Tag: nevin manimala

Arthritis Rheumatol. 2023 Jun 20. doi: 10.1002/art.42546. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Retraction: Pavelka, K., Trč, T., Karpaš, K., Vítek, P., Sedláčková, M., Vlasáková, V., Böhmová, J. and Rovenský, J. (2007), The efficacy and safety of diacerein in the treatment of painful osteoarthritis of the knee: A randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study with primary end points at two months after the end of a three-month treatment period. Arthritis & Rheumatism, 56: 4055-4064. https://doi.org/10.1002/art.23056. The above article, published online on November 29, 2007 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), has been retracted by agreement between the journal’s Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Daniel H. Solomon, the American College of Rheumatology, and Wiley Periodicals LLC. The retraction has been agreed following a post-hoc analysis by the research’s funder, TRB Chemedica International SA, that identified a discrepancy between the preliminary results of the post-hoc analysis and the results of the published article. The statistical analysis performed using the original database is deemed no longer reliable and the conclusions of the original study regarding the efficacy of diacerein versus placebo are not supported by robust data. As a result, the editors and funder are issuing this retraction.

PMID:37337725 | DOI:10.1002/art.42546

J Vet Diagn Invest. 2023 Jun 20:10406387231182102. doi: 10.1177/10406387231182102. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Based on publications reporting improvements in real-time PCR (rtPCR) performance, we compared protocols based on heat treatment or dilution followed by direct rtPCR to standard extraction and amplification methods for the detection of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), influenza A virus (IAV), porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), or Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (MHP) in swine oral fluids (OFs). In part A, we subjected aliquots of positive OF samples to 1 of 4 protocols: protocol 1: heat (95°C × 30 min) followed by direct rtPCR; protocol 2: heat and cool (25°C × 20 min) followed by direct rtPCR; protocol 3: heat, cool, extraction, and rtPCR; protocol 4 (control): extraction and then rtPCR. In part B, positive OF samples were split into 3, diluted (D1 = 1:2 with Tris-borate-EDTA (TBE); D2 = 1:2 with negative OF; D3 = not diluted), and then tested by rtPCR using the best-performing protocol from part A (protocol 4). In part A, with occasional exceptions, heat treatment resulted in marked reduction in the detection of target and internal sample control (ISC) nucleic acids. In part B, sample dilution with TBE or OF produced no improvement in the detection of targets and ISCs. Thus, standard extraction and amplification methods provided superior detection of PRRSV, IAV, PEDV, and MHP nucleic acids in OFs.

PMID:37337714 | DOI:10.1177/10406387231182102

Mol Imaging Radionucl Ther. 2023 Jun 20;32(2):94-102. doi: 10.4274/mirt.galenos.2022.97658.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This prospective study was planned to compare the predictive value of dynamic ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in locally advanced breast cancer patients (LABC) receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC).

METHODS: Twenty seven patients with LABC [median age: 47, (26-66)] underwent a dynamic ¹⁸F-FDG PET study at baseline, and after 2-3 cycles of (NAC) were included (interim). Maximum standardized uptake value (SUV_max) values and SUV ratios for the 2^nd, 5^th, 10^th, and 30^th minutes and dynamic curve slope (SL) values and SL ratios were measured using ¹⁸F-FDG dynamic data. In addition, the values of SUV_mean (2minSUVmean), SULpeak (2minSULpeak), metabolic volume (2minVol), and total lesion glycolysis (2minTLG) were measured for the first 2 min. Percent changes between baseline and interim studies were calculated and compared with the pathological results as the pathological complete response (PCR) or the pathological non-complete response (non-PCR). Receiver operating characteristic curves were obtained to calculate the area under the curve to predict PCR. Optimal threshold values were calculated to discriminate between PCR and non-PCR groups.

RESULTS: Baseline study SUV 30 (p=0.044), SUV 30/2 (p=0.041), SUV 30/5 (p=0.049), SUV 30/10 (p=0.021), SL 30/2 (p=0.029) and SL 30/5 (p=0.027) values were statistically significant different between PCR and non-PCR groups. The percentage changes of 2minVol between PCR and non-PCR groups were statistically significant. For the threshold value of -67.6% change in 2minVol, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were 87.2%, 77.8%, 63.6%, 93.3%, and 80.7%, respectively (area under the curve: 0.826, p=0.009).

CONCLUSION: Semiquantitative parameters for dynamic ¹⁸F-FDG PET can predict PCR. % changes in 2minVol can identify non-responding patients better than other parameters.

PMID:37337702 | DOI:10.4274/mirt.galenos.2022.97658

Eur J Clin Invest. 2023 Jun 19:e14040. doi: 10.1111/eci.14040. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hypothermia is an effective method of reducing brain injury caused by a variety of neurological insults. It is aimed to elucidate whether a change in the expression of PERK-mediated pathway proteins is an indicator of the neuroprotective effect of mild hypothermia after cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion.

METHODS: One hundred and ninety-two male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups: a sham group, a cerebral normothermic ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) group and a cerebral hypothermic I/R group. A cerebral ischaemia model was established by ligating the bilateral common carotid artery for 15 min. Mice in the hypothermia group stayed in a cage that was set at 33°C, sprayed with a spray of 70% ethanol, and blown with two high-speed fans. The state of neurons was assessed on micropreparations stained with haematoxylin-eosin and TUNEL. The expressions of GRP78, p-perk, p-eif2α, ATF4 and CHOP were measured by western blot analysis 6, 12, 24 and 72 h after reperfusion.

RESULTS: The number of surviving cells was significantly higher in the hypothermia group than in the group without hypothermia (p < .05). The GRP78 expression in the hypothermia group was statistically higher (p < .05) than in the ischaemia/reperfusion group. Optical densities of p-perk, p-eif2α and ATF4 in hippocampus CA1 neurons ischaemia were statistically significantly lower in the hypothermia group than in the ischaemia/reperfusion group (p < .05). The CHOP expression in the hypothermia group was statistically lower (p < .05) than in the ischaemia/reperfusion group.

CONCLUSION: Mild hypothermia for 6 h promoted moderate neuroprotection by mediating the expression of GRP78, p-PERK, p-eIF2α, ATF4 and CHOP.

PMID:37337313 | DOI:10.1111/eci.14040

Parasit Vectors. 2023 Jun 19;16(1):206. doi: 10.1186/s13071-023-05801-5.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The majority of the African population lives in rural areas and depends on agriculture for their livelihoods. To increase the productivity and sustainability of their farms, they need access to affordable yield-enhancing inputs of which parasite control is of paramount importance. We therefore determined the status of current tick species with the highest economic impact on cattle by sampling representative numbers of animals in each of seven sub-Saharan countries.

METHODS: Data included tick species’ half-body counts from approximately 120 cattle at each of two districts per country, collected four times in approximately 1 year (to include seasonality). Study sites were chosen in each country to include high cattle density and tick burden.

RESULTS: East Africa (Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania) showed overall a higher diversity and prevalence in tick infestations compared to West African countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana and Nigeria). In East Africa, Amblyomma variegatum (vector of Ehrlichia ruminantium), Rhipicephalus microplus (Babesia bovis, B. bigemina, Anaplasma marginale), R. evertsi evertsi (A. marginale) and R. appendiculatus (Theileria parva) were the most prevalent tick species of economic importance. While the latter species was absent in West Africa, here both A. variegatum and R. microplus occurred in high numbers. Rhipicephalus microplus had spread to Uganda, infesting half of the cattle sampled. Rhipicephalus appendiculatus is known for its invasive behaviour and displacement of other blue tick species, as observed in other East and West African countries. Individual cattle with higher body weights, as well as males, were more likely to be infested. For six tick species, we found reduced infestation levels when hosts were treated with anti-parasiticides.

CONCLUSIONS: These baseline data allow the determination of possible changes in presence and prevalence of ticks in each of the countries targeted, which is of importance in the light of human-caused climate and habitat alterations or anthropogenic activities. As many of the ticks in this study are vectors of important pathogens, but also, as cattle may act as end hosts for ticks of importance to human health, our study will help a wide range of stakeholders to provide recommendations for tick infestation surveillance and prevention.

PMID:37337296 | DOI:10.1186/s13071-023-05801-5

J Orthop Surg Res. 2023 Jun 19;18(1):440. doi: 10.1186/s13018-023-03913-3.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to quantify the degree of lumbar spinal stenosis by assessing the anterior and posterior vertebral canal diameter and dural area, determine the sensitivity of the anterior and posterior spinal canal diameter, dural area and dural occupying rate in predicting the postoperative efficacy of oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) for patients with single-stage lumbar spinal stenosis, and identify the corresponding indicators suggesting that OLIF surgery should not be performed.

METHODS: In a retrospective analysis of patients who had previously undergone OLIF surgery in our hospital, we included a total of 104 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis who had previously undergone single-stage surgery in our hospital. Three independent observers were employed to measure the anterior and posterior diameter of the spinal canal (AD, mm), dural area (CSA, mm²), the spinal canal area (SCA, mm²), and the ratio of the dural area to the spinal canal area (DM, %) at the disc level with the most severe stenosis on MRI. According to the values of AD and CSA in preoperative MRI, patients were divided into three groups: A, B, and C (Group A: AD > 12 and 100 < CSA ≤ 130, group B: Except A and C, group C: AD ≤ 10 and CSA ≤ 75). Preoperative and postoperative clinical outcome scores (Japanese Orthopaedic Association [JOA] score, VAS score, modified Macnab standard) of 104 patients were statistically.

RESULTS: There were significant differences in the preoperative and postoperative clinical correlation scores among the mild, moderate and severe lumbar spinal stenosis groups. The improvement rate of the post treatment JOA score, the difference between the preoperative and postoperative VAS score, and the modified Macnab standard were compared pairwise. There was no statistical significance in the improvement rate of the post treatment JOA score, the difference between the preoperative and postoperative VAS score, and the modified Macnab standard between Group A and Group B (P = 0.125, P = 0.620, P = 0.803). There were statistically significant differences between Group A and Group C and between Group B and Group C in the improvement rate of the JOA score, the difference in the pre- and postoperative VAS score, and the modified Macnab standard. The anterior and posterior vertebral canal diameter and dural area are sensitive predictors of the postoperative efficacy of OLIF surgery for single-stage lumbar spinal stenosis. Moreover, when the anterior and posterior vertebral canal diameter was less than 6.545 mm and the dural area was less than 34.43 mm², the postoperative effect of OLIF surgery was poor.

CONCLUSIONS: All the patients with mild, moderate, and severe lumbar spinal stenosis achieved curative effects after OLIF surgery. Patients with mild and moderate lumbar spinal stenosis had better curative effects, and there was no significant difference between them, while patients with severe lumbar spinal stenosis had poor curative effects. Both the anteroposterior diameter of the spinal canal and the dural area of the spinal canal were sensitive in predicting the curative effect of OLIF surgery for single-stage lumbar spinal stenosis. When the anterior and posterior vertebral canal diameter was less than 6.545 mm and the dural area was less than 34.43 mm², the postoperative effect of OLIF surgery was poor.

PMID:37337281 | DOI:10.1186/s13018-023-03913-3

J Transl Med. 2023 Jun 19;21(1):398. doi: 10.1186/s12967-023-04226-z.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome/systemic exertion intolerance disease (ME/CFS/SEID) is a condition diagnosed primarily based on clinical symptoms, including prolonged fatigue and post-exertional malaise; however, there is no specific test for the disease. Additionally, diagnosis can be challenging since healthcare professionals may lack sufficient knowledge about the disease. Prior studies have shown that patients with ME/CFS/SEID have low serum acylcarnitine levels, which may serve as a surrogate test for patients suspected of having this disease. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the differences in serum acylcarnitine levels between patients with ME/CFS/SEID and healthy controls.

METHODS: This systematic review was conducted using PubMed and Ichushi-Web databases. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement, we included all studies from the databases’ inception until February 17, 2023, that evaluated blood tests in both patients with ME/CFS/SEID and healthy control groups. The primary endpoint was the difference in serum acylcarnitine levels between the two groups.

RESULTS: The electronic search identified 276 studies. Among them, seven met the eligibility criteria. The serum acylcarnitine levels were analyzed in 403 patients with ME/CFS/SEID. The patient group had significantly lower serum acylcarnitine levels when compared with the control group, and the statistical heterogeneity was high.

CONCLUSION: The patient group had significantly lower serum acylcarnitine levels when compared with the control group. In the future, the measurement of serum acylcarnitine levels, in addition to clinical symptoms, may prove to be a valuable diagnostic tool for this condition.

PMID:37337273 | DOI:10.1186/s12967-023-04226-z

J Pharm Policy Pract. 2023 Jun 19;16(1):74. doi: 10.1186/s40545-023-00584-7.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Self-medication is a worldwide issue that requires special attention due to the potentially harmful effects it can have not only on pregnant women but also on the fetus.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the magnitude of self-medication practice and associated factors among pregnant women following antenatal care (ANC) in primary healthcare settings in the North Wollo Zone of Ethiopia.

METHODS: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 395 pregnant mothers who attended ANC follow-up in selected health centers in the North Wollo Zone of Ethiopia from April 20 to May 20, 2021. A multi-stage sampling method was employed to enroll participants. A face-to-face structured interview was conducted to collect the data. A logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with self-medication practice. A p value < 0.05 at the 95% confidence level was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: Out of a total of 444 participants approached, 395 (89%) participated in the study. Of these, 44.6% reported practicing self-medication during the current pregnancy. Age < 35 (AOR = 2.18, 95% CI 1.02-9.15; p = 0.032), rural residence (AOR = 3.01, 95% CI 1.43-10.19; p = 0.017), and previous medication use (AOR = 5.02, 95% CI 1.24-12.93; p = 0.015) were found to have a significant association with self-medication practice.

CONCLUSION: Self-medication was highly prevalent among pregnant women in the study setting and result indicates need for critical action. Younger rural women with a history of self-medication use should be provided counselling to find a prescription medication, and measures are needed to minimize self-medication related harm in pregnant women.

PMID:37337251 | DOI:10.1186/s40545-023-00584-7

BMC Health Serv Res. 2023 Jun 19;23(1):654. doi: 10.1186/s12913-023-09692-1.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The Ask-Advise-Connect approach can help primary care providers to increase the number of smokers that attempt to quit smoking and enrol into cessation counselling. The approach has not yet been implemented in general practice in the Netherlands. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of a comprehensive implementation strategy on the delivery of Ask-Advise-Connect for smoking cessation within Dutch general practice during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS: A pre-post study was conducted between late 2020 and early 2022, and included 106 Dutch primary care providers (GPs, practice nurses and doctor’s assistants). Participation lasted nine months: during the first three months participants delivered smoking cessation care as usual (pre-intervention); the implementation strategy came into effect after three months and participants were followed up for another six months (post-intervention). The implementation strategy consisted of two meetings in which participants were educated about Ask-Advise-Connect, made agreements on the implementation of Ask-Advise-Connect and reflected on these agreements. Participants also received online educational materials and a desk card as reminder. The changes in the proportions of ‘Ask’ and ‘Advise’ over time were modelled using linear mixed effects models. A descriptive analysis was conducted with regard to referrals to cessation counselling.

RESULTS: Participants provided consultations to 29,112 patients (both smokers and non-smokers). Results of the linear mixed effects model show that the proportion of patients that were asked about smoking (‘Ask’) significantly decreased in the first three months (pre-intervention), but slightly increased again after the implementation strategy came into effect (post-intervention). No significant change over time was found with regard to the proportion of patients advised to quit smoking (‘Advise’). Descriptive statistics suggested that more participants proactively (vs. passively) referred patients to cessation counselling post-intervention (‘Connect’).

CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that a comprehensive implementation strategy can support primary care providers in offering smoking cessation care to patients, even under stressful COVID-19 conditions. Additional implementation efforts are needed to increase the proportion of patients that receive a quit advice and proactive referral.

PMID:37337250 | DOI:10.1186/s12913-023-09692-1

World J Surg Oncol. 2023 Jun 19;21(1):184. doi: 10.1186/s12957-023-03065-y.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To compare the difference of short-term curative effect between the use of Maryland forceps (MF) and electrocoagulation hooks (EH) in da Vinci robot-assisted thoracoscopic mediastinal tumor resection.

METHODS: Retrospectively analyze 84 patients with mediastinal tumors who underwent robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) at the Department of Thoracic Surgery in Gansu Provincial Hospital from February 2019 to February 2023. Two groups were divided according to the intraoperative use of energy devices, including 41 cases in the MF group and 43 cases in the EH group. Perioperative clinical data was gathered to compare the short-term efficacy of patients in both groups.

RESULTS: There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics such as sex (P = 0.685), age (P = 0.165), and tumor size (P = 0.339) between the two groups. Compared with the EH group, patients in the MF group have shorter operative time (P = 0.030), less intraoperative bleeding (P = 0.010), less total postoperative drainage volume (P = 0.001), shorter postoperative drainage time (P = 0.022), shorter hospital stay (P = 0.019), and lower levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and cortisol. No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of total hospitalization costs (P = 0.123), postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores (P = 0.064), and postoperative complications (P = 0.431).

CONCLUSION: Using MF in RATS for mediastinal tumor is safe and effective, which can reduce the amount of bleeding, reduce the degree of inflammatory reaction, and conducive to the quick recovery of patients.

PMID:37337217 | DOI:10.1186/s12957-023-03065-y