Category: Nevin Manimala

Int J Cardiovasc Imaging. 2023 May 7. doi: 10.1007/s10554-023-02858-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Non-alcoholic faty liver disease (NAFLD) and liver fibrosis score (FIB 4) are associated with increased mortality from cardiovascular causes. NAFLD and cardiac diseases are different manifestations of systemic metabolic syndrome. In this study, we aimed to reveal the relationship between NAFLD and FIB 4 liver fibrosis scores and mitral annular calcification (MAC). One hundred patients were included in the study. Blood samples and echocardiography measurements were obtained from each subject. The two groups were compared in terms of demographic and echocardiographic characteristics. Thirty-one men and 69 women with a mean age of 48.6 ± 13.1 years were included in the analysis. The patients were divided into two groups as those with MAC (n = 26) and those without (n = 74). The baseline demographic and laboratory data for the two groups were compared. In the group with MAC (+) age, serum creatinine levels, FIB4 and NAFLD Scores; HL, DM rates, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and statin usage rates were higher, with statistical significance. NAFLD and FIB 4 liver fibrosis scores have an independent relationship with MAC.

PMID:37149841 | DOI:10.1007/s10554-023-02858-2

Ann Nucl Med. 2023 May 7. doi: 10.1007/s12149-023-01845-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Sialadenitis and salivary gland disorders are complications of radioactive iodine therapy (RAIT) that affect the quality of life of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). The current study aimed to provide evidence on the protective effect of apitherapy on salivary gland function during RAIT in patients with DTC.

METHODS: In total, 120 patients with DTC who underwent total thyroidectomy were divided into the apitherapy group (group A, n = 60) and the control group (group B, n = 60). Group A received 2.5 g of acacia honey three times daily after each meal during admission for RAIT. Statistical analyses were performed using the Saxon test (which is used to evaluate saliva volume) and salivary gland scintigraphy (which is applied to assess maximum uptake ratio and washout ratio).

RESULTS: Compared with group B, group A presented with a more significantly positive change in the rate of amount of saliva before and after treatment (P < 0.01). Group B presented a significant decrease in the maximum uptake ratio of the bilateral parotid and submandibular glands on salivary gland scintigraphy (P < 0.05) and washout ratio of all salivary glands (P < 0.05). Group A did not present significant differences in the maximum uptake ratio and washout ratio.

CONCLUSIONS: Apitherapy can have protective effects against salivary gland disorder associated with RAIT in patients with DTC.

PMID:37149836 | DOI:10.1007/s12149-023-01845-w

Acta Diabetol. 2023 May 7. doi: 10.1007/s00592-023-02105-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: This study aims to compare the performance of a handheld fundus camera (Eyer) and standard tabletop fundus cameras (Visucam 500, Visucam 540, and Canon CR-2) for diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema screening.

METHODS: This was a multicenter, cross-sectional study that included images from 327 individuals with diabetes. The participants underwent pharmacological mydriasis and fundus photography in two fields (macula and optic disk centered) with both strategies. All images were acquired by trained healthcare professionals, de-identified, and graded independently by two masked ophthalmologists, with a third senior ophthalmologist adjudicating in discordant cases. The International Classification of Diabetic Retinopathy was used for grading, and demographic data, diabetic retinopathy classification, artifacts, and image quality were compared between devices. The tabletop senior ophthalmologist adjudication label was used as the ground truth for comparative analysis. A univariate and stepwise multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine the relationship of each independent factor in referable diabetic retinopathy.

RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 57.03 years (SD 16.82, 9-90 years), and the mean duration of diabetes was 16.35 years (SD 9.69, 1-60 years). Age (P = .005), diabetes duration (P = .004), body mass index (P = .005), and hypertension (P < .001) were statistically different between referable and non-referable patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed a positive association between male sex (OR 1.687) and hypertension (OR 3.603) with referable diabetic retinopathy. The agreement between devices for diabetic retinopathy classification was 73.18%, with a weighted kappa of 0.808 (almost perfect). The agreement for macular edema was 88.48%, with a kappa of 0.809 (almost perfect). For referable diabetic retinopathy, the agreement was 85.88%, with a kappa of 0.716 (substantial), sensitivity of 0.906, and specificity of 0.808. As for image quality, 84.02% of tabletop fundus camera images were gradable and 85.31% of the Eyer images were gradable.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that the handheld retinal camera Eyer performed comparably to standard tabletop fundus cameras for diabetic retinopathy and macular edema screening. The high agreement with tabletop devices, portability, and low costs makes the handheld retinal camera a promising tool for increasing coverage of diabetic retinopathy screening programs, particularly in low-income countries. Early diagnosis and treatment have the potential to prevent avoidable blindness, and the present validation study brings evidence that supports its contribution to diabetic retinopathy early diagnosis and treatment.

PMID:37149834 | DOI:10.1007/s00592-023-02105-z

Cell Mol Life Sci. 2023 May 7;80(6):141. doi: 10.1007/s00018-023-04791-y.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive, chronic, and neurodegenerative disease, and the most common cause of dementia worldwide. Currently, the mechanisms underlying the disease are far from being elucidated. Thus, the study of proteins involved in its pathogenesis would allow getting further insights into the disease and identifying new markers for AD diagnosis.

METHODS: We aimed here to analyze protein dysregulation in AD brain by quantitative proteomics to identify novel proteins associated with the disease. 10-plex TMT (tandem mass tags)-based quantitative proteomics experiments were performed using frozen tissue samples from the left prefrontal cortex of AD patients and healthy individuals and vascular dementia (VD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) patients as controls (CT). LC-MS/MS analyses were performed using a Q Exactive mass spectrometer.

RESULTS: In total, 3281 proteins were identified and quantified using MaxQuant. Among them, after statistical analysis with Perseus (p value < 0.05), 16 and 155 proteins were defined as upregulated and downregulated, respectively, in AD compared to CT (Healthy, FTD and VD) with an expression ratio ≥ 1.5 (upregulated) or ≤ 0.67 (downregulated). After bioinformatics analysis, ten dysregulated proteins were selected as more prone to be associated with AD, and their dysregulation in the disease was verified by qPCR, WB, immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence (IF), pull-down, and/or ELISA, using tissue and plasma samples of AD patients, patients with other dementias, and healthy individuals.

CONCLUSIONS: We identified and validated novel AD-associated proteins in brain tissue that should be of further interest for the study of the disease. Remarkably, PMP2 and SCRN3 were found to bind to amyloid-β (Aβ) fibers in vitro, and PMP2 to associate with Aβ plaques by IF, whereas HECTD1 and SLC12A5 were identified as new potential blood-based biomarkers of the disease.

PMID:37149819 | DOI:10.1007/s00018-023-04791-y

Hernia. 2023 May 7. doi: 10.1007/s10029-023-02802-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair is a well-established technique with satisfying outcomes even at long term for the treatment of incisional and ventral hernia. However, the literature debate is still ongoing regarding the preferred surgical technique. Nowadays, two approaches are commonly adopted: the intraperitoneal onlay mesh repair (sIPOM) and the intraperitoneal onlay mesh reinforcement with defect closure before mesh placement (pIPOM). The aim of this prospective analysis is to compare the postoperative outcomes of patients treated for incisional hernia (IH) with sIPOM and pIPOM after 36 months follow-up in terms of recurrence, quality of life and wound events.

METHODS: Patients receiving pIPOM and sIPOM for IH were actively followed up for 36 months. At the outpatient clinic, hernia recurrence (HR), mesh bulging (MB), quality of life with the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) and wound events were assessed.

RESULTS: Between January 2015 and January 2019, 98 patients underwent a pIPOM and 89 underwent an sIPOM. At 36 months, nine patients (4 in pIPOM and 5 in sIPOM) experienced an HR, while MB was recorded in four patients in pIPOM and nine in sIPOM. No statistically significant difference could be identified also in terms of final GIQLI score and wound events.

CONCLUSIONS: LVHR with or without fascial closure, also in our study, provides satisfactory results in terms of safety and efficacy. The discordant results in the literature are probably related to independent variables such as the type of mesh, the type of suture and closure technique. Therefore, was the funeral of sIPOM done too early? STUDY DATASET IS AVAILABLE ON CLINICALTRIALS.

GOV ID: NCT05712213.

PMID:37149818 | DOI:10.1007/s10029-023-02802-2

Aust J Gen Pract. 2023 May;52(5):317-323. doi: 10.31128/AJGP-11-22-6602.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:37149773 | DOI:10.31128/AJGP-11-22-6602

J Forensic Odontostomatol. 2023 Apr 30;41(1):57-64.

ABSTRACT

Geometric morphometrics is a novel statistical shape based technique used as an additional approach to the currently used methods in forensics for the assessment of age. Various craniofacial units are used for the estimation of age using this technique. The aim of this systematic review was to assess if Geometric Morphometrics is an accurate and reliable method in craniofacial skeletal age estimation. A literature search was conducted for cross-sectional studies on geometric morphometrics in craniofacial skeletal age estimation using various search engines such as Pubmed, Google Scholar, and Scopus using specific MESH terms. AQUA (Anatomical Quality Assessment) tool was used for the quality assessment. A total of 4 articles were included for qualitative synthesis as they met the objectives of this review. The results of all the included studies suggested that geometric morphometrics can be used for craniofacial skeletal age estimation. The centroid size calculated using digitized images or CBCT scanned images is said to be the highest predictor of age.This systematic review summarises the merits and demerits of this technique and suggests that it is rapid and accurate method for age estimation even in instances of single skeletal remains of craniofacial units and can be performed on a digitized image or a CBCT scanned images. However, further studies are needed to derive reliable data and meta-analysis can be performed effectively.

PMID:37149754

J Forensic Odontostomatol. 2023 Apr 30;41(1):2-18.

ABSTRACT

Forensic odontologists are expected to deal with challenging demands which can affect their mental health while dealing with forensic activities. This study aimed to explore the psychological impacts of forensic activities on forensic odontologists and students undertaking training. Firstly, it of an integrative review (part I) on the psychological effects of forensic odontology practice. The review was performed on Scopus, Medline and Web of Science. Next, an anonymous online survey using JISC Online Surveys tool (part II) was performed to assess the inherent opinions of forensic odontologists from the the International Organization for Forensic Odonto-Stomatology (IOFOS), and Association of Forensic Odontologists for Human Rights (AFOHR), and Dentify.me. Results were quantitatively evaluated by means of descriptive statistics and qualitatively upon reflection using Microsoft Office Excel (2010). Part I, only one full-text article out of 2235 (Webb et al., 2002) was found eligible indicating a low number of eligible studies. Part II, 75 forensic odontologists and 26 students (49.9% male; 50.5% female) from over 35 countries participated. Results showed that forensic dentists are more psychologically or emotionally affected by child abuse cases and least affected by age estimation cases. Most experienced forensic odontologists reported the lowest scores of discomforts. Males were more comfortable than women in dealing with stress. 80.77% (n= 21) of the students have not experienced any behavioural changes following mortuary sessions but 19.2% (n= 5) witnessed stress. All respondents support the inclusion of a module in Psychology or stress management in training programmes in Forensic Odontology. Suggestions to maintain mental health are considered by the respondents and topics to be taught suggested by a psychologist.

PMID:37149750

J Clin Nurs. 2023 May 6. doi: 10.1111/jocn.16755. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Evidence suggests that preparing patients for surgery using nonpharmacological strategies reduces their anxiety. However, there is no consensus on what the best practices are. This study aims to answer the question: Are interventions using nonpharmacological therapies effective in reducing preoperative anxiety?

BACKGROUND: Preoperative anxiety causes physiological and psychological adverse effects, with a negative effect on postoperative recovery.

INTRODUCTION: According to the World Health Organization, between 266 and 360 million surgical procedures are performed annually worldwide, and it is estimated that more than 50% of patients will experience some degree of preoperative anxiety.

DESIGN: Systematic review of systematic reviews with results of interventions aimed at mitigating preoperative anxiety.

METHODS: A search was conducted for systematic reviews with meta-analyses published between 2012 and 2021 in Medline, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane Library. Quality was assessed using the AMSTAR-2 scale. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO.

RESULTS: A total of 1016 studies were examined, of which 17 systematic reviews were selected, yielding 188 controlled trials with 16,884 participants. In adults, the most common intervention included music, followed by massage, in children virtual reality and clowns. Almost all controlled trials reported a reduction in preoperative anxiety after the intervention, of which almost half had statistically significant results.

CONCLUSION: Interventions that include music, massage and virtual reality reduce preoperative anxiety and have shown that they are cost-effective, minimally invasive and with a low risk of adverse effects. Preoperative anxiety can be reduced through a short-term intervention involving nursing professionals as an alternative or complement to drugs.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This review suggests that nursing professionals, in collaboration with other health professionals, should continue to conduct research on the reduction in preoperative anxiety. Further research in this area is needed, to reduce heterogeneity and consolidate the results.

NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Not applied to our study, as it is a systematic review of systematic reviews.

PMID:37149743 | DOI:10.1111/jocn.16755

Sci Rep. 2023 May 6;13(1):7404. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-34530-z.

ABSTRACT

Tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis still remains to be a challenge with the currently used immune based diagnostic methods particularly Interferon Gamma Release Assay due to the sensitivity issues and their inability in differentiating stages of TB infection. Immune markers are valuable sources for understanding disease biology and are easily accessible. Chemokines, the stimulant, and the shaper of host immune responses are the vital hub for disease mediated dysregulation and their varied levels in TB disease are considered as an important marker to define the disease status. Hence, we wanted to examine the levels of chemokines among the individuals with drug-resistant, drug-sensitive, and latent TB compared to healthy individuals. Our results demonstrated that the differential levels of chemokines between the study groups and revealed that CXCL10 and CXCL9 as potential markers of drug-resistant and drug-sensitive TB with better stage discriminating abilities.

PMID:37149713 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-023-34530-z