Category: Nevin Manimala

Folia Med (Plovdiv). 2023 Feb 28;65(1):149-154. doi: 10.3897/folmed.65.e71970.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Excessive lipoperoxidation is accompanied by accumulation of peroxidation products and depletion of antioxidant re-serves, which cause hyperenzymemia and the accumulation of toxic substances. The level of endotoxicosis is determined by the content of hydrophilic and hydrophobic products in the blood.

AIM: To define the pathogenetic role of endogenous intoxication in the dynamics of development of experimental periodontitis of bacterial-immune genesis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experiment was conducted on rats. The animals were divided into three groups: group 1 – control group/intact; group 2 – model periodontitis at 7 days; group 3 – model periodontitis at 30 days. The experimental bacterial-immune periodon-titis was induced by injection into the tissue of the periodontal complex of the microorganisms’ mixture diluted with egg’s albumin. For the study, we selected the blood serum in which the content of middle molecular weight molecules and erythrocyte intoxication index were determined. The results were statistically analyzed by means of non-parametric indices methods.

RESULTS: The development of generalized periodontitis is characterized by the occurrence of oxidative stress, which leads to violation of the metabolism in the mucous membrane of the oral cavity resulting in the accumulation of toxic products and the development of endogenous intoxication. The results show that the content of middle molecular weight molecules (aromatic amino and chain amino acids) determined on day 7 of the experiment was 1.11 times higher than that of the control group (p<0.01) and by 1.16 times (p<0.01), respectively. Comparing the levels of the above hydrophilic components of endogenous intoxication at 30 days of experimental peri-odontitis, we found a probable increase in these indicators compared with those at 7 days of the experiment. Studying the level of eryth-rocyte intoxication index, we found that at 7 days of experimental periodontitis this index was 1.28 times higher (p<0.01) than that of the intact group and continued to increase at 30 days.

CONCLUSIONS: The dynamics of experimental periodontitis of bacterial-immune genesis show that the highest rates of endogenous intoxication are found in the late stages of the dynamics of the inflammatory process in the periodontium, namely at 30 days of the experiment, which may indicate chronic inflammation.

PMID:36855987 | DOI:10.3897/folmed.65.e71970

Folia Med (Plovdiv). 2023 Feb 28;65(1):140-148. doi: 10.3897/folmed.65.e72920.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Peri-implantitis is a relatively new and difficult disease that is becoming more common. Of the different therapeutic options to manage this condition, lasers show certain advantages over other therapeutic alternatives because of their antibacterial potential.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to investigate the temperature rise of implant surfaces, soft tissues, and bone during irradiation with diode, CO2, and Er:YAG lasers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten implants inserted in biological models were irradiated with three laser systems with different parameters: a diode laser (980 nm) with power levels of 0.75 W and 1.6 W; a CO2 laser (10600 nm) with power levels of 252 W and 241 W; and an Er:YAG laser (2940 nm) with power levels of 1.5 W, 6.8 W, and 7.5 W. The temperature rise was measured using a specially designed thermal probe (type K thermocouple) with accuracy of ±0.1°C over the range from 20°C to 80°C. The temperature was measured at 5 points – in the implant body, in the mucosa, in the middle part of the implant, in the implant apex, and in the bone around the implant apex. Measurements were obtained at 1 minute working interval.

RESULTS: Diode and CO2 lasers with both parameters used increased significantly the temperature of more than 46°C, whereas the temperature in the Er:YAG laser group was less than 30°C. There was a statistically significant difference between diode, CO2, and Er:YAG lasers in favor of the erbium laser.

CONCLUSIONS: The Er:YAG laser demonstrates the best thermal properties during irradiation of the implant surface. The three working modes tested – 1.5 W, 6.8 W, and 7.5 W – provide safe intervention on both the soft and bone tissues of the implant interface and on the implant itself.

PMID:36855986 | DOI:10.3897/folmed.65.e72920

Folia Med (Plovdiv). 2023 Feb 28;65(1):93-98. doi: 10.3897/folmed.65.e77257.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: In situ fixation is the gold standard for mild and moderate slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) cases. The condition is associated with a low percentage of avascular necrosis and chondrolysis.[1] The present study examines the postoperative femoral neck remodelling and implant elongation in cases of therapeutic and prophylactic in situ fixation using the free-gliding screw system.

AIM: The aim of our study was to assess the postoperative femoral neck growth and evaluate the biomechanical evolution and complication’s rate for 19 therapeutic and 11 prophylactic in situ fixations with a free-gliding screw.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We measured the preoperative and postoperative articulo-trochanteric distance (ATD), alpha angle (α angle) and screw elongation in symptomatic hips and in contralateral hips with prophylactic fixation. We compared the radiographic param-eters of 30 hips.

RESULTS: ATD remains approximately the same for symptomatic cases, whereas it increases for prophylactic fixated hip. Screw elongates in both group with statistically higher value for the prophylactic group. The alpha angle remains pathological in these cases with a mean value of 67.12±4.62°, but decreases for group II. Screw elongates by a mean value of 3.14±2.74 mm for group I and 6.78±8.81 mm for group II.

CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic in situ fixation with free-gliding screws does not affect the proximal femoral growth (ATD), and does not decrease the alpha angle significantly. Screw elongates statistically in both groups, but more significantly for group II. For symptomatic hips, the in situ fixation allows the femoral neck to grow with ATD preserved, but significantly less than in group II. The alpha angle decreases but remains pathological.

PMID:36855980 | DOI:10.3897/folmed.65.e77257

Folia Med (Plovdiv). 2023 Feb 28;65(1):53-59. doi: 10.3897/folmed.65.e72448.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common inflammatory joint disease. Various proinflammatory cytokines are involved in the pathogenesis of this chronic disorder. It is characterized by the presence of autoantibodies, such as rheumatoid factor and antibodies against citrullinated peptides. The present study focuses on investigation of possible association between the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin 17 and anti-CCP, anti-MCV, and anti-CarP antibodies seropositivity in RA patients.

AIM: To assess serum levels of interleukin 17 (IL-17) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and healthy controls (HC) and to investigate the relationship between IL-17 and anti-cyclic citrullinated protein (anti-CCP) antibodies, antimutated citrullinated vimentin (anti-MCV) antibodies, and anti-carbamylated protein (anti-CarP) antibodies in patients with RA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-seven patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and 44 healthy controls were included in the study. Serum IL-17 levels were examined in all participants. Anti-CCP, anti-MCV, and anti-CarP antibodies were tested in the group of RA patients.

RESULTS: The mean serum level of IL-17 in RA patients was higher (12.8 pg/ml) than that in healthy controls (7.9 pg/ml), but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.276). No significant correlation was observed between anti-CCP (+/-) and IL-17 (rs=0.162, p=0.380), and between anti-MCV (+/-) and IL-17 (rs=0.157, p=0.340). A significant positive correlation of moderate value was reported between anti-CarP (+/-) and IL-17 (rs=0.388, p=0.015).

CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that the IL-17 serum levels in RA patients were increased compared to healthy controls. No correlation was found between ACPA immunological markers and IL-17 levels in patients with RA. A positive correlation was found between anti-CarP antibodies and IL-17 in the patients’ group. The increased level of IL-17 is suggestive of its possible role in the pathogenesis of CarP positive RA patients.

PMID:36855974 | DOI:10.3897/folmed.65.e72448

Stress. 2023 Mar 1:1-26. doi: 10.1080/10253890.2023.2186141. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Stress can have severe psychological and physiological consequences. Thus, inappropriate regulation of the stress response is linked to the etiology of mood and anxiety disorders. The generation and implementation of preclinical animal models represent valuable tools to explore and characterize the mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of stress-related psychiatric disorders and the development of novel pharmacological strategies. In this commentary, we discuss the strengths and limitations of state-of-the-art molecular and computational advances employed in stress neurobiology research, with a focus on the ever-increasing spatiotemporal resolution in cell biology and behavioral science. Finally, we share our perspective on future directions in the fields of preclinical and human stress research.

PMID:36855966 | DOI:10.1080/10253890.2023.2186141

Pharmacol Res Perspect. 2023 Apr;11(2):e01068. doi: 10.1002/prp2.1068.

ABSTRACT

We aimed to determine the effects of isoproterenol on arrhythmia recurrence in atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia (AVNRT) patients treated with catheter ablation. The present randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on AVNRT patients candidates for radiofrequency ablation (RFA). The patients were randomly assigned to receive isoproterenol (0.5-4 μg/min) or not (control group) for arrhythmia re-induction after ablation. The results of the electrophysiological (EP) study, the ablation parameters, and the arrhythmia recurrence rate were recorded. We evaluated 206 patients (53 males and 153 females) with a mean (SD) age of 49.87 (15.5) years in two groups of isoproterenol (n = 103) and control (n = 103). No statistically significant difference was observed between the two studied groups in age, gender, EP study, and ablation parameters. The success rate of ablation was 100% in both groups. During ~16.5 months of follow-up, one patient (1%) in the isoproterenol group and four patients (3.8%) in the control group experienced AVNRT recurrence (HR = 0.245; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.043-1.418; p = .173). Based on the Kaplan-Meier analysis, there was no significant difference in the incidence rate of arrhythmia recurrence during the follow-up period between the two studied groups (p = .129). Additionally, there were no significant differences between the arrhythmia’s recurrence according to age, gender, junctional rhythm, type of AVNRT arrhythmia, and DAVN persistence after ablation. Although isoproterenol administration for arrhythmia re-induction after ablation did not alleviate the treatment outcomes and arrhythmia recurrence following RFA in AVNRT patients, further studies with a larger sample size and a longer duration of follow-up are necessary.

PMID:36855813 | DOI:10.1002/prp2.1068

Indian J Radiol Imaging. 2022 Nov 24;33(1):8-11. doi: 10.1055/s-0042-1758522. eCollection 2023 Jan.

ABSTRACT

Background Vertebral insufficiency fractures in the elderly are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis is essential to direct patient-specific rehabilitation. Aims We hypothesize that in patients with vertebral insufficiency fractures, there is atrophy of the psoas and paraspinal muscles with alteration in the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the muscles. Materials and Methods Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies for 100 consecutive patients, older than 60 years presenting with lower back pain, were included in the study. For each MRI study, the CSA of the psoas and paraspinal muscles (multifidus) at the level of L4/5-disc space was measured to calculate the cross-sectional area ratio (CSAR) by two readers. One reader repeated the measurements after an interval of 2 weeks. We divided the patients ( n = 100) into various groups based on the number of vertebral fractures. Results In total, 77 patients with vertebral body fractures (48 with one, 16 with two and 13 with more than two fractures) were identified with a mean age of 73 (range 60-92) years. The ratio of multifidus CSA to psoas CSA was calculated with mean values of each group (1-4) as 2.56, 1.89, 2.09 and 2.16, respectively. There was statistically significance difference of the CSAR between the cohorts ( p -value = 0.0115). Conclusion Vertebral insufficiency fractures in the elderly are associated not only with atrophy of psoas and the multifidus group of muscles as evident by the CSA values, but they also affect the CSAR depending on the number of fractures. This finding may help to direct targeted patient-specific physiotherapy rehabilitation and interventions to prevent further such fractures.

PMID:36855732 | PMC:PMC9968526 | DOI:10.1055/s-0042-1758522

Indian J Radiol Imaging. 2022 Dec 26;33(1):53-64. doi: 10.1055/s-0042-1759642. eCollection 2023 Jan.

ABSTRACT

Aim In this paper, the authors share their experience of imaging patients with traumatic brachial plexopathy by magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) spanning over a period of nearly 10 years. Setting and Design This was a single-institution, prospective, observational study conducted between August 2012 and March 2022. Materials and Methods Children and adults presenting to the plastic surgery outpatient department with features of traumatic brachial plexopathy were included in the study. The MRN study was performed in a 1.5T scanner (Magnetom Essenza, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany). The area scanned extended from C3 level to T3 level. Statistical Analysis Descriptive statistics (percentages, mean, median, and mode). Results A total of 134 patients ( n = 134) were included in the study. The age of our patients ranged from 6 months to 65 years. The mean age was 24.95 ± 12.10 years, with a median of 23 years. All patients had unilateral injury, and the right side was more commonly involved. Road traffic accident was the most common mode of injury, and blunt crush-avulsion was the most common mechanism of injury. Involvement of shoulder, elbow, and hand together (panplexopathy) was the most common clinical presentation. Conclusion This study of patients with traumatic brachial plexopathy imaged by MRN, spanning nearly a decade, has led to several interesting observations. The majority of these injuries occur in young men from urban areas who usually present with panplexopathy. The most common mode of injury is road traffic accident, and blunt crush-avulsion is the most common mechanism of injury.

PMID:36855714 | PMC:PMC9968524 | DOI:10.1055/s-0042-1759642

J Sci Educ Technol. 2023 Feb 23:1-14. doi: 10.1007/s10956-023-10033-4. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of web-based biology learning environment in improving academic performance via a meta-analysis. In looking for the studies on web-based biology learning environment, several keyword patterns from the abstracts (e.g., Pattern 1: web-based learning and biology education) were recruited in well-known databases (e.g., ERIC, EBSCO, Springer Link). Finally, 22 papers were apparent for the current meta-analysis examining the effect of web-based biology learning environment on academic performance. All statistical data from the studies were initially inserted into an Excel sheet and then imported into comprehensive meta-analysis (CMA) statistics software to calculate Hedges’ g values. The overall effect-size of web-based biology learning environment pointed to a medium effect. Also, it was found that the educational level and type of experimental design, as moderator variables, did not positively affect the students’ academic performance along with web-based biology learning environment. In light of the findings, it can be concluded that web-based biology learning environment is somewhat effective at improving the students’ academic performance. The current study recommends that further studies should be undertaken to deepen the implementation processes of the studies with extreme values and explore what makes them unique.

PMID:36855681 | PMC:PMC9948792 | DOI:10.1007/s10956-023-10033-4

Transp Policy (Oxf). 2023 Apr;134:217-230. doi: 10.1016/j.tranpol.2023.02.020. Epub 2023 Feb 23.

ABSTRACT

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic created an environment where nearly all aspects of mobility changed to ensure the health and safety of the public. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that people quarantine for 14 days if they were potentially exposed to the virus, stay at least six feet apart from others, and stay at home as much as possible. Delivery via third-party restaurant app, grocery, and package delivery quickly became an essential service. This study assesses customer’s changes in use and perceived quality of delivery services in Southwest Virginia, via an online stated-preference survey (n = 423). The responses were analyzed using ordered logit and generalized ordered logit models to identify which population segments had changing delivery behavior and perceptions due to the pandemic. Findings include that before the pandemic, only households with an income greater than $100,000 had a significantly higher demand for package delivery services than those making less than $25,000. During the pandemic, all income brackets had a significantly higher demand for package delivery “weekly” than households with less than a $25,000 income, with a 19.50%, 22.54%, and 45.59% greater chance of use for income levels $25,000 to $50,000, $50,000 to $100,000, and over $100,000, respectively. This trend highlights that package delivery became necessary during the pandemic. Respondents who lived within town limits were statistically significantly more likely to use third-party restaurant delivery apps at least once a week before (3.10%), during (9.20%), and after (4.50%) the pandemic compared to those outside town limits. The results also found people who lived within town limits were 7.77% more likely to be satisfied with delivery services in general than those who lived outside town limits. The findings from this paper identify expanding delivery equity gaps within the population and provide recommendations for policymakers and delivery agencies. Some limitations include that low sample size did not allow for fully segmented models and meant that the study should be considered exploratory in nature.

PMID:36855673 | PMC:PMC9949719 | DOI:10.1016/j.tranpol.2023.02.020