Category: Nevin Manimala

Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2021 Jun 6;263:56-61. doi: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2021.05.046. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Pre-eclampsia is associated with an increased risk of future cardiovascular disease. Maladaptive placentation or malperfusion, as well as predisposing cardiovascular or metabolic risk for endothelial dysfunction, contribute to the systemic inflammatory response that establishes the origins of the disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between placental size and cardiovascular risk when assessed at six months postpartum in women who experienced pre-eclampsia.

STUDY DESIGN: Maternal clinical and biochemical cardiovascular risk factors were used to categorize preeclamptic women into high vs. low lifetime cardiovascular disease risk profiles at six months postpartum. A multivariable logistic regression model was then used to identify the association between placental weight to birth weight ratio and high lifetime cardiovascular disease risk, adjusting for maternal age, pre-pregnancy BMI, and severity of pre-eclampsia. A p-value of < 0.05 was deemed statistically significant.

RESULTS: 186/216 women with pre-eclampsia who attended the Maternal Health Clinic met inclusion criteria. No significant differences were observed for placental morphometric measurements between women who screened as having a high vs. low lifetime risk profile for cardiovascular disease at six months postpartum. However, using multivariable modelling that controlled for maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass index, gestational age at delivery, and severity of pre-eclampsia, a low placenta to birth weight ratio (<15%) was associated with an increased odds of high lifetime cardiovascular disease risk (p < 0.009).

CONCLUSION: The findings of the current study identify clinical measurements that can be collected at the time of delivery which may help identify specific women who may benefit most from postpartum cardiovascular risk screening and intervention.

PMID:34167034 | DOI:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2021.05.046

Food Chem. 2021 Jun 1;363:130179. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.130179. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Daily variations of macro- and trace-elements in human milk (HM) are not well characterised and sampling protocols are highly variable between studies.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate diurnal and within-feed variation of HM macro- and trace-elements using pre- and post- feed concentrations and to compare infant intake estimates using limited samples with measured 24-hour intake.

METHODS: HM Samples were collected pre- and post- every feed in a 24-hour period from 11 mother-infant dyads. Test-weighing was used to determine the volume of HM consumed in each feed. For macro- and trace-elements within-feed and daily variation was measured. Intake estimated from a morning pre-feed sample was compared to the measured milk intake calculated from every feed over 24-hours. Macro- and trace-elements concentrations were measured using ICP-MS. Linear mixed modelling was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS: Average intake of HM was 737 ± 63 mL for infants aged 1-6 months and 508 ± 50 for infants aged 6-12 months. Pre- and post-feed HM variation was found for phosphorus, calcium, manganese, iron, copper, zinc, selenium, molybdenum, and iodine (p < 0.05). Variation across 24 h was found for magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, manganese, iron, and selenium (p < 0.05). Estimated intake using morning, pre-feed samples resulted in significantly lower intake when compared to measured milk intake for iron, phosphorus, selenium, and manganese (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Standardised sampling protocols using large sample volumes and multiple collections over 24-hours provide a calculated intake that is more reflective of actual infant HM macro- and trace-elements intake.

PMID:34166949 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.130179

Am J Otolaryngol. 2021 Jun 19;42(6):103134. doi: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2021.103134. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is characterized as brief episodes of vertigo that are exacerbated by the unexpected act of moving to a current provoking location. It is thought to be an otoconia-related balance disorder. Our objectives were to assess the serum concentrations of vitamin D and calcium (total and ionized) in cases with BPPV, determine if low vitamin D levels were regarded as a cause for BPPV relapse, and determine whether vitamin D supplementation would minimize the risk of BPPV relapse.

RESULTS: Sixty cases with BPPV were included in the study; 53 cases had posterior canal BPPV, while seven had lateral canal BPPV. Canalithiasis was the most common type of BPPV pathology. Forty cases had abnormally low levels of vitamin D. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the mean vitamin D assay for all cases with BPPV and serum calcium. There was statistically significant difference in comparing the relapse of BPPV for group that receive vitamin D after one year follow up.

CONCLUSION: Abnormal vitamin D levels were linked with the incident and relapse of BPPV. Correction of low vitamin D levels was linked with the reduction of the relapse of BPPV.

PMID:34166965 | DOI:10.1016/j.amjoto.2021.103134

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2021 Jun 10;567:195-200. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.06.023. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) is an isothermal reaction that amplifies a target DNA sequence with a recombinase, a single-stranded DNA-binding protein (SSB), and a strand-displacing DNA polymerase. In this study, we optimized the reaction conditions of RPA to detect SARS-CoV-2 DNA and RNA using a statistical method to enhance the sensitivity. In vitro synthesized SARS-CoV-2 DNA and RNA were used as targets. After evaluating the concentration of each component, the uvsY, gp32, and ATP concentrations appeared to be rate-determining factors. In particular, the balance between the binding and dissociation of uvsX and DNA primer was precisely adjusted. Under the optimized condition, 60 copies of the target DNA were specifically detected. Detection of 60 copies of RNA was also achieved. Our results prove the fabrication flexibility of RPA reagents, leading to an expansion of the use of RPA in various fields.

PMID:34166918 | DOI:10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.06.023

New Phytol. 2021 Jun 24. doi: 10.1111/nph.17578. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Understanding how plant water uptake interacts with acquisition of soil nitrogen (N) and other nutrients is fundamental for predicting plant responses to a changing environment, but it is an area where models disagree. We present a novel isotopic labelling approach which reveals spatial patterns of water and N uptake, and their interaction, by trees. The stable isotopes ¹⁵ N and ² H were applied to a small area of the forest floor in stands with high and low soil N availability. Uptake by surrounding trees was measured. The sensitivity of N acquisition to water uptake was quantified by statistical modelling. Trees in the high-N stand acquired twice as much ¹⁵ N as in the low-N stand and around half of their N uptake was dependent on water uptake (² H enrichment). In contrast, in the low-N stand there was no positive effect of water uptake on N uptake. We conclude that tree N acquisition was only marginally dependent on water flux toward the root surface under low N conditions but under high-N conditions, the water-associated N uptake was substantial. The results suggest a fundamental shift in N acquisition strategy under high-N conditions.

PMID:34166537 | DOI:10.1111/nph.17578

Clin Oral Implants Res. 2021 Jun 24. doi: 10.1111/clr.13802. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare fully guided with conventionally guided implant surgery performed by dental students in terms of deviation of actual implant position from an ideal implant position.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five patients in need of 26 straightforward implant-supported single crowns were randomly allocated to a fully guided (FG, n=14) or a conventionally guided (CG, n=12) implant surgery. In the preoperative CBCTs, 3 experienced investigators placed a virtual implant in the ideal position, twice, allowing deviational analysis in the facio-lingual (coronal) and mesio-distal (sagittal) planes for 7 parameters. Facio-lingual crestal deviation, facio-lingual apical deviation, facio-lingual angular deviation, mesio-distal crestal deviation, mesio-distal apical deviation, mesio-distal angular deviation and vertical deviation between the ideal, virtually placed position and actual implant position for the FG- and CG-groups were compared statistically (p<0.05) RESULTS: Statistically significant differences between ideal and actual implant position were only seen for the facio-lingual apical deviation (p= 0.047) and for the facio-lingual angular deviation (p= 0.019), where the CG-group deviated more from the ideal position than the FG-group. The 5 other examined variables did not show any significant differences and none of the implants in the FG-group and CG-group were placed in conflict with the clinical guidelines.

CONCLUSIONS: The present study reported no difference in 5 out of 7 deviational parameters concerning actual implant position in relation to ideal implant position between a FG and CG implant placement protocol performed by dental students. Facio-lingual angular deviation and apical deviation were lower, when a FG protocol was followed. All implants were positioned according to clinical guidelines.

PMID:34166539 | DOI:10.1111/clr.13802

Hum Reprod. 2021 Jun 24:deab154. doi: 10.1093/humrep/deab154. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

STUDY QUESTION: Is the rate of fatherhood among men diagnosed with cancer in childhood and early adulthood different from men without cancer, and, if so, have the differences changed over time?

SUMMARY ANSWER: Men diagnosed with cancer have had significantly reduced rates of fatherhood compared with undiagnosed men; however, the rates of fatherhood among the cancer survivors have increased markedly over time.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: The number of children and young adolescents who survive cancer has steadily increased over recent decades, with a current 5-year survival rate of approximately 80%. Consequently, life circumstances after cancer have gained increasing importance, including the desire among survivors to have children and a family. ARTs to aid reproduction among cancer survivors have been developed, and fertility preservation is increasingly a topic being discussed before undergoing cancer treatment. But the potential for fertility preservation differs dependent on age at diagnosis and type of cancer. Earlier studies have shown a decreased fertility rate among survivors of child and adolescent cancer compared to those diagnosed in early adulthood.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: This study is a national, register-based cohort study. Men diagnosed with cancer in childhood and early adulthood (<30 years of age) were registered in the Danish Cancer Register in 1978-2016 (n = 9353). According to the time of diagnosis, each cancer-diagnosed man was randomly matched with 150 undiagnosed men from the background population within the same birth year. The men were followed until having their first child, death, migration or the end of the study (31 December 2017) in medical registers and socio-demographic population registers.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Fatherhood among the boys and young men diagnosed with cancer were compared with the age-matched comparison group in all statistical analyses. Cancer diagnoses were categorised as central nervous system (CNS) cancers, haematological cancers or solid cancers. Analyses were stratified by age at diagnosis (0-9, 10-19, 20-29 years) and time of diagnosis (1978-1989, 1990-1999, 2000-2009, 2010-2016). Death was incorporated as a competing risk in all analyses.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: The study population consisted of 9353 boys and young men diagnosed with cancer between 1978 and 2016 and 1 386 493 men in the age-matched comparison group. Those surviving CNS cancer as young men had the lowest hazard ratio (HR) of fatherhood compared with the age-matched comparison group (HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.57-0.79), followed by survivors of haematological cancers (HR 0.90, 95% CI 0.81-1.01), while the highest chance of fatherhood was among survivors of solid cancers (HR 1.16, 95% CI 1.12-1.20) with a slightly increased HR compared with undiagnosed males. The HR of becoming a father increased over time. From the first decade to the last decade 30 years later, the HR of becoming a father increased for solid tumours (HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.73-0.83 to HR 1.08, 95% CI 0.95-1.22), haematological cancers (HR 0.64, 95% CI 0.53-0.79 to HR 0.97, 95% CI 0.73-1.30) and CNS cancers (HR 0.44, 95% CI 0.34-0.57 to HR 0.98, 95% CI 0.49-1.95) compared to the age-matched comparison group. Also, when compared with the age-matched comparison group, men diagnosed with cancer when aged 20-29 years were more likely became fathers over the time of the study (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.74-0.86 to HR 1.08, 95% CI 0.96-1.22).

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The study was based on register data, and information was not available about the men’s fertility potential, whether they had a desire to have children and whether it was possible for them to find a partner. Information about fertility preservation, e.g. sperm freezing, could also have provided additional insights. Furthermore, information about diagnosis and ART treatment would have been beneficial.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Information and education of male patients diagnosed with cancer about fertility preservation options and their chances to create their own family is crucial. Reassuringly, time trends showed more men with a previous cancer diagnosis becoming fathers in recent years than in earlier years, reflecting that survival and fertility preservation have improved over time.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): R.S. received a PhD grant from the Rosa Ebba Hansen Foundation and from the Health Foundation (J.nr. 15-B-0095). The funding for the establishment of the DANAC II Cohort was obtained from the Rosa Ebba Hansen Foundation. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: N/A.

PMID:34166497 | DOI:10.1093/humrep/deab154

Neurosurgery. 2021 Jun 24:nyab175. doi: 10.1093/neuros/nyab175. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The behavior of meningiomas under influence of progestin therapy remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between growth kinetics of intracranial meningiomas and usage of the progestin cyproterone acetate (PCA).

METHODS: This study prospectively followed 108 women with 262 intracranial meningiomas and documented PCA use. A per-meningioma analysis was conducted. Changes in meningioma volumes over time, and meningioma growth velocities, were measured on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after stopping PCA treatment.

RESULTS: Mean follow-up time was 30 (standard deviation [SD] 29) mo. Ten (4%) meningiomas were treated surgically at presentation. The other 252 meningiomas were followed after stopping PCA treatment. Overall, followed meningiomas decreased their volumes by 33% on average (SD 28%). A total of 188 (72%) meningiomas decreased, 51 (20%) meningiomas remained stable, and 13 (4%) increased in volume of which 3 (1%) were surgically treated because of radiological progression during follow-up after PCA withdrawal. In total, 239 of 262 (91%) meningiomas regressed or stabilized during follow-up. Subgroup analysis in 7 women with 19 meningiomas with follow-up before and after PCA withdrawal demonstrated that meningioma growth velocity changed statistically significantly (P = .02). Meningiomas grew (average velocity of 0.25 mm3/day) while patients were using PCA and shrank (average velocity of -0.54 mm3/day) after discontinuation of PCA.

CONCLUSION: Ninety-one percent of intracranial meningiomas in female patients with long-term PCA use decrease or stabilize on MRI after stopping PCA treatment. Meningioma growth kinetics change significantly from growth during PCA usage to shrinkage after PCA withdrawal.

PMID:34166514 | DOI:10.1093/neuros/nyab175

PLoS One. 2021 Jun 24;16(6):e0253850. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253850. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The knowledge of Pap smear and uptake of preventive behaviors to prevent cervical cancer are the most important contributors to the advanced stage of the disease. Knowledge is one of the most leading factors to predict the health behaviors and a helpful factor in performing screening procedures. This study aimed to investigate Saudi Arabian women knowledge of Pap testing in relation to their intention to undergo the test.

METHODS: An online survey including demographic characteristics (3 questions), knowledge (13 questions), and intentions (3 questions) towards Pap smear was completed by 467 Saudi Arabian women. Data were analyzed through SPSS version 22, using descriptive statistics and correlation to measure the relationship between knowledge, demographic factors, and intention.

RESULTS: The study found that average level of knowledge was 1.3 which is between high and moderate knowledge, and the average score for the intention was 2.88, to indicate that the intentions to uptake Pap smear among the participants were above the average. The study revealed a significant correlation between demographic factors and intention (p<0.01).

CONCLUSION: Findings from the current study can inform health care providers about Saudi Arabian women knowledge of Pap smear and the intention to uptake the test. Strategies to motivate women to undergo Pap screening should be introduced.

PMID:34166452 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0253850

PLoS One. 2021 Jun 24;16(6):e0253550. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253550. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

A wide body of literature has demonstrated that the neural representation of healthy swallowing is mostly bilateral, with one hemisphere dominant over the other. While several studies have demonstrated the presence of laterality for swallowing related functions among young adults, the data on older adults are still growing. The purpose of this paper is to investigate potential changes in hemispheric dominance in healthy aging adults for swallowing related tasks using a behavioral dual-task paradigm. A modified dual-task paradigm was designed to investigate the potential reduction in hemispherical specialization for swallowing function. Eighty healthy right-handed participants in the study were divided into two groups [Group 1: young adults (18-40 years) and Group 2: older adults (65 and above)]. All the participants performed a timed water swallow test at baseline and with two interference conditions (silent word repetition, and facial recognition). The results of the study revealed the following 1) a statistically significant effect of age on swallow performance; 2) statistically significant effect of each of the interference tasks on two of the swallow measures (VPS and VPT) in younger adults; and 3) no significant effect of the interference tasks on the swallowing performance of older adults. These findings suggest that aging substantially affects swallowing in older individuals, and this potentially accompanies a reduction in the hemispheric specialization for swallowing related tasks.

PMID:34166461 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0253550