Tag: pubmed

J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad. 2021 Jul-Sep;33(3):447-450.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) is an easily available bio marker used to determine prognosis in various Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN). Its utility in Polycythaemia Vera (PV) is yet to be accessed. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of raised serum LDH in patients with JAK2 V617F positive PV patients and its clinic-pathological association.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study using non probability consecutive sampling was conducted at our institute from July 2018 to June 2019. Adult patients of either gender, newly diagnosed with JAK-2 V617F positive PV were included. Patients’ demographics, clinical characteristics and baseline CBC and LDH levels were analysed. Stratification was done with regards to age, gender, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, splenomegaly and thrombosis to see the effect of these modifiers on patients with raised LDH by using Chi Square test. p-value≤0.05 was considered as significant.

RESULTS: Forty patients were inducted in the study with male to female ratio of 2:1. Twenty-two (55%) patients had raised LDH levels and showed significant association with diabetes mellitus (p=0.001), splenomegaly (p=0.001) and thrombosis (p=0.018).

CONCLUSIONS: This study observed raised LDH levels in almost half of JAK2 V617F positive PV patient. It warrants a larger scale study and suggests the value of plasma LDH to be used as a future prognostic marker in PV.

PMID:34487654

J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad. 2021 Jul-Sep;33(3):368-375.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected the entire world. However, its severity and mortality rate are lesser in developing countries, including Pakistan. This study aims to determine the association of prior pulmonary tuberculosis with COVID-19 pneumonia.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at two centres of Sindh, Pakistan. 521 HRCT chest performed from 1st May to 31st July 2020 were included and marked as “COVID-19 group”. 761 HRCT chest performed during the first six months of 2019 were retrospectively evaluated to determine the prevalence of prior pulmonary tuberculosis and marked as the “pre-COVID-19 group”. Previous pulmonary tuberculosis was documented as evidenced by clinical history, ATT intake and HRCT findings. Chi-square test was used to determine the association of prior pulmonary tuberculosis with COVID-19 pneumonia. A p-value of ≤0.01 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: In the “COVID-19 group”, 4.9% (n=26) patients had prior pulmonary tuberculosis. In the “pre-COVID-19 group”, 9.8% (n=75) patients had prior pulmonary tuberculosis with a confirmed history of tuberculosis in 8.9% (n=68) and without documented history in 0.9% (n=7) cases. A significant p-value of 0.001 was obtained with a confidence interval of 99%.

CONCLUSIONS: Prior pulmonary tuberculosis might have a protective effect against COVID-19 pneumonia which could be due to developed antibodies secondary to exposure to prior tuberculosis or BCG vaccination. Our results warrant further consideration due to the potential public-health benefits that can be achieved in our fight against the novel pandemic.

PMID:34487640

J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad. 2021 Jul-Sep;33(3):416-424.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a multisystem disorder and haematological abnormalities are frequently documented in affected patients.

METHODS: This retrospective study included 549 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 from 1st June to 15th July 2020 at Pak Emirates hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan. p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: Median age was 60 years (range 12-94 years), males 442 (80.5%) and females 107 (19.5%). There was no patient with mild illness, 181 (32.9%) had moderate, 158 (28.7%) severe and 210 (38.2%) patients had critical disease. Patients with severe and critical disease had lower absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) and platelets (p<0.001 for both) while higher white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and lactate dehydrogenase levels (LDH) levels (all p<0.001). Overall survival of study cohort was 83.2% (n=457). Median haemoglobin and platelet count were significantly lower (p<0.001) while WBC, ANC, NLR, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), ferritin, IL-6, LDH were significantly higher (p<0.001) for patients who died. On multivariate logistic regression analysis WBC count>10×109/l (odds ratio [OR] 2.19 [95% CI 1.3-4.2] p=0.01), NLR>9 (OR 3.4 [95% CI 0.87-6.8], p<0.001), platelets<150×109/l (OR 3.9 [95% CI 1.4-9.8] p<0.001), CRP >100; (OR 4.1[95% CI 0.78-10.9] p<0.001) and ferritin >1000 (OR 5.3 [95% CI 1.9- 13.5], p<0.001) were associated with increased risk of death in patients with COVID-19.

CONCLUSION: Monitoring of haematological, coagulation and inflammatory parameters provide reliable, convenient, rapid and cost-effective method for predicting disease severity, complications and prognosis of COVID-19 patients.

PMID:34487649

Vet Ophthalmol. 2021 Sep 6. doi: 10.1111/vop.12929. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare intraocular pressure using the Icare® TONOVET Plus rebound tonometer in healthy brachycephalic and nonbrachycephalic cats.

ANIMALS STUDIED: Both eyes of 78 healthy cats were investigated in this study. Cats were divided into two groups: brachycephalic (n = 39) and nonbrachycephalic (n = 39).

PROCEDURES: Nose position and muzzle ratio were photographically recorded and analyzed. Physical and ophthalmic examinations were performed. Intraocular pressure was measured using the Icare® TONOVET Plus rebound tonometry instrument. Quantitative mean values were statistically compared using an unpaired t-test at a significance level of p < .05.

RESULTS: Mean values of the nose position and muzzle ratio were significantly lower in the brachycephalic group (20.14 ± 5.43%, 9.61 ± 3.29%) compared with the nonbrachycephalic group (29.21 ± 4.30%, 13.97 ± 6.01%). The mean intraocular pressure for brachycephalic cats (15.76 ± 0.50 mmHg) was significantly lower (p < .001) than for nonbrachycephalic cats (18.77 ± 0.49 mmHg).

CONCLUSIONS: Intraocular pressure was significantly lower in brachycephalic cats using the Icare® TONOVET Plus rebound tonometer. Intraocular pressure values obtained in this study could be used as a guideline for measurements obtained using this tonometry device in healthy brachycephalic and nonbrachycephalic cats.

PMID:34487613 | DOI:10.1111/vop.12929

J Appl Clin Med Phys. 2021 Sep 6. doi: 10.1002/acm2.13419. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to verify the effectiveness of polylactic acid (PLA) template puncture route planning by comparing preoperative and postoperative dosimetry using computerized tomography (CT)-guided implantation of ¹²⁵ I radioactive seeds.

METHODS: A total of 28 patients who underwent ¹²⁵ I seed implantation between January 2018 and June 2019 were selected for the statistical study of seed dosimetry. All patients received preoperative treatment planning system (TPS) planning, of which 13 patients in the experimental 3D template group underwent intraoperative puncture and implantation using the PLA template planning route. The other 15 patients in the traditional control group underwent intraoperative puncture and implantation using CT images for guidance. By calculating the dose-volume histogram, preoperative and postoperative D90 values and postoperative V90 values were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS: The mean D90 values in the template group before and after surgery were 136.06 ± 7.10 and 134.72 ± 7.85 Gy, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference. The preoperative and postoperative mean D90 values in the traditional group were 132.97 ± 8.04 and 126.06 ± 9.19 Gy, respectively, which were statistically significantly different. The mean postoperative V90 values in the template and traditional groups were 93.80 ± 1.34% and 88.42 ± 6.55 %, respectively, showing a statistically significant difference.

CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative TPS plan for the experimental group guided by the PLA template was almost the same as that for the final guided particle implantation. The dose parameters in the experimental group were also better than those in the traditional group, making the use of the presented PLA template more efficient for clinical applications.

PMID:34487634 | DOI:10.1002/acm2.13419

Int J Clin Pract. 2021 Sep 6:e14810. doi: 10.1111/ijcp.14810. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Technetium-99m-dimercapto succinic acid (Tc-99m DMSA) scintigraphy is a commonly used imaging modality in children with urological abnormalities. The radiopharmaceuticals, which have the effects of ionizing radiation, are used in this method. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the Tc-99m DMSA scan on renal oxidative stress and mononuclear leukocyte (MNL) DNA damage.

METHODS: Children, who were followed up by pediatric nephrology at Bezmialem Vakif University and underwent Tc-99m DMSA scintigraphy between April 2015 and January 2016 with the indication of detection of renal scars, were included in this study. The exclusion criteria were nephrolithiasis, history of premature birth, and recent urinary tract infection six months prior to scintigraphy or antibiotic use in the last one month. Three ml heparinized blood samples were obtained just before, immediately after, and one week after the scintigraphy. MNL DNA damage, total antioxidant status (TAS), and total oxidant status (TOS) were measured in the blood samples. The oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated. Spot urine samples were obtained from each patient before and within three days after performing the scintigraphy. TAS/Creatinine (TAS/Cr), TOS/Creatinine (TOS/Cr), and N-acetyl-glucosaminidase/creatinine (NAG/Cr) levels were measured in the urine samples.

RESULTS: Twenty-seven children were evaluated. The values between TAS, TOS and OSI levels in serum samples at baseline, immediately after, and one week after the scintigraphy (p=0.105, p=0.913, and p=0.721, respectively) showed no statistically significant difference. The levels of TAS/Cr, TOS/Cr, NAG/Cr ratios, and OSI, which were evaluated from urine samples before and within three days after the scintigraphy scan were also similar (p=0.391, p=0.543, p=0.819 and p=0.179 respectively). The levels of DNA damage only increased following scintigraphy scan and decreased a week later (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: The effect of Tc-99m DMSA scintigraphy is insufficient to create oxidative damage, but it can cause DNA damage via the direct impact of ionizing radiation which can be repaired again in a short time.

PMID:34487588 | DOI:10.1111/ijcp.14810

J Magn Reson Imaging. 2021 Sep 6. doi: 10.1002/jmri.27911. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Corticospinal tract (CST) injury has been shown to exert a major influence on functional recovery after ischemic stroke.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prognostic value of CST injury estimated using a recent developed tractometry-based method.

STUDY TYPE: Prospective.

POPULATION: Forty-eight patients with CST damage induced by stroke lesion who underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging within 7 days from onset.

SEQUENCE: Diffusion-weighted imaging (b = 1000 seconds/mm² ) and diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) spin-echo echo-planar sequence with three b-values (0, 1250, and 2500 seconds/mm² ) at 3.0 T.

ASSESSMENT: A recently developed approach that combines tract segmentation and orientation mapping was used for CST-specific tractography and tractometry. CST injury was estimated using the proposed method with diffusion metrics extracted from DKI sequence and with the first principal component (PC1) of the metrics. We also calculated the weighted lesion load (wLL) for comparison. Clinical evaluation included the National Institutes of Health Stroke Score in the acute phase and the modified Rankin scale at 3 months post-stroke. The correlations between CST injury and initial motor impairment, as well as the prognostic values of CST injury for functional outcomes were evaluated.

STATISTICAL TESTS: Pearson correlation and logistic regression. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: CST injury calculated with diffusion metrics except fractional anisotropy all showed significant correlations with initial motor impairment. PC1 achieved the largest correlation coefficient (R = 0.65) compared with wLL and other diffusion metrics. In addition to wLL, DKI_AK, AFD_total, and PC1 maximum all showed predictive values for functional outcomes.

DATA CONCLUSION: Structural injury to CST is important for the assessment of the extent of injury and the prediction of functional outcome. The method proposed in our study could provide an imaging indicator to quantify the CST injury after ischemic stroke.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 1.

PMID:34487595 | DOI:10.1002/jmri.27911

Lasers Surg Med. 2021 Sep 6. doi: 10.1002/lsm.23459. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Various laser therapies have been introduced in scar management. However, pain during treatment has limited the application of laser therapy in pediatrics.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether the use of the low-energy mode of a carbon dioxide (CO₂ ) laser improves hypertrophic scars in a pediatric population.

METHODS: This prospective, randomized, split-scar trial was designed to assess the safety and efficacy of low-energy CO₂ laser use. Patients aged <12 years with hypertrophic scars were enrolled. Each hypertrophic scar was equally divided into three parts: the two ends of each scar were randomly assigned to control and experimental groups, and the center portion was considered a transition zone and was not included in the analysis. A total of three laser treatments were performed at 1-month intervals. Scar scale scores 6 months after the final treatment was the primary outcome. Additionally, the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to evaluate pain after each treatment.

RESULTS: Of the 23 patients enrolled, 20 completed the study. The total Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) score at the 6-month follow-up was significantly lower for the treated site (44.95 for the treated group vs. 64.85 for the control group, p < 0.0001). Both the patient and observer POSAS scores showed an obvious difference between the treated and control groups (19.95 vs. 29.95 for patient scores, respectively, p < 0.0001, and 26.00 vs. 34.90 for observer scores, respectively, p < 0.0001). All observer and patient scores describing pain, pruritus, color, stiffness, and thickness were statistically different and favored the treated site. No significant difference was found in patient score of irregularity. The average VAS therapeutic pain score was 3.5 ± 1.43 out of 10.

CONCLUSIONS: Low-energy CO₂ fractional laser therapy improved hypertrophic scars in a pediatric population. Therefore, for children with hypertrophic scar, low-energy CO₂ laser with less procedure pain may be more appropriate.

PMID:34487566 | DOI:10.1002/lsm.23459

Neuromodulation. 2021 Sep 6. doi: 10.1111/ner.13527. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the analgesic effect of high-voltage pulsed radiofrequency (HV-PRF) on the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) for neuropathic pain induced by spared nerve injury (SNI) in rats, especially the influence of this treatment on the DRG ultrastructure and voltage-gated sodium channel 1.7 (Nav1.7) level in the DRG.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred fifty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: Sham, SNI, Free-PRF, standard-voltage PRF (SV-PRF), and HV-PRF. The 45V-PRF and 85V-PRF procedures applied to the left L5 DRG were performed in SV-PRF group and the HV-PRF group respectively on day 7 after SNI, whereas no PRF was concurrently delivered in Free-PRF group. The paw mechanical withdrawal threshold (PMWT) was detected before SNI (baseline) and on days 1, 3, 7, 8, 10, 14, and 21. The changes of left L5 DRG ultrastructure were analyzed with transmission electron microscopy on days 14 and 21. The expression levels of Nav1.7 in left L5 DRG were detected by immunofluorescence and Western blot.

RESULTS: Compared with the Free-PRF group, PMWT in the SV-PRF group and HV-PRF group were both significantly increased after PRF (all p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the PMWT was significantly higher in the HV-PRF group than that in the SV-PRF group on days 14 and 21 all (p < 0.05). There were statistically significant differences between the SV-PRF and Free-PRF groups (p < 0.05). Similarly, statistically significant difference was found between the HV-PRF and Free-PRF groups (p < 0.05). Especially, comparison of the SV-PRF group and the HV-PRF group revealed statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). The Nav1.7 levels were significantly down-regulated in the SV-PRF group and HV-PRF groups compared to that in the Free-PRF group (all p < 0.01). A significantly lower Nav1.7 level was also found in the HV-PRF group compared to that in the SV-PRF group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: The HV-PRF produces a better analgesic effect than SV-PRF applied to the DRG in SNI rats. The underlying mechanisms may be associated with improving the histopathological prognosis and the downregulation of Nav1.7 levels in the DRG.

PMID:34487572 | DOI:10.1111/ner.13527

Carcinogenesis. 2021 Sep 6:bgab082. doi: 10.1093/carcin/bgab082. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Previous lung diseases (PLD) are known risk factors for lung cancer. However, it remains unclear how the association varies by lung cancer subtype and socio-demographic characteristics. We conducted a systematic literature search in three electronic databases from the inception of each database up until 13 January 2021. A total of 73 studies (18 cohort and 55 case-control studies) consisting of 97,322 cases and 7,761,702 controls were included. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I 2 statistic. Based on the heterogeneity, either the fixed-effects or random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled summary estimate (PSE) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the association between PLD and lung cancer risk. A history of asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and COPD was associated with higher lung cancer risk, with a history of COPD and emphysema having at least two-fold relative risk. A history of hay fever was associated with lower lung cancer risk (PSE= 0.66, 95% CI= 0.54-0.81), even among ever-smokers (PSE= 0.55, 95% CI= 0.41-0.73). Older individuals with a history of asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, COPD, or tuberculosis were associated with higher lung cancer risk. Individuals with a diagnosis of asthma, emphysema, or pneumonia within 1 to 10 years prior to lung cancer diagnosis were associated with higher lung cancer risk. Among ever-smokers, a history of COPD or emphysema have at least two-fold relative risk of lung cancer. PLD was associated with higher risk of lung cancer. Individuals with PLD should be closely monitored and prioritised for lung cancer screening.

PMID:34487521 | DOI:10.1093/carcin/bgab082