Tag: pubmed

J Assist Reprod Genet. 2021 Apr 24. doi: 10.1007/s10815-021-02199-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to determine the relationship between infertility and the polymorphisms of mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 (MTND4) by spermatozoa analysis in fertile and subfertile men.

METHODS: Samples were divided into 68 subfertile men (case group) and 44 fertile men (control group). After semen analysis, samples were purified. The whole genome was extracted using a QIAamp DNA Mini Kit and the mitochondrial DNA was amplified by using the REPLI-g Mitochondrial DNA Kit. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify the MT-ND4 gene. Then, samples were purified and sequenced using the Sanger method.

RESULTS: Twenty-five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in the MTND4 gene. The genotype frequencies of the study population showed a statistically significant association between rs2853495 G>A (Gly320Gly) and male infertility (P = 0.0351). Similarly, the allele frequency test showed that rs2853495 G>A (Gly320Gly) and rs869096886 A>G (Leu164Leu) were significantly associated with male infertility (adjusted OR = 2.616, 95% CI = 1.374-4.983, P = 0.002; adjusted OR = 2.237, 95% CI = 1.245-4.017, P = 0.007, respectively).

CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our findings suggested that male infertility was correlated with rs2853495 and rs869096886 SNPs in MTND4.

PMID:33895935 | DOI:10.1007/s10815-021-02199-w

Gen Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2021 Apr 25. doi: 10.1007/s11748-021-01626-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Uniportal (U-VATS) pneumonectomy in lung cancer patients remains disputed in terms of oncological outcomes, and has not been compared to open approaches previously. We evaluated U-VATS versus open pneumonectomy at a high-volume centre.

METHODS: Patients undergoing pneumonectomy for lung cancer between 2014 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed and divided into two groups based on surgical approach. Propensity-score matching was performed (1:1), and intention-to-treat analysis applied. Overall survival, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital-stay and readmission, pain, time to adjuvant therapy, morbidity and mortality were tested. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS version 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc. NC) RESULTS: 341 patients underwent pneumonectomy; 23 patients with small-cell lung cancer were excluded, thus 318 patients were submitted to surgery by either U-VATS (n = 54) or open (n = 264). After matching, 52 patients were selected from each group. Five patients (9.2%) in the uniportal group required conversion. There was no significant difference in intraoperative outcomes, complication rates, readmission rates or mortality. The U-VATS group experienced significantly shorter hospital stay (mean ± SD; 6.7 ± 2.7 vs 9.1 ± 2.3 days, p < 0.001) and reported less pain postoperatively (p < 0.0001). Adjuvant chemotherapy was initiated sooner after U-VATS (38.1 ± 8.4 vs 50.8 ± 11.5 days, p < 0.0001). Overall survival appeared to be superior in U-VATS when pathology stage was aligned (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Uniportal VATS is a safe and effective alternative approach to open surgery for pneumonectomy in lung cancer. Complications and oncologic outcomes were comparatively similar. U-VATS showed lower postoperative pain, shorter hospital stay and superior overall survival. The study is a preliminary analysis.

PMID:33895938 | DOI:10.1007/s11748-021-01626-0

Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol. 2021 Apr 24. doi: 10.1007/s00590-021-02979-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The current indication for comminuted radial head fractures is radial head arthroplasty (RHA). The main purpose of this study was to investigate any statistical differences in terms of prosthesis revision or removal and radiographic degenerative changes by comparing patients who underwent RHA and ligaments repair to those who underwent only RHA implant at minimum two years follow-up. The secondary aim was to delineate a trend profile of RHA implants.

METHODS: All patients who underwent RHA surgery for traumatic pathology between January 2012 and December 2017 were eligible. Two researchers independently and retrospectively reviewed the patients’ charts and collected the following data: type of prosthesis, associated surgical procedures and revision surgery. They also looked for any radiographic sign of prosthesis loosening, overstuffing, capitellar osteopenia, heterotopic ossification and degenerative changes. No clinical evaluation was performed.

RESULTS: In 6 years, 124 RHA were implanted (74 female, 50 male, mean age 56). The main diagnoses were: terrible triad, trans-olecranon fracture and isolated radial head fracture. It was found no significant statistical difference between the 2 groups; nevertheless, the cohort of patients that underwent ligaments repair had a lower revision rate in comparison with the other. Suture of the annular ligament seems to be critical. The overall revision rate was 10.5%.

CONCLUSION: This multi-center study found no evidence that ligaments repair, as an associated surgical procedure, improves RHA longevity, except for annular ligament. Nevertheless, it seems to prevent degenerative changes at midterm follow-up.

PMID:33895897 | DOI:10.1007/s00590-021-02979-1

Clin Oral Investig. 2021 Apr 25. doi: 10.1007/s00784-021-03951-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the preventive effect of ozonated oil on the development of MRONJ-like lesions at tooth extraction sites in rats submitted to zoledronic acid treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve rats were divided into two groups. Each rat received an injection of zoledronic acid solution once a week for 5 weeks before having its upper first molar extracted. In group 1, the clotted socket was maintained, while in the group 2, the socket was treated with ozonated oil for 10 min/day during 3 days. After euthanasia, block resection was performed for histological analysis. Necrotic bone was defined as the area of the bone with empty osteocyte lacunae and vital bone as the area with osteocyte-occupied lacunae.

RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in the average area of vital bone (p = 0.2248) and the average area of necrotic bone (p = 0.1208). However, the average area of vital bone in group 1 was smaller (24.1 ± 2.9 cells/cm²) than in group 2 (26.8 ± 4.2 cells/cm²), and the average area of necrotic bone in group 1 was higher (7.0 ± 2.5 cells/cm²) than in group 2 (4.0 ± 1.1 cells/cm²), indicating that ozonated oil may reduce the development of osteonecrosis.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that ozonated oil might prevent MRONJ-like lesions at tooth extraction sites in rats submitted to a disease induction protocol. Further research should be conducted to confirm this hypothesis.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: MRONJ has been reported as a complication of surgical dental procedures, and there are currently no predictable preventive therapies.

PMID:33895916 | DOI:10.1007/s00784-021-03951-3

Environ Monit Assess. 2021 Apr 24;193(5):299. doi: 10.1007/s10661-021-09078-y.

ABSTRACT

Soil moisture, vegetation cover, and land surface temperature are vital variables in water-energy balance, eco-hydrological processes, and water resources management, which can be influenced by watershed management activities. This research focused on the spatial and temporal variability of soil moisture, vegetation cover, land surface temperature, and Temperature-Vegetation Dryness Index (TVDI) under a biological watershed management practice in the Taleghan paired watershed, namely, treated (TW) and control watersheds (CW), in Alborz province, Iran. In this research, along with the remote sensing techniques, the soil moisture and vegetation cover data were measured and statistically analyzed in the three aspects of both TW and CW during a growth period from May to October 2017. The results indicated that soil moisture, vegetation cover, and land surface temperature values in the paired watershed were significantly different at the 0.01 level during the study period. The increased vegetation cover in the TW had an inverse effect on the land surface temperature and TVDI, while directly impacted the soil moisture content. The average TVDI in the CW was 0.83, while this index was found to be 0.69 in the TW. Unlike the vegetation cover and soil moisture, the results revealed that the southern aspects had the highest TVDI and land surface temperature compared to the northern and eastern aspects of both watersheds. However, the increased vegetation cover as a biological watershed management activity in the steep terrain and mountainous areas of TW led to an increased soil moisture and a decreased land surface temperature and soil dryness. As a result, decreasing soil dryness in the TW can exert vital controls on the water resources and increasing water availability. In the arid and semiarid countries such as Iran, a proper watershed management activity can effectively increase soil moisture and water availability in the watersheds. In particular, the vegetation cover protection and biological practices can be considered as practical solutions in the rehabilitation of exhausted watersheds in arid and semiarid environments.

PMID:33895895 | DOI:10.1007/s10661-021-09078-y

Zhonghua Shao Shang Za Zhi. 2021 Apr 25;37:1-7. doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn501120-20200319-00181. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To explore the clinical application effects of wedge-shaped heel pad in the treatment of foot drop deformity in extremely severe burn patients. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. From March 2015 to July 2016, 33 patients with foot drop deformity caused by extremely severe burn who met the selection criteria were admitted to Department of Burn Rehabilitation of Kunshan Rehabilitation Hospital, including 18 males and 15 females, aged (38±9) years. Patients received comprehensive post-burn rehabilitation treatment after admission, and the wedge-shaped heel pad with appropriate height was placed under the patients’ insole, according to the degree of the foot drop deformity in patients. Standing, squatting, and walking exercises were performed after putting on shoes with wedge-shaped heel pad. Before treatment, immediately after treatment, and in 1 month after treatment with wedge-shaped heel pad, the simple balance scale was used to evaluate the standing balance ability of patients. In 1, 3, and 12 months after treatment, active ranges of motion (AROMs) of bilateral ankle joint dorsiflexion and knee joint flexion were measured with joint motion range measuring ruler, the shortest distance between buttocks of patients and the ground when squatting and walking distance in 1 min were measured with metric ruler, and the independent ability of transferring between beds and chairs, walking, and up and down stairs in the movement items of activity of daily living (ADL) in patients were evaluated with modified Barthel index. Data were statistically analyzed with Friedman test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, unequal interval analysis of variance for repeated measurement, and Bonferroni correction. Results: Immediately after treatment, the standing balance ability of patients was 1.0 (0, 1.0) level, which was significantly higher than 2.0 (1.0, 2.0) level before treatment (Z=-5.568, P<0.01); in 1 month after treatment, the standing balance ability of patients was 3.0 (2.5, 3.0) level, which was significantly higher than that immediately after treatment (Z=-5.303, P<0.01). In 3 and 12 months after treatment, the left and right ankle joint dorsiflexion and knee joint flexion AROMs of patients were significantly increased compared with those in 1 month after treatment (Z=-4.860, -4.836, -4.965, -4.909, -5.037, -5.025, -5.020, -4.942, P<0.01); in 12 months after treatment, the left and right ankle joint dorsiflexion and knee joint flexion AROMs of patients were significantly increased compared with those in 3 months after treatment (Z=-5.062, -4.962, -5.017, -4.944, P<0.01). In 3 and 12 months after treatment, the shortest distance between buttocks of patients and the ground was (67±11) and (57±11) cm, which were significantly shorter than (72±11) cm in 1 month after treatment (P<0.01); in 12 months after treatment, the shortest distance between buttocks of patients and the ground was significantly shorter than that in 3 months after treatment (P<0.01). In 3 and 12 months after treatment, the walking distances within 1 min of patients were significantly longer than that in 1 month after treatment (Z=-5.043, -5.016, P<0.01); in 12 months after treatment, the walking distance within 1 min of patients was significantly longer than that in 3 months after treatment (Z=-5.025, P<0.01). In 3 and 12 months after treatment, the independent ability of transferring between beds and chairs, walking, and up and down stairs in the movement items of ADL in patients were significantly increased compared with those in 1 month after treatment (Z=-4.472, -4.025, -4.707, -4.565, -3.994, -4.777, P<0.01); in 12 months after treatment, the independent ability of transferring between beds and chairs, walking, and up and down stairs in the movement items of ADL in patients were significantly increased compared with those in 1 month after treatment (Z=-3.827, -3.358, -3.557, P<0.01). Conclusions: After using the wedge-shaped heel pad, the standing balance ability, ankle joint dorsiflexion range of motion, walking ability are significantly improved, and the independent levels of movement items in ADL are significantly increased in extremely severe burn patients with foot drop deformity .

PMID:33894699 | DOI:10.3760/cma.j.cn501120-20200319-00181

Forensic Sci Int. 2021 Apr 21;323:110782. doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.110782. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Vertebrate decomposition leads to an efflux of fluids rich with biochemicals and microbes from the carcass into the surrounding soil affecting the endogenous soil bacterial community. These perturbations are detectable in soils associated with carcasses (gravesoil) and influence soil bacterial ecology for years after the decomposition event, but it is unknown for how long. Measuring these impacts over extended timescales is critical to expanding vertebrate decomposition’s role in the ecosystem and may provide useful information to forensic science. Using 16S rRNA gene amplicon data, this study surveyed bacterial composition in terrestrial soils associated with surface-exposed swine decomposition for 10 years after carcass placement. This pilot study utilizes the increased statistical power associated with repeated measure/within-subjects sampling to analyze bacterial diversity trends over time. Our results demonstrate that the soil bacterial diversity was significantly impacted by decomposition, with this impact being localized to the area underneath the carcass. Bacterial community dissimilarity was greatest 12 months postmortem before beginning recovery. Additionally, random forest regressions were utilized to determine 10 important genera for distinguishing decomposition timepoints, an important component of forensic investigations. Of these 10 genera, four were further analyzed for their significant relative abundance shifts underneath the carcass. This pilot study helps expand the current knowledge of long-term effects of carcass decomposition on soil bacterial communities, and is the first to our knowledge to characterize these communities temporally from placement through a decade of decomposition.

PMID:33894685 | DOI:10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.110782

Zhonghua Shao Shang Za Zhi. 2021 Apr 22;37:1-9. doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn501120-20210104-00005. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To explore the effects and mechanisms of polycaprolactone-cellulose acetate (PCL-CA) nanofiber scaffold loaded with rat epidermal stem cells (ESCs) on wound healing in rats with full-thickness skin defect wounds. Methods: The experiment research mehod was applied. The primary ESCs were isolated from 1－3 d old Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (undefined gender) by rapid adherent method and cultured. After the positive expressions of integrin β₁ and cytokeratin 19 (CK19) in primary cells were identified by flow cytometer and immunofluorescence method, respectively, the first passage of ESCs were used for the subsequent experiments. PCL-CA nanofiber scaffolds with polycaprolactone and cellulose acetate as components were prepared by electrospinning technique. The topological structure of the nanofiber scaffolds was determined by scanning electron microscope, and the diameter of 25 fibers was measured. The constructed PCL-CA nanofiber scaffolds were used as the culture substrate of ESCs, which were cultured with keratinocytes (KCs) medium to construct ESCs-nanofiber scaffold complex (hereinafter referred to as ESCs scaffold). After 3 days of culture, the morphology of ESCs in the scaffold and their relationship was observed by scanning electron microscope. The ESCs in ESCs scaffold were set as PCL-CA nanofiber scaffold group, and the ESCs cultured with KCs medium in culture dishes coated with type Ⅳ collagen were set as type Ⅳ collagen group. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression level of CK19 in ESCs in the two groups after 3 days of culture (n=3). The expressions of CK19 and proliferating nuclear antigen (PCNA) in ESCs in the two groups were detected by immunofluorescence method after 7 days of culture. A full-thickness skin defect wound with diameter of 2 cm was made on both sides of the back of 15 male 6－8 weeks old SD rats. The rats were then equally divided into blank control group without implantation, scaffold alone group implanted with PCL-CA nanofiber scaffold, and ESCs scaffold group implanted with ESCs scaffold which were constructed after 3 days of culture according to random number table. The percentage of wound areas on post injury day (PID) 3, 7, 14, and 21 was calculated (n=5). The new skin tissue at the wound edge was collected on PID 21, the wound healing quality was evaluated by Masson staining, and the protein expression levels of Notch1, Jagged1, and Hes1, which are key proteins of Notch signaling pathway, were detected by Western blotting (n=3). Data were statistically analyzed with one-way analysis of variance, one-way analysis of variance for repeated measurement, independent sample t test, and Bonferroni correction. Results: The constructed PCL-CA nanofiber scaffolds had a porous, mesh-like and multilayered three-dimensional structure, in which the surface of the fibers was smooth and non-porous, and the fiber diameter was (383±24) nm. The ESCs in ESCs scaffold which were cultured for 3 days had an intact cellular structure and were tightly attached to the scaffold. The cells were conjugated with each other and fully extended on the surface of the scaffold to form a membrane. After 3 days of culture, the protein expression level of CK19 of ESCs in PCL-CA nanofiber scaffold group was significantly higher than that in type Ⅳ collagen group (t=24.56, P<0.01). After 7 days of culture, compared with those in type Ⅳ collagen group, there was no significant change in the proportion of PCNA positive cells of ESCs in PCL-CA nanofiber scaffold group, while the proportion of CK19 positive cells was higher. On PID 3, 7, 14, and 21, the percentages of wound areas of rats in ESCs scaffold group were (78.0±1.8)%, (40.9±2.0)%, (17.9±1.1)%, and (5.0±1.0)%, respectively, which were significantly lower than (84.2±1.9)%, (45.4±2.6)%, (21.8±1.7)%, and (10.1±1.1)% in blank control group (t=5.42, 3.09, 4.33, 7.58, P<0.05 or P<0.01) and (82.7±1.2)%, (44.8±2.0)%, (22.4±2.4)%, and (10.3±2.4)% in scaffold alone group (t=4.98, 3.11, 3.84, 4.57, P<0.05 or P<0.01), while the percentages of wound areas of rats between blank control group and scaffold group were similar (t=1.47, 0.39, 0.47, 0.22, P>0.05). On PID 21, the layer of new skin at the wound edge of rats in each group was intact; compared with that in blank control group or scaffold alone group, the new skin tissue at the wound edge of rats in ESCs scaffold group had more orderly collagen arrangement; the scaffolds in the new skin at the wound edge of rats were completely degraded in ESCs scaffold group and scaffold alone group. On PID 21, the protein expression levels of Notch1, Jagged1, and Hes1 in the new skin tissue at the wound edge of rats in scaffold alone group were similar to those in blank control group (t=1.70, 1.94, 0.18, P>0.05), while the protein expression levels of Notch1, Jagged1, and Hes1 the new skin tissue at the wound edge of rats in ESCs scaffold group were significantly higher than those in scaffold alone group (t=13.31, 22.07, 20.71, P<0.01). Conclusions: PCL-CA nanofiber scaffolds can inhibit the differentiation of ESCs without affecting their proliferation in vitro. ESCs scaffolds constructed through using PCL-CA nanofiber scaffolds as the carrier to culture ESCs can significantly promote the wound healing of full-thickness skin defects in rats, and the mechanism may be related to the activation of Notch signaling pathway.

PMID:33894697 | DOI:10.3760/cma.j.cn501120-20210104-00005

Eur J Cancer. 2021 Apr 21;150:83-94. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2021.02.042. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prognostic significance of circulating tumour cell (CTC) number determined on the Epic Sciences platform in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) treated with an androgen receptor signalling inhibitor (ARSI).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A pre-treatment blood sample was collected from men with progressing mCRPC starting either abiraterone or enzalutamide as a first-, second- or third-line systemic therapy at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (Discovery cohort, N = 171) or as a first- or second-line therapy as part of the multicenter PROPHECY trial (NCT02269982) (Validation cohort, N = 107). The measured CTC number was then associated with overall survival (OS) in the Discovery cohort, and progression-free survival (PFS) and OS in the Validation cohort. CTC enumeration was also performed on a concurrently obtained blood sample using the CellSearch® Circulating Tumor Cell Kit.

RESULTS: In the MSKCC Discovery cohort, CTC count was a statistically significant prognostic factor of OS as a dichotomous (<3 CTCs/mL versus ≥ 3 CTCs/mL; hazard ratio [HR] = 1.8 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.3-3.0]) and a continuous variable when adjusting for line of therapy, presence of visceral metastases, prostate-specific antigen, lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase. The findings were validated in an independent datas et from PROPHECY (HR [95% CI] = 1.8 [1.1-3.0] for OS and 1.7 [1.1-2.9] for PFS). A strong correlation was also observed between CTC counts determined in matched samples on the CellSearch® and Epic platforms (r = 0.84).

CONCLUSION: The findings validate the prognostic significance of pretreatment CTC number determined on the Epic Sciences platform for predicting OS in men with progressing mCRPC starting an ARSI.

PMID:33894633 | DOI:10.1016/j.ejca.2021.02.042

Ultrasonics. 2021 Apr 15;115:106441. doi: 10.1016/j.ultras.2021.106441. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Industrial inspection protocols are qualified using mock-ups manufactured according to the same procedure as the plant part. For coarse-grained castings, known for their low inspectability, relying on mock-ups becomes particularly challenging owing to the variability of grain properties among components. Consequently, there is a keen interest in the capability to verify whether the grain size of the component under test matches the qualification specification in-situ. This paper investigates the potential of an attenuation measurement for assessing the ultrasonic inspectability of coarse-grained components using qualified procedures in a practical setting. The experimental part of the study focuses on an industrial Inconel 600 mock-up with spatially varying attenuation, measured across the entire sample in an immersion tank. Three zones with distinctly different attenuations were examined using metallography, which allowed for calculating classical grain size histograms and two-point correlation functions. For one of the zones, we synthesised the microstructure with the same statistical properties numerically and simulated the propagation of ultrasound using a grain-scale finite element model. The results showed good agreement with the experiment, and lead to several suggestions for the reasons for the discrepancy, the varying grain size statistics being the most likely. A parametric study, which followed, depicted the effect of the mean and standard deviation-to-mean ratio of the log-normal grain size distribution on the attenuation of ultrasound and its frequency dependence. Most notably, we demonstrated the known non-uniqueness of the relationship between the log-normal grain size distribution parameters and the attenuation. We suggested that the correlation length calculated from a single exponential fit to the two-point correlation function is a more robust metric describing grain statistics for this context, which can be obtained from attenuation. The correlation lengths estimated from measured attenuation using the second-order approximation model for the three zones of the studied mock-up yielded results of acceptable accuracy. We concluded that this metric could replace the average grain size in practical settings, as it retains more statistical information than the mean grain size and allows for linking measurements to the established theoretical attenuation models which this paper demonstrates.

PMID:33894662 | DOI:10.1016/j.ultras.2021.106441