Category: Nevin Manimala

Clin Otolaryngol. 2023 Jan 14. doi: 10.1111/coa.14036. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Steroids comprise the mainstay of treatment for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL). Since steroidal treatment was integrated to clinical practice guidelines, newly published no-treatment or placebo arms in clinical trials are scarce. To evaluate the effectiveness of steroidal treatment ± hyperbaric oxygen therapy, the data should be compared to spontaneous recovery. The aim of this paper is to find the most accurate spontaneous recovery rate, in the light of which, other treatment modalities should be judged.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eligible studies published until July 2021 were identified through systematic searches of “PubMed”, “Web of Science” and “Google Scholar”. Retrospective studies and randomized/non-randomized control trials involving only adult participants (≥18 years) with ISSNHL, and placebo/no treatment were included. Only articles that used the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery’s diagnostic criteria for ISSNHL were included.

RESULTS: 942 records initially identified, 166 duplicates and 753 articles were excluded based on article subject, title, and abstract. The full texts of 13 articles were reviewed. 7 studies were included for qualitative synthesis, 5 papers included in quantitative synthesis. 180 ears were included in pooled statistics. The pooled spontaneous recovery was 60.28% (95% CI = 38.88-79.94%) with a heterogeneity of 86.0% (95% CI = 69.4-93.6%).

CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous recovery of ISSNHL should not be over-looked, as it may be close to 60%. This may have both clinical and research implications. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:36640119 | DOI:10.1111/coa.14036

Arch Environ Occup Health. 2023 Jan 14:1-9. doi: 10.1080/19338244.2023.2167799. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Mobility patterns have been broadly studied and deeply altered due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). In this paper, we study small-scale COVID-19 transmission dynamics in the city of Valencia and the potential role of subway stations and healthcare facilities in this transmission. A total of 2,398 adult patients were included in the analysis. We study the temporal evolution of the pandemic during the first six months at a small-area level. Two Voronoi segmentations of the city (based on the location of subway stations and healthcare facilities) have been considered, and we have applied the Granger causality test at the Voronoi cell level, considering both divisions of the study area. Considering the output of this approach, the so-called ‘donor stations’ are subway stations that have sent more connections than they have received and are mainly located in interchanger stations. The transmission in primary healthcare facilities showed a heterogeneous pattern. Given that subway interchange stations receive many cases from other regions of the city, implementing isolation measures in these areas might be beneficial for the reduction of transmission.

PMID:36640118 | DOI:10.1080/19338244.2023.2167799

J Neurosurg Spine. 2023 Jan 13:1-12. doi: 10.3171/2022.12.SPINE22713. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Methylprednisolone (MP) to treat acute traumatic spinal cord injury (ATSCI) remains controversial since the release of the second National Acute Spinal Cord Injury Study (NASCIS2) in 1990. As two historical studies, NASCIS2 and Sygen in ATSCI, used identical MP dosages, it was possible to construct a new case-level pooled ATSCI data set satisfying contemporary criteria and able to clarify the effect of MP.

METHODS: The new pooled data set was first modernized by excluding patients with injury levels caudal to T10, lower-extremity American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) motor scores (LEMSs) ≥ 46, Glasgow Coma Scale scores ≤ 11, and age < 15 or > 75 years, and then standardized to the ASIA grading and scoring format. A new updated NASCIS2 data set from this pooled data set contained 31.6% fewer patients than the 1990 NASCIS2 data set.

RESULTS: In the new pooled data set, recovery of LEMSs from baseline to 26 weeks, the primary outcome variable, was separated statistically into five different injury severity cohorts (p < 0.0001). The severity cohorts contained groups with severe floor (62.9%) and ceiling (10.7%) effects, which do not contribute to drug effects. The new NASCIS2 data set duplicated the p value for MP versus placebo in the sub-subgroup analysis of MP initiated ≤ 8 hours (the subgroup) and recovery of motor function on only the right side of the body (a further subgroup within the ≤ 8-hour subgroup), presented as the positive MP effect in the original NASCIS2 reporting. However, current statistical interpretation considers results seen only in post hoc sub-subgroups, without multi-test corrections, to be random effects without clinical significance. The combined case-level pooled data set from the NASCIS2 and Sygen studies increased the MP group from 106 to 431 patients, creating a new MP combined group. This new data set served as a surrogate for a contemporary MP study and found that administration of MP did not enhance ASIA motor score improvement in the lower extremities at 26 weeks. Secondary analysis of descending ASIA motor and sensory cervical neurological levels in cervical ATSCI patients at 26 weeks also found no MP drug effect.

CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of both the new updated NASCIS2 data set and the new case-matched pooled data set from two historical ATSCI studies revealed that administration of MP after spinal cord injury did not demonstrate any enhancement in neurological recovery at 26 weeks. The results of this analysis warrant review by clinical guideline groups.

PMID:36640098 | DOI:10.3171/2022.12.SPINE22713

J Zoo Wildl Med. 2023 Jan;53(4):791-796. doi: 10.1638/2021-0010.

ABSTRACT

In the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), the levels of progesterone products 5α-pregnane, 3α-hydroxypregnane, and 17α-progesterone are elevated during pregnancy. Detection of a sudden decrease in blood progesterone product levels in the final days of pregnancy is considered an objective way of predicting impending parturition. Point-of-care (POC) tests eliminate the cost involved in transporting samples to an external laboratory and provide an almost instant result, facilitating decision-making for animal monitoring and management. This proof-of-concept study aims to investigate the ability of the AgPlus POC immunoassay system to measure 4-pregnen-3,20-dione in pregnant elephant serum samples and adapt the method for detection of the preparturient progesterone decrease. Frozen serum samples of two pregnant elephants (N = 82) and fresh serum samples of one pregnant elephant (N = 10) were analyzed using both the POC method and a radioimmunoassay in a reference laboratory. Statistical analysis of the data showed that there was no significant difference between the two methods for detection of the progesterone drop, indicating that the POC method can be considered appropriate for use in elephant parturition prediction. Refinement of the methodology, an increase of sample size, and temporal tandem radioimmunoassay would be required to further validate this method for use in elephant reproductive management.

PMID:36640081 | DOI:10.1638/2021-0010

J Zoo Wildl Med. 2023 Jan;53(4):744-754. doi: 10.1638/2022-0023.

ABSTRACT

Chronic enteropathies pose an important difficulty in the captive management of cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) because of suspected multifactorial pathogenesis and the complex nature of enteric microbiota dynamics. Enterobacteriaceae, Campylobacter spp., Clostridium perfringens, Helicobacter spp., and Salmonella spp. are enteropathogens of interest because of their zoonotic potential and suspected contribution to enteropathies. This study aimed to determine the presence of these enteropathogens of interest in fecal samples from cheetahs (N = 48) fed different diets from three different institutions and to investigate the associations between diet, fecal score, and specific enteropathogen presence. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes were used to visualize and quantify putative enteropathogens in each sample concurrent with selective culturing for Salmonella and Clostridium perfringens. From FISH counts, carcass-fed animals had greater numbers of Enterobacteriaceae compared with animals fed low-fat dog food, although this trend was not statistically significant (P = 0.088). Furthermore, no significant associations were found between fecal score and bacterial load. Abundance of Campylobacter spp., Clostridium perfringens, or Helicobacter spp. as measured by FISH were not correlated with diet or fecal score. On the basis of these data, in agreement with published literature, it is concluded that these microbes may be commensals in the cheetah gastrointestinal tract and do not appear to be a primary cause of abnormal fecal scores.

PMID:36640076 | DOI:10.1638/2022-0023

J Zoo Wildl Med. 2023 Jan;53(4):696-704. doi: 10.1638/2022-0048.

ABSTRACT

Amyloidosis is frequently identified during postmortem examination of captive eastern bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci) in the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP). However, its significance and etiopathogenesis are poorly understood. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of amyloidosis within this population and identify potential predictive factors for the presence of disease. Postmortem reports obtained from 24 EEP institutions were analyzed and assessed for evidence of amyloidosis. Seventy-two individuals had histopathological assessment performed after gross postmortem examination and were included in the study. Further histopathological analysis was performed on Congo red-stained slides from 26 individuals, and organ predilection sites were identified. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed in six individuals to identify the type of amyloid present. Serum amyloid A (SAA) analysis was performed on blood samples from 34 individuals, and concentrations in affected and unaffected individuals were compared. Amyloidosis was reported in 26 animals (36%). The association between the presence of amyloidosis and sex, age, or body condition was not statistically significant. However, amyloidosis was not identified in any individuals under the age of 6 yr. The presence of chronic inflammatory conditions was the only statistically significant predictive factor for the presence of amyloidosis (P = 0.03). Chronic inflammatory conditions present included nephritis, enteritis, and pneumonia. The majority of affected animals presented with amyloid deposition in multiple organs, with the liver and kidneys being most commonly affected. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence of AA amyloid. The association between the presence of amyloidosis and SAA values measured on a single occasion was not statistically significant. This study identified a high prevalence of amyloidosis within the captive European eastern bongo population associated with chronic inflammatory conditions. Antemortem diagnosis of amyloidosis remains challenging, and this study indicates that SAA protein concentrations are not a reliable indicator for the presence of amyloidosis.

PMID:36640071 | DOI:10.1638/2022-0048

Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2022 Dec 24;21(6):600-615. doi: 10.18502/ijaai.v21i6.11519.

ABSTRACT

There is an urgent need to discover novel prognostic biomarkers and treatment strategies for gastric cancer (GC) patients. Several immune-related markers have been proposed as prognostic tools and immunotherapeutic targets to manage diseases. In this regard, we evaluated the expression pattern and prognostic significance of programmed death-1 (PD-1), programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), CD45RO+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and DNA mismatch repair (MMR) proteins (MLH1, MSH2, PMS2, and MSH6) in non-metastatic intestinal-type gastric adenocarcinoma. Samples and data from 70 GC patients were collected. Immunohistochemistry staining was used to detect the markers. We then evaluated the prognosis significance of each marker and their intercorrelation. Cytoplasmic PD-1 expressed by tumor cells was significantly associated with poorer survival. However, multivariate analysis indicated stronger prognostic values for TNM stage, tumor location, and extracellular mucin. A significant positive association was found between CD45ROhigh TILs and PD-1 expression on tumor-infiltrating cells (TICs). All GC patients with deficient MMR (d‑MMR) had a higher number of CD45RO+ TILs and were associated with PD-1+ TICs and PD‑L1+ tumor cells (TCs). However, the difference was not statistically significant. Despite the association of PD‑1 overexpression on TCs with shorter overall survival, histopathological factors, including tumor location, TNM stage, and extracellular mucin, remain the most decisive prognostic factors in non-metastatic intestinal-type gastric adenocarcinoma. Additionally, our data support a prognostic role for d-MMR and CD45RO, but not PD-1 and PD-L1 expression on TICs.

PMID:36640052 | DOI:10.18502/ijaai.v21i6.11519

J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2023 Jan 14. doi: 10.1111/jog.15552. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To summarize the cytomorphology and immunocytochemistry features of OGCT in ascites or peritoneal washings.

METHODS: All cases of histology sections, cytology smears, cell block slides and immunohistochemical staining were reviewed. A panel of immunohistochemistry antibodies consisting of Inhibin, Calretinin, BerEP4 and MC was performed for diagnosis and differential diagnosis.

RESULTS: Seven positive cases (21.2%) in ascites and peritoneal washings were identified in 33 patients with OGCT, which is higher than early studies with positive rate of 7.4%. Clinicopathologic features including tumor size and the incidence of endometrial atypical hyperplasia or carcinoma (EAH/EC) displayed no statistical difference between groups with positive and negative cytology. Immunocytochemical results usually showed typical staining pattern with α-inhibin, calretinin positive and BerEP4, MC negative. Features of granulosa cells, including nuclear hyperplasia and overlapping, can be observed in all seven positive cases. Nuclear grooves or small conspicuous nucleoli were occasionally observed in the smear. However, features of cell clusters mimicking Call-Exner bodies, cytoplasmic vacuoles or single cell necrosis were not found on smear. Call-Exner bodies and mitosis can only be found on cell blocks. All cases of follow-up information were available and three cases displayed progression and there was a statistical difference between groups with positive and negative cytology.

CONCLUSION: OGCT with positive cytology in ascites and peritoneal washings tend to have a larger tumor size and higher rates of disease progression. A panel of complementary biomarkers can greatly increase the detection rate and help in differential diagnosis in ascites or peritoneal washings of OGCT.

PMID:36640051 | DOI:10.1111/jog.15552

J Tradit Chin Med. 2023 Feb;43(1):168-174. doi: 10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.2023.01.014.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the Doppler ultrasound blood flow of Renying (carotid artery) pulse, Cunkou (radial artery) pulse, and Fuyang (anterior tibial artery) pulse in the normal group and the functional constipation with gastrointestinal heat (FCGH) group, and to compare and explore the differences of Renying, Cunkou and Fuyang pulses.

METHODS: Sixty normal subjects and 60 patients with gastrointestinal heat constipation were collected in the department of ultrasound, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University. Doppler ultrasound was used to observe the blood flow indexes including maximum systolic velocity (Vp), maximum diastolic velocity (Vd), mean velocity (Vm), pulse index (PI), resistance index (RI), vascular diameter (D), and circulation blood flow cycle (ET) of Renying pulse, Cunkou pulse and Fuyang pulse in the normal group and patients with gastrointestinal heat constipation. The differences of these three pulses were compared between the normal group and the FCGH group.

RESULTS: The PI, Vp, Vm, RI, and D of the three pulses in the normal group were statistically significant different ( < 0.01). In the comparison of Doppler flow diagram of three pulses in the FCGH group, there were significant differences in PI, Vd, Vp, Vm, RI, and D ( < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: Under normal conditions, the indexes of Renying pulse Doppler flow diagram, Cunkou pulse Doppler flow diagram, and Fuyang pulse Doppler flow diagram are significantly different. In the FCGH group, most of the indexes of Renying pulse Doppler flow diagram, Cunkou pulse Doppler flow diagram, and Fuyang pulse Doppler flow diagram are different. This result verified the necessity of simultaneous examinations of all Renying, Cunkou, and Fuyang pulses in modern Chinese medicine.

PMID:36640009 | DOI:10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.2023.01.014

J Fish Dis. 2023 Jan 14. doi: 10.1111/jfd.13757. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Public health is facing a new challenge due to the increased bacterial resistance to most of the conventional antibacterial agents. Inadequate use of antibiotics in the Chilean aquaculture industry leads to the generation of multidrug resistance bacteria. Many fish pathogenic bacteria produce biofilm upon various sources of stress such as antibiotics, which provides several survival advantages for the bacterial life in community and can constitute a reservoir of pathogens in the marine environment. Being florfenicol a broad-spectrum antibiotic commonly used to treat infections in aquaculture, the aim of this study was to assess whether this antibiotic modulates in vitro the biofilm formation in several isolates of Piscirickettsia salmonis. Standard antibiotic-micro broth 96-flat well plates were used to determinate the minimal inhibitory concentration of florfenicol in eight different P. salmonis isolates. In vitro findings, with P. salmonis growing in the presence and absence of the antibiotic, exhibited a statistically significantly increase (p < .05) in biofilm formation in all the bacterial isolates cultivated with sub-MIC (defined as the half of the minimal inhibitory concentration in the presence of antibiotic) of florfenicol compared with controls (antibiotic-free broth). In conclusion, sub-MIC of florfenicol induced an increased biofilm formation in all P. salmonis isolates tested.

PMID:36639965 | DOI:10.1111/jfd.13757