Tag: pubmed

Turk Psikiyatri Derg. 2021 Spring;32(1):33-42.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Internet addiction (IA) turn out to be a serious health problem in our country as in the whole world, especially for young adults. To our knowledge, there are very few studies investigating IA and associated psychological variables in a Turkish sample. The purpose of this study is to develop the internet addiction scale (IAS) on the basis of the diagnostic criteria for internet gaming disorder, in the third section of the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) by the American Psychiatric Association (APA).

METHOD: The study included 331 university students consisting of 189 (57.1%) females and 142 (42.9%) males with a mean age of 21.6 (SD=2.61) years. Data were acquired with a Demographic Information Form, the Internet Addiction Scale (IAS), the UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLA-LS), the Impulsive Behaviour Scale (IBS) based on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), the SelfCompassion Scale (SCS) and the Basic Psychological Needs Scale (BPNS).

RESULTS: Exploratory factor analysis revealed that the IAS has a 7-factor structure with an internal consistency coefficient of 0.97 in accordance with the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria.

CONCLUSION: Results of the statistical analyses showed the psychometric properties of IAS to be valid on a Turkish student sample and it significantly correlated with loneliness, self-compassion, impulsivity and basic psychological needs.

PMID:34181742

Angle Orthod. 2021 Jul 1;91(4):509-514. doi: 10.2319/083020-756.1.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To date, the clinical stability of dual-thread orthodontic miniscrews has not been studied. This study aimed to compare the primary stability and long-term clinical success rate of dual-thread and cylindrical orthodontic miniscrews and to examine the association between various clinical factors and the success rate of miniscrews.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 145 cylindrical and 135 dual-thread miniscrews were inserted in the maxillary and mandibular buccal alveolar areas of 142 patients. The torque and Periotest (Siemens, Bensheim, Germany) values were recorded during insertion and removal. The effect of clinical variables such as sex, age, screw design, jaw, side of placement, root proximity, and site of placement on the success rate was examined using logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference (P = .595) in the overall clinical success rate between the two designs, with an overall success rate of 82.1% and 84.4% for the cylindrical and dual-thread miniscrews, respectively. Age and screw-root proximity were significantly associated with failure (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS: The dual-thread miniscrews did not show superior long-term stability and clinical success rate as compared with the cylindrical miniscrews. The results of this study suggest that patient age and screw-root proximity influence the clinical success rate of miniscrews.

PMID:34181723 | DOI:10.2319/083020-756.1

ILAR J. 2021 Jun 25:ilab020. doi: 10.1093/ilar/ilab020. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Animals have been closely observed by humans for at least 17 000 years to gain critical knowledge for human and later animal survival. Routine scientific observations of animals as human surrogates began in the late 19th century driven by increases in new compounds resulting from synthetic chemistry and requiring characterization for potential therapeutic utility and safety. Statistics collected by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and United Kingdom Home Office show that animal usage in biomedical research and teaching activities peaked after the mid-20th century and thereafter fell precipitously until the early 21st century, when annual increases (in the UK) were again observed, this time driven by expansion of genetically modified animal technologies. The statistics also show a dramatic transfer of research burden in the 20th and 21st centuries away from traditional larger and more publicly sensitive species (dogs, cats, non-human primates, etc) towards smaller, less publicly sensitive mice, rats, and fish. These data show that new technology can produce multi-faceted outcomes to reduce and/or to increase annual animal usage and to redistribute species burden in biomedical research. From these data, it is estimated that annual total vertebrate animal usage in biomedical research and teaching in the United States was 15 to 25 million per year during 2001-2018. Finally, whereas identification and incorporation of non-animal alternatives are products of, but not an integral component of, the animal research cycle, they replace further use of animals for specific research and product development purposes and create their own scientific research cycles, but are not necessarily a substitute for animals or humans for discovery, acquisition, and application of new (eg, previously unknown and/or unsuspected) knowledge critical to further advance human and veterinary medicine and global species survival.

PMID:34181728 | DOI:10.1093/ilar/ilab020

Am J Hypertens. 2021 Jun 28:hpab103. doi: 10.1093/ajh/hpab103. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a leading cause of chronic kidney disease worldwide. Early studies demonstrated the short-term effects of hypertension on kidney function and morphology in ablative nephropathy. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term consequences of hypertension in 5/6 nephrectomy (5/6NE) model.

METHODS: Reduction of the kidney mass by 5/6NE was created in spontaneous hypertensive (SHR) rats and genetically similar normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats. Blood pressure, serum creatinine (SCr), hematuria and proteinuria were monitored weekly for 23 weeks. Kidney morphology was assessed at the end of the study. Sham-operated rats from both strains were used as controls.

RESULTS: Rats with 5/6NE had increased SCr, blood pressure, hematuria and proteinuria in both SHR and WKY. Even though the SCr levels and blood pressure were greater in 5/6NE SHR as compared to 5/6NE WKY rats, absolute changes from sham-operated rats were not statistically significant between these two groups. 5/6NE SHR had earlier onset and a higher proteinuria than 5/6NE WKY rats. Hematuria was similar in 5/6NE SHR and 5/6NE WKY rats. However, 5/6NE SHR had enlarged glomeruli, increased interstitial fibrosis and prominent intimal thickening in the small arteries/arterioles as compared to 5/6NE WKY rats.

CONCLUSIONS: The long-term severity of kidney injury correlated with higher blood pressure. . Reduction of the kidney mass increases SCr, hematuria, proteinuria and blood pressure in both normotensive and hypertensive rats. Histological assessment provides better information about underlying chronic kidney injury than actual changes in SCr and urinalysis.

PMID:34181718 | DOI:10.1093/ajh/hpab103

Angle Orthod. 2021 Jul 1;91(4):441-448. doi: 10.2319/110620-916.1.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To compare canine retraction using NiTi closed coil springs vs elastomeric chains comprehensively in a split-mouth randomized controlled trial.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The canines in 64 quadrants were randomly retracted into the first premolar extraction spaces using NiTi closed coil springs or elastomeric chains, in the maxilla and mandible. The retraction force was 150 g. Cone beam computed tomography scans and study models were obtained before the start of canine retraction and 6 months later. The rate and total amount of canine retraction, canine rotation, tipping, and root resorption were evaluated. A visual analogue scale was used to evaluate patients’ pain experience.

RESULTS: The two methods were statistically similar for dental changes, rate of canine retraction, and root resorption. However, patients reported significantly more days of pain with the elastomeric chain compared to the NiTi closed coil springs.

CONCLUSIONS: Within the constraints of the current study, using either NiTi closed coil springs or elastomeric chains as force delivery systems for canine retraction results in no significant difference in the rate of canine retraction, tipping, rotation, or root resorption. Pain experience during retraction using elastomeric chains is more significant yet needs further investigation.

PMID:34181721 | DOI:10.2319/110620-916.1

Clin Infect Dis. 2021 Jun 28:ciab588. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciab588. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Tracing of SARS-CoV-2 transmission chains is still a major challenge for public health authorities, when incidental contacts are not recalled or are not perceived as potential risk contacts. Viral sequencing can address key questions about SARS-CoV-2 evolution and may support reconstruction of viral transmission networks by integration of molecular epidemiology into classical contact tracing.

METHODS: In collaboration with local public health authorities, we set up an integrated system of genomic surveillance in an urban setting, combining a) viral surveillance sequencing, b) genetically based identification of infection clusters in the population, c) integration of public health authority contact tracing data, and d) a user-friendly dashboard application as a central data analysis platform.

RESULTS: Application of the integrated system from August to December 2020 enabled a characterization of viral population structure, analysis of four outbreaks at a maximum care hospital, and genetically based identification of five putative population infection clusters, all of which were confirmed by contact tracing. The system contributed to the development of improved hospital infection control and prevention measures and enabled the identification of previously unrecognized transmission chains, involving a martial arts gym and establishing a link between the hospital to the local population.

CONCLUSIONS: Integrated systems of genomic surveillance could contribute to the monitoring and, potentially, improved management of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the population.

PMID:34181711 | DOI:10.1093/cid/ciab588

Nucleic Acids Res. 2021 Jun 28:gkab542. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkab542. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The SLX1-SLX4 structure-specific endonuclease complex is involved in processing diverse DNA damage intermediates, including resolution of Holliday junctions, collapse of stalled replication forks and removal of DNA flaps. The nuclease subunit SLX1 is inactive on its own, but become activated upon binding to SLX4 via its conserved C-terminal domain (CCD). Yet, how the SLX1-SLX4 complex recognizes specific DNA structure and chooses cleavage sites remains unknown. Here we show, through a combination of structural, biochemical and computational analyses, that the SAP domain of SLX4 is critical for efficient and accurate processing of 5′-flap DNA. It binds the minor groove of DNA about one turn away from the flap junction, and the 5′-flap is implicated in binding the core domain of SLX1. This binding mode accounts for specific recognition of 5′-flap DNA and specification of cleavage site by the SLX1-SLX4 complex.

PMID:34181713 | DOI:10.1093/nar/gkab542

PLoS One. 2021 Jun 28;16(6):e0253800. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253800. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic and control measures adopted by countries globally can lead to stress and anxiety. Investigating the coping strategies to this unprecedented crisis is essential to guide mental health intervention and public health policy. This study examined how people are coping with the COVID-19 crisis in Ghana and identify factors influencing it.

METHODS: This study was part of a multinational online cross-sectional survey on Personal and Family Coping with COVID-19 in the Global South. The study population included adults, ≥18 years and residents in Ghana. Respondents were recruited through different platforms, including social media and phone calls. The questionnaire was composed of different psychometrically validated instruments with coping as the outcome variable measured on the ordinal scale with 3 levels, namely, Not well or worse, Neutral, and Well or better. An ordinal logistic regression model using proportional odds assumption was then applied.

RESULTS: A total of 811 responses were included in the analysis with 45.2% describing their coping level as well/better, 42.4% as neither worse nor better and 12.4% as worse/not well. Many respondents (46.9%) were between 25-34 years, 50.1% were males while 79.2% lived in urban Ghana. Having pre-existing conditions increased the chances of not coping well (aOR = 1.86, 95%CI: 1.15-3.01). Not being concerned about supporting the family financially (aOR = 1.67, 95%CI: 1.06-2.68) or having the feeling that life is better during the pandemic (aOR = 2.37, 95%CI: 1.26-4.62) increased chances of coping well. Praying (aOR: 0.62, 95%CI: 0.43-0.90) or sleeping (aOR: 0.55, 95%CI: 0.34-0.89) more during the pandemic than before reduces coping.

CONCLUSION: In Ghana, during the COVID-19 pandemic, financial security and optimism about the disease increase one’s chances of coping well while having pre-existing medical conditions, praying and sleeping more during the pandemic than before reduces one’s chances of coping well. These findings should be considered in planning mental health and public health intervention/policy.

PMID:34181679 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0253800

PLoS One. 2021 Jun 28;16(6):e0253341. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253341. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The proposed sequential and combinatorial algorithm, suggested as a standard tool for assessing, exploring, and reporting heterogeneity in the meta-analysis, is useful but time-consuming particularly when the number of included studies is large. Metaplot is a novel graphical approach that facilitates performing sensitivity analysis to distinguish the source of substantial heterogeneity across studies with ease and speed.

METHOD: Metaplot is a Stata module based on Stata’s commands, known informally as “ado”. Metaplot presents a two-way (x, y) plot in which the x-axis represents the study codes and the y-axis represents the values of I2 statistics excluding one study at a time (n-1 studies). Metaplot also produces a table in the ‘Results window’ of the Stata software including details such as I2 and χ2 statistics and their P-values omitting one study in each turn.

RESULTS: Metaplot allows rapid identification of studies that have a disproportionate impact on heterogeneity across studies, and communicates to what extent omission of that study may reduce the overall heterogeneity based on the I2 and χ2 statistics. Metaplot has no limitations regarding the number of studies or types of outcome data (binomial or continuous data).

CONCLUSIONS: Metaplot is a simple graphical approach that gives a quick and easy identification of the studies having substantial influences on overall heterogeneity at a glance.

PMID:34181682 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0253341

PLoS One. 2021 Jun 28;16(6):e0253381. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253381. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

During the COVID-19 pandemic, governments globally had to impose severe contact restriction measures and social mobility limitations in order to limit the exposure of the population to COVID-19. These public health policy decisions were informed by statistical models for infection rates in national populations. In this work, we are interested in modelling the temporal evolution of national-level infection counts for the United Kingdom (UK-Wales, England, Scotland), Germany (GM), Italy (IT), Spain (SP), Japan (JP), Australia (AU) and the United States (US). We model the national-level infection counts for the period January 2020 to January 2021, thus covering both the pre- and post-vaccine roll-out periods, in order to better understand the most reliable model structure for the COVID-19 epidemic growth curve. We achieve this by exploring a variety of stochastic population growth models and comparing their calibration, with respect to in-sample fitting and out-of-sample forecasting, both with and without exposure adjustment, to the most widely used and reported growth model, the Gompertz population model, often referred to in the public health policy discourse during the COVID-19 pandemic. Model risk as we explore it in this work manifests in the inability to adequately capture the behaviour of the disease progression growth rate curve. Therefore, our concept of model risk is formed relative to the standard reference Gompertz model used by decision-makers, and then we can characterise model risk mathematically as having two components: the dispersion of the observation distribution, and the structure of the intensity function over time for cumulative counts of new infections daily (i.e. the force of infection) attributed directly to the COVID-19 pandemic. We also explore how to incorporate in these population models the effect that governmental interventions have had on the number of infected cases. This is achieved through the development of an exposure adjustment to the force of infection comprised of a purpose-built sentiment index, which we construct from various authoritative public health news reporting. The news reporting media we employed were the New York Times, the Guardian, the Telegraph, Reuters global blog, as well as national and international health authorities: the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and the World Health Organisation. We find that exposure adjustments that incorporate sentiment are better able to calibrate to early stages of infection spread in all countries under study.

PMID:34181686 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0253381