Tag: pubmed

Int Neurourol J. 2024 Dec;28(4):270-277. doi: 10.5213/inj.2448348.174. Epub 2024 Dec 31.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare and analyze the feasibility and long-term efficacy of prostatic capsule-sparing (PCS) and nerve-sparing (NS) radical cystectomy in the treatment of bladder cancer.

METHODS: From June 2004 to December 2021, our institution treated and followed 145 patients who underwent radical cystectomy with neobladder reconstruction for over a year. These patients were divided into 2 groups: PCS (n=74) and NS (n=71). To minimize potential biases, 1:1 propensity score matching was utilized to compare oncological outcomes, functional outcomes, and complications between the groups. Additionally, Kaplan-Meier analysis and the log-rank test were used to evaluate survival differences between the PCS and NS groups.

RESULTS: The median follow-up durations for PCS and NS were 155 and 122 months, respectively. After adjusting for propensity scores, a total of 96 patients (48 in each group) were included for further analysis. Kaplan-Meier curves showed no statistically significant differences in metastasis-free probability (P=0.206), cancer-specific survival (P=0.091), and overall survival (P=0.208). The daytime urinary control (UC) rate at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively was 72.9%, 91.7%, and 97.9% in the PCS group and 47.9%, 79.2%, and 91.7% in the NS group, respectively (P=0.012, P=0.083, and P=0.362). The nocturnal UC rate was 54.2%, 85.4%, and 95.8% in the PCS group, and 31.3%, 60.4%, and 83.3% in the NS group, respectively (P=0.023, P=0.006, and P=0.091). Regarding erectile function recovery, 62.5% of patients in the PCS group and 22.9% in the NS group returned to preoperative levels (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION: PCS outperformed NS in restoring UC and sexual function and did not affect oncological outcomes. However, PCS was associated with a higher risk of complications linked to bladder-neck obstruction.

PMID:39765339 | DOI:10.5213/inj.2448348.174

Fitoterapia. 2025 Jan 5:106378. doi: 10.1016/j.fitote.2025.106378. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Genus Acacia comprises around 1500 species. They are widely used to treat inflammation as well as bacterial and fungal infections as they are enriched in phytochemicals, especially phenolics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of leaves’ methanolic extracts of twelve Acacia species growing in Egypt against Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Salmonella enterica, Listeria monocytogens, Klebsiella pnemoniae, Bacillus aquimaris, Bacillus subtilis, and Escherichia coli. These species are Acacia nilotica (wild and cultivated), Acacia seyal, Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia saligna, Acacia xanthophloea, Acacia tortilis subsp. raddiana (Gabal Elba and Aswan), Acacia tortilis, Acacia laeta (wild and cultivated), and Acacia albida. Furthermore, to study the metabolomic composition and variation among these species using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-q-tof-ESI-MS) coupled with multivariate statistical analysis and correlate it to the antibacterial potential. Results showed that Acacia nilotica (AN) has superior antibacterial activity over the other species. In addition, it exhibited a distinct segregation in Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). Full profiling of AN using UHPLC-ESI-q-tof-MS revealed 42 phenolics mainly catechins. It was further subjected to bio-guided fractionation and revealed the presence of methyl gallic acid, gallic acid, catechin gallate, and digallate isomers in its most bioactive fraction. These compounds were identical to the compounds annotated as VIPs and were responsible for the segregation of AN in both PCA and PLS-DA analyses. Hence, this study sheds light on the use of chemometrics as an early tool for the detection of bioactive compounds.

PMID:39765316 | DOI:10.1016/j.fitote.2025.106378

Exp Cell Res. 2025 Jan 5:114408. doi: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2025.114408. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) are key cells promoting cartilage damage and bone loss in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). They are activated to assume an invasive and migratory phenotype. While mechanisms of FLS activation are unknown, evidence suggests that pre-damaged extracellular matrix (ECM) of the cartilage can trigger FLS activation. Integrin α11β1 might be involved in the activation, as it is increased in RA patients and hTNFtg mice, an RA mouse model. We treated murine chondrocytes with TNFα to produce a damaged, RA-like matrix. Comparison to healthy chondrocyte matrix revealed decreased ECM proteins, e.g. collagens and proteoglycans, increased matrix-degrading proteins and elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines. FLS responded to the damaged chondrocyte matrix with a matrix-remodeling and pro-inflammatory phenotype characterized by a gene signature involved in matrix degradation and increased production of CLL11 and CCL19. Damaged chondrocyte matrix stimulated increased Itga11 expression in FLS, correlating with the increased α11β1 amounts in RA patients. FLS deficient in integrin α11β1 released lower amounts of inflammation-associated cytokines. Our results demonstrate differences in healthy and RA-like chondrocyte ECM and distinctly different responses of wt FLS to damaged versus healthy ECM.

PMID:39765309 | DOI:10.1016/j.yexcr.2025.114408

Clin Biochem. 2025 Jan 5:110871. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2024.110871. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Dyslipidemia is characterized by changes in lipid and lipoprotein levels in the blood where phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) helps to regulate and modulate the size of high-density lipoproteins (HDL), working on the reverse transport of cholesterol. ApoA-1 is the primary protein component of HDL, and certain genetic variants like rs5072, have been associated with hypertriglyceridemia in children. This study aimed to explore the association between PLTP concentrations and the effect of the genetic variant APOA1 rs5072 on hypertriglyceridemia and atherogenic dyslipidemia (AD) in the pediatric population of Southeastern Mexico.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out with a case-control design for 364 pediatric patients between 2 and 17 years old in Chiapas and Tabasco, Mexico. Serum samples were used to evaluate PLTP concentrations using ELISA kits, and DNA from peripheral blood samples was used to study genetic variation using q-PCR with TaqMan® probes. For statistical analysis, Student t-test for media comparison, Chi-square for frequency and Pearson analysis for correlation was performed. The software SNPStats was used for inheritance models.

RESULTS: Children with hypertriglyceridemia had higher levels of PLTP (8.3 ± 6.5 ng/ml) than the control group (6.4 ± 4.5 ng/ml). Similarly, the pediatric patients with AD had higher PLTP levels of 8.0 ± 6 ng/ml, mainly in children with high triglycerides who were between 10 and 17 years old (9.7 ± 8.0 ng/ml). Also, it was found that the genetic variant rs5072 had a protective effect against hypertriglyceridemia (OR = 0.61, p = 0.024) in the over-dominant inheritance model.

CONCLUSION: PLTP levels increase in pediatric patients aged 10 to 17 years with a diagnosis of hypertriglyceridemia and AD. The genetic variant rs5072 has a protective effect in hypertriglyceridemia.

PMID:39765303 | DOI:10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2024.110871

Neurospine. 2024 Dec;21(4):1210-1218. doi: 10.14245/ns.2448634.317. Epub 2024 Dec 31.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) represents an increasingly encountered condition in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of the present study is to assess the progress of health-related quality of life following transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy (TELD) for LDH in patients suffering from RA.

METHODS: Seventy-four patients, scheduled to undergo elective TELD for LDH, were prospectively enrolled in the study. Group A included 36 otherwise healthy individuals and group B 38 patients complementarily diagnosed with RA according to the 2010 ACR/EULAR (American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism) criteria. The Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form health survey (SF-36) was selected for the outcome assessment at baseline and postoperatively, at selected intervals at 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively.

RESULTS: Group A presented statistically significantly higher scores in all SF-36 domains and all selected intervals (p<0.001), except for mental health parameter. All aspects of SF-36 questionnaire significantly improved postoperatively (p<0.001) and in each group independently. Nevertheless, the absolute improvement between consecutive time intervals did not differ significantly between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSION: Patients diagnosed with RA who undergo TELD for LDH demonstrate statistically significant improvement in their health status, as measured by SF-36 questionnaire, one year after the procedure. This improvement is comparable with normal individuals.

PMID:39765266 | DOI:10.14245/ns.2448634.317

Neurospine. 2024 Dec;21(4):1190-1198. doi: 10.14245/ns.2448718.359. Epub 2024 Dec 31.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety profiles of biportal endoscopic spinal surgery (BESS) and microscopic spinal surgery (MSS) for lumbar disc herniation and spinal stenosis by analyzing the associated adverse events.

METHODS: We pooled data from 2 prospective randomized controlled trials involving 220 patients (110 in each group) who underwent single-level lumbar surgery. Participants aged 20-80 years with radiating pain due to lumbar disc herniation or spinal stenosis were included in this study. Adverse events were recorded and analyzed over a 12-month follow-up period.

RESULTS: The overall adverse event rates were 9.1% (10 of 110) in the BESS group and 17.3% (19 of 110) in the MSS group, which were not statistically significantly different (p=0.133). Notably, wound dehiscence occurred in 8.2% of MSS cases but in none of the BESS cases. Both groups showed similarly low rates of complications, such as dural tears, epidural hematoma, and nerve root injury. The most common adverse event in the BESS group was recurrent disc herniation (2.7%), whereas that in the MSS group was wound dehiscence (8.2%).

CONCLUSION: BESS demonstrated a safety profile comparable to that of MSS for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation and spinal stenosis, with a trend towards fewer overall complications. BESS offers particular advantages in terms of reducing wound-related complications. These findings suggest that BESS is a safe alternative to conventional MSS and potentially offers the benefits of a minimally invasive approach without compromising patient safety.

PMID:39765264 | DOI:10.14245/ns.2448718.359

Afr J Reprod Health. 2024 Dec 31;28(12):88-96. doi: 10.29063/ajrh2024/v28i12.10.

ABSTRACT

This study assesses gender inequality in education and employment in BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) countries between the 2000 and 2021, using data from the World Bank database. A descriptive data analysis was carried out as well as graphical representations to compare among countries. The results showed that that female education achieved significant success, especially at secondary and tertiary levels, through specific policies including financial support and affirmative actions. Brazil and Russia maintained an increasingly higher enrollment at the secondary level of education. In contrast, China recorded very rapid growth in tertiary enrollments, reaching over 92% enrolment of females. History, poverty, and social pressures were identified as systemic barriers in the enrollment of girls to school in India and South Africa. This study indicate that even when gains are achieved on the educational front, translating them into gains in terms of equality in employment proves difficult. Secondly, the unemployment rates among females in countries such as Brazil and South Africa are higher, reflecting more significant socio-economic problems. This calls for more vigorous policy responses toward gender inequality within the labour market through labour reforms, job creation policies, and specific support to women’s employment in the informal sector in the BRICS countries.

PMID:39764841 | DOI:10.29063/ajrh2024/v28i12.10

Afr J Reprod Health. 2024 Dec 31;28(12):61-72. doi: 10.29063/ajrh2024/v28i12.7.

ABSTRACT

This was a randomised controlled study to investigate the effect of web-based breastfeeding education given to primiparous pregnant women on postpartum breastfeeding. The study included a total of 120 primiparous pregnant women, including control group (n:60) and experimental group (n:60). The study was conducted in a district in northern Turkey. Only the pregnant women in the experimental group received web-based breastfeeding education. Descriptive statistics and independent two-sample t-test analysis were used to analyse the data and to compare the demographic characteristics and scale scores according to the groups. ‘IOWA Infant Feeding Scale’, “Edinburgh Depression Scale”, “IMDAT”, “Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale”, “Perception of Insufficient Milk Scale” and “Breastfeeding Motivation Scale” were administered to the experimental and control groups on the 7th day, 3rd month and 6th month after birth. Several factors, including breastfeeding motivation, breastfeeding self-efficacy, and the perception of milk sufficiency for the baby, were significantly different between the groups (p<0.001). A significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of mothers breastfeeding their babies within the first half hour after birth. All of the mothers in the experimental group breastfed their babies within the first half hour. Breastfeeding self-efficacy and motivation levels in the experimental group showed a statistically significant increase when compared to both pre-training levels and the control group. (Clinical Trials Number: NCT06443801).

PMID:39764800 | DOI:10.29063/ajrh2024/v28i12.7

East Mediterr Health J. 2024 Dec 18;30(12):837-846. doi: 10.26719/2024.30.12.837.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Lebanon’s economic and financial crises have affected the quality-of-life, including food safety and food security.

AIM: To assess food safety knowledge and practices among a sample Lebanese population and the association with the sociodemographic and economic characteristics of participants.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study collected data online from 412 Lebanese adults aged ≥ 18 years [mostly female (77.7%)] between October and December 2021. The data included their sociodemographic characteristics, food safety knowledge and practices, experience of food insecurity, and financial wellbeing. We conducted logistic regression analyses to explore the associations between food safety knowledge and practices, sociodemographic variables, and food security status of participants.

RESULTS: A significantly higher proportion of married (vs single) participants said they reheated refrigerated meat or chicken before consumption (74.3% vs 63.1%, P = 0.017). A significantly higher proportion of participants in the higher income category and those with university education (versus lower level of education) knew the characteristics of a contaminated food (34.2% vs 15.0%, P = 0.008). Older participants were significantly more knowledgeable about the management of leftover food (mean 34.54 years vs 31.25 years; P = 0.014). Household food security status did not show any statistically significant association with any of the 5 food safety measures examined.

CONCLUSION: This study confirms the existence of suboptimal food safety knowledge and practices by almost half of the sample. There is therefore a need for evidence-based public health interventions to increase knowledge, and promote better practices, of safe food handling, thereby reducing the risk of foodborne diseases in Lebanon.

PMID:39764755 | DOI:10.26719/2024.30.12.837

East Mediterr Health J. 2024 Dec 18;30(12):821-828. doi: 10.26719/2024.30.12.821.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Child maltreatment is a global issue that significantly impacts children’s lives. In 2018, 32% of 15-year-olds in Albania reported experiencing physical abuse.

AIM: To assess the prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of child abuse and neglect in Albania.

METHODS: This was the 2022 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children nationwide survey in Albania conducted among 1877 schoolchildren (55% girls) aged 15 years. We collected data on sociodemographic characteristics, physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, emotional neglect, and exposure to domestic violence. We analysed the data using SPSS version 19.0 and used binary logistic regression to assess associations between child abuse, neglect and sociodemographic characteristics.

RESULTS: Lifetime prevalence rates were 33.1% for physical abuse, 16.2% for emotional abuse, 3.7% for sexual abuse, 15.7% for emotional neglect, and 7.0% for witness to domestic violence. Children living in urban areas had higher odds of experiencing physical or emotional abuse (OR = 1.4 and 1.6, 95% CI = 1.1-1.7 and 1.2-2.2). Girls had higher odds of experiencing emotional abuse (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.4-2.4) or emotional neglect (OR = 3.4, 95% CI = 2.5-4.6). Girls and children from less affluent families had lower odds of experiencing sexual abuse (OR = 0.6, 95% CI = 0.3-0.9; OR = 0.5, 95% CI = 0.3-0.8, respectively). Children whose fathers were unemployed had higher odds of witnessing domestic violence (OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.1-3.2).

CONCLUSION: Abuse and neglect are highly prevalent among Albanian children aged 15 years, raising concerns over their future wellbeing. Action is needed by professionals and caregivers and at policy level to mitigate the negative impact and promote children’s protection and well-being in the country.

PMID:39764753 | DOI:10.26719/2024.30.12.821