Nevin Manimala

Adicciones. 2021 Jun 15;0(0):1587. doi: 10.20882/adicciones.1587. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The endocannabinoid system has been associated with various psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia or addictive disorders. Recent studies have found that some polymorphisms in the cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CNR2), cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CNR1) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) genes could play an important role as risk factors in the etiology of these diseases. We analysed different cannabinoid gene polimorphisms from non-substance using patients diagnosed with schizophrenia (n = 379), schizophrenic patients with cannabis use disorders (n = 124), cannabis users who did not have psychoses (n = 71), and 316 controls from various Spanish hospitals and health centres. We found a statistical association between polymorphisms rs35761398 and rs12744386 in the CNR2 gene and comorbidity of schizophrenia and cannabis dependence, as well as an association between loss of heterozygosity (overdominance) for polymorphism rs324420 in the FAAH gene and cannabis dependence in a Spanish population sample. The rs35761398 and rs12744386 polymorphisms in the CNR2 gene are genetic risk factors for schizophrenia in cannabis-dependent subjects. Loss of heterozygosity for polymorphism rs324420 in the FAAH gene is a genetic risk factor for cannabis dependence in this population.

PMID:34171108 | DOI:10.20882/adicciones.1587

J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2021 Jun 25:dgab465. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgab465. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To disentangle the nature of the inverse relationship between type II diabetes (T2D) mellitus and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

METHODS: Depending on summary statistics of T2D (n=898,130) and ALS (n=80,610), we estimated the genetic correlation between them and prioritized pleiotropic genes through a multiple-tissue eQTL weighted integrative analysis and the ccFDR method. We implemented Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to evaluate the causal relationship between the two diseases. A mediation analysis was performed to assess the mediating role of T2D in the pathway from T2D-related glycemic/anthropometric traits to ALS.

RESULTS: We found supportive evidence of common genetic foundation between T2D and ALS (rg=-0.223, p=0.004), and identified eight pleiotropic genes (ccFDR<0.10). The MR analysis confirmed that T2D exhibited a neuroprotective effect on ALS, leading to an approximately 5% (95% confidence intervals 0~9.6%, p=0.038) reduction in disease risk. In contrast, no substantial evidence was observed that supported the causal influence of ALS on T2D. The mediation analysis revealed T2D can also serve as an active mediator for several glycemic/anthropometric traits, including high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, overweight, body mass index, obesity class 1, obesity class 2, with the mediation effect estimated to be 0.024, -0.022, -0.041, -0.016, and -0.012, respectively.

CONCLUSION: We provided new evidence supporting the observed inverse link between T2D and ALS, and revealed that shared genetic component and causal association commonly drove such relationship. We also demonstrated the mediating role of T2D standing in the pathway from T2D-related glycemic/anthropometric traits to ALS.

PMID:34171091 | DOI:10.1210/clinem/dgab465

J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2021 Jun 25:gbab115. doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbab115. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Behavioral interventions can reduce distress for couples coping with early-stage dementia. However, most interventions are limited in accessibility and fail to address individualized goals. This pilot study examined the dyadic effects on multiple indicators of well-being of the Wish Outcome Obstacle Plan (WOOP) intervention which guides participants to use Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions (MCII) to achieve attainable goals in their daily lives.

METHODS: This randomized controlled trial included 45 older persons with early-stage dementia (PWD) and their spousal care partners (CPs: n = 90 individuals). CPs were assigned randomly to WOOP training immediately after baseline (WOOP) or after a three-month follow-up interview (Control; CON). Both groups received a dementia care education booklet. WOOP CPs were instructed to practice WOOP at least once a day for two weeks. All CPs and PWDs completed home surveys (baseline, two-weeks, and three months) measuring perceived stress, depressive symptoms, quality of life, and affect.

RESULTS: Mixed effects models showed significant intervention x time interaction effects with large effect sizes for CPs on three of the five outcomes over three months. Compared to CON, WOOP CPs had decreased perceived stress (δ = 1.71) and increased quality of life (δ = 1.55) and positive affect (δ = 2.30). WOOP PWD showed decreased perceived stress (δ = .87) and increased quality of life (δ = 1.26) but these effects were not statistically significant.

DISCUSSION: WOOP is a promising, brief intervention to improve dementia care partners’ well-being that may also positively impact their partners with dementia.

PMID:34171086 | DOI:10.1093/geronb/gbab115

Rom J Morphol Embryol. 2020 Oct-Dec;61(4):1301-1307. doi: 10.47162/RJME.61.4.31.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Performing a colonoscopy allows the examination of the entire colon and the assessment of polyps.

PATIENTS, MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from January 2018 until February 2020 (two years), in which we enrolled a number of 210 patients performing colonoscopy in the Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Romania. We performed 326 polypectomies.

RESULTS: We classified the polyps into diminutive (n=169), small (n=103) and large polyps (n=54). Regarding the polypectomy technique, our results indicated that 40 out of 48 (83.3%) polypectomies with the biopsy forceps were complete, as well as 27 out of 31 (87.1%) cold snare polypectomies and 12 out of 14 (85.7%) hot snare polypectomies. The differences were not statistically significant (p=0.116). Regarding the number of incomplete polypectomies, our data suggests that the high expertise endoscopist had two incomplete resections (5.1% of total), the medium expertise endoscopist 1 had also two incomplete resections (11.1% of total), the medium expertise endoscopist 2 had three incomplete resections (15% of total), the limited expertise endoscopist 1 had three incomplete resections (27.27% of total) and the limited expertise endoscopist 2 had four incomplete resections (30.76% of total). Analyzing the data, the differences were statistically significant (p=0.006).

CONCLUSIONS: Our study is able to suggest that high-definition white-light endoscopy (HD-WLE) macroscopic visualization of the polyp resection site is not enough to assess complete polyp resection and follow-up colonoscopy should be performed for cases with incomplete margins of resection.

PMID:34171078 | DOI:10.47162/RJME.61.4.31

Rom J Morphol Embryol. 2020 Oct-Dec;61(4):1287-1294. doi: 10.47162/RJME.61.4.29.

ABSTRACT

The fixed orthodontic measures taken induce significant stress to the gingival growth process during arch wire maneuvers of aligning and leveling. We observed, for a period of one to four years, fixed orthodontic devices in 80 human subjects. From these, we selected 44 subjects (22 women and 22 men) where the inflammatory process exhibited following the orthodontic fixed treatment, and with vacuum-formed orthodontic retainers (VFR) succeeding to fixed treatment. Samples were collected from each patient and histological and immunohistochemical (IHC) methodology was made to analyze the cytoarchitecture. Statistics were made after one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), with the Bonferroni’s correction. The IHC examination performed in the early stage revealed the presence in the inflammatory infiltrate of CD8-type T-lymphocytes, and of dendritic cells in large numbers. The examination performed in the late stage revealed the presence in the inflammatory infiltrate of CD20-type B-lymphocytes, which are mature cells capable of immunoglobulin synthesis, their activation being an important step in the maturation of the antibody response. The stress generated by arch wires in both genders was significantly higher than in the case of VFR. This observation was pointed out also by the cytohistological investigation outcome but was also based on an original scale conceived by our research team, following gingival hyperplasia evaluation. Also, with statistical significance, the comparative obtained values for men (p=0.01) and for women (p=0.001) illustrate clinical observations, allowing to affirm that, in our case, men were more stressed in bearing arch wire devices (AWD) and VFR, in comparison with women.

PMID:34171076 | DOI:10.47162/RJME.61.4.29

Rom J Morphol Embryol. 2020 Oct-Dec;61(4):1259-1278. doi: 10.47162/RJME.61.4.27.

ABSTRACT

Oral cancer remains an important global health issue and despite recent diagnostic and therapeutic advances, it continues to have an unfavorable prognostic and decreased survival. Although palatal tumors represent one of the rarest locations of oral squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), they are among the most aggressive local tumors, leaving behind important morpho-functional disabilities. In order to explain such local aggressiveness, the present study aims to investigate the immunohistochemical expression in palate SCCs of some markers known to be involved in the process of tumor invasiveness, such as Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome like (WASL), Claudin-1 (CLDN1), Integrin beta-6 (ITGB6) and c-Mesenchymal to epithelial transition protein (c-Met). We have found here a higher tumor WASL and CLDN1 reactivity in well-differentiated (G1) palate SCCs, and regardless the histological type, degree of differentiation or tumor topography, an overexpression at the invasion front, and in those palate’ SCC cases with muscular invasiveness and with lymph node (LN) dissemination. ITGB6 and c-Met had a higher reactivity in moderately differentiated (G2) palate SCCs, especially at the periphery of tumor proliferations, at the invasion front and in those high invasive cases and as well as in those that associated LN dissemination. All four investigated markers were also positive at the level of LN metastatic proliferations. None of the markers could statistically stratify on age group and pain, and on bone and perineural invasion while all of them statistically stratified on survival and grading. We concluded that these markers have a prognostic role allowing the identification of those cases with an unfavorable clinical evolution and decreased survival.

PMID:34171074 | DOI:10.47162/RJME.61.4.27

Rom J Morphol Embryol. 2020 Oct-Dec;61(4):1227-1233. doi: 10.47162/RJME.61.4.24.

ABSTRACT

The incidence of nephrolithiasis is in full expansion, its etiology being frequently associated with lifestyle changes. The objective of this retrospective study, carried out between April and December 2019, was to identify the correlations of the known lithogenic factors with the chemical structure of the calculi in the patients from the North-Eastern region of Romania. The results obtained after the data analysis of our LAMPA questionnaire (L – liquids, A – antecedents, M – medication, P – associated pathologies, A – aliments) made in evidence a statistically relevant relationship between the heredocollateral history of lithiasis and calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD) calculi, hypertension and calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) stones, uric lithiasis and diabetes, COD, and obesity, between predominantly uric lithiasis and meat or meat-derived products consumption, between frequent potato consumption and COD stones and the frequently consume of dairy products and predominantly COM calculi. The authors concluded that the use of a complex questionnaire, like LAMPA, together with Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic and morphological analysis are essential steps for developing an efficient metaphylaxis.

PMID:34171071 | DOI:10.47162/RJME.61.4.24

Rom J Morphol Embryol. 2020 Oct-Dec;61(4):1221-1226. doi: 10.47162/RJME.61.4.23.

ABSTRACT

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most frequent human malignancy and at the same time the most frequent periocular malignancy, representing almost 80% of all non-melanoma skin cancers and 90% of eyelid cancers. The study included 50 cases of eyelid BCC, out of which 41 were nodular BCC (NBCC) and nine were infiltrative BCC (IBCC), with various Breslow scores (BS) and primary tumor (pT) category. We analyzed the immunoexpression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 1 and 13 in the tumoral epithelial component (TEC) and inflammatory stromal component (ISC) of BCC in relation to the two histopathological parameters. The immunoreaction for MMP-1 was identified in 41 (82%) cases and for MMP-13 in 46 (92%) cases both in the TEC and ISC of both types of BCC. The statistical analysis revealed that both collagenases had positive/high scores significantly associated with advanced BS. For MMP-1, there were statistical associations in TEC related to IBCC and high pT category, while MMP-13 only revealed statistical association in ISC with high pT. The presence of collagenase MMP-1 and MMP-13 expression in a high number of cases, both in TEC and ISC, confirms their intervention in the tumor progression and proposes these MMPs as potential targets in antineoplastic therapy.

PMID:34171070 | DOI:10.47162/RJME.61.4.23

Rom J Morphol Embryol. 2020 Oct-Dec;61(4):1213-1220. doi: 10.47162/RJME.61.4.22.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Oral cancer is a worldwide public health problem, being the sixth most common neoplasm. The high mortality rate of this type of cancer is due to a delayed diagnosis, a fast evolution and metastasis, no primary symptomatology, the multitude of risk factors and the lack of awareness among the population concerning oral malignancy.

AIM: The aim of this 5-year retrospective study was to evaluate the incidence of oral cancer patients in the Clinic of Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Emergency County Hospital, Timişoara, Romania and quantify the histopathological (HP) subtypes, localization, age, gender, tumor staging and differentiation, positive loco-regional lymph nodes and risk factors.

PATIENTS, MATERIALS AND METHODS: A number of 129 patients diagnosed with oral cancer were included in the study and their medical records were analyzed. A statistical analysis was performed that included the variables gender, age, tumor staging, differentiation grade, HP subtype, lymph nodes, localization, and risk factors.

RESULTS: Our results outlined a high prevalence of oral cancer among males (65.9%), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) being the most common HP subtype. Tumor staging revealed the fact that the majority of were T3 and T4 tumors with dissemination in the loco-regional lymph nodes. In 52% of the cases, tobacco was identified as a risk factor, and the association of tobacco and alcohol was present in 28.3% of the cases.

CONCLUSIONS: The early diagnosis is crucial for the improvement of oral cancer survival rate. The oral cavity is permanently exposed to carcinogenic substances that associated with other risk factors have an influence upon the incidence of oral malignancies.

PMID:34171069 | DOI:10.47162/RJME.61.4.22

Rom J Morphol Embryol. 2020 Oct-Dec;61(4):1193-1212. doi: 10.47162/RJME.61.4.21.

ABSTRACT

AIM: The authors have proposed to assess peripheral adenopathies in a series of hospitalized children in order to identify and define clinical and morphological profiles of different types of lymph node (LN) diseases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The studied group consisted of 58 patients less than 18 years of age. The investigation algorithm included: gender, age, site, involvement, side, extension and histopathological (HP) type of LN lesions. Tissue fragments were processed using classical histological techniques (formalin fixation and paraffin embedment) and stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE). In some cases (tuberculous lesions and lymphomas), special stainings (Ziehl-Neelsen) and immunohistochemistry were used. Stratification scales of cases were defined according to each parameter in order to compare the data. All obtained data were assessed individually, compared to each other and with similar data from the literature with the help of a statistical apparatus [χ² (chi-squared) test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) test] in some cases.

RESULTS: The young patients were slightly more frequently boys, of all ages but with a mean age of 10 and half years. The affected LNs belonged most often to neck region, either on the left or on the right side but sometimes bilateral or even on the midline; usually, more than one LN was involved in the area. In most of the cases, the lesions were localized in only one LN area. HP picture was dominated by the inflammatory processes, firstly the nonspecific ones, followed by tuberculosis.

DISCUSSIONS: Our observations fitted, for each parameter, with the wide ranges found in the literature. Comparisons between parameters’ variations revealed differences, sometimes significant that we tried to organize in clinical and morphological profiles.

CONCLUSIONS: The assessment of our data allowed us to define some clinical and morphological profiles of different types of adenopathy that, by improvement on studies including larger series, could be of real use in daily pediatric practice.

PMID:34171068 | DOI:10.47162/RJME.61.4.21