Proportion Of Males Research Articles

Colours in clothes and psychological functioning: the impact on emotions and self-esteem

Background: Colours are the object of study in various areas of humanitarian sciences, such as linguistics, cultural studies, and art. In psychology, the effects of colour on behaviour and emotional states are analyzed. The purpose of this research is to explore the preference for colours in clothes Indian students wear and report the results of the “Colour Challenge Week” project. Methods: Simultaneous mixed methods were used in this study: qualitative (a survey, documents analysis: students’ reports) and quantitative (two standardized tests: The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the PANAS-SF). Results: The article introduces the survey results among 246 university students aged 18-22 from different states of India. It shows the colours black, white, and blue in clothes are of preference. Pearson’s Chi-Square test was used to examine the Frequency distribution of values. To find the answer to the research question: “What is the impact of colours in clothes on students’ emotions and self-esteem?” a thematic analysis of students’ reports was performed. Conclusions: The exploration of this topic is far from complete and to uncover all relationships further intensive research is required. Future studies are recommended utilizing bigger sample sizes with a more equal proportion of males to females

The value of serum Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer in the diagnosis of liver fibrosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundThe early detection and intervention of liver fibrosis (LF) in patients with chronic liver disease is critical to their management. The accuracy of serum Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) in the diagnosis of LF remains controversial. This study aimed to comprehensively assess the value of serum M2BPGi in diagnosing LF.MethodsThe PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched. The effect values were combined using a random-effects model. Meta-regression and subgroup analysis were used to explore the sources of heterogeneity. In addition, publication bias assessment and sensitivity analysis were conducted.ResultsThis study includes 12 studies with 2,416 patients. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, and AUROC of M2BPGi in the diagnosis of significant fibrosis (≥F2) were 0.65 (95% CI: 0.57–0.71), 0.79 (95% CI: 0.72–0.84), and 0.78 (95% CI: 0.74–0.81), respectively, while those for predicting extensive fibrosis (≥F3) were 0.76 (95% CI: 0.71–0.80), 0.75 (95% CI: 0.68–0.81), and 0.81 (95% CI: 0.77–0.84). Sensitivity analysis indicated stable results in this study. The disease type, cut-off values, study country, average age, and male proportion were the sources of heterogeneity in diagnosing significant fibrosis of M2BPGi (p < 0.05). Sample size, disease type, study country, publication year, cut-off values, average age, and male proportion were important sources of heterogeneity in diagnosing extensive fibrosis (p < 0.05).ConclusionSerum M2BPGi has good diagnostic performance for significant fibrosis and extensive fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), chronic hepatitis C (CHC), or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and is an effective, non-invasive, and convenient marker.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://inplasy.com/inplasy-2023-10-0086/.

Healthcare Resource Utilization Among Patients With Agitation in Alzheimer Dementia

Background: Agitation in Alzheimer dementia is common, but the associated healthcare burden remains unclear. Objective: This retrospective analysis evaluated baseline characteristics, healthcare resource utilization, and costs among patients with agitation in Alzheimer dementia and those without agitation in Alzheimer dementia. Methods: Medicare beneficiaries from 100% of the Medicare Fee-for-Service claims database (2009-2016) with 2 or more claims 30 or more days apart for both Alzheimer’s disease and dementia and continuous enrollment with medical/pharmacy coverage for 6 months before and 12 months after the index diagnosis were included. Patients with agitation in Alzheimer dementia were identified by 2 or more claims 14 or more days apart using International Classification of Diseases-9-CM/-10-CM codes based on the provisional International Psychogeriatric Association agitation definition. Patients with severe psychiatric disorders were excluded. Two cohorts of patients (with and without agitation) were then defined, and patient characteristics, healthcare resource utilization, and costs were compared in a descriptive exploratory analysis. Results: Of 2 684 704 Fee-for-Service patients with Alzheimer dementia, 769 141 met all inclusion criteria; among these, 281 042 (36.5%) had agitation. The mean age in patients with and without agitation in Alzheimer dementia was 83 years. Most patients in both groups were female, but the proportion of males was slightly higher in the agitation in Alzheimer dementia group (30.3% vs 28.2%, respectively). Patients with agitation in Alzheimer dementia were more likely than those without agitation in Alzheimer dementia to have lower socioeconomic status (dual eligibility for Medicaid, 45.0% vs 41.7%, respectively) or be disabled (10.5% vs 9.4%). Overall, healthcare costs were higher in the agitation in Alzheimer dementia population compared with those without agitation in Alzheimer dementia (mean cost PPPY, $32 322 and $30 121, respectively), with the largest differences observed in inpatient and post-acute care costs. Conclusions: These exploratory findings underscore the substantial economic burden of agitation in Alzheimer dementia and highlight the need for treatment options for the agitation in Alzheimer dementia population to improve associated health outcomes.

Healthcare Resource Utilization Among Patients With Agitation in Alzheimer Dementia.

Background: Agitation in Alzheimer dementia is common, but the associated healthcare burden remains unclear. Objective: This retrospective analysis evaluated baseline characteristics, healthcare resource utilization, and costs among patients with agitation in Alzheimer dementia and those without agitation in Alzheimer dementia. Methods: Medicare beneficiaries from 100% of the Medicare Fee-for-Service claims database (2009-2016) with 2 or more claims 30 or more days apart for both Alzheimer's disease and dementia and continuous enrollment with medical/pharmacy coverage for 6 months before and 12 months after the index diagnosis were included. Patients with agitation in Alzheimer dementia were identified by 2 or more claims 14 or more days apart using International Classification of Diseases-9-CM/-10-CM codes based on the provisional International Psychogeriatric Association agitation definition. Patients with severe psychiatric disorders were excluded. Two cohorts of patients (with and without agitation) were then defined, and patient characteristics, healthcare resource utilization, and costs were compared in a descriptive exploratory analysis. Results: Of 2 684 704 Fee-for-Service patients with Alzheimer dementia, 769 141 met all inclusion criteria; among these, 281 042 (36.5%) had agitation. The mean age in patients with and without agitation in Alzheimer dementia was 83 years. Most patients in both groups were female, but the proportion of males was slightly higher in the agitation in Alzheimer dementia group (30.3% vs 28.2%, respectively). Patients with agitation in Alzheimer dementia were more likely than those without agitation in Alzheimer dementia to have lower socioeconomic status (dual eligibility for Medicaid, 45.0% vs 41.7%, respectively) or be disabled (10.5% vs 9.4%). Overall, healthcare costs were higher in the agitation in Alzheimer dementia population compared with those without agitation in Alzheimer dementia (mean cost PPPY, 30 121, respectively), with the largest differences observed in inpatient and post-acute care costs. Conclusions: These exploratory findings underscore the substantial economic burden of agitation in Alzheimer dementia and highlight the need for treatment options for the agitation in Alzheimer dementia population to improve associated health outcomes.

Application of resistance exercise training combined with CT image evaluation in postoperative functional rehabilitation and fracture risk prediction of elderly femurs

ObjectiveTo evaluate the overall functional recovery of femoral patients, improve recovery ability, and prevent fractures in the elderly. MethodsA group of elderly femoral postoperative participants were selected and randomly divided into resistance exercise training and routine rehabilitation training. Simultaneously, a control group (without a history of fractures) and a fracture group (with a history of fractures) were designed to predict fracture risk. Finally, computerized tomography was used to evaluate the functional rehabilitation status. ResultsThe resistance exercise training group showed significantly better performance in functional rehabilitation and fracture risk prediction than the control group, and the decrease in Barthel index at 12 weeks after surgery in this group was 6.25 (P > 0.001). The age, gender, and volumetric bone density between the control group and the fracture group showed P > 0.001, and the differences were statistically significant. The average age of the control group was significantly higher than that of the fracture group, and the proportion of males in the fracture group was significantly higher than that of the control group. The intramuscular fat content of the iliopsoas muscle in the fracture group was significantly lower than that in the control group, P = 0.004. This indicated that lower intramuscular fat content of the iliopsoas muscle was associated with higher fracture risk, as participants with lower intramuscular fat content of the iliopsoas muscle had less bone protection, resulting in an increased risk of fracture. The difference in body mass index between the two groups was not statistically significant, P = 0.737, indicating that the impact of this parameter on fracture risk was not significant in this study. ConclusionResistance exercise training combined with CT image evaluation is an effective rehabilitation strategy with high clinical application value. This study provides reliable empirical evidence for the application of resistance exercise training and the combination of CT image evaluation, and provides guidance for the optimization of clinical rehabilitation strategies.

Study on the Predictive Value of a Pulmonary Edema Imaging Score for Delayed Extubation in Patients after Heart Valve Surgery on Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

Delayed extubation with mechanical ventilation after cardiac valve surgery is an important clinical challenge. Early extubation can improve the survival rate and prognosis of patients. The study aims to explore the predictive value of a chest X-ray pulmonary edema imaging score on the first day after surgery for delayed extubation in patients after cardiac valve surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass. Retrospective analysis of the clinical data of patients undergoing cardiac valve surgery under extracorporeal circulation admitted to the intensive care unit of Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated with Fudan University (Xiamen) from January 2020 to October 2023. The patients were divided into an early extubation group according to the postoperative mechanical ventilation time (time: <24 h) and a delayed extubation group (time: ≥24 h). The radiographic assessment of lung edema (RALE) score was performed on the chest X-ray of the patient on the first day after surgery to analyze the correlation between delayed extubation of mechanical ventilation and the chest radiograph RALE score on the first day after surgery and to verify its predictive performance. Significant differences in age, the incidence of hypertension, body mass index (BMI), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), pump time, RALE score, ventilation time, oxygenation index, PaCO2, and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels after the first 24 h were seen between patients who were extubated before and 24 h post operation (p = 0.013, 0.001, 0.034, <0.001, <0.001, <0.001, <0.001, <0.001, 0.014, and <0.001, respectively). No significant differences were observed in the proportion of males and the lactate level after the first 24 h between the two groups (p = 0.792 and 0.191, respectively). The time of mechanical ventilation was positively correlated with the RALE score in all patients, and the correlation coefficient was 0.419; the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis with stepwise regression was performed on each research factor, and it was found that RALE score, pump time, oxygenation index, and postoperative BNP were independent risk factors for predicting delayed extubation in patients undergoing cardiac surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass. A 10-fold cross-validation revealed that the mean accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) of the regression model were 0.737, 0.749, 0.741, and 0.825, respectively. The RALE score on the chest radiograph on the first day after surgery is an independent risk factor for predicting delayed extubation in patients after cardiac valve surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass and has good predictive value.

A new hydration strategy can reduce contrast-induced acute kidney injury after PCI in patients with chronic heart failure and chronic kidney disease: a two-center randomized controlled trial

Abstract Backgrounds Adequate hydration is crucial for preventing contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI), particularly in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The current guidelines recommend half-volume hydration for patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) to prevent pulmonary edema. Thus, it is challenging to administer hydration therapy in patients with CHF and CKD. This study was aimed to compare different hydration strategies in this subset of patients. Methods This two-center, open-label, randomized clinical trial enrolled 303 CHF (patients with elevated natriuretic peptide levels and/or objective evidence of pulmonary or systemic congestion) patients with CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] of 15-60 mL/min/1.73m2) undergoing selective coronary angiography (CAG) from two tertiary hospitals from October 2020 to December 2023. Patients were randomized into three groups: half-volume hydration group (HH group, 0.5 mL/Kg/h hydration), standard hydration group (SH group, 1 mL/Kg/h hydration), and standard hydration with diuretic group (SH+D group, 1 mL/Kg/h hydration + immediate postoperative intravenous injection of furosemide 20 mg). All patients received hydration from 6 to 12 hours before to 24 hours after the procedure. The primary endpoint was CI-AKI, defined as a serum creatinine (SCr) increase of more than 0.3 mg/dL or 1.5-1.9 times greater than the baseline 48-72 hours after CAG. Safety endpoints included pulmonary edema during hydration, perioperative mortality, and the need for dialysis. Results A total of 101 patients were included in each group. Baseline characteristics (mean age, proportion of males, left ventricular ejection fraction and eGFR) were similar among groups. SCr, cystatin C levels, and SCr level changes between 48 and 72 hours after procedure did not significantly differ among groups (P &amp;gt; 0.05). The incidence of CI-AKI was highest in the HH group (22.8%), lowest in the SH+D group (11.9%), and intermediate in the SH group (17.8%) (P = 0.041). Regarding safety endpoints, there were 2 patients in the HH group, 3 patients in the SH group and 1 patient in the SH+D group experienced heart failure or pulmonary edema during hydration, with no statistically significant differences among the groups (P = 0.874). Perioperative mortality occurred in 1 patient in the HH group and 2 patients in the SH+D group, with no statistically significant differences (P = 0.776). No patient required renal replacement therapy. Conclusions In CHF patients with CKD, the half-volume hydration regimen recommended by guidelines was associated with a higher incidence of CI-AKI compared to standard hydration. However, standard hydration combine with diuretic fails to reduce the risk of heart failure during hydration or perioperative mortality, even if this novel strategy does not increase the risk of CI-AKI compared to standard hydration therapy.

Impact of Climate Deviation on Reproductive Profile of Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) from the Tons River, India

Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus is among the leading farmed species around the world as well as a powerful invader in many countries globally. Studies were undertaken during the period from February 2019 to January 2020 from the lower stretch of the Tons River at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India. During the sampling period, 683 fish specimens of Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (336 males and 347 females) were collected and studied for evaluation of sex ratio and sex structure. The sex ratios of male and female fishes were very close and reported 1.0:1.03 in the stock. The male ratio was higher in the small size group of fish with 81 to 200 mm size groups and 411 to 470 mm size group. The sex structure of males and females was observed at 49.19% and 50.81%, respectively in the case of stock. The female proportion was recorded as a minimum with 37.50% in the 441-470 cm size group and highest with 54.84% in the 381-410 mm size group. However, the male proportion was reported lowest at 45.16% in the 381-410 mm size group and highest at 62.50% in the 441-470 mm size group. In the present findings, O. niloticus was found to reach maturity starting below 138 mm of total length, taking individual fish. The fishes breed in the months of March to June and September to November of the year. The number of eggs per individual ranged from 393 to 4338 in the size of fish varied from 138-452 mm. The reported fecundity and sex ratio of O. niloticus indicated that the climatic condition or environmental condition of the Tons River was most suitable. The environmental condition (especially temperature) of the Tons River at Prayagraj is slightly warm compared to the Ganga River which is very favourable for O. niloticus. The water current velocity of the Tons River is very poor. Both parameters are very helpful for the stability of O. niloticus in the Tons River at Prayagraj. The high fecundity of O. niloticus in the Tons River at Prayagraj could probably be a result of a combination of different causes such as climatic conditions, habitat structure, food abundance, water quality, and quality of food. Therefore, the present study aimed to update the information on the sex ratio, sex structure, and fecundity of O. niloticus with respect to climate from the Tons River, India.

Contemporary description of cardiac manifestations in ATTR amyloidosis: results from the multi-country OverTTuRe study

Abstract Background In transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis, amyloid fibrils accumulate in the myocardium, resulting in cardiac manifestations that can ultimately be fatal. The diverse presentation of this condition often results in prolonged diagnostic journeys for patients before they receive a definitive diagnosis of ATTR amyloidosis and treatment. Purpose To delineate the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with ATTR amyloidosis by cardiac manifestations, and to examine the duration from the first recorded cardiac manifestation to diagnosis. Methods OverTTuRe is a multi-country study generating real-world evidence from a cohort of patients identified as having ATTR amyloidosis between 2017-2022. Data were extracted from the US (Optum’s de-identified Clinformatics Data Mart Database) and Japan (Medical Data Vision Database). Additional analyses from European countries are ongoing. Patients aged ≥18 years with a recorded ICD-10 diagnosis code for ATTR amyloidosis (all phenotypes) or record for an ATTR-specific treatment were included. The index date was defined as first recorded date of diagnosis or ATTR-specific treatment. Patients with a diagnostic code or treatment indicative of secondary (AA) amyloidosis or light chain (AL) amyloidosis were excluded. Results 17,720 patients (median age: 75 years; 48.3% males) with ATTR amyloidosis were identified from the US and 4,690 from Japan (median age: 77 years; 57.0% males). Among individuals with 5 years of any available data prior to ATTR amyloidosis diagnosis (US: 9,147 [51.6%]; Japan: 2,600 [55.4%]), the most frequent initial cardiac manifestation ahead of ATTR amyloidosis was heart failure (US: 30.3%; Japan: 42.0%) followed by atrial fibrillation (21.9%) and cardiomyopathy (21.7%) in the US, and angina (21.6%) and atrial fibrillation (18.7%) in Japan. Among patients with 5 years of any available data before diagnosis plus cardiac manifestations, there were higher proportions of males than females and older individuals (Table). Median time from the earliest recording of any cardiac manifestation to the diagnosis of ATTR amyloidosis was 2.4 years (IQR: 0.9, 3.9) in the US and 1.2 years (IQR: 0.1, 3.2) in Japan. Median time to diagnosis increased with age and was similar across sexes in the US, whilst females in Japan had longer median time to diagnosis. Among the cardiac manifestations (heart failure, atrial fibrillation, cardiomyopathy, angina, aortic valve stenosis), 52.5% of patients in Japan had at least 2 manifestations, whilst in the US 59.4% of patients had more than 2 manifestations. Conclusions These findings highlight the prevalence of cardiac manifestations such as heart failure, in patients identified as having ATTR amyloidosis, particularly among men and elderly individuals. The observed delay in diagnosis of ATTR amyloidosis illustrates the importance of increased awareness to support early recognition and treatment to limit adverse clinical outcomes.

Association of telomeres length with cardiovascular risk factors and arterial stiffness

Abstract Background Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) has been explored as a marker of biological aging, with connections established to age-related diseases like atherosclerosis. Studies have particularly associated telomeres with conditions such as peripheral vascular disease, coronary heart disease, and cardiovascular mortality. Methods In this cross-sectional analysis we enrolled individuals from "Corinthia" study which was conducted in the homonym region in Greece. We measured LTL in individuals to obtain comparative metrics on the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors as well as arterial stiffness. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) was used to evaluate arterial stiffness. Results Our analysis included 419 individuals aged 62.4 ± 11.8 years with a median LTL at 6.78 (IQR: 5.08-8.72) bp. Using the median LTL as a cutoff, the cohort was divided into two groups, Group A: 208 patients with low LTL, Group B: 211 patients with high LTL. Group A exhibited a significantly higher proportion of males (52.4% vs. 34.1%, p &amp;lt; 0.01), higher body mass index (BMI) (29.3 ± 4.7 kg/m2 vs. 28.5 ± 4.4 kg/m2, p &amp;lt;0.05), and a higher prevalence of hypertension (78.8% vs. 67.8%, p = 0.01) and dyslipidemia (51% vs. 38.9%, p = 0.014). No significant difference was observed regarding the prevalence of diabetes mellitus, smoking habits, and established cardiovascular disease. In the analysis of the whole cohort, cfPWV was found significant higher in Group A (9.61 ± 3.46 m/s vs. 8.38 ± 2.49 m/s, p &amp;lt;0.01) compared to group B (Figure, Panel A). This association remained significant (β = -0.096, p = 0.038), even after adjustment for confounders in the multivariate regression analysis. Finally, a statistically significant negative correlation between LTL and cfPWV was observed (Figure, Panel B). Conclusion LTL plays a pivotal role in cardiovascular health, and lower LTL is associated with impaired cfPWV values and a heightened prevalence of obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia.Asociation of LTL with cfPWV values.

Health status by time of arrival among Ukrainian refugees in Norway

Abstract Background Over 75000 refugees from Ukraine have come to Norway since February 2022. Previous studies show that the refugees have poor health for several domains, and reports suggest that those fleeing Ukraine at later stages have even poorer health. However, more systematic knowledge is lacking. This study aimed to measure self-reported health in a sample of adult refugees from Ukraine according to month of arrival to Norway in 2022. Methods Data were collected via an online, digital questionnaire, in a cross-sectional study design between 28.10.22 - 31.01.23. Recruitment was via multiple potential physical and social media contact points, including asylum reception centres, municipalities, non-profit organisations, and Facebook groups for refugees in Norway. The survey included self-reported health outcomes: overall health, oral health, presence of long-term illnesses or disabilities, and a short version of Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL-5). Results Among 727 respondents, 82% were female, 65% aged 30-49 years, 69% had higher education and 53% responsibility for children in Norway. 383 arrived February-April (T1), 200 May-August (T2) and 144 September-December (T3). Compared to T1, later periods had higher proportions of males, a younger age distribution and lower proportions with higher education. Proportions reporting poor/very poor overall health, presence of long-term illness, and long-term disability were highest in T3. Oral health and HSCL-5 showed an opposite trend, with lower proportions reporting poorer health in both later periods. Respondents in T3 were still more likely to report poor health and long-term illnesses after adjusting for sex, age and education. Conclusions Respondents arriving later in 2022 generally reported poorer long-term health, but less psychological distress than those arriving earlier. These findings may help to inform planning of health services to refugees from Ukraine, especially in areas receiving large numbers of refugees. Key messages • Refugees from Ukraine arriving earlier to host countries appear to have generally better health compared to those arriving later. • Refugee health services should plan and scale accordingly when large numbers of refugees are expected as a result of international crises.

Differences and similarities in adolescents accessing emergency care for acute alcohol intoxication in three urban regions in Italy, Belgium, and The Netherlands

Abstract Background Excessive drinking among adolescents in Western Europe is prevalent, posing significant health risks and societal costs. Early initiation of alcohol use and binge drinking are associated with adult alcohol use disorders. Collecting comprehensive data on adolescent drinking patterns is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies. Methods To gain insight into the demographic and clinical characteristics of acute alcohol intoxication (AAI), we analysed emergency department access data of adolescents aged 14-17 years presenting with AAI symptoms from 2015-2023. Three urban regions were included: the Reinier de Graaf Gasthuis in Delft (The Netherlands), eight combined hospitals in Antwerp (Belgium) and the IRCCS San Martino Hospital in Genoa (Italy). Results A total of 1841 patients with symptoms of AAI were included. The mean age of patients in the Netherlands was statistically significant younger than in Italy and Belgium (15.7 compared to 15.9 and 16.0 years old, respectively). Moreover, the blood alcohol concentration was higher in the Netherlands and Belgium compared to Italy (2.0‰ compared to 1.95‰ and 1.8‰ respectively). The distribution of sex was nearly equal in the Netherlands, while statistically significant differences were observed with a higher proportion of males in Italy (54.8%) and Belgium (56.8%). Combined drug use was lower in Belgium with 10.0%, compared to 13.4% in The Netherlands and 14.7% in Italy. The most common reason for admission was ‘reduced consciousness’ in the total population (45.2%). Conclusions This is one of the first international studies which combines data on AAI in minors. In the future, efforts should be made to establish a common European database where records of AAI can be stored and analysed more efficiently for prevention purposes.

Application of anticoagulants in the perioperative period of pci for patients with a history of atrial fibrillation and NSTEMI: a real-world, large multicenter retrospective clinical study

Abstract Backgrounds The optimal management for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and concomitant coronary artery disease (CAD) remains unclear, particularly regarding anticoagulants use and ischemia-bleeding balance risks. This study aims to investigate the impact of perioperative anticoagulant use on patients with AF and acute non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Methods Data for this study were obtained from a retrospective cohort of patients admitted to and discharged from 72 secondary and tertiary hospitals from 2010 to 2023. A total of 150,530 patients were enrolled, including 74,373 NSTEMI patients. Patients were divided into anticoagulants and non-anticoagulants groups. A total of 1,358 patients were included in the non-anticoagulant group, and 3,541 patients were included in the anticoagulant group. Patients in each group were one-to-one matched based on propensity scores using the nearest available pair matching (PSM) method with a caliper width equal to 0.01. The primary endpoints were major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular adverse events (MACCE), including cardiovascular death, recurrent myocardial infarction, and stroke. Secondary endpoints included cardiovascular death, recurrent myocardial infarction, BARC type 3 bleeding, and cerebral hemorrhage. Follow-up time points were set at 1 month,3 months, and 6 months. Multivariate Cox regression models were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results After PSM matching, each group consisted of 809 patients. The anticoagulant group had a higher proportion of males, a higher prevalence of patients with a history of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, and hyperlipidemia, while proportions of patients with Killips classification of III/IV and history of chronic kidney disease were lower. Anticoagulant use during the perioperative period significantly reduced the occurrence of MACCE at the primary endpoint at 1 month (aHR 0.57; P &amp;lt; 0.001), 3 months (aHR 0.57; P = 0.023), and 6 months (aHR 0.57; P &amp;lt; 0.001). At the secondary endpoint, anticoagulants use was associated with a lower incidence of cardiogenic death at 1 month,3 months, and 6 months (aHR 0.55; P &amp;lt;0.001), (aHR 0.55; P &amp;lt;0.001), (aHR 0.56; P &amp;lt;0.001), lower risk of myocardial infarction recurrence at 3 months and 6 months (aHR 0.47; P = 0.02), (aHR 0.44; P &amp;lt;0.001), without increasing the risk of bleeding events, including BARC type 3 bleeding and cerebral hemorrhage. Conclusion Perioperative anticoagulant use during PCI can reduce the occurrence of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and stroke recurrence within 6 months post-surgery without increasing bleeding events in AF and NSTEMI patients. Therefore, for patients with AF, it is recommended to consider combining anticoagulant therapy with dual antiplatelet therapy during the perioperative period, if no contraindications.

Evaluation of neurological events following minimally invasive mitral valve surgery

Objective: To determine the rate of neurological events in patients undergoing minimally invasive mitral valve surgery and evaluate factors associated with the groups with and without postoperative neurological events. Subjects and Methods: Inclusion Criteria: Patients undergoing minimally invasive mitral valve surgery at the Cardiac Surgery Department, University Medical Center. Exclusion Criteria: Patients with infective endocarditis, patients requiring ECMO support. Study Design: Retrospective case series study. Results: A total of 358 patients underwent minimally invasive mitral valve surgery between 2017 and 2022, with an average age of 50.7 years. Male patients accounted for 53.2%, and the surgical risk according to EuroScore II was 1.6%. Neurological complications occurred in 46 patients, representing 12.8%. Among these, delirium was the most common complication, occurring in 42 patients (91.3%), while stroke with sequelae occurred at a lower rate of 2.2%. The average age of the group with neurological complications was higher than that of the group without complications (53.9 ± 10.8 years vs. 50.2 ± 12.6 years). Additionally, the male proportion in the complication group (63.0%) was higher than in the group without complications (50.6%). The history of stroke in the complication group was 4.3%. The duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay was longer in the group with neurological complications, with an average mechanical ventilation time of 36.1 ± 71.3 hours compared to 18.4 ± 24.5 hours in the group without complications. The rate of new-onset atrial fibrillation after surgery was also higher in the complication group (19.6% vs. 10.6%). Conclusion: Neurological complications after surgery are a significant issue, occurring in 12.8% of patients undergoing minimally invasive mitral valve surgery, with delirium and stroke being the most common. Key risk factors include age, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation.

Optimizing venous anastomosis for forearm loop arteriovenous grafts: A comparative analysis of elbow veins and upper arm basilic veins in end-stage kidney disease patients.

Optimizing vascular access for hemodialysis in end-stage kidney disease is crucial. While arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are preferred for better patency and fewer complications, many patients require alternatives options like arteriovenous grafts (AVGs) due to anatomical constraints. This study compares outcomes between elbow and upper arm (UA) basilic veins for forearm loop AVGs, highlighting the potential benefits of the UA basilic vein to improve patency and feasibility in patients with poor elbow veins through retrospective analysis. This retrospective study analyzed 59 limbs of patients who underwent forearm loop AVG formation from January 2018 to June 2022. Elbow veins (basilic, median cubital, brachial) and UA basilic veins were evaluated for suitability using duplex ultrasonography. AVG decisions were based on patient age, health, and vein diameter (⩾2.3 mm). Statistical analyses compared baseline characteristics and evaluated primary and secondary patency rates at 12 and 18 months using Pearson's chi-square, Student's t-test, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and the Log-rank test. Thirty-six patients had elbow anastomosis, while 23 had UA anastomosis for forearm loop AVG. The elbow group had a higher male proportion (72.7% vs 34.7% in UA, p = 0.005) and larger elbow vein diameters (2.52 ± 0.19 mm vs 2.16 ± 0.21 mm in UA, p < 0.001). Primary patency rates at 12 months were 72.7% for elbow and 56.2% for UA; at 18 months, 59.4% and 25.5%, respectively (p = 0.376). Secondary patency rates at 12 months were 75.7% for elbow and 62.2% for UA; at 18 months, 67.8% and 33.9%, respectively (p = 0.238). The primary and secondary patency rates of forearm loop AVG with UA basilic vein anastomosis were not inferior to those with elbow veins anastomosis. UA basilic vein can be a feasible alternative for creating forearm loop AVG when elbow veins are not suitable.

A meta-analysis of the relationship between overtime work and neck musculoskeletal disorders in Chinese occupational population

Objective: To systematically evaluate the effect of overtime work on neck musculoskeletal disorders of occupational population in China. Methods: In August 2023, the literatures on the relationship between overtime work and neck musculoskeletal disorders were searched in China National Knowledge Infrasture (CNKI), WanFang Database, Chinese Science & Technology Journal Database (VIP), China Biomedical Literature Service System (SinoMed) and PubMed. The search scope was Chinese and English literatures published before June 30, 2023. The Quality of literature studies was evaluated using the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) cross-sectional study quality evaluation criteria. The Stata 15.0 software was used to calculate combined OR values, and subgroup analysis and meta regression were used to explore the sources of heterogeneity. Results: A total of 32 literatures were included, all of which were in Chinese, with a total sample size of 36003 people, and the literature quality scores were 5-7 points. Heterogeneity test showed that there was no heterogeneity between the literatures (I(2)=20.3%, P=0.156), so fixed effect model was selected to calculate the combined OR value. The combined OR value of overtime work on neck musculoskeletal disorders was 1.51 (95%CI: 1.42-1.60, P<0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that the combined OR of occupational population <35 years old group was higher than that in the ≥35 years old group (P<0.05). But there were no significant differences in the combined OR values in the subgroups classified by average years of service, male proportion, type of OR values, sample size and industry classification (P>0.05) . Conclusion: Overtime work is a risk factor for neck musculoskeletal disorders in Chinese occupational population. Working hours should be rationally arranged to reduce the prevalence of neck musculoskeletal disorders.

Updated Profile of Clinical Manifestations of Onchocerciasis after Repeated Ivermectin Treatment in Middle Imo River Basin, Nigeria

We conducted a cross-sectional survey on the impact of ivermectin after repeated treatment in five communities in Imo State, Nigeria. Rapid epidemiological mapping of onchocerciasis (REMO) carried out in 450 subjects in 1994 prior to the launching of mass drug administration were compared with re-examinations of 540 subjects in 2023. We found palpable nodule reduction from 47.2% to 12.2% and popular dermatitis decreased from 42.9% to 5.9%. Reductions in other clinical features were observed. Overall, a significantly higher proportion of males were infected than females (P&lt;0.05). The implications of these results were discussed in line with the reported benefits of ivermectin therapy.

A study on the effectiveness of (+)-usnic acid as oral toxic sugar bait against adult male and female Anopheles gambiae

BackgroundDespite the application of various tools for the control of vectors of Plasmodium falciparum, malaria remains the major killer disease in sub-Saharan Africa accounting for up to 90% of deaths due to the disease. Due to limitations of the useage of chemical insecticides such as resistance, negative impact on the environment and to nontarget organisms, the World Health Organization (WHO) requires that affected countries find alternative vector control tools. This study evaluated the effectiveness of ( +)-usnic acid (UA) as an insecticide through oral administration to male and female Anopheles gambiae as an alternative or additional active ingredient to be used in toxic sugar bait.Methods( +)-usnic acid was diluted using acetone at 5, 10, and 15 mg/ml concentrations in three replicates. A 5 ml mixture of 2% food dye and 10% sugar using chlorine-free water mixed with the dilutions of the ( +)-usnic acid and negative control was made containing 2% food dye and 10% sugar solution. The preparations were soaked on a ball of cotton wool and placed over the net of a cup. 5 male and 5 non-blood-fed female newly hatched starved An. gambiae Kisumu strain were introduced together into a cup and monitored for knockdown and mortalities after 4, 24 48, and 72 h. The data were analysed using a multiple linear regression model using the lm function, a base R function and a posthoc test were conducted on the significant main effects and interaction terms using the emmeans function from the emmeans R package. All analyses were performed in RStudio using base R (version 4.3.3).ResultsThere was high mortality of both male and female An. gambiae after ingestion of the toxic sugar bait. 15 mg/ml usnic acid caused the highest mortality (50%) within the first 4 h compared to 5 and 10 mg/ml ( +)-UA. There was a decline in the mortality rate with increased exposure time from 24 to 72 h, however, there was a significant difference in mortality at 5, 10 and 15 mg/ml. Acute toxicity was associated with ingestion of 15 mg/ml after 24 h. 72 h post-mortality was lower in all concentrations than in the control. High mortality was observed among females over the first 4 h (60%) compared to males (40%) due to higher feeding rate of the toxic agent. The proportion of dead males and females was equal after 24 h while after 48 h, the proportion of dead males was high.There was a significantly lower mortality rate after 72 h for both males and females (0 to 13.3%). Compared to all the treatments, high mortality of males was observed.ConclusionsThe results of this study indicate that ( +)-UA when administered as oral sugar bait to An. gambiae has insecticidal properties and is a suitable ingredient to be used as a toxic agent in the novel attractive toxic sugar bait for the control of malaria vectors. ( +)-UA may be an alternative active ingredient as toxic bait in the effort to reduce and eliminate the transmission of Plasmodium falciparum in Africa.

The correlation between mental health and arterial stiffness in Chinese population

This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between mental health status and arterial stiffness. A Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) score was conducted for 10,688 employees of Kailuan Group Co., Ltd., of which 4936 participants received baPWV measurement. Of these, 4424 met the inclusion criteria. Based on the SCL-90 score, the study subjects were divided into normal mental health group (SCL-90 score < 160, 3993 cases) and abnormal mental health group (SCL-90 score ≥ 160, 431 cases). Statistical indicators include: General information, including levels of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), age, gender, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), body mass index (BMI), smoking and alcohol consumption, daily activity levels, nature of work and educational qualifications. The proportion of males, baPWV value, and abnormal proportion of baPWV in normal mental health group were higher than those in abnormal mental health group (P < 0.05). The Hs-CRP in normal mental health group were lower than that in abnormal mental health group (P < 0.05). There were significant differences in activity level and educational attainment between the two groups (P < 0.05). After adjusting for confounders, the results of the multiple linear regression analysis showed that, Age, MAP, HR, FBG, TG were positively correlated with baPWV; SCL-90 score, gender, BMI, educational qualification were negatively correlated with baPWV. When the SCL-90 score of the general population increased by one point, baPWV decreased by 0.246 cm/s. Each such increase corresponded with a decrease in baPWV of 0.299 cm/s for male participants in general (β = − 0.299, P = 0.007) and 0.412 cm/s for the male participants in the older-age group (β = − 0.412, P = 0.017). Although adverse psychological factors have a certain impact on arterial stiffness, it does not constitute an independent risk factor.

MANAGEMENT OF THE OLDER PATIENT WITH GLIOBLASTOMA IN THE UK: AN INITIAL REPORT FROM THE HISTO-MOL GBM COLLABORATIVE

Abstract AIMS The management of older (&amp;gt;70 years old) patients with glioblastoma is challenging with significant variation in practice. Using the Histo-Mol GBM database we analysed the variation in practice across 11 UK centres. METHOD Biopsy confirmed glioblastoma patients diagnosed between 01/01-31/12/2021 were identified. Descriptive statistics were used to compare demographic, tumour and treatment characteristics, and the Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyse survival, assessed from surgery date. Differences in treatment between centres were assessed using one way ANOVA. RESULTS In 2021, 81/330 (24.5%) patients with glioblastoma were &amp;gt;70. Compared to younger patients, the older cohort had a greater proportion of males (79.0% vs 59.0%, p&amp;lt;0.001), a worse performance status (66.7% vs 79.5% ECOG PS 0-1, p&amp;lt;0.001), and more likely to have MGMT promoter methylation (30.9% vs 22.9%, p=0.027). Most patients received biopsy only (31/81, 38.3%), followed by subtotal resection (85-94% tumour resection) (26/81, 32.1%), whilst 8/81 (9.9%) underwent debulking, 8/81 near-total resection (95-99% tumour resection), and 8/81 gross total resection, with statistically significant variation in resection extent between centres (p=0.031). Adjuvant radiotherapy was used in 56/81 patients (69.1%) with no difference between centres (p=0.220). However, there was a statistically significant difference in radiotherapy regime between centres (p=0.041). 6/81 (7.4%) received conventional chemoradiotherapy, 28/81 (34.6%) hypofractionated chemoradiotherapy, 16/81 (19.8%) hypofractionated radiotherapy alone, 2/81 (2.5%) temozolomide alone both with MGMT promoter methylation, and 21/81 (25.9%) received no oncological treatment. Median progression free survival was 5.9 months and median overall survival (OS) was 7.1 months with no difference between centres (p=0.199 and p=0.083 respectively). Median OS was 8.4 months with conventional fractionation chemoradiotherapy, 11.2 months with hypofractionated chemoradiotherapy, 7.3 months with hypofractionated radiotherapy alone, 1.8 months with temozolomide alone, and 2.5 months with no oncological treatment. CONCLUSION We identify variations in the treatment of elderly glioblastoma patients across the UK, although these do not significantly impact survival.