Nevin Manimala

Eur J Investig Health Psychol Educ. 2022 Jul 21;12(7):870-881. doi: 10.3390/ejihpe12070063.

ABSTRACT

To make possible the inclusion of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in mainstream settings, parental knowledge and attitudes towards the disorder play a key role between the home and the school setting. However, prior literature has not carried out an in-depth analysis of parents’ knowledge about ASD and their attitudes toward the inclusion of children with this diagnosis. This study examined the parental attitudes towards inclusion and knowledge about ASD. Participants were parents of children with ASD (n = 75), parents of children without ASD whose children had prior or current contact with peers with ASD (n = 44), and parents of children with no previous interactions with a peer with ASD (n = 51). The Attitudes of Regular Educators Towards Inclusion for Students with Autism Survey and the Autism Knowledge Questionnaire were filled out. Nonparametric statistical tests were used. Results showed that parents of children with ASD have better knowledge about this disorder and hold more favorable attitudes towards the inclusion of children with ASD than the other parents. These findings suggest that the benefits of inclusive schooling are limited to the school setting and do not appear to affect families of children without ASD.

PMID:35877463 | DOI:10.3390/ejihpe12070063

Eur J Investig Health Psychol Educ. 2022 Jul 13;12(7):802-813. doi: 10.3390/ejihpe12070059.

ABSTRACT

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is closely related to various adverse cardiovascular manifestations and increased cardiovascular risk. However, atrial fibrillation (AF) development and atrial conduction abnormalities have not been thoroughly studied in patients with PCOS. Methods: This meta-analysis (CRD42021261375) was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Our aim was to investigate associations between PCOS and disorders in atrial conduction parameters linked with an increased risk for AF occurrence. Results: Five cohort studies with aggregate data on 406 adult women (229 with PCOS and 177 age-matched without PCOS) were included in this analysis. Our results showed a significantly increased mean difference in P-wave maximum duration (+7.63 ± 7.07 msec; p < 0.01) and P-wave dispersion (+11.42 ± 5.22 msec; p = 0.03) of patients with PCOS compared to healthy women. The mean difference in P-wave minimum duration (-2.22 ± 2.68 msec; p = 0.11) did not reach the statistical threshold between the compared groups. Echocardiographic measurements of atrial electromechanical delay (AED) also indicated a statistically significant mean difference in favour of the PCOS group in all assessed parameters, except for atrial electromechanical coupling (PA) in the tricuspid annulus. Particularly, PCOS was associated with increased lateral PA, septal PA, inter- and intra-AED durations (mean difference: +17.31 ± 9.02 msec; p < 0.01, +11.63 ± 7.42 msec; p < 0.01, +15.31 ± 9.18 msec; p < 0.01, +9.31 ± 6.85 msec; p < 0.01, respectively). Conclusions: PCOS is strongly associated with alterations in several electrocardiographic and echocardiographic parameters indicating abnormal atrial conduction. Therefore, PCOS could be considered as a causal or triggering factor of AF. Larger studies are needed to confirm these results and investigate direct associations between PCOS and AF.

PMID:35877459 | DOI:10.3390/ejihpe12070059

Curr Issues Mol Biol. 2022 Jul 5;44(7):3053-3074. doi: 10.3390/cimb44070211.

ABSTRACT

The aim of the study was to determine the metabolic characteristics of saliva depending on the molecular biological subtype of breast cancer, as well as depending on the expression levels of HER2, estrogen receptors (ER), and progesterone receptors (PR). The study included 487 patients with morphologically verified breast cancer and 298 volunteers without breast pathologies. Saliva samples were obtained from all patients strictly before the start of treatment and the values of 42 biochemical indicators were determined. It has been established that the saliva of healthy volunteers and patients with various molecular biological subtypes of breast cancer differs in 12 biochemical indicators: concentrations of protein, urea, nitric oxide, malondialdehyde, total amino acid content, and activity of lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, catalase, amylase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidases. The saliva composition of patients with basal-like breast cancer differs from other subtypes in terms of the maximum number of indicators. Changes in biochemical indicators indicated an increase in the processes of lipid peroxidation and endogenous intoxication and a weakening of antioxidant protection, which correlates with the severity of the disease and the least favorable prognosis for this subtype of breast cancer. An analysis was made of the individual contribution of the expression level of HER2, estrogen, and progesterone receptors to changes in the biochemical composition of saliva. The HER2 (-)/HER2 (+) group, which should be considered as a single group, as well as ER-positive breast cancer, differ statistically significantly from the control group. For ER/PR-positive breast cancer, a more favorable ratio of saliva biochemical indicators was also noted compared to ER/PR-negative breast cancer.

PMID:35877435 | DOI:10.3390/cimb44070211

Curr Issues Mol Biol. 2022 Jun 29;44(7):2903-2914. doi: 10.3390/cimb44070200.

ABSTRACT

There are multiple lines of evidence for the existence of communication between the central nervous system (CNS), gut, and intestinal microbiome. Despite extensive analysis conducted on various neurological disorders, the gut microbiome was not yet analyzed in neuroinfections. In the current study, we analyzed the gut microbiome in 47 consecutive patients hospitalized with neuroinfection (26 patients had viral encephalitis/meningitis; 8 patients had bacterial meningitis) and in 20 matched for age and gender health controls. Using the QIIME pipeline, 16S rRNA sequencing and classification into operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were performed on the earliest stool sample available. Bacterial taxa such as Clostridium, Anaerostipes, Lachnobacterium, Lachnospira, and Roseburia were decreased in patients with neuroinfection when compared to controls. Alpha diversity metrics showed lower within-sample diversity in patients with neuroinfections, though there were no differences in beta diversity. Furthermore, there was no significant change by short-term (1-3 days) antibiotic treatment on the gut microbiota, although alpha diversity metrics, such as Chao1 and Shannon’s index, were close to being statistically significant. The cause of differences between patients with neuroinfections and controls is unclear and could be due to inflammation accompanying the disease; however, the effect of diet modification and/or hospitalization cannot be excluded.

PMID:35877424 | DOI:10.3390/cimb44070200

Curr Issues Mol Biol. 2022 Jun 29;44(7):2879-2886. doi: 10.3390/cimb44070198.

ABSTRACT

Chronic inflammation and cancer stem cells are known risk factors for tumorigenesis. The aetiology of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) involves a multistep pathological process that is characterised by chronic inflammation and hepatocyte damage, but the correlation between HCC, inflammation and cancer stem cells remains unclear. In this study, we examined the role of hepatic progenitor cells in a mouse model of chemical-induced hepatocarcinogenesis to elucidate the relationship between inflammation, malignant transformation and cancer stem cells. We used diethylnitrosamine (DEN) to induce liver tumour and scored for H&E and reticulin staining. We also scored for immunohistochemistry staining for OV-6 expression and analysed the statistical correlation between them. DEN progressively induced inflammation at week 7 (40%, 2/5); week 27 (75%, 6/8); week 33 (62.5%, 5/8); and week 50 (100%, 12/12). DEN progressively induced malignant transformation at week 7 (0%, 0/5); week 27 (87.5%, 7/8); week 33 (100%, 8/8); and week 50 (100%, 12/12). The obtained data showed that DEN progressively induced high-levels of OV-6 expression at week 7 (20%, 1/5); week 27 (37.5%, 3/8); week 33 (50%, 4/8); and week 50 (100%, 12/12). DEN-induced inflammation, malignant transformation and high-level OV-6 expression in hamster liver, as shown above, as well as applying Spearman’s correlation to the data showed that the expression of OV-6 was significantly correlated to inflammation (p = 0.001) and malignant transformation (p < 0.001). There was a significant correlation between the number of cancer stem cells, inflammation and malignant transformation in a DEN-induced model of hepatic carcinogenesis in the hamster.

PMID:35877422 | DOI:10.3390/cimb44070198

Curr Issues Mol Biol. 2022 Jun 29;44(7):2868-2878. doi: 10.3390/cimb44070197.

ABSTRACT

Molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is a qualitative disturbance of the enamel of the permanent molars and/or incisors. Its etiology is not clearly defined but is connected with different factors occurring before and after birth. It remains difficult to identify a single factor or group of factors, and the problem is further complicated by various overlapping mechanisms. In this study, we attempted to determine whether DNA methylation-an epigenetic mechanism-plays a key role in the etiology of MIH. We collected the epithelium of the oral mucosa from children with MIH and healthy individuals and analyzed its global DNA methylation level in each child using a 5-mC DNA ELISA kit after DNA isolation. There was no statistically significant difference between the global DNA methylation levels in the study and control groups. Then, we also analyzed the associations of the DNA methylation levels with different prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal factors, using appropriate statistical methods. Factors such as number of pregnancies, number of births, type of delivery, varicella infection (under 3 years old), and high fever (under 3 years old) were significantly important. This work can be seen as the first step towards further studies of the epigenetic background of the MIH etiology.

PMID:35877421 | DOI:10.3390/cimb44070197

Dent J (Basel). 2022 Jul 20;10(7):138. doi: 10.3390/dj10070138.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Children suffer from various oral and periodontal diseases. Dental caries is one of the most prevalent oral diseases among children in the world. This study was conducted to identify the prevalence and risk factors of dental caries in children in Mymensingh, Bangladesh.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 362 pediatric patients who attended the Dental Unit of Mymensingh Medical College from March to September 2019. The sample size was calculated using a statistical formula and the children were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. Children and their guardians were interviewed and data were recorded using a structured questionnaire. Risk factors were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS: The overall prevalence of dental caries was 82.7%. The prevalence of caries was significantly higher in aged children (8-10 years) and also in rural, low-income, and illiterate families. Seven significant risk factors were identified that included residence in the rural area (OR: 7.31 [1.73-30.83]), a parental income of BDT ≤ 20,000 per month (OR: 4.75 [1.49-15.05]), reduced duration (≤1 min) of teeth cleaning (OR: 18.54 [2.05-168.17]), teeth cleaning before breakfast (OR: 93.30 [10.95-795.32]), the spoon-feeding method (OR: 12.57 [2.09-75.61]), long-term (37-48 months) breastfeeding (OR: 212.53 [8.69-5195.25]), and family oral problem (OR: 8.20 [2.57-26.16]).

CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of dental caries among the children in Mymensingh is very high and was associated with residence in rural areas, parental income, reduced duration of teeth cleaning, teeth cleaning before breakfast, the spoon-feeding method, long-term breastfeeding, and family oral problems.

PMID:35877412 | DOI:10.3390/dj10070138

Dent J (Basel). 2022 Jul 19;10(7):137. doi: 10.3390/dj10070137.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is an inflammatory disease. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a method for assessing tissue composition. Based on a combination of reactance and resistance data, a phase angle is calculated that may range from 90° to 0°, and that correlates with body cell mass. There is evidence to suggest that neoplastic tissue has a lower phase angle than normal tissue. The aim of the present experimental study was to establish whether OLP patients have a different tissue phase angle from healthy controls.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bioelectrical impedance measurements were obtained for the buccal mucosa, tongue, hard palate and upper anterior gums using an ad hoc device in a sample of 57 consecutive patients with OLP and 60 healthy controls, and their phase angles were calculated.

RESULTS: The mean resistance, reactance, and phase angle of the hard palate and gums were higher in the OLP group than in the controls, and the differences were statically significant. The resistance and reactance recorded for the adherent gingiva and hard palate were always higher in the OLP group (p = 0.044; p = 0.020; p = 0.054), and so was the phase angle for the adherent gingiva. No statistically significant differences emerged for the other areas of the oral cavity (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: These findings confirm differences between the bioelectrical impedance of OLP lesions and that of healthy oral tissues.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Bioelectrical impedance analysis could be useful in the diagnosis of OLP.

PMID:35877411 | DOI:10.3390/dj10070137

Dent J (Basel). 2022 Jul 13;10(7):133. doi: 10.3390/dj10070133.

ABSTRACT

There is empirical evidence of an association between periodontitis and coronary heart disease (CHD). However, it is uncertain whether periodontal treatment in CHD patients might lead to reduced healthcare costs. This study aims to assess the association between periodontal treatment and healthcare costs in newly diagnosed CHD patients. Data from 21,263 adults who were continuously insured between 2011 and 2016 and who were newly diagnosed with CHD in 2013 were selected from a German claims database. The study population was differentiated by the utilization of periodontal treatment. The average treatment effect (ATE) of periodontal treatment on healthcare costs (total, inpatient, outpatient, drugs) was investigated using weighted Poisson regression models conditional on covariates and is shown as a ratio (of geometric means). Periodontal treatment was documented for 4.7% of the persons in the study population. Newly diagnosed CHD patients showed an ATE of 0.98 for total healthcare cost (95% CI 0.90-1.06), 0.79 for inpatient costs (95% CI 0.61-1.04), and 0.95 for drug costs (95% CI 0.87-1.04). A statistically significant 7% increase in outpatient costs was shown (95% CI 1.01-1.13). Despite a lack of statistical significance in most cases, the study provides evidence of a meaningful decrease in inpatient costs after periodontal treatment. Further studies are needed.

PMID:35877407 | DOI:10.3390/dj10070133

Dent J (Basel). 2022 Jul 8;10(7):130. doi: 10.3390/dj10070130.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The estimation of an individual’s age is a fundamental component of forensic odontology. Literary reports found that the efficiency of Cameriere methodology for age estimation varied among many population groups. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the applicability of the Cameriere methods to a select South African population of the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted on 840 digital panoramic radiographs that met the inclusion criteria. Dental maturity was determined through the morphometric analysis of the seven left permanent mandibular and maxillary teeth in accordance with Cameriere et al. (2006). Moreover, the dental age was also calculated using the South African Black Bayesian formulae of the Cameriere method by Angelakopoulos et al. (2019). The paired sample t-test or Wilcoxon’s signed rank test assessed the significant difference between the chronological age and estimated dental age for the various formulae. A p-value < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

RESULTS: The Cameriere et al. (2006) Italian formula and the South African Black Bayesian formulae of the Cameriere method by Angelakopoulos et al. (2019) underestimated and overestimated age in the South African Black and Indian population groups of the KZN province, respectively. Therefore, the authors generated a novel population-specific regression formulae (including and excluding third molars) using “step-wise regression analysis” and a “best-fit model” for the South African Black and Indian population groups of KZN.

CONCLUSION: This study recommends that the population-specific formulae generated in this study be utilized in the KZN population to improve the accuracy of dental age estimation within this region.

PMID:35877404 | DOI:10.3390/dj10070130