Tag: pubmed

Ann Geriatr Med Res. 2021 Oct 19. doi: 10.4235/agmr.21.0085. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To improve the rehabilitation team’s awareness of patient mobility and participation by improving communication between therapists and nurses and conducting patient education.

DESIGN: This study used a non-equivalent control group with a nonsynchronized design. To facilitate communication between therapists and nurses, we used a manual for mobility management to improve the sharing of information on the functional status of patients. We also implemented patient education to improve their awareness of mobility and participation. Finally, we conducted newly devised surveys related to patient functional status and awareness that were applied by therapists and nurses.

RESULTS: The nurses reported significantly lower functional levels of patients compared to those assessed by therapists. After the intervention, the kappa values representing the concordance between therapists and nurses improved to almost perfect agreement for transfer ability (κ=0.836), mobility (κ=0.664), and toileting (κ=1.000). We also observed a statistically significant increase in questionnaire scores with respect to nurses’ awareness (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Improving communication among the rehabilitation team, including nurses through the use of a continuous education program, was effective in promoting the mobility and functional level of patients in the inpatient ward.

PMID:34662935 | DOI:10.4235/agmr.21.0085

Sex Reprod Healthc. 2021 Oct 12;30:100671. doi: 10.1016/j.srhc.2021.100671. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization recommend that infants be exclusively breastfed until six months of age. The Baby Friendly Health Initiative (BFHI) was developed for protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding. The BFHI global criteria guides hospital practice for supporting infant feeding and reducing disparities in breastfeeding outcomes.

AIM: The aim of this study was to analyse 2019 data to identify factors that predict exclusive breastfeeding vs non-exclusive breastfeeding on discharge to determine areas for intervention in relation to BFHI guidelines.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 5836 neonates born at an Australian tertiary hospital in 2019 was conducted. Descriptive statistics were used to report exclusive breastfeeding rates. Univariate and logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding and non-exclusive breastfeeding on discharge.

RESULTS: A total of 69% of neonates were exclusively breastfed on discharge in 2019. When excluding admissions to Newborn Services, 75% of neonates were exclusively breastfed on discharge, achieving the BFHI benchmark. Predictors which significantly reduced the odds of exclusive breastfeeding on discharge were maternal country of birth (Vietnam, p < 0.001, Sudan p < 0.001, Samoa p < 0.01, Philippines p < 0.05), main language (Other, p < 0.05), birth type (caesarean or assisted vaginal birth p < 0.001), first-feed type (mixed feeding or formula p < 0.001), and Newborn Services admission (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Examining breastfeeding outcomes is an important quality assurance process for health services. Understanding groups of mothers who commence breastfeeding but do not exclusively breastfeed upon discharge enables identification of areas for intervention to achieve BFHI targets and reduce breastfeeding disparities.

PMID:34662842 | DOI:10.1016/j.srhc.2021.100671

Kidney Blood Press Res. 2021 Oct 18:1-12. doi: 10.1159/000519015. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although the adriamycin-induced nephropathy model is frequently employed in the study of nephrotic syndrome and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, the accompanying myocardial damage has always been a cause for concern. Therefore, there is a great need to study cardiorenal communication in this model.

METHODS: An adriamycin-induced nephropathy model was established via tail vein injection. The levels of the biochemical indicators serum albumin, serum globulin, serum total protein, serum cholesterol, serum creatinine (SCr), urinary protein, and urinary creatinine (UCr) were measured, and histopathological changes in the heart and kidneys were assessed using hematoxylin-eosin staining. Metabolomic changes in the heart, blood, and kidneys were analyzed using the metabolomics method based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography Q-Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry.

RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the model group showed significant decreases in serum protein and total protein levels, albumin/globulin ratio, and creatinine clearance rate as well as significant increases in serum cholesterol, SCr, urinary protein, and UCr levels. Significant pathological changes were observed in the renal pathology sections in the model group, including diffusely merged glomerular epithelial cells, inflammatory infiltration, and vacuolated glomerular cells. Additionally, thickened myocardial fibers, swollen nuclei, inflammatory infiltration, and partial myocardial necrosis could be seen in the cardiac pathology sections in the model group. Based on multivariate statistical analysis, a total of 20 differential metabolites associated with 15 metabolic pathways were identified in the heart, 7 differential metabolites with 7 metabolic pathways were identified in the blood, and 16 differential metabolites with 21 metabolic pathways were identified in the kidney. Moreover, 6 common metabolic pathways shared by the heart and kidney were identified: arginine and proline metabolism; arginine biosynthesis; glutathione metabolism; alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism; beta-alanine metabolism; and histidine metabolism. Among these metabolic pathways, alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism was shared by the heart, blood, and kidney. Succinic acid was found to be the key regulatory metabolite in cardiorenal metabolic communication.

CONCLUSION: Six metabolic pathways were found to be involved in cardiorenal metabolic communication in an adriamycin-induced nephropathy model, in which alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism may be the metabolic link between the heart and kidney in the development and maintenance of oxidative stress and inflammation. Succinic acid may serve as a key regulatory metabolic switch or marker of cardiac and renal co-injury, as shown in an adriamycin-induced nephropathy model.

PMID:34662875 | DOI:10.1159/000519015

Ticks Tick Borne Dis. 2021 Oct 10;13(1):101851. doi: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101851. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Whether infection with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (sl) can cause nonspecific symptoms is a matter of controversy. We investigated whether individuals infected with B. burgdorferi sl develop unspecific symptoms more frequently than non-infected controls. Eighty-nine persons having presented with B. burgdorferi sl infection between 2015 and 2019 were asked to participate. The infection was defined as erythema migrans diagnosed either in the course of a previous study, during medical visits in the outpatient department, or as seroconversion in asymptomatic subjects. The control group consisted of 85 seronegative individuals without erythema migrans in the past. About two and a half years later, participants were asked to fill out a questionnaire with a list of nonspecific symptoms. The data of 37 persons with previous Borrelia infection and 49 uninfected controls were available for analysis. Muscle pain was significantly (P = 0.040) more frequent in the control group. Fatigue occurred more often in the infected group, but this was not statistically significant (P = 0.109). Likewise, the distribution of other symptoms did not differ considerably. The analysis revealed no difference in the frequency of symptoms of persons who had EM or asymptomatic Borrelia infection 2 years prior assessment in comparison to persons without Borrelia infection.

PMID:34662801 | DOI:10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101851

J Adolesc. 2021 Oct 15;93:53-79. doi: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2021.09.007. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Loneliness is prevalent and associated with negative health outcomes in young people. Our understanding of how it can be best addressed is limited. This systematic review aims to assess the acceptability and effectiveness of interventions to reduce and prevent loneliness and social isolation in young people.

METHODS: Six bibliographic databases were searched; references of included studies were screened for relevant literature. A pre-defined framework was used for data extraction. Quality appraisal was performed using the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool. Data were synthesised narratively.

RESULTS: 9,358 unique references were identified; 28 publications from 16 interventions met the inclusion criteria. The majority of interventions were high intensity, individual or small group interventions, often targeted at specific ‘at risk’ populations. While 14 interventions were associated with a statistically significant reduction in loneliness or social isolation, the heterogeneous measures of loneliness, small sample sizes, short periods of follow-up and high attrition rates limit evidence on effectiveness. Interventions implemented in more general populations of young people appeared more acceptable than those in specific ‘at risk’ populations.

CONCLUSION: High intensity interventions are unlikely to be feasible at a population level. Further work is required to develop and evaluate theoretically-informed loneliness interventions for young people that reach wider audiences.

PMID:34662802 | DOI:10.1016/j.adolescence.2021.09.007

Environ Int. 2021 Oct 15;158:106933. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106933. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The urban environment may influence neurodevelopment from conception onwards, but there is no evaluation of the impact of multiple groups of exposures simultaneously. We investigated the association between early-life urban environment and cognitive and motor function in children.

METHODS: We used data from 5403 mother-child pairs from four population-based birth-cohorts (UK, France, Spain, and Greece). We estimated thirteen urban home exposures during pregnancy and childhood, including: built environment, natural spaces, and air pollution. Verbal, non-verbal, gross motor, and fine motor functions were assessed using validated tests at five years old. We ran adjusted multi-exposure models using the Deletion-Substitution-Addition algorithm.

RESULTS: Higher greenness exposure within 300 m during pregnancy was associated with higher verbal abilities (1.5 points (95% confidence interval 0.4, 2.7) per 0.20 unit increase in greenness). Higher connectivity density within 100 m and land use diversity during pregnancy were related to lower verbal abilities. Childhood exposure to PM2.5 mediated 74% of the association between greenness during childhood and verbal abilities. Higher exposure to PM2.5 during pregnancy was related to lower fine motor function (-1.2 points (-2.1, -0.4) per 3.2 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5). No associations were found with non-verbal abilities and gross motor function.

DISCUSSION: This study suggests that built environment, greenness, and air pollution may impact child cognitive and motor function at five years old. This study adds evidence that well-designed urban planning may benefit children’s cognitive and motor development.

PMID:34662798 | DOI:10.1016/j.envint.2021.106933

Neuroimage Clin. 2021 Oct 13;32:102857. doi: 10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102857. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Bradykinesia has been associated with beta and gamma band interactions in the basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical circuit in Parkinson’s disease. In this present cross-sectional study, we aimed to search for neural networks with electroencephalography whose frequency-specific actions may predict bradykinesia.

METHODS: Twenty Parkinsonian patients treated with bilateral subthalamic stimulation were first prescreened while we selected four levels of contralateral stimulation (0: OFF, 1-3: decreasing symptoms to ON state) individually, based on kinematics. In the screening period, we performed 64-channel electroencephalography measurements simultaneously with electromyography and motion detection during a resting state, finger tapping, hand grasping tasks, and pronation-supination of the arm, with the four levels of contralateral stimulation. We analyzed spectral power at the low (13-20 Hz) and high (21-30 Hz) beta frequency bands and low (31-60 Hz) and high (61-100 Hz) gamma frequency bands using the dynamic imaging of coherent sources. Structural equation modelling estimated causal relationships between the slope of changes in network beta and gamma activities and the slope of changes in bradykinesia measures.

RESULTS: Activity in different subnetworks, including predominantly the primary motor and premotor cortex, the subthalamic nucleus predicted the slopes in amplitude and speed while switching between stimulation levels. These subnetwork dynamics on their preferred frequencies predicted distinct types and parameters of the movement only on the contralateral side.

DISCUSSION: Concurrent subnetworks affected in bradykinesia and their activity changes in the different frequency bands are specific to the type and parameters of the movement; and the primary motor and premotor cortex are common nodes.

PMID:34662779 | DOI:10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102857

Food Chem. 2021 Oct 9;370:131370. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.131370. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In this study, stationary and time-resolvedfluorescence signatures, were statistically and chemometrically analyzed among three typologies of Chardonnay wines (A, B and C) with the objectives to evaluate their sensitivity to acidic and polyphenolic changes. For that purpose, a dataset was built using Excitation Emission Matrices of fluorescence (N = 103) decomposed by a Parallel Factor Analysis (PARAFAC), andfluorescence decays (N = 22), mathematically fitted, using the conventional exponential modeling and the phasor plot representation. Wine PARAFAC component C4 coupledwith its phasor plot g and s values enable the description of malolactic fermentation (MLF) occurrence in Chardonnay wines. Such proxies reflect wine concentration modifications in total acidity, malic/lactic and phenol acids.Lower g values among fresh MLF + wines compared to MLF- wines are explained by a quenching effect on wine fluorophores by both organic and phenolic acids.The combination of multispectral fluorescence parametersopens a novel routinely implementable methodology to diagnose fermentative processes.

PMID:34662797 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.131370

J Acad Nutr Diet. 2021 Oct 15:S2212-2672(21)01382-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jand.2021.10.015. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Commercial nutrition apps are increasingly used to evaluate diet. Evaluating the comparative validity of nutrient data from commercial nutrition app databases is important to determine the merits of using these apps for dietary assessment.

OBJECTIVE: Nutrient data from four commercial nutrition apps were compared with a research-based food database, Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR) (2017).

DESIGN: Comparative Validation Study PARTICIPANTS: /Setting: An investigator identified the fifty most frequently consumed foods (22% of total reported foods) from a weight-loss study at Chicago, Illinois (2017). Nutrient data were compared between four commercial databases with NDSR.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Comparative validity of energy, macronutrients, and other nutrient data (total sugars, fiber, saturated fat, cholesterol, calcium, sodium).

STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) evaluated agreement between commercial databases with the NDSR for foods that were primarily un- and minimally processed and by the three most frequently consumed food groups. Bland-Altman plots determined degree of bias for calories between commercial databases and NDSR.

RESULTS: This study observed excellent agreement between NDSR and CalorieKing® (ICC range=0.90-1.00). Compared with NDSR, agreement for Lose It! and MyFitnessPal ranged from good to excellent (ICC range=0.89-1.00), with the exception of fiber in MyFitnessPal (ICC=0.67). Fitbit showed the widest variability with NDSR (ICC range=0.52-0.98). When evaluating by food group, Fitbit had poor agreement for all food groups, with the lowest agreement observed for fiber within the Vegetable group (ICC=0.16). Bland-Altman plots confirmed ICC energy results but also found that MyFitnessPal had the poorest agreement to NDSR (8.35 [133.31] kcal) for all food items.

CONCLUSIONS: Degree of agreement varied by commercial nutrition app. CalorieKing® and Lose It! had mostly excellent agreement with NDSR for all investigated nutrients. Fitbit showed the widest variability in agreement with NDSR for most nutrients, which may reflect how well the app can accurately capture diet.

PMID:34662722 | DOI:10.1016/j.jand.2021.10.015

Pulm Pharmacol Ther. 2021 Oct 15:102084. doi: 10.1016/j.pupt.2021.102084. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Leukotriene inhibition, in vitro and in vivo, is found to suppress tumor growth across a variety of cancer cells. A mouse model of lung cancer revealed that the leukotriene inhibitor montelukast induced lung cancer cell death. Based on the preclinical data we hypothesize that exposure to a leukotriene inhibitor is associated with a lower risk of lung cancer. We conducted a national retrospective cohort study among U.S. Veterans with asthma to explore the relationship between leukotriene inhibition and incident lung cancer. We utilize a variety of statistical techniques, including cox proportional hazards models, propensity score matching and falsification testing to examine the association. A total of 558,466 patients met study criteria consisting of 23,730 patients with leukotriene exposure and 534,736 patients with no leukotriene medication use. Leukotriene inhibitor exposure reduced the risk of lung cancer by 17% (HR=0.830; 95% CI= (0.757-0.911)) in the unmatched and 22.2% in the matched analysis (HR=0.778 95% CI=(0.688-0.88)). Falsification testing with appendicitis and rotator cuff injury end points, suggest no evidence of selection bias. However, because treatment was not randomized, residual confounding cannot be ruled out. The pre-clinical data on leukotriene inhibition and lung cancer combined with our database analysis provide intriguing evidence warranting further research into the relationship between leukotrienes and lung cancer.

PMID:34662740 | DOI:10.1016/j.pupt.2021.102084