Tag: pubmed

Am J Perinatol. 2022 Mar 14. doi: 10.1055/a-1797-7005. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) 2015 gave a weak recommendation based on low certainty of evidence against routine endotracheal (ET) suctioning in non-vigorous (NV) neonates born through meconium stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) and suggested for immediate resuscitation without direct laryngoscopy. A need for ongoing surveillance post policy change has been stressed upon. This study compared the outcomes of NV MSAF neonates before & after implementation of the ILCOR 2015 recommendation.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study of term NV MSAF neonates who underwent immediate resuscitation without ET suctioning (No ET group, July 2018-June 2019, n=276) compared with historical control who underwent routine ET Suction (ET group, July 2015- June 2016, n=271).

RESULTS: Baseline characteristics revealed statistically significant higher proportion of male gender and small for gestational age neonates in the prospective cohort. There was no significant difference in the incidence of primary outcome of meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) between the groups (No ET group: 27.2% vs ET group: 25.1%; p=0.57). NV MSAF neonates with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) was significantly lesser in the prospective cohort (No ET group: 19.2% vs ET group: 27.3%; p=0.03). Incidence of air leaks and need for any respiratory support significantly increased after policy change. In NV MSAF neonates with MAS, need for mechanical ventilation (MV) (No ET group: 24 % vs ET group: 39.7 %; p=0.04). and mortality (No ET group: 18.7% vs ET group: 33.8%; p=0.04) were significantly lesser.

CONCLUSION: Current study from a developing country indicates that immediate resuscitation and no routine ET suctioning of NV MSAF may not be associated with increased risk of MAS and may be associated with decreased risk of HIE. Increased requirement of any respiratory support and air leak post policy change needs further deliberation. Decreased risk of MV and mortality amongst those with MAS was observed.

PMID:35288884 | DOI:10.1055/a-1797-7005

World J Pediatr. 2022 Mar 14. doi: 10.1007/s12519-022-00529-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical characteristics of 66 pediatric patients with B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

METHODS: Sixty-six pediatric patients with B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant of COVID-19 admitted to the hospital from July to August 2021 were classified into mild (n = 41) and moderate groups (n = 25). Clinical characteristics, laboratory data and dynamic trends in different time periods were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in age, gender ratios and clinical symptoms between the mild group and the moderate group. All the patients in the moderate group had clusters of onsets, and the incubation period was shorter than that of the mild group. Within 24 hours of admission, the levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, cardiac troponin I, D-dimer in the moderate group were higher than that in the mild group (P < 0.05). The titers of immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgM antibodies gradually increased after disease onset. Thirty-five (53.03%) children were tested positive for antibodies in 4-12 days. IgG increased gradually, while IgM decreased obviously in about 15 days after disease onset. The cycle threshold values of open reading frame 1ab and nucleocapsid protein gene in the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 genomes increased gradually on the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th days after disease onset, compared with those in day 0.

CONCLUSIONS: The symptoms of children with B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant of COVID-19 were mild. The description and analysis of the clinical characteristics and laboratory data can help medical staff to evaluate the condition of children with COVID-19 and to accumulate more clinical experience.

PMID:35287229 | DOI:10.1007/s12519-022-00529-1

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 Mar 14. doi: 10.1007/s11356-022-19402-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The present work deals with a detailed study of India’s Damodar river basin’s pollution profile (groundwater, surface water, industrial water, and mine water). The present paper aims to create a large data bank comprising the latest (2019; through water sampling and analysis) and historical (1980-2018; through literature survey) data on heavy metal loads (HML) and other hydrochemical parameters in water bodies of the Damodar basin (at 99 sampling locations). Bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses were applied to determine the possible sources of the HML in the groundwater and surface water. Anthropogenic inputs from industrial effluents and mining activities were identified as the sources of the HML. The degree of HML exposure (Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, As, Co, Cd, Hg, Cr, Ni, and Cu) was considered for computing the heavy metal pollution indices (HMPI). Associated potential health risk to the local population was also studied. Most HMPIs (vary within 50-9000) appeared to cross the critical value (~ 100). According to the results of noncarcinogenic risk, most hazard indices (varied within 0.01-116.34) surpassed the allowable limit (~ 1), demonstrating detrimental health effects on adults and children. Ni, Cd, As, and Cr showed very high cancer indices (varied within 9.5 × 10^-5-1.76 × 10^-1) that could be considered as high risk (≫ 1 × 10^-4, allowable limit) for cancer via ingestion and dermal pathways. A carcinogenic risk assessment map of the basin was also prepared for the first time. Durgapur and Burnpur-Asansol cities have been identified as the most vulnerable areas. The authors also compared the water quality parameters of the Damodar river with other highly polluted and major rivers of India. The authors recommended (i) strict regulation and efficient management of HML monitoring, (ii) initiating public awareness programme about Damodar’s pollution, and (iii) a detailed medical survey to understand the impact of water pollution on the population.

PMID:35287189 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-022-19402-9

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 Mar 14. doi: 10.1007/s11356-022-19611-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Fecal pollution in surface waters is a major threat to recreational and drinking water resources, with Escherichia coli being a primary concern. The best way to mitigate fecal pollutant loading is to identify the sources and tailor remediation strategies to reduce loading. Tracking E. coli back to its source is notoriously difficult in a mixed-use watershed where input from humans, wildlife, and livestock all contribute to E. coli loading. One proposed tracking method for E. coli contamination is the use of fecal sterols and sterol ratios. This study uses fecal sterol data published globally to assess how well sterol compositions for different species clusters along with the effectiveness of sterol ratios as tracking tools. Hierarchical cluster analysis produces stronger clusters based on sterol ratios than raw sterol concentration, but the global dataset results in clustering of the same species in different levels. The accuracy of the sterol ratios was also compared to understand the rate of false negatives and false positive assignments. Overall, these ratios did not have a high success rate for determining the correct source, which was also reflected in the poor clustering trends observed. Establishing local end-member sterol profiles is essential when using sterol signatures to unravel fecal loading.

PMID:35287190 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-022-19611-2

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 Mar 14. doi: 10.1007/s11356-022-19300-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Undeniably, there is a link between water resources and people’s lives and, consequently, economic development, which makes them vital in health and the environment. Proper water quality forecasting time series has a crucial role in giving on-time warnings for water pollution and supporting the decision-making of water resource management. The principal aim of this study is to develop a novel and cutting-edge ensemble data intelligence model named the weighted exponential regression and hybridized by gradient-based optimization (WER-GBO). Indeed, this is to reach more meticulous sodium (Na⁺) prediction monthly at Maroon River in the southwest of Iran. This developed model has advantages over other previous methodologies thanks to the following merits: (i) it can improve the performance and ability by mixing the outputs of four distinct data intelligence (DI) models, i.e., adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), least square support vector regression (LSSVM), Bayesian linear regression (BLR), and response surface regression (RSR); (ii) the proposed model can employ a Cauchy weighted function combined with an exponential-based regression model being optimized by GBO algorithm. To evaluate the performance of these models, diverse statistical indices and graphical assessment including error distributions, box plots, scatter-plots with confidence bounds and Taylor diagrams were conducted. According to obtained statistical metrics and verified validation procedures, the proposed WER-GBO resulted in promising accuracy compared to other models. Furthermore, the outcomes revealed the WER-GBO (R = 0.9712, RMSE = 0.639, and KGE = 0.948) reached more accurate and reliable results than other methods such as the ANFIS, LSSVM, BLR, and RSR for Na prediction in this study. Hence, the WER-GBO model can be considered a constructive technique to forecast the water quality parameters.

PMID:35287188 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-022-19300-0

Nicotine Tob Res. 2022 Mar 14:ntac070. doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntac070. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Tobacco product packaging is an influential industry marketing tool, but research on cigar packaging characteristics is limited. This study leveraged a pack archive of the top-selling, mass-market cigar products in the US and their corresponding sales data to assess the prevalence of common pack features in the marketplace.

METHODS: The 50 cigar products with the highest national unit sales in 2018 were identified using Nielsen’s Scantrack data. A content analysis captured common packaging features within four domains: physical, textual, graphical, and promotional elements. Descriptive statistics, weighted by each pack’s 2018 unit sales, documented the market share of pack characteristics overall and by brand.

RESULTS: Products in the sample constituted 62% of all convenience store cigar sales in 2018. Black & Mild, the most popular brand, did not display warning labels on its single stick, cellophane-wrapped products, which constituted nearly all of its sales (96.3%). Resealable foil pouches were the most common packaging style across other brands, and were most often sold in predominantly red, green, or silver packaging. Common flavor categories included concept (e.g., “Jazz”, 32.4%), fruit (15.7%), and sweet (14.5%). Pre-pricing (e.g., “2 for 99 cents”) was a popular promotional strategy, appearing on 74% of all packs sold.

CONCLUSIONS: Cigar packaging features such as small pack sizes, innovative materials, flavor names, bright colors, and cost-saving promotions are prevalent among the top-selling products. Stronger packaging-focused policies at the federal and local levels may help reduce appeal and potentially curb cigar use.

IMPLICATIONS: Sales of mass-market cigars in the US have remained strong over the past decade, propelled by lax product regulations. This study demonstrated that cigar packaging features that may enhance consumer appeal, such as small pack sizes, flavor names, sensory descriptors, bright colors, and cost-saving promotions, are prevalent among the top-selling products. Stronger packaging-focused policies at the federal and local levels may help curb cigar use, reduce youth appeal, and potentially minimize existing disparities in cigar use.

PMID:35287167 | DOI:10.1093/ntr/ntac070

PLoS One. 2022 Mar 14;17(3):e0262213. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262213. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Uptake for cervical cancer screening remains well below the 80% target as recommended by Brunei’s National Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control plan. We conducted a pilot study to determine the reasons for non-attendance and explore their acceptance of human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling as an alternative to the Pap test.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a primary healthcare center in Brunei, from January to December 2019. We recruited screening non-attendees, defined as women who were eligible for Pap test but who either never, or did not have one within the recommended screening interval of 3 years. This recruitment was done conveniently among women attending outpatient care and/or child health services at the primary healthcare center. Participants were first asked to complete a self-administered paper-based questionnaire on their reasons for screening non-attendance, and then invited for HPV self-sampling. Among those who agreed to participate in HPV self-sampling, they were asked to complete a second questionnaire on the self-sampling procedure and their samples were tested for high-risk HPV (hr-HPV). Results were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

RESULT: We enrolled 174 screening non-attendees, out of which 97 (55.7%) also participated in HPV self-sampling. The main reasons for not attending Pap test screening were fear of bad results (16.1%, n = 28); embarrassment (14.9%, n = 26) and lack of time due to home commitments (10.3%, n = 18). When compared to those who agreed to participate in HPV self-sampling, those who declined were significantly older (p = 0.002) and less likely to agree that they are susceptible to cervical cancer (p = 0.023). They preferred to receive Pap test-related information from healthcare workers (59.0%, n = 155), social messaging platforms (28.7%, n = 51) and social media (26.4%, n = 47). HPV self-sampling kits were positively received among the 97 participants, where > 90% agreed on its ease and convenience. Nine (9.3%) tested positive for hr-HPV, out of which eight were non-16/18 HPV genotypes.

CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that promoting awareness on cervical cancer, clarifying any misconceptions of Pap test results, and highlighting that the disease is preventable and that early detection through screening can facilitate successful treatment would help increase screening uptake among Bruneian non-attendees. Response to HPV self-sampling was highly positive, suggesting the possibility of implementing this strategy in the local setting. Our high detection of non-16/18 HPV genotypes suggest high prevalence of other hr-HPV genotypes in Brunei. Larger studies should be conducted to further validate our findings.

PMID:35287163 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0262213

Nicotine Tob Res. 2022 Mar 14:ntac068. doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntac068. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The addictive nature of nicotine makes smoking cessation an extremely challenging process. With prolonged exposure, tobacco smoking transforms from being a positive reinforcer to a negative one, as smoking is used to mitigate aversive withdrawal symptoms. Studying the variations in withdrawal symptoms, especially during their peak in the first week of a quit attempt, could help improve cessation treatment for the future. The time-varying mediation model effectively studies whether altering withdrawal symptoms act as mediators in the pathway between treatment and cessation.

METHODS: This secondary data analysis of a randomized clinical smoking cessation trial of three pharmacotherapy regimens (nicotine patch, varenicline, and nicotine patch + mini-lozenge) analyzes ecological momentary assessment (EMA) data from the first 4 weeks post target quit day (TQD). We assess whether withdrawal symptoms (e.g., negative mood, cessation fatigue, and craving) mediate the pathway between pharmacotherapy and daily smoking status and whether this effect varies over time.

RESULTS: We found a statistically significant time-varying mediation effect of varenicline on smoking status through craving, which shows decreasing risk of lapse via reduction in craving. We did not find significant time-varying mediation effects through negative mood and cessation fatigue.

CONCLUSION: This study supports the importance of craving suppression in the smoking cessation process. It also helped identify specific time points when withdrawal symptoms increased that would likely benefit from targeted cessation intervention strategies.

IMPLICATIONS: This study aimed to understand the underlying dynamic mechanisms of the smoking cessation process using a new analytical approach that capitalizes on the intensive longitudinal data collected via EMAs. The findings from this study further elucidate the smoking cessation process and provide insight into behavioral intervention targets and the timing of such interventions through the estimation of time-varying mediation effects.

PMID:35287166 | DOI:10.1093/ntr/ntac068

Am J Gastroenterol. 2022 Mar 14. doi: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000001721. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) may lose weight during periods of active disease and may gain weight when inflammation heals. Studies have hypothesized an association between anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and unintended weight gain during maintenance therapy and this association has not previously been clarified.

METHODS: In a nationwide observational study based on Danish national health registries, we included patients who initiated therapy with infliximab and followed changes in weight during induction therapy (0-90 days) and maintenance therapy (91-270 days). The association between the use of infliximab and weight gain was analyzed by multilevel mixed-effects linear regression model.

RESULTS: Among 851 with CD and UC who initiated infliximab therapy, long-term weight gain was not observed during maintenance therapy in the majority of patients. Women with CD who were underweight at the initiation of therapy had an average weight gain of 7.5 kg. Men and women with CD and UC with normal or increased body mass index had an average weight gain of <2 kg during maintenance therapy. Underweight men with CD and UC gained 2.9 kg (95% confidence interval 2.1-3.6) and 2.9 kg (95% confidence interval 1.9-3.9), in the first 90 days though neither group had statistically significant weight gain in the maintenance period. Less than 3% of patients had weight gain greater than 10% of their baseline body weight during the study period.

DISCUSSION: Weight gain among patients treated with anti-TNF-α therapies is unlikely to be due to an effect from anti-TNF-α therapy.

PMID:35287136 | DOI:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001721

Food Chem. 2022 Mar 9;385:132651. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.132651. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Electronic nose (E-nose) and hyperspectral image (HSI) were combined to evaluate mutton total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), which is a comprehensive index of freshness. The response values of 10 E-nose sensors were collected, and seven responsive sensors were screened via histogram statistics. Reflectance spectra and image features were extracted from HSI images, and the effective variables were selected through random frog and Pearson correlation analyses. With multi-source features, an input-modified convolution neural network (IMCNN) was constructed to predict TVB-N. The seven E-nose sensors, spectra of effective wavelengths (EWs), and five important image features were combined with IMCNN to achieve the best result, with the root mean square error, correlation coefficient, and ratio of performance deviation of the prediction set of 3.039 mg/100 g, 0.920, and 3.59, respectively. Hence, the proposed method furnishes an approach to accurately analyze mutton freshness and provide a technical basis for investigation of other meat qualities.

PMID:35287109 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.132651