Tag: pubmed

Swiss Med Wkly. 2022 Mar 28;152:w30151. doi: 10.4414/smw.2022.w30151. eCollection 2022 Mar 28.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The aim is to investigate whether and why over-indebted individuals in German-speaking Switzerland have poorer mental health than the general population.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study among over-indebted people in the canton of Zurich was conducted in 2019. The study population (n = 219) was compared to the cantonal subsample of the general adult population selected from the nationally representative sample of the Swiss Health Survey 2017 (n = 1,997). Bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses were used to examine associations between over-indebtedness, mastery and health outcomes like mental stress and depression.

RESULTS: Over-indebted people have poorer mental health and weaker mastery than the general population. Low mastery is the strongest predictor of poor mental health (beta coefficient = 0.58/-0.62 for mental stress/depression respectively) among the over-indebted, followed by the perception of one’s health being affected by over-indebtedness (beta coefficient = -0.19/0.15). The amount of debt, anticipated time until repayment of debt and duration of indebtedness had no predictive effects.

CONCLUSION: Surprisingly, traditional debt parameters cannot explain the poor mental health of the over-indebted, in contrast to a strong sense of mastery, which was identified as a highly protective factor.

PMID:35380186 | DOI:10.4414/smw.2022.w30151

Int Marit Health. 2022;73(1):32-42. doi: 10.5603/IMH.2022.0004.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Yacht tourism is a developing sector in the world and in Turkey as well. Yacht masters are the most important components of this sector. This study aims to investigate the factors affecting the fatigue, job satisfaction, and burnout levels of yacht masters, offer solutions according to the findings, and eliminate this deficiency in the literature.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Maslach Burnout Scale (MBI), Minnesota Job Satisfaction Scale (MSQ) and Piper Fatigue Scale (PFS) were applied to yacht masters who are still actively working on yachts operating in the Bodrum district. Data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of the analysis, yacht masters have high emotional burnout perceptions and very high personal success perceptions. In addition, their depersonalisation levels are low and their overall job satisfaction is high. The general fatigue levels of the masters are moderate. As their job satisfaction rate increases, their perceived fatigue level decreases. As their age increases, their fatigue level decreases. As their fatigue level increases, their burnout level also increases.

PMID:35380171 | DOI:10.5603/IMH.2022.0004

Math Med Biol. 2022 Apr 3:dqab021. doi: 10.1093/imammb/dqab021. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

We propose a mathematical model to study the antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) phenomenon. Here, we explore the interaction between macrophages, dengue virus and plasma cells, especially the effect of a limitation on plasma cell proliferation, which occurs due to immunological memory. The model has up to three equilibrium points: one virus-free equilibrium and two virus-presence equilibrium, depending on the value of two thresholds. We determine the existence regions for the model equilibrium points and their stability, a sensitivity analysis was performed in the model thresholds. Numerical simulations illustrate that ADE can occur even when the basic reproduction number is less than one.

PMID:35380162 | DOI:10.1093/imammb/dqab021

Otolaryngol Pol. 2021 Oct 28;76(1):13-20. doi: 10.5604/01.3001.0015.4539.

ABSTRACT

<b> Introduction:</b> Usually the symptoms presented in odontogenic sinusitis do not differ from chronic sinusitis of other origin. However, odontogenic sinusitis is considered as an independent disease which requires specific diagnostic approach and treatment. </br></br> <b>Aim:</b> The aim of the study is to define the main symptoms of odontogenic rhinosinusitis with periapical lesions and its impact on the quality of life. </br></br> <b>Material and methods:</b> The SNOT-22 and OHIP-14 questionnaires were distributed among 26 symptomatic patients suffering from odontogenic sinusitis with periapical lesions in the teeth that remain in close contact with the maxillary sinus floor. Data was collected by means of an interview and standard examination performed by an otolaryngologist and a maxillofacial surgeon. The symptoms were also objectified using nasal endoscopy and radiological studies. The acquired data was statistically analyzed. </br></br> <b>Results:</b> The total OHIP-14 score was 14.7 ± 11.3, whereas the total SNOT-22 score was 44.6 ± 18.8. Women scored significantly higher in the total SNOT-22 score as well as domains concerning nasal symptoms, quality of sleep, and emotional symptoms. The answers given in similar items were comparable between both questionnaires. </br></br> <b>Conclusions:</b> Properly diagnosed odontogenic sinusitis (OS) with periapical lesions (PAL) will improve the quality of health-care and spare the patients inadequate procedures. Standard examination should include a unified and validated question-naire concerning both sinonasal and oral symptoms. Painful aching in the mouth and discomfort during eating might help to identify the OS with PAL during a medical interview and help both ENT (ear-nose-throat) specialists and dentists to establish proper patient-oriented diagnosis and treatment.

PMID:35380118 | DOI:10.5604/01.3001.0015.4539

Psychol Health Med. 2022 Apr 5:1-10. doi: 10.1080/13548506.2022.2061719. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The objective of this paper was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of Poles and the availability of psychiatric and psychological support during the pandemic. A prospective, cross-sectional web-based survey design was adopted. It was carried out on a sample of 1080 Polish citizens above 18 years old. The majority of Poles (70%) experienced symptoms of mental disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sleep disturbance (63.79%), anxiety (48.79%), low mood for most of the day (44.63%), sadness, tearfulness (41.29%), and concentration disorders (35.93%) were the mental disorder symptoms reported most often by the survey subjects. To reduce the potential acute and long-lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, decision-makers of the Polish health system should implement stepped multilevel and multi-target psychological support services.

PMID:35380074 | DOI:10.1080/13548506.2022.2061719

Otolaryngol Pol. 2021 Sep 30;76(1):6-12. doi: 10.5604/01.3001.0015.3207.

ABSTRACT

<br><b>Introduction:</b> Introduction of the coupler devices for anastomoses of neck vessels changes planning and performance of the surgical procedures. The Rigid ring of the coupling devices keeps a vein open and less prone to occlusion. Therefore, this should improve the flap survival rate and surgery duration.</br> <br><b>Aim:</b> The aim of the study was to point out the differences in surgery planning between couplers and sutures for venous microsurgical anastomoses.</br> <br><b>Methods:</b> The medical records of 209 patients who underwent 212 microvascular free flap reconstructions from January 2011 till December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed; 103 received radial forearm free flap (RFFF); 43 – anterolateral thigh flap (ALTF); 51 – fibula free flap (FFF); 15 – iliac crest free flap (ICFF). In 189 cases, reconstruction was performed simultaneously with tumor resection and in 23 cases, reconstruction was secondary, after previous oncological treatment. Among 443 anastomoses, suturing was used for 212 arteries and 127 venous anastomoses, while coupling was used for 104 venous anastomoses.</br> <br><b>Results:</b> The mean surgery duration for suturing was 452.82 min vs 358.88 min for coupling (P<0.05). Differences in flap survival and partial necrosis rates between coupling and suturing groups were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Donor vessel distribution in the neck was significantly different in both groups. Estimated costs of the surgical procedures performed with and without coupler devices were not equal.</br> <br><b>Conclusions:</b> The use of couplers for venous anastomosis in free flap head and neck reconstructions impacts the surgery process by shortening surgery duration which leads to cost reduction.</br&gt.

PMID:35380117 | DOI:10.5604/01.3001.0015.3207

Ann Saudi Med. 2022 Mar-Apr;42(2):96-106. doi: 10.5144/0256-4947.2022.96. Epub 2022 Apr 7.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Vitiligo is a common cutaneous disorder of the skin and hair caused by a systemic depigmentation disorder that affects 1% of the population or less due to its onset in early adulthood. Meta-analyses have documented a linkage between vitiligo and the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene.

OBJECTIVE: Investigate the relationship between the ApaI, BsmI, FokI and TaqI genetic variants in the VDR gene with vitiligo in a Saudi population.

DESIGN: Case-control.

SETTING: Single tertiary care center.

PATIENT AND METHODS: The case-control study was carried out between January 2015-December 2015 in Saudi vitiligo patients and healthy controls. VDR genetic variants or polymorphisms (ApaI, BsmI, FokI and TaqI) were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length analysis followed by 3% agarose gel electrophoresis. Applicable statistical methods were used to assess relationships between vitiligo cases and controls.

MAIN OUTCOM MEASURE: Effect of genotype distribution among four single nucleotide polymorphisms.

SAMPLE SIZE: 152 vitiligo (median [IQR] 23 [19] years) patients and 159 healthy controls (45 [28.5] years).

RESULTS: We found an association of vitiligo with ApaI and BsmI polymorphisms (P<.05). However, a decreased risk was noted in vitiligo patients with FokI and TaqI polymorphisms and in the diplotype and haplotype analysis within males and females. A positive association with vitiligo was observed in ACAC and AC (adjusted by gender) haplotypes (P<.05). The strongest linkage disequilibrium was observed between rs79785232 (ApaI) and rs731236 (TaqI) polymorphisms (r²=.83), followed by rs2228570 (FokI) and rs1544410 (BsmI) polymorphisms (r²=.53).

CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm an association of vitiligo with ApaI and BsmI polymorphisms and fail to show an association in TaqI and FokI polymorphism with vitiligo. Additional studies need to be carried out in different Arab populations to determine whether the polymorphisms are present.

LIMITATIONS: Controls not age matched, small sample size, lack of biochemical parameters.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

PMID:35380061 | DOI:10.5144/0256-4947.2022.96

J Korean Med Sci. 2022 Apr 4;37(13):e68. doi: 10.3346/jkms.2022.37.e68.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Denosumab (DEN) and zoledronic acid (ZOL) currently represent the most potent antiresorptive agents for the treatment of osteoporosis. Despite similar effects on bone resorption, these agents have distinct mechanisms of action. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of DEN and ZOL after two-year administration on bone mineral density (BMD), trabecular bone score (TBS), bone turnover markers, and persistence.

METHODS: A total of 585 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who did not use osteoporosis medications were retrospectively reviewed. 290 patients were administered 60 mg DEN subcutaneously every 6 months from 2017 to 2018, and 295 patients were treated with 5 mg ZOL intravenously yearly from 2015 to 2017. BMD, TBS, and C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX) measurements were obtained at baseline and two-year after DEN injection or ZOL infusion.

RESULTS: After two-year follow-up, 188 patients in the DEN group and 183 patients in the ZOL group were compared. BMD change from baseline at two years was significantly greater in the DEN group compared with the ZOL group (P < 0.001). The changes of TBS in the DEN group were statistically significant compared with baseline (P < 0.001) and the ZOL group (P < 0.001). The DEN group led to significantly greater reduction of CTX compared with ZOL group (P = 0.041).

CONCLUSION: In postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, DEN was associated with greater BMD increase at all measured skeletal sites, greater increase of TBS, and greater inhibition of bone remodeling compared with ZOL.

PMID:35380023 | DOI:10.3346/jkms.2022.37.e68

J Breast Cancer. 2022 Mar 3. doi: 10.4048/jbc.2022.25.e10. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to evaluate the imaging and pathological findings in axillary lymph nodes in patients with breast cancer who received concurrent ipsilateral coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination. Of the 19 women with breast cancer who received concurrent COVID-19 vaccination shot in the arm ipsilateral to breast cancer, axillary lymphadenopathy was observed in 84.2% (16 of 19) of patients on ultrasound (US) and 71.4% (10 of 14) of patients on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and 21.0% (4 of 19) of patients were diagnosed with metastasis. Abnormal US and MRI findings of cortical thickening, effacement of the fatty hilum, round shape, and asymmetry in the number or size relative to the contralateral side were noted in more than half of the non-metastatic and metastatic lymph nodes; however, statistical significance was not noted. Axillary lymphadenopathy is commonly observed in patients with breast cancer who receive concurrent ipsilateral COVID-19 vaccination without specific differential imaging features. Thus, understanding the limitations of axillary imaging and cautious interpretation is necessary to avoid overestimation or underestimation of the axillary disease burden.

PMID:35380019 | DOI:10.4048/jbc.2022.25.e10

J Breast Cancer. 2022 Mar 17. doi: 10.4048/jbc.2022.25.e13. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This corrects the article on p. 218 in vol. 24, PMID: 33913277.

PMID:35380022 | DOI:10.4048/jbc.2022.25.e13