Nevin Manimala

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2023 Oct;27(5 Suppl):53-61. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_202310_34070.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Anaphylaxis is a severe hypersensitivity reaction with a rapid onset and is potentially life-threatening if not treated promptly. This study aimed to determine the level of knowledge of pediatricians in Turkey in recognizing and treating the clinical symptoms of anaphylaxis, compare the previous studies conducted in Turkey chronologically, and show the current trends on awareness of anaphylaxis in developed and developing countries in the world.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Pediatric residents and specialists from all over Turkey were included in the study. A questionnaire was prepared by compiling the current literature. Questions were sent to pediatricians via online applications. Statistical tests were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS: A total of 524 pediatricians participated in the study. All participants accepted that anaphylaxis was a life-threatening condition. Almost all suggested epinephrine as the primary drug used in anaphylaxis. The proportion of pediatricians who knew the appropriate dose, route of administration, and place of administration of epinephrine was 82.8%, 88.9%, and 89.7%, respectively. The rate of pediatricians who recognized the clinical features of anaphylaxis was over 90%. The proportion of pediatricians who knew the epinephrine auto-injector and dose was 74.4% and 53.1%, respectively. Pediatricians with less than 10 years of experience and those working in public hospitals had better knowledge about atypical symptoms of anaphylaxis.

CONCLUSIONS: Although there are still inadequacies in identifying atypical symptoms and treating anaphylaxis, our study revealed that the level of awareness of anaphylaxis had shown an increasing trend in Turkey over time. On the other hand, the knowledge on diagnosing and treating anaphylaxis still needs to be improved, especially for physicians working in rural areas of developing countries.

PMID:37869948 | DOI:10.26355/eurrev_202310_34070

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2023 Oct;27(5 Suppl):34-38. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_202310_34067.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the changes in the quality of life of patients who underwent Type 1 tympanoplasty using the Chronic Otitis Media Questionnaire 12 (COMQ-12).

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Prospectively collected data of patients aged between 18-65 years, who had undergone type 1 tympanoplasty between January 2018 to January 2019 were included in the study. The Turkish version of COMQ-12 was completed by all of the patients preoperatively as well as 12 months postoperatively. Preoperative and postoperative graft uptake outcomes, hearing assessment results, and scores of COMQ-12 were evaluated. Shapiro-Wilk test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Wilcoxon test were used.

RESULTS: A total of 98 patients were included. Noticeable improvement in the severity of symptoms, negative effect on daily life and work routine, health care, and general well-being was detected by subjective scores of the questionnaire. The COMQ-12 preoperative and postoperative overall average score was 25 and 7, respectively (p<0.001). Graft uptake success was found to be 85%. Hearing assessment evaluation showed a mean change in air conduction values of 8.78 (SD 1.17), and a mean change in air-bone gap values of 7 (SD 0.8), both showing statistical significance (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: According to the COMQ-12 questionnaire data after surgery, symptom severity, lifestyle and work impact, health service impact, and general discomfort were significantly reduced.

PMID:37869945 | DOI:10.26355/eurrev_202310_34067

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2023 Oct;27(5 Suppl):6-10. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_202310_34063.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Since mastoid bone aeration is a pressure buffer for the middle ear, it can be accepted as a prognostic factor for tympanoplasty. Temporal bone computed tomography (TBCT) is a primary method for estimating mastoid aeration. However, due to the risk of radiation and its high cost, there is a need for a more straightforward, faster, and more reliable method in non-complicated chronic otitis media cases (COM). Tympanometric volume measurement might be used for this purpose. This study investigated tympanometric volume measurement’s reliability in showing mastoid bone aeration by comparing tympanometric volume measurement with TBCT aeration grading.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Preoperative tympanometric volume measurements were performed in patients who underwent audiological examination and temporal computerized tomography (CT) with the diagnosis of COM and sequela of COM without discharge for the last three months and were indicated for surgery. CT was classified into six grades: grade 0: there is no aeration, sclerotic mastoid; grade 1: pneumatization only in the mastoid antrum; grade 2: <25% pneumatization; grade 3: 25-50% pneumatization; grade 4: >50 pneumatization, grade 5: full pneumatization. Averages of tympanometric volume values were determined according to CT degrees.

RESULTS: 48 left and 52 right ears (n: 100) of 81 patients, 24 females and 57 males, were included in the study. The mean age was 37.69±13.38. Mastoid pneumatization grades of patients were 32 grade 0, 23 grade 1, 16 grade 2, 14 grade 3, 11 grade 4, and 4 grade 5, respectively. Each grade’s mean tympanometric volume (mL) was grade 0: 1.1594, grade 1: 1.6991, grade 2: 2.2250, grade 3: 3.0471, grade 4: 4.0327, and grade 5: 2.9775.

CONCLUSIONS: There is a statistically significant relationship between tympanometrically measured ear volume and mastoid degrees of pneumatization on temporal bone tomography. As the degree of mastoid aeration increases, the tympanometric volume also increases. According to the results of this study, tympanometric air volume can be used reliably in the preoperative evaluation of mastoid bone aeration in cases of simple COM without ear drainage.

PMID:37869942 | DOI:10.26355/eurrev_202310_34063

Pak J Pharm Sci. 2023 Sep;36(5):1399-1405.

ABSTRACT

Oxidative stress enhances cardiovascular risk. Metformin decreases intestinal absorption of vitamin B12. Our objective was the evaluation of type 2 diabetics focusing on differences due to their treatment. A prospective study on 224 type 2 diabetics was realized between 2015-2018 in Targu Mures, Romania, divided into 2 subgroups (metformin vs. other therapy – 2^nd/3^rd generation sulfonylureas, insulin, dietary regimen -, followed for at least one year) and non-diabetic controls (n=25) for oxidative stress level comparison. Serum homocysteine (HC), vitamin B₁₂ were determined by chemiluminescence (Immulite One). Lipid peroxidation was assessed by serum malondialdehyde (MDA) measurement (HPLC). Biochemical tests, minerals, cystatin C, high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured on Konelab20Xti, glycated hemoglobin on Nycocard Reader. GraphPad InStat-3 was used for statistics. Negative correlation occured between serum vitamin B₁₂ and HC, this vitamin’s level was significantly lower and serum zinc was significantly higher in patients on metformin. Hyperhomocysteinemia was present in 87% of the subjects, 46% had zinc deficiency and 41% elevated hs-CRP. Serum cystatin C showed positive correlation with creatinine. Serum MDA was significantly higher in diabetics compared to control patients. Elevated hs-CRP and homocysteine represent raised cardiovascular risk. Intense oxidative stress, vitamin, mineral deficiencies are frequent in diabetic subjects.

PMID:37869915

Pak J Pharm Sci. 2023 Sep;36(5):1381-1388.

ABSTRACT

A total of 130 patients who underwent percutaneous testicular sperm aspiration from March 2021 to February 2023 were randomly divided into a Dezocine group and a control group. The Dezocine group received a muscle injection of 0.05mg/kg Dezocine 30 minutes before surgery, while the control group received a muscle injection of 0.01ml/kg normal saline. Both groups received 3ml of 2% lidocaine for spermatic cord block anesthesia. The anesthesia onset time, anesthesia duration, numeric rating scale (NRS) score, anesthesia satisfaction rate and incidence of adverse reactions were recorded and compared between the two groups. The statistical results showed that there were significant differences between the two groups in terms of anesthesia onset time, anesthesia duration, anesthesia satisfaction rate, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use within 24 hours after surgery and NRS scores at 15 minutes, 1 hour and 2 hours after surgery. The incidence of adverse reactions in the Dezocine group was lower than that in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant. The combination of Dezocine and lidocaine for spermatic cord block anesthesia during percutaneous testicular sperm aspiration is safe, effective and associated with fewer adverse reactions. It is suitable for clinical application and promotion in reproductive medicine outpatient surgery.

PMID:37869913

Pak J Pharm Sci. 2023 Sep;36(5):1367-1374.

ABSTRACT

The interplay between oxidative stress and inflammation is implicated in many chronic diseases including Alzheimer`s disease, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer. Thirteen β-hydroxy-β-arylalkanoic acids were previously synthesized and evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activity. The aim of this study was to asses ex vivo antioxidant activity of synthesized acids, as well as ibuprofen and to identify the compounds with the most promising results for further investigation on their capacity to counteract in vivo oxidative stress triggered by inflammation. The antioxidant potential of tested compounds was evaluated by determining the concentrations of total antioxidative status, total oxidative status, prooxidant antioxidant balance and the total sulfhydryl groups. Z score statistics were used to calculate the summary scores for antioxidative activity, prooxidative activity and oxy score. The tested compounds and ibuprofen demonstrated mild prooxidative activity ex vivo. Seven acids with substituents on one benzene ring exhibited better results than ibuprofen and were selected for in vivo testing. In vivo results demonstrated better antioxidant protection compared to ex vivo results. Compound g which contains nitro group on the benzene ring demonstrated the lowest oxy score, and four compounds exhibited better results than ibuprofen.

PMID:37869911

J Am Chem Soc. 2023 Oct 23. doi: 10.1021/jacs.3c09444. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Discrete luminescent lanthanide complexes represent a potential alternative to organic chromophores due to their tunability of optical properties, insensitivity to photobleaching, and large pseudo-Stokes shifts. Previously, we demonstrated that the lack of depth penetration of UV excitation required to sensitize discrete terbium and europium complexes can be overcome using Cherenkov radiation emitted by clinically employed radioisotopes in situ. Here, we show that the second-generation europium complexes [Eu^(III)(pcta-PEPA₂)] and [Eu^(III)(tacn-pic-PEPA₂)] (Φ = 57% and 76%, respectively) lower the limit of detection (LoD) to 1 nmol in the presence of 10 μCi of Cherenkov emitting isotopes, ¹⁸F and ⁶⁸Ga. Bifunctionalization provides access to cysteine-linked peptide conjugates with comparable brightness and LoD. The conjugate, [Eu(tacn-(pic-PSMA)-PEPA₂)], displays high binding affinity to prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-expressing PC-3 prostate cancer cells in vitro and can be visualized in the membrane-bound state using confocal microscopy. Biodistribution studies with the [⁸⁶Y][Y^(III)(tacn-(pic-PSMA)-PEPA₂)] analogue in a mouse xenograft model were employed to study pharmacokinetics. Systemic administration of the targeted Cherenkov emitter, [⁶⁸Ga][Ga^(III)(PSMA-617)], followed by intratumoral injection or topical application of 20 or 10 nmol [Eu^(III)(tacn-(pic-PSMA)-PEPA₂)], respectively, in live mice resulted in statistically significant signal enhancement using conventional small animal imaging (620 nm bandpass filter). Optical imaging informed successful tumor resection. Ex vivo imaging of the fixed tumor tissue with 1 and 2 photon excitation further reveals the accumulation of the administered Eu^(III) complex in target tissues. This work represents a significant step toward the application of luminescent lanthanide complexes for optical imaging in a clinical setting.

PMID:37869897 | DOI:10.1021/jacs.3c09444

Anthropol Anz. 2023 Oct 18. doi: 10.1127/anthranz/2023/1741. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Regional variation in the body size of Indian men 18-84 years of age (birth years 1891-1957) was considered. Heights, weights, and BMIs of Indian males from four regions of the country – North, East-Northeast, Central, and West were compared. Heights of men 35+ years of age were adjusted for estimated height loss with age; the estimate was added to observed height to provide an estimate of maximum height. Linear regressions of measured height and estimated maximum height on year of birth were used to evaluate secular change by region. Differences in measured and estimated maximum heights and weight among regions were significant in all age groups, while differences in the BMI were significant in all age groups except 55+ years. Men from the North region were tallest and those from the East-Northeast region were shortest, while body weight and the BMI varied among regions. Regression analyses of year of birth on measured and estimated maximum heights indicated small differences in estimates of secular change among regions but suggested a decline in estimated maximum heights with age among men in the four regions born in 1891 through the 1930s, and small but variable estimates of secular change in heights among men born in the 1930s through 1957. The variation likely reflected socio-economic disparities and ecological differences among regions, and by inference nutritional status though data are limited.

PMID:37869889 | DOI:10.1127/anthranz/2023/1741

Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 2023 Oct 23:20230065. doi: 10.1259/dmfr.20230065. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the reliability and reproducibility of an artificial intelligence (AI) software in identifying cephalometric points on lateral cephalometric radiographs considering four settings of brightness and contrast.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: Brightness and contrast of 30 lateral cephalometric radiographs were adjusted into four different settings. Then, the control examiner (ECont), the calibrated examiner (ECal), and the CEFBOT AI software (AIs) each marked 19 cephalometric points on all radiographs. Reliability was assessed with a second analysis of the radiographs 15 days after the first one. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS: Reliability of landmark identification was excellent for the human examiners and the AIs regardless of the type of brightness and contrast setting (mean intraclass correlation coefficient >0.89). When ECont and ECal were compared for reproducibility, there were more cephalometric points with significant differences on the x-axis of the image with the highest contrast and the lowest brightness, namely N(p = 0.033), S(p = 0.030), Po(p < 0.001), and Pog'(p = 0.012). Between ECont and AIs, there were more cephalometric points with significant differences on the image with the highest contrast and the lowest brightness, namely N(p = 0.034), Or(p = 0.048), Po(p < 0.001), A(p = 0.042), Pog'(p = 0.004), Ll(p = 0.005), Ul(p < 0.001), and Sn(p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: While the reliability of the AIs for cephalometric landmark identification was rated as excellent, low brightness and high contrast seemed to affect its reproducibility. The experienced human examiner, on the other hand, did not show such faulty reproducibility; therefore, the AIs used in this study is an excellent auxiliary tool for cephalometric analysis, but still depends on human supervision to be clinically reliable.

PMID:37869886 | DOI:10.1259/dmfr.20230065

Vet Q. 2023 Oct 23:1-17. doi: 10.1080/01652176.2023.2273887. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The lifespan of the European hare (Lepus europaeus P.) is affected by a number of negative factors, including environmental pollutants. In this paper, the individual and joint influence of age and habitat (elevation and distance from the thermal power plant – TPP) on pathomorphological (macroscopic and microscopic) findings of hares shot during three hunting seasons was investigated. Pathomorphological changes were found in 95.12% of hares, most frequently in liver, lungs and kidneys. In hares up to 1 year of age, the changes were predominant in the lungs, and in older hares, in the kidneys. Degenerative changes in kidneys and liver and inflammatory changes in kidneys and lungs were considered important most in discussing the influence of chemical pollution. The proximity of TPP significantly influenced the type of changes found in the liver. A significant joint effect of age and elevation on the type of changes in the lungs of adult hares and on the heart of young hares was found. Elevation and distance from TPP had a significant joint effect on the occurrence of changes in the lungs, intestines, and heart in hares from the field farther from TPP. The obtained results indicate that the hares in our study were highly exposed to chemical pollutants that may affect their immunity, and lifespan.

PMID:37869876 | DOI:10.1080/01652176.2023.2273887