Category: Nevin Manimala

Rom J Morphol Embryol. 2021 Oct-Dec;62(4):939-949. doi: 10.47162/RJME.62.4.06.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Nephroblastoma is the most common renal malignancy in children kidney. They are highly heterogeneous tumors with challenging imagistic and histopathological (HP) differential diagnosis. Imaging is critical for understanding local anatomy, staging and for planning surgical approach.

PURPOSE: To determine whether HP staging can be successfully predicted by the imagistic staging using computed tomography. Also, we find it important to make a brief review of the imagistic, HP and immunohistochemical differential diagnosis of nephroblastoma, considering that a correct diagnosis is essential for an appropriate therapeutic strategy in all stages.

PATIENTS, MATERIALS AND METHODS: We present a retrospective study of the medical dossiers of 22 patients that underwent surgery at our Center between 2014 and 2020. We provided descriptive data and compared imagistic and HP staging using a Mann-Whitney U-test. An up-to-date literature review was also done.

RESULTS: We found that imagistic staging tends to under- or over-stage at similar rates and that the difference between the two staging systems is statistically significant. Immunohistochemistry is necessary for establishing the correct diagnosis, especially in cases with one predominant HP pattern.

CONCLUSIONS: HP and imagistic staging are not yet sufficiently similar for successfully predict the former via imagistic means.

PMID:35673813 | DOI:10.47162/RJME.62.4.06

Eur J Oral Sci. 2022 Jun 7:e12873. doi: 10.1111/eos.12873. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to evaluate carbon nanotubes-hydroxyapatite nanocomposites as bioactive titanium implant coats and to assess the effect of near-infrared radiation on these nanocomposites. Carbon nanotubes were acid-functionalized, and hydroxyapatite was prepared by the wet-chemical precipitation method. Both precursors were used to prepare the carbon nanotubes-hydroxyapatite nanocomposites in two concentrations of hydroxyapatite (0.5 and 1 wt.%). The formed nanocomposites were characterized and used to coat silanized titanium discs and cylinders. Half the specimens of each group were radiated by near-infrared laser, then wettability and shear bond strength were tested for all specimens. Bioactivity was tested by monitoring the formation of calcium phosphate compounds after soaking in simulated body fluid. A significant increase in wettability and bond strength was found in the radiated coats compared to the non-radiated ones with the 1% hydroxyapatite group showing the highest values followed by 0.5% hydroxyapatite then the carbon nanotubes group. The two-way ANOVA test showed that both the difference in material and the laser treatment have had a statistically significant contribution to the increase in wettability and bond strength. The radiated groups also contributed to the formation of more calcium phosphate crystals of larger sizes and higher degrees of crystallinity.

PMID:35673772 | DOI:10.1111/eos.12873

J Health Organ Manag. 2022 Jun 7;ahead-of-print(ahead-of-print). doi: 10.1108/JHOM-03-2022-0088.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Building leadership skills among faculty in academic medicine is essential, yet professional development programs focused on leadership are not always attentive to the needs of faculty on diverse career pathways or at differing career stages-nor are they often rigorously assessed. Evaluations commonly focus on participant satisfaction and short-term learning but not behavior change and institutional impact, which are difficult to assess but arguably more meaningful. Given the substantial time and money invested in these programs, more rigorous evaluation is critical.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The authors evaluated an intensive, shared leadership-focused training program for early-career and mid-career faculty, offered by the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Medicine over the course of a year. They administered a pre/post-program assessment of confidence in key skill areas, and conducted semi-structured interviews with 21 participants between 1-4 years after program completion.

FINDINGS: Participants in both programs showed statistically significant improvement (p < 0.001) on every item measured in the pre/post-test. Analysis of the interviews revealed indications of substantial behavior change as well as institutional impact. The evaluation also suggested particular benefits for female professionals.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The authors conducted a long-term assessment of leadership training focused on career pathway and career stage and found that it (a) prompted both positive behavioral change and institutional impact and (b) suggested benefits for female faculty in particular, which could potentially help to eliminate gender-based disparities in leadership in academic medical centers.

PMID:35673769 | DOI:10.1108/JHOM-03-2022-0088

J Obstet Gynaecol. 2022 Jun 7:1-11. doi: 10.1080/01443615.2022.2071604. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Dropout of infertility treatments is a common phenomenon and many patients avoid continuing infertility treatments. Determining the total rate of treatment dropout, and related factors was the objective of the present systematic review and meta-analysis study. We performed an electronic literature search in Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, Cinhal, ProQuest and Medline databases and a manual search in Google scholar by using a set of Standard keywords. We included descriptive studies in English or Persian, from August 2000 to 2019. Finally, we extracted data of 25 papers for systematic review and 11 papers for meta-analysis. Data analysed by RevMan software. The results of the meta-analysis analysed by the random-effects model and studies heterogeneity analysed using the I2 calculation index. We tried to control high heterogeneity (because of the small amounts of p value and chi-square and large amount of I2) with statistical methods such as subgroup analysis and using random-effects model. The results showed that factors related to treatment, psychological and demographic/personal factors are the most common factors for dropout. It seems that educational and supportive programs on psychological, financial, therapeutic, demographic and personal factors can play an important role in reducing the incidence of infertility treatment’s drop out before completing the course of treatment.

PMID:35672872 | DOI:10.1080/01443615.2022.2071604

BMC Rheumatol. 2022 Jun 8;6(1):31. doi: 10.1186/s41927-022-00263-1.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of omega-three supplementation with fish oil on serum urate, weight and body mass index (BMI) in people with gout.

METHODS: A pilot 6-month, randomized, open-label clinical trial was undertaken in people with gout with serum urate ≥ 0.36 mmol/l. Forty participants were randomized to receive 6.2 g omega-3 fish oil daily or no fish oil for 24 weeks. Blood was obtained monthly for serum urate and red cell EPA (20:5n-3) DHA (22:6n-3) were measured using a blood spot collection system.

RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the mean (SEM) decrease in serum urate between baseline and week 24 between randomized groups: fish oil – 0.021 (0.02) mmol/l versus control – 0.006 (0.02) mmol/l. There was no significant difference in change in weight or BMI between baseline and week 24 between randomized groups. There was a statistically significant correlation between red cell omega-three concentrations and the total number of flares per participant between week 12 and week 24; total omega-three r = – 0.75 (p ≤ 0.001), EPA r = – 0.75 (p ≤ 0.001) and DHA r = -0.76 (p ≤ 0.001). In the omega-three fish oil group four participants reported gastrointestinal adverse effects definitely or probably related to the omega-three supplementation.

CONCLUSIONS: The lack of untoward effect of omega three fish oil supplementation on serum urate and BMI together with the relationship between higher omega-three concentrations and lower gout flares supports the development of further adequately powered clinical trials to determine the role of omega-three supplements as prophylaxis against gout flares in people starting urate lowering therapy. Clinical trial registration ACTRN12617000539336p Registered 13/04/2017.

PMID:35672866 | DOI:10.1186/s41927-022-00263-1

BMC Psychiatry. 2022 Jun 7;22(1):387. doi: 10.1186/s12888-022-04032-9.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Work-related stress (WRS) is becoming an alarmingly growing public health concern worldwide. Due to globalization and changes in working conditions, people in low-income countries face growing work-relates stress. However, despite high prevalence globally, work-related stress among industrial park workers is not well studied in Ethiopia.Thus; the aim of this study was to assess work-related stress and associated factors among employees of Hawassa industrial park, southern Ethiopia.

METHODS: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was employed among 419 employees of Hawassa industrial park using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. Study participants were selected using simple random sampling technique. Data was collected by face-to-face interview. A workplace stress scale (WPSS) was used to assess work-related stress. The collected data were coded and entered into EPI data 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 26 for analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify associated factors. The statistical significance was considered at P-value < 0.05.

RESULT: The Overall prevalence of work-related stress was 47.5, 95% CI (43.2, 52.1). Variables such as temporary employment [AOR = 0.41, 95% CI (0.26-0.64)], poor working condition [AOR = 2.12, 95% CI (1.32-3.43)], work experience less than two and half years [AOR = 3.11, 95% CI (1.95-4.96)], poor learning opportunity [AOR = 1.82, 95% CI (1.10-2.30)], poor organizational support [AOR = 1.70, 95% CI (1.10-2.62)], current use of khat [AOR = 2.52, 95% CI (1.28-4.99)] and current use of alcohol [AOR = 2.27, 95% CI (1.44-3.58)] were significantly associated with work-related stress.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: The study found high prevalence of work-related stress among employees of Hawassa industrial park. Temporary employment, poor working conditions, work experience < 2¹/₂ years, poor learning opportunities, poor organizational support, current khat use, and current use of alcohol were significantly associated with work-related stress. Our study finding is recommending enhancing stress management skills and primary prevention on identified risk factors to industry employees.

PMID:35672849 | DOI:10.1186/s12888-022-04032-9

Int J Retina Vitreous. 2022 Jun 7;8(1):35. doi: 10.1186/s40942-022-00388-y.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the efficacy of retinal photography obtained by undergraduate students using a smartphone-based device in screening and early diagnosing diabetic retinopathy (DR).

METHODS: We carried out an open prospective study with ninety-nine diabetic patients (194 eyes), who were submitted to an ophthalmological examination in which undergraduate students registered images of the fundus using a smartphone-based device. At the same occasion, an experienced nurse captured fundus photographs from the same patients using a gold standard tabletop camera system (Canon CR-2 Digital Non-Mydriatic Retinal Camera), with a 45º field of view. Two distinct masked specialists evaluated both forms of imaging according to the presence or absence of sings of DR and its markers of severity. We later compared those reports to assess agreement between the two technologies.

RESULTS: Concerning the presence or absence of DR, we found an agreement rate of 84.07% between reports obtained from images of the smartphone-based device and from the regular (tabletop) fundus camera; Kappa: 0.67; Sensitivity: 71.0% (Confidence Interval [CI]: 65.05-78.16%); Specificity: 94.06% (CI: 90.63-97.49%); Accuracy: 84.07%; Positive Predictive Value (PPV): 90.62%; Negative Predictive Value (NPV): 80.51%. As for the classification between proliferative diabetic retinopathy and non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, we found an agreement of 90.00% between the reports; Kappa: 0.78; Sensitivity: 86.96%; (CI: 79.07-94.85%); Specificity: 91.49% (CI: 84.95-98.03%); Accuracy: 90.00%; PPV: 83.33%; NPV: 93.48%. Regarding the degree of classification of DR, we found an agreement rate of 69.23% between the reports; Kappa: 0.52. As relating to the presence or absence of hard macular exudates, we found an agreement of 84.07% between the reports; Kappa: 0.67; Sensitivity: 71.60% (CI: 65.05-78.16%); Specificity: 94.06% (CI: 90.63-97.49%); Accuracy: 84.07%; PPV: 90.62%; NPV: 80.51%.

CONCLUSION: The smartphone-based device showed promising accuracy in the detection of DR (84.07%), making it a potential tool in the screening and early diagnosis of DR.

PMID:35672839 | DOI:10.1186/s40942-022-00388-y

Stem Cell Res Ther. 2022 Jun 7;13(1):241. doi: 10.1186/s13287-022-02911-2.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Repairing radiation-induced bone injuries remains a significant challenge in the clinic, and few effective medicines are currently available. Psoralen is a principal bioactive component of Cullen corylifolium (L.) Medik and has been reported to have antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and pro-osteogenesis activities. However, less information is available regarding the role of psoralen in the treatment of radiation-induced bone injury. In this study, we explored the modulatory effects of psoralen on skeletal stem cells and their protective effects on radiation-induced bone injuries.

METHODS: The protective effects of psoralen on radiation-induced osteoporosis and irradiated bone defects were evaluated by microCT and pathological analysis. In addition, the cell proliferation, osteogenesis, and self-renewal of SSCs were explored. Further, the underlying mechanisms of the protective of psoralen were investigated by using RNA sequencing and functional gain and loss experiments in vitro and in vivo. Statistical significance was analyzed using Student’s t test. The one-way ANOVA was used in multiple group data analysis.

RESULTS: Here, we demonstrated that psoralen, a natural herbal extract, mitigated radiation-induced bone injury (irradiation-induced osteoporosis and irradiated bone defects) in mice partially by rescuing the stemness of irradiated skeletal stem cells. Mechanistically, psoralen restored the stemness of skeletal stem cells by alleviating the radiation-induced suppression of AKT/GSK-3β and elevating NRF2 expression in skeletal stem cells. Furthermore, the expression of KEAP1 in skeletal stem cells did not significantly change in the presence of psoralen. Moreover, blockade of NRF2 in vivo partially abolished the promising effects of psoralen in a murine model of irradiation-induced osteoporosis and irradiated bone regeneration.

CONCLUSIONS: In summary, our findings identified psoralen as a potential medicine to mitigate bone radiation injury. In addition, skeletal stem cells and AKT-GSK-3β and NRF2 may thus represent therapeutic targets for treating radiation-induced bone injury.

PMID:35672836 | DOI:10.1186/s13287-022-02911-2

BMC Complement Med Ther. 2022 Jun 7;22(1):151. doi: 10.1186/s12906-022-03637-7.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUNDS: Asthma and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are common chronic diseases of the respiratory system in clinical practice. However, the relationship and molecular links remain unclear, and the current treatment’s efficacy is disappointing. Bu-Shen-Yi-Qi (BSYQ) decoction has proven effective in treating various chronic airway inflammatory diseases, including asthma and IPF. But the underlying pharmacological mechanisms are still to be elucidated.

METHODS: This study searched the proteins related to asthma and IPF via TTD, CTD, and DisGeNET databases and then submitted to the STRING to establish the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. The co-bioinformatics analysis was conducted by Metascape. The active ingredients of BSYQ decoction were screened from TCMSP, ETCM, BATMAN-TCM databases, and HPLC/MS experiment. The corresponding targets were predicted based on TCMSP, ETCM, and BATMAN-TCM databases. The shared targets for asthma and IPF treatment were recognized, and further GO and KEGG analyses were conducted with the DAVID platform. Finally, molecule docking via Autodock Vina was employed to predict the potential binding mode between core potential compounds and targets.

RESULTS: Finally, 1333 asthma-related targets and 404 IPF-related proteins were retrieved, 120 were overlapped between them, and many of the asthma-related proteins fall into the same statistically significant GO terms with IPF. Moreover, 116 active ingredients of BSYQ decoction were acquired, and 1535 corresponding targets were retrieved. Eighty-three potential compounds and 56 potential targets were recognized for both asthma and IPF treatment. GO and KEGG analysis indicated that the inflammation response, cytokine production, leukocyte differentiation, oxygen level response, etc., were the common pathological processes in asthma and IPF, which were regulated by BSYQ decoction. Molecule docking further predicted the potential binding modes between the core potential compounds and targets.

CONCLUSION: The current study successfully clarified the complex molecule links between asthma and IPF and found the potential common targets. Then we demonstrated the efficacy of BSYQ decoction for asthma and IPF treatment from the angle of network pharmacology, which may provide valuable references for further studies and clinical use.

PMID:35672815 | DOI:10.1186/s12906-022-03637-7

BMC Oral Health. 2022 Jun 7;22(1):224. doi: 10.1186/s12903-022-02254-7.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the effect of enamel-surface modifications on the shear bond strength between ceramic brackets bonded using different adhesive materials and the enamel surface and to identify the most suitable clinical adhesive and bonding method. Whether the non-acid-etching treatment met the clinical bond strength was also determined.

METHODS: A total of 108 extracted premolars were divided into nine groups (n = 12) based on the different enamel-surface modification techniques (acid etching, deproteinization, and wetting). Group 1 was bonded with Transbond™ XT adhesive, whereas groups 2-9 were bonded with resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC). The treatment methods for each group were as follows: groups 1 and 2, acid etching; group 3, acid etching and wetting; group 4, acid etching and deproteinization; group 5, acid etching, deproteinization, and wetting; group 6, deproteinization; group 7, deproteinization and wetting; group 8, without treatment; and group 9, wetting. The samples’ shear bond strength was measured using an universal testing machine. Adhesive remnant index (ARI) was examined using a stereomicroscope. The enamel-surface morphology was observed with a scanning electron microscope. One-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post-hoc test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis, and p < 0.05 and α = 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: The ARIs of groups 1-5 and 6-9 were statistically significant (p = 0.000). The enamel surface of groups 1-5 was demineralized, and only a tiny amount of protein remained in groups 7 and 8, whereas a thick layer of protein remained in groups 8 and 9.

CONCLUSIONS: RMGIC adhesive did not damage the enamel surface and achieved the required clinical bond strength. The enamel surface was better treated with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite preferably under non-acid-etching conditions.

PMID:35672818 | DOI:10.1186/s12903-022-02254-7