Tag: pubmed

BMC Genomics. 2021 Nov 1;22(1):666. doi: 10.1186/s12864-021-07949-9.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Historically, geneticists have relied on genotyping arrays and imputation to study human genetic variation. However, an underrepresentation of diverse populations has resulted in arrays that poorly capture global genetic variation, and a lack of reference panels. This has contributed to deepening global health disparities. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) better captures genetic variation but remains prohibitively expensive. Thus, we explored WGS at “mid-pass” 1-7x coverage.

RESULTS: Here, we developed and benchmarked methods for mid-pass sequencing. When applied to a population without an existing genomic reference panel, 4x mid-pass performed consistently well across ethnicities, with high recall (98%) and precision (97.5%).

CONCLUSION: Compared to array data imputed into 1000 Genomes, mid-pass performed better across all metrics and identified novel population-specific variants with potential disease relevance. We hope our work will reduce financial barriers for geneticists from underrepresented populations to characterize their genomes prior to biomedical genetic applications.

PMID:34719381 | DOI:10.1186/s12864-021-07949-9

J Pharm Health Care Sci. 2021 Nov 1;7(1):38. doi: 10.1186/s40780-021-00223-w.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pharmacist plays an integral role in promoting antimicrobial stewardship (AS) strategies by committing to the evidence-based activities in this field. The present study aims to document trends in actual achievements through bibliometric analysis and identify the future direction of pharmacists with expertise in AS by describing the characteristics of articles on AS written by Japanese pharmacists.

METHODS: The study searched for articles written in Japanese and English on Ichushi-Web and MEDLINE, respectively, until December 2020 for published articles relevant to AS. The articles were classified into the seven groups according to content. Interrupted time series analysis (ITSA) was performed to identify the effect of the certification system for infection control pharmacy specialists (ICPSs) on the number of articles in Japanese.

RESULTS: The study retrieved 476 and 145 titles from Ichushi-Web and MEDLINE, respectively, out of which 383 and 123 articles written in Japanese and English, respectively, were considered relevant to AS. A continued publication was found for Japanese articles written by pharmacists assigned to large-sized hospitals since 1998, whereas few articles in English were published until 2017. The most frequent content of articles in both languages was intervention (56.7 and 59.0%, respectively). ITSA indicated that the number of publication slightly increased before [β1 = 1.33, 95% confidence interval (CI): – 0.62-3.28; P = 0.169] the implementation of the system. Moreover, the level (β2 = 11.41, 95%CI: – 0.23-23.05; P = 0.054) increased after the implementation of the system, whereas the slope decreased (β3 = – 2.07, 95%CI: – 4.16-0.03; P = 0.053). However, the changes were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION: The study identified the contribution of pharmacists by documenting trends in AS practice and by conducting bibliometric analysis. The implementation of the ICPS certification system positively influenced the trend of publications. Therefore, the study recommends that policymakers and stakeholders should promote and support the evidence-based activities for AS for pharmacists in small- to medium-sized hospitals.

PMID:34719400 | DOI:10.1186/s40780-021-00223-w

Cranio. 2021 Oct 30:1-7. doi: 10.1080/08869634.2021.1992211. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare the comfort and anxiety levels of patients undergoing two different temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthrocentesis techniques.

METHODS: Fifty female patients were randomly assigned into two groups of 25 based on the treatment modality: Group 1, single-puncture Type-1 arthrocentesis (SPA); Group 2, conventional double-puncture arthrocentesis (DPA). Preoperative and postoperative anxiety was scored with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-S (STAI-S) questionnaire. Blood pressure and heart rate were assessed preoperatively during the application of local anesthesia and at needle insertion into the joint cavity, the 5th and 10th minute of the procedure, and end of the procedure.

RESULTS: STAI-S scores were lower postoperative than preoperative in both groups. Heart rate and mean arterial pressure were highest during anesthesia and needle insertion (p < 0.005). Changes in heart rate, mean arterial pressure, and STAI-S scores were statistically similar between the groups.

CONCLUSION: DPA and SPA were tolerated similarly by the patients.

PMID:34719355 | DOI:10.1080/08869634.2021.1992211

Protein Pept Lett. 2021 Oct 22. doi: 10.2174/0929866528666211022152556. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Current treatments of osteoarthritis are unsatisfied, a new approach towards the treatment of osteoarthritis is urged considering the state at present.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of fraxin on knee OA in a rat model and probe into the possible molecular mechanism.

METHODS: Primary Murine Chondrocytes were isolated and cell apoptosis analyses were performed. Rat OA models were established using meniscectomy method and allocated into three groups. Knee joint specimens were collected for qRT-PCR, western blotting and histological analysis. Statistical analyses were processed by using a SPSS.

RESULTS: The apoptosis rate of fraxin group is significantly reduced compared with the OA group or the control group. Fraxin remarkably down-regulated the expression of cleaved-Caspase-3 while significantly up-regulated the expression of Bcl-2, both on mRNA and protein levels. Toluidine blue stain results show relatively lighter articular cartilage damage compared with OA group.

CONCLUSION: Fraxin prevents knee osteoarthritis by inhibiting chondrocyte apoptosis, which makes it a potential candidate as an anti-OA drug for clinical use.

PMID:34719360 | DOI:10.2174/0929866528666211022152556

PM R. 2021 Oct 31. doi: 10.1002/pmrj.12732. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Neck pain (NP) affects as much as 70% of individuals at some point in their lives. Systematic reviews indicate that manual treatments can be moderately effective in the management of chronic, nonspecific NP. However, there is a paucity of studies specifically evaluating the efficacy of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of OMT in reducing pain and disability in patients with chronic NP.

DESIGN: Single-blinded, cross-over, randomized controlled trial.

SETTING: University-based, osteopathic manipulative medicine outpatient clinic.

PARTICIPANTS: 97 participants, 21-65 years old, with chronic, nonspecific NP.

INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomized to two trial arms: immediate OMT intervention or waiting period first. The intervention consisted of 3-4 OMT sessions over 4-6 weeks, after which the participants switched groups.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome measures were pain intensity (average and current) on the numerical rating scale and Neck Disability Index. Secondary outcomes included PROMIS-29 health domains and Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire. Outcomes obtained prior to the cross-over allocation were evaluated using general linear models and after adjusting for baseline values.

RESULTS: 38 and 37 participants were available for the analysis in the OMT and waiting period groups, respectively. The results showed significantly better primary outcomes in the immediate OMT group for reductions in average pain (-1.02, 95%CI:[-1.72, -0.32], P = 0.005), current pain (-1.02, 95%CI:[-1.75, -0.30], P = 0.006), disability (-5.30%, 95%CI:[-9.2%, -1.3%], P = 0.010) and improved secondary outcomes (PROMIS) related to sleep (-3.25, 95%CI: [-6.95, -1.54], P = 0.003), fatigue (-3.26, 95%CI:[-6.04, -0.48], P = 0.022), and depression (-2.59, 95%CI:[-4.73, -0.45], P = 0.018). The effect sizes were in the clinically meaningful range between 0.5 and 1 SD. No study-related serious adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSIONS: OMT is relatively safe and effective in reducing pain and disability along with improving sleep, fatigue, and depression in patients with chronic NP immediately following treatment delivered over approximately 4-6 weeks.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT# 02261259. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:34719122 | DOI:10.1002/pmrj.12732

Emerg Med Australas. 2021 Oct 30. doi: 10.1111/1742-6723.13892. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the mission profiles of helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) winch operations involving LifeFlight Retrieval Medicine physicians in Queensland, Australia, specifically focusing on patients’ clinical characteristics, extrication methods and scene times.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed to identify all helicopter winch missions involving physicians during 2019. Demographic, clinical and non-clinical data were accessed from an electronic database used to log cases and findings presented using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS: Out of 4356 HEMS missions involving physicians, 100 (2.3%) were winch operations. Of these, 31 (31%) occurred overwater and 12 (12%) at night. In total, 106 patients were attended, and eight patient deaths occurred. Most patients were traumatically injured (66%), male (66%) and had a median (interquartile range) age of 43.5 (28-59) years. Thirteen missions (13%) involved drowning victims. This group had a higher burden of injury and comprised half of the patients treated with endotracheal intubation. Median scene time was 30 min (20-40), and the winch stretcher was the predominant patient extrication method. Physician winching occurred in 63 (63%) missions and was associated with increased scene time and increased use of the winch stretcher.

CONCLUSIONS: Winch operations involving physicians occur infrequently in Queensland HEMS, although almost a third of missions occur overwater. Drowning victims are encountered more frequently than reported elsewhere in Australian HEMS and comprised half of the patients who underwent endotracheal intubation. Patients’ severity of illness and injury may contribute to the associations between winching of physicians, increased scene times and increased use of the winch stretcher.

PMID:34719134 | DOI:10.1111/1742-6723.13892

Int J Older People Nurs. 2021 Oct 30:e12430. doi: 10.1111/opn.12430. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The aims of the study were to investigate the four-factor structure of the German version of the Aging Semantic Differential (ASD) and to gain initial insights into the attitudes of nursing, medical and humanities students towards older people in Austria.

METHOD: A cross-sectional study design with a convenience sample was chosen.

RESULTS: The ASD was completed by 255 Austrian nursing, medicine, and humanities students, who described their attitudes towards persons who are 80 years of age and older. The applicability of the four-factor structure (instrumentality, autonomy, acceptability and integrity) of the German version was confirmed by performing a confirmatory factor analysis. The mean age of students in our sample was 23.6 years; 79% of these were female. The sample displayed negative attitudes regarding the factors of autonomy and instrumentality, but more positive attitudes regarding the factors integrity and acceptability. The attitudes of the students in the three study programmes differed, with the medical students displaying the most negative attitudes. Students who displayed positive attitudes had statistically significantly higher levels of knowledge about ageism and better possibilities to hold personal conversations with older people (80+) in the family or circle of friends.

CONCLUSION: We conclude that having more knowledge about ageism and close personal contacts to older persons can support positive attitudes towards older individuals.

PMID:34719117 | DOI:10.1111/opn.12430

J Cosmet Dermatol. 2021 Oct 31. doi: 10.1111/jocd.14582. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Monochromatic excimer light (MEL) is a safe and effective treatment for localized stable vitiligo. Previous reports of the combination of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) with narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) or excimer laser yielded conflicting results.

AIMS: This prospective, self-controlled, randomized, comparative study aimed to assess whether the addition of PRP to MEL therapy would be of an additive benefit in the treatment for localized stable vitiligo. Patients/Methods The current study included 36 patients with at least 2 more or less symmetrical patches of localized stable vitiligo (72 patches). For each patient, each of the 2 vitiligo patches was randomly assigned to receive either MEL therapy (twice weekly) with bi-weekly intradermal PRP (group A) or MEL therapy alone (group B) for a maximum of 4 months or till complete repigmentation. The degree of repigmentation was categorized as absent (0%), poor (1-25%), moderate (26-50%), good (51-75%), or excellent (>75%). Patients were asked about their level of satisfaction (not satisfied at all, partially satisfied, satisfied, or completely satisfied). Side effects were recorded, and follow-up for 3 months was done.

RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was observed between the 2 groups regarding the degree of repigmentation, the patients’ level of satisfaction, and the frequency of side effects (p = 0.504, 0.490, and 0.912, respectively). At the end of the follow-up period, recurrence was observed in only 3 patients.

CONCLUSIONS: The current study showed no statistically significant difference between using MEL alone or with intradermal PRP in the treatment for localized stable vitiligo.

PMID:34719101 | DOI:10.1111/jocd.14582

J Cosmet Dermatol. 2021 Oct 31. doi: 10.1111/jocd.14479. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Actinic keratosis (AK) is a precancerous disease, caused by ultraviolet radiation (UV).

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical and pathological characteristics of AK in four areas with different ultraviolet radiation intensities.

METHODS: 1188 diagnosed AK patients, from January 2000 to July 2015, in dermatology department of four hospitals were collected. The UV intensity of hospital located cities from high to low is Kunming, Yinchuan, Shenyang and Nanjing. The information comes from medical records, and the pathological types and Keratinocyte Intraepithelial Neoplasia (KIN) grades were checked by two experienced pathologists. All information was conducted a retrospective multicenter research.

RESULTS: The patients were mainly middle-aged and elderly female, which was in direct contrast to the majority of men in European. The age of onset in Kunming group was lower than that in Yinchuan Group (p = 0.013) and Nanjing Group (p < 0.01). The course of disease in Kunming group was significantly shorter than that in Nanjing Group (p < 0.001). The lesions were almost located in the exposed area. The proportion of unexposed areas in Shenyang group was significantly higher than that in other groups (p < 0.001). There were statistical differences in pathological morphological classification among the four groups. These differences were not affected by age and gender. The number of KIN III grade patients in Shenyang group was significantly higher than that in other three groups (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The Asian patients were mainly female. The clinical characteristics of AK are closely related to UV intensity, and environmental pollution, lifestyle, religious beliefs and other factors are also related.

PMID:34719097 | DOI:10.1111/jocd.14479

Br J Health Psychol. 2021 Oct 31. doi: 10.1111/bjhp.12569. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Digitally-delivered diabetes prevention programmes (DPPs) may improve population health by reversing the escalating trend of type 2 diabetes (T2D) incidence. Understanding the factors which determine digital health acceptability is critical to developing effective interventions. This study aimed to develop and test a digital health acceptability model of the factors influencing the intention of adults living in Ireland to use a digital DPP.

DESIGN: A 61-item cross-sectional survey was issued online or in hard copy to a sample of adults.

METHODS: Participants viewed a brochure for a smartphone-based digital DPP. The FINDRISC assessed their risk of developing T2D, and Likert scale items assessed the personal health, social influence, eHealth literacy, and intervention factors of the model. Structural equation modelling was used to assess the relationships between these factors.

RESULT: Three-hundred-and-sixteen eligible participants (M_age = 36) completed the survey, 42% of which had a slightly elevated T2D risk or higher. Twelve direct factor relationships were statistically significant. Subjective norm had a moderate-to-large impact on T2D risk perceptions. Health status, perceived susceptibility to T2D, eHealth readiness, communicative eHealth literacy and image had significant impacts on use intentions through mediators of perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. The model explained 65% of the variance in digital DPP use intentions.

CONCLUSION: Personal health beliefs, social influence, and eHealth literacy collectively influence a digital DPP’s acceptability. These findings may inform the development of future digital DPPs and other digital health interventions. Future research should test the model with adults that have a higher T2D risk status.

PMID:34719099 | DOI:10.1111/bjhp.12569