Tag: pubmed

Phys Ther Sport. 2021 Sep 27;52:217-223. doi: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2021.09.009. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this pilot study was to examine the preliminary feasibility and efficacy of in vivo exposure therapy (IVET) to decrease injury-related fear in females with history of ACLR.

DESIGN: Pilot Study.

SETTING: Sports Medicine Research Laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS: 12 female participants with history of ACLR (≥ 1 year post-operative) were randomized into a 5-week IVET group (n = 6) or 5-week sham physical activity (PA) monitoring group (n = 6).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The independent variables were Group and Time. The dependent variables were the Photographic Series of Sports Activities for ACLR (PHOSA-ACLR) and the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia-11 (TSK-11) scores. A Group x Time repeated measures two-way analysis of variance was completed for the PHOSA-ACLR and the TSK-11. Partial η² effect sizes were used to examine clinically meaningful differences.

RESULTS: High retention and adherence rates were observed in the intervention group. The PHOSA-ACLR exhibited a significant main effect for Time (F_1,10 = 9.92, p = 0.01, partial η² = 0.50), but not for Group. No statistically significant or clinically meaningful differences were observed for the TSK-11.

CONCLUSION: Both groups exhibited decreased injury-related fear for specific functional tasks. Future research should further examine the efficacy of IVET and PA monitoring to decrease injury-related fear in patients after ACLR.

PMID:34626890 | DOI:10.1016/j.ptsp.2021.09.009

Knee. 2021 Oct 6;33:169-175. doi: 10.1016/j.knee.2021.09.007. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ultimate failure load and stiffness of two patellar fixation techniques for medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction: (1) quadriceps tendon fixation (QT), (2) single tunnel (STG) patella fixation with gracilis autograft.

METHODS: A total of 16 fresh-frozen cadaveric knees (eight matched pairs) were randomized into two groups (QT vs. STG). The MPFL reconstructions were subjected to cyclic loading for 10 cycles to 30 N and then tested to failure at a constant displacement rate of 15 mm/min using a materials-testing machine (MTS 810 Universal Testing System). Failure mode, ultimate failure load and stiffness were recorded for each cadaveric specimen.

RESULTS: There was no significant difference in mean ultimate failure load among groups (P = 0.35). The STG group failed at a mean ultimate load of 190.04 N [standard deviation (SD) 23.18] and the QT group failed at 206.24 N (SD 37.99). The STG group had a mean stiffness of 21.38 N/mm (SD 1.44). This was not significantly higher than the mean stiffness value achieved for the QT group at 20.36 N/mm (SD 1.3) (P = 0.19). In the QT group all reconstructions failed due to tendon rupture at the patella attachment. The reason for failure in the STG group was the graft-suture connection.

CONCLUSIONS: This cadaver study showed no statistically significant difference in biomechanical performance of the evaluated patella fixation techniques, in terms of maximum load to failure and stiffness. Both techniques are reliable in terms of biomechanical properties and could offer additional surgical solutions.

PMID:34626887 | DOI:10.1016/j.knee.2021.09.007

Ecol Appl. 2021 Oct 9:e02470. doi: 10.1002/eap.2470. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Habitat selection is a fundamental animal behavior that shapes a wide range of ecological processes, including animal movement, nutrient transfer, trophic dynamics and population distribution. Although habitat selection has been a focus of ecological studies for decades, technological, conceptual and methodological advances over the last 20 years have led to a surge in studies addressing this process. Despite the substantial literature focused on quantifying the habitat-selection patterns of animals, there is a marked lack of guidance on best analytical practices. The conceptual foundations of the most commonly applied modeling frameworks can be confusing even to those well versed in their application. Further, there has yet to be a synthesis of the advances made over the last 20 years. Thus, there is a need for both synthesis of the current state of knowledge on habitat selection, and guidance for those seeking to study this process. Here, we provide an approachable overview and synthesis of the literature on habitat-selection analyses (HSAs) conducted using selection functions, which are by far the most applied modeling framework for understanding the habitat-selection process. This review is purposefully non-technical and focused on understanding without heavy mathematical and statistical notation, which can confuse many practitioners. We offer an overview and history of HSAs, describing the tortuous conceptual path to our current understanding. Through this overview, we also aim to address the areas of greatest confusion in the literature. We synthesize the literature outlining the most exciting conceptual advances in the field of habitat-selection modeling, discussing the substantial ecological and evolutionary inference that can be made using contemporary techniques. We aim for this paper to provide clarity for those navigating the complex literature on HSAs while acting as a reference and best practices guide for practitioners.

PMID:34626518 | DOI:10.1002/eap.2470

Int J Clin Pract. 2021 Oct 9:e14970. doi: 10.1111/ijcp.14970. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: COVID 19 was first observed in December 2019 and has affected the world entire. Effective laboratory markers and prognostic indicators are needed to predict the clinical progression of the disease.

AIMS: The purpose of this study was to investigate IL6, IL8/CXCL8, and IP10/CXCL10, and biochemical parameters associated with SARS, MERS, and SARS-CoV-2 infections and their significance on prognosis in healthy volunteers and mild-moderate and severe COVID 19 patients.

METHODS: Healthy volunteers (n=30), and patients with mild-moderate (n=30) and severe (n=30) COVID-19 patients were included in the study. IL-6, IL-8 and IP-10 levels and biochemical parameters were assessed among the groups and their correlations with each other were subjected to statistical analysis.

RESULTS: Blood serum IL-6, IL-8 and IP-10 levels were the highest in the severe patient group (p=0.001), and also higher in the mild-moderate group as compared to the healthy volunteers (p=0.001). Statistically significant positive correlations were identified between serum IL-8 and IL-6 levels (p=0.001 r=0.660), between serum IP-10 and IL-6 (p=0.001 r =0.599) and between serum IP-10 and IL-8 (p=0.001 r=0.729).

CONCLUSIONS: A statistically significant difference was found in WBC, NE%, NE, LY%, LY, HB, BUN, total protein, albumin, D-dimer, sedimentation differed significantly between the groups. Biomarkers of potential significance in terms of the severity of COVID 19 disease were examined, and high IL-6, IL-8, IP-10, CRP, PCT, and LY parameters values emerged as associated with the severity of the disease.

PMID:34626520 | DOI:10.1111/ijcp.14970

Int J Clin Pract. 2021 Oct 9:e14969. doi: 10.1111/ijcp.14969. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Obesity and overweight are significant public health problems due to higher risk for coronary artery disease (CAD). It is very important to determine new predictive markers to identify the CAD risk in obese and overweight. To aim this, we analyzed HDL-C subgroups (HDL2-C and HDL3-C) and their paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) activity in obese, overweight and normal weight subjects.

METHOD: 71 obese, 40 overweight and 30 healthy subjects as a control group were enrolled the study. Serum lipids levels were determined with enzymatic colorimetric method. Further, PON-1 activities and HDL-C levels were determined by spectrophotometric methods. Non-HDL3-C concentrations were calculated with the subtraction of HDL3-C from total HDL-C.

RESULTS: The mean serum levels of total HDL-C, HDL3-C, Non-HDL3-C and ApoA1 were higher in control group than obese and overweight groups. There were a statistically significant difference between obese and control group in terms of Lp(a), hsCRP and HOMA index. Higher total PON-1, non-HDL3 PON-1 and HDL3 PON-1 activities were found in the control group compared to obese and overweight groups. Total HDL was weakly negative correlated with the HOMA index, BMI and waist circumference. There was a weak negative correlation between non-HDL3-C and waist circumference.

CONCLUSION: Altered HDL-subgroups pattern and decreased PON-1 activities may cause increased risk for CVD in obese and overweight individuals. Therefore determination of HDL subgroups and their PON-1 activity may improve risk prediction compared with measuring total HDL-C levels and its PON-1 activity alone. Body weight and insulin resistance appear to have a role in the decreased HDL-C levels and PON-1activity in obese. Further studies should be conducted to shed more light on impacts of these markers in CVD.

PMID:34626508 | DOI:10.1111/ijcp.14969

Int J Clin Pract. 2021 Oct 9:e14973. doi: 10.1111/ijcp.14973. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pandemics are states of disease that occur worldwide and sharply increase in populations. It causes life events which trigger anxiety, depression, anger, sleep deprivation, emotional distress and stress. World Health Organization (WHO) declared coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) a pandemic on March 11, pointing to the over 118,000 cases in over 110 countries. Many healthcare workers became ill during the pandemic and some among them died. In this study we aimed to evaluate and compare level of stress against COVID-19 pandemic among doctors from Turkey and Italy.

METHODS: This research is a cross-sectional study in which Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS) are administered online via social networks. All data collection tools were delivered to individuals between 1-15 June 2020 and filled in online with Google Forms application. In total 618 individuals were included in this study and all of them were medical doctors.

RESULTS: Higher PS and STS levels were found related to woman gender, being married, working in pandemic hospital and older ages. Stress levels were found statistically higher in Turkish doctors comparing to Italian doctors for both stress scales (Turkish/Italian PSS:20.18±7.90/ 19.35±6.71, STSS: 44.19±13.29/ 38.83±13.74).

CONCLUSION: The number of doctors per 1,000 of population is lower and per capita visits to a physician is higher in Turkey comparing to Italy. Besides pandemic, these heavier working conditions, increased weekly working hours can cause stress for Turkish doctors. Reporting information such this study and international collaborations are essential to plan future prevention strategies. We need to strengthen international ties and build more international collaborations rather than staying within our national silos. Additionally, interventions to promote mental well-being in health care professionals exposed to COVID-19 need to be immediately implemented.

PMID:34626512 | DOI:10.1111/ijcp.14973

Int J Clin Pract. 2021 Oct 9:e14975. doi: 10.1111/ijcp.14975. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To assess impact of pre-specified patient characteristics on efficacy and safety of subcutaneous tanezumab in patients with osteoarthritis (OA).

METHODS: Data were pooled from two (efficacy; N = 1545) or three (safety; N = 1754) phase 3 placebo-controlled trials. Change from baseline to week 16 in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) Pain, WOMAC Physical Function, and patient global assessment of OA (PGA-OA) scores was compared between tanezumab (2.5 and 5 mg) and placebo groups via analysis of covariance. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were summarized descriptively. Analyses were done in patient subgroups (male or female; age <65, ≥65, or ≥75 years; body mass index [BMI] <25, 25 to <30, 30 to <35, or ≥35 kg/m² ; diabetes or no diabetes; baseline WOMAC Pain score <7 or ≥7; and Kellgren-Lawrence [KL] grade 2, 3, or 4 in the index joint) and the overall population).

RESULTS: In all subgroups, improvements in WOMAC Pain were numerically greater and often statistically significant (P < .05) for both tanezumab groups compared with placebo. Results were similar for WOMAC Function and PGA-OA. TEAE profiles were generally consistent across subgroups and similar to the overall population (i.e., slightly higher rates of TEAEs, serious TEAEs, and severe TEAEs with tanezumab relative to placebo) with a few exceptions. Exceptions included females reporting slightly more TEAEs with tanezumab than males, and patients with diabetes reporting slightly more severe TEAEs with tanezumab than patients without diabetes. Additionally, TEAEs were more frequent with tanezumab than placebo in the age ≥65 and ≥75 years, but not the age <65 years, subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS: Efficacy and safety/tolerability of tanezumab may not be meaningfully impacted by gender, age, BMI, diabetes status, baseline pain severity or KL grade in the index joint. Conclusions are limited by low patient number in some subgroups.

PMID:34626502 | DOI:10.1111/ijcp.14975

Int J Clin Pract. 2021 Oct 9:e14968. doi: 10.1111/ijcp.14968. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM OF THE STUDY: Subconjunctival hemorrage (SCH) is a frequent bleeding manifestation and a common cause of visits to the primary care. Trauma in young patients and vascular damage such as hypertension in the elderly are the most common causes of SCH and the prevalence of hematological diseases is less than 1%. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of congenital or acquired bleeding disorders in patients with once or recurrent SCH.

METHODS USED TO CONDUCT THE STUDY: It is a retrospective study and included fifty-two patients with SCH whose etiologic factor was not detected. Hemostatic tests were studied in 52 patients (25 male and 27 females). All patients included were evaluated for congenital or acquired bleeding disorder and SCH with once and those with 2 or more were compared for the laboratory results.

RESULTS OF THE STUDY: Type I von Willebrand disease (vWD) was diagnosed in one patient with recurrent SCH and one patient with single SCH (3.8%). The prevalence of patients with type 1 vWD in the study was not statistically significant when compared with the frequency of vWD in the normal population. Fibrinogen level was found to be statistically higher in patients who had SCH once than those who had recurrent SCH. But fibrinogen level was in normal range in all patients.

CONCLUSIONS DRAWN FROM THE STUDY AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: There was no increase in the incidence of congenital or acquired bleeding disorder in SCH compared to normal population. Fort this reason, it was thought there was no need for evaluation for bleeding disordes in spontaneous SCH.

PMID:34626507 | DOI:10.1111/ijcp.14968

Acta Reumatol Port. 2021 Jul-Sep;46(3):218-229.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Biobanks for research (BBR) have enormous value for research, including those specifically oriented to chronic diseases. Knowing public attitudes and perceptions is key to design and implement patient-centered BBR. We assessed patient awareness, perception and choices among rheumatology outpatients regarding aging biobanking activities.

METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of patients, aged 50 or older, attending an outpatient rheumatology tertiary department. Demographic data and perceptions about biobanking were collected and statistical analysis was performed.

RESULTS: 132 valid questionnaires were obtained (mean age: 63,4; 68,2% female; mean education years: 8,35). 61,7% of respondents did not know the specific term “biobank”, 57,7% knew they could donate biological material for BBR, 89,9% agreed with these infrastructures and 88,3% would consider participation Those participants with more years of education were more knowledgeable and prone to biobank participation. Willingness to participate in BBR was mainly related (86,4%) to the advancement of scientific knowledge and not individual gain. Scientific research institutes were indicated as the most adequate institutions to manage BBR. Informed consent, anonymity and confidentiality ranked as top requisites for biobank participation. 61,3% of respondents expressed their agreement with aging biobanks, considering these as a sign of respect for specific problems of people of older ages such as higher disease burdens.

CONCLUSION: Knowledge of biobanks was found to be limited. Participants were positive toward the setting up of biobanks in general and patient-centered aging biobanks in particular. Knowledge about biobanks and acceptance were higher among participants with higher education years.

PMID:34626462

Database (Oxford). 2021 Oct 9;2021:baab060. doi: 10.1093/database/baab060.

ABSTRACT

Following the European Commission No. 1332/2008 regulation and the consequent necessity of a scientific evaluation of food enzymes (FEs) for their approval for sale on the European Union market, many FE dossiers have been submitted to the European Commission and various documents currently co-exist. In order to centralize all relevant information in one structured location that is easily accessible to support enforcement laboratories and the competent authorities, we developed a web application, called Food Enzyme Database (FEDA). FEDA allows searching and collection of information originating from many different sources in one centralized portal. Queries can be performed using key information types, which include information on the producing company, production source (strain type, genetically modified microorganism status), type of enzyme protein and evaluation status with employed evaluation criteria. The database contains all current publicly available information. Centralizing all information coupled with intuitive searching functionality also allows the generation of general statistics regarding the current market situation. FEDA is open access and is freely available at the following location: https://feda.sciensano.be. Database URL : https://feda.sciensano.be.

PMID:34626475 | DOI:10.1093/database/baab060