Tag: nevin manimala

Epileptic Disord. 2023 Mar 20. doi: 10.1002/epd2.20024. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The neurofilament light chain (NfL) is receiving increased attention as a biomarker of neurological diseases, as NfL concentration is elevated in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid after neuronal damage. However, few studies have addressed NfL in epilepsy. We aimed to investigate alteration of serum NfL in adult patients with epilepsy, and the association between this biomarker and cognitive impairment.

METHODS: A total of 38 consecutive epilepsy patients and 24 controls underwent cross-sectional measurement of serum NfL levels and cognitive testing using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-J), the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), the Trail-Making Test, and the Stroop Colour-Word Test. Statistical analysis was performed with the Student’s t-test to compare serum NfL levels between the epilepsy group and the control group, and with Spearman’s correlation and age-corrected partial correlation analyses to evaluate the association between serum NfL level and cognitive impairment in epilepsy patients.

RESULTS: There was no difference in serum NfL levels between the epilepsy and control groups (epilepsy [mean ± SD]: 17.3 ± 13.9 pg/mL; control: 17.7 ± 11.5 pig/mL; p = 0.92), however, the MoCA-J scores were lower in the epilepsy group (26.6 ± 3.1 vs. 28.1 ± 1.6; p = 0.03). The age-corrected partial correlation analysis showed a correlation between serum NfL level and cognitive test scores in the epilepsy group (MMSE: r_s = -0.63, p < 0.01; MoCA-J: r_s = -0.54, p < 0.01; FAB: r_s = -0.68, p < 0.01), whereas serum NfL levels were correlated exclusively with MMSE scores in the control group (r_s = 0.44, p = 0.04).

SIGNIFICANCE: In adult epilepsy patients, the serum NfL level was not significantly elevated, but was correlated with cognitive test scores. Our findings suggest that serum NfL concentration could be an indicator of cognitive function in epilepsy patients.

PMID:36939694 | DOI:10.1002/epd2.20024

Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2023 Mar 19:2175519. doi: 10.1080/21645515.2023.2175519. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The rapid increase in antibiotic resistance presents a dire situation necessitating the need for alternative therapeutic agents. Among the current alternative therapies, phage therapy (PT) is promising. This review extensively summarizes preclinical PT approaches in various in-vivo models. PT has been evaluated in several recent clinical trials. However, there are still several unanswered concerns due to a lack of appropriate regulation and pharmacokinetic data regarding the application of phages in human therapeutic procedures. In this review, we also presented the current state of PT and considered how animal models can be used to adapt these therapies for humans. The development of realistic solutions to circumvent these constraints is critical for advancing this technology.

PMID:36935353 | DOI:10.1080/21645515.2023.2175519

Biol Psychiatry. 2023 Jan 20:S0006-3223(23)00037-9. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.01.010. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Psychiatric disorders are complex, often emerging from multiple atypical processes within specified domains over the course of development. Characterizing the development of the neural circuits supporting these domains may help break down the components of complex disorders and reveal variations in functioning associated with psychiatric risk. This review highlights the current and potential role of infant task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in elucidating the developmental neurobiology of psychiatric disorders. Task-fMRI measures evoked brain activity in response to specific stimuli through changes in the blood oxygen level-dependent signal. First, we review extant studies using task-fMRI from birth through the first few years of life and synthesize current evidence for when, where, and how different neural computations are performed across the infant brain. Neural circuits for sensory perception, the perception of abstract categories, and the detection of statistical regularities have been characterized with task-fMRI in infants, providing developmental context for identifying and interpreting variation in the functioning of neural circuits related to psychiatric risk. Next, we discuss studies that specifically examine variation in the functioning of these neural circuits during infancy in relation to risk for psychiatric disorders. These studies reveal when maturation of specific neural circuits diverges, the influence of environmental risk factors, and the potential utility for task-fMRI to facilitate early treatment or prevention of later psychiatric problems. Finally, we provide considerations for future infant task-fMRI studies with the potential to advance understanding of both functioning of neural circuits during infancy and subsequent risk for psychiatric disorders.

PMID:36935330 | DOI:10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.01.010

Bull Cancer. 2023 Mar 17:S0007-4551(23)00138-8. doi: 10.1016/j.bulcan.2023.02.021. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Malnutrition affects 20% to 70% of oncology patients depending on the patient’s age, type and stage of cancer. Two audits were carried out in 2016 and 2019 to evaluate the practice of Parenteral Nutrition (PN).

METHODS: Records of adult medical inpatients who received PN between January 1, 2018 and April 30, 2019 were retrospectively analysed. Twenty criteria were defined. We conducted a statistical analysis to compare the two audit data.

RESULTS: Between January 1, 2018 and April 30, 2019, 86 hospitalizations with a PN prescription were analysed. Of the 69 patients, 66% were female, the mean and median age was 60 years. These were most often medical oncology patients in palliative care. Gynecological and digestive tumors were the two main tumor localization. Bowel obstruction and palliative care management were the two main reasons for hospitalization. Nutritional assessment, amount of energy prescribed, monitoring, and duration of PN remain with poor results.

CONCLUSION: Our study seems to show improvements in the relevance of PN indications, the prescription, and monitoring in patients due to the computerization of prescription and training of professionals. PN remains often prescribed in exclusive palliative situations. We need to continue our improvements, particularly for the initial clinical and biological assessment, and the monitoring. It requires a referral team to improve management of patients treated with PN.

PMID:36935318 | DOI:10.1016/j.bulcan.2023.02.021

Enferm Intensiva (Engl Ed). 2023 Mar 17:S2529-9840(23)00016-2. doi: 10.1016/j.enfie.2022.08.001. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: To identify risk factors present in patients with dysphagia in a population of critically ill patients.

METHODS: Case series of a cohort of patients recruited in the intensive care unit (ICU) until hospital discharge. Patients who gave consent and met the inclusion criteria were recruited. The Volume-Viscosity clinical examination method was used for the screening of dysphagia. An uni- and bivariate statistical analysis was performed using odds ratio (OR) to detect risk factors for dysphagia.

OUTCOMES: 103 patients were recruited from 401 possible. The mean age was 59,33 ± 13,23, men represented 76,7%. The severity of the sample was: APACHE II (12,74 ± 6,17) and Charlson (2,98 ± 3,31). 45,6% of patients showed dysphagia, obtaining significant OR values (p < 0,050) for the development of dysphagia: older age, neurological antecedents, COVID19, long stay in ICU and hospitalization, and the presence of tracheotomy. COVID19 patients represented 46,6% of the sample, so an analysis of this subgroup was performed, showing similar results, with a Charlson risk (OR:4,65; 95% CI:1,31-16,47; p = 0,014) and a hospital stay (OR: 8,50; 95%CI: 2,20-32,83; p < 0,001) On discharge from the ICU, 37,9% of the population still had dysphagia; 12,6% maintained this problem at hospital discharge.

CONCLUSIONS: Almost half of our patients developed dysphagia. Clinical severity and the presence of tracheotomy were risk factors. We observed in patients with dysphagia a longer stay in both ICU and hospitalization.

PMID:36935305 | DOI:10.1016/j.enfie.2022.08.001

J Am Pharm Assoc (2003). 2023 Feb 24:S1544-3191(23)00056-0. doi: 10.1016/j.japh.2023.02.016. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is a major public health concern, with mortality rates in individuals who use opioid medications being up to 30 times greater than those of individuals who do not use such medications. Social risk factors influence one’s ability to make healthy choices and pose challenges for individuals recovering from OUD.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the relationship between OUD and social risk factors for patients who have been prescribed opioid medications.

METHODS: Data for this retrospective cohort study were obtained from a healthcare system’s comprehensive data warehouses consisting of electronic health records (EHR) with Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) screening information, and medical and prescription claims data. The study compared patients 18 years of age or older with an opioid prescription who were considered users of opioids to patients who had a documented diagnosis of OUD in the EHR. All patients were screened for SDoH. The analyses were performed using Statistical Analysis System (SAS) (SAS Institute Inc, Cary, NC).

RESULTS: The study included patients with an outpatient visit at one of the health care system’s primary care or oncology facilities between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2018. There were 5003 patients with an opioid prescription who were considered users of opioids, and 209 patients with an opioid prescription as well as a diagnosis of OUD. Compared to the opioid use group, patients with OUD were more likely to have a lower educational attainment, encounter financial hardship, or be food insecure. Being female, older than 40, and having a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index score were factors associated with lower rates of opioid misuse.

CONCLUSION: Identifying social risk factors and providing appropriate services to individuals with OUD is essential in mitigating challenges to recovery and promoting overall health for these individuals.

PMID:36935292 | DOI:10.1016/j.japh.2023.02.016

Prim Care Diabetes. 2023 Mar 14:S1751-9918(23)00065-7. doi: 10.1016/j.pcd.2023.03.004. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The study aim was to evaluate the effects of public lockdown during the covid-19 pandemic on glucose and metabolic parameters as well as body weight control in type 2 diabetic patients.

METHODS: This study was conducted in two outpatient Diabetes Clinics and analyzed data available in database of Diabetes Clinic. Data related to a year before covid-19 pandemic and a year during covid-19 pandemic was collected from the database and analyzed. Patients with type 2 diabetes included in the analysis if they had referred to Diabetes Clinics both before and during covid-19 pandemic. Demographic information and data about metabolic status were collected from the records of previous outpatient Clinic visits and compared RESULTS: Finally 9440 patients with mean age of 61.08 ± 11.62 referred to Diabetes Clinics in both the year before and the year of the corona pandemic. Mean FBS and HbA1c in diabetes patients reduced significantly from 155.37 ± 62.93 and 7.97 ± 1.74 before pandemic, respectively to 138.77 ± 45.39 and 7.54 ± 1.34, respectively during covid-19 outbreak. During covid-19 pandemic, all metabolic parameters including glycemic and lipid profile (except for triglyceride) and BMI (body mass index) reduced significantly statistically, but, these changes were not clinically significant. However, triglyceride level increased statistically significantly but again it was not significant clinically.

CONCLUSION: During COVID-19 lockdown, glycemic and metabolic control of diabetes patients have improved significantly except for triglycerides.

PMID:36935271 | DOI:10.1016/j.pcd.2023.03.004

J Dairy Sci. 2023 Mar 17:S0022-0302(23)00125-X. doi: 10.3168/jds.2022-22209. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Metabolic disorders as ketosis are manifestations of the animal’s inability to manage the increase in energy requirement during early lactation. Generally, buffaloes show a different response to higher metabolic demands than other ruminants with a lower incidence of metabolic problems, although ketosis is one of the major diseases that may decrease the productivity in buffaloes. The aim of this study was to characterize the metabolic profile of Mediterranean buffaloes (MB) associated with 2 different levels of β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). Sixty-two MB within 50 days in milk (DIM) were enrolled and divided into 2 groups according to serum BHB concentration: healthy group (37 MB; BHB <0.70 mmol/L; body condition score: 5.00; parity: 3.78; and DIM: 30.70) and group at risk of hyperketonemia (25 MB; BHB ≥0.70 mmol/L; body condition score: 4.50; parity: 3.76; and DIM: 33.20). The statistical analysis was conducted by one-way ANOVA and unpaired 2-sample Wilcoxon tests. Fifty-seven metabolites were identified and among them, 12 were significant or tended to be significant. These metabolites were related to different metabolic changes such as mobilization of body resources, ruminal fermentations, urea cycle, thyroid hormone synthesis, inflammation, and oxidative stress status. These findings are suggestive of metabolic changes related to subclinical ketosis status that should be further investigated to better characterize this disease in the MB.

PMID:36935234 | DOI:10.3168/jds.2022-22209

Alcohol Alcohol. 2023 Mar 18:agad017. doi: 10.1093/alcalc/agad017. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: While clinical consequences of thiamine deficiency in alcohol use disorder (AUD) are severe, evidence-based recommendations on dosage, type of administration and duration of thiamine substitution (TS), and its’ target levels remain sparse. This study aimed to compare the effect of two best practice TS regimens on thiamine blood levels (i.e. thiamine pyrophosphate, TPP) and cognitive function.

METHODS: In 50 patients undergoing in-patient alcohol-withdrawal treatment, TPP levels were determined at baseline and end of weeks 1, 2 and 8 following administration of oral TS (3 × 100 mg/day for 7 days followed by 1 × 100 mg/day thereafter) either with or without preceding intravenous TS (3 × 100 mg/day for 5 days). An extensive psychiatric assessment was conducted at baseline, including an evaluation of AUD severity and depressive symptoms. Additionally, cognitive function and depressive symptoms were repeatedly evaluated.

RESULTS: Relevant increases (mean increase by 100.2 nmol/l [CI 76.5-123.8], P < 0.001) in peripheral blood TPP levels were observed in all patients at the end of weeks 1 and 2. Furthermore, no relevant difference between the intravenous and the oral group was found (average difference between increases: 2.3 nmol/l, P = 0.912). Importantly, an association between the ‘extent of the response’ to TS and the performance in a memory task was revealed in secondary analyses.

CONCLUSION: TS was associated with improving cognitive function in patients with AUD, independently of the substitution regime. Thus, in clinical practice, oral TS might be a sufficient but obligatory medication to prevent cognitive decline in AUD in the absence of Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome.

PMID:36935203 | DOI:10.1093/alcalc/agad017

Zhonghua Fu Chan Ke Za Zhi. 2023 Mar 25;58(3):191-197. doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112141-20221212-00754.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To analyze the vaginal microecological status of vaginitis population and non-vaginitis population of gynecological female outpatients. Methods: A total of 30 265 women who visited the gynecological outpatient clinic of Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital from December 2018 to December 2020 completed vaginal microecological examination. After removing the follow-up patients, 23 181 women were divided into group with symptoms and signs of vaginitis (6 697 cases) and group without symptoms and signs of vaginitis (16 484 cases), according to whether the women with symptoms and signs of vaginitis or not. And the vaginal microecological status of the two groups was compared and analyzed. Results: (1) The total detection rate of vaginitis in the initial women was 34.87% (8 083/23 181), of which 46.10% (3 087/6 697) in group with symptoms and signs of vaginitis and 30.31% (4 996/16 484) in group without symptoms and signs of vaginitis, nearly 1/3 of the gynecological outpatients without signs and symptoms of vaginitis had vaginitis. (2) Among the types of simple vaginitis, vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) was the most frequent in group with symptoms and signs of vaginitis (16.01%, 1 072/6 697), followed by aerobic vaginitis (AV; 12.83%, 859/6 697), with significant differences compared with group without symptoms and signs of vaginitis (all P<0.001). There were no statistical differences between the two groups of bacterial vaginosis (BV) and trichomonal vaginitis (TV), indicating that BV and TV were more likely to be neglected (all P>0.05). (3) The proportion of various combinations of vaginitis among 2 632 cases of mixed vaginitis were, in descending order: BV+AV, VVC+AV, BV+AV+VVC, AV+TV, AV+TV+BV, BV+VVC. (4) Microecological analysis of 15 098 cases diagnosed with non-vaginitis had normal flora (including those with normal flora and those with normal flora but decreased function) in 14 013 cases (92.81%, 14 013/15 098), abnormal flora in 429 cases (2.84%, 429/15 098) and the BV intermediate in 656 cases (4.34%, 656/15 098); this indicated that the vast majority of the microecological tests were normal in the vaginal microbiota of those without vaginitis. Conclusions: Microecological examination could diagnose multiple pathogenic infections at once, and is especially important as a guide for the definitive diagnosis of mixed vaginitis and vaginitis with atypical clinical symptoms. Vaginal infections such as BV and TV that are easily overlooked should be concerned.

PMID:36935196 | DOI:10.3760/cma.j.cn112141-20221212-00754