Tag: pubmed

Epidemiologia (Basel). 2023 Jul 3;4(3):267-275. doi: 10.3390/epidemiologia4030027.

ABSTRACT

The timely identification of expected surges of cases during infectious disease epidemics is essential for allocating resources and preparing interventions. Failing to detect critical phases in time may lead to delayed implementation of interventions and have serious consequences. This study describes a simple way to evaluate whether an epidemic wave is likely to be present based solely on daily new case count data. The proposed measure compares two models that assume exponential or linear dynamics, respectively. The most important assumption of this approach is that epidemic waves are characterized rather by exponential than linear growth in the daily number of new cases. Technically, the coefficient of determination of two regression analyses is used to approximate a Bayes factor, which quantifies the support for the exponential over the linear model and can be used for epidemic wave detection. The trajectory of the coronavirus epidemic in three countries is analyzed and discussed for illustration. The proposed measure detects epidemic waves at an early stage, which are otherwise visible only by inspecting the development of case count data retrospectively. Major limitations include missing evidence on generalizability and performance compared to other methods. Nevertheless, the outlined approach may inform public health decision-making and serve as a starting point for scientific discussions on epidemic waves.

PMID:37489498 | DOI:10.3390/epidemiologia4030027

Epidemiologia (Basel). 2023 Jun 23;4(3):235-246. doi: 10.3390/epidemiologia4030024.

ABSTRACT

This is the first evaluation of the Yemen Field Epidemiology Training Program (Y-FETP) to assess if it met its objectives. We collected data using mixed methods including desk review, a focus group discussion with the Y-FETP staff, in-depth interviews with 21 program stakeholders, and an online survey for the program’s graduates. We transcribed/analyzed qualitative data using explanatory quotations and survey data using descriptive methods. The desk review indicated that Y-FETP covers 18 (82%) out of 22 governorates and conducted >171 outbreak investigations, 138 surveillance system analyses/evaluations, 53 planned studies, published >50 articles and had >155 accepted conference abstracts. Qualitative findings showed Y-FETP helped save lives and reduced morbidity/mortality using building capacities in outbreak response; provided evidence-based data for decision-making; and increased awareness about public health issues. An online survey showed that Y-FETP helped 60 to 80% of graduates conduct outbreak investigations, surveillance analysis/evaluation, manage surveillance systems/projects, engage in public health communication (reports/presentation), and use basic statistical methods. However, the evaluation revealed that Y-FETP is primarily funded by donors; thus, it is not sustainable. Other challenges include low graduate retention and limited training in policy development and management. Y-FETP achieved its main objectives of increasing the number of epidemiologists in the workforce, making a positive impact on public health outcomes.

PMID:37489495 | DOI:10.3390/epidemiologia4030024

BioTech (Basel). 2023 Jul 3;12(3):49. doi: 10.3390/biotech12030049.

ABSTRACT

Microalgae can treat waste streams containing elevated levels of organic carbon and nitrogen. This process can be economically attractive if high value products are created simultaneously from the relatively low-cost waste stream. Co-production of two high value microalgal products, phycocyanin and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), was investigated using non-axenic Arthrospira platensis MUR126 and supplemental organic carbon (acetate, oxalate, glycerol and combinations). All supplemented cultures had higher biomass yield (g/L) than photoautotrophic control. All cultures produced PHB (3.6-7.8% w/w), except the control and those fed oxalate. Supplemented cultures showed a two to three-fold increase in phycocyanin content over the eight-day cultivation. Results indicate co-production of phycocyanin and PHB is possible in A. platensis, using mixed-waste organic carbon. However, supplementation resulted in growth of extremophile bacteria, particularly in cultures fed glycerol, and this had a negative impact on culture health. Refinement of the carbon dosing rate is required to minimise impacts of native bacterial contamination.

PMID:37489483 | DOI:10.3390/biotech12030049

Tomography. 2023 Jun 30;9(4):1276-1285. doi: 10.3390/tomography9040101.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate using quantitative analysis on chest CT images a possible lung volume reduction in Long COVID patients who complain mild respiratory symptoms, with chest CT negative for inflammatory findings.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT images of patients from 18 to 40 years old who underwent chest CT scan at our institution were analyzed retrospectively, using AwServer Thoracic VCAR software for a quantitative study. Exclusion criteria were inflammatory findings at CT, previous lung surgery, lung cancer, and breath artifacts that invalidate the quality of images. Patients were divided into two groups: in the first one (“post-COVID”) were patients who had previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, confirmed by an RT-PCR, who underwent chest CT from 3 to 6 months after their negativization for long COVID symptoms; in the control group (“non-COVID”), were enrolled patients who underwent a chest CT scan from January 2018 to December 2019, before the spread of COVID in Italy.

RESULTS: Our final population included 154 TC, 77 post-COVID patients (mean age 33 ± 6) and 77 non-COVID patients (mean age 33 ± 4.9). Non statistical significative differences were obtained between groups in terms of age, sex, and other characteristics that affect total lung capacity such as obesity, thoracic malformations, and smoking habit. Mean values of the total lung volume (TV), right-lung volume (RV), and left-lung volume (LV) in the post-COVID group compared with non-COVID group were, respectively: 5.25 ± 0.25 L vs. 5.72 ± 0.26 L (p = 0.01); 2.76 ± 0.14 L vs. 3 ± 0.14 L (p = 0.01); 2.48 ± 0.12 L vs. 2.72 ± 0.12 L (p = 0.01).

CONCLUSION: In patients with symptoms suggesting Long COVID and negative chest CT macroscopic findings, quantitative volume analysis demonstrated a mean value of reduction in lung volume of 10% compared to patients of the same age who never had COVID. A chest CT negative for inflammatory findings may induce clinicians to attribute Long COVID mild respiratory symptoms to anxiety, especially in young patients. Our study brings us beyond appearances and beyond the classic radiological signs, introducing a quantitative evaluation of lung volumes in these patients. It is hard to establish to what extent this finding may contribute to Long COVID symptoms, but this is another step to gain a wider knowledge of the potential long-term effects caused by this new virus.

PMID:37489469 | DOI:10.3390/tomography9040101

Med Sci (Basel). 2023 Jun 27;11(3):44. doi: 10.3390/medsci11030044.

ABSTRACT

Combining omics data from different layers using integrative methods provides a better understanding of the biology of a complex disease such as cancer. The discovery of biomarkers related to cancer development or prognosis helps to find more effective treatment options. This study integrates multi-omics data of different cancer types with a network-based approach to explore common gene modules among different tumors by running community detection methods on the integrated network. The common modules were evaluated by several biological metrics adapted to cancer. Then, a new prognostic scoring method was developed by weighting mRNA expression, methylation, and mutation status of genes. The survival analysis pointed out statistically significant results for GNG11, CBX2, CDKN3, ARHGEF10, CLN8, SEC61G and PTDSS1 genes. The literature search reveals that the identified biomarkers are associated with the same or different types of cancers. Our method does not only identify known cancer-specific biomarker genes, but also proposes new potential biomarkers. Thus, this study provides a rationale for identifying new gene targets and expanding treatment options across cancer types.

PMID:37489460 | DOI:10.3390/medsci11030044

Methods Protoc. 2023 Jul 5;6(4):64. doi: 10.3390/mps6040064.

ABSTRACT

Urethral healing is plagued by strictures, impacting quality of life and medical costs. Various growth factors (GFs) have shown promise as therapeutic approaches to improve healing, but there is no protocol for in vitro comparison between GFs. This study focuses the development of a biomimetic in vitro urothelial healing assay designed to mimic early in vivo healing, followed by an evaluation of urothelial cell growth in response to GFs.

METHODS: Wound-healing assays were developed with human urothelial cells and used to compared six GFs (EGF, FGF-2, IGF-1, PDGF, TGF-β1, and VEGF) at three concentrations (1 ng/mL, 10 ng/mL, and 100 ng/mL) over a 48 h period. A commercial GF-containing medium (EGF, TGF-α, KGF, and Extract P) and a GF-free medium were used as controls.

RESULTS: There was a statistically significant increase in cell growth for IGF-1 at 10 and 100 ng/mL compared to both controls (p < 0.05). There was a statistically significant increase in cell growth for EGF at all concentrations compared to the GF-free medium control (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: This study shows the development of a clinically relevant wound-healing assay to evaluate urothelial cell growth. It is the first to compare GFs for future use in reconstructive techniques to improve urethral healing.

PMID:37489431 | DOI:10.3390/mps6040064

Methods Protoc. 2023 Jul 3;6(4):63. doi: 10.3390/mps6040063.

ABSTRACT

As an essential characterization, size distribution is an important indicator for the synthesis, optimization, and application of nanoparticles. Electron microscopes such as transmission electron microscopes (TEMs) are commonly utilized to collect size information on nanoparticles. However, the current popular statistical method of manually measuring large particles one by one, using a ruler tool in the corresponding image analysis software is time-consuming and can introduce manual errors. Moreover, it is difficult to determine the measurement interval for irregularly shaped nanoparticles. Therefore, it is necessary to use an efficient and standard method to perform size distribution analysis of nanoparticles. In this work, we use basic ImageJ software (1.53 t) to analyze the size of typical silica nanoparticles in a TEM image and use Origin software to process the data, to obtain its accurate distribution quickly. Using it as a template, we believe that this work can provide a paradigm for the standardized analysis of nanoparticle size.

PMID:37489430 | DOI:10.3390/mps6040063

Methods Protoc. 2023 Jun 22;6(4):59. doi: 10.3390/mps6040059.

ABSTRACT

Platelet polyphosphate (polyP) can be conveniently quantified by exploiting a recent methodological breakthrough using 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). However, the preservation of these biological samples has not yet been standardized. In a preliminary study, potential protocols were screened, while accepted protocols were further tested in this study. Pure-platelet-rich plasma (P-PRP) samples and washed platelet suspensions were prepared using blood obtained from non-smoking healthy male donors and were fixed with ThromboFix for 20-24 h at 4 °C. Mass polyP levels were determined using a fluorometer at wavelengths of 425 and 525 nm. Platelet polyP levels were normalized to platelet counts. Statistical analyses were performed using non-parametric tests. Platelet polyP levels significantly decreased by 20% after 7 days in the platelet suspension maintained under fixed conditions at 4 °C (control). In contrast, the platelet polyP levels in both the P-PRP and washed platelet suspensions were maintained without a significant reduction for up to 6 weeks by removing ThromboFix after fixation and subsequent freezing in pure water at -80 °C. Fluorometric polyP quantification often interferes with the low specificity of DAPI binding and the wavelength used. Our validated protocols will enable long-term preservation and high-throughput polyP quantification and can be applied to relatively large cohort studies.

PMID:37489426 | DOI:10.3390/mps6040059

Pediatr Rep. 2023 Jul 20;15(3):431-441. doi: 10.3390/pediatric15030040.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Birth defects are a significant concern since they can lead to permanent disability and death. This study comprehensively reviews the prevalence and patterns of birth defects in Saudi Arabia.

METHODS: A systematic analysis of the literature retrieved from three databases (Pub Med, Science Direct, and the Saudi digital library) published between 1989 and 2022 was performed. Observational studies that addressed the prevalence and patterns of birth defects in Saudi Arabia were chosen based on the eligibility criteria, while systematic reviews, review articles, non-relevant articles, and studies that did not fulfill the eligibility criteria were excluded. Quality and risk of bias were evaluated based on the JBI and GRADE tools, respectively.

RESULTS: We identified 26 eligible publications of 1277 records that included 297,668 patients from different regions of Saudi Arabia. The highest overall prevalence of birth defects was 46.5 per 1000 live births compared to a lowest rate of 8.6 per 1000 in one study. Several studies have reported positive associations of consanguinity, maternal folic acid supplementation, family history of birth defects or genetic abnormalities, and maternal co-morbidities. The most frequent birth defects include cardiac, genitourinary, craniofacial, and nervous system defects.

CONCLUSION: Robust findings have improved our understanding of the prevalence and pattern of birth defects in Saudi Arabia. Importantly, future studies will likely require multicenter collaboration to arrive at appropriate sample sizes in the context of the effects of risk factors on elevated prevalence. Furthermore, quantitative data require careful evaluation in more complex statistical models.

PMID:37489414 | DOI:10.3390/pediatric15030040

Pediatr Rep. 2023 Jul 11;15(3):414-425. doi: 10.3390/pediatric15030038.

ABSTRACT

Dental office protocols to combat the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic include mouth washing for an extended 60 s, thereby reducing detectable oral virus. However, it is unclear whether this protocol has any effects on the newly identified periodontal pathogen and obesity-related bacterium often found among pediatric patients, Selenomonas noxia. To determine if the mouthwash protocol has any measurable effect on S. noxia amongst pediatric patients, clinical pediatric saliva samples were obtained from pediatric patients during routine visits for clinical care and treatment. Using an approved protocol, two saliva samples were collected on the same visit before and after chlorhexidine mouthwash (Sample A, Sample B). The third sample (Sample C) was taken at the recall appointment-usually between two and eight weeks later. A total of n = 97 pre-mouthwash samples, and an equal number of matching post-mouthwash samples (n = 97) were collected, with a small number of matching recall samples (n = 36) that were subsequently collected and identified. The demographic composition of the study sample was analyzed using Chi square statistics. Sample DNA from the matching pre-, post-, and recall collections (Sample A, Sample B, and Sample C) was isolated and screened using qPCR and validated primers, which revealed that 11.1% (n = 4/36) from Sample A tested positive for S. noxia with 0% (n = 0/36) of Sample B testing positive and 13.9% (n = 5/36) of the recall (Sample C) testing positive. In addition, comparative analysis of the qPCR cycle threshold data revealed relatively lower expression (quantity) of S. noxia DNA among the recall samples, as determined by two-tailed t-tests (p=0.004). These data and results provide new evidence for the oral prevalence of S. noxia among pediatric patients, while also demonstrating that the COVID-19 protocol of mouth washing prior to clinical treatment for periods extending up to 60 s may be sufficient to reduce the levels of detectable S. noxia-at least temporarily. More research will be needed to determine whether these effects may be limited to the short- or may exhibit more lasting effects in the long-term.

PMID:37489412 | DOI:10.3390/pediatric15030038