Tag: pubmed

Eur Cell Mater. 2021 Feb 23;41:204-215. doi: 10.22203/eCM.v041a15.

ABSTRACT

The demand for bone grafting procedures in various fields of medicine is increasing. Existing substitutes in clinical practice do not meet all the criteria required for an ideal bone scaffold, so new materials are being sought. This study evaluated bone regeneration using a critical-size Wistar rat’s calvarial defect model. 12 male and 12 female rats were evenly divided into 3 groups: 1. Negative and positive (Geistlich Bio-Oss®) controls; 2. polylactic acid (PLA) and PLA/hydroxyapatite (HA); 3. PLA/HA cellularised with dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) and PLA/HA extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffolds. PLA/HA filament was created using hot-melt extrusion equipment. All scaffolds were fabricated using a 3D printer. DPSC were isolated from the incisors of adult Wistar rats. The defects were evaluated by micro-computed tomography (µCT) and histology, 8 weeks after surgery. µCT revealed that the Bio-Oss group generated 1.49 mm3 and PLA/HA ECM 1.495 mm3 more bone volume than the negative control. Histology showed a statistically significant difference between negative control and both (Bio-Oss and PLA/HA ECM) groups in rats of both genders. Moreover, histology showed gender-specific differences in all experimental groups and a statistically significant difference between cellularised PLA/HA and PLA/HA ECM groups in female rats. Qualitative histology showed the pronounced inflammation reaction during biodegradation in the PLA group. In conclusion, the bone-forming ability was comparable between the Bio-Oss and PLA/HA ECM scaffolds. Further research is needed to analyse the effects of ECM and PLA/HA ratio on osteoregeneration.

PMID:33641140 | DOI:10.22203/eCM.v041a15

West Afr J Med. 2021 Feb;38(2):109-113.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: We assessed clinical parameters in patients confirmed to have COVID-19 in relation to arterial hypoxaemia and survival.

METHODOLOGY: This was a retrospective chart review of patients who were confirmed positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus by Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing. Data extracted from patients’ case files included patient demographics, presenting symptoms, provisional diagnoses, and outcomes of hospitalisation. Descriptive variables were summarized; proportions were compared using Chi-square tests, and independent predictors of mortality were assessed using multivariate regression analysis. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

RESULTS: There were a total of 61 patients with positive RT-PCR testing: mean age ± SD (minimum – maximum) was 53.0 ± 18.5 (5 months – 90) years. Persons aged 60 years and above were the largest group (n=24, 39.3%). More than half were male (n=35, 57.4%); about 43% had one morbidity; 41.0% had at least two co-morbidities. The mean (SD) arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) was 86.9% ± 16.7. Patients who were clinically dyspnoeic at presentation, and who had co-morbidities were significantly more hypoxaemic (p = 0.026 and 0.04, respectively). Significantly more patients who had normal oxygen saturation at presentation survived (p = 0.006). None of these variables was an independent predictor of mortality, however.

CONCLUSION: Arterial hypoxaemia was significantly associated with dyspnoea and underlying disease, and normal oxygen saturation at presentation was significantly associated with survival. Hospital managers and clinicians may thus prioritize routine pulse oximetry, supplemental oxygen therapy and management of co-morbidities in the COVID-19 fight.

PMID:33641143

Diabetes Ther. 2021 Feb 27. doi: 10.1007/s13300-021-01025-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: In this meta-analysis, we aimed to systematically compare the 10-year outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) versus coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) suffering from left main coronary artery disease (LMCD).

METHODS: Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov , Excerpta Medica dataBASE (EMBASE), Cochrane Central, Web of Science, and Google scholar were searched for publications comparing 10-year outcomes of PCI versus CABG in patients with T2DM suffering from LMCD. Cardiovascular outcomes were considered as the clinical endpoints. Statistical analysis was carried out using RevMan software (version 5.4). Risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to represent the data after analysis.

RESULTS: Eight studies (three randomized trials and five observational studies) with a total number of 3835 participants with T2DM were included in this analysis; 2340 participants were assigned to the PCI group and 1495 participants were assigned to the CABG group. Results of this analysis showed that mortality (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.73-1.00; P = 0.05), myocardial infarction (RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.35-0.80; P = 0.002), repeated revascularization (RR 0.34, 95% CI 0.26-0.46; P = 0.00001), and target vessel revascularization (RR 0.26, 95% CI 0.18-0.38; P = 0.00001) were significantly higher with PCI when compared to CABG in these patients with diabetes and LMCD. Major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events were also significantly higher with PCI at 10 years (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.49-0.92; P = 0.01). However, CABG was associated with a significantly higher risk of stroke (RR 2.16, 95% CI 1.39-3.37; P = 0.0007).

CONCLUSIONS: During a long-term follow-up time period of 10 years, PCI was associated with worse clinical outcomes compared to CABG in these patients with T2DM suffering from LMCD. However, a significantly higher risk of stroke was observed with CABG. This piece of information might be vital in order to carefully choose and prevent complications following revascularization in such patients.

PMID:33641081 | DOI:10.1007/s13300-021-01025-x

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2021 Feb 27. doi: 10.1007/s11356-021-13047-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) have been used globally to boost food production. Although banned, due to their prolonged toxic effects but their residue still impacts the quality of primary and processed agricultural products. This study assesses the levels of residual OCPs (α,β,δ-HCH, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, chlordane, methoxychlor, aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, endrin aldehyde, endrin ketone, endosulfan, endosulfan sulfate, 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDD), 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (DDE), and 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT)) in food commonly consumed in Lagos and Ibadan, Southwest, Nigeria. Health risk associated with human exposure via food intake was evaluated with a statistical predictive model. About 248 composite food samples from 8 categories were analyzed in Lagos and Ibadan. Sample extraction and clean-up were by QueChERS method and extracts injected into GC-μECD. ƩDDT concentration was highest in meat products, aquatic foods, dairy products, edible oils, fruits, and cereals, while ƩHCHs were highest in chicken eggs and vegetables. ƩOCP concentrations (ng/g) in food categories were 6.09±1.6-6.85±0.9 (meat), 5.29±2.0-12.3±14 (aquatic foods), 4.86±1.7-5.89±0.8 (dairy products), 4.53±0.8-6.32±1.1 (edible oils), 3.32±1.3 (eggs), 3.54±1.0-4.80±1.5 (fruits), 4.16±2.7-4.40±0.8 (vegetables), and 6.12±2.0-6.62±0.9 (cereals). The estimated average daily intake of OCPs was 5.91, 12.5, 4.41, 6.40, 1.53, 5.14, 3.95, and 16.7 ng/kg bw/day through the consumption of meat products, aquatic foods, dairy products, edible oils, chicken eggs, fruits, vegetables, and cereals, respectively. The health risk of residual OCPs via ingestion of foods considered in this study was <1, which implied no potential health risk at the current consumption rate. However, regular monitoring of OCPs residues in food is highly recommended. Finally, the method scaled the analytical Eco-Scale evaluation and Green Analytical Chemical Procedure Index as “an acceptable green analysis method.”

PMID:33641099 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-021-13047-w

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2021 Feb 1;22(2):597-602. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2021.22.2.597.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is associated with several risk factors such as demographic, socioeconomic status and personal habits, which vary in different populations. This is the most up-to-date data on H. pylori prevalence and potential risk factors for H. pylori infection among asymptomatic middle-aged individuals in Kazakhstan.

METHODS: Apparently healthy individuals aged 40 to 64, who took part in the health control in the outpatient clinic, were invited to participate in the study; answered a questionnaire, donated a blood sample. The antibodies to H. pylori were analysed by latex agglutination method. The baseline characteristics of study subjects with or without H. pylori infection were compared using the Chi-square test. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between H. pylori infection and potential risk factors were estimated using multivariable logistic regression models.

RESULTS: Altogether 166 subjects (59% male; the median age – 51 years old) were included; 104 (62.7%) were H. pylori positive. There were no statistically significant differences between H. pylori positive and H. pylori negative groups in respect to the gender, anthropometric measurements, socioeconomic factors and personal habits. The multiple variable analysis showed that age (OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.03 – 3.86; P=0.04) and increased salt intake (OR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.12 – 4.35; P=0.02) were associated with H. pylori infection.

CONCLUSIONS: More than half of the study subjects were infected with H. pylori in Kazakhstan. The prevalence of H. pylori infection was independently associated with older age and regular high salt consumption.

PMID:33639679 | DOI:10.31557/APJCP.2021.22.2.597

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2021 Feb 1;22(2):617-626. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2021.22.2.617.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Globally, Breast cancer (BC) is considered the second most common type of cancer and the principal cause of death among affected women.

AIM: In this study, we targeted to demonstrate the association of MTHFR single gene polymorphisms (SNPs) with the susceptibility of breast cancer, in addition to its correlation with the clinical patient features.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This work was conducted on 100 Egyptian females with breast cancer and 60 healthy matched controls. Clinical examinations and pathological investigations were recorded. Genotyping of MTHFR polymorphisms C677T (rs1801133) and A1298C (rs1801131) by using Restriction Fragment length Polymorphisms (RFLP) and Sequencing assays were performed. Univariate, Multivariate and Haplotype analysis for the allelic frequencies and the association with clinicopathological features of BC were assessed.

RESULTS: The present data showed a strong significant association between the CT and TT of MTHFR (C677T), and AC and CC of (A1289C) with the susceptibility of BC showing highly statistical P- value (0.001). It was also demonstrated that the most frequent haplotype of the two loci of MTHFR (rs1801133-rs1801131) was TC. The latter was strongly associated with the aggressive clinical features of each of tumor size, advanced stage, involvement of cancer in lymph nodes, overexpression of HER2neu and dual negativity of both ER and PR hormones.

CONCLUSIONS: SNPs within the MTHFR gene (C677T) and (A1289C) have strong correlation with BC among Egyptian females; These SNPs should be considered as important prognostic markers for identifying the individuals at high risk of developing BC and its progression.

PMID:33639682 | DOI:10.31557/APJCP.2021.22.2.617

Acta Gastroenterol Belg. 2021 Jan-Mar;84(1):65-72.

ABSTRACT

AIM: The aim of this retrospective multicenter study was to evaluate the differences in the timing for starting systemic therapies as the first-line treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS: A total of 375 patients with HCC treated with sorafenib from May 2009 to March 2018 and 56 patients treated with lenvatinib from March 2018 to November 2018 at our affiliated hospitals were included in this study.

RESULTS: The median ages of the sorafenib and lenvatinib groups were 71.0 (interquartile range [IQR]: 64.0-77.0) and 73.5 (IQR: 68.0 -80.0) years old, and 300 (80.0%) and 42 (75.0%) patients were men, respectively. The Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage was early, intermediate and advanced in 39 patients (10.4%), 133 patients (35.5%) and 203 patients (54.1%) in the sorafenib group and 1 patient (1.8%), 17 patients (30.4%) and 38 patients (67.9%) in the lenvatinib group, respectively. In the analysis of intermediate HCC, patients who satisfied the criteria of TACE failure/refractoriness (P=0.017), those with ALBI grade 1 (P=0.040), and those with a serum AFP level < 200 ng/ml (P=0.027) were found more frequently in the lenvatinib group than in the sorafenib group, with statistical significance. The objective response rate (ORR) of lenvatinib was 34.8% in the overall patients and 46.7% in the intermediate-stage HCC patients, which was significantly higher than sorafenib (P=0.001, P=0.017).

CONCLUSIONS: The emergence of lenvatinib has encouraged physicians to start systemic chemotherapy earlier in intermediatestage HCC patients.

PMID:33639695

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2021 Feb 1;22(2):537-546. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2021.22.2.537.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Obtaining the right image dataset for the medical image research systematically is a tedious task. Anatomy segmentation is the key step before extracting the radiomic features from these images.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to segment the 3D colon from CT images and to measure the smaller polyps using image processing techniques. This require huge number of samples for statistical analysis. Our objective was to systematically classify and arrange the dataset based on the parameters of interest so that the empirical testing becomes easier in medical image research.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This paper discusses a systematic approach of data collection and analysis before using it for empirical testing. In this research the image were considered from National Cancer Institute (NCI). TCIA from NCI has a vast collection of diagnostic quality images for the research community. These datasets were classified before empirical testing of the research objectives. The images in the TCIA collection were acquired as per the standard protocol defined by the American College of Radiology. Patients in the age group of 50-80 years were involved in various clinical trials (multicenter). The dataset collection has more than 10 billion of DICOM images of various anatomies. In this study, the number of samples considered for empirical testing was 300 (n) acquired from both supine and prone positions. The datasets were classified based on the parameters of interest. The classified dataset makes the dataset selection easier during empirical testing. The images were validated for the data completeness as per the DICOM standard of the 2020b version. A case study of CT Colonography dataset is discussed.

CONCLUSION: With this systematic approach of data collection and classification, analysis will be become more easier during empirical testing.<br />.

PMID:33639671 | DOI:10.31557/APJCP.2021.22.2.537

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2021 Feb 1;22(2):559-564. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2021.22.2.559.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Estimation of JAK2V617F mutational load in Polycythemia Vera (PV) helps to determine the severity of the disease phenotype, the risk of thrombotic events, progression to post-PV myelofibrosis and survival. Amplification Refractory Mutation Screening (ARMS) PCR or Allele Specific (AS) PCR is a simple easy method with a reasonable sensitivity for screening of zygosity.The purpose of this study was to see the frequency of disease burden and phenotypic characteristics in Pakistani patients diagnosed with JAK2V617F mutation positive PV.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study using non probability consecutive sampling was conducted at Hematology Department, Liaquat National Hospital Karachi from October 2018 to July 2019.Adult newly diagnosed JAK2V617F positive PV patients of either gender were included. Patients’ demographics, clinical characteristics and baseline CBC were noted. JAK2V617F zygosity was qualitatively analyzed by ARMS-PCR technique. Age and gender were stratified to see to see the result of qualitative and quantitative effect modifiers on these patients using Chi Square and fisher exact test as appropriate while mean comparison was done by independent t-test and one way ANOVAtest. P value of ≤0.05 was considered as significant.

RESULTS: Fifty one patients were included in the study with an average age of 59.60±14.29years.90.2% of patients had hypertension.All patients tested positive for heterozygous state. Significant association of gender was found with smoking (p=0.001) while age was significantly linked with hypertension (p-0.033).

CONCLUSION: JAK2V617F positive PV patients are mainly heterozygous males showing significant association with smoking and hypertension. ARMS-PCR is a robust technique to determine zygosity which can be used for screening purposes.<br />.

PMID:33639674 | DOI:10.31557/APJCP.2021.22.2.559

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2021 Feb 1;22(2):573-579. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2021.22.2.573.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the expression of miR-126-3p and its potential as a biomarker for cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) and to better understand the prognosis, comorbidities, and lifestyle habits associated with the disease.

METHODS: Fifty-nine individuals were distributed into either the study group (38 CCA patients) or the control group (21 individuals without liver diseases). Total RNA was extracted, cDNA synthesis was performed, and miR-126-3p expression was assessed using real-time PCR. For statistical analysis, alpha error was set at 5%.

RESULTS: MiR-126-3p was found to be underexpressed in the study group relative to the controls (0.42; P=0.001). Additionally, marked underexpression was found in the study group in when associated with smoking (0.28; P=0.0001), alcoholism (0.19; P=0.0001), hypertension (0.29; P=000.1), and diabetes (0.12; P=0.0003) relative to the controls. No association was found between miR-126-3p expression and tumor subtypes (iCCA=0.42; pCCA=0.45; dCCA=0.72; P=0.9155). A total of 67% of dCCA patients were event-free at 16 months of follow up, while both pCCA and iCCA exhibited event-free survival rates of 25%, though there was no significant difference between these subgroups (P=0.273).

CONCLUSION: The underexpression of mir-126-3p is associated with cholangiocarcinoma and can be potentiated by alcoholism, hypertension, diabetes, and smoking, the latter of which is an independent risk factor for this cancer. Furthermore, dCCA patients exhibit higher survival rates relative to patients with pCCA and iCCA.<br />.

PMID:33639676 | DOI:10.31557/APJCP.2021.22.2.573