Tag: pubmed

Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz). 2022 Sep 24;70(1):23. doi: 10.1007/s00005-022-00660-x.

ABSTRACT

Angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) antibodies are considered non-HLA (human leukocyte antigen) antibodies connected with humoral rejection after kidney transplantation. The role of AT1R antibodies in the pathogenesis of glomerular diseases and systemic vasculitis is unknown. We assessed the level of AT1R antibodies in 136 patients with different types of glomerulonephritis and systemic vasculitis and we observed kidney function and proteinuria, serum albumin and total protein levels for 2 years. The mean levels of AT1R antibodies were the following: 6.00 ± 1.31 U/ml in patients with membranous nephropathy (n = 18), 5.67 ± 1.31 U/ml with focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (n = 25), 6.26 ± 2.25 U/ml with lupus nephropathy (n = 17), 10.60 ± 6.72 U/ml with IgA nephropathy (n = 14), 6.69 ± 2.52 U/ml with mesangial proliferative (non IgA) glomerulonephritis (n = 6), 6.63 ± 1.38 U/ml with systemic vasculitis (n = 56), including c-ANCA (anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies) vasculitis: 11.22 ± 10.78 U/ml (n = 40) and p-ANCA vasculitis: 12.65 ± 14.59 U/ml (n = 16). The mean AT1R antibodies level was higher in patients with lupus nephropathy and systemic vasculitis compared to glomerulonephritis groups. An inverse statistically significant correlation between AT1R antibodies and serum albumin (r = – 0.51) in membranous nephropathy group was also found. Prospective analysis of creatinine levels indicated an increase of creatinine levels during time among patients with higher AT1R antibodies levels in p-ANCA vasculitis. Lupus nephropathy and systemic vasculitis patients may have high levels of AT1R antibodies. AT1R antibodies may be associated with the severity of membranous nephropathy and the course of p-ANCA vasculitis, although influence of concomitant factors is difficult to exclude.

PMID:36152104 | DOI:10.1007/s00005-022-00660-x

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 Sep 24. doi: 10.1007/s11356-022-23154-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Americas have a mix of developing and developed economies. Thus, the pollution haven hypothesis (PHH) is expected in the developing countries of Latin America. Using the spatial Durbin model, the present study investigates the effects of foreign direct investment (FDI), exports, and imports on emissions in 18 Latin American countries from 1970 to 2019, including economic growth and the financial market development (FMD) in the model. The environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) is validated, and the region is found in the first stage of the EKC. Hence, Latin American economic growth has environmental consequences. Exports have a positive impact on home and neighboring countries’ CO₂ emissions and pollute the whole region, which validates the PHH. Imports could not affect the home economies but have positive environmental effects on neighboring economies and the entire Latin American region. The negative coefficient of imports is larger than the positive coefficient of exports. Therefore, the net effect of trade is environmentally pleasant in Latin America. Moreover, FDI has a statistically insignificant effect and the impact of FMD is positive on CO₂ emissions. The study recommends caring the exporting, financial, and economic activities for a sustainable environment in Latin America.

PMID:36152100 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-022-23154-x

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 Sep 24. doi: 10.1007/s11356-022-23184-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study is to examine the impact of green energy consumption (GEC), foreign direct investment (FDI), green innovation technology (GIT), and environmental pollution (EP) on economic growth (EG) of selected South Asian countries under the sustainable development goal (SDGs) number seven (7). This study uses panel annual data set from world development indicators (WDI) and OECD statistics for twenty-one (21) years starting from 2000 to 2020. This study applies dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS) and fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) for data analysis and long-run relationship among variables. The findings of our study states that FDI, green energy consumption, and green innovation technology have positive effect among selected sample countries. However, it is noted that environmental degradation has adverse effect on economic growth.

PMID:36152099 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-022-23184-5

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 Sep 24. doi: 10.1007/s11356-022-23112-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Dams are studied not only for potential advantages but also for possible environmental repercussions. The objective of this case study is to see the effects caused by Gomal Zam Dam on temperature, humidity and precipitation in their surroundings, both spatially and temporally. The meteorology parameters’ characteristics have been detected using two different approaches, Mann-Kendall statistical test and Sen’s slope estimator. Data stations chosen were those that have been close to the dam and sufficiently far away from the dam. As a consequence, although temporal changes in mean heat were established, periodic and regional disparities in humidity readings were found.

PMID:36152095 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-022-23112-7

Pediatr Surg Int. 2022 Sep 24. doi: 10.1007/s00383-022-05251-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Congenital tracheo-oesophageal fistula (TOF) occurs in 1 in 3000 births. Perioperative management for TOF repair requires co-ordination with a multi-disciplinary team, support from critical care units, and expertise in neonatal and cardiothoracic anaesthesia. Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg academic hospital (CMJAH) is a quaternary referral centre that serves the regional community of Johannesburg, in Gauteng, South Africa. The aim of this research was to describe the perioperative outcomes of neonates undergoing surgical TOF repair at CMJAH. Factors in the preoperative, intra-operative, and postoperative management were considered to find relationships with the perioperative outcomes.

METHOD: A retrospective single institution study was conducted with a population of 38 neonates who underwent congenital TOF repair from 1 January 2015 to 31 March 2020 at CMJAH. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the biodata using percentages, median, and inter-quartile ranges. An in-depth description of neonates that died was performed.

RESULTS: A total of 38 neonates diagnosed with TOF/OA were operated on during the study period. The mortality rate was 15.8%. No deaths occurred intraoperatively. In addition, 52.6% of the neonates had a prolonged stay in ICU, 44% had a delay in the initiation of feeds, 65% developed sepsis, and 36.8% had surgical related complications. CPR was required in 1 neonate, hypoxia leading to bradycardia in 10, and hyperlactataemia in 9 neonates. Inotropic support was required in 6 neonates, and vasopressor support in 4. Blood product transfusion were necessary for 9 neonates.

CONCLUSION: The in-hospital mortality of TOF repair was better than that reported in other African countries and worse than international findings. In-hospital morbidity was burdened by respiratory illness and sepsis. Areas where management could be improved include widespread foetal anomaly scanning, incorporation of bronchoscopy, and preoperative respiratory optimisation.

PMID:36152075 | DOI:10.1007/s00383-022-05251-7

J Neurol. 2022 Sep 24. doi: 10.1007/s00415-022-11387-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In multiple sclerosis (MS), determination of regional brain atrophy is clinically relevant. However, analysis of large datasets is rare because of the increased variability in multicenter data.

PURPOSE: To compare different methods to correct for center effects. To investigate regional gray matter (GM) volume in relapsing-remitting MS in a large multicenter dataset.

METHODS: MRI scans of 466 MS patients and 279 healthy controls (HC) were retrieved from the Italian Neuroimaging Network Initiative repository. Voxel-based morphometry was performed. The center effect was accounted for with different methods: (a) no correction, (b) factor in the statistical model, (c) ComBat method and (d) subsampling procedure to match single-center distributions. By applying the best correction method, GM atrophy was assessed in MS patients vs HC and according to clinical disability, disease duration and T₂ lesion volume. Results were assessed voxel-wise using general linear model.

RESULTS: The average residuals for the harmonization methods were 5.03 (a), 4.42 (b), 4.26 (c) and 2.98 (d). The comparison between MS patients and HC identified thalami and other deep GM nuclei, the cerebellum and several cortical regions. At single-center analysis, the thalami were always involved, whereas different other regions were found in each center. Cerebellar atrophy correlated with clinical disability, while deep GM nuclei atrophy correlated with T₂-lesion volume.

CONCLUSION: Harmonization based on subsampling more effectively decreased the residuals of the statistical model applied. In comparison with findings from single-center analysis, the multicenter results were more robust, highlighting the importance of data repositories from multiple centers.

PMID:36152049 | DOI:10.1007/s00415-022-11387-2

Eur Radiol. 2022 Sep 24. doi: 10.1007/s00330-022-09143-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate commercial deep learning-based software for fully automated coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring on non-electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated low-dose CT (LDCT) with different slice thicknesses compared with manual ECG-gated calcium-scoring CT (CSCT).

METHODS: This retrospective study included 567 patients who underwent both LDCT and CSCT. All LDCT images were reconstructed with a 2.5-mm slice thickness (LDCT_2.5-mm), and 453 LDCT scans were reconstructed with a 1.0-mm slice thickness (LDCT_1.0-mm). Automated CAC scoring was performed on CSCT (CSCT_auto), LDCT_1.0-mm, and LDCT_2.5-mm images. The reliability of CSCT_auto, LDCT_1.0-mm, and LDCT_2.5-mm was compared with manual CSCT scoring (CSCT_manual) using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Bland-Altman analysis. Agreement, in CAC severity category, was analyzed using weighted kappa statistics. Diagnostic performance at various Agatston score cutoffs was also calculated.

RESULTS: CSCT_auto, LDCT_1.0-mm, and LDCT_2.5-mm demonstrated excellent agreement with CSCT_manual (ICC [95% confidence interval, CI]: 1.000 [1.000, 1.000], 0.937 [0.917, 0.952], and 0.955 [0.946, 0.963], respectively). The mean difference with 95% limits of agreement was lower with LDCT_1.0-mm than with LDCT_2.5-mm (19.94 [95% CI, -244.0, 283.9] vs. 45.26 [-248.2, 338.7]). Regarding CAC severity, LDCT_1.0-mm achieved almost perfect agreement, and LDCT_2.5-mm achieved substantial agreement (kappa [95% CI]: 0.809 [0.776, 0.838], 0.776 [0.740, 0.809], respectively). Diagnostic performance for detecting Agatston score ≥ 400 was also higher with LDCT_1.0-mm than with LDCT_2.5-mm (F1 score, 0.929 vs. 0.855).

CONCLUSIONS: Fully automated CAC-scoring software with both CSCT and LDCT yielded excellent reliability and agreement with CSCT_manual. LDCT_1.0-mm yielded more accurate Agatston scoring than LDCT_2.5-mm using fully automated commercial software.

KEY POINTS: • Total Agatston scores and all vessels of CSCT_auto, LDCT_1.0-mm, and LDCT_2.5-mm demonstrated excellent agreement with CSCT_manual (all ICC > 0.85). • The diagnostic performance for detecting all Agatston score cutoffs was better with LDCT_1.0-mm than with LDCT_2.5-mm. • This automated software yielded a lower degree of underestimation compared with methods described in previous studies, and the degree of underestimation was lower with LDCT_1.0-mm than with LDCT_2.5-mm.

PMID:36152039 | DOI:10.1007/s00330-022-09143-1

Eur J Cancer Care (Engl). 2022 Sep 24:e13710. doi: 10.1111/ecc.13710. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Physical and psychosocial effects of oral cancer result in long-term self-management needs. Little attention has been paid to survivors’ self-efficacy in managing their care. Study goals were to characterise self-care self-efficacy and evaluate socio-demographics, disease, attitudinal factors and psychological correlates of self-efficacy and engagement in head and neck self-exams.

METHODS: Two hundred thirty-two oral cancer survivors completed measures of socio-demographics, self-care self-efficacy, head and neck self-exams and attitudinal and psychological measures. Descriptive statistics characterised self-efficacy. Hierarchical regressions evaluated predictors of self-efficacy.

RESULTS: Survivors felt moderately confident in the ability to manage self-care (M = 4.04, SD = 0.75). Survivors with more comorbidities (β = -0.125), less preparedness (β = 0.241), greater information (β = -0.191), greater support needs (β = -0.224) and higher depression (β = -0.291) reported significantly lower self-efficacy. Head and neck self-exam engagement (44% past month) was relatively low. Higher preparedness (OR = 2.075) and self-exam self-efficacy (OR = 2.606) were associated with more engagement in self-exams.

CONCLUSION: Many survivors report low confidence in their ability to engage in important self-care practices. Addressing unmet information and support needs, reducing depressive symptoms and providing skill training and support may boost confidence in managing self-care and optimise regular self-exams.

PMID:36151904 | DOI:10.1111/ecc.13710

J Magn Reson Imaging. 2022 Sep 24. doi: 10.1002/jmri.28438. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) are followed for years due to older and likely biased works demonstrating a strong association with pancreatic carcinoma; more recent data are needed clarifying this relationship.

PURPOSE: To determine the association between PCLs on MRI and a synchronous or future diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma.

STUDY TYPE: Single-center retrospective cohort.

POPULATION: A total of 192 patients (111 female, 58%) with median age 66 years (range 26-87 years) with PCLs on abdominal MRI from 2011 to 2016.

FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCES: 1.5 T and 3 T, including T₂ WI, T₁ WI, diffusion weighted imaging and contrast-enhanced T₁ WI.

ASSESSMENT: Each PCL was reviewed independently by 2 of 10 fellowship-trained abdominal radiologists. Fukuoka guideline worrisome features and high-risk stigmata were evaluated. Follow-up imaging and clinical notes were reviewed within a system that captures pancreatic carcinoma for the region, for a median follow-up of 67 months (interquartile range: 43-88 months).

STATISTICAL TESTS: Pancreatic carcinoma prevalence and incidence rate for future carcinoma with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Fisher exact test, logistic regression with odds ratios (OR) and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test were used to assess PCL morphologic features with the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test used to assess for normality. P < 0.05 defined statistical significance.

RESULTS: The prevalence of pancreatic carcinoma on initial MRI showing a PCL was 2.4% (95% CI: 0.9%, 5.2%). Thickened/enhancing cyst wall was associated with pancreatic carcinoma, OR 52 (95% CI: 4.5, 1203). Of 189 patients with a PCL but without pancreatic carcinoma at the time of initial MRI, one developed high-grade dysplasia and none developed invasive carcinoma for an incidence rate of 0.97 (95% CI: 0.02, 5.43) and 0 (95% CI: 0, 3.59) cases per 1000 person-years, respectively.

DATA CONCLUSION: A low percentage of patients with a PCL on MRI had a pancreatic carcinoma at the time of initial evaluation and none developed carcinoma over a median 67 months of follow-up.

EVIDENCE LEVEL: 3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: 5.

PMID:36151888 | DOI:10.1002/jmri.28438

Pest Manag Sci. 2022 Sep 24. doi: 10.1002/ps.7199. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Rugose spiraling whitefly (RSW), Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin is a highly polyphagous invasive pests native to Central America. The occurrence of A. rugioperculatus in oriental region was reported for the first time from India, Pollachi, Tamil Nadu in 2017. It is widely distributed in India, causing severe economic damage to coconut and other horticultural crops. This pest is a recent invasion in India and the information on its potential distribution is lacking. Thus, in the present study we used the latest Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 (CMIP6) dataset through MaxEnt to determine the potential distribution of RSW in present and future climate change scenarios in 2050 and 2070 under Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) 126 and SSP585 emission scenario. Performance of the model was evaluated using Area Under the Curve (AUC), true skill statistic (TSS) and continuous Boyce index (CBI) RESULTS: The MaxEnt model performed well and predicted the potential distribution of A. rugioperculatus with high accuracy AUC values of 0.991 and 0.989, TSS of 0.891 and 0.842, CBI of 0.972 and 0.934 for training and testing, respectively. Jackknife analysis revealed that A. rugioperculatus distribution was mostly influenced by temperature based bioclimatic variables contributing 62.1% of the suitability with precipitation variables contributing the remainder. The most important bioclimatic variables for RSW distribution was annual mean temperature (Bio 1; 28.9%) followed by mean diurnal range (Bio 2: 19.5%) and annual precipitation (Bio 12: 19.1) Potential suitable areas for RSW establishment were mostly found in the entire coastal and southern states of India. A. rugioperculatus prefers warm and humid climate which indicates that tropics, subtropics and temperate regions are ideal for its spread and invasion. Our results highlighted that suitable habitat area for A. rugioperculatus is predicted to increase and highest probability of invasion and spread in 2050 and 2070 under future climate change scenarios of SSP126 and SSP585 compared to present climatic conditions.

CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study used latest CMIP6 models and predicted potential distribution of RSW in India under present and future climate change scenarios. Implementing strict domestic quarantine measures may prevent the spread and damage of RSW to non-coastal regions of India. Results of the current study would help in timely monitoring and surveillance of RSW and to formulate integrated pest management strategies at the national level to restrict its spread, invasion and damage to new areas. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:36151887 | DOI:10.1002/ps.7199