Tag: pubmed

Med Sci Monit. 2021 Jun 7;27:e928987. doi: 10.12659/MSM.928987.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND Abnormal posture can affect the alignment of the cervical spine, which can lead to various physical problems. There are many ways to solve the problem by limiting the area around the neck to restore abnormal neck condition. However, there is a need to look at these problems from an enlarged perspective through the relationship between the cervical spine and trunk. This study aimed to investigate the significance of the thickness of the transverse abdominis, internal oblique, and external oblique muscles in patients with forward head posture and reduced cranio-vertebral angle. MATERIAL AND METHODS We included 24 healthy adult males in their 20s without lower back pain. The cranio-vertebral angle (CVA) in all the subjects was measured with the help of pictures taken in the sagittal plane using a digital camera. The thickness of muscles, including transverse abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO), and external oblique (EO), was measured using a diagnostic ultrasound device. Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to identify the correlation between the variables measured. RESULTS CVA showed a statistically significant correlation with TrA thickness (r=0.506/p=0.012), and among the abdominal muscles, there was a significant correlation between IO and EO thickness (r=0.663/p=0.000). CONCLUSIONS A reduced CVA due to FHP was significantly associated with reduced TrA thickness. Therefore, increasing the bulk of the abdominal muscles with restoration of the abnormal CVA is a potential treatment approach and requires further study.

PMID:34097670 | DOI:10.12659/MSM.928987

Mol Biol (Mosk). 2021 May-Jun;55(3):402-411. doi: 10.31857/S0026898421010043.

ABSTRACT

Due to its nootropic, neuroprotective, and immunomodulatory effects, the peptide Semax is utilized in the treatment of ischemic stroke. Our earlier RNA-Seq analysis of the transcriptome in an ischemic model of transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery showed an increase in the mRNA levels of many proinflammatory genes, and the suppression of their induction by Semax. However, for many relevant genes, including Il1a, Il1b, Il6 and Tnfa, the levels of their expression were too low for detailed quantitative evaluation. Here we utilize qRT-PCR to analyze the effects of the Semax peptide on the expression of weakly expressed mRNAs encoding several proinflammatory mediators, and show that exposure to Semax leads to a statistically significant decrease in the Il1a, Il1b, Il6, Ccl3, and Cxcl2 mRNAs, which compensates for the increase in the transcription of these genes induced by ischemia-reperfusion. We conclude that the observed protective effect of Semax in the model of stroke may be due to its anti-inflammatory effects. We also discuss the limitations of the RNA-Seq when applied to quantifying less abundant transcripts as compared to the real-time RT-PCR method.

PMID:34097675 | DOI:10.31857/S0026898421010043

Br J Gen Pract. 2021 Jun 4:BJGP.2020.1108. doi: 10.3399/BJGP.2020.1108. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Although less common cancers account for over half of all cancer diagnoses in England, their relative scarcity and complex presentation, often with non-specific symptoms, means that patients often experience multiple primary care consultations, longer times to diagnosis and poorer clinical outcomes. An urgent referral pathway for non-specific symptoms, the Multidisciplinary Diagnostic Centre (MDC), may address this problem.

AIM: To examine the less common cancers identified during the MDC pilots and consider if such an approach improves the diagnosis of these cancers.

DESIGN AND SETTING: A service evaluation of five MDC pilot projects in England to 31st March 2019.

METHOD: Data items were collected by pilot sites in near-real time, based mainly on the English cancer outcomes and services dataset, with additional project specific items. Simple descriptive and comparative statistics were used, including chi-squared tests for proportions and t-tests for means where appropriate.

RESULTS: From 5,134 referrals, 378 cancers were diagnosed, of which 218 (58%) were less common. Over 30 different less common tumour types were diagnosed within this cohort. 23% of MDC patients with less common cancers had ≥3 more GP consultations before referral and, at programme level, a median time of 57 days was recorded from GP urgent referral to treatment for these tumour types.

CONCLUSION: A non-specific symptomatic referral route diagnoses a broad range of less common cancers, and can support primary care case management for patients with symptoms of possible cancer that do not qualify for a site-specific urgent referral.

PMID:34097639 | DOI:10.3399/BJGP.2020.1108

Br J Gen Pract. 2021 Jun 4:BJGP.2021.0026. doi: 10.3399/BJGP.2021.0026. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Antibiotics are overused for non-pneumonia acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs).

AIM: To establish prevalence and explore associations of antibiotic prescribing strategies used by Australian early-career GPs for non-pneumonia ARTIs.

DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional analysis of data, September 2016 to December 2017, from the Registrar Clinical Encounters in Training cohort study.

METHOD: Multinomial logistic regression of antibiotic prescribing (“no prescribing”, “immediate prescribing”, or “delayed prescribing”) to manage an ARTI.

RESULTS: Of 7,156 new ARTI problems, no antibiotics were prescribed for 4,892 problems (68%), antibiotics were prescribed for immediate use for 1,614 problems (23%) and delayed antibiotics were used for 650 problems (9%). “Delayed prescribing” was used in 22% of otitis media, 16% of sinusitis, 13% of sore throat, 11% of acute bronchitis/bronchiolitis, and 5% of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). “Delayed prescribing” was used for 29% of all prescriptions written. “Delayed prescribing” and “immediate prescribing” were associated with markers of clinical concern. “Delayed prescribing” was associated with longer duration of consultation and with fewer problems dealt with in the consultation.

CONCLUSION: Australian early-career GPs use “no prescribing” for ARTIs substantially more than established GPs, but, except for URTIs, still prescribe antibiotics in excess of validated benchmarks. They may use “delayed prescribing” more often than European GPs. They may use “delayed prescribing” to manage diagnostic uncertainty and, possibly, conflicting influences on prescribing behaviour. Consequently, the use of “delayed prescribing” may enable a transition to an environment of more rational antibiotic prescribing for ARTIs.

PMID:34097641 | DOI:10.3399/BJGP.2021.0026

Anim Biotechnol. 2021 Jun 7:1-7. doi: 10.1080/10495398.2021.1924763. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to determine the impact of in ovo Astragalus kahericus polysaccharide (AKP) injections on performance, carcass weights, and blood constituents in Cobb chicks. Un-sexed 1 day broiler chicks (250) were divided into five treatment groups with five replicates of 10 chicks per group. The groups were as follows: (1) negative control (without additive), (2) positive control (saline injection), (3) 1.5 mg AKP, (4) 3.0 mg AKP, and (5) 4.5 mg in ovo AKP injections. Apart from the control groups, no significant changes in body weight at 3 and 5 weeks of age, and daily weight gains during 0-3 weeks of age were detected among the treatment groups. Daily feed consumption was decreased in AKP groups, while feed conversion ratio was improved with AKP when compared to the PC. AKP injections significantly altered the lipid profile parameters, including total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins, and very low-density lipoproteins in the plasma (p < 0.05); but there were no statistical differences in HDL (p > 0.001). AKP injections significantly impacted biochemical blood parameters, including total protein, albumin, and globulin, in broiler chicken plasma (p < 0.05). Liver and kidney functions were influenced by in ovo AKP injections in broilers. Antioxidant enzymes also changed significantly after in ovo injection with AKP. Moreover, in ovo injection of AKP significantly altered immunity (IgG and IgM) in broilers. In conclusion, in ovo injection of AKP significantly improved liver and kidney functions, antioxidant activity, and immune function in broilers.

PMID:34097569 | DOI:10.1080/10495398.2021.1924763

Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract. 2021 Jun 7:1-6. doi: 10.1080/13651501.2021.1933043. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with impairment in social, academic and job-related functioning in both children and adults. The purpose of this study is to investigate the susceptibility to cardiovascular risk factors in children with ADHD diagnosis through common carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT) measurement, to compare cIMT in ADHD and control groups and to evaluate the association between cIMT and ADHD symptom severity.

METHODS: The mean cIMT of 42 children with ADHD, ADHD symptom scales and a semi-structured psychiatric interview, and 42 age and sex matched healthy controls were measured with B-mode Doppler neck ultrasonography.

RESULTS: The median cIMT was significantly higher for the ADHD group compared to the healthy controls. There was a statistically significant, negative, moderate correlation between cIMT and Conners ADHD index score, hyperactivity score, oppositional score and the presence of ODD comorbidity.

CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we found significantly higher cIMT in children with ADHD when compared to healthy controls. Considering that increased cIMT is a sign of atherosclerosis and it can be used as a marker of cardiovascular risk factors, our finding may indicate that children with ADHD are at increased risk for cardiovascular diseases.KeypointscIMT was significantly higher in children with ADHD when compared to healthy controls.Higher cIMT in children with ADHD may indicate that children with ADHD are at increased risk for cardiovascular diseases.cIMT measurement may be studied as a potential tool for risk assessment before a child with ADHD is started on psychostimulant medications.

PMID:34097567 | DOI:10.1080/13651501.2021.1933043

Am J Sports Med. 2021 Jun 7:3635465211016840. doi: 10.1177/03635465211016840. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The use of cannabis is common among athletes and the US population at large. Cannabinoids are currently being evaluated as alternatives to opioid medications for chronic pain management. However, the effects of recreational and/or medical use of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) on musculoskeletal injury and healing remain largely unknown.

HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical effects of CBD and THC on tendon-to-tendon healing in a rat Achilles tendon repair model. The hypothesis was that rats administered CBD would demonstrate decreased tensile load to failure of surgically repaired Achilles tendons compared with the THC and control groups.

STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study.

METHODS: A total of 33 Sprague Dawley rats underwent Achilles tendon surgical transection and repair and were randomized to receive subcutaneous injection of THC, CBD, or vehicle once daily starting on the day of surgery and for 5 total days. After sacrifice, biomechanical tensile load-displacement testing was performed to determine Achilles tendon load to failure and stiffness. Data were analyzed by 1-way analysis of variance.

RESULTS: The THC group demonstrated the highest median load to failure, 18.7 N (95% CI, 15.3-19.2 N); the CBD group had the second highest at 16.9 N (95% CI, 15.1-19.8 N), and the control group had the lowest at 14.4 N (95% CI, 12.1-18.3 N). Stiffness was highest in the THC group at 4.1 N/mm (95% CI, 2.7-5.1 N/mm) compared with 3.6 N/mm (95% CI, 2.9-4.1 N/mm) for the CBD group and 3.6 N/mm (95% CI, 2.8-4.3 N/mm) for the control group. No statistically significant differences for strength and stiffness were observed between the groups.

CONCLUSION: In this pilot study using an animal tendon-to-tendon repair model, neither THC nor CBD resulted in altered biomechanical characteristics compared to control.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Cannabinoids do not appear to adversely affect Achilles tendon healing.

PMID:34097540 | DOI:10.1177/03635465211016840

Ann Hum Biol. 2021 Mar;48(2):160-165. doi: 10.1080/03014460.2021.1919205.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Body composition and types are often considered essential health indicators for lifestyle-related disease. Assessment of body type based on tridosha is regarded as a prerequisite in Ayurveda.

AIM: To correlate body compositions and somatotypes with Prakriti body types.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study on 463 adult individuals was done. Anthropometric and body composition parameters were measured. Heath-Carter somatotypes and Prakriti body types were also determined. Tests of association were calculated. Correlation and concordance analysis was also done to infer the correlation between body composition parameters and Prakriti body types.

RESULTS: Kapha Prakriti have significantly higher body weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage and body fat mass. Vata have the lowest mean values in all body composition parameters with Pitta in the intermediate position compared to the other Prakriti types. There is a strong and positive statistical association between Prakriti body types and body composition parameters, except height. Cohen’s Kappa analysis reveals there is a fair concordance between Prakriti body types and somatotype.

CONCLUSIONS: Prakriti assessment can explain an individual’s fatness as it correlates with body composition parameters and could be used to predict risk susceptibility to various complex disorders.

PMID:34097545 | DOI:10.1080/03014460.2021.1919205

Health Aff (Millwood). 2021 Jun;40(6):896-903. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2020.02464.

ABSTRACT

Prior studies suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with decreases in emergency department (ED) volumes, but it is not known whether these decreases varied by visit acuity or by demographic and socioeconomic risk factors. In this study of more than one million non-COVID-19 visits to thirteen EDs in a large St. Louis, Missouri, health system, we observed an overall 35 percent decline in ED visits. The decrease in medical and surgical visits ranged from 40 percent to 52 percent across acuity levels, with no statistically significant differences between higher- and lower-acuity visits after correction for multiple comparisons. Mental health visits saw a smaller decrease (-32 percent), and there was no decrease for visits due to substance use. Medicare patients had the smallest decrease in visits (-31 percent) of the insurance groups; privately insured (-46 percent) and Medicaid (-44 percent) patients saw larger drops. There were no observable differences in ED visit decreases by race. These findings can help inform interventions to ensure that people requiring timely ED care continue to seek it and to improve access to lower-risk alternative settings of care where appropriate.

PMID:34097513 | DOI:10.1377/hlthaff.2020.02464

Multivariate Behav Res. 2021 Jun 7:1-16. doi: 10.1080/00273171.2021.1935202. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Bayesian methods are often suggested as a solution for issues encountered in small sample research, however, Bayesian methods often require informative priors to outperform classical methods in these settings. Specifying accurate priors with respect to the true value of the parameter of interest is challenging and inaccurate informative priors can have detrimental effects on conclusions from the statistical analysis. This paper proposes an objective procedure for creating informative priors for mediation analysis based on a historical data set; the only requirements for implementing the procedure are that the data from the current study constitute a representative sample from the population of interest, and that the historical and current data sets contain measures of the same covariates and independent variable, mediator, and outcome. The simulation study findings show that the proposed method leads to appropriate amount of borrowing from the historical data set, which leads to increases in precision and power when the historical data and current data are exchangeable, and does not induce bias when the historical and current studies are not exchangeable. The proposed method is illustrated using data from the project PROsetta Stone, and we provide rstan code for implementing the proposed method.

PMID:34097538 | DOI:10.1080/00273171.2021.1935202