Tag: pubmed

Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg. 2023 Nov 27. doi: 10.1089/photob.2023.0076. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Objective: This 1-year prospective clinical trial was designed to assess the microbial, clinical, radiographic, and prosthetic parameters after disinfection of the implant abutment connection using Er,Cr:YSGG (erbium, chromium-doped: yttrium, scandium, gallium, and garnet) and Nd:YAG (neodymium-doped yttrium, aluminum, garnet). Materials and methods: All the patients were divided into four groups; Group I: Nd:YAG laser, Group II: Er,Cr:YSGG laser, Group III: 0.2% chlorhexidine (CHx), and Group IV: steam disinfection. Peri-implant parameters assessed included peri-implant bleeding scores (PIBS), peri-implant plaque scores (PIPS), peri-implant pocket depth (PIPD), and crestal bone loss (CBL). The peri-implant plaque samples were acquired to perform microbiological analysis to assess Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Tannerella forsythia, respectively. All measurements were completed at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months postsurgery. Multiple groups were compared with the help of the Bonferroni post-hoc adjustment test (p < 0.01). Logistic regression models were utilized to assess the association between age, oral hygiene practices (brushing and flossing), and duration of implant function. Results: At the baseline level, there were no discernible differences in the peri-implant parameters between the study groups (p > 0.05). At the 6-month (p < 0.01) and 12-month (p < 0.001) follow-ups, all four study groups demonstrated a significant improvement in PIPS and PIBS, with no significant differences between the groups at baseline (p > 0.05). Based on an intergroup comparison, Group I (Nd:YAG) showed a significant decrease in PIBS when compared with the other groups. Group II showed a considerable decrease in PIPD and enhancements in CBL when compared with Groups I, III, and IV (p < 0.01). At the 6- and 12-month follow-up periods, P. gingivalis and T. denticola reduction were found to be statistically higher in Group II, whereas P. gingivalis and T. forsythia mean log CFU/mL were found to be statistically higher in Group I. Conclusions: Nd:YAG and Er,Cr:YSGG lasers both outperformed CHx and steam disinfection in terms of clinical, peri-implant, and prosthetic results when used to clean implant abutments.

PMID:38011738 | DOI:10.1089/photob.2023.0076

Rev Med Inst Mex Seguro Soc. 2023 Sep 18;61(Suppl 2):S193-S199.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is the gold standard in the treatment of cervical compression pathology and the titanium cage for fusion represents the most used procedure at an institutional level. A technique using fibular autograft has been described, with good results, lower morbidity and lower cost.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the rate of fusion, subsidence and functional clinical results after discectomy with titanium cage and fibular autograft.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A clinical trial with follow-up at 3 and 6 months was carried out in patients diagnosed with cervical spondylosis, candidates for ACDF. 2 groups were formed: fibular autograft and titanium cage. Pre and post functional evaluation using the cervical disability score was made, as well as radiographic fusion and subsidence evaluation. Descriptive statistics, Fisher’s exact test, t-test and ANOVA were obtained, establishing p < 0.05.

RESULTS: A sample of 20 patients with an average age of 56 years was obtained, finding a fusion rate of 90% for fibular autograft and 30% for titanium (p = 0.02) at 3 months. 10% of patients with fibular autograft presented subsidence and 70% with titanium cage at 3 and 6 months (p = 0.02). In the functional results was not found difference between both procedures (p = 0.874).

CONCLUSIONS: The use of autologous fibular graft offers a better rate of fusion and subsidence compared to the titanium cage, as well as similar functional results at 3 months of follow-up. It represents an excellent treatment option for cervical spondylosis.

PMID:38011687

J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2023 Nov 27:dgad651. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgad651. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT: Studies have found a variable incidence of erythrocytosis among people using testosterone as part of gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT).

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of using exogenous testosterone as GAHT on hematocrit in a large North American cohort.

METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of testosterone and hematocrit laboratory values in 6670 patients who were prescribed testosterone through Plume, a national provider of GAHT. The prevalence of erythrocytosis, the mean hematocrit at predetermined testosterone thresholds and with varying routes of testosterone administration were assessed.

RESULTS: Among 6670 individuals, 560 (8.4%) had a hematocrit ≥50%, 182 ≥ 52% (2.7%), and 60 ≥ 54% (0.9%). There was significant variation (P < .001) in hematocrit between different clinically relevant testosterone thresholds (T < 50 vs T 50-299 vs T 300-999 vs T ≥ 1000 ng/dL) and when comparing serum testosterone in increments of 50 ng/dL within the target range for males (300-1000 ng/dL) (P < .001). Mean hematocrit ranged from 41.84% (T < 50 ng/dL) to 45.68% (T 900-949 ng/dL). Patients on intramuscular testosterone had a higher mean hematocrit than those on transdermal testosterone (44.96% vs 43.41%, P < .001). Both route of administration (P < .001) and testosterone level (P < .001) had statistically significant associations with hematocrit when controlling for each other.

CONCLUSION: While the magnitude of change in hematocrit with serum level and route of administration of testosterone was statistically significant, the absolute levels were within the normal range, unlikely to be clinically meaningful. These findings, along with the low prevalence of erythrocytosis, should help allay concerns about the use of testosterone as GAHT.

PMID:38011684 | DOI:10.1210/clinem/dgad651

J Am Assoc Nurse Pract. 2023 Nov 27. doi: 10.1097/JXX.0000000000000976. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Diabetes ranks seventh in morbidity and mortality in the United States. In addition, more than 25 million Americans living with diabetes depend on community health centers (CHCs) for primary care.

LOCAL PROBLEM: Preimplementation data in a group of CHCs indicated poor adherence to standards of care practices as recommended by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) with quarterly A1c (33.1%), annual serum laboratory tests (66.6%), and annual urine microalbumin (26.5%).

METHODS: Using a pre- and postimplementation comparison method, a NP-led practice improvement project was conducted in a group of CHCs, which sought to (1) identify adherence to ADA care standards; (2) determine whether an intervention could affect adherence to ADA standards; and (3) compare pre- and postimplementation occurrences of hemoglobin A1c greater than 7.1% and greater than 9%.

INTERVENTION: Intervention composed of an educational component, standing orders to facilitate care practice changes, and electronic health record utilization changes.

RESULTS: Postimplementation data reveal statistically significant improvements in quarterly hemoglobin A1c (93.6%), annual serum laboratory tests (96.5%), and annual urine microalbumin screening (85.5%).

CONCLUSIONS: Improvements in translation to care for standardized guidelines facilitate improvements in health outcomes for patients. This project demonstrated improvements that can decrease the morbidity and mortality experienced by persons living with diabetes and being seen within a CHC. In addition, this project demonstrated that advanced practice nurses have the training and occupy a unique position within health care to spearhead initiatives for translation of evidence into care practices.

PMID:38011633 | DOI:10.1097/JXX.0000000000000976

J Craniofac Surg. 2023 Nov 24. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000009848. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Periorbital edema and ecchymosis that may occur after surgery in septorhinoplasty patients who have undergone lateral osteotomy are common morbidities and are seen as the main limiting factors for the recovery process of the patients. There are many different studies in the literature about the causes of periorbital edema and ecchymosis. In this study, the authors aimed to investigate the possible relationships between the bone density and bone thickness measured in the frontal process of the maxillary bone, and postoperative periorbital edema and ecchymosis, which are suitable for the osteotomy lines that they will detect in computerized tomography.

METHODS: Between January 1, 2019 and November 11, 2020, 59 patients whose nasal pathologies were determined by paranasal sinus computed tomography examination due to nasal deformity and nasal deformity and who underwent septorhinoplasty operation were included in this study. Bone density and thickness measurements were performed on the frontal process of the maxillary bone in accordance with the lateral osteotomy lines on the lateral nasal wall in each patient, right and left side. According to the bone density values measured at the point determined on the lateral osteotomy line, 2 groups were formed as “very dense” and “less dense.” According to the bone thickness values of the patients, 2 groups were determined as “thick” and “thin.” Thus, the authors investigated the relationship between periorbital edema and ecchymosis on the postoperative first, third, and seventh days obtained from the examination files of the patients.

FINDINGS: When bone density subgroups are examined, it has been shown that the degree of periorbital edema of the patients in the “very dense” and “less dense” group categories decreased from the first day to the seventh postoperative day. The degrees of periorbital edema on the third postoperative day were statistically higher in the “less dense” group than in the “very dense” group. In the authors’ study, no correlation was found between the degrees of postoperative periorbital edema and ecchymosis and bone density subgroups on other days. While an increase was observed in the periorbital ecchymosis grades of the patients in the “less dense” subgroup category from the first day to the third postoperative day, the periorbital ecchymosis grades of the patients in the “very dense” subgroup category decreased from the first day to the third day. In both subgroups, the lowest periorbital ecchymosis levels were observed on the postoperative seventh day.When bone thickness subgroups are examined, it has been shown that the degree of periorbital edema of the patients in the “thick” and “thin” group categories decreases from the first day to the seventh day postoperatively. When the bone thickness subgroups were examined, the periorbital ecchymosis degrees of the patients in the “thick” and “thin” group categories increased on the third postoperative day, while it reached the lowest level on the postoperative seventh day. There was no significant difference between the first, third, and seventh-day periorbital edema and ecchymosis conditions in the “thick” and “thin” groups.

CONCLUSION: The authors observed that periorbital edema and ecchymosis that may occur after septorhinoplasty can be affected by the variable features of the lateral nasal wall bone structure. The authors conclude that the changes in the healing process can be affected by different bone density values in particular.

PMID:38011627 | DOI:10.1097/SCS.0000000000009848

J Craniofac Surg. 2023 Nov 27. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000009867. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microtia is a congenital malformation of the external ear that often presents with other anatomical abnormalities and ipsilateral hearing loss (HL). The aim of this study was to present the correlation among important phenotypic abnormalities in microtia and their relationship with HL in a clinical population in China. In this study, a retrospective analysis was conducted on 307 patients diagnosed with microtia who visited the Department of Auricular Reconstruction of the Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, for surgical auricle reconstruction from April 2021 to April 2022. Standardized classification of ear malformations, craniofacial CT scans, and pure tone audiometric data were collected, and statistical analyses were performed using the rank sum test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. The results showed that group differences between ear malformation and variations in the development of mandible, external auditory canal (EAC), and mastoid pneumatization were statistically significant and each had a positive correlation. Among them, the correlation between development of ear and EAC was the most significant (Ρ=0.72). Besides, the severity of HL (97% were conductive) was positively correlated with ear and EAC dysplasia with or without mandibular hypoplasia. Based on the statistical analysis of the correlation between ear malformation and HL, the authors strongly recommend that facial phenotype reconstruction and hearing improvement of microtia should be considered comprehensively, regardless of whether children with microtia show HL or not, early diagnosis of audiology evaluation and appropriate intervention measures should be implemented.

PMID:38011621 | DOI:10.1097/SCS.0000000000009867

Rev Med Inst Mex Seguro Soc. 2023 Sep 18;61(Suppl 2):S155-S160.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can cause cardiac injury, probably associated with myocarditis and ischemia induced by the infection. Myocardial damage leads to the liberation of proinflammatory cytokines and to the activation of autoimmune adaptive mechanisms through molecular limitation.

OBJECTIVE: To assess mortality associated with myocardial damage in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 confirmed by troponin I measurement.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Case-control study nested in a cohort of patients of a third-level hospital. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the population. Qualitative variables were expressed as proportions and ranges, quantitative variables as means and standard deviation. Fisher’s exact test was used to compare mortality between patients with and without myocardial damage. A p value < 0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS: From June 2020 to August 2020, 28 patients who met the selection criteria were enrolled, out of which 15 had no myocardial damage and 13 had myocardial damage assessed by serum troponin measurement. A strong association was found between mortality and the presence of myocardial damage, since mortality was 20% (3/15) among patients without myocardial damage and 92.3% (12/13) among those with myocardial damage (Fisher’s exact test, p < 0.005).

CONCLUSION: Mortality in patients with COVID-19 is associated with myocardial damage assessed by troponin I measurement.

PMID:38011615

Rev Med Inst Mex Seguro Soc. 2023 Sep 18;61(Suppl 2):S141-S147.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Women across the globe are at risk of physical or sexual abuse by an intimate partner or other offender. Violence against women can lead to physical injuries, impaired mental health, and specific chronic diseases. In some cases, such types of violence can even result in disability or death for some victims.

OBJETIVE: To identify the factors that cause domestic violence in women of Guanajuato.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective, observational, analytical and cross-sectional study. 325 patients of 18 years or older who were literate and visited a third level hospital were included. The Scale of Violence in Couple Relations with a Likert-type response was administered. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Frequencies and percentages of all variables, chi-square test, and bivariate analysis were used.

RESULTS: Of 325 women of 36 (30-46) years of age, 214 (65.8%) were married. The majority were high school graduates, 152 (46.8%). 52% of women reported having experienced domestic violence at least once. Knowing the existence of a domestic violence protection law produced an OR 0.34 (0.20-0.57), p-0.001 and knowing the meaning of domestic violence gave an OR 0.35 (0.21-0.58 ), p<0.001.

CONCLUSIONS: A high percentage of women reported having experienced domestic violence at least once. The determinants of violence were similar in women with and without exposure to it. Protective factors were knowledge of the law and the meaning of domestic violence.

PMID:38011591

Med Phys. 2023 Nov 27. doi: 10.1002/mp.16847. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based synthetic computed tomography (sCT) simplifies radiation therapy treatment planning by eliminating the need for CT simulation and error-prone image registration, ultimately reducing patient radiation dose and setup uncertainty. In this work, we propose a MRI-to-CT transformer-based improved denoising diffusion probabilistic model (MC-IDDPM) to translate MRI into high-quality sCT to facilitate radiation treatment planning.

METHODS: MC-IDDPM implements diffusion processes with a shifted-window transformer network to generate sCT from MRI. The proposed model consists of two processes: a forward process, which involves adding Gaussian noise to real CT scans to create noisy images, and a reverse process, in which a shifted-window transformer V-net (Swin-Vnet) denoises the noisy CT scans conditioned on the MRI from the same patient to produce noise-free CT scans. With an optimally trained Swin-Vnet, the reverse diffusion process was used to generate noise-free sCT scans matching MRI anatomy. We evaluated the proposed method by generating sCT from MRI on an institutional brain dataset and an institutional prostate dataset. Quantitative evaluations were conducted using several metrics, including Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR), Multi-scale Structure Similarity Index (SSIM), and Normalized Cross Correlation (NCC). Dosimetry analyses were also performed, including comparisons of mean dose and target dose coverages for 95% and 99%.

RESULTS: MC-IDDPM generated brain sCTs with state-of-the-art quantitative results with MAE 48.825 ± 21.491 HU, PSNR 26.491 ± 2.814 dB, SSIM 0.947 ± 0.032, and NCC 0.976 ± 0.019. For the prostate dataset: MAE 55.124 ± 9.414 HU, PSNR 28.708 ± 2.112 dB, SSIM 0.878 ± 0.040, and NCC 0.940 ± 0.039. MC-IDDPM demonstrates a statistically significant improvement (with p < 0.05) in most metrics when compared to competing networks, for both brain and prostate synthetic CT. Dosimetry analyses indicated that the target dose coverage differences by using CT and sCT were within ± 0.34%.

CONCLUSIONS: We have developed and validated a novel approach for generating CT images from routine MRIs using a transformer-based improved DDPM. This model effectively captures the complex relationship between CT and MRI images, allowing for robust and high-quality synthetic CT images to be generated in a matter of minutes. This approach has the potential to greatly simplify the treatment planning process for radiation therapy by eliminating the need for additional CT scans, reducing the amount of time patients spend in treatment planning, and enhancing the accuracy of treatment delivery.

PMID:38011588 | DOI:10.1002/mp.16847

Alzheimers Dement. 2023 Nov 27. doi: 10.1002/alz.13485. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Protein-based plasma assays provide hope for improving accessibility and specificity of molecular diagnostics to diagnose dementia.

METHODS: Plasma was obtained from participants (N = 837) in our community-based University of Kentucky Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center cohort. We evaluated six Alzheimer’s disease (AD)- and neurodegeneration-related (Aβ40, Aβ42, Aβ42/40, p-tau181, total tau, and NfLight) and five inflammatory biomarkers (TNF𝛼, IL6, IL8, IL10, and GFAP) using the SIMOA-based protein assay platform. Statistics were performed to assess correlations.

RESULTS: Our large cohort reflects previous plasma biomarker findings. Relationships between biomarkers to understand AD-inflammatory biomarker correlations showed significant associations between AD and inflammatory biomarkers suggesting peripheral inflammatory interactions with increasing AD pathology. Biomarker associations parsed out by clinical diagnosis (normal, MCI, and dementia) reveal changes in strength of the correlations across the cognitive continuum.

DISCUSSION: Unique AD-inflammatory biomarker correlations in a community-based cohort reveal a new avenue for utilizing plasma-based biomarkers in the assessment of AD and related dementias.

HIGHLIGHTS: Large community cohorts studying sex, age, and APOE genotype effects on biomarkers are few. It is unknown how biomarker-biomarker associations vary through aging and dementia. Six AD (Aβ40, Aβ42, Aβ42/40, p-tau181, total tau, and NfLight) and five inflammatory biomarkers (TNFα, IL6, IL8, IL10, and GFAP) were used to examine associations between biomarkers. Plasma biomarkers suggesting increasing cerebral AD pathology corresponded to increases in peripheral inflammatory markers, both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory. Strength of correlations, between pairs of classic AD and inflammatory plasma biomarker, changes throughout cognitive progression to dementia.

PMID:38011580 | DOI:10.1002/alz.13485