Nevin Manimala

Eur J Prosthodont Restor Dent. 2022 Sep 16. doi: 10.1922/EJPRD_2439Khan09. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate antifungal and mechanical properties after the impregnation of Dimethyl Amino-ethyl Hexa-decyl Di-methacrylate (DMAHDM) alone or in combination with Nystatin in polymethylmethacrylate.

METHODOLOGY: The control group was fabricated by mixing powder and liquid of PMMA at the ratio of 2.5:1 g/mL. The DMAHDM was added to PMMA liquid and were mixed with PMMA powder. The Nystatin (500,000 International Units (IU)) was mixed with PMMA powder, whereby the composite powder was mixed with the DMAHDM-based liquid. The prepared specimens were tested for fungal adhesion testing (at days 1 and 30), impact strength and flexural strength. Oneway ANOVA post-hoc Tukey’s test were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS: Statistical analysis for the adhesion assay revealed that the antifungal activities of unaged and aged specimens in experimental groups were statistically significant as compared to control group A. The groups containing DMAHDM with Nystatin have shown statistically reduced flexural strength. The impact strength test revealed that groups containing 20% DMAHDM alone and DMAHDM with Nystatin showed statistically reduced impact strength compared to the control group.

CONCLUSION: Antifungal activities of experimental PMMA resin was increased. The addition of DMAHDM alone in PMMA resin has no deleterious effects on impact and flexural strength, however, at higher concentration values were reduced.

PMID:36164988 | DOI:10.1922/EJPRD_2439Khan09

J Cosmet Dermatol. 2022 Sep 27. doi: 10.1111/jocd.15393. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Patients desiring noninvasive body contouring increasing require a more comprehensive approach to soft tissue laxity, muscle, and adipose hypertrophy. Previous devices have typically focused on only adipose reduction, without impact on muscle or skin laxity. This study descripes the first use of noninvasive bipolar radiofrequency in combination with electromagnetic muscle stimulation.

METHODS: This study was an IRB-approved study conducted at four sites (TN, TX, PA, NC). In all, 59 patients completed the three-treatment regimen of combined non-invasive bipolar RF and EMS. Efficacy of the Transform (InMode, Lake Forest, CA) treatment was assessed by numerous outcomes including sequential caliper measurements, circumference measurements, comfort during treatment, subject satisfaction, and ultrasound measurements.

RESULTS: The combination of non-invasive bipolar RF with EMS was found to be safe and efficacious. The three-treatment regimen was statistically efficacious as it related to 1) subject satisfaction, 2) 1 mm ultrasound, 3) 2 mm ultrasound, 3) average of 1 and 2 mm ultrasound, 5) caliper 1 measurements, 6) caliper 2 measurements, 7) average of caliper 1 and 2 measurements, and 8) subject comfort. The outcomes associated with the circumference measurements were not statistically significant, though they were directionally telling in favor as the treatment being efficacious.

CONCLUSION: The combination of noninvasive bipolar radiofrequency and electrical muscle stimulation is a safe and effective method for treatment of skin laxity, adipose hypertrophy, and muscle.

PMID:36164965 | DOI:10.1111/jocd.15393

J Cosmet Dermatol. 2022 Sep 27. doi: 10.1111/jocd.15395. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of mask wearing on facial attractiveness and projected first impressions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS: A total of 8 models were evaluated by 200 live raters and 750 online raters both with and without masks while smiling maximally. Both live and online raters looked at the models for fifteen seconds, then completed a first impressions questionnaire.

RESULTS: Overall ratings for attractiveness were higher for both masked and unmasked conditions in-person versus online. Males were perceived more favorably both in impressions and attractiveness online when masked, whereas in person they were more favorable when unmasked. Females were perceived more favorably in impressions when unmasked both online and in person, but their attractiveness rating was higher when masked both online and in person. Regardless of gender and masking state, all first impressions were more favorable in person versus online. The differences were statistically significant (all p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Face masks have different effects for males versus females in both an online and in-person setting. Men are perceived more positively in-person when they smile unmasked while they are better ranked online when they smile masked. Females are better perceived in all domains other than attractiveness when smiling unmasked both online and in person. To optimize first impressions, individuals should seek to meet In person whenever possible when forming new relationships.

PMID:36164960 | DOI:10.1111/jocd.15395

Tuberk Toraks. 2022 Sep;70(3):252-262. doi: 10.5578/tt.20229704.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has become an important health issue with consequences for special populations since 2019. Tobacco use is an important public health issue and tobacco users are a risk group for lung infections.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The aim of this study is to obtain information about disease prevalence and severity, laboratory parameters, and changes in radiological findings between smokers and non-smokers who were hospitalized, followed up, and treated for COVID-19, and to find answers to critical questions regarding the response to antiviral and supportive therapy. Two hundred eighty-six patients who were hospitalized and treated between March 2020-February 2021 in the COVID-19 Isolation Ward of Başkent University Hospital were included in the study. The patients were grouped as current smokers, non-smokers, and ex-smokers. The groups were compared in terms of symptoms, laboratory findings, radiological findings, and treatment response.

RESULT: The median age of the patients included in the study was 59 (IQR= 32). Of the patients, 40.6% were female and 59.4% were male. In our study, we discovered that there were fewer female smokers (p<0.001). When the current smokers (n= 56), non-smokers (n= 159), and ex-smokers (n= 71) were compared based on their findings, it was found that dyspnea was more common in current smokers (p= 0.009). Lung involvement was found to be more common (p= 0.002) and multifocal in the current smokers group (p= 0.038). The levels of oxygen saturation at the times of admission and discharge were lower in current smokers (p= 0.002 and p= 0.038). The need for nasal oxygen and noninvasive mechanical ventilation was also found to be higher in current smokers (p= 0.008 and p= 0.039). Systemic steroid requirement was higher in current smokers (p= 0.013). There was no statistically significant difference in terms of mortality between current smokers, ex-smokers, and non-smokers (p= 0.662).

CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of the findings of the patients hospitalized in the COVID-19 isolation ward indicated that COVID-19 leads to a more serious course in patients with a history of smoking.

PMID:36164949 | DOI:10.5578/tt.20229704

Tuberk Toraks. 2022 Sep;70(3):231-241. doi: 10.5578/tt.20229702.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: To assess the incidence and course of COVID-19 in patients with severe asthma/chronic spontaneous urticaria using biological agents.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 202 patients (142 with asthma, and 60 with urticaria) were enrolled. The subjects were asked via face-to-face or telephone interview whether they had been diagnosed with COVID-19 and the course of the disease.

RESULT: Study group consisted of 132 women, and 70 men (median age= 48 years). Median omalizumab dose was 300 mg/month in asthma (min-max= 150-1200 mg). The mepolizumab dose of two patients diagnosed with EGPA was 300 mg/month. Thirty one (15.3%) patients were diagnosed with COVID-19, 22 (71%) of whom were receiving omalizumab and nine (29%) were receiving mepolizumab. Asthma or chronic spontaneous urticaria diagnosis, age, sex, smoking, weight, comorbidities, atopy, and biological agent use were not statistically different between patients with or without COVID-19. Nine COVID-19 patients were hospitalized, and three of them required intensive care. Mepolizumab usage was higher in hospitalized patients (5, 55.6%), whereas omalizumab usage was higher in home-treated patients (18, 81%). The mean duration of biological use in home-treated patients was significantly higher than that of the hospitalized patients (35.64 months vs. 22.56 months, p= 0.024). Biological treatment was interrupted in 47 (23%) patients, selfinterruption due to the infection risk was the foremost reason (34%).

CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of COVID-19 among patients with asthma and urticaria on mepolizumab and omalizumab was higher compared to studies from other countries. The disease course appeared mild in patients receiving long-term biological therapy.

PMID:36164947 | DOI:10.5578/tt.20229702

Cancer Res Treat. 2022 Sep 20. doi: 10.4143/crt.2022.852. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer (CRC) and associated mortality have been increasing. However, the potential benefits of CRC screening are largely unknown in young individuals. We aimed to evaluate the effect of CRC screening with colonoscopy on all-cause and CRC mortality among young (aged < 45 years) and older (aged ≥ 45 years) individuals.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cohort study included 528,046 Korean adults free of cancer at baseline who underwent a comprehensive health examination. The colonoscopic screening group was defined as those who reported undergoing colonoscopy for CRC screening. Mortality follow-up until December 31, 2019 was ascertained based on nationwide death certificate data from the Korea National Statistical Office.

RESULTS: Colonoscopic screening was associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality in both young and older individuals. Multivariable-adjusted time-dependent hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for all-cause mortality comparing ever- to never-screening were 0.86 (0.75-0.99) for young individuals and 0.71 (0.65-0.78) for older individuals. Colonoscopic screenings were also associated with a reduced risk of CRC mortality without significant interaction by age, although this association was significant only among participants aged ≥ 45 years, with corresponding time-dependent hazard ratios of 0.47 (0.15-1.44) for young individuals and 0.52 (0.31-0.87) for those aged ≥ 45 years.

CONCLUSION: Colonoscopic CRC screening decreased all-cause mortality among both young and older individuals, while significantly decreased CRC mortality was observed only in those aged ≥ 45 years. Screening initiation at an earlier age warrants more rigorous confirmatory studies.

PMID:36164945 | DOI:10.4143/crt.2022.852

Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2022 Sep;47(18):4829-4834. doi: 10.19540/j.cnki.cjcmm.20220601.501.

ABSTRACT

Human use experience(HUE) is important for the research and development of Chinese medicine. For the sake of more reliable data, the Professional Committee for Clinical Evaluation of Chinese Medicine of Chinese Pharmaceutical Association drafted the Expert Consensus on Human Use Experience Research of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It highlights that the research on HUE should have clear purposes, describe the theoretical basis of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) for the clinical indications and prescriptions and the clinical value of prescriptions, especially the advantages or characteristics in clinical orientation and target population, evaluate the dosages and number of medicinals of prescriptions, verify the accordance with the preparation process of new Chinese medicine, analyze feasibility of the process for large-scale production and the rationality of the dosage form, and assess the medicinal material resources. Moreover, such research should have reasonable protocol and the collection of clinical data on HUE must comply with medical ethics and avoid conflicts of interest. The collection method should be selected depending on the characteristics of clinical data. Quality control measures should be formulated to ensure the authenticity, accuracy, completeness, reliability, and traceability of clinical data. The definitions on the clinical data should be uniform and clear, and methods should be adopted to avoid bias. The data can be statistically analyzed after the processing. Through the study of HUE, the clinical orientation, target population, commonly used dosage, course of treatment, preliminary efficacy and safety of Chinese medicine prescriptions will be clarified. On this basis, the data on the HUE should be discussed and conclusions will be drawn. Finally, a standardized report will be formed.

PMID:36164892 | DOI:10.19540/j.cnki.cjcmm.20220601.501

Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2022 Sep;47(17):4691-4697. doi: 10.19540/j.cnki.cjcmm.20220421.401.

ABSTRACT

To investigate the effect of Rehmanniae Radix on depression-like behavior and monoamine neurotransmitters of chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS) model rats. CUMS combined with isolated feeding was used to induce the depression model of rats. The depression-like behavior of rats was evaluated by sucrose preference test, open field test, and forced swim test. Hematoxylin-Eosin(HE) staining was used to investigate the pathological changes of neurons in the CA1 and CA3 area of hippocampus. Ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS) was used to detect the contents of 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid(5-HIAA), dopamine(DA), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid(DOPAC), homovanillic acid(HVA), norepinephrine(NE), and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl glycol(MHPG) in rats. Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of tryptophan hydroxylase 2(TPH2), serotonin transporter(SERT), and monoamine oxidase A(MAO-A) in the hippocampus of rats. Compared with the normal group, depressive-like behavior of rats was obvious in the model group. The arrangements of neurons in the CA1 and CA3 area of hippocampus were loose and disorderly. The levels of 5-HT, 5-HIAA, and 5-HT/5-HIAA in the hippocampal area were decreased(P&lt;0.01). The protein expression of TPH2 was decreased(P&lt;0.01), but those of SERT and MAO-A were increased(P&lt;0.01). In the Rehmanniae Radix groups with 1.8 g·kg~(-1) and 7.2 g·kg~(-1), the depression-like behavior of CUMS rats and pathological changes of neurons in CA1, CA3 area of hippocampus were improved. The protein expression of TPH2(P&lt;0.05, P&lt;0.01) was increased, and those of SERT and MAO-A were down-regulated(P&lt;0.05, P&lt;0.01). The levels of 5-HT, 5-HIAA, and 5-HT/5-HIAA in hippocampus were increased(P&lt;0.05, P&lt;0.01). The changes in DA, DOPAC, HVA, DA/(DOPAC +HVA), NE, DHPG, and NE/DHPG were not statistically significant. The results suggested that Rehmanniae Radix improved depression-like behavior of CUMS rats, and the mechanism might be related to the regulation of synthesis, transportation, and metabolism of 5-HT neurotransmitter in the hippocampus.

PMID:36164876 | DOI:10.19540/j.cnki.cjcmm.20220421.401

Rev Esp Quimioter. 2022 Sep 23:martinez23sep2022. doi: 10.37201/req/040.2022. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Recent research suggests that the use of antibiotics could reduce the efficacy of checkpoint inhibitors, in addition to other well-known factors. It could be due to gut microbiota modification, which impact over the immune system response. However, the information available so far is contradictory. The objective of this research was to clarify whether antibiotic use influences efficacy of checkpoint inhibitors treatments in non-small cell lung cancer patients in clinical practice.

METHODS: Therefore, a retrospective observational study was designed. Use of antibiotics among patients treated with atezolizumab, pembrolizumab or nivolumab was assessed within 2 months of checkpoint inhibitors treatments initiation.

RESULTS: A total of 140 patients were included, mostly men, with good performance status (ECOG 0-1), all of them previously treated with chemotherapy. An antibiotic prescription was identified in 31% of these patients, mainly fluoroquinolones or beta-lactams. The most frequent indication was respiratory infection. Both progression-free survival and overall survival were lower for patients treated with anti-infective drugs, although this difference was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS: More studies are needed to draw conclusions about the impact of antibiotics on the efficacy of immunotherapy.

PMID:36164854 | DOI:10.37201/req/040.2022

Am J Bot. 2022 Sep 27. doi: 10.1002/ajb2.16074. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PREMISE: Understanding evolutionary history and classifying discrete units of organisms remains an overwhelming task, and lags in this discipline concomitantly impede an accurate documentation of biodiversity and conservation management. Rapid advances and improved accessibility of sensitive high throughput sequencing tools are fortunately quickening the resolution of morphological complexes that generally are underestimating species diversity. This seems to be the case of the persisting taxonomic quandary of the Hairpin Banksias (B. spinulosa sens. lat.), a group of eastern Australian flowering shrubs demonstrating a continuum of morphological diversity from which the critically endangered B. vincentia has been described.

METHODS: To assist conservation while testing the current taxonomy of this group, high-throughput sequencing was used to infer a population-scale evolutionary scenario for a sample-set comprehensive in its representation of morphological diversity and a two-and-a-half thousand kilometer distribution.

KEY RESULTS: Banksia spinulosa sens. lat. represents two clades, each with an internal genetic structure shaped through historical separation by biogeographic barriers. This structure conflicts with the existing taxonomy for the group. Corroboration between phylogeny and population statistics aligns with the hypothesis that B. collina, B. neoanglica, and B. vincentia should not be classified as species.

CONCLUSIONS: The pattern here supports how morphological diversity can be indicative of a locally expressed suite of traits rather than relationship. Over-splitting in the Hairpin Banksias is atypical since genomic analyses often reveal that species diversity is underestimated. However, we show that erring on overestimation can yield negative consequences, such as the disproportionate prioritisation of a geographically anomalous population. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:36164832 | DOI:10.1002/ajb2.16074