Nevin Manimala

One Health. 2023 Nov 26;17:100657. doi: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100657. eCollection 2023 Dec.

ABSTRACT

Recent outbreaks of Avian Influenza across Europe have highlighted the potential for syndromic surveillance systems that consider other modes of data, namely social media. This study investigates the feasibility of using social media, primarily Twitter, to monitor illness outbreaks such as avian flu. Using temporal, geographical, and correlation analyses, we investigated the association between avian influenza tweets and officially verified cases in the United Kingdom in 2021 and 2022. Pearson correlation coefficient, bivariate Moran’s I analysis and time series analysis, were among the methodologies used. The findings show a weak, statistically insignificant relationship between the number of tweets and confirmed cases in a temporal context, implying that relying simply on social media data for surveillance may be insufficient. The spatial analysis provided insights into the overlaps between confirmed cases and tweet locations, shedding light on regionally targeted interventions during outbreaks. Although social media can be useful for understanding public sentiment and concerns during outbreaks, it must be combined with traditional surveillance methods and official data sources for a more accurate and comprehensive approach. Improved data mining techniques and real-time analysis can improve outbreak detection and response even further. This study underscores the need of having a strong surveillance system in place to properly monitor and manage disease outbreaks and protect public health.

PMID:38116453 | PMC:PMC10728316 | DOI:10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100657

One Health. 2023 Nov 10;17:100651. doi: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100651. eCollection 2023 Dec.

ABSTRACT

Giardia duodenalis is one of the major causes of diarrhea among humans, especially in young children. Statistical analysis revealed that the pooled prevalence of G. duodenalis in humans, dogs, and cats was 9.72% (10,921/112383), 15.60% (7510/48140), and 14.53% (1125/7740), respectively. Unquestionably, the canine-specific assemblages C and D and the feline-specific assemblage F were the dominant genotypes in dogs and cats, respectively. Additionally, the prevalence of zoonotic G. duodenalis assemblages (A and B) in dogs and cats was 23.07% (875/3792) and 41.42% (169/408), respectively, implying that the potential transmission of G. duodenalis from dogs and cats to human infection cannot be ignored. The highest frequency of potentially zoonotic assemblages was found among working dogs (3.55%, 25/705) and the 1-5 age group (22.92%, 11/48). In summary, dogs and cats have a significant role in the zoonotic transmission of G. duodenalis due to their close contact with humans and the higher frequency presence of zoonotic assemblages. Further studies are necessary to explore the presence of G. duodenalis among humans and animals and in environmental samples. Researchers should adopt a one-health approach to gain a deeper understanding of G. duodenalis in dogs and cats and potential transmission routes to humans.

PMID:38116451 | PMC:PMC10728314 | DOI:10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100651

ACS Med Chem Lett. 2023 Nov 14;14(12):1656-1663. doi: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00264. eCollection 2023 Dec 14.

ABSTRACT

This work describes the synthesis and pharmacological and toxicological evaluation of melanostatin (MIF-1) bioconjugates with amantadine (Am) via a peptide linkage. The data from the functional assays at human dopamine D₂ receptors (hD₂R) showed that bioconjugates 1 (EC₅₀ = 26.39 ± 3.37 nM) and 2 (EC₅₀ = 17.82 ± 4.24 nM) promote a 3.3- and 4.9-fold increase of dopamine potency, respectively, at 0.01 nM, with no effect on the efficacy (E_max = 100%). In this assay, MIF-1 was only active at the highest concentration tested (EC₅₀ = 23.64 ± 6.73 nM, at 1 nM). Cytotoxicity assays in differentiated SH-SY5Y cells showed that both MIF-1 (94.09 ± 5.75%, p < 0.05) and carbamate derivative 2 (89.73 ± 4.95%, p < 0.0001) exhibited mild but statistical significant toxicity (assessed through the MTT reduction assay) at 200 μM, while conjugate 1 was found nontoxic at this concentration.

PMID:38116429 | PMC:PMC10726482 | DOI:10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00264

Cureus. 2023 Nov 19;15(11):e49047. doi: 10.7759/cureus.49047. eCollection 2023 Nov.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that slowly deteriorates cognitive function over time. This condition disables the geriatric population worldwide. Knowing its symptoms and presentation could help the general population seek medical attention early.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the level of awareness, knowledge, and attitude towards Alzheimer’s disease among the general population in Makkah City.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study employed an online questionnaire distributed randomly in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. A sociodemographic and attitude panel is included under each section of the questionnaire, as well as a knowledge panel based on the Alzheimer’s Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS). The knowledge and awareness level regarding Alzheimer’s disease was determined by adding up discrete scores for each correct knowledge item. A participant’s awareness level was categorized as poor if their score was less than 60%. Participants whose scores were 60% or higher were considered to have a high level of awareness Results: A total of 545 participants were investigated; 316 (58%) were females. A range of ages was represented among the participants, from 18 to over 60. Of the study respondents, 68 (12.5%) had an overall good awareness and knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease and its management while 477 (87.5%) had a poor knowledge level. Among divorced/widowed participants, 16.2% had an overall good knowledge level of the disease compared to 8.3% of married respondents with recorded statistical significance (P=.049). Also, 20.4% of those with relatives diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease had good knowledge of the disease versus 10.7% of others without (P=.009).

CONCLUSION: According to the results, there is a lack of awareness and knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease. This study suggests increasing public awareness and knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease through campaigns and public education so that the disease is detected earlier.

PMID:38116357 | PMC:PMC10728572 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.49047

Cureus. 2023 Nov 19;15(11):e49043. doi: 10.7759/cureus.49043. eCollection 2023 Nov.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the impact of demographic variables on mandibular condyle morphology, a critical factor in orthodontic treatment and maxillofacial surgery. The investigation focuses on the relationship between gender, age, and skeletal class with the morphological dimensions of the condyle, utilizing panoramic radiography as a diagnostic tool.

METHODOLOGY: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 150 panoramic radiographs from individuals stratified into six groups according to gender and skeletal class. Skeletal classes were determined using Steiner and McNamara cephalometry. The Kodak Carestream software (Rochester, NY: Carestream Health) was employed to measure condylar height, width, and morphology. Statistical evaluations included ANOVA, correlation assessments, and multivariate binary logistic regression to discern the differences and associations among the variables studied.

RESULTS: The findings revealed notable differences in condylar dimensions between genders across different skeletal classes, with males typically presenting larger condylar dimensions than females. The data also showed a moderate positive correlation between condyle height and width. Round-shaped condyles were the most common form found, with significant gender differences observed in certain skeletal classes. Additionally, logistic regression analysis identified significant associations between gender, age, and condylar width and shape.

CONCLUSIONS: The study concludes that demographic factors, such as gender and age, significantly affect mandibular condyle morphology. These factors should be carefully considered in clinical evaluations using panoramic radiography to enhance the precision of diagnoses and the effectiveness of subsequent orthodontic and maxillofacial treatments. The results provide valuable insights for healthcare professionals in regions where more advanced imaging techniques may not be readily available.

PMID:38116346 | PMC:PMC10729778 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.49043

NMR Biomed. 2023 Dec 19:e5080. doi: 10.1002/nbm.5080. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

For liver intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) data acquisition, respiratory-triggering (RT) MRI is commonly used, and there are strong motivations to shorten the scan duration. For the same scan duration, more b values or higher numbers of excitations can be allowed for free-breathing (FB) imaging than for RT. We studied whether FB can be used to replace RT when careful IVIM image acquisition and image processing are conducted. MRI data of 22 healthy participants were acquired using a 3.0 T scanner. Diffusion imaging was based on a single-shot spin-echo-type echo-planar sequence and 16 b values of 0, 2, 4, 7, 10, 15, 20, 30, 46, 60, 72, 100, 150, 200, 400, and 600 s/mm² . Each subject attended two scan sessions with an interval of 10-20 days. For each scan session, a subject was scanned twice, first with RT and then with FB. The mean image acquisition time was 5.4 min for FB and 10.8 min for RT. IVIM parameters were calculated with bi-exponential model segmented fitting with a threshold b value of 60 s/mm² , and fitting started from b = 2 s/mm² . There was no statistically significant difference between IVIM parameters measured with FB imaging or RT imaging. Perfusion fraction ICC (intraclass correlation coefficient) for FB imaging and RT imaging in the same scan session was 0.824. For perfusion fraction, wSD (within-subject standard deviation), BA (Bland-Altman) difference, BA 95% limit, and ICC were 0.022, 0.0001, -0.0635~0.0637, and 0.687 for FB and 0.031, 0.0122, -0.0723~0.0967, and 0.611 for RT. For D_slow (×10^-3 s/mm² ), wSD, BA difference, BA 95% limit, and ICC were 0.057, 0.0268, -0.1258~0.1793, and 0.471 for FB and 0.073, -0.0078, -0.2170-0.2014, and <0.4 for RT. The D_fast coefficient of variation was 0.20 for FB imaging and 0.28 for RT imaging. All reproducibility indicators slightly favored FB imaging.

PMID:38113878 | DOI:10.1002/nbm.5080

Chemotherapy. 2023 Dec 19. doi: 10.1159/000535755. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to compare the disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) of patients who underwent interval cytoreductive surgery after 3-4 cycles or 6 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer patients.

METHODS: Out of 219 patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer,123 patients received 3-4 cycles and 96 patients received 6 cycles of platinum-based NACT. Afterwards, laparotomy was performed for interval cytoreductive surgery.

RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found for DFS and OS of the patients who received 3-4 cycles and those who received 6 cycles of NACT (HR:1.047,95.0%CI [0.779-1.407]; p:0.746 for DFS, and HR:1.181,95.0% CI [0.818-1.707]; p:0.368 for OS). Evaluating 123 patients who received 3-4 cycles of NACT;87 patients (70.7%) without macroscopic residual tumor after interval cytoreductive surgery had significantly longer DFS and OS compared to 36 patients(29.3%) with any residual tumor (HR:1.830,95.0% CI [1.194-2.806]; p:0.003 for DFS, and HR:1.946,95.0% CI [1.166-3.250]; p:0.009 for OS).96 patients who received 6 courses of NACT were evaluated;63 patients (65.6%) without macroscopic residual tumor after interval cytoreductive surgery had significantly longer DFS and OS than 33 patients (34.4%) with any residual tumor (HR:1.716,95.0% CI [1.092-2.697];p:0.010 for DFS, and HR:1.921,95.0%CI [1.125-3.282]; p:0.013 for OS).

CONCLUSION: In patients with advanced ovarian cancer,there is no significant difference in DFS and OS between 3-4 cycles or 6 cycles of NACT.The most important factor determining survival is whether macroscopic residual tumor tissue remains after interval cytoreductive surgery following NACT.

PMID:38113873 | DOI:10.1159/000535755

Cerebrovasc Dis. 2023 Dec 19. doi: 10.1159/000535286. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Background The relationship between ischemic stroke (IS) and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) activity is still unclear, and there is a dearth of stratified research on the relationship between Lp-PLA2 activity and different IS subtypes. Therefore, Mendelian randomization was used in this study to examine the relationship between genetically proxied Lp-PLA2 activity and the risks of IS and its subtypes. Methods Based on information from a meta-analysis of GWAS, which included 13,664 European people, five single-nucleotide polymorphisms related to Lp-PLA2 activity were chosen as instrumental variables. Summary statistics information about MEGESTROKE consortium with the European group (40,585 cases and 406,111 controls) include any ischemic stroke (AIS) (n = 34,217); large-artery stroke (LAS, n=4,373), cardioembolic stroke (CES, n=7,193) and small vessel stroke (SVS, n=5,386). In order to determine the causal relationships between Lp-PLA2 activity and IS as well as its subtypes, the inverse variance weighted (IVW) approach was chosen as the primary analysis. Significant estimates were then tested by sensitivity analysis to rule out heterogeneity and pleiotropy. Results IVW showed Lp-PLA2 activity was causally associated with LAS (OR=3.25, 95% CI=1.65-6.41, p=0.0007), but not with other subtypes of stroke. Sensitivity analysis for causal estimates between Lp-PLA2 activity and LAS showed no significant heterogeneity or pleiotropy. Conclusions These MR analyses support a causal effect of Lp-PLA2 activity on LAS but not on AIS, CES or SVS, which suggests that serum Lp-PLA2 activity might be a biomarker for prediction of LAS.

PMID:38113871 | DOI:10.1159/000535286

Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2023 Dec 19:1-7. doi: 10.1159/000535414. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The possible influence of sensitization to aeroallergens on omalizumab response in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) has been insufficiently investigated. This study’s aim was to investigate atopy’s influence on omalizumab response in CSU patients.

METHOD: Retrospective study of CSU patients followed at a Portuguese Urticaria Center of Reference and Excellence (UCARE), treated with omalizumab for at least 6 months, between 2015 and 2022. At T0, all patients underwent quantification of specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) for total extract of most prevalent aeroallergens (ImmunoCAP Thermo Fisher Scientific®) and were divided in 2 groups, according to their response to omalizumab during the first 16 weeks of treatment: responders (R) (UAS7 &lt;7) versus partial (PR) (UAS7 = 7-15) and nonresponders (UAS7 &gt;15). R were further classified as fast (FR) (4-6 weeks) and slow responders (SR) (12-16 weeks). Total serum IgE, circulating eosinophil, and basophil counts were compared between groups at T0. p &lt; 0.05 was considered statistically significant (SPSS® v25.0).

RESULTS: Ninety-six patients (80% female) were studied, mean age 49 ± 14 years. Median CSU duration pre-omalizumab was 3 (0.6-20) years and mean omalizumab treatment duration was 3.7 ± 2.3 years. 38 (40%) had concomitant chronic inducible urticaria and 72 (75%) angioedema. Based on positive results of the specific IgE assay, 35 patients (36%) were considered atopic. Most patients (n = 30; 86%) were sensitized to house dust mites (HDM) (Dermatophagoides farinae = 28, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus = 27, Blomia tropicalis = 19, Lepidoglyphus destructor = 17), followed by pollens (n = 12; 34%) (mixture of grasses = 10, Olea europaea = 7, Parietaria officinalis = 6), epithelia (n = 9; 26%) (dog = 8, cat = 7), and fungi (Alternaria alternata = 4; 11%). Eight patients (23%) were monosensitized to HDM and 4 (11%) to pollens. No significant association was found between aeroallergen sensitization and CSU duration, concomitant chronic inducible urticaria, or angioedema. Atopic patients featured significantly higher levels of baseline total serum IgE than nonatopic (469 vs. 94 U/mL, respectively; p = 0.0009). Mean baseline counts of eosinophils and basophils were not significantly different between atopic and non-atopic, respectively: eosinophils (128 vs. 121/mm3) and basophils (26 vs. 28/mm3). Regarding response to omalizumab, most patients (58; 60%) were responders: FR – 46 (79%); SR – 12 (21%). There was no significant association between aeroallergen sensitization and omalizumab response or speed of response.

CONCLUSIONS: As far as we know, this is the first study exploring the influence of atopy sensitization pattern on omalizumab response in CSU. According to our results, presence of atopy/sensitization pattern does not influence omalizumab response in CSU patients.

PMID:38113870 | DOI:10.1159/000535414

Ophthalmologica. 2023 Dec 19. doi: 10.1159/000535865. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Submacular haemmorhage (SMH) is a vision threatening complication of neovascular age related macular degeneration (AMD). The exact treatment scheme is not established yet. The aim of the current study is to describe surgical results and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) patterns after pars plana vitrectomy ppV + subretinal tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) + anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and intravitreal tPA + anti-VEGF + sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) tamponade and to compare them to intravitreal TPA + anti-VEGF + SF6 in the treatment of SMH in the course of AMD.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed FAF imaging in patients with a previous SMH in the course of AMD with a duration of <60 days treated with vitrectomy with subretinal anti-VEGF and TPA and intravitreal anti-VEGF, TPA and SF6 administration (group 1) or intravitreal TPA + anti-VEGF + SF6 (group 2). In all eyes a throughout ophthalmic examination, fluorescein angiography and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) were done for diagnosis. SD-OCT was performed monthly during treatment.

RESULTS: Three FAF patterns were observed in both groups. Pattern one (normal autofluorescence) was observed in 5/18 in group one and 5/21 group two. Pattern two was observed in 6/18 in group one and 7/21 in group two. Pattern three was noted in 7/18 in group one and 5/21 in group two. Improvement in visual acuity (VA) was statistically significant for both groups. 0.01 Snellen (2.0 logMAR) to 0.11 Snellen (0.96 logMAR) in group one (p=0.019), and 0.11 Snellen (0.96 logMAR) to 0.33 Snellen (0.48 logMAR) in group two (p=0.0007). Central retinal thickness (CRT) also decreased with statistical significance for both groups (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION: FAF patterns did not depend on the treatment used, but solely on the duration of SMH before treatment. SMH if not treated prompt enough might cause long- standing photoreceptor and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) defect, which is represented by hypo- and hyperautofluorescence. Performing a subretinal injection of TPA and anti-VEGF does not cause any defects associated with the injection site. That might be associated with previous local internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling, which reduces the injection pressure. Not only prompt treatment of SMH, but also further continuation of anti-VEGF treatment is mandatory to maintain vision.

PMID:38113868 | DOI:10.1159/000535865