Tag: pubmed

Curr Med Imaging. 2024 Feb 27. doi: 10.2174/0115734056269300231127052836. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To identify age-matched healthy volunteers, non-cirrhotic chronic liver disease (CLD) and cirrhotic patients based on portal hemodynamic parameters using 4D flow MRI.

METHODS: A total of 10 age-matched healthy volunteers and 69 CLD patients were enrolled and underwent 4D flow MRI prospectively. 4D flow MR images were processed by an MD in biomedical engineering working on the GTFlow platform. Portal hemodynamic parameters include net flow (mL/cycle), flow volume per second through the lumen (mL/sec), average flow velocity (cm/sec), and maximum flow velocity (cm/sec). The difference in portal hemodynamic parameters of 4D flow MRI was compared among healthy volunteers, non-cirrhotic CLD patients and patients with cirrhosis by one-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test and post hoc tests.

RESULTS: 10 CLD patients without cirrhosis and 56 patients with cirrhosis were eventually included, along with 10 healthy volunteers who were divided into three groups. 3 patients with cirrhosis whose image quality did not meet the requirements were excluded. There were no significant differences in portal hemodynamic parameters among the three groups except portal average velocity (P > 0.05). There was no statistical difference in all portal hemodynamic parameters of 4D flow MRI between healthy volunteers and patients with cirrhosis (P > 0.05). There were significant differences in portal average velocity between non-cirrhotic CLD patients, healthy volunteers and patients with cirrhosis, respectively (11.44±3.93 vs 8.10±2.66, P=0.013; 11.44±3.93 vs 8.60±2.22, P=0.007).

CONCLUSION: Portal average velocity obtained by 4D flow MRI can be an auxiliary means to identify cirrhosis in patients with CLD.

PMID:38415457 | DOI:10.2174/0115734056269300231127052836

J Cosmet Dermatol. 2024 Feb 28. doi: 10.1111/jocd.16254. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The emulgel, a novel drug delivery system, merges emulsion and gel, offering advantages like enhanced stability, precise control over drug release kinetics, and increased drug absorption compared to emulsions alone. Kojic acid (KA) demonstrates potent inhibition of the tyrosinase enzyme, a crucial player in the melanin synthesis pathway.

AIMS: The main objective of this experimental study is to formulate KA within an emulgel framework and assess its stability under various environmental conditions.

METHODS: One percent of KA emulgel and 1% simple gel, serving as the control product, were supplemented with varying concentrations of sodium metabisulfite (SMBS) for its antioxidant properties. The formulations were segregated into four groups and subjected to diverse maintenance and stress conditions over a three-month period. Monthly evaluations of physicochemical alterations were conducted, initially employing digital photography, followed by the extraction of KA and subsequent quantification of its concentration through high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

RESULTS: The best formulations for retaining KA among the prepared ones were the 0.25% SMBS KA emulgel and the 0.1% SMBS KA simple gel, capable of retaining 86% and 76% of the initial KA content under stress conditions, respectively (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS: Regarding to this study, ideal storage condition for KA emulgel and simple gel is in the refrigerator temperatures. Moreover, optimal SMBS concentrations for stability enhancement are 0.25% for emulgel and 0.1% for the simple gel. A significant statistical difference was observed between refrigerated emulgel and simple gel in the retention of KA in the presence of optimum concentration of antioxidants (p < 0.0001).

PMID:38415395 | DOI:10.1111/jocd.16254

Dent Med Probl. 2024 Jan-Feb;61(1):77-83. doi: 10.17219/dmp/150655.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is widely used in periodontics for its wound healing potential. Two major variations of PRF are the original leukocyteand platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) and the modified lowspeed advanced PRF (A-PRF).

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the conventional L-PRF protocol and the low-speed A-PRF protocol in terms of angiogenic potential of PRF, using an in vivo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifteen fertile Giriraja eggs were procured and after a 3-day incubation period, randomly allotted into 3 groups: control; L-PRF; and A-PRF. A total of 20 mL of blood was collected from systemically healthy male volunteers aged 18-24 years, using a standard protocol. The PRF samples were inoculated on the CAM of the eggs. On the 10th day, the eggs were reopened and photographed. The parameters assessed were the number, length, size, and density of blood vessels, as well as the number of junctions formed. The photographs were analyzed using the ImageJ and ProgRes® CapturePro software.

RESULTS: Seven days after inoculation, both the A-PRF and L-PRF groups exhibited significantly better results than the control group in terms of the number (59.20 ±6.61 vs. 48.80 ±5.07 vs. 19.20 ±6.98), length (25,000 ±1,813.10 μm vs. 17,000 ±282.90 μm vs. 8,000 ±184.49 μm), size (230,000 ±15,054.00 μm2 vs. 200,000 ±8,295.27 μm2 vs. 150,000 ±4,105.16 μm2), and density (central: 9,100 ±296.78 vs. 5,370 ±272.42 vs. 1,420 ±564.36; peripheral: 9,094 ±400.14 vs. 3,370 ±479.39 vs. 5,420 ±746.73) of blood vessels, as well as the number of junctions formed (52 ±3.81 vs. 41 ±1.58 vs. 33 ±4.64), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: The angiogenic potential was increased by the exposure to both L-PRF and A-PRF. However, A-PRF demonstrated statistically significant benefits in terms of the number, length, size, and density of blood vessels, as well as the number of junctions formed in comparison with the control and L-PRF groups.

PMID:38415389 | DOI:10.17219/dmp/150655

Dent Med Probl. 2024 Jan-Feb;61(1):65-70. doi: 10.17219/dmp/133072.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Immediate implant placement in the maxillary esthetic zone is a challenging and demanding task. To achieve favorable results, proper case selection and treatment planning are necessary. Variables like the sagittal root position (SRP) and the labial bone thickness (LBT) of maxillary anterior teeth are of paramount importance for predictable outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the SRP and LBT of maxillary anterior teeth in the context of immediate implant placement by using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in a sample of the Pakistani population.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using the CBCT scans of patients. The SRP of each tooth (maxillary canine to canine) was evaluated in the sagittal section of a CBCT scan according to the classification by Kan et al. The LBT of each tooth was measured perpendicularly to the long axis of tooth at 3 sites: at the alveolar crest (P1); 2 mm from the alveolar crest (P2); and 4 mm from the alveolar crest (P3). Descriptive statistics were reported for SRP and LBT. The χ2 test was employed to assess any association between the variables.

RESULTS: Class I SRP was the most prevalent (n = 196, 81.7%), while Class III was the least frequent (n = 1, 0.4%). The association between the tooth type and SRP was statistically non-significant (p = 0.510).

CONCLUSIONS: In the evaluated sample of the Pakistani population, the most frequent type of the SRP of maxillary anterior teeth was Class I, which is most favorable for immediate implant placement. Furthermore, the labial bone in the maxillary esthetic zone was found to be mostly thin – LBT was within the range of 0.5-0.9 mm – which makes immediate implant placement in the anterior maxilla a challenge. The results of the present study could serve as a guide for clinicians in terms of appropriate patient selection for immediate implant placement in the maxillary esthetic zone.

PMID:38415388 | DOI:10.17219/dmp/133072

Dent Med Probl. 2024 Jan-Feb;61(1):71-76. doi: 10.17219/dmp/146663.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Porosity is a crucial parameter that affects the solubility, sealing and mechanical strength of a material. It plays a significant role in determining the success of treatment.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to evaluate and compare the porosity of different bioceramic-based materials, using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the study, 76 permanent lower first or second molars that had been extracted for periodontal reasons and were free of calcification, resorption, root cavities, fractures, or cracks, with discrete roots and complete root apex development were selected. In each of the 4 experimental groups, perforations were made in the furcation areas of 19 molars. Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) Angelus®, EndoSequence® Root Repair Material (ERRM), Biodentine™, and BioAggregate were placed on the perforated areas of the samples and scanned with a micro-CT to evaluate porosity. The pore volume and the pore percentage with regard to the closed, open and total porosity of these repair materials were calculated individually in each sample.

RESULTS: While no statistically significant differences were found between group I (MTA), group III (Biodentine) and group IV (BioAggregate) when evaluating the total pore percentage (p > 0.05), the parameter in group II (ERRM) was found to be significantly lower as compared to other groups (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: In comparison with the other materials used in this study, the use of ERRM may be more suitable for perforation repair.

PMID:38415383 | DOI:10.17219/dmp/146663

Future Oncol. 2024 Feb 28. doi: 10.2217/fon-2023-0995. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Elranatamab efficacy in the single-arm, registrational MagnetisMM-3 trial (NCT04649359) was compared with that of physician’s choice of treatment (PCT) for triple-class refractory multiple myeloma. MagnestisMM-3 eligibility criteria were applied to two USA-based oncology electronic health record databases, COTA and Flatiron Health (FH), to identify cohorts for this study (NCT05932290). Applied statistical techniques accounted for cohort imbalances. MagnetisMM-3 (BCMA-naive; n = 123) outcomes were compared with those from COTA (n = 239) and FH (n = 152). Elranatamab was associated with a significantly higher objective response rate (risk ratios, 1.88-2.25), significantly longer progression-free survival (hazard ratios [HRs], 0.37-0.57), and, across most analyses, significantly longer overall survival (HRs, 0.46-0.66) versus PCT. BCMA-naive patients who were treated with elranatamab exhibited significantly better outcomes than patients treated in real-world clinical practice.

PMID:38415370 | DOI:10.2217/fon-2023-0995

Laterality. 2024 Feb 28:1-15. doi: 10.1080/1357650X.2024.2315856. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The notion of an increased incidence of left handers among architects and visual artists has inspired both scientific theory building and popular discussion. However, a systematic exploration of the available publications provides, at best, modest evidence for this claim. The present preregistered observational study was designed to reinvestigate the postulated association by examining hand preference of visual artists who share their artistic activities as short video clips (“reels”) on the social media platform Instagram. Determining individual hand preference based on five reels for each of N = 468 artists, we identified 42 (8.97%) left handers, suggesting an incidence which is below but statistical comparable to the 10.6% expected for the general population (χ² = 1.30; p = .25; Cohen’s w = 0.05). Also, we did not find any support for the notion that the art created by left-handed artists is of higher quality than art of right handers, as no difference in public endorsement or interest were observed (reflected by the number of likes per post or account followers). Taken together, we do not find any support for difference in artistic engagement or quality between left and right handers.

PMID:38415348 | DOI:10.1080/1357650X.2024.2315856

J Dance Med Sci. 2024 Feb 28:1089313X241233717. doi: 10.1177/1089313X241233717. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To explore reconstructed identities of dancers who experienced an injury, using a model of identity reconstruction post-injury. Methods: An online questionnaire study with 145 dancers who had experienced a significant dance-related injury. Measures included a questionnaire measuring dancers’ reconstructed identities, injury perceptions and injury centrality to self-concept. Statistical analyses included factor analysis, regression analyses and discriminant analysis. Results: Four latent variables discovered “supernormal self,” “former self,” “middle self,” and “resentful self” reconstructed identities. Injury centrality to the self and specific injury perceptions were correlated with reconstructed identity scales in the predicted directions. Conclusions: The findings validated the existence of 4 distinct reconstructed identities associated with time distance from the injury. Classifying injured dancers according to these identities can help dance educators, practitioners and counselors detect dancers needing help and tailor counseling methods to modify the relevant injury perceptions.

PMID:38415345 | DOI:10.1177/1089313X241233717

Ecology. 2024 Feb 28:e4270. doi: 10.1002/ecy.4270. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Spatial synchrony is the tendency for population fluctuations to be correlated among different locations. This phenomenon is a ubiquitous feature of population dynamics and is important for ecosystem stability, but several aspects of synchrony remain unresolved. In particular, the extent to which any particular mechanism, such as dispersal, contributes to observed synchrony in natural populations has been difficult to determine. To address this gap, we leveraged recent methodological improvements to determine how dispersal structures synchrony in giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera), a global marine foundation species that has served as a useful system for understanding synchrony. We quantified population synchrony and fecundity with satellite imagery across 11 years and 880 km of coastline in southern California, USA, and estimated propagule dispersal probabilities using a high-resolution ocean circulation model. Using matrix regression models that control for the influence of geographic distance, resources (seawater nitrate), and disturbance (destructive waves), we discovered that dispersal was an important driver of synchrony. Our findings were robust to assumptions about propagule mortality during dispersal and consistent between two metrics of dispersal: (1) the individual probability of dispersal and (2) estimates of demographic connectivity that incorporate fecundity (the number of propagules dispersing). We also found that dispersal and environmental conditions resulted in geographic clusters with distinct patterns of synchrony. This study is among the few to statistically associate synchrony with dispersal in a natural population and the first to do so in a marine organism. The synchronizing effects of dispersal and environmental conditions on foundation species, such as giant kelp, likely have cascading effects on the spatial stability of biodiversity and ecosystem function.

PMID:38415343 | DOI:10.1002/ecy.4270

J Comp Eff Res. 2024 Feb 28:e230110. doi: 10.57264/cer-2023-0110. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Aim: Total joint arthroplasty (TJA) with multi-layer, watertight closure (MLWC) using knotless barbed suture and 2-octyl cyanoacrylate plus polymer mesh tape was compared with conventional closure (CC) using Vicryl™ sutures and staples. Patients & methods: Electronic medical records of patients undergoing TJA (1574: total knee arthroplasty; 580: total hip arthroplasty; 13: unknown) from a single surgeon at a US hospital (CC 2011 to 2013; MLWC 2015 to 2020) were reviewed. Outcomes were length of stay (LOS), discharge to skilled nursing facility (SNF), 90-day surgical site infection (SSI) and 90-day readmission. Logistic regression controlled for baseline characteristics. Adjusted interrupted time series (ITS) analyses accounted for decreasing trends in LOS and SNF discharge over time. Results: Among 2167 TJA cases (mean [standard deviation] age 66.0 [9.7] years, 53.3% female), 906 received CC and 1261 received MLWC. Bivariate analysis showed no statistically significant differences in 90-day SSI rates; however, MLWC patients had 60% lower 90-day readmission rates (1.5 vs 3.8%, p < 0.05), 44% lower LOS (1.4 vs 2.5 days, p < 0.05) and 40% lower discharge rates to a skilled care facility (8.5 vs 14.1%, p < 0.05). Multivariable analyses showed CC patients were 2.45-times more likely to be readmitted within 90 days, 1.88-times more likely to be discharged to SNF and had 1.67-times longer LOS compared with MLWC. ITS analyses showed a sharp decline in LOS (0.9 days) and discharge to SNF (5.6% incidence) after implementation of MLWC, followed by no further changes for the remainder of the study period. Conclusion: MLWC was associated with ≥40% reduction in 90-day readmission, LOS and SNF discharge compared with TJA CC. LOS and discharge rate to SNF declined sharply after the implementation of MLWC.

PMID:38415342 | DOI:10.57264/cer-2023-0110