Tag: pubmed

Blood Res. 2022 Aug 3. doi: 10.5045/br.2022.2022057. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The pathophysiology underlying primary adult immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) has not yet been identified. However, many mechanisms affect the immune system, causing defective tolerance to self-platelets and megakaryocytes. Cluster of differentiation 40 (CD40) contributes to both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses.

METHODS: This case-control study was conducted to detect rs4810485G>T and rs1883832C>T polymorphisms of CD40 in Egyptian patients with persistent/chronic ITP to clarify their possible association with chronic disease evolution. This study included 50 patients with persistent/chronic ITP and 50 healthy controls. Genotyping was performed using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique.

RESULTS: Genotyping of rs1883832 and rs4810485 revealed no statistically significant differences between the two groups. However, combined gene polymorphism genotyping showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION: Our results indicate a strong association between the combined polymorphism of both genes and susceptibility to developing ITP among adult Egyptian patients. Targeting this pathway using novel therapeutic approaches is promising.

PMID:35920091 | DOI:10.5045/br.2022.2022057

J Chem Theory Comput. 2022 Aug 3. doi: 10.1021/acs.jctc.2c00393. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Present-day atomistic simulations generate long trajectories of ever more complex systems. Analyzing these data, discovering metastable states, and uncovering their nature are becoming increasingly challenging. In this paper, we first use the variational approach to conformation dynamics to discover the slowest dynamical modes of the simulations. This allows the different metastable states of the system to be located and organized hierarchically. The physical descriptors that characterize metastable states are discovered by means of a machine learning method. We show in the cases of two proteins, chignolin and bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor, how such analysis can be effortlessly performed in a matter of seconds. Another strength of our approach is that it can be applied to the analysis of both unbiased and biased simulations.

PMID:35920063 | DOI:10.1021/acs.jctc.2c00393

Vet Dermatol. 2022 Aug 3. doi: 10.1111/vde.13103. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Assessment of the severity of pruritus is difficult in cats, because they manifest discomfort by increased licking, increased scratching or both.

HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to develop and validate a feline-specific pruritus scale (VAScat).

METHODS: The scale was designed as a double Visual Analog Scale (VAS), one VAS for licking and one for scratching, with severity and behavioural descriptors. The highest score (VAS-max) on either VAS was taken as the pruritus score for each cat. Owners of 153 cats with skin diseases and of 108 healthy cats scored their pet’s pruritus using the VAScat. Ninety-six of 153 cats with skin diseases also were re-evaluated after four to eight weeks of treatment.

RESULTS: Pearson’s correlation value between VAS-licking and VAS-scratching scores was r = 0.26 (p < 0.01), and Cronbach’s alpha was 0.41. Both indexes indicated that the two scales measure different manifestations of pruritus and supported the use of a dual assessing system. Comparison with a numerical pruritus severity scale (0, absent; 1, mild; 2, moderate; 3, severe) suggested that VAS-licking and VAS-scratching scales taken alone are unsuitable for measuring absent to mild pruritus (grades 0-1), while VAS-max is (p = 0.001). VAS-licking, VAS-scratching and VAS-max all were suitable to assess higher levels of pruritus (grades 2-3, p < 0.01). The VAScat was able to measure pruritus improvement following therapy, as post-treatment scores were significantly decreased compared to pre-treatment ones (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The VAScat proved to be a useful tool to assess pruritus in cats and for monitoring the response to treatment for pruritus.

PMID:35920060 | DOI:10.1111/vde.13103

Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2022 Aug 3. doi: 10.1111/sms.14222. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Grounded in hedonic assumptions, evidence suggests that people tend to engage in activities they consider pleasurable and enjoyable, while trying to avoid pain and displeasure. This suggests that the dynamic between positive and negative affect can influence current behavior and the intentions to continue performing. Regarding resistance training (RT), research focusing on how to promote a better affective response is still scarce and much needed. Given existing limitations and theoretical suggestions, a RT program was developed and applied to recreational exercisers in a quasi-experimental design aiming to: (1) explore the affective response dynamic through a continuous assessment after the last set of each exercise; and (2) analyze possible differences of preference and tolerance profiles in affective variables (core affect and enjoyment). For that purpose, 43 participants (21 male and 22 female; M_age = 34.69 ± 6.71 years; M_experience = 8.32 ± 4.54 years; M_BMI = 24.26 ± 2.64 kg/m² ) accepted to participate in this study. Descriptive statistics, correlational, and group comparisons analyses were performed to provide evidence for proposed objectives. The present study showed that measures of affective valence/arousal applied immediately after a set represents a feasible and ecologically valid approach to tap core affect. Results presented evidence that recreationally trained exercisers in a common RT program would need a minimum of one measurement to assess the affective response. However, additional assessments could refine the understanding of exercise pleasurable experience. Results also suggest that exercisers with distinct profiles of preference/tolerance depicted differentiated patterns for the affective response, possibly justifying a distinct approach when promoting affective regulation.

PMID:35920056 | DOI:10.1111/sms.14222

J Esthet Restor Dent. 2022 Aug 3. doi: 10.1111/jerd.12945. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This pilot study was part of a larger study planned for the future which aimed to compare the clinical success of two different resin cements used in the cementation of CAD/CAM single-retainer monolithic zirconia ceramic resin-bonded fixed dentures (RBFPDs).

METHODS: Twenty-four RBFPDs were fabricated with monolithic zirconia (Katana™ Zirconia HT, Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc, Tokyo, Japan). Panavia F2.0 (PF2.0; n = 12) and Panavia V5 (PV5; n = 12) were used for cementation. The survival period was defined as the time when the restoration was placed in the mouth and lasted until an irreparable damage occurred. The repairable failures were identified as relative and irreparable failures were identified as absolute failure. The survival rate of the RBFPDs was determined by the Kaplan-Meier estimator. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS: The mean observation times of the PF2.0 group and the PV5 group were 40.45 ± 6.15 months and 40.18 ± 6.41 months, respectively. Four failures occurred in the PF2.0 group. No failure was observed in the PV5 group. The curves of survival rate (PF2.0 = 80%, PV5 = 100%) showed no statistically significant difference (p = 0.031), although success rate (PF2.0 = 66.7%, PV5 = 100%) showed statistically significant difference (p = 0.317).

CONCLUSION: Up to 40 months mean follow-up period, performance of RBFPDs bonded with PV5 was better than with PF2.0.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: For clinicians, it is a matter of hesitation to apply single-retainer RBFPDs. This study contains results of 40 months (minimum 32, maximum 50.47 months) clinical follow-ups of single-retainer RBFPDs. These results will enlighten clinicians about the clinical success of the resin cement type for single-retainer monolithic zirconia ceramic RBFPDs.

PMID:35920051 | DOI:10.1111/jerd.12945

Mycoses. 2022 Aug 3. doi: 10.1111/myc.13511. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Malassezia folliculitis (MF) is a humid-favored fungal skin disease caused by Malassezia species. Inaccurate treatments, changes in skin flora, and disease exacerbation are often occurred due to oversights in the diagnosis. Several diagnostic methods are established for MF.

OBJECTIVE: To identify clinico-laboratory findings of Malassezia folliculitis in Indonesia.

METHODS: The study was conducted from January 2014 to December 2018 in seven referral teaching hospitals. Medical records of MF-diagnosed patients were obtained and analyzed using the binomial test, chi-square test, and Cohen’s Kappa coefficient in SPSS 26.0.

RESULTS: A total of 353 cases of MF were identified in seven referral teaching hospitals in Indonesia, 66.3% of which were males and 33.7% were females, dominated by the 17-25 years old group (44.5%). Itchy sensation (83.9%) was a major subjective complaint. Lesions were majorly found on the trunk-chest, back, and shoulder (68.3%), while the clinical manifestation are mostly follicular papule-pustular lesions (62.1%). Patients were 87.4% positive by KOH examination (modified Jacinto Jamora’s criteria) and 69.1% positive by Wood’s lamp. Generally, sex, age, subjective complaint, lesion location, clinical manifestation, and both examinations were statistically significant (p<0.001). A significant relationship between all the clinical criteria of the patients in the KOH; especially the clinical manifestation was significantly related to the Wood’s lamp. The Cohen’s Kappa assessment suggested that there was an agreement between KOH and Wood’s lamp (κ = -0,272, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION: The clinical symptoms of Malassezia folliculitis are dominated by pruritus, papulopustular follicular lesions on the trunk, and the presence of spore load.

PMID:35920036 | DOI:10.1111/myc.13511

Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2022 Aug 3. doi: 10.1111/ggi.14429. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To investigate the association between medication use and long-term all-cause mortality in a Brazilian stroke cohort.

METHODS: Both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke were evaluated. Medication use was assessed as: never, only pre-stroke, only post-stroke, and continuous use. We evaluated anti-hypertensives, anti-diabetics, lipid-lowering drugs, anti-platelets, and anti-coagulants. Cox regression models were adjusted for sociodemographic and cardiovascular risk factors.

RESULTS: Among 1173 incident stroke cases (median age: 68; 86.8% were ischemic, 70% first-ever stroke), medication use was low (overall: 17.5% pre-stroke, 26.4% post-stroke, and 40% were under continuous use). Anti-hypertensives and anti-platelets (aspirin) were the continuous cardiovascular medications used most often, at 83.5% and 72%, respectively, while statins (39.7%) and anti-diabetics (31.3%) were the least used. Medication use (pre-stroke, post-stroke and continuous use) was associated with a reduction in all-cause mortality risk, particularly among those under continuous use (multivariable hazard ratio, 0.52; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.46-0.66) compared with never-users. Among ischemic stroke patients, this effect was similar (multivariable hazard ratio, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.40-0.68). No significant associations were evident among hemorrhagic stroke patients.

CONCLUSIONS: The risk of all-cause mortality was reduced by 48% among those with ischemic stroke under continuous use of medications. Secondary prevention should be emphasized more strongly in clinical practice. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; ••: ••-••.

PMID:35920018 | DOI:10.1111/ggi.14429

Cancer Res. 2022 Aug 3;82(15):2674-2677. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-21-2978.

ABSTRACT

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition that P values, albeit useful in reporting data analysis results, have often been misused or misinterpreted in biomedical research. The emergence of big health data such as genomics data and electronic health records, sometimes combined with inadequate experimental design, has exacerbated this problem, which has become a major cause of the ongoing crisis in reproducibility in biomedical research. We aim to shed light and raise awareness of common misuses and pitfalls of P values and discuss potential mitigation strategies that leverage state-of-the-art statistical methods. The best practices always start with a sound study design including a robust data collection strategy to minimize data bias and a carefully thought-out analysis plan that can address potential misuses and pitfalls of P values. We highly encourage biomedical researchers to engage and involve statisticians from the very beginning of their studies.

PMID:35919988 | DOI:10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-21-2978

J R Soc Interface. 2022 Aug;19(193):20220123. doi: 10.1098/rsif.2022.0123. Epub 2022 Aug 3.

ABSTRACT

Timely forecasts of the emergence, re-emergence and elimination of human infectious diseases allow for proactive, rather than reactive, decisions that save lives. Recent theory suggests that a generic feature of dynamical systems approaching a tipping point-early warning signals (EWS) due to critical slowing down (CSD)-can anticipate disease emergence and elimination. Empirical studies documenting CSD in observed disease dynamics are scarce, but such demonstration of concept is essential to the further development of model-independent outbreak detection systems. Here, we use fitted, mechanistic models of measles transmission in four cities in Niger to detect CSD through statistical EWS. We find that several EWS accurately anticipate measles re-emergence and elimination, suggesting that CSD should be detectable before disease transmission systems cross key tipping points. These findings support the idea that statistical signals based on CSD, coupled with decision-support algorithms and expert judgement, could provide the basis for early warning systems of disease outbreaks.

PMID:35919978 | DOI:10.1098/rsif.2022.0123

Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2022 Aug 3:zwac148. doi: 10.1093/eurjpc/zwac148. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There are several risk scores designed to predict mortality in patients with heart failure (HF).

AIM: To assess performance of risk scores validated for mortality prediction in patients with acute HF (AHF) and chronic HF.

METHODS: MEDLINE and Scopus were searched from January 2015 to January 2021 for studies which internally or externally validated risk models for predicting all-cause mortality in patients with AHF and chronic HF. Discrimination data were analyzed using C-statistics, and pooled using generic inverse-variance random-effects model.

RESULTS: Nineteen studies (n = 494,156 patients; AHF:24,762; chronic HF mid-term mortality:62,000; chronic HF long-term mortality:452,097) and 11 risk scores were included. Overall, discrimination of risk scores was good across the three subgroups: AHF mortality (C-statistic:0.76, [0.68-0.83]), chronic HF mid-term mortality (1 year; C-statistic:0.74, [0.68-0.79]) and chronic HF long-term mortality (≥2 years; C-statistic:0.71, [0.69-0.73]). MEESSI-AHF (C-statistic:0.81, [0.80-0.83]) and MARKER-HF (C-statistic:0.85, [0.80-0.89]) had excellent discrimination for AHF and chronic HF mid-term mortality respectively, whereas MECKI had good discrimination (C-statistic:0.78, [0.73-0.83]) for chronic HF long-term mortality relative to other models. Overall, risk scores predicting short-term mortality in patients with AHF did not have evidence of poor calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow p > 0.05). However, risk models predicting mid-term and long-term mortality in patients with chronic HF varied in calibration performance.

CONCLUSIONS: Majority of recently validated risk scores showed good discrimination for mortality in patients with HF. MEESSI-AHF demonstrated excellent discrimination in patients with AHF, and MARKER-HF and MECKI displayed excellent discrimination in patients with chronic HF. However, modest reporting of calibration and lack of head-to-head comparisons in same populations warrant future studies.

PMID:35919956 | DOI:10.1093/eurjpc/zwac148