Category: Nevin Manimala

Lasers Med Sci. 2023 May 9;38(1):121. doi: 10.1007/s10103-023-03775-5.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) on cell migration and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), type I collagen (Col-1), runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX-2), and Osterix (OSX) gene expression in a cementoblast culture (OCCM-30), in a microenvironment mimicking an injury on the cementoblast layer, such as it occurs during root resorption. For this, OCCM-30 cells were cultured in 6-well plates and the following parameters were assayed: (1) migration by scratch assay and ALP, Col-1, Runx2, and Osx by real-time PCR. PBM was performed in two protocols using a LED device emitting light at 660 nm (± 30 nm). OCCM-30 cementoblasts were grown and divided into four groups: (1) negative control; (2) positive control (scratch); (3) scratch + PBM with a total energy of 36 J and energy density 1.6 J/cm²; and (4) scratch + PBM with a total energy of 72 J and energy density of 3.2 J/cm². Data were statistically analyzed, with the level of significance set at 5%. Cementoblasts migrated from the edge of the scratch toward the center, and the wound closed after 24 h, with the PBM3.2J/cm² group showing the higher cell migration compared with the other groups at 2 h, 6 h, 8 h, and 13 h (p < 0.05). The control and PBM1.6J/cm² groups showed similar levels of cell migration, with no significant differences (p > 0.05). PBM3.2J/cm² group exhibited greater ALP, Col-1, OSX, and RUNX2 in comparison with the other experimental groups (p < 0.05). Similar levels of all genes evaluated were observed between the PBM1.6J/cm² group and the positive control group (p > 0.05). In conclusion, our findings support the effectiveness of photobiomodulation on cementoblast migration and gene expression, which may contribute to the formation of a new cementum layer.

PMID:37160506 | DOI:10.1007/s10103-023-03775-5

Cardiovasc Drugs Ther. 2023 May 9. doi: 10.1007/s10557-023-07450-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT: A nomogram model affecting the activated clotting time (ACT) targeting rate during radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation (RFCA) in China.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to develop and validate a nomogram model for predicting the activated clotting time targeting rate after the initial bolus heparin dosages during the radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in China.

METHODS AND RESULTS: A retrospective observational study was conducted on the data of 465 patients with atrial fibrillation who underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) from October 2019 to June 2022. All patients were randomized into a training cohort (70%; n = 325) and a validation cohort (30%; n = 140). Independent risk factors were identified using univariate and multifactorial logistic regression analysis. The predictive nomogram model was established using R software. The nomogram was developed and evaluated based on differentiation, calibration, and clinical efficacy using concordance statistic (C-statistic), calibration plots, and decision curve analysis (DCA), respectively. The nomogram was established using three variables, including sex (OR 1.01, 95% CI 0.29-1.76, P = 0.007), heparin dose (OR 0.04; 95%CI 0.02-0.05, P < 0.001), and the baseline ACT (OR 0.03; 95%CI 0.02-0.04, P < 0.001). The C-statistic of the nomogram was 0.736 (95%CI 0.675-0.732) in the training cohort and 0.700 (95%CI 0.622-0.721) in the validation cohort. The calibration plots showed good agreement between the predictions and observations in the training and validation cohorts. The clinical decision curve also proves that the map is useful in clinical settings.

CONCLUSION: The nomogram model has good discrimination and accuracy, which can screen attainment groups intuitively and individually, and has a certain predictive value for the probability of ACT reaching the target after the adequate dosage of initial heparin in Chinese patients with atrial fibrillation.

PMID:37160503 | DOI:10.1007/s10557-023-07450-3

Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2023 May 9. doi: 10.1007/s00417-023-06085-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Anti-retinal autoantibodies are assumed to be associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). To our knowledge, this is the first evaluation of autoantibodies in human sera of participants with different stages of AMD in a large population-based, observational cohort study in Germany.

METHODS: The Gutenberg Health Study (GHS) is a population-based, observational cohort study in Germany, including 15,010 participants aged between 35 and 74. Amongst others, non-mydriatic fundus photography (Visucam PRO NM™, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Jena, Germany) was performed. Fundus images of the first 5000 participants were graded based on the Rotterdam Eye Study classification. Sera of participants with AMD (n=541) and sera of age-matched participants without AMD (n=490) were analyzed by antigen-microarrays. Besides descriptive statistics, autoantibody-levels were compared by Mann-Whitney-U test and the associations of level of autoantibodies with AMD were calculated by logistic regression analysis. Likewise, possible associations of the autoantibodies and both clinical and laboratory parameters on AMD subjects were analyzed.

RESULTS: Autoantibodies against transferrin (p<0.001) were significantly downregulated in participants with early AMD and soft, distinct drusen (≥63 μm) or pigmentary abnormalities only compared to Controls. Mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 (p=0.041), glutathione peroxidase 4 (p=0.048), clusterin (p=0.045), lysozyme (p=0.19), protein kinase C substrate 80K-H (p=0.02), heat shock 70 kDa protein 1A (p=0.04) and insulin (p=0.018) show a trend between Control and participants with early AMD and soft, distinct drusen (≥63 μm) or pigmentary abnormalities only.

CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes to a growing knowledge of autoantibodies in association with different AMD stages compared to controls in the context of a large population-based study in Germany. Especially autoantibodies against inflammatory proteins were downregulated in participants with early AMD and soft, distinct drusen (≥63 μm) or pigmentary abnormalities only.

PMID:37160502 | DOI:10.1007/s00417-023-06085-2

Sleep Breath. 2023 May 9. doi: 10.1007/s11325-023-02841-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlation between sleep duration and type II diabetes in adults.

METHOD: Computer databases searches were carried out through October 1, 2022, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science. Relevant literature was collected, and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) and extracted data were used to exclude studies and evaluate quality on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.4.1 software with random/fixed effects models.

RESULTS: A total of 5 studies with 74,226 subjects (31,611 in the male study group, 42,615 in the female study group) were included. The meta-analysis revealed that women with long sleep duration (LSD) have a higher risk for developing type II diabetes than men, OR = 0.70; 95% CI 0.59-0.84, Z = 4.00 and P < 0.001. Men with short sleep duration (SSD) tended to have a higher risk in developing type II diabetes than women though the difference between men and women did not reach statistical significance, OR = 1.09, 95% CI 0.73-1.62, Z = 0.42 and P = 0.68. Further subgroup analysis by regional populations suggested that men in Europe and America with SSD had a higher risk of type II diabetes OR = 1.52, 95% CI 1.04-2.21, Z = 2.18 and P = 0.03.

CONCLUSION: Women with LSD may have a higher risk for type II diabetes, and men in Europe and America with SSD may have a higher risk for type II diabetes than men of other regions.

PMID:37160494 | DOI:10.1007/s11325-023-02841-0

Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2023 May 7;251:114184. doi: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114184. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Human breast milk is an optimally balanced infant food and a suitable tool for assessing the burden of humans with lipophilic persistent organic pollutants. The aim of this study was to investigate the accumulation profile of polychlorinated biphenyls in breast milk of women living in Bulgaria and to assess the health risk to infants. Breast milk samples were obtained from 72 healthy primiparae and multiparae mothers, living in two regions in northeastern Bulgaria – Varna region and Dobrich region, in the period October 2019-July 2021. Important information for the study, such as age, body mass, smoking and dietary habits, was collected through a questionnaire. Fifteen congeners of PCBs, including six indicator congeners, were determined by capillary gas chromatography system with mass spectrometry detection. The lipid content of the tested samples was in the range from 0.5% to 6.7%, with average value 3.25%. The six indicator PCBs in human milk samples formed up to 89% of the total PCBs levels. The most abundant congener was PCB 153, followed by PCB 138 and PCB 180. Five of the 15 PCB congeners (77, 126, 128, 156, 169) were not detected in any of the milk samples. The arithmetic mean PCB levels in milk samples from Varna (32.7 ng/g lw) were found higher than PCB levels in breast milk of mothers from Dobrich (22.5 ng/g lw). The highest PCB levels were found in milk samples from primiparae mothers in 36-40 age group (for both regions). Infant exposure to PCBs present in human milk was estimated using toxic equivalents (TEQ). The health risk to infants was assessed and was compared to the tolerable daily intake (TDI). Positive correlation was found between the arithmetic mean PCBs levels and two important factors – the age and body mass index of the primiparae group. The mean values of the analyzed PCB congeners in breast milk samples from multiparae were lower than in those from primiparae mothers. The regional differences in PCB concentrations were small, suggesting similar exposures in the studied regions. The levels of PCBs in breast milk were found lower than levels from studies in other European countries. Statistical data does not show any association between PCB levels in milk and dietary habits. The results showed that infants are not at risk of any adverse effects caused by PCBs through breast milk.

PMID:37159972 | DOI:10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114184

J Osteopath Med. 2023 May 10. doi: 10.1515/jom-2022-0232. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT: Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is utilized by clinicians to diagnose and treat a variety of musculoskeletal conditions including acute and chronic pain, and other medical conditions. Previous studies have examined attitudes of allopathic (MD) residents toward OMT and have implemented residency-based curricula; however, literature is lacking on the attitudes of MD students toward OMT.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to determine MD students’ familiarity with OMT and to evaluate their interest in an elective osteopathic curriculum.

METHODS: A 15-item online survey was electronically sent to 600 MD students at a large allopathic academic medical center. The survey assessed familiarity with OMT, interest in OMT and in participating in an OMT elective, educational format preference, and interest in pursuing primary care. Educational demographics were also collected. Descriptive statistics and Fisher’s exact test were utilized for categorical variables, and nonparametric tests were utilized for the ordinal and continuous variables.

RESULTS: A total of 313 MD students submitted responses (response rate=52.1 %), of which 296 (49.3 %) responses were complete and utilized for analysis. A total of 92 (31.1 %) students were aware of OMT as a modality in treating musculoskeletal disorders. Among the respondents who indicated “very interested” in learning a new pain treatment modality, the majority: (1) observed OMT in a prior clinical or educational setting (85 [59.9 %], p=0.02); (2) had a friend or family member treated by a DO physician (42 [71.2 %], p=0.01); (3) were pursuing a primary care specialty (43 [60.6 %], p=0.02); or (4) interviewed at an osteopathic medical school (47 [62.7 %], p=0.01). Among those interested in developing some OMT competency, the majority: (1) were pursuing a primary care specialty (36 [51.4 %], p=0.01); (2) applied to osteopathic schools (47 [54.0], p=0.002); or (3) interviewed at an osteopathic medical school (42 [56.8 %], p=0.001). A total of 230 (82.1 %) students were somewhat or very interested in a 2-week elective course in OMT; among all respondents, hands-on labs were the preferred method for delivery of OMT education (272 [94.1 %]).

CONCLUSIONS: The study found a strong interest in an OMT elective by MD students. These results will inform OMT curriculum development aimed at interested MD students and residents in order to provide them with OMT-specific theoretical and practical knowledge.

PMID:37159913 | DOI:10.1515/jom-2022-0232

J Infect Dev Ctries. 2023 Apr 30;17(4):542-549. doi: 10.3855/jidc.17478.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is the third major contributor to human mortality and morbidity outside of malaria and schistosomiasis. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to estimate the prevalence of Entamoeba spp. among outpatients of two teaching hospitals in Duhok city who agreed to participate in the study from April 2021 to March 2022 to assess the impact of associated risk variables on the infection rate.

METHODOLOGY: Stool specimens were collected from outpatients suffering from diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms in two teaching hospitals: Azadi and Heevi Pediatric in Duhok city, Kurdistan Region- Iraq. The collected stool specimens were examined macroscopically, followed by microscopic examination using the direct wet mount and zinc sulfate flotation methods, respectively.

RESULT: Infection with Entamoeba species was recorded in 21.68% (562/2592) of the analyzed specimens. Males had a significantly higher infection rate than females (67.43% vs. 32.56%). This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.000). The highest rate was seen in the age group 1-10 years (p < 0.001). Lower levels of education, low incomes, eating unwashed fruits and vegetables, drinking well water, eating frequently outside of homes, not using antidiarrheal medications and living in overcrowded families were risk factors that showed high levels of infection (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS: The present study concluded that improving living conditions, providing clean water, and promoting health education programs are essential to reduce the rate of this disease among the population.

PMID:37159899 | DOI:10.3855/jidc.17478

J Infect Dev Ctries. 2023 Apr 30;17(4):454-460. doi: 10.3855/jidc.17065.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected patients with preexisting comorbidities, particularly dialysis patients. The aim of this study was to determine predictors of mortality in this population.

METHODOLOGY: We conducted an observational, retrospective, cohort study collecting data from pre and post-vaccine from the electronic medical records of a single dialysis center at Hygeia International Hospital Tirana, Albania.

RESULTS: Of 170 dialysis patients, 52 were diagnosed with COVID-19. The prevalence of COVID-19 infection in our study was 30.5%. The mean age was 61.5 ± 12.3 years and 65.4% were men. The mortality rate in our cohort was 19.2%. Mortality rates were higher in patients with diabetic nephropathy (p < 0.04) and peripheral vascular disease (p < 0.01). Elevated C- reactive protein (CRP) (p < 0.018), high red blood cell distribution width (RDW) (p < 0.03), and low lymphocyte and eosinophil counts, were found to be risk factors for severe COVID-19 disease. ROC analysis identified lymphopenia and eosinopenia as the strongest predictors of mortality. After the vaccine administration, the mortality rate in the vaccinated population was 8%, in contrast to the 66.7% mortality rate that was found in the unvaccinated group (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed that risk factors for the development of severe COVID-19 infection were RDW, low lymphocyte and eosinophil counts, elevated levels of CRP. Lymphopenia and eosinopenia were determined as the most important predictors of mortality, in our cohort. Mortality was notably lower among vaccinated patients.

PMID:37159892 | DOI:10.3855/jidc.17065

J Infect Dev Ctries. 2023 Apr 30;17(4):425-431. doi: 10.3855/jidc.17428.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies that identified the prognostic factors for the severity of the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in different populations have generated controversial conclusions. The lack of a standard definition of COVID-19 severity and the differences between clinical diagnoses might make it difficult to provide optimum care according to the characteristics of each population.

METHODOLOGY: We investigated the factors that impacted the severe outcome or death from the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in patients treated at the Mexican Institute of Social Security in Yucatán, México in 2020. A cross-sectional study of COVID-19 confirmed cases was done to know the prevalence and association of the demographic and clinical characteristics with a severe or fatal outcome. Information from the National Epidemiological Surveillance System (SINAVE) database was used and SPSS v 21 was used for statistical analyses. We used the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) symptomatology classifications to define severe cases.

RESULTS: Diabetes and pneumonia increased the risk of death and having diabetes was a prognostic factor for severe illness following SARS-CoV-2 infection.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight the influence of cultural and ethnic factors, the necessity to standardize the parameters for clinical diagnoses, and to use the same criteria for the definition of COVID-19 severity to establish the clinical conditions that contribute to the pathophysiology of this disease in each population.

PMID:37159885 | DOI:10.3855/jidc.17428

J Infect Dev Ctries. 2023 Apr 30;17(4):477-484. doi: 10.3855/jidc.17212.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Enterobacteriaceae that produce extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) are quickly spreading, posing a threat to world healthcare.

METHODOLOGY: 138 gram-negative bacteria were collected from different samples (stool, urine, wound, blood, tracheal aspirate, catheter tip, vaginal swab, sputum, and tracheal aspirate) from hospitalized patients. Samples were subcultured and identified in accordance with their biochemical reactions and culture characteristics. Against all the isolated Enterobacteriaceae, an antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed. VITEK®2 system, phenotypic confirmation, and Double-Disk Synergy Test (DDST) had been utilized to identify the ESBLs.

RESULTS: Of the 138 samples studied, the prevalence of ESBL-producing infections among the clinical samples of the present study was 26.8 % (n = 37). E. coli was the commonest ESΒL producer at 51.4% (n = 19) followed by K. pneumoniae at 27% (n = 10). The potential risk factors for the ESBL development that produces bacteria were as follows, patients with the presence of indwelling devices, previous history of hospital admission, and usage of antibiotics. ESBL is statistically (p ≤ 0.05) higher among the patients with indwelling devices, ICU admission, who had a previous hospital admission in the last 6 months as well as who was given antibiotics (quinolones and/or cephalosporins) in the last 6 months. One hundred thirty-two (95.7%) of ESBL isolates were resistant to amoxicillin, while the lowest resistance was for fosfomycin (15.2%).

CONCLUSIONS: ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae are highly prevalent in Turaif General Hospital setting with some potential risk factors. A strict policy to be made available on the usage of antimicrobials in hospitals and clinics should be established.

PMID:37159882 | DOI:10.3855/jidc.17212