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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Imaging manifestations of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis to predict timing of surgery

Turk J Pediatr. 2022;64(4):632-639. doi: 10.24953/turkjped.2021.5048.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To find the predictor of optimal surgical timing for neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) patients by analyzing the risk factors of conservative treatment and surgical therapy.

METHODS: Data were collected from 184 NEC patients (Surgery, n=41; conservative treatment, n=143) between the years 2015 and 2019. Data were analyzed by univariate analysis, and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed that statistically significant differences between the surgery and conservative treatment groups. The results of multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated intestinal wall thickening by B-ultrasound and gestational age were independent factors to predict early surgical indications of NEC (p < 0.05). The true positive rate, false positive rate, true negative rate and false negative rate in the diagnosis of necrotic bowel perforation guided by DAAS (Duke abdominal X-ray score) ≥7 and MD7 (seven clinical metrics of metabolic derangement) ≥3 were 12.8%, 0.0%, 100.0% and 87.2%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: In summary, the ultrasound examination in NEC children showing thickening intestinal wall and poor intestinal peristalsis indicated for early operation.

PMID:36082637 | DOI:10.24953/turkjped.2021.5048

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Benefits and Limitations of Virtual Recruitment: Perspectives From Subspeciality Directors

Pediatrics. 2022 Sep 9:e2022056735. doi: 10.1542/peds.2022-056735. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Because of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and recommendations from a range of leaders and organizations, the pediatrics subspecialty 2020 recruitment season was entirely virtual. Minimal data exist on the effect of this change to guide future strategies. The aim of this study was to understand the effects of virtual recruitment on pediatric subspecialty programs as perceived by program leaders.

METHODS: This concurrent, triangulation, mixed-methods study used a survey that was developed through an iterative (3 cycles), consensus-building, modified Delphi process and sent to all pediatric subspecialty program directors (PSPDs) between April and May 2021. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used, and a conceptual framework was developed.

RESULTS: Forty-two percent (352 of 840) of PSPDs responded from 16 of the 17 pediatric (94%) subspecialties; 60% felt the virtual interview process was beneficial to their training program. A majority of respondents (72%) reported cost savings were a benefit; additional benefits included greater efficiency of time, more applicants per day, greater faculty involvement, and perceived less time away from residency for applicants. PSPDs reported a more diverse applicant pool. Without an in-person component, PSPDs worried about programs and applicants missing informative, in-person interactions and applicants missing hospital tours and visiting the city. A model based upon theory of change was developed to aid program considerations for future application cycles.

CONCLUSIONS: PSPDs identified several benefits to virtual recruitment, including ease of accommodating increased applicants with a diverse applicant pool and enhanced faculty involvement. Identified limitations included reduced interaction between the applicant and the larger institution/city.

PMID:36082609 | DOI:10.1542/peds.2022-056735

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Aging is associated with increased chromatin accessibility and reduced polymerase pausing in liver

Mol Syst Biol. 2022 Sep;18(9):e11002. doi: 10.15252/msb.202211002.

ABSTRACT

Regulation of gene expression is linked to the organization of the genome. With age, chromatin alterations occur on all levels of genome organization, accompanied by changes in the gene expression profile. However, little is known about the changes in the level of transcriptional regulation. Here, we used a multi-omics approach and integrated ATAC-, RNA- and NET-seq to identify age-related changes in the chromatin landscape of murine liver and to investigate how these are linked to transcriptional regulation. We provide the first systematic inventory of the connection between aging, chromatin accessibility, and transcriptional regulation in a whole tissue. Aging in murine liver is characterized by an increase in chromatin accessibility at promoter regions, but not in an increase in transcriptional output. Instead, aging is accompanied by a decrease in promoter-proximal pausing of RNA polymerase II (Pol II), while initiation of transcription is not decreased as assessed by RNA polymerase mapping using CUT&RUN. Based on the data reported, we propose that these age-related changes in transcriptional regulation are due to a reduced stability of the pausing complex.

PMID:36082605 | DOI:10.15252/msb.202211002

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Novel 3-phenyl-1- (alkylphenyl)-9-oxa-4-azaphenanthren-10-ones as inhibitors of some enzymes: synthesis, characterization, biological evaluation and molecular docking studies

J Biomol Struct Dyn. 2022 Sep 9:1-17. doi: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2114938. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

A series of novel 3-phenyl-1-(alkylphenyl)-9-oxa-4-azaphenanthren-10-ones and (E)-1-phenyl-3-(aryl)prop-2-en-1-ones were synthesized and characterized by IR, 1H NMR, 13C spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The synthesized Compounds 5a-f were subjected to molecular docking simulation with three proteins, namely, tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase, heme oxygenase 1 and acetylcholinesterase to evaluate the antibacterial, antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibition, respectively. Moreover, the docked poses of all compounds inside the proteins were subjected to further dynamic simulation through the calculation of the binding free energy using MM-GBSA analysis. Compound 5d exhibits high potential inhibition against antibacterial, antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase activities. Compounds 3d, 3f, 5a and 5d recorded an important scavenging activity in DPPH and ABTS assays. Investigation of the anti-acetylcholinesterase activity of the synthesized compounds showed that Compounds 5a and 3d are the most potent inhibitors against AchE, with percent inhibition values of 38 and 30%, respectively.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

PMID:36082583 | DOI:10.1080/07391102.2022.2114938

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Patients’ Attitudes Towards Medical Student Presence in Psychiatric Consultations

Ir J Psychol Med. 2022 Sep 9:1-8. doi: 10.1017/ipm.2022.40. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Studies on patient-student relationships have to date largely focused on student attitudes. This study explores attitudes of patients with psychiatric illness in Ireland, towards medical students. Patients’ experience of consent for student involvement is an area of concern in previous studies and is also quantified here.

METHODS: This was a mixed-methods cross-sectional survey of Irish adult psychiatric patients. Quantitative analysis was carried out using SPSS 22 (Statistical Product and Service Solutions, Version 22, IBM). Differences on Likert score between groups (male/female, hospital site, past experience with students/ no experience) were analysed using ordinal logistic regression with a p-value below 0.05 being significant. Qualitative data were analysed by thematic analysis using OpenCode 4.03.

RESULTS: A total of 340 patients completed the survey. The mean age (sd) was 44.8 (16.3). 52.8% were female, 75.2% were outpatients. 24.3% had never met a medical student. Most patients were comfortable seeing students, but preferred students being passive observers. Patients with previous student experience had higher comfort levels and more positive attitudes. Although most patients (63.7%) strongly agreed they had been asked for consent, only 49.3% felt they had been given sufficient information. Qualitative data revealed preference for adequate information and notice of involvement. Patients felt pressured by student presence in certain circumstances.

CONCLUSIONS: Psychiatric patients are comfortable with students but many feel inadequately informed. Patients recognise the benefits of interacting with students. More information is needed regarding circumstances in which patients give consent to involvement with students.

PMID:36082526 | DOI:10.1017/ipm.2022.40

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Matching into Orthopedic Surgery in the U.S. Navy: A Review of Applicant Selection Criteria

Mil Med. 2022 Sep 9:usac267. doi: 10.1093/milmed/usac267. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The U.S. Navy offers an attractive opportunity for residency training in orthopedic surgery. The factors that Navy orthopedic residency program leadership finds important in applicant selection for training have not been reported. Additionally, data regarding the academic competitiveness of recently matched applicants have not been previously published. This study presents the results of two surveys administered to all navy orthopedic program directors and department chairmen, as well as data for United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Steps 1 and 2, medical school class percentile, leadership responsibilities, research endeavors, and letters of recommendation of both matched and unmatched applicants.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two anonymous surveys were administered to all program directors and department chairmen at Navy orthopedic residency training programs with questions designed to gauge perceived importance of various application factors when selecting for the match. The results were compiled, and mean levels of importance were reported. Deidentified data were collected on all applicants to Navy orthopedic residency programs from 2015 to 2019. Data points specific to USMLE Step 1 and 2 board scores, medical school class percentile, research, leadership, and letters of recommendation were analyzed using single and multiple logistic regression analyses, and odds ratios for each variable were calculated.

RESULTS: Navy leadership unanimously expressed that clerkship performance at the individual program director’s institution was most important, followed by Steps 1 and 2 licensing examination scores. Single logistic regression analyses showed that Step 1 score and clinical, leadership, and recommendation scores were statistically significant. When controlled for Step 1 score, only academic performance and leadership scores maintained statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS: Applicants to Navy orthopedic surgery residency programs should strive to be competitive in all aspects of their application, with specific emphasis placed on outstanding performance during orthopedic clerkships, demonstration of leadership characteristics, and academic excellence. With transition to a pass/fail grading system for Step 1, there will be more emphasis on other measures of academic success, such as Step 2 scores and clinical clerkship grades.

PMID:36082505 | DOI:10.1093/milmed/usac267

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Musculoskeletal Gait Simulation to Investigate Biomechanical Effect of Knee Brace

J Biomech Eng. 2022 Sep 9. doi: 10.1115/1.4055564. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Musculoskeletal modelling and simulation has been an emerging trend in human gait analysis. It allows the user to isolate certain biomechanical condition and elucidate the dynamics of joints and muscles. This study used an open source musculoskeletal modelling and simulation tool, OpenSim to investigate the biomechanical effect of knee brace. It collected gait data from thirty-eight participants and examined the gait spatio-temporal parameters, joint angles and joint moments. Static optimization was performed to estimate the lower extremity muscle force. Statistical analysis was conducted to identify the difference between normal and abnormal gaits. The results demonstrated the feasibility of this method to investigate the interaction and coordination of lower extremity joints and muscles. The knee brace constrained the range of the motion of the knee during walking. It also changed the walking speed, step length and stance-to-swing ratio. Several significant differences were found in the joint moments and muscle forces of the rectus femoris, gastrocnemius, soleus and tibialis anterior. Musculoskeletal modelling and simulation tool offers a less invasive and practical alternative to analyze human motion. It also offers a means to investigate the effect of medical devices such as knee brace, which can be potentially beneficial for the future design and development of such devices and for derivation of rehabilitation treatment to improve patient’s gait.

PMID:36082472 | DOI:10.1115/1.4055564

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Associations between ATG16L1 gene polymorphism and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis in the Chinese Guangxi population: A case-control study

J Clin Lab Anal. 2022 Sep;36(9):e24642. doi: 10.1002/jcla.24642. Epub 2022 Aug 10.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is an autoimmune disease often accompanied by rapidly progressive renal failure, and the genetic background is still unknown. Our study was performed to test whether autophagy-related 16 like 1 (ATG16L1) rs4663402 and rs4663396 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were associated with AAV in the Chinese Guangxi population.

METHODS: One hundred seventy seven unrelated AAV patients and 216 healthy controls were included in this case-control study. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction combined with high-throughput sequencing was used for typing, and SNPStats and SHEsis were used for association analysis, pairwise linkage disequilibrium, and haplotype analysis.

RESULTS: rs4663402 and rs4663396 were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in AAV and control groups. The frequencies of rs4663402 AA, AT, and TT genotypes were 82.5%, 16.9%, and 0.6%, respectively, in patients with AAV, and 83.5%, 16.2%, and 0.5%, respectively, in controls. The frequencies of rs4663396 CC, CT, and TT genotypes were 63.8%, 33.9%, and 2.3%, respectively, in patients with AAV, and 69.2%, 26.6%, and 4.2%, respectively, in controls. Haplotype analysis revealed two SNPs in a single haplotype block (D’ = 1.0). Our logistic regression adjusted for sex and age showed no association between rs4663402 and rs4663396 and the risk for AAV in genetic models (p > 0.05). However, ATG16L1 rs4663396 CC and CT + TT genotypes exhibited statistically significant differences in the incidence of arthralgia (p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that ATG16L1 rs4663402 and rs4663396 polymorphisms were not associated with AAV in the Chinese Guangxi population. ATG16L1 rs4663396 CT + TT genotype may be associated with arthralgia.

PMID:36082465 | DOI:10.1002/jcla.24642

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The postpartum uterine ultrasonographic scale in assessment of uterine involution after cesarean section in treated thrombophilia pregnant patients at term

J Clin Lab Anal. 2022 Sep;36(9):e24645. doi: 10.1002/jcla.24645. Epub 2022 Aug 5.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy is a prothrombotic condition which can be abnormally exaggerated in women with thrombophilia.

METHODS: In a prospective study, patients who delivered at term, by cesarean section, between 1 October 2017 and 1 December 2021, who already had a diagnosis of thrombophilia before coming to our hospital, were included in the study group (n = 80). A similar number of nonthrombophilia patients (n = 80) without any history of thrombotic events, age- and para-matched with the study group, were included in the control group. The postpartum uterine ultrasonographic scale (PUUS) values, in the first 24-48 h, were correlated with the patients’ data.

RESULTS: The P-LCR (platelet large cell ratio), was significantly higher in the treated thrombophilia group (p = 0.042). There was no correlation between PUUS and complete blood count values, coagulation factors, maternal characteristics, or fetal outcomes, except for postpartum neutrophils (p = 0.047) and postpartum platelet count (p = 0.046).

CONCLUSIONS: Postpartum uterine involution was not significantly different, after cesarean section, between treated thrombophilia patients and nonthrombophilia patients. Involution correlated only with postpartum neutrophils and postpartum platelet count.

PMID:36082463 | DOI:10.1002/jcla.24645

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Gout and Excess Risk of Severe SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Vaccinated Individuals: A General Population Study

Arthritis Rheumatol. 2022 Sep 9. doi: 10.1002/art.42339. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Gout patients often have multiple comorbidities, making them susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and its severe outcomes; however, few studies have examined the association between gout and the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and its severe sequelae, especially after COVID-19 vaccination.

METHODS: We conducted two cohort studies using The Health Improvement Network. Individuals with gout and those without gout from the general population were followed from December 8th , 2020, to October 31st , 2021. We estimated the rate difference (RD) and hazard ratio (HR) of SARS-CoV-2 infection and its severe outcomes (i.e., hospitalization and death over 30 days after SARS-CoV-2 infection) for individuals with gout versus those without gout using Cox proportional hazard model according to COVID-19 vaccination status. We adjusted potential confounders using overlap weighting of exposure score.

RESULTS: Among the vaccinated cohort, 1,955 cases of breakthrough infection occurred in 54,576 individuals with gout (4.68/1000 person-months) and 52,468 cases in 1,336,377 individuals without gout (3.76/1000 person-months). The adjusted RD of breakthrough infection was 0.91 (95%CI: 0.62-1.20)/1000 person-months, and the adjusted HR was 1.24 (95%CI: 1.19-1.30). Gout was also associated with an increased risk of hospitalization (adjusted HR=1.30, 95%CI: 1.10-1.53) and death (adjusted HR=1.36, 95%CI: 0.87-2.13). Women with gout showed an increased risk of hospitalization (adjusted HR 1.55, 95%CI: 1.15-2.10) and death (adjusted HR=2.46, 95%CI: 1.12-5.41). Similar associations with gout were observed in the unvaccinated cohort.

CONCLUSIONS: These general population data suggest that individuals with gout, especially women, have higher risks of both SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe sequelae, even with vaccinations. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:36082457 | DOI:10.1002/art.42339