Tag: pubmed

Acta Psychol (Amst). 2022 Feb 21;225:103539. doi: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2022.103539. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic had a profound effect on all aspects of daily life and triggered a swell of anxiety across the world. Some suggest this emotional response to the pandemic can be explained through death anxiety (DA), a transdiagnostic dimension associated with numerous psychological disorders. However, it remains unclear as to whether DA is a unidimensional or multidimensional construct. The primary aim of this study was to examine the underlying structure of the Death Anxiety Inventory-Revised (DAI-R; Tomás-Sábado et al., 2005) and assess its associations with mental health and demographic variables during the COVID-19 pandemic. To achieve these aims, we utilized data from Waves 1 (N = 2205: collected between March 23 and March 28, 2020) and 2 (N = 1406: collected between April 22 and May 1, 2020) of the COVID-19 Psychological Research Consortium (C19PRC), a multi-wave nationally representative study. Results showed that a 4-factor model provided the best fit to the data compared to a unidimensional and 4-factor second-order model. Further analyses showed that DA at Wave 1 was positively associated with somatic symptoms, paranoia, depression, anxiety, and traumatic stress symptoms at Wave 2, supporting previous research that suggests that the fear of death is predictive of psychopathology. Significantly, the factor labelled ‘Thoughts about Death’ at Wave 1 was the strongest predictor of the five main psychological variables at Wave 2, after statistically controlling for the other latent variables. These findings highlight the transdiagnostic nature of DA and support this important diagnostic construct becoming a measure of mental health more generally within the population. It is hoped that this research will shine a light on those suffering from DA and become a catalyst for increased therapeutic intervention, funding, and research in this area.

PMID:35219041 | DOI:10.1016/j.actpsy.2022.103539

Neural Netw. 2022 Feb 10;149:95-106. doi: 10.1016/j.neunet.2022.02.001. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Lifelong Learning (LL) refers to the ability to continually learn and solve new problems with incremental available information over time while retaining previous knowledge. Much attention has been given lately to Supervised Lifelong Learning (SLL) with a stream of labelled data. In contrast, we focus on resolving challenges in Unsupervised Lifelong Learning (ULL) with streaming unlabelled data when the data distribution and the unknown class labels evolve over time. Bayesian framework is natural to incorporate past knowledge and sequentially update the belief with new data. We develop a fully Bayesian inference framework for ULL with a novel end-to-end Deep Bayesian Unsupervised Lifelong Learning (DBULL) algorithm, which can progressively discover new clusters without forgetting the past with unlabelled data while learning latent representations. To efficiently maintain past knowledge, we develop a novel knowledge preservation mechanism via sufficient statistics of the latent representation for raw data. To detect the potential new clusters on the fly, we develop an automatic cluster discovery and redundancy removal strategy in our inference inspired by Nonparametric Bayesian statistics techniques. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach using image and text corpora benchmark datasets in both LL and batch settings.

PMID:35219032 | DOI:10.1016/j.neunet.2022.02.001

J Complement Integr Med. 2022 Feb 28. doi: 10.1515/jcim-2021-0457. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Radiation-induced mucositis (RIOM) is one of the most common side effects from head and neck radiotherapy. Several reagents have been introduced to manage the symptom; however, there is still a limited number of effective reagents. Herbal mouthwashes with payayor (Clinacanthus nutans Lindau) and fingerroot (Boesenbergia rotunda) were tested their efficacies in preventing and reducing severity of RIOM in comparison with normal saline with sodium bicarbonate.

METHODS: One hundred twenty patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy participated in the study and were randomly assigned into three treatment groups using block randomization method. The participants were assigned one of the three mouthwashes for use throughout their radiotherapy course and were assessed for their mucositis scores from week one to six into their radiotherapy course as well as at one-month follow-up. Body mass index was also measured for comparison of nutritional status.

RESULTS: The two mouthwashes were similarly effective in prophylaxis of RIOM in term of severity. The averaged mucositis scores were less than two for all groups. For the onset of RIOM, both herbal mouthwashes could slightly delay the symptom but not statistically significant. Patients’ body mass index across the three treatment groups was also comparable. The patients were largely satisfied with all the mouthwashes with no clear preference on any of them.

CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic treatment of RIOM using herbal mouthwashes could substitute the current standard of normal saline with bicarbonate. A different formulation of the two herbs could potentially improve the prophylactic outcome.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NO: NCT03359187.

PMID:35218685 | DOI:10.1515/jcim-2021-0457

J Perinat Med. 2022 Feb 25. doi: 10.1515/jpm-2021-0632. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Among patients with placenta retention, the risk factors of massive blood loss remain unclear. In this study, a secondary data analysis was conducted to construct a predictive risk model for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) in this particular population.

METHODS: A prediction model based on the data of 13 hospitals in the UK, Uganda, and Pakistan, from December 2004, to May 2008 was built. A total of 516 patients and 14 potential risk factors were analyzed. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression (LASSO) model was used to optimize feature selection for the PPH risk model. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was applied to build a prediction model incorporating the LASSO model. Discrimination and calibration were assessed using C-index and calibration plot.

RESULTS: Among patients with placenta retention, the incidence of PPH was 62.98% (325/526). Risk factors in the model were country, number of past deliveries, previous manual removal of placenta, place of placenta delivery, and how the placenta was delivered. In these factors, patients in the low-income country (i.e., Uganda) (OR: 1.753, 95% CI=1.055-2.915), retained placentas delivered in the theater (OR: 2.028, 95% CI=1.016-4.050), and having placentas partially removed by controlled cord traction (cct), completely removed manually (OR: 4.722, 95% CI=1.280-17.417) were independent risk factors. The C-statistics was 0.702.

CONCLUSIONS: By secondary data analysis, our study constructed a prediction model for PPH in patients with placenta retention, and identified the independent risk factors.

PMID:35218688 | DOI:10.1515/jpm-2021-0632

Clin Exp Dent Res. 2022 Feb 26. doi: 10.1002/cre2.550. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of intralesional platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections compared to intralesional triamcinolone acetonide (TA) injections in the treatment of erosive oral lichen planus (EOLP).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty patients with EOLP were assigned randomly to either PRP or TA group. Patients received weekly intralesional injections for 4 weeks, and then followed up for 3 months on regular visits every 2 weeks. Pain scores using numerical pain score and clinical score were recorded by a blinded assessor each visit for all patients and remission score at the end of the trial was recorded.

RESULTS: Both groups showed significant improvement in the clinical parameters (pain and clinical score) “p = .001.” Regarding remission of the lesions, 80% of patients in the PRP group showed complete remission compared to 70% in the TA group. However, there is no statistical significance when comparing the two groups in pain score, clinical score, or remission.

CONCLUSIONS: PRP injections could be considered as an effective alternative single treatment modality for EOLP. The protocol for this study registered in Clinicaltrials.gov registry under the identifier number: NCT03293368.

PMID:35218680 | DOI:10.1002/cre2.550

Health Promot Int. 2022 Feb 26:daac012. doi: 10.1093/heapro/daac012. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Lockdown restrictions imposed across the UK in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a profound impact on many people’s health and wellbeing. People were encouraged to be active, but population surveys suggest some groups found this easier than others. We explored the changes in health, wellbeing and physical activity levels among a sample in the UK who experienced the sudden loss of a weekly community-based physical activity opportunity, parkrun. A sample of UK parkrun participants responded to two surveys: pre-COVID-19 in January/February 2019 and during the COVID-19 pandemic in September 2020. Outcomes were happiness, life satisfaction, connections with others, physical health, mental health and physical activity. The sample was stratified by gender, age, deprivation status, physical activity and number of parkruns completed. Demographics were reported using descriptive statistics; distributions between sub-groups were compared using Chi-square tests while differences in outcomes were determined using the Mann-Whitney U test. Open text responses were also analysed. Happiness, life satisfaction, connections with others, physical health and mental health of 450 parkrun participants were negatively impacted for all sub-groups, although the impact was not experienced equally. Physical activity fell by 6% while happiness and life satisfaction fell by 12%. People experienced the worst negative impact on their connections with others. The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the wellbeing of a greater proportion of females, younger adults, inactive people, those from higher deprivation areas, and those who had completed fewer parkruns. There is evidence that the wellbeing of those who were more active, and those more involved in a community-based physical activity initiative pre-pandemic, was less negatively affected during the COVID-19 lockdown.

PMID:35218652 | DOI:10.1093/heapro/daac012

Cancer Sci. 2022 Feb 26. doi: 10.1111/cas.15310. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of three postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy regimens for endometrial cancer. Endometrioid cancer patients with intermediate-risk stage I and II or high-risk stage III and IV disease were randomly assigned to receive six cycles of either Paclitaxel-Epirubicin-Carboplatin (TEC), Paclitaxel-Anthracycline (Doxorubicin)-Carboplatin (TAC), or dose-dense paclitaxel-carboplatin (ddTC). The primary endpoint was the completion rate (CRate) of six cycles of treatment. The secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). One hundred and one patients were treated as follows: 33 received TEC, 33 TAC, and 35 ddTC. The CRates for TEC, TAC and ddTC were 94%, 64% and 69%, respectively (p=0.005). The TEC CRate was significantly higher than for the other two groups. However, the PFS and OS outcomes were not statistically different between the three groups. The two-year survival rates were 94%, 97%, and 97% for TEC, TAC, and ddTC, respectively. When compared to the current standard treatments for endometrial cancer, TEC is a promising candidate for a phase III trial based on its significantly superior CRate and equivalent PFS and OS. This study is registered with UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000008911).

PMID:35218673 | DOI:10.1111/cas.15310

Am J Hypertens. 2022 Feb 26:hpac028. doi: 10.1093/ajh/hpac028. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Mean arterial pressure (MAP) drives ocular perfusion. Excessive 24-h MAP variability relates to glaucoma, however, whether this is due to dips or increases in the blood pressure (BP) is undocumented. We investigated the association of open-angle glaucoma (OAG) in relation to the five largest MAP dips/increases over 24-h, henceforth called dips/blips.

METHODS: In the Maracaibo Aging Study (MAS), 93 participants aged ≥40y (women, 87.1%; mean age, 61.9y) underwent baseline ophthalmological and 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring assessments. OAG was the presence of optic nerve damage and visual field defects. Statistical methods included logistic regression and the generalized R2 statistic. For replication, 48 OAG cases at the Leuven Glaucoma Clinic were matched with 48 controls recruited from Flemish population.

RESULTS: In MAS, 26 had OAG. OAG compared to non-OAG participants experienced longer and deeper dips (116.5 vs. 102.7 minutes; to 60.3 vs. 66.6 mmHg; 21.0 vs. 18.0 mmHg absolute or 0.79 vs. 0.81 relative dip compared to the preceding reading). The adjusted odds ratios associated with dip measures ranged from 2.25 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31-4.85; P=0.009) to 3.39 (95% CI, 1.368.46; P=0.008). On top of covariables and 24MAP level/variability, the dip measures increased the model performance (P≤0.025). Blips did not associate with OAG. The casecontrol study replicated the MAS observations.

CONCLUSIONS: Dips rather than increases in the 24-h MAP level were associated with increased risk for OAG. An ophthalmological examination combined with 24h BP monitoring might be precautious steps required in normotensive and hypertensive patients at risk of OAG.

PMID:35218651 | DOI:10.1093/ajh/hpac028

Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2022 Mar 1;27(2):e174-e180. doi: 10.4317/medoral.25164.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of growth hormone (GH) on endosteal implant’s surface at the early stages of osseointegration.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty tapered acid-etched titanium implants were divided into four groups: i) Collagen, used as a control group; and three experimental groups, where after collagen coating, GH was administered directly to the surface in varying concentrations: ii) 0.265 mg, iii) 0.53 mg, and iv) 1 mg. Implants were placed in an interpolated fashion in the anterior flange of C3, C4 or C5 of 15 sheep with minimum distance of 6 mm between implants. After 3-, 6- and 12-weeks of healing samples were harvested, histologically processed, qualitatively and quantitatively assessed for bone-to-implant contact (BIC) and bone area fraction occupancy (BAFO).

RESULTS: Statistical analysis as a function of time in vivo and coating resulted in no significant differences for BIC and BAFO at any evaluation time point. Histological evaluation demonstrated similar osseointegration features for all groups with woven bone formation at 3 weeks and progressive replacement of woven for lamellar bone in close contact with the implant surface and within the implant’s threads.

CONCLUSIONS: A single local application of growth hormone to the surface of titanium implants did not yield improved implant osseointegration independent of healing time.

PMID:35218646 | DOI:10.4317/medoral.25164

Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2022 Mar 1;27(2):e191-e197. doi: 10.4317/medoral.25228.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Primary sites for the metastasis of oral cancer are the cervical lymph nodes. Although there has been considerable technical advancement in the radiological imaging, capability to recognize all metastatic lymph nodes pre-operatively has remained as a challenge. Thus elective neck dissection (END) has remained as reliable practice to treat cervical lymph nodes. This study evaluated the accuracy of pre-operative imaging in pre-operative diagnostics of cervical lymph node status using computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). We have also considered the reasons for the difficulties to recognise metastatic nodes in cervical area.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patient charts of patients who had had elective neck dissection as a treatment for primary OSCC in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital between 2016 and 2017 were assessed retrospectively. The outcome variable was post-operatively histologically confirmed lymph node metastasis in the neck area. The primary predictor variable was radiologically confirmed metastasis in the neck area. The explanatory variables were age, sex, pT-class, imaging modality, delay and location of the tumour. Descriptive statistics, sensitivity, specificity and Youden-J index were computed.

RESULTS: Eighty-three patients were included in the study. The sensitivity to detect pathological lymph nodes was 44.8%, and the specificity for the examination was 87.0%. 19.3% of cN0 patients had metastasis in the cervical nodes, whereas of the cN+ patients 8.4% were actually pN0. Patients having cN0, the largest neck metastasis was over 10 mm in 12.5%, whereas cN1-3 patients the corresponding rate was 45.5%. The computational threshold to diagnose a metastatic node was 7 mm.

CONCLUSIONS: Especially small metastases are difficult to diagnose. Limitations of radiological diagnostics must be considered when treating OSCC.

PMID:35218648 | DOI:10.4317/medoral.25228