Category: Nevin Manimala

J Diabetes. 2022 Apr;14(4):271-281. doi: 10.1111/1753-0407.13262.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study profiles ceramides extracted from visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue of human subjects by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to determine a correlation with status of diabetes and gender.

METHODS: Samples of visceral and abdominal wall subcutaneous adipose tissue (n = 36 and n = 31, respectively) were taken during laparoscopic surgery from 36 patients (14 nondiabetic, 22 diabetic and prediabetic) undergoing bariatric surgery with a body mass index (BMI) >35 kg/m² with ≥1 existing comorbidity or BMI ≥40 kg/m² . Sphingolipids were extracted and analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

RESULTS: After logarithm 2 conversion, paired analysis of visceral to subcutaneous tissue showed differential accumulation of Cer(d18:1/16:0), Cer(d18:1/18:0), and Cer(d18:1/24:1) in visceral tissue of prediabetic/diabetic female subjects, but not in males. Within-tissue analysis showed higher mean levels of ceramide species linked to insulin resistance, such as Cer(d18:1/18:0) and Cer(d18:1/16:0), in visceral tissue of prediabetic/diabetic patients compared with nondiabetic subjects and higher content of Cer(d18:1/14:0) in subcutaneous tissue of insulin-resistant female patients compared with prediabetic/diabetic males. Statistically significant differences in mean levels of ceramide species between insulin-resistant African American and insulin-resistant Caucasian patients were not evident in visceral or subcutaneous tissue.

CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of ceramides is important for developing a better understanding of biological processes underlying type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and obesity. Knowledge of the accumulated ceramides/dihydroceramides may reflect on the prelipolytic state that leads the lipotoxic phase of insulin resistance and may shed light on the predisposition to insulin resistance by gender.

PMID:35470585 | DOI:10.1111/1753-0407.13262

Orthod Craniofac Res. 2022 Apr 26. doi: 10.1111/ocr.12580. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: to assess palatal volume, surface area and linear dimensions across sagittal and vertical components of malocclusion.

METHODS: Pre-treatment cephalographs and dental casts of 178 non-growing patients (88 males, 90 females, age 25.81±8.23years) were used for classification in sagittal malocclusion groups: Class I (n=48), Class II division 1 (n=42), Class II division 2 (n=40), and Class III (n=48); and in vertical divergence groups based on the MP/SN angle: hypodivergent (n=35), normodivergent (n=95), and hyperdivergent (n=48). Dental casts were scanned and palatal measurements recorded: palatal width, depth, and interdental distances; palatal surface area (PSA, mm² ) and volume (PV, mm³ ). A 3-way ANOVA was used to compare palatal dimensions across groups. Pearson product-moment correlations were employed to assess associations among variables.

RESULTS: PSA and PV (in both sex groups) were not statistically significantly different across sagittal malocclusions and vertical patterns. Significant differences were depicted more among the vertical divergence groups than sagittal groups. Correlations between PSA and PV and palatal dimensions were low to moderate. Predictability of PSA and PV ranged between 15 and 18%.

CONCLUSION: The finding of similar palatal volume and surface area, on average, across malocclusions possibly underscores the limitations of environmental influences within the inherited orofacial phenotype. The vertical facial pattern seems to be more interactive with palatal dimensions than sagittal relations. Studies of palatal changes following orthodontic and orthognathic treatments are warranted.

PMID:35470544 | DOI:10.1111/ocr.12580

Infancy. 2022 Apr 26. doi: 10.1111/infa.12471. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

During the first 2 years of life, an infant’s vocabulary grows at an impressive rate. In the current study, we investigated the impact of three challenges that infants need to overcome to learn new words and expand the size of their vocabulary. We used longitudinal eye-tracking data (n = 118) to assess sequence learning, associative learning, and probability processing abilities at ages 6, 10, and 18 months. Infants’ ability to efficiently solve these tasks was used to predict vocabulary size at age 18 months. We demonstrate that the ability to make audio-visual associations and to predict sequences of visual events predicts vocabulary size in toddlers (accounting for 20% of the variance). Our results indicate that statistical learning in some, but not all, domains have a role in vocabulary development.

PMID:35470540 | DOI:10.1111/infa.12471

Environ Mol Mutagen. 2022 Apr 25. doi: 10.1002/em.22483. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Ionizing radiation is a well-appreciated health risk, precipitant of DNA damage, and contributes to DNA methylation variability. Nevertheless, relationships of ionizing radiation with DNA methylation-based markers of biological age (i.e. epigenetic clocks) remain poorly understood. Using existing data from human bronchial epithelial cells, we examined in vitro relationships of three epigenetic clock measures (Horvath DNAmAge, MiAge, and epiTOC2) with galactic cosmic radiation (GCR), which is particularly hazardous due to its high linear energy transfer (LET) heavy ion components. High-LET 56Fe was significantly associated with accelerations in epiTOC2 (β=192 cell divisions, 95%CI: 71, 313, P-Value=0.003). We also observed a significant, positive interaction of 56Fe ions and time-in-culture with epiTOC2 (95%CI: 42, 441, P-Value=0.019). However, only the direct 56Fe ion association remained statistically significant after adjusting for multiple hypothesis testing. Epigenetic clocks were not significantly associated with high-LET 28Si and low-LET xrays. Our results demonstrate sensitivities of specific epigenetic clock measures to certain forms of GCR. These findings suggest that epigenetic clocks may have some utility for monitoring and better understanding the health impacts of GCR. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:35470505 | DOI:10.1002/em.22483

J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2022 Apr 25. doi: 10.1111/jgh.15870. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement is recommended in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), but the procedure is considered high risk. In this study, we aimed to compare the outcome of ALS patients with and without PEG. The success of the procedure and complications of PEG insertion were also explored.

METHODS: Patients with ALS who met the criteria for enteral feeding support were consecutively recruited. Patients who consented had PEG insertion using the modified technique of introducer method with transoral ultra-slim endoscopy.

RESULTS: A total of 64 patients were recruited, of which 36 (56%) patients consented to PEG. The median age of all patients was 65 years and 59% were male. There was no difference in demographic and clinical characteristics between patients who agreed to a PEG and those who did not. The mortality rate at 6 and 12 months was lower in the PEG cohort compared with non-PEG, but this was not statistically significant (6 months: 28.6% vs 32.2%, P = 0.561; 12 months: 38.9% vs 50.0%, P = 0.374). Amongst the PEG cohort, 61% were stratified high risk and 31% moderate risk. Thirty-one percent of them required long-term home noninvasive ventilation. All patients (100%) underwent successful PEG insertion at single attempt using the modified approach. The complications reported over a period of 6 months were infected PEG site (17%), dislodged gastrostomy tube (14%), and minor bleeding (8%).

CONCLUSION: In ALS patients with moderate to high risk of PEG insertion, the introducer technique utilizing ultra-slim endoscopy guidance was well tolerated and safe.

PMID:35470471 | DOI:10.1111/jgh.15870

Int Endod J. 2022 Apr 26. doi: 10.1111/iej.13754. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: The addition of etidronic acid (HEDP) to sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) could increase the antibiofilm potency of the irrigant, while maintaining the benefits of continuous chelation. Studies conducted so far have shown that mixing HEDP with NaOCl solutions of relatively low concentration does not compromise the antibiofilm efficacy of the irrigant. However, the working lifespan of NaOCl may decrease resulting in a reduction of its antibiofilm efficacy over time (efficiency). In this regard, continuous irrigant replenishment needs to be examined. This study investigated the response of a dual-species biofilm when challenged with 2% and 5% NaOCl mixed with HEDP for a prolonged timespan and under steady laminar flow.

METHODOLOGY: Dual-species biofilms comprised of Streptococcus oralis J22 and Actinomyces naeslundii T14V-J1 were grown on human dentine discs in a constant depth film fermenter (CDFF) for 96 h. Biofilms were treated with 2% and 5% NaOCl, alone or mixed with HEDP. Irrigants were applied under steady laminar flow for 8 min. Biofilm response was evaluated by means of optical coherence tomography (OCT). Biofilm removal, biofilm disruption, rate of biofilm loss and disruption as well as bubble formation were assessed. One-way ANOVA, Wilcoxon’s signed-rank test and Kruskal-Wallis H test were performed for statistical analysis of the data. The level of significance was set at a ≤ 0.05.

RESULTS: Increasing NaOCl concentration resulted in increased biofilm removal and disruption, higher rate of biofilm loss and disruption and increased bubble formation. Mixing HEDP with NaOCl caused a delay in the antibiofilm action of the latter, without compromising its antibiofilm efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS: NaOCl concentration dictates the biofilm response irrespective of the presence of HEDP. The addition of HEDP resulted in a delay in the antibiofilm action of NaOCl. This delay affects the efficiency, but not the efficacy of the irrigant over time.

PMID:35470434 | DOI:10.1111/iej.13754

Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2022 Apr 25. doi: 10.1111/bcp.15363. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To investigate the rates of hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs), in patients receiving paclitaxel chemotherapy, with and without a Histamine-2 (H₂ ) antagonists.

METHOD: This prospective, multi-centre, cohort study compared patients receiving paclitaxel treated with pre-medication regimens containing chlorphenamine, dexamethasone and an H₂ antagonist versus patients treated without an H₂ antagonist. Rates of HSRs were described and logistic multivariable regression was used to investigate any associations with H₂ antagonist treatment, adjusting for confounding variables.

RESULTS: 1043 were included in the study; of these, 638 (61%) patients received a H₂ antagonist and 405 (49%) were not given a H₂ antagonist. Incidence of HSR in the cohort treated with H₂ antagonists was 11.31% (n=70) versus 9.86% (n=41) in the cohort without. There was no statistically significant difference between the rates of HSR observed in those receiving and not receiving a H₂ antagonist (odds ratio 1.04, 95% CI 0.65, 1.66, P=0.9).

CONCLUSIONS: Results presented within the study are consistent with other recently published evidence to suggest that H2 antagonists do not confer any advantage as part of pre-medication regimens in reducing the incidence of HSR in patients treated with paclitaxel.

PMID:35470452 | DOI:10.1111/bcp.15363

Cardiol J. 2022 Apr 26. doi: 10.5603/CJ.a2022.0025. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Neoatherosclerosis after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation is known to be related with increased risk of late restenosis and stent thrombosis. Neoatherosclerosis and relevant clinical outcomes between bioabsorbable polymer DES (BP-DES) and second-generation durable polymer DES (DP-DES) were evaluated by optical coherence tomography (OCT) analysis.

METHODS: A total of 311 patients (319 lesions) undergoing OCT analysis after DES implantation were enrolled and divided into two groups according to stent type (BP-DES [150 patients, 153 lesions] and DP-DES [161 patients, 166 lesions]). Follow-up OCT analysis was performed at least 9 months after index stent implantation. Neoatherosclerosis was defined as presence of thin-cap fibroatheroma, calcified plaque, and lipid plaque. Primary endpoint was the incidence of neoatherosclerosis, and the secondary endpoints were the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), defined as a composite of death, myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization, or stent thrombosis and to find independent predictors of neoatherosclerosis.

RESULTS: The incidence of neoatherosclerosis was lower in the BP-DES group than the DP-DES group (5.2% vs. 14.5%, p = 0.008), which was driven by lipid plaque. However, the incidence of MACE did not show statistical difference between the two groups in median 4-year follow-up (3.3% vs. 7.8%, hazard ratio 1.964, 95% confidence interval 0.688-5.611, p = 0.207). Less use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blockade and higher degree of neointimal hyperplasia remained independent predictors of neoatherosclerosis on Cox regression analysis.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing BP-DES implantation had lower incidence of neoatherosclerosis than DP-DES, which did not reach statistically better clinical outcomes.

PMID:35470415 | DOI:10.5603/CJ.a2022.0025

Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging. 2022 Apr 26:jeac067. doi: 10.1093/ehjci/jeac067. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:35470388 | DOI:10.1093/ehjci/jeac067

Minerva Gastroenterol (Torino). 2022 Apr 26. doi: 10.23736/S2724-5985.22.03189-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), causal agent of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), has infected millions of people worldwide. Currently, the scientific community debates on the direct viral responsibility of liver damage or whether the observed changes are secondary manifestations of systemic inflammation triggered by COVID-19. The hepatic involvement is associated with worse clinical outcomes and higher risk of COVID-19 related morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, SARS-CoV-2 infection may predispose patients to thrombotic disease due to excessive inflammation, platelet activation, and endothelial dysfunction.

METHODS: In this paper, we reported a cross-sectional analysis of five patients affected by a severe form of COVID-19, who died between April 11 and May 1, 2020. Each patient has been subjected to a medico-legal autopsy in which both gross and histological liver changes were evaluated, as well as the correlation with the related coagulation profile.

RESULTS: In three cases of our cohort, the thromboembolism was recognized as cause of death. Furthermore, a significant statistical difference between D-dimer values at hospital admission and death among enrolled patients (p= 0.033), was evaluated. No patient has recorded a pre-existing liver disease.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the evidence that hepatic damage in subjects with severe form of COVID-19 is related to the changes in coagulative and fibrinolytic pathways. Hence, the evaluation of D-dimer blood levels may be useful in clinical practice to predict the involvement of the liver and the prognosis of these patients. This data highlights the fundamental role of coagulation balance in subjects with advanced form of COVID-19.

PMID:35470356 | DOI:10.23736/S2724-5985.22.03189-8