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Nevin Manimala Statistics

The Hypothesis of Subliminal Cue Reactivity in Addiction Revisited: An fMRI Study

Eur Addict Res. 2022 Jan 13:1-10. doi: 10.1159/000521344. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Exposure to conditioned cues is a common trigger of relapse in addiction. It has been suggested that such cues can activate motivationally relevant neurocircuitry in individuals with substance use disorders even without being consciously perceived. We aimed to see if this could be replicated in a sample with severe amphetamine use disorder and a control group of healthy subjects.

METHODS: We used fMRI to test the hypothesis that individuals with amphetamine use disorder, but not healthy controls, exhibit a specific neural reactivity to subliminally presented pictures related to amphetamine use. Twenty-four amphetamine users and 25 healthy controls were recruited and left data of sufficient quality to be included in the final analysis. All subjects were exposed to drug-related and neutral pictures of short duration (13.3 ms), followed by a backward visual mask image. The contrast of interest was drug versus neutral subliminal pictures.

RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in BOLD signal between the drug and neutral cues, neither in the limbic regions of primary interest nor in exploratory whole-brain analyses. The same results were found both in amphetamine users and controls.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: We found no evidence of neural reactivity to subliminally presented drug cues in this sample of subjects with severe amphetamine dependence. These results are discussed in relation to the earlier literature, and the evidence for subliminal drug cue reactivity in substance use disorders is questioned.

PMID:35026761 | DOI:10.1159/000521344

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Serum potassium disorders predict subsequent kidney injury: a retrospective observational cohort study of hospitalized patients

Kidney Blood Press Res. 2022 Jan 13. doi: 10.1159/000521833. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Introduction Electrolytes disorders are common findings in kidney diseases and might represent a useful biomarker preceding kidney injury. Serum potassium [K+] imbalance is still poorly investigated for association with acute kidney injury (AKI) and most evidence come from intensive care units (ICU). The aim of our study was to comprehensively investigate this association in a large, unselected cohort of hospitalized patients.

METHODS: We performed a retrospective observational cohort study on the inpatient population admitted to Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2014 with inclusion of adult patients with at least 2 [K+] and 3 serum creatinine (sCr) measurements who did not develop AKI during an initial 10-day window. The outcome of interest was in-hospital AKI. The exposures of interest were [K+] fluctuations and hypo (HoK) and hyperkalemia (HerK). [K+] variability was evaluated using the coefficient of variation (CV). Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to obtain hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the association between the exposures of interest and development of AKI.

RESULTS: 21,830 hospital admissions from 18,836 patients were included in our study. During a median follow-up of 5 (interquartile range [IQR] 7) days, AKI was observed in 555 hospital admissions (2.9%); median time for AKI development was 5 (IQR 7) days. Higher [K+] variability was independently associated with increased risk of AKI with a statistically significant linear trend across groups (p-value = 0.012). A significantly higher incidence of AKI was documented in patients with HerK compared with normokalemia. No statistically significant difference was observed between HoK and HerK (p-value = 0.92).

CONCLUSION: [K+] abnormalities including fluctuations even within the normal range are associated with development of AKI.

PMID:35026766 | DOI:10.1159/000521833

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Maternal lifestyle factors and risk of neuroblastoma in the offspring: A meta-analysis including Greek NARECHEM-ST primary data

Cancer Epidemiol. 2022 Jan 10;77:102055. doi: 10.1016/j.canep.2021.102055. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The etiology of childhood neuroblastoma remains largely unknown. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we summarized and quantitatively synthesized published evidence on the association of maternal modifiable lifestyle factors with neuroblastoma risk in the offspring. We searched MEDLINE up to December 31, 2020 for eligible studies assessing the association of maternal smoking, alcohol consumption and nutritional supplementation during pregnancy with childhood (0-14 years) neuroblastoma risk. Random-effects models were run, and summary odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) on the relevant associations were calculated, including estimates derived from primary data (n = 103 cases and n = 103 controls) of the Nationwide Registry for Childhood Hematological Malignancies and Solid Tumors (NARECHEM-ST) case control study (2009-2017) in Greece. Twenty-one eligible studies amounting 5163 cases participating in both case-control and cohort/linkage studies were included in the meta-analysis. Maternal smoking and alcohol consumption were not statistically significantly associated with neuroblastoma risk (summary ORsmoking: 1.08, 95% CI: 0.96-1.22, I2 =12.0%, n = 17 studies; summary ORalcohol: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.82-1.18, I2 =0.0%, n = 8 studies). By contrast, maternal vitamin intake during pregnancy was associated with significantly lower neuroblastoma risk (summary OR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.34-0.95, I2 =58.9%, n = 4 studies). The results of the largest to-date meta-analysis point to an inverse association between vitamin intake during pregnancy and childhood neuroblastoma risk. Future longitudinal studies are needed to confirm and further specify these associations as to guide preventive efforts on modifiable maternal risk factors of childhood neuroblastoma.

PMID:35026707 | DOI:10.1016/j.canep.2021.102055

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Passive concentration dynamics incorporated into the library IB2d, a two-dimensional implementation of the immersed boundary method

Bioinspir Biomim. 2022 Jan 13. doi: 10.1088/1748-3190/ac4afa. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In this paper, we present an open-source software library that can be used to numerically simulate the advection and diffusion of a chemical concentration or heat density in a viscous fluid where a moving, elastic boundary drives the fluid and acts as a source or sink. The fully- coupled fluid-structure interaction problem of an elastic boundary in a viscous fluid is solved using Peskin’s immersed boundary method. The addition or removal of the concentration or heat density from the boundary is solved using an immersed boundary-like approach in which the concentration is spread from the immersed boundary to the fluid using a regularized delta function. The concentration or density over time is then described by the advection-diffusion equation and numerically solved. This functionality has been added to our software library, IB2d, which provides an easy-to-use immersed boundary method in two dimensions with full implementations in MATLAB and Python. We provide four examples that illustrate the usefulness of the method. A simple rubber band that resists stretching and absorbs and releases a chemical concentration is simulated as a first example. Complete convergence results are presented for this benchmark case. Three more biological examples are presented: (1) an oscillating row of cylinders, representative of an idealized appendage used for filter-feeding or sniffing, (2) an oscillating plate in a background flow is considered to study the case of heat dissipation in a vibrating leaf, and (3) a simplified model of a pulsing soft coral where carbon dioxide is taken up and oxygen is released as a byproduct from the moving tentacles. This method is applicable to a broad range of problems in the life sciences, including chemical sensing by antennae, heat dissipation in plants and other structures, the advection-diffusion of morphogens during development, filter-feeding by marine organisms, and the release of waste products from organisms in flows.

PMID:35026749 | DOI:10.1088/1748-3190/ac4afa

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Primary risk stratification for neonatal jaundice among term neonates using machine learning algorithm

Early Hum Dev. 2022 Jan 10;165:105538. doi: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2022.105538. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Neonatal jaundice occurs in approximately 60% of term newborns. Although risk factors for neonatal jaundice have been studied, all the suggested strategies are based on various newborn tests for bilirubin levels. We aim to stratify neonates into risk groups for clinically significant neonatal jaundice using a combined data analysis approach, without serum bilirubin evaluation.

STUDY DESIGN: Term (gestational week 37-42) neonates born in a single medical center, 2005-2018 were identified. Anonymized data were analyzed using machine learning. Thresholds for stratification into risk groups were established. Associations were evaluated statistically using neonates with and without clinically significant neonatal jaundice from the study population.

RESULTS: A total of 147,667 consecutive term live neonates were included. The machine learning diagnostic ability to evaluate the risk for neonatal jaundice was 0.748; 95% CI 0.743-0.754 (AUC). The most important factors were (in order of importance) maternal blood type, maternal age, gestational age at delivery, estimated birth weight, parity, CBC at admission, and maternal blood pressure at admission. Neonates were then stratified by risk: 61% (n = 90,140) were classed as low-risk, 39% (n = 57,527) as higher-risk. Prevalence of jaundice was 4.14% in the full cohort, and 1.47% and 8.29% in the low- and high-risk cohorts, respectively; OR 6.06 (CI: 5.7-6.45) for neonatal jaundice in high-risk group.

CONCLUSION: A population tailored “first step” screening policy using machine learning model presents potential of neonatal jaundice risk stratification for term neonates. Future development and validation of this computational model are warranted.

PMID:35026695 | DOI:10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2022.105538

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Evaluation of optimal implant alignment in total hip arthroplasty based on postoperative range of motion simulation

Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2022 Jan 1;92:105555. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2021.105555. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Dislocation after total hip arthroplasty is a frequent cause of revision surgery. This study was performed to determine the optimal implant alignment in total hip arthroplasty by simulating the postoperative range of motion.

METHODS: All operations were performed via posterolateral approach using combined anteversion of the stem and cup technique. Maximum range of motion without implant impingement was simulated in 79 replaced hips using postoperative computed tomography and the achievement of the required range of motion defined by previous studies was assessed. Optimal cup and stem alignment for impingement-free range of motion were statistically determined using the receiver operator coefficient curve.

FINDINGS: Cup inclination and anteversion, stem anteversion, and combined anteversion were 37.6°, 20.1°, 26.2°, and 46.3°, respectively. Maximum range of motion in flexion, extension, internal rotation at 90° of flexion, and external rotation were 131.8°, 42.3°, 56.4°, and 64.5°, respectively. Flexion >110°, extension >30°, internal rotation >30° at 90° of flexion, and external rotation >30° were fulfilled by 96%, 86%, 92%, and 96% of all replaced hips, respectively. Optimal implant alignment for impingement-free range of motion was 34°-43° of cup inclination, 18°-26° of cup anteversion, 17°-29° of stem anteversion, and 35°-56° of combined anteversion. Both cup and stem anteversion showed significant relationship with postoperative range of motion.

INTERPRETATION: Surgeons could gain valuable insights into optimal cup and stem alignment to perform postoperative range of motion simulations.

PMID:35026659 | DOI:10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2021.105555

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Adherence to the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research lifestyle recommendations for cancer prevention and Cancer of Unknown Primary risk

Clin Nutr. 2022 Jan 4;41(2):526-535. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2021.12.038. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) and American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) updated their cancer prevention recommendations in 2018. Adherence to these recommendations has been associated with lower cancer risk and mortality. However, adherence in relation to Cancer of Unknown Primary (CUP) risk has not been studied. This study investigates whether adherence to the WCRF/AICR recommendations is associated with CUP risk.

METHODS: Data from the prospective Netherlands Cohort Study on diet and cancer was used to measure adherence to the recommendations in relation to CUP risk. The cohort includes 120 852 participants (aged 55-69 years), who completed a self-administered questionnaire on cancer risk factors at baseline. Adherence was investigated with respect to body fatness, physical activity, plant foods, meat consumption and alcohol. Incident CUP cases were identified through record linkage to the Netherlands Cancer Registry and Dutch Pathology Registry. A follow-up of 20.3 years, resulted in 856 incident CUP cases and 3911 subcohort members with complete information available for case-cohort analyses. Multivariable adjusted hazard ratios were estimated using proportional hazards models and were adjusted for age at baseline, sex, cigarette smoking (status, frequency, and duration) and total energy intake.

RESULTS: Highest adherence appeared to be associated with decreased CUP risk in the age-sex adjusted model (HR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.62-0.92). After additional adjustment for cigarette smoking (status, frequency, and duration), the association attenuated and was no longer statistically significant. No multiplicative interactions were observed between sex nor smoking status and overall adherence in relation to CUP.

CONCLUSION: Within this cohort, highest adherence to the WCRF/AICR recommendations is not statistically significantly associated with decreased CUP risk after multivariable adjustment.

PMID:35026689 | DOI:10.1016/j.clnu.2021.12.038

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Associations of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) with sleep duration and quality: the BCOPS study

Sleep Med. 2021 Dec 23;89:166-175. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2021.12.011. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are associated with numerous adverse health outcomes in adulthood. Our objective was to investigate associations between ACEs and sleep measures among 206 police officers from the Buffalo Cardio-Metabolic Occupational Police Stress study.

METHODS: ACEs (independent variable) was assessed using the ACE questionnaire. Sleep measures were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and actigraphy. ANOVA/ANCOVA were used to investigate associations between ACEs and sleep measures.

RESULTS: The mean self-reported sleep duration was significantly lower among participants who reported ≥1 ACEs compared to those who reported no ACEs (6.0 ± 0.11 vs. 6.4 ± 0.14 h; multivariate-adjusted p = 0.035). Sleep efficiency was significantly lower among participants who reported ≥1 ACEs compared to those who reported none (mean = 88.7%, 95% CI = 87.7-89.6 vs. 90.2%, 89.2-91.2; unadjusted p = 0.031) but was slightly attenuated and lost statistical significance after multivariate-adjustment (88.8%, 87.8-89.7 vs. 90.1%, 88.9-91.1; p = 0.094). Compared to participants who reported no ACEs, those who reported ≥1 ACEs had a higher mean activity index score (36.9 ± 0.96 vs. 31.2 ± 1.25; multivariate-adjusted p = 0.001); a higher mean wake after sleep onset (WASO) (44.3 ± 2.24 vs. 35.3 ± 2.92 min; multivariate-adjusted p = 0.019); and a higher sleep fragmentation index (3.8 ± 1.65 vs. 3.3 ± 1.20 unadjusted p = 0.044 and 3.8 ± 0.13 vs. 3.3 ± 0.18; multivariate-adjusted p = 0.062). Among men (but not women) who reported ≥1 ACEs, self-reported sleep duration was significantly lower (5.9 ± 0.13 vs. 6.4 ± 0.15 h; multivariate-adjusted p = 0.025) and activity index was significantly higher (39.1 ± 1.3 vs. 33.2 ± 1.51; multivariate-adjusted p = 0.004) compared to those who reported no ACEs.

CONCLUSION: Exposure to ≥1 ACE was associated with worse sleep measures.

PMID:35026653 | DOI:10.1016/j.sleep.2021.12.011

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

MicroRNA Expression Profiling in Hydatidiform Mole for the Prediction of Postmolar GTN : MicroRNA Profile in Postmolar GTN

Technol Cancer Res Treat. 2022 Jan-Dec;21:15330338211067309. doi: 10.1177/15330338211067309.

ABSTRACT

Objectives: The primary aim of the study was to identify miRNAs that were differentially expressed between complete hydatidiform moles (CHMs) that turned out to be gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) [GTN moles] and CHMs that regressed spontaneously after evacuation [remission moles]. The secondary aim was to study the profiles of miRNA expressions in CHMs. Methods: A case-control study was conducted on GTN moles and remission moles. We quantitatively assessed the expression of 800 human miRNAs from molar tissues using Nanostring nCounter. Results: From a pilot study, 21 miRNAs were significantly downregulated in GTN moles compared to the remission moles. Five of them (miR-566, miR-608, miR-1226-3p, miR-548ar-3p and miR-514a-3p) were downregulated for >4 folds. MiR-608 was selected as a candidate for further analysis on 18 CHMs (9 remission moles and 9 GTN moles) due to its striking association with malignant formation. MiR-608 expression was slightly lower in GTN moles compared to the remission moles, that is, 2.22 folds change [p = 0.063]. Conclusion: We identified 21 miRNAs that were differentially expressed between GTN moles and remission moles suggesting that miRNA profiles can distinguish between the two groups. Although not reaching statistically significant, miR-608 expression was slightly lower in GTN moles compared to remission moles.

PMID:35023789 | DOI:10.1177/15330338211067309

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Assessment of quality of life illness in adult patients with atopic dermatitis

Rev Med Inst Mex Seguro Soc. 2021 Aug 2;59(4):306-312.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a disease with an impact on the patient’s quality of life (QoL). Several tools have been designed to assess the clinical severity of the disease, such as the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), while specific instruments have been created to assess QoL, such as the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the Quality of Life Index for Atopic Dermatitis (QoLIAD).

OBJECTIVE: To define which tool is the best to assess the QoL condition of adult patients with AD in relation to the EASI.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with AD (> 18 years old) were selected who agreed to complete the DLQI and QoLIAD questionnaires, as well as to have a dermatologic examination reported according to the EASI. Three simple linear regression models were fitted in order to quantify the association between EASI with DLQI and QoLIAD. A value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The CV condition model with the highest pseudo R2 value was considered to have the strongest association with EASI.

RESULTS: A total of 72 patients were included. Simple quantile regression models revealed a regression coefficient of 0.243 for DLQI (p = 0.002) and 0.252 for QoLIAD (p = 0.003). The pseudo R2 values were 0.15 for DLQI and 0.10 for QoLIAD, so DLQI had a higher correlation with EASI.

CONCLUSIONS: DLQI proved to be the best instrument to assess CV impairment in adult patients with AD.

PMID:35023698