Tag: pubmed

Accid Anal Prev. 2021 Sep 4;162:106391. doi: 10.1016/j.aap.2021.106391. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The current study aims to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on road traffic collisions, fatalities, and injuries using time series analyses. To that aim, a database containing road collisions, fatalities, and slight injuries data from Greece were derived from the Hellenic Statistical Authority (HSA) and covered a ten-year timeframe (from January 2010 to August 2020. The chosen time period contained normal operations, as well as the period of the first COVID-19-induced lockdown period in Greece. Three different Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA) time series models were implemented in order to compare the observed measurements to forecasted values that were intended to depict assumed conditions; namely, without the appearance of the COVID-19 pandemic. Modelling results revealed that the total number of road collisions, fatalities, and slightly injured were decreased, mainly due to the sharp traffic volume decrease. However, the percentage reduction of the collision variables and traffic volume were found to be disproportionate, which probably indicates that more collisions occurred with regard to the prevailing traffic volume. An additional finding is that fatalities and slightly injured rates were significantly increased during the lockdown period and the subsequent month. Overall, it can be concluded that a worse performance was identified in terms of road safety. Since subsequent waves of COVID-19 cases and other pandemics may reappear in the future, the outcomes of the current study may be exploited for the improvement of road safety from local authorities and policymakers.

PMID:34525414 | DOI:10.1016/j.aap.2021.106391

Cell Stem Cell. 2021 Sep 14:S1934-5909(21)00343-X. doi: 10.1016/j.stem.2021.08.006. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Doxorubicin is an anthracycline chemotherapy agent effective in treating a wide range of malignancies, but its use is limited by dose-dependent cardiotoxicity. A recent genome-wide association study identified a SNP (rs2229774) in retinoic acid receptor-γ (RARG) as statistically associated with increased risk of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity. Here, we show that human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) from patients with rs2229774 and who suffered doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC) are more sensitive to doxorubicin. We determine that the mechanism of this RARG variant effect is mediated via suppression of topoisomerase 2β (TOP2B) expression and activation of the cardioprotective extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) pathway. We use patient-specific hiPSC-CMs as a drug discovery platform, determining that the RARG agonist CD1530 attenuates DIC, and we confirm this cardioprotective effect in an established in vivo mouse model of DIC. This study provides a rationale for clinical prechemotherapy genetic screening for rs2229774 and a foundation for the clinical use of RARG agonist treatment to protect cancer patients from DIC.

PMID:34525346 | DOI:10.1016/j.stem.2021.08.006

J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A. 2021 Sep;31(9):969-977. doi: 10.1089/lap.2021.0477. Epub 2021 Aug 17.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: For the past 20 years, robotic surgical systems have been used for the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). The da Vinci Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical, Inc.) has been one of the most used robotic platforms. This study aims to retrospectively compare the performance of two models of surgical robots. Materials and Methods: A retrospective comparative study was conducted from a prospective database including all patients who underwent robotic RYGB (RRYGB) from 2011 to 2020. Results: Of a total of 277 patients included, 134 were in the RRYGB using the da Vinci S™ (RRYGB-S™) group and 143 were in the RRYGB using the da Vinci Xi™ (RRYGB-Xi™) group. The mean operative time in the RRYGB-S and RRYGB-Xi groups was 154 ± 28 and 151 ± 32 minutes, respectively (P = .510). The was no statistically significant difference in terms of intraoperative complications between the groups with regard to positive blue test, bleeding, and failure of stapler line. The readmission rate was higher in the RRGB-S group (14.1%) than in the RRYGB-Xi group (3.4%) (P = .004), and it was mainly due to major complications (P = .003) including pouch and gastrojejunostomy anastomotic leaks (P = .001). The nonsurgical complications were statistically significantly higher in the RRYGB-S group (7.4%) than in the RRYGB-Xi group (2.1%) (P < .05), as well as the surgical complications were higher in the RRYGB-S group (7.5%) than in the RRYGB-Xi group (0%) (P < .001). The mean percentage of the total weight loss at 1 and 2 years of follow-up did not show any statistically significant difference (P = .547). Conclusions: The higher complication rate in the S surgical system might be correlated with the initial learning curve and stressed the need for proper robotic surgical training and accurate strategies when introducing emerging technologies into the surgical practice.

PMID:34525316 | DOI:10.1089/lap.2021.0477

Acta Physiol (Oxf). 2021 Sep 15:e13729. doi: 10.1111/apha.13729. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: Slc26a9 is a member of the Slc26 multifunctional anion transporter family. Polymorphisms in Slc26a9 are associated with an increased incidence of meconium ileus and diabetes in cystic fibrosis patients. We investigated the expression of Slc26a9 in the murine pancreatic ducts, islets and parenchyma, and elucidated its role in pancreatic ductal electrolyte and fluid secretion and endocrine function.

METHODS: Pancreatic Slc26a9 and CFTR mRNA expression, fluid and bicarbonate secretion were assessed in slc26a9^-/- mice and their age- and sex-matched wild-type (wt) littermates. Glucose and insulin tolerance tests were performed.

RESULTS: Compared with stomach, the mRNA expression of Slc26a9 was low in pancreatic parenchyma, 20-fold higher in microdissected pancreatic ducts than parenchyma, and very low in islets. CFTR mRNA was ∼ 10fold higher than Slc26a9 mRNA expression in each pancreatic cell type. Significantly reduced pancreatic fluid secretory rates and impaired glucose tolerance were observed in female slc26a9^-/- mice, whereas alterations in male mice did not reach statistical significance. No significant difference was observed in peripheral insulin resistance in slc26a9^-/- compared to sex- and aged-matched wt controls. In contrast, isolated slc26a9^-/- islets in short term culture displayed no difference in insulin content, but a significantly reduced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion compared to age- and sex-matched wt islets, suggesting that the impaired glucose tolerance is a pancreatic defect.

CONCLUSIONS: Deletion of Slc26a9 is associated with a reduction in pancreatic fluid secretion and impaired glucose tolerance in female mice. The results underline the importance of Slc26a9 in pancreatic physiology.

PMID:34525257 | DOI:10.1111/apha.13729

Horm Mol Biol Clin Investig. 2021 Sep 16. doi: 10.1515/hmbci-2021-0021. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The incidence of metabolic syndrome is increasing even at younger ages. Metabolic syndrome constitutes a group of cardiovascular risk factors that include high cholesterol, triacylglycerol, hyperglycemia, central obesity, etc., which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, may be even cancer. Indian students enter colleges just after crossing their adolescent age and will be exposed to greater academic stress. Psychological stress or depression is associated with transient change in thyroid hormones level or dysfunction. To explore an association among serum Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) levels, fT3:fT4 ratio, psychological stress scores, and selected known cardio-metabolic risk markers.

METHODS: Forty first year MBBS students were included. Their demographic, anthropometric variables, and the blood pressure were documented. Serum TSH, fT3, fT4, and salivary cortisol level was quantified. The stress level was assessed using Cohen Perceived Stress Scale Scoring. Data were expressed in mean ± standard deviation. Data (parametric/non-parametric) were compared by Independent unpaired ANOVA or Kruskal Wallis test whichever is appropriate. Spearmen correlation analysis was performed.

RESULTS: Serum TSH and Cohen stress score are negatively correlated (r=-0.152), but serum cortisol showed (r=0.763) a positive correlation. TSH levels and the marks obtained in the summative assessments were negatively correlated and the correlation was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS: The psychological stress is associated with low serum TSH, high cortisol, and poor academic performance in first year MBBS students. Blood pressure, plasma glucose, and anthropometric measures were not associated with the psychological stress.

PMID:34525272 | DOI:10.1515/hmbci-2021-0021

Int J Clin Pract. 2021 Sep 15:e14873. doi: 10.1111/ijcp.14873. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To assess functions of the lower urinary tract (LUT) in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: 36 patients (18 males and 18 females) with MG and 29 healthy controls were enrolled. Participants completed a 3-day voiding diary and responded to questionnaires “Overactive Bladder Symptom Score” (OABSS) and “International Consultation on Incontinence-Short Form” (ICIQ-SF). All patients underwent uroflowmetry and ultrasonography (US). The data were compared based on the onset of disease and serological status.

RESULTS: The most common urinary symptoms were nocturia (80.5%), incontinence (61%), and urgency (47%). OABSS was higher in patients than controls (p= 0.008). Duration of urinary symptoms was longer and nocturia was more common in late-onset MG (LOMG) than in early-onset MG (EOMG) (p= 0.029, p= 0.023). The duration of disease and urinary symptoms statistically increased in ACh-Ab (-) group compared to ACh-Ab (+) group (p= 0.003, p= 0.027). Nighttime urination frequency significantly increased while daytime voided volume (VV) decreased in LOMG compared to EOMG (p= 0.003 and p= 0.01). Residual volume on the US was significantly higher in LOMG than that in EOMG (p= 0.004). The duration of disease was positively correlated with tQmax and daytime urination frequency (p= 0.013, r= 0.48; p= 0.016, r= 0.398). A negative association was found between duration of disease and daytime VV (p= 0.04, r= -0.344).

CONCLUSION: LUT dysfunction may manifest disease in MG, particularly in late-onset forms. The lack of ACh-Ab seemed to prolong the duration of disease and urinary disturbances.

PMID:34525243 | DOI:10.1111/ijcp.14873

Int J Clin Pract. 2021 Sep 15:e14871. doi: 10.1111/ijcp.14871. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: Hemodiallysis (HD) commonly leads to post-dialysis fatigue (PDF), and thus worsens the quality of life and the clinical outcomes. The aim of this study was to translate, linguistically validate, and determine the psychometric properties of the “Post-Dialysis Fatigue” Scale for Turkish HD patients.

STUDY DESIGN: A methodological study.

METHODS: The standard lingual translation and validation methods for the initial translation of the PDF Scale and then assessed the psychometric properties of reliability and validity of the translated scale. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Piper Fatigue Scale were used to assess concurrent and construct validity. Also, post-dialysis recovery time was used it as an indirect measurement method for PDF.

RESULTS: A total of 93 patients participated in the study. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of PDF was 0.773. There was a statistically significant relationship between the test and retest scores (ICC: 0.973; p < 0.001). PDF Scale was acceptable with 11 items. There was a positive correlation with a statistically significant relationship was present between the PDF scores and Piper Fatigue Scale (r= 0.488; p < 0.001) and VAS score (r= 0.656; p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the PDF scale and the post-dialysis recovery time (r= 0.270; p= 0.009), CONCLUSION: The study results have shown that the Turkish form of the PDF Scale is a valid and reliable tool in patients undergoing HD treatment. Post-dialysis recovery time may be used as an indirect measurement method to evaluate PDF.

PMID:34525246 | DOI:10.1111/ijcp.14871

Cytopathology. 2021 Sep 15. doi: 10.1111/cyt.13058. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Accurate and thorough data analysis and reporting are essential to ensure the interpretation of the findings is appropriate. A detailed methods section in a manuscript contains enough information to permit a researcher with access to the study components, including the data, to replicate the findings. This descriptive study of 2.5 years of Cytopathology articles uncovers opportunities to elevate the quality of methods and data reporting. The findings include approximately 4 out of 5 articles (79%) identified the calculations or statistical test, nearly 3 out of 4 articles (74%) that involved significance testing included the threshold for significance in the methods section, 7 out of 10 (70%) articles defined the abbreviations and/or symbols used, and roughly half (51%) of the articles documented the software used for analysis. Omission of any of these areas of reporting (calculations or statistics performed, significance level utilized, abbreviations and/or symbols applied, and software used) could lead to a misinterpretation in the reported study or the inability to replicate findings in similar research. This study identified that there is an opportunity to elevate the quality of data reporting in this journal.

PMID:34525237 | DOI:10.1111/cyt.13058

Head Neck. 2021 Sep 15. doi: 10.1002/hed.26868. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to assess the extent to which pretreatment depression or depressive symptoms are related to prognosis in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC).

METHODS: Medline, EMbase, Scopus, and The Cochrane Library databases were searched. A meta-analysis was done to generate a forest plot and pooled hazard ratio (HR) with 95% CI for overall survival (OS). RevMan 5.3 and Meta Essentials were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS: Based on seven studies involving 1743 patients, the results showed that HNC patients with pretreatment depression or depressive symptoms had worse OS than patients without depression or depressive symptoms, with an HR of 1.33, 95% CI 1.16-1.52, p = <0.0001. There is heterogeneity in the pooled summary effect (I² = 80%, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment depression or depressive symptoms may indicate worse OS in patients with HNC. The pooled analysis demonstrated a statistically significant effect. These results were limited by mild heterogeneity.

PMID:34525238 | DOI:10.1002/hed.26868

Crim Behav Ment Health. 2021 Sep 15. doi: 10.1002/cbm.2216. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: While the presence or absence of previous healthcare and criminal justice system (CJS) contacts in the histories of mentally ill offenders has been well-studied, the frequency of these contacts and when they occur in the period leading up to an index criminal event has received less research attention.

AIMS: To explore patterns of healthcare and CJS use in the year prior to a criminal act leading to a Not Criminally Responsible on Account of Mental Disorder (NCRMD) finding in Canada.

METHODS: In this 3-year retrospective records study, the case files of all patients newly admitted to the British Columbia forensic psychiatric system after a finding of NCRMD between 1st July 2012 and 31st July 2015 were reviewed. Data were extracted on healthcare and CJS use for the 12 months before the act leading to the NCRMD finding. Time-based descriptive statistics and two-step cluster analysis were used to investigate service use patterns.

RESULTS: Among 94 eligible patients, only four had no service contacts in the year leading up to the index event, leaving 90 in the cohort for further analysis. On average, these 90 patients had seven contacts with health or criminal justice services in the year prior to the index offence. Cluster analysis revealed a high healthcare pathway group who had had many healthcare and few CJS contacts; a limited service user group who had had few contacts of any kind and a heavy service user group who had had a high volume of contacts with both types of service providers.

CONCLUSIONS: The different patterns of patient contact prior to the index event imply that each practitioner-type has distinct and temporally relevant opportunities to provide preventative interventions to their patients or user groups.

PMID:34525231 | DOI:10.1002/cbm.2216