Tag: pubmed

Biol Trace Elem Res. 2024 Jul 23. doi: 10.1007/s12011-024-04319-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has become a global public health concern, impacting the quality of life. The question of gene-environment interaction in the emergence of ASD remains a subject of ongoing debate, and exploring its pathophysiology is thoroughly related to metals as a risk factor. Therefore, this study aims to assess the levels of toxic (Al, Cd, Hg, and Pb) and essential (Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Se) elements in toenail samples collected in children with ASD and neurotypical children, by ICP-MS. Parallelly, we will discuss the use of toenails as an exposure indicator. The study involved 208 children aged 3 to 14 from Marrakech, Morocco. One hundred two were diagnosed with ASD and 106 were neurotypical children. Significant statistical differences in the concentration of Cr, Mn, and Fe were documented between the two groups. Higher levels of Pb in toenails compared to reference values have been reported. No association was established between concentrations of elements and age. Spearman correlation coefficients revealed a significantly different pattern of mutual dependence for toxic and essential elements between the two groups. The strongest positive correlations were found in the neurotypical group (Fe-Mn (ρ = 0.750), and Se-Zn (ρ = 0.800)). These results provide additional, although inconclusive, evidence on the probable role of element disturbance in the pathogenesis of ASD. Further studies should be performed to explore other nutritional, cultural, sociodemographic, environmental, and methodological factors that may impact the levels of these elements in the nails and their possible correlation with the incidence of ASD.

PMID:39042314 | DOI:10.1007/s12011-024-04319-w

J Oral Rehabil. 2024 Jul 23. doi: 10.1111/joor.13795. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), a prevalent orofacial disorder with complex aetiologies and considerable socioeconomic costs. This underscores the critical importance of developing a comprehensive understanding of the risk factors associated with TMD, as existing research is hindered by deficiencies in establishing causal relationships and the limitations of traditional research methodologies.

OBJECTIVES: This research explores the causal link between certain risk factors and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) through Mendelian randomization (MR), providing multidimensional perspectives in addressing this worldwide health issue.

METHODS: Utilizing instrumental variables, we applied advanced statistical methods, including the weighted median, inverse variance weighted (IVW) and MR-Egger, to evaluate the impact of twelve potential risk factors on TMD.

RESULTS: Our results identified a significant positive association of TMD with malocclusion (p < .001), sleeping disorders (p = .006), anxiety (p = .002), major depression (p = .0002), daily cigarettes consumption (p = .029) and autoimmune diseases (p = .039). Conversely, a negative association was observed with educational attainment (p = .003).

CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that malocclusion, sleeping disorders, anxiety, major depression, daily cigarettes consumption and autoimmune diseases, could potentially increase TMD risk while educational attainment might mitigate its increase. No direct causal relationships were established between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, menopause, frequent alcohol consumption, coffee intake and severely worn dentition and TMD.

PMID:39041331 | DOI:10.1111/joor.13795

Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2024 Jul 23. doi: 10.1111/opo.13369. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:39041311 | DOI:10.1111/opo.13369

Alzheimers Dement. 2024 Jul 23. doi: 10.1002/alz.14077. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Understanding attitudes toward participation among diverse preclinical Alzheimer’s disease (AD) trial participants could yield insights to instruct future recruitment.

METHODS: Using data from the Anti-Amyloid Treatment in Asymptomatic AD (A4) Study, we examined differences among mutually exclusive racial and ethnic groups in views and perceptions of amyloid imaging (VPAI), a measure of motivations to undergo amyloid biomarker testing in the setting of preclinical AD. We used linear regression to quantify differences at baseline.

RESULTS: Compared to non-Hispanic or Latino (NH) White participants, Hispanic or Latino (3.52 points, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [2.61, 4.42]); NH Asian (2.97 points, 95% CI: [1.71, 4.22]); and NH Black participants (2.79 points, 95% CI: [1.96, 3.63]) participants demonstrated higher levels of endorsement of the VPAI items at baseline.

DISCUSSION: Differences may exist among participants from differing ethnic and racial groups in motivations to undergo biomarker testing in the setting of a preclinical AD trial.

HIGHLIGHTS: Representative samples in AD clinical trials are vital to result in generalizability. We assessed motivations to undergo amyloid imaging in a preclinical AD trial. Racial and ethnic minority groups showed higher endorsement of VPAI items. Differences were driven by perceived risk, plan/prepare, and curiosity domains. Few observations among racial and ethnic groups changed after biomarker disclosure.

PMID:39041310 | DOI:10.1002/alz.14077

HLA. 2024 Jul;104(1):e15609. doi: 10.1111/tan.15609.

ABSTRACT

The clinical spectrum of COVID-19 includes a wide range of manifestations, from mild symptoms to severe pneumonia. HLA system plays a pivotal role in immune responses to infectious diseases. The purpose of our study was to investigate the association between HLA and COVID-19 severity in a Japanese population. The study included 209 Japanese COVID-19 patients aged ≥20 years. Saliva samples were collected and used to determine the HLA genotype by HLA imputation through genome-wide association analyses. The association between HLA genotype and COVID-19 severity was then evaluated. The allele frequency was compared between patients with respiratory failure (severe group: 91 cases) and those without respiratory failure (non-severe group: 118 cases), categorising the data into three time periods: pre-Omicron epidemic period, Omicron epidemic period, and total period of this study (from January 2021 to May 2023). In comparing the severe and non-severe groups, the frequencies of the HLA-DQA1*01:03 (35.1% vs. 10.5%, odds ratio [OR] = 4.57, corrected p [p_c] = 0.041) and -DQB1*06:01 (32.4% vs. 7.9%, OR = 5.54, p_c = 0.030) alleles were significantly higher in the severe group during the pre-Omicron epidemic period. During the Omicron epidemic period, HLA-DQB1*06 (32.4% vs. 7.9%, OR = 5.54, p_c = 0.030) was significantly higher in the severe group. During total period of this study, HLA-DQA1*01:03 (30.2% vs. 14.4%, OR = 2.57, corrected p_c = 0.0013) and -DQB1*06:01 (44.5% vs. 26.7%, OR = 2.20, p_c = 0.013) alleles were significantly higher in the severe group. HLA-DQB1*06:01 and -DQA1*01:03 were in strong linkage disequilibrium with each other (r² = 0.91) during total period of this study, indicating that these two alleles form a haplotype. The frequency of the HLA-DQA1*01:03-DQB1*06:01 in the severe group was significantly higher than in the non-severe group during pre-Omicron epidemic period (32.4% vs. 7.9%, OR = 5.59, p_c = 0.00072), and total period of this study (28.6% vs. 13.1%, OR = 2.63, p_c = 0.0013). During Omicron epidemic period, the haplotype did not demonstrate statistical significance, although the odds ratio indicated a value greater 1. Frequencies of the HLA-DQA1*01:03 and -DQB1*06:01 alleles were significantly higher in severe COVID-19 patients, suggesting that these alleles are risk factors for severe COVID-19 pneumonia in the Japanese population.

PMID:39041300 | DOI:10.1111/tan.15609

Chemphyschem. 2024 Jul 23:e202400329. doi: 10.1002/cphc.202400329. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

C[C4H4], the simplest compound of the [4]-pyramidane family, has so far eluded experimental characterization, although several of its analogs E[C4(SiMe3)4], in which the E apex atom is a tetrel group element, have been successfully prepared. The non-classical bonding mode of E, similar to that found in propellanes, has prompted a considerable number of theoretical studies to unravel the nature of the apex-base interaction. Here, we contribute to this knowledge by analyzing the electron localization function (ELF) and classical QTAIM descriptors; as well the statistical distribution of electrons in atomic regions by means of the so-called electron distribution functions (EDFs), calculation of multicenter indices (MCI) as aromaticity descriptors and by performing orbital invariant energy decompositions with the interacting quantum atoms (IQA) approach on a series of E[C4(SiMe3)4] compounds. We find that the bonding evolves from covalent to electrostatic as E changes from C to Pb, with an anomaly when E=Si, which is shown to be the most charged moiety, compatible with an aromatic [C4(SiMe3)4]2- scaffold in the pyramidane base.

PMID:39041294 | DOI:10.1002/cphc.202400329

Orthod Craniofac Res. 2024 Jul 23. doi: 10.1111/ocr.12837. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate retention efficacy by assessing retention stability and patient perspectives according to type of circumferential retainer: the wrap-around circumferential retainer (WCR) and customized clear retainer (CCR).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cohort follow-up study involved 52 patients aged 18-62 who underwent fixed-appliance orthodontic treatment without extractions or orthognathic surgery. Following screening consenting participants were divided into WCR and CCR groups. All participants before follow-up received fixed retainers for the upper and lower anteriors and respective removable retainers within 2 weeks post-debond. Intraoral scans and lateral cephalograms were taken immediately after debonding (T0) and again 12 months later. Dentoalveolar changes in several measurements were compared to evaluate retention efficacy. Surveys were conducted at 1 month (T1) and 12 months (T2) post-debonding to assess changes in patient experiences. Outcome assessments were blinded. Paired T-tests and independent T-tests were used for intragroup and intergroup comparisons of dentoalveolar measurements, respectively. Survey responses were analysed using the Pearson Chi-Square test.

RESULTS: The final assessment included 32 participants. Model analysis revealed no significant differences between the groups, except for maxillary intermolar width (p = .033). In the WCR group, the cephalometric analysis indicated a significant increase in the incisor mandibular plane angle (p = .002) and a decrease in the interincisal angle (p = .014), while changes in the CCR group were statistically non-significant. Patient attitude evaluation showed similar trends for wear time and overall satisfaction. However, a higher percentage of respondents in the WCR group reported irritation when wearing the retainers (p = .037) at T1 and discomfort related to speech (p = .038) at T2.

CONCLUSIONS: CCR showed better retention efficacy in terms of lower incisor inclination. Patients experienced relatively less irritation and speech discomfort with CCRs.

PMID:39041290 | DOI:10.1111/ocr.12837

Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2024 Jul 23. doi: 10.1002/ijgo.15782. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: To develop and validate a support tool for healthcare providers, enabling them to make precise and critical decisions regarding intensive care unit (ICU) admissions for high-risk pregnant women, thus enhancing maternal outcomes.

METHODS: This retrospective study involves secondary data analysis of information gathered from 9550 pregnant women, who had severe maternal morbidity (any unexpected complication during labor and delivery that leads to substantial short-term or long-term health issues for the mother), collected between 2009 and 2010 from the Brazilian Network for Surveillance of Severe Maternal Morbidity, encompassing 27 obstetric reference centers in Brazil. Machine-learning models, including decision trees, Random Forest, Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM), and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), were employed to create a risk prediction tool for ICU admission. Subsequently, sensitivity analysis was conducted to compare the accuracy, predictive power, sensitivity, and specificity of these models, with differences analyzed using the Wilcoxon test.

RESULTS: The XGBoost algorithm demonstrated superior efficiency, achieving an accuracy rate of 85%, sensitivity of 42%, specificity of 97%, and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 86.7%. Notably, the estimated prevalence of ICU utilization by the model (11.6%) differed from the prevalence of ICU use from the study (21.52%).

CONCLUSION: The developed risk engine yielded positive results, emphasizing the need to optimize intensive care bed utilization and objectively identify high-risk pregnant women requiring these services. This approach promises to enhance the effective and efficient management of pregnant women, particularly in resource-constrained regions worldwide. By streamlining ICU admissions for high-risk cases, healthcare providers can better allocate critical resources, ultimately contributing to improved maternal health outcomes.

PMID:39041284 | DOI:10.1002/ijgo.15782

JMIR Public Health Surveill. 2024 Jul 22;10:e55011. doi: 10.2196/55011.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In South Korea, the cancer incidence rate has increased by 56.5% from 2001 to 2021. Nevertheless, the 5-year cancer survival rate from 2017 to 2021 increased by 17.9% compared with that from 2001 to 2005. Cancer survival rates tend to decline with lower socioeconomic status, and variations exist in the survival rates among different cancer types. Analyzing socioeconomic patterns in the survival of patients with cancer can help identify high-risk groups and ensure that they benefit from interventions.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze differences in survival rates among patients diagnosed with six types of cancer-stomach, colorectal, liver, breast, cervical, and lung cancers-based on socioeconomic status using Korean nationwide data.

METHODS: This study used the Korea Central Cancer Registry database linked to the National Health Information Database to follow up with patients diagnosed with cancer between 2014 and 2018 until December 31, 2021. Kaplan-Meier curves stratified by income status were generated, and log-rank tests were conducted for each cancer type to assess statistical significance. Hazard ratios with 95% CIs for any cause of overall survival were calculated using Cox proportional hazards regression models with the time since diagnosis.

RESULTS: The survival rates for the six different types of cancer were as follows: stomach cancer, 69.6% (96,404/138,462); colorectal cancer, 66.6% (83,406/125,156); liver cancer, 33.7% (23,860/70,712); lung cancer, 30.4% (33,203/109,116); breast cancer, 91.5% (90,730/99,159); and cervical cancer, 78% (12,930/16,580). When comparing the medical aid group to the highest income group, the hazard ratios were 1.72 (95% CI 1.66-1.79) for stomach cancer, 1.60 (95% CI 1.54-1.56) for colorectal cancer, 1.51 (95% CI 1.45-1.56) for liver cancer, 1.56 (95% CI 1.51-1.59) for lung cancer, 2.19 (95% CI 2.01-2.38) for breast cancer, and 1.65 (95% CI 1.46-1.87) for cervical cancer. A higher deprivation index and advanced diagnostic stage were associated with an increased risk of mortality.

CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomic status significantly mediates disparities in cancer survival in several cancer types. This effect is particularly pronounced in less fatal cancers such as breast cancer. Therefore, considering the type of cancer and socioeconomic factors, social and medical interventions such as early cancer detection and appropriate treatment are necessary for vulnerable populations.

PMID:39041282 | DOI:10.2196/55011

Curr Med Imaging. 2024 Jul 22. doi: 10.2174/0115734056318591240718052555. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer, a significant contributor to male cancer mortality globally, demands improved diagnostic strategies. In Saudi Arabia, where the incidence is expected to double, this study assessed the compliance of multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) practices with Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System version 2 (PI-RADS v2) guidelines across diverse healthcare institutions.

METHODS: A survey was distributed to the radiology departments of all tertiary referral hospitals in Saudi Arabia (n=60) to assess their compliance with the technical specifications outlined in PI-RADS v2. Statistical analysis included chi-square, Fisher exact, ANOVA, and Student t-tests to examine the collected data.

RESULTS: The study revealed an overall commendable compliance rate of 95.23%. However, significant variations were observed in technical parameters, particularly between 1.5 Tesla and 3 Tesla scanners and tertiary versus non-tertiary hospitals. Notable adherence in certain sequences contrasted with discrepancies in T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted imaging parameters.

CONCLUSION: These findings underscore the need for nuanced approaches to optimize prostate imaging protocols, considering field strength and institutional differences. The study contributes to the ongoing refinement of standardized mpMRI practices, aiming to enhance diagnostic accuracy and improve clinical outcomes in prostate cancer.

PMID:39041255 | DOI:10.2174/0115734056318591240718052555