Tag: pubmed

Andrology. 2022 Oct 18. doi: 10.1111/andr.13317. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Conventional serum tumor markers (STMs) for testicular germ cell tumors (GCTs) offer limited performance with particularly poor sensitivity in cases of minimal residual disease and pure seminoma. While growing evidence has indicated miR-371a-3p to be a superior biomarker, its utility in detecting pure seminoma at recurrence has not been extensively explored. This study’s objective was to explore miR-371a-3p’s utility in detecting metastatic pure seminoma at retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND).

METHODS: RNA was isolated from patient serum samples collected pre-RPLND. Fifteen patients were assigned to our ‘Benign’ (n = 6) or ‘Seminoma’ (n = 9) group based on pathological confirmation of viable seminoma. Five of the patients received chemotherapy before RPLND (PC-RPLND) and ten were chemotherapy naïve. MiR-371a-3p expression was quantified via RT-qPCR. The Cq values were statistically evaluated to obtain performance measurements.

RESULTS: Median relative expression of miR-371a-3p was higher in the Seminoma group than the Benign, but this difference was not statistically significant (Rq = 3705 and 241, respectively, p = 0.2844). Of the 10 chemotherapy naïve patients, 9 had viable seminoma at RPLND and 7 had elevated miR-371a-3p expression. Among the 5 post-chemotherapy patients, 0 had viable GCT at RPLND and 2 had elevated miR-371a-3p expression. The primary RPLND group presented 78% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Specificity in the PC-RPLND group was 60%. An optimal Rq threshold of 28.62 was determined by Youden’s J statistic, yielding 78% sensitivity and 67% specificity. ROC analysis provided an AUC of 0.704 (95% CI: 0.43-0.98, p = 0.1949). Despite modest performance, miR-371a-3p exhibited improved sensitivity and specificity compared with conventional STMs.

CONCLUSIONS: MiR-371a-3p outperformed STMs in the primary RPLND settings. However, miR-371a-3p was not a robust predictor of pathology in the post-chemotherapy setting. These results suggest that pure seminoma at RPLND is a clinical context wherein the miRNA assay may require further refinement. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:36254623 | DOI:10.1111/andr.13317

Cogn Behav Ther. 2022 Oct 18:1-20. doi: 10.1080/16506073.2022.2130820. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Self-compassion is the ability to offer oneself kindness and compassion in response to failure, suffering, or insecurity. Learning how to be self-compassionate through self-compassion training appears effective for improving psychological well-being in community samples and promising for clinical populations. The current randomized controlled trial was designed to (a) examine the effectiveness of a self-guided self-compassion training program; and (b) determine whether self-compassion training can help mitigate social anxiety disorder (SAD) symptoms. Adults with SAD (n = 63; Mage = 34.3, SD = 11.4; 67.8% female; 84.7% Caucasian) were randomized to a waitlist control condition, a self-guided self-compassion training condition, or a self-guided applied relaxation training condition for six weeks. Outcome measures of SAD symptoms and self-compassion were completed pre-, mid-, and post-treatment, as well as at 3-months follow-up. Multilevel linear modelling results suggested the self-compassion training program was statistically superior at improving outcome measures relative to the waitlist control condition (ps < .05; η²_ps = .12-.33), but not relative to the applied relaxation training condition (ps > .05; η²_ps = .01-.05). Self-compassion training produced greater clinically significant gains in self-compassion and reductions in fear of self-compassion compared to both the waitlist condition and applied relaxation training. The current trial provides preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of a self-help self-compassion training program and provides evidence that self-compassion training may be beneficial for managing clinically significant SAD symptoms.

PMID:36254613 | DOI:10.1080/16506073.2022.2130820

J Prosthodont. 2022 Oct 18. doi: 10.1111/jopr.13612. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of CAD-CAM technique (monolithic, CAD-on, or CAD-on cemented) and thermomechanical fatigue on the marginal discrepancy and fracture load of ceramic crowns.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 90 brass master dies were fabricated to investigate marginal adaptation and fracture load. A mandibular first molar crown’s median measurements were loaded into CAD software and divided into 2 crown design groups: Monolithic (M)(IPS e.max zirCAD)(n = 30) or CAD-on core (IPS e.max zirCAD) and lithium disilicate veneer (IPS e.max CAD) (n = 60). The crowns and cores were milled, seated on their respective dies, and marginal discrepancy values were measured by using microcomputed tomography. After veneers were milled, the cores in veneer groups were divided into 2 groups; veneers bonded with fusion glass-ceramic (IPS e.max CAD Crystal) in CAD-on group (CO) and CAD-on cemented group (CO-C) where veneers were cemented (RelyX U200) onto cores (CO-C). The marginal discrepancy measurements were remade and the crowns were subjected to thermomechanical fatigue (TMF) by using a chewing simulator and thermocycling (5-55°C, 1,200,000 cycles). Marginal discrepancy measurements were repeated and the crowns were subjected to fracture load test by using a universal test device. Data were analyzed statistically by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s honestly significant difference test (α = 0.05).

RESULTS: All crown groups had similar marginal discrepancy before veneering. Veneering and cementation on die increased the marginal discrepancy of crowns in cemented CAD-on group. Thermomechanical fatigue increased the marginal discrepancy of both CAD-on groups. Monolithic crown group had the lowest marginal discrepancy after thermomechanical fatigue (P<0.001), and the highest fracture load (P<0.001) CONCLUSIONS: Fabrication technique affected the marginal fit and fracture load of CAD-CAM crowns after thermomechanical fatigue. All crowns survived the thermomechanical fatigue test without dislodgement or fracture. Monolithic crowns had the best fit and highest fracture load after fatigue testing. The CAD-on systems had similar marginal discrepancies, and static loading reproduced veneer chipping. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:36254611 | DOI:10.1111/jopr.13612

J Craniofac Surg. 2022 Oct 18. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000009066. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Simultaneous Le Fort III/I (LF III/I) osteotomies are often performed when a differential advancement of the upper and lower midface is needed. This study aims to evaluate midface position preoperative and 1 week postoperative in patients with severe midface hypoplasia. In addition, this study aims to compare the planned surgical movements to the actual postoperative movements.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted using cephalometry for patients treated with a simultaneous LF III/I osteotomy at a single institution. Osteotomies were performed during 1980-2018 on skeletally mature patients with a craniofacial syndrome, with clinical and radiographic follow-up available.

RESULTS: Twelve patients met the inclusion criteria with a mean age of 20.2±6.4 years. Treatment resulted in statistically significant anterior movements related to Orbitale, anterior nasal spine, A Point, and the upper incisor tip, and inferior movements related to anterior nasal spine, A Point, upper and lower incisor tips, B point, and pogonion. Stability after 1 year showed only statistically significant changes at ANB. The predictable error for planned movements versus actual movements was greater in the vertical plane than the horizontal plane.

CONCLUSIONS: A simultaneous LF III/I osteotomy significantly improved the midface position and occlusal relationship in syndromic patients with midface hypoplasia in a predictable manner. Further multicenter studies with larger sample sizes are needed to validate the conclusions.

PMID:36253918 | DOI:10.1097/SCS.0000000000009066

J Orthop Trauma. 2022 Oct 14. doi: 10.1097/BOT.0000000000002509. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To delineate whether a “safe” window exists for timing from definitive fixation to definitive soft tissue coverage in the treatment of open tibial diaphyseal fractures requiring flap coverage.

DESIGN: International multicenter, retrospective comparative cohort study.Patients/Participants: Three hundred and seventy-three (n=373) patients who sustained an open tibial shaft fracture requiring flap coverage.

METHODS: We evaluated the deep infection rates based on the timing between the definitive fixation and flap coverage. We determined several intervals of time from the day of definitive fixation (regardless of time from injury) and flap coverage. If done on the same operative setting these were considered day 0. We evaluated coverage after 2 and 5 days from definitive fixation based on time vs infection rate curve inflection points. We adjusted for time to debridement and antibiotics within an hour.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: Deep infection after definitive fixation and flap coverage.

RESULTS: The mean age of the cohort was 42.4 years (SD 18.2) and 270 were male (72.4%). The deep infection rate after flap coverage was 20.6% (77/373). Definitive fixation to flap coverage time of up to 2 days was not associated with an increased risk of infection, (RR 1.12, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.37, p=0.26). There was an increased risk of deep infection for more than 2 days (RR=1.59) and >5 days (RR=1.64).

CONCLUSION: This study observed a “safe” window of up to 2 days between definitive fixation and flap coverage in open tibial shaft fractures requiring coverage before a statistical increase in risk of deep infection rate occurred.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

PMID:36253901 | DOI:10.1097/BOT.0000000000002509

J Pediatr Orthop. 2022 Oct 17. doi: 10.1097/BPO.0000000000002278. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Functioning in children consists of different aspects, including their ability to execute activities and participate in life situations. Several studies on children with clubfeet showed limited motor abilities and walking capacity compared with healthy control children, while other studies showed comparable athletic abilities and gross motor development. Although participation in activities of daily life plays an important role in the development of children, this has not yet been investigated in children with clubfeet. The study aims to determine the level of parents’ perceived motor ability and participation in Ponseti-treated children with clubfeet compared with age-matched healthy controls.

METHODS: Parents of children aged 5 to 9 years with and without idiopathic Ponseti-treated clubfeet were asked to complete an online questionnaire about their child’s motor abilities and participation level using the Dutch version of the Assessment of Life Habits for Children (LIFE-H) version 3 to assess participation and the Dutch Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 Checklist (MABC-2 Checklist) to assess motor abilities. Statistical analysis focused on differences between groups and the relationship between motor abilities and level of participation.

RESULTS: Questionnaires of 86 children with clubfeet (mean age 7.1, 73% boys) and 62 controls (age 6.7, 53% boys) were analyzed. Despite a large variation, results showed no significant differences between groups on the total scores of the LIFE-H and the MABC-2 Checklist. Children with clubfeet, however, scored lower on Mobility and better on the categories Communication and Responsibility of the LIFE-H. Furthermore, children with clubfeet showed lower scores on the MABC-2 Checklist subscale “movement in a static and/or predictable environment.” High levels of the parents’ perceived participation correlate with good results, as perceived by the parents, in motor ability.

CONCLUSIONS: Although differences on some aspects of motor ability and participation existed, children with clubfeet in general showed high levels of parents’ perceived motor ability and participation. High levels of participation correlated with good results in motor ability.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

PMID:36253894 | DOI:10.1097/BPO.0000000000002278

Haemophilia. 2022 Oct 17. doi: 10.1111/hae.14682. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Children with haemophilia (CwH) have lower bone mineral density in the spine (trabecular bone) than healthy children. There are few studies focusing on bone mineral density in long bones (cortical bone).

AIM: To evaluate bi-laterally the distal third of radius and midshaft tibias using quantitative ultrasound (QUS) and assess the speed of sound (SoS).

METHODS: A cross-sectional study where 91 CwH and 91 age-matched healthy boys were included. Joint evaluation was determined with the Haemophilia Joint Health Score 2.1 and SoS values. The Z scores were measured with the Sunlight Omnisense 8000 S equipment.

RESULTS: Ninety-one CwH (haemophilia A) were evaluated (26 mild form, 26 moderate, and 39 severe). Most patients were treated with on-demand factor replacement and had higher total HJHS scores according to severity (4.8, 14.8 and 14.1, respectively). Patients with moderate and severe disease showed a statistical difference in SoS values for both radius and tibias compared to controls. QUS Z-scores ≥-2 were more frequent in radius and tibias in CwH, but were statistically significant only in tibias when compared to controls (in 30% mild, 46% moderate, 28% severe, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: There was diminished cortical bone density in radius and tibias of CwH compared to healthy controls. Changes predominated in tibias, more frequently affected according to the severity of haemophilia. Early intervention with factor replacement combined with physical activity are key aspects to promote bone health.

PMID:36253885 | DOI:10.1111/hae.14682

Genome Biol. 2022 Oct 17;23(1):216. doi: 10.1186/s13059-022-02787-8.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: DNA methylation is an epigenetic mark associated with the repression of gene promoters. Its pattern in the genome is disrupted with age and these changes can be used to statistically predict age with epigenetic clocks. Altered rates of aging inferred from these clocks are observed in human disease. However, the molecular mechanisms underpinning age-associated DNA methylation changes remain unknown. Local DNA sequence can program steady-state DNA methylation levels, but how it influences age-associated methylation changes is unknown.

RESULTS: We analyze longitudinal human DNA methylation trajectories at 345,895 CpGs from 600 individuals aged between 67 and 80 to understand the factors responsible for age-associated epigenetic changes at individual CpGs. We show that changes in methylation with age occur at 182,760 loci largely independently of variation in cell type proportions. These changes are especially apparent at 8322 low CpG density loci. Using SNP data from the same individuals, we demonstrate that methylation trajectories are affected by local sequence polymorphisms at 1487 low CpG density loci. More generally, we find that low CpG density regions are particularly prone to change and do so variably between individuals in people aged over 65. This differs from the behavior of these regions in younger individuals where they predominantly lose methylation.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results, which we reproduce in two independent groups of individuals, demonstrate that local DNA sequence influences age-associated DNA methylation changes in humans in vivo. We suggest that this occurs because interactions between CpGs reinforce maintenance of methylation patterns in CpG dense regions.

PMID:36253871 | DOI:10.1186/s13059-022-02787-8

Eur J Med Res. 2022 Oct 17;27(1):207. doi: 10.1186/s40001-022-00848-z.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the sleep quality of women pregnant with a second child and the influencing factors and provide a scientific basis for health care guidance to clinically improve the sleep quality of pregnant women.

METHODS: A total of 162 women pregnant with a second child at a first-class tertiary hospital in Changsha from January to August 2018 were selected as the research subjects. General demographic characteristics were collected, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scale was used to assess their sleep quality. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of the sleep quality of women pregnant with a second child.

RESULTS: The PSQI score (except hypnotic drugs) and total score of pregnant women with second birth were higher than those of normal female population, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Univariate analysis showed statistically significant differences in sleep quality among women pregnant with a second child of different ages, marital relationships, gender expectations, education levels, monthly family incomes, planned or unplanned pregnancy, and gestational weeks (P < 0.05). The results of the multi-factor analysis showed that the low education level (OR = 0.224, P = 0.001), low family monthly income (OR = 3.035, P = 0.014), expectation of gender (OR = 0.065, P = 0.038), and dissatisfaction with marital relationship (OR = 0.275, P = 0.001) were the primary risk factors of poor sleep quality of in women with second pregnant.

CONCLUSIONS: The overall sleep quality of women pregnant with a second child is poor, and 37.65% have sleep quality problems. Low education levels, low family monthly incomes, fetal gender expectations, and poor relationship between husband and wife are the main factors affecting the sleep quality of women pregnant with a second child. Pregnant women with the above factors should pay attention to their sleep quality and take necessary measures for intervention and guidance to improve the level of health care during pregnancy.

PMID:36253870 | DOI:10.1186/s40001-022-00848-z

Environ Health. 2022 Oct 18;21(1):92. doi: 10.1186/s12940-022-00900-9.

ABSTRACT

In the late-1990s, the FCC and ICNIRP adopted radiofrequency radiation (RFR) exposure limits to protect the public and workers from adverse effects of RFR. These limits were based on results from behavioral studies conducted in the 1980s involving 40-60-minute exposures in 5 monkeys and 8 rats, and then applying arbitrary safety factors to an apparent threshold specific absorption rate (SAR) of 4 W/kg. The limits were also based on two major assumptions: any biological effects were due to excessive tissue heating and no effects would occur below the putative threshold SAR, as well as twelve assumptions that were not specified by either the FCC or ICNIRP. In this paper, we show how the past 25 years of extensive research on RFR demonstrates that the assumptions underlying the FCC’s and ICNIRP’s exposure limits are invalid and continue to present a public health harm. Adverse effects observed at exposures below the assumed threshold SAR include non-thermal induction of reactive oxygen species, DNA damage, cardiomyopathy, carcinogenicity, sperm damage, and neurological effects, including electromagnetic hypersensitivity. Also, multiple human studies have found statistically significant associations between RFR exposure and increased brain and thyroid cancer risk. Yet, in 2020, and in light of the body of evidence reviewed in this article, the FCC and ICNIRP reaffirmed the same limits that were established in the 1990s. Consequently, these exposure limits, which are based on false suppositions, do not adequately protect workers, children, hypersensitive individuals, and the general population from short-term or long-term RFR exposures. Thus, urgently needed are health protective exposure limits for humans and the environment. These limits must be based on scientific evidence rather than on erroneous assumptions, especially given the increasing worldwide exposures of people and the environment to RFR, including novel forms of radiation from 5G telecommunications for which there are no adequate health effects studies.

PMID:36253855 | DOI:10.1186/s12940-022-00900-9