectal surgeon should formulate the most suitable individualized plan for the patient based on a comprehensive evaluation of the patient’s wishes, appearance of the SPS, and the professional ability of the surgeon.

PMID:37158142 | DOI:10.1097/JS9.0000000000000447

Clin Exp Dent Res. 2023 May 9. doi: 10.1002/cre2.748. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the effects of interferential current electrical stimulation (IFCS) on masticatory and swallowing function.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty healthy young adults were enrolled. The measurement items were spontaneous swallowing frequency (SSF), voluntary swallowing frequency (VSF), saliva secretion volume (SSV), glucose elution volume (GEV), and velocity of chew (VOC). All participants underwent both IFCS and sham stimulation (without stimulation, sham). Two sets of independent IFCS electrodes were placed on the bilateral neck. The precise location of the upper electrodes was just below the angle of the mandible, while the lower electrodes were placed at the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. The intensity of IFCS was determined to be one level below the perceptual threshold that all participants felt discomfort. Statistical analysis was performed using a two-way repeated measures analysis of variance.

RESULTS: For IFCS, the results of each measurement before and during stimulation were SSF: 1.16 and 1.46, VSF: 8.05 and 8.45, SSV: 5.33 and 5.56 g, GEV: 171.75 and 208.60 mg/dL, and VOC: 87.20 and 95.20, respectively. SSF, GEV, and VOC during stimulation were significantly increased by IFCS (SSF, p = .009; GEV, p = .048; and VOC, p = .007). Following sham stimulation, the results were SSF: 1.24 and 1.34, VSF: 7.75 and 7.90, SSV: 5.65 and 6.04 g, GEV: 176.45 and 187.35 mg/dL, and VOC: 91.35 and 88.25, respectively.

CONCLUSION: While no significant differences were observed in the sham group, our findings suggest that IFCS of the superior laryngeal nerve may impact not only the swallowing function but also the masticatory function.

PMID:37158140 | DOI:10.1002/cre2.748

Stat Med. 2023 May 9. doi: 10.1002/sim.9766. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Longitudinal outcomes are prevalent in clinical studies, where the presence of missing data may make the statistical learning of individualized treatment rules (ITRs) a much more challenging task. We analyzed a longitudinal calcium supplementation trial in the ELEMENT Project and established a novel ITR to reduce the risk of adverse outcomes of lead exposure on child growth and development. Lead exposure, particularly in the form of in utero exposure, can seriously impair children’s health, especially their cognitive and neurobehavioral development, which necessitates clinical interventions such as calcium supplementation intake during pregnancy. Using the longitudinal outcomes from a randomized clinical trial of calcium supplementation, we developed a new ITR for daily calcium intake during pregnancy to mitigate persistent lead exposure in children at age 3 years. To overcome the technical challenges posed by missing data, we illustrate a new learning approach, termed longitudinal self-learning (LS-learning), that utilizes longitudinal measurements of child’s blood lead concentration in the derivation of ITR. Our LS-learning method relies on a temporally weighted self-learning paradigm to synergize serially correlated training data sources. The resulting ITR is the first of this kind in precision nutrition that will contribute to the reduction of expected blood lead concentration in children aged 0-3 years should this ITR be implemented to the entire study population of pregnant women.

PMID:37158137 | DOI:10.1002/sim.9766

Anat Rec (Hoboken). 2023 Jun;306(6):1411-1430. doi: 10.1002/ar.25054. Epub 2022 Aug 19.

ABSTRACT

The abundant record of marine turtles from the Late Cretaceous of Appalachia contrasts with the relatively poor record of contemporaneous terrestrial and freshwater species. A new taxon from the Santonian-Campanian of Alabama, Appalachemys ebersolei gen. et sp. nov., is described here and assigned to a grade of freshwater turtles known as “macrobaenids.” Appalachemys can be differentiated from other “macrobaenids” by the presence of a nearly round carapace, deep nuchal emargination, and nine pairs of costals. With a carapace more than 80 cm in length, Appalachemys is among the largest freshwater turtles to ever inhabit North America. The absence of pre-Campanian “macrobaenids” from Laramidia indicates that the North American distribution of this grade may have been restricted to Appalachia prior to the recession of the Western Interior Seaway. Phylogenetic analysis places Appalachemys as the sister taxon to all post-Santonian “macrobaenids.” Although the phylogeny lacks statistical support, it demonstrates morphological similarities between the K/Pg boundary species Osteopygis emarginatus and Maastrichtian-Danian species referred to Judithemys. We, therefore, refer all but the Campanian type species of Judithemys to the genus Osteopygis. A review of all North American “macrobaenid” occurrences reveals that despite originating in Asia, the record of the grade (as defined here) is predominantly North American. Future studies can test whether late Paleocene records in Asia and Europe resulted from dispersal from North America.

PMID:37158131 | DOI:10.1002/ar.25054

Microsc Res Tech. 2023 May 9. doi: 10.1002/jemt.24339. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of different irrigation activation techniques on the dentin tubules penetration of two different sealers by confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM).

METHODS: A hundred premolar teeth were used in this study. The root canals were shaped and irrigated with 5% NaOCl and 17% EDTA using the following final irrigation activation techniques in each group; Group1: Conventional Syringe Irrigation (CSI), Group2: Passive Ultrasonic Irrigation (PUI), Group3: Apical Negative Pressure (EndoVac), Group4: Er:YAG laser and Group5: Er,Cr:YSGG laser. Then the teeth were separated two subgroups according to sealers (AH-Plus and Totalfill-BC). Horizontal sections were obtained at 2, 5, 8 mm distance of apex. Images were obtained with CLSM and the penetration areas of sealers were calculated with four different dentin tubule penetration assessment techniques. The data were statistically analyzed with Kruskal Wallis and Mann Whitney U tests.

RESULTS: No significant difference was observed between the sealers (p > .05). EndoVac, Er:YAG and Er,Cr:YSGG laser activation groups were observed to have a significantly higher mean penetration depth, penetration percentage and penetration area than the Control group. There was a significant difference between all regions in all penetration parameters (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS: While the use of resin or bioceramic-based root canal sealers did not affect dentin tubule penetration, the use of activation techniques positively affect the dentin tubule penetration. The average tubule penetration and penetration area assessment techniques are suitable methods for the investigation of dentinal tubule penetration.

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: It can be stated that the use of resin or bioceramic based root canal sealers does not affect dentin tubule penetration and the use of irrigation activation techniques during removal of the smear layer positively affects dentinal tubule penetration. In addition, it has been determined that the average tubule penetration and penetration area assessment techniques are suitable methods for the investigation of dentinal tubule penetration.

PMID:37158110 | DOI:10.1002/jemt.24339

J Am Heart Assoc. 2023 May 9:e026791. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.122.026791. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Background Hispanic populations are more likely to develop diabetes and its related diseases than non-Hispanic White populations. Little evidence exists to support whether the cardiovascular and renal benefits of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists are generalizable to the Hispanic populations. Methods and Results We included the cardiovascular and renal outcome trials (up to March 2021) that reported the major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), cardiovascular death/hospitalization for heart failure, and composite renal outcomes by ethnicity in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D), calculated pooled hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs using fixed-effects models, and tested the differences between Hispanic and non-Hispanic populations (P for interaction [P_interaction]). In 3 sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor trials, there was a statistically significant difference between Hispanic (HR, 0.70 [95% CI, 0.54-0.91]) and non-Hispanic (HR, 0.96 [95% CI, 0.86-1.07]) groups in treatment effects on MACE risk (P_interaction=0.03), except for risks of cardiovascular death/hospitalization for heart failure (P_interaction=0.46) and composite renal outcome (P_interaction=0.31). In 5 glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist trials, there was no statistically significant difference in treatment effect on MACE risk between Hispanic (HR, 0.82 [95% CI, 0.70-0.96]) and non-Hispanic (HR, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.84-1.00]) populations (P_interaction=0.22). In 3 dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor trials, the HR for MACE risk appeared greater in Hispanic (HR, 1.15 [95% CI, 0.98-1.35]) than non-Hispanic (HR, 0.96 [95% CI, 0.88-1.04]) populations (P_interaction=0.045). Conclusions Compared with non-Hispanic individuals, Hispanic individuals with T2D appeared to obtain a greater benefit of lowered MACE risk with sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors.

PMID:37158069 | DOI:10.1161/JAHA.122.026791

Inquiry. 2023 Jan-Dec;60:469580231172879. doi: 10.1177/00469580231172879.

ABSTRACT

No country is immune from intimate partner violence (IPV). The objectives of this study were to analyze the prevalence, correlates and trends of this global public health menace perpetrated by men against women using the most recent nationally representative Gambia Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) 2019-20; with analysis of levels and trends of IPV perpetrated by current/former husbands/partners from ever-married women, from GDHS conducted in 2013, at the 8 subnational regions. IPV association with 12 covariates entailing socio-demographic, experiential and attitudinal characteristics was analyzed in bivariate and multivariable models, using simple and multiple logistic regression. Physical, emotional, and sexual IPV was reported by 29.09%, 24.03%, and 5.52% respectively. While prevalence of having experienced any type of IPV was39.23%. Statistically significant association of IPV with various covariates computed in univariate analysis were used in the multivariable logistic regression model. Women’s and husband’s educational attainment, wealth status, having witnessed father physically beat mother, and marital control exhibited by the husband were statistically significantly associated with IPV, in the final model. Physical, emotional, and sexual IPV increased from 2023 to 2019-20 in all 8 regions, with the exception of sexual IPV in Kanifing region. However, not all these changes were not statistically significant. Physical and sexual IPV prevalence in Gambia was slightly lower compared with the African region. The disturbing finding of increase in all 3 types of violence in all regions-with one exception-paints a dire scenario that augurs the imperative of women empowerment and revisiting of cultural norms for protecting women.

PMID:37158058 | DOI:10.1177/00469580231172879

J Appl Res Intellect Disabil. 2023 May 9. doi: 10.1111/jar.13113. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Although autism is commonly described in terms of deficits, many autistic individuals have been found to demonstrate exceptional skills. The shift to a strengths-based approach in the field of autism necessitates increased understanding of these skills.

AIMS: This study examined (1) rates of exceptional skills in autistic school-age children as reported by parents and teachers, (2) associations between exceptional skills, autism severity and intellectual disability and (3) correlations between parent and teacher reports of exceptional skills.

METHOD: Parents and teachers of 76 children attending autism-specific schools in Australia completed online questionnaires. Thereafter, 35 parents and teachers who identified their child as having one or more exceptional skills were interviewed by a clinical psychologist.

RESULTS: Forty parents (53%) and 16 (21%) teachers reported that their child had at least one exceptional skill (agreement between the parent and teacher reports was low; κ = .03, p = .74). In comparison, clinical psychologist assessments identified 22 children (29%) as having at least one such skill. No statistically significant relationships were identified between exceptional skills, autism severity and intellectual disability.

CONCLUSION: While different exceptional skills were identified, regardless of children’s intellectual functioning or autism severity, parents and teachers varied substantially in their evaluations of these skills. Furthermore, the identified prevalence rates of exceptional skills did not always align with the rates identified in previous studies. The study findings highlight the need for definitional consensus on different types of exceptional skills, and the importance of multiple criteria/multi-instrument approaches in the identification of exceptional skills in autistic children.

PMID:37157995 | DOI:10.1111/jar.13113