Tag: pubmed

Phys Rev Lett. 2022 Sep 16;129(12):120406. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.129.120406.

ABSTRACT

A quantum two-level system immersed in a sub-Ohmic bath experiences enhanced low-frequency quantum statistical fluctuations which render the nonequilibrium quantum dynamics highly non-Markovian. Upon using the numerically exact time-evolving matrix product operator approach, we investigate the phase diagram of the polarization dynamics. In addition to the known phases of damped coherent oscillatory dynamics and overdamped decay, we identify a new third region in the phase diagram for strong coupling showing an aperiodic behavior. We determine the corresponding phase boundaries. The dynamics of the quantum two-state system herein is not coherent by itself but slaved to the oscillatory bath dynamics.

PMID:36179188 | DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.129.120406

Phys Rev Lett. 2022 Sep 16;129(12):120602. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.129.120602.

ABSTRACT

Maxwell’s demons work by rectifying thermal fluctuations. They are not expected to function at macroscopic scales where fluctuations become negligible and dynamics become deterministic. We propose an electronic implementation of an autonomous Maxwell’s demon that indeed stops working in the regular macroscopic limit as the dynamics becomes deterministic. However, we find that if the power supplied to the demon is scaled up appropriately, the deterministic limit is avoided and the demon continues to work. The price to pay is a decreasing thermodynamic efficiency. Our Letter suggests that novel strategies may be found in nonequilibrium settings to bring to the macroscale nontrivial effects so far only observed at microscopic scales.

PMID:36179174 | DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.129.120602

J Med Internet Res. 2022 Sep 27. doi: 10.2196/39218. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: It is recommended that caregivers receive oral health education and in-person training to improve tooth brushing for young children. To strengthen oral health education before COVID-19, the 21-Day FunDee chatbot with in-person tooth brushing training for caregivers was employed. During the pandemic, however, practical experience was difficult to implement. Therefore, the 30-Day FunDee chatbot was created to extend the coverage of chatbots from 21 to 30 days by incorporating more videos on tooth brushing demonstrations and dialogue. This was a secondary data comparison of two chatbots in similar rural areas of Pattani province, Maikan district (Study I) and Maelan district (Study II).

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and usability of two chatbots, 21-Day FunDee (Study I) and 30-Day FunDee (Study II), based on the protection-motivation theory (PMT). Furthermore, the study explored the feasibility of employing 30-Day FunDee chatbot to increase tooth brushing behaviors for caregivers in oral hygiene care for children aged 6-36 months without in-person training during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS: A pre-post design was used in both studies. The effectiveness of each chatbot was evaluated among caregivers in terms of oral hygiene practices, knowledge, and oral health care perceptions based on PMT. In Study I, participants received in-person training and a 21-day chatbot course during October 2018 to February 2019. In Study II, participants received only daily chatbot programming for 30 days during December 2021 to February 2022. Data was gathered at baseline of each study and at 30 and 60 days after the start of Study I and Study II, respectively. Only Study I evaluated the plaque score. Open-ended questions in chatbot programs were used to assess the usability of chatbots at the end of their interventions. Only Study II included an in-depth interview. The two studies were compared to determine the feasibility of using the 30-Day FunDee chatbot by an alternative method of in-person training.

RESULTS: There were 71 pairs of participants in total, 37 for Study I and 34 for Study II. Both chatbots significantly improved overall knowledge (P<.001; 0.73 (SD 0.21), 0.94 (SD 0.09)) (P=.001; 0.53 (SD 0.26), 0.66 (SD 0.23)), overall oral health care perceptions based on PMT P<.001; 0.58 (SD 0.19), 0.86 (SD 0.16), P<.001; 0.53 (SD 0.26), 0.83 (SD 0.12), and tooth brushing for children by caregivers (P=.02, P=.04) in Study I and Study II, respectively. Only Study I differed statistically significant for frequency of tooth brushing at least twice a day (P=.002) and perceived vulnerability (P=.003; 0.46 (SD 0.51), 0.78 (SD 0.42)). Overall chatbot satisfactions were reported at the highest level at 9.2 (SD 0.9) and 8.6 (SD 1.2) for Study I and Study II, respectively. In Study I, plaque levels differed significantly. (P<0.001; 0.48 (SD 0.33), 0.18 (SD 0.21).

CONCLUSIONS: This was the first study using a chatbot in oral health education. Two chatbot programs established their effectiveness and usability in promoting oral hygiene care of caregivers for young children. The 30-Day FunDee chatbot showed the possibility to improve tooth brushing skills without requiring in-person training.

PMID:36179147 | DOI:10.2196/39218

J Hepatobiliary Pancreat Sci. 2022 Sep 30. doi: 10.1002/jhbp.1244. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided liver biopsy (EUS-LB) is a novel liver biopsy technique. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of EUS-LB in comparison with percutaneous liver biopsy (PLB).

METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated the safety and efficacy of EUS-LB using a 19-gauge fine needle biopsy (FNB) needle compared with PLB using a spring-loaded 16-gauge needle in patients with diffuse liver disease at our hospital from April 2017 to December 2020. The primary outcomes included the total hepatic tissue surface area and the total number of portal tracts. Secondary outcomes included the success and adverse event rates.

RESULTS: Twenty patients each underwent EUS-LB and PLB. There was no statistical difference in the sum of liver tissue surface area (22 mm² vs. 22.6 mm² , P = 0.910) and the total number of portal tracts (29 vs. 25, P = 0.916). The success rate was 95% (19/20) for EUS-LB and 100% (20/20) for PLB (P = 1). There were two adverse events in the PLB group but none in the EUS-LB group (P = 0.487).

CONCLUSIONS: EUS-LB using FNB has an optimal tissue yield and success rate and is safe compared to PLB. Thus, EUS-LB may be a new alternative to PLB.

PMID:36179127 | DOI:10.1002/jhbp.1244

J Med Chem. 2022 Sep 30. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00796. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Systematic and quantitative analysis of the reliability of formally exact methods that in silico calculate absolute protein-ligand binding free energies remains lacking. Here, we provide, for the first time, evidence-based information on the reliability of these methods by statistically studying 853 cases from 34 different research groups through meta-analysis. The results show that formally exact methods approach chemical accuracy (error = 1.58 kcal/mol), even if people are challenging difficult tasks such as blind drug screening in recent years. The geometrical-pathway-based methods prove to possess a better convergence ability than the alchemical ones, while the latter have a larger application range. We also reveal the importance of always using the latest force fields to guarantee reliability and discuss the pros and cons of turning to an implicit solvent model in absolute binding free-energy calculations. Moreover, based on the meta-analysis, an evidence-based guideline for in silico binding free-energy calculations is provided.

PMID:36179112 | DOI:10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00796

J Travel Med. 2022 Sep 30:taac109. doi: 10.1093/jtm/taac109. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The future of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic hinges on virus evolution and duration of immune protection of natural infection against reinfection. We investigated duration of protection afforded by natural infection, the effect of viral immune evasion on duration of protection, and protection against severe reinfection, in Qatar, between February 28, 2020 and June 5, 2022.

METHODS: Three national, matched, retrospective cohort studies were conducted to compare incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 severity among unvaccinated persons with a documented SARS-CoV-2 primary infection, to incidence among those infection-naïve and unvaccinated. Associations were estimated using Cox proportional-hazard regression models.

RESULTS: Effectiveness of pre-Omicron primary infection against pre-Omicron reinfection was 85.5% (95% CI: 84.8-86.2%). Effectiveness peaked at 90.5% (95% CI: 88.4-92.3%) in the 7th month after the primary infection, but waned to ~ 70% by the 16th month. Extrapolating this waning trend using a Gompertz curve suggested an effectiveness of 50% in the 22nd month and < 10% by the 32nd month. Effectiveness of pre-Omicron primary infection against Omicron reinfection was 38.1% (95% CI: 36.3-39.8%) and declined with time since primary infection. A Gompertz curve suggested an effectiveness of < 10% by the 15th month. Effectiveness of primary infection against severe, critical, or fatal COVID-19 reinfection was 97.3% (95% CI: 94.9-98.6%), irrespective of the variant of primary infection or reinfection, and with no evidence for waning. Similar results were found in sub-group analyses for those ≥50 years of age.

CONCLUSIONS: Protection of natural infection against reinfection wanes and may diminish within a few years. Viral immune evasion accelerates this waning. Protection against severe reinfection remains very strong, with no evidence for waning, irrespective of variant, for over 14 months after primary infection.

PMID:36179099 | DOI:10.1093/jtm/taac109

J AOAC Int. 2022 Sep 30:qsac118. doi: 10.1093/jaoacint/qsac118. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The 3M™ Petrifilm™ Rapid Yeast and Mold Count (RYM) Plate contains nutrients supplemented with antibiotics, a cold-water-soluble gelling agent, and an indicator system that facilitates yeast and mold enumeration in 48-60 h.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the 3M Petrifilm RYM Plate in a matrix extension study for the enumeration of yeast and mold on stainless steel, sealed concrete, and rubber surfaces.

METHODS: The 3M Petrifilm RYM Plate was compared to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Bacteriological Analytical Manual, Ch 18: Yeasts, Molds and Mycotoxins in a paired matrix study for enumeration of yeast and mold on stainless steel, sealed concrete, and rubber environmental surfaces.

RESULTS: The 3M Petrifilm RYM Plate demonstrated equivalent performance to the reference method for enumeration of yeast and mold from stainless steel, sealed concrete, and rubber environmental surfaces. There were no significant statistical differences between the 3M Petrifilm RYM Plate and reference method results for the three matrixes evaluated.

CONCLUSIONS: The 3M Petrifilm RYM Plate is an effective plating method for enumerating yeast and mold when analyzing stainless steel, sealed concrete and rubber surfaces.

HIGHLIGHT: The 3M Petrifilm RYM Plate method allows the user to obtain accurate results within 48-60 h in the matrixes evaluated for the presence of yeast and mold when incubated at 25 ± 1 °C or 28 ± 1 °C. Interpretation and colony counting was straight forward and the 3M Petrifilm RYM Plate method required no additional agar or Petri dishes, creating an easier workflow by cutting down on supplies, sample plating time, and most noticeably, occupying less space in the incubator.

PMID:36179093 | DOI:10.1093/jaoacint/qsac118

J Med Internet Res. 2022 Sep 30;24(9):e37848. doi: 10.2196/37848.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Patients diagnosed with cervical cancer in the last 2 decades were mainly young females. Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is the most radical way to prevent HPV infection and cervical cancer. However, most female college students in mainland China have not yet been vaccinated, and their relevant knowledge is limited. Theory-based education delivered via the internet is a potentially accessible and useful way to promote HPV vaccination among this population.

OBJECTIVE: This 3-month follow-up study intended to identify the feasibility and efficacy of an information-motivation-behavioral skills (IMB) model-based online intervention for promoting awareness and willingness regarding HPV vaccination among female college students.

METHODS: A 7-day online HPV education program for female college students in mainland China was developed using a cluster randomized trial design. Recruitment and questionnaire surveys were performed online without face-to-face contact. SPSS 23.0 was used for statistical analysis. The chi-square test and t test were used to compare differences in qualitative and continuous variables between intervention and control groups. The generalized estimating equation was used to test the effectiveness of the intervention with a consideration of the time factor.

RESULTS: Among 3867 participants, 102 had been vaccinated against HPV before the study (vaccination rate of 2.6%). A total of 3484 participants were followed up after the baseline survey, with no statistical difference in the loss rate between the intervention and control groups during the intervention and follow-up periods. At different follow-up time points, HPV-related knowledge, and the motivation, behavioral skills, and willingness regarding HPV vaccination were higher in the intervention group than in the control group. HPV-related knowledge was statistically different between the 2 groups, while the motivation, behavioral skills, and willingness regarding HPV vaccination only showed statistical differences right after the intervention, reaching a peak right after the intervention and then gradually reducing over time. Furthermore, there was no statistical difference in the HPV vaccination rate between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS: IMB model-based online education could be a promising way to increase the HPV vaccination rate and reduce the burden of HPV infection and cervical cancer among high-risk female college students in China.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1900025476; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showprojen.aspx? proj=42672.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR2-DOI:10.1186/s12889-019-7903-x.

PMID:36178723 | DOI:10.2196/37848

JMIR Med Educ. 2022 Sep 30;8(3):e35637. doi: 10.2196/35637.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There are gaps in knowledge translation (KT) of current evidence-based practices regarding stroke assessment and rehabilitation delivered through teletherapy. A lack of this knowledge can prevent occupational therapy (OT) students and practitioners from implementing current research findings.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this pilot study was to create an educational program to translate knowledge into practice regarding the remote delivery of stroke assessment and rehabilitation to OT students and practitioners. Four areas of focus were addressed in the educational program, including KT, task-oriented training, stroke assessments, and telerehabilitation.

METHODS: Two pilot studies were conducted to assess the knowledge gained via pretests and posttests of knowledge, followed by a System Usability Scale and general feedback questionnaire. Participants in study 1 were 5 OT practitioners and 1 OT assistant. Participants in study 2 were 9 current OT students. Four 1-hour modules were emailed weekly to participants over the course of 4 weeks, with each module covering a different topic (KT, task-oriented training, stroke assessments, and telerehabilitation). Preliminary results were reviewed using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS: Statistically significant results were found with increased scores of knowledge for both students and practitioners. Most of the educational modules had an above-average score regarding value and positive feedback for the educational program as a whole from the participants.

CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the results of this pilot study indicate that a web-based educational program is a valuable, informational method of increasing the translation of knowledge in the remote delivery of stroke assessment and rehabilitation. OT students and practitioners found the information presented to be valuable and relevant to their future profession and current practice.

PMID:36178717 | DOI:10.2196/35637

JMIR Res Protoc. 2022 Sep 30;11(9):e39843. doi: 10.2196/39843.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Informed consent is a legal and ethical prerequisite for psychotherapy. However, in clinical practice, consistent strategies to obtain informed consent are scarce. Inconsistencies exist regarding the overall validity of informed consent for psychotherapy as well as the disclosure of potential mechanisms and negative effects, the latter posing a moral dilemma between patient autonomy and nonmaleficence.

OBJECTIVE: This protocol describes a randomized controlled web-based trial aiming to investigate the efficacy of a one-session optimized informed consent consultation.

METHODS: The optimized informed consent consultation was developed to provide information on the setting, efficacy, mechanisms, and negative effects via expectation management and shared decision-making techniques. A total of 122 participants with an indication for psychotherapy will be recruited. Participants will take part in a baseline assessment, including a structured clinical interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-fifth edition (DSM-5) disorders. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned either to a control group receiving an information brochure about psychotherapy as treatment as usual (n=61) or to an intervention group receiving treatment as usual and the optimized informed consent consultation (n=61). Potential treatment effects will be measured after the treatment via interview and patient self-report and at 2 weeks and 3 months follow-up via web-based questionnaires. Treatment expectation is the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes include the capacity to consent, decisional conflict, autonomous treatment motivation, adherence intention, and side-effect expectations.

RESULTS: This trial received a positive ethics vote by the local ethics committee of the Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University-Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany on April 1, 2021, and was prospectively registered on June 17, 2021. The first participant was enrolled in the study on August 5, 2021. We expect to complete data collection in December 2022. After data analysis within the first quarter of 2023, the results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals in summer 2023.

CONCLUSIONS: If effective, the optimized informed consent consultation might not only constitute an innovative clinical tool to meet the ethical and legal obligations of informed consent but also strengthen the contributing factors of psychotherapy outcome, while minimizing nocebo effects and fostering shared decision-making.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: PsychArchives; http://dx.doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.4929.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/39843.

PMID:36178713 | DOI:10.2196/39843