Tag: pubmed

PLoS One. 2022 Oct 19;17(10):e0276391. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276391. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Hot flashes, the most bothering symptom of menopause, are linked to a metabolic inflammation. Due to estrogen deficiency in menopause, dysbiosis is observed. The intestinal barrier affects the interaction of microbiota in healthy or unhealthy individuals. This study investigates the relationship between hot flashes and gut permeability in postmenopausal women.

PARTICIPANTS AND DESIGN: In this cross-sectional study, we divided 289 women, aged 40-65 years, into four groups based on their hot-flash severity: HF0: never experienced hot flashes; HFm: mild hot flashes; HFM: moderate hot flashes; HFS: severe hot flashes. The measured variables included the clinical parameters; hot flashes experience; fasting plasma levels of zonulin, fatty acid binding protein 2 (FABP2), endotoxin, and cytokines/chemokines. We used multiple linear regression analysis to evaluate the relationship between hot flashes and the previously mentioned gut barrier proteins.

SETTINGS: The study was performed in a hospital medical center.

RESULTS: The hot flashes had a positive tendency toward increased levels of circulating FABP2 (P-trend = 0.001), endotoxin (P-trend = 0.031), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (P-trend = 0.033), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (P-trend = 0.017), and interferon-inducible protein-10 (IP10) (P-trend = 0.021). Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed significant correlations of FABP2 with endotoxin, TNF-α, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, IP10, and hs-CRP in the 289 postmenopausal women included in this study. Linear regression analysis revealed that hot-flash severity had significant assoiciations with FABP2 (P-trend = 0.002), but not with zonulin. After adjusting for body mass index, age, and menopause duration, multivariate linear regression analysis revealed the differences between HFs (% difference (95% confidence interval), 22.36 (8.04, 38.59), P = 0.01) and HF0 groups in terms of FABP2 levels.

CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that hot flashes are significantly associated with FABP2 levels in postmenopausal women. It suggests that severe hot flashes are linked to an increase in intestinal barrier permeability and low-grade systemic inflammation.

PMID:36260646 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0276391

J Sci Food Agric. 2022 Oct 19. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.12282. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Rice-duck coculture is an ecological agricultural mode; however, the nutritional and environmental benefits of transforming from conventional rice monoculture to rice-duck coculture are unknown. Based on survey data and the life-cycle assessment approach, this study conducted a carbon footprint evaluation of conventional rice monoculture (CR), organic rice monoculture (OR), and organic rice-duck coculture (ORD) using different functional units.

RESULTS: The carbon footprint per hectare of ORD (7842±284 kg CO₂ eq ha^-1 ) was slightly lower than that of CR (7905±412 kg CO₂ eq ha^-1 ), while higher than that of OR (7786±235 kg CO₂ eq ha^-1 ). Although the rice yield of ORD was slightly lower than that of CR, its nutrient density unit (NDU) did not decrease significantly due to the additional duck yield. Thus, the carbon footprint per NDU of ORD was significantly lower than that of OR by 24.3% (p<0.05) and was 5.8% higher than that of CR, but this was not statistically significant. Due to the higher economic profits of ORD, its unit of carbon footprint per economic profit was significantly reduced (by 47.1-75.7%) compared with the other two farming modes, while the net ecosystem economic budget was significantly increased by 98.5-341.9% (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Transforming from a rice monoculture to a coculture system will contribute to a win-win situation for human health and environmental sustainability. This study highlighted the abundant nutritional output function of the rice-duck coculture and analyzed the urgency and necessity of transitioning from traditional agriculture to ecological agriculture from the production and consumption perspectives. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:36260409 | DOI:10.1002/jsfa.12282

J Med Internet Res. 2022 Oct 19;24(10):e36767. doi: 10.2196/36767.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Patients’ knowledge was found to be a key contributor to the success of therapy. Many efforts have been made to educate patients in their disease. However, research found that many patients still lack knowledge regarding their disease. Integrating patient education into social media platforms can bring materials closer to recipients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to test the effectiveness of patient education via Instagram.

METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted to test the effectiveness of patient education via Instagram among patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Participants were recruited online from the open Instagram page of a patient organization. The intervention group was educated via Instagram for 5 weeks by the research team; the control group did not receive any educational intervention. The knowledge about their disease was measured pre- and postintervention using the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Knowledge questionnaire. Data were analyzed by comparing mean knowledge scores and by regression analysis. The trial was purely web based.

RESULTS: In total, 49 participants filled out both questionnaires. The intervention group included 25 participants, and the control group included 24 participants. The preintervention knowledge level of the intervention group was reflected as a score of 18.67 out of 24 points; this improved by 3 points to 21.67 postintervention. The postintervention difference between the control and intervention groups was 3.59 points and was statistically significant (t_32.88=-4.56, 95% CI 1.98-5.19; P<.001). Results of the regression analysis, accounting for preintervention knowledge and group heterogeneity, indicated an increase of 3.33 points that was explained by the intervention (P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Patient education via Instagram is an effective way to increase disease-related knowledge. Future studies are needed to assess the effects in other conditions and to compare different means of patient education.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00022935; https://tinyurl.com/bed4bzvh.

PMID:36260385 | DOI:10.2196/36767

J Med Internet Res. 2022 Oct 19;24(10):e38729. doi: 10.2196/38729.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In recent years, there has been an increase in the use of digital technology for personal health and well-being. Previous research has revealed that these technologies might provide vulnerable populations, including those who are homeless, better access to health services and thus a greater chance of more personalized care.

OBJECTIVE: However, little is known about the relationship between technology and health among people experiencing homelessness in Central and Eastern Europe. This study is part of a series of studies by the Digital Health Research Group at Semmelweis University (Budapest, Hungary) in cooperation with the Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta; it aims to assess the existing technological resources available for the homeless population and their health-related internet use characteristics to set the ground for potential health policy interventions, enabling better access to health services by strengthening the digital components of the existing health care system.

METHODS: Between April 19, 2021, and August 11, 2021, a total of 662 people from 28 institutions providing social services for people experiencing homelessness in Budapest, Hungary, were surveyed about their access to digital tools and internet use patterns. For selected questions, the responses of a representative sample of the Hungarian population were used for comparison as the reference group. Chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses were performed to identify variables affecting internet use for health-related reasons.

RESULTS: The results demonstrated a considerable level of internet use in the homeless population; 52.9% (350/662) of the respondents used the internet frequently compared with 81.3% (1220/1500) of the respondents in the reference group. Among the homeless group, 69.6% (461/662) of the respondents reported mobile phone ownership, and 39.9% (264/662) of the respondents added that it had a smartphone function. Moreover, 11.2% (70/662) of the respondents had already used a health mobile app, and 34.6% (229/662) of the respondents had used the internet for medical purposes. On the basis of these characteristics, we were able to identify a broadly defined, digitally engaged group among people experiencing homelessness (129/662, 19.5%). This subpopulation was inclined to benefit from digitalization related to their personal health. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that internet use for health reasons was more significant for younger respondents, women, those with higher levels of education, and those with no chronic conditions.

CONCLUSIONS: Although compared with the general population, health-related internet use statistics are lower, our results show that the idea of involving homeless populations in the digital health ecosystem is viable, especially if barriers to access are systematically reduced. The results show that digital health services have great promise as another tool in the hands of community shelters for keeping homeless populations well ingrained in the social infrastructure as well as for disease prevention purposes.

PMID:36260379 | DOI:10.2196/38729

West Afr J Med. 2022 Oct 20;39(10):1021-1025.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused millions of mortalities globally. Although the prevalence and fatality rates of COVID-19 among adolescents is low, its impact on their health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is not adequately known. This study was carried out to determine the burden COVID-19 pandemic has on the HRQoL of adolescents.

METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out among adolescents in public and private secondary schools in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select the schools and recruit the participants in April/May 2021. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire containing the participants’ socio-demographic characteristics, questions on being burdened by COVID-19 pandemic, and the KIDSCREEN-10 tool for assessing the HRQoL. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 25.0 and a p-value of < 0.05 was regarded as significant.

RESULTS: A total of 405 adolescents participated in the study with a mean age of 14.6 ± 2.06 years. Majority (52.8%) of the participants were girls. More than half (53.3%) of the participants reported being burdened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, 45.7% of the participants experienced a lower HRQoL. There was a statistically significant association between being burdened by the COVID-19 pandemic and their HRQoL (χ2 = 7.108, p = 0.01). In addition, the participants’ HRQoL was significantly associated with their age (χ2= 5.112, p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION: This study highlights the significant burden of COVID-19 pandemic on adolescents’ wellbeing. Therefore, there is the need to intensify health intervention strategies among adolescents to reduce the physical, emotional, and mental burden imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic in order to optimize their quality of life.

PMID:36260339

Infection. 2022 Oct 19. doi: 10.1007/s15010-022-01944-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The dominant route of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is airborne, through respiratory transmission by aerosols or droplets which can be measured by viral load in exhaled air. Several natural substances have shown antiviral activity. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the effect of a chewing gum containing natural antiseptic ingredients (cinnamon-, peppermint- and lemon-oil, quercetin, spermidine, ginger and ginseng) on viral load in exhalative air in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2.

METHODS: Nine patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 were enrolled and exhaled forcefully into a special mouthpiece at different time points before and after chewing the antiseptic gum. The mouthpiece contained a filter paper serving for extraction of coronaviruses following real-time PCR to quantify the viral load.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Cycle threshold (Ct) values of all patients increased after chewing the gum. The mean difference between the Ct values at baseline (before chewing the antiseptic gum) and time point 30 min (15 min after chewing) was 3.8 ± 2.6; (93% viral load reduction; p = 0.002). Time point 15 min (2.7 ± 1.7 (83% viral load reduction; p = 0.003)), 60 min (3.0 ± 3.4 (88% viral load reduction; p = 0.028)), 90 min (3.7 ± 1.8 (92% viral load reduction; p = 0.004)) and 120 min (3.0 ± 3.7 (91% viral load reduction; p = 0.05)) showed similar results. The antiseptic chewing gum demonstrated a significant potential to reduce SARS-CoV-2 viral load in exhalative air and, in this way, reduce further spread and infection risk. Larger placebo-controlled clinical trials are required to confirm these findings further.

PMID:36260282 | DOI:10.1007/s15010-022-01944-2

Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2022 Oct 19. doi: 10.1007/s40368-022-00758-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of the hands-eyes-mouth distraction technique (HEM-DT) in reducing anxiety and pain levels and improving the behaviour of pre-school children during inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) administration to that of the covering patient’s vision technique (CPV-T).

METHODS: This study included 52 children aged 3-5 years old with primary dentition, no history of receiving local anaesthesia, and whose treatments required an IANB. These children were randomly assigned into two groups: HEM-DT (G1; n = 26) and CPV-T (G2; n = 26). Anxiety and pain levels were assessed using the Facial Image Scale and the Wong-Baker Scale, respectively, while the patient’s behaviour was evaluated using the Frankl Behaviour Scale. This study was divided into two sessions including the treatment session (administration of IANB) and the control session (7 days after anaesthesia). Chi-square test, the Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon test were used for statistical analyses.

RESULTS: The patients’ anxiety levels did not increase 7 days after IANB in G1 (p value = 0.798); however, higher anxiety levels were observed in the G2 group (p value = 0.039). No significant differences in pain levels and behaviour were observed between the groups during administration of anaesthesia (p value > 0.005).

CONCLUSION: HEM-DT and CPV-T showed efficacy in terms of pain and behaviour during IANB administration. Pre-school children in the HEM-DT group exhibited lower anxiety levels in the control session.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER AND DATE OF REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02591797). October 28, 2015.

PMID:36260279 | DOI:10.1007/s40368-022-00758-y

Aging Clin Exp Res. 2022 Oct 19. doi: 10.1007/s40520-022-02278-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Anxiety is common in older patients suffering from lumbar disc herniation. Postoperative delirium is related to poor prognosis. But the relationship between preoperative anxiety and postoperative delirium among older patients undergoing elective surgery for lumbar disc herniation is not clear.

AIMS: The study aimed to investigate if preoperative anxiety is an independent risk factor of postoperative delirium among older patients undergoing elective surgery for lumbar disc herniation.

METHODS: The medical records of 1290 patients undergoing elective surgery for lumbar disc herniation at a single institution from 2016 through 2021 were reviewed. Of 863 eligible patients, 225 (26.1%) patients had been diagnosed with anxiety by a board-certified psychiatrist and constituted the Anxiety group; the remaining 638 patients constituted the no-anxiety group. The demographics, baseline, operative variable and postoperative complications were collected and compared between the two groups. The primary outcome of this study was the incidence of delirium, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition, during a hospital stay after surgery for lumbar disc herniation. The relationship between anxiety and postoperative delirium was determined through multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS: The demographics and comorbidity were similar between the two groups, except for age, sex, alcohol use and cerebrovascular disease. The operative variables were different between the two groups. The incidence of postoperative complications other than postoperative delirium was also similar between the two groups. In total, 86 patients (9.97%) had an episode of postoperative delirium, with anxiety group patients experiencing approximately a twofold higher rate (15.6% vs 7.99%). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, anxiety was an independent predictor of postoperative delirium in older patients undergoing elective surgery for lumbar disc herniation (OR 2.228, 95% CI 1.494-3.416, p = 0.009).

CONCLUSION: This study suggests that anxiety is an independent risk factor of postoperative delirium among older patients undergoing elective surgery for lumbar disc herniation. Preoperative anxiety assessment can help to identify older patients at high risk of postoperative delirium and facilitate perioperative management of older patients undergoing elective surgery for lumbar disc herniation.

PMID:36260215 | DOI:10.1007/s40520-022-02278-7

Clin Oral Investig. 2022 Oct 19. doi: 10.1007/s00784-022-04753-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to describe and compare the features of the buccal peri-implant mucosa to natural gingiva in the aesthetic area.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-nine periodontally healthy patients were included in this cross-sectional study. Mucosal and gingival dimensions at the mid-facial aspect were evaluated clinically and radiographically. Color assessments were performed using a reflectance spectrophotometer, and patient aesthetic satisfaction was further checked.

RESULTS: Implant sites revealed significant thicker mucosa when compared to tooth sites both at 1.5 (p < 0.001) and 3 mm (p < 0.001) apical to the mucosal margin. Both conventional and digital methods presented a good reliability. The spectrophotometric data revealed a statistically significant color difference between the peri-implant mucosa and the gingiva. However, there was no further significant relation between these color changes and the mucosal thickness.

CONCLUSIONS: Peri-implant mucosa revealed a darkish, greenish, and bluish discoloration when compared to the gingiva. More satisfactory patient´s aesthetic evaluation was reported in sites with thicker and comparatively lighter mucosa when compared to the adjacent dentition.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This article focuses on variables affecting color stability and aesthetics around dental implants. These can be assessed to identify the need for peri-implant phenotypic modification.

PMID:36260169 | DOI:10.1007/s00784-022-04753-x

Clin Oral Investig. 2022 Oct 19. doi: 10.1007/s00784-022-04738-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To assess the influence of estrogen deficiency on tooth eruption rate (TER) and gene expression of estrogen receptor alpha and beta (ERα and ERβ) in the odontogenic region of teeth with continuous formation in a rat model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ovariectomies (OVX; n = 25) and sham surgeries (SHAM; n = 25) were performed in female Wistar rats when animals were 25 days old. The TER of the lower incisors, both in impeded (hyperfunction condition) and unimpeded (trimmed incisal edge-hypofunction condition) conditions, was evaluated using standardized digital photographs acquired every 48-72 h for 3 weeks (35th-53rd day of life), using a camera coupled to a stereomicroscope. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to evaluate the relative gene expression of ERα and ERβ in the odontogenic region.

RESULTS: The OVX group showed a significant reduction in TER when compared to the SHAM group, only in the impeded condition (p = 0.03). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in ERα gene expression (p = 0.33). ERβ showed a significantly higher gene expression in the OVX group (p ≤ 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Estrogen deficiency decreases TER in teeth under impeded condition. Estrogen deficiency also increases ERβ gene expression in the odontogenic region of teeth with continuous formation.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Hormonal disturbances affecting estrogen levels can cause alterations in dental formation and teeth eruption.

PMID:36260168 | DOI:10.1007/s00784-022-04738-w