Tag: statistics

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2022 Mar;26(5):1570-1578. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_202203_28223.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Several studies in animal models have shown the safety and effectiveness of mesenchymal stem cell conditioned medium (MSC-CM) in inflammatory lesions involving muscles and joints.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this report, we retrospectively evaluated 16 patients who received local administration of the human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells conditioned medium (hAMSC-CM) for musculoskeletal chronic pain. Overall, 27 body locations expressing pain have been treated. The local administrated dose was 5 ml in the joint cavity and/or 2 ml in the other locations. The patients were asked to conduct self-evaluation of the degree of pain using a numeric rating scale (NRS) questionnaire and record the severity of pain before administration and at 15 min, 1 day, 1 week, and 4 weeks after administration. A second administration has been performed in 7 locations. The analysis was done considering two conditions: the “current pain status” and the “worst pain status in a week.”

RESULTS: The results showed statistically significant differences between before and after administration at each time point for “current pain status” and at 1-week and 4-week time points for “worst pain status in a week” after first administration (Tukey-Kramer test). After second administration, significant differences were found at 1-week and 4-week time points for “current pain status”. No serious adverse effect was found.

CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that local administration of hAMSC-CM appears to be safe and could be expected to have effective therapeutic value against musculoskeletal chronic pain. Further studies are needed to clarify analgesic effects of hAMSC-CM and its underlying mechanism(s).

PMID:35302202 | DOI:10.26355/eurrev_202203_28223

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2022 Mar;26(5):1601-1606. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_202203_28227.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the voice and gastrointestinal system changes of patients with hyperemesis gravidarum in the first trimester and to compare them with healthy pregnant women.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was conducted prospectively. Two groups were defined as hyperemesis and healthy pregnant women. All the participants in the groups are between 20-42 years old and 6-12 weeks pregnant. Voice evaluation of all participants was made with the voice handicap index-10 (VHI-10). The Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10) was used for Dysphagia evaluation. The groups were compared, and the significance level was determined as p<.05.

RESULTS: In terms of mean age and week of gestation, both groups were matched. There was a statistically significant difference in total VHI-10 between the control and HG group. In terms of the EAT-10 on the other hand subjective swallowing problem, higher scores (more problematic) were observed in the HG group. There was no statistically significant correlation between age and VHI-10, VHI-10 sub-scores, or EAT-10.

CONCLUSIONS: Compared to healthy pregnant women, hyperemesis gravidarum affects the voice quality negatively and increases gastrointestinal complaints. Although these are shown with subjective parameters in this study, there is a need for studies that will make an objective evaluation.

PMID:35302206 | DOI:10.26355/eurrev_202203_28227

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2022 Mar;26(5):1565-1569. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_202203_28222.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether there was a difference in shoulder morphology and hand dominance between a healthy shoulder and a shoulder with rotator cuff tear (RCT) in the same patient.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2015 and 2020, 120 shoulders from 60 patients with complete RCT and contralateral intact rotator cuffs were enrolled in this retrospective analysis. Physical examinations, shoulder radiographs, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) pictures of the patients were reviewed. On radiographs, the AT, CSA, LAA, and AI values were compared between shoulders with complete RCT and contralateral healthy shoulders from the same individuals. Additionally, the association between hand dominance and RCT was evaluated.

RESULTS: This study enrolled 60 patients. 59.17% of the participants are female, and 40.83% are male. The mean age of the patients was 54.5±7.1 years. There were statistically significant differences in AI, CSA, and LAA measurements between the study group (RCT group) and the control group. There was no significant difference in AT between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS: There are morphological differences between a healthy shoulder and a shoulder with an RCT in the same patient, and these differences (LAA/CSA/AI/AT) may have an effect on the prevalence of RCT.

PMID:35302201 | DOI:10.26355/eurrev_202203_28222

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2022 Mar;26(5):1484-1491. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_202203_28212.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The melanocortin system is an important neural system underlying the control of body weight and food intake. This system has recently received great attention as a potential target for obesity treatment. Therefore, the objective of this study was to find out the leptin-melanocortin pathway before and after Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) in obese patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was carried out with a total of 144 individuals in 3 groups [control, obese group before LSG and obese group after LSG (who underwent LSG one year ago)]. The amount of leptin (LEP), leptin receptor (LEPR), tropomyosin receptor kinase receptor B (TrkB), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and melanocortin-4 receptors (MC4R) molecules were measured by using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays.

RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of body mass index (BMI) values (p = 0.001). There was also statistically significant difference present between obese before LSG group and obese after LSG group regarding the levels of LEP, TrkB, BDNF and proteins (p < 0.05). A decline was determined in the LEP and BDNF levels one year follow-up after LSG.

CONCLUSIONS: The evidence suggests that the leptin melanocortin pathway strictly regulates food intake and BMI before and after LSG surgery. This pathway should be kept under control for effectively reducing food intake and body weight in the treatment of obesity.

PMID:35302192 | DOI:10.26355/eurrev_202203_28212

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2022 Mar;26(5):1500-1507. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_202203_28214.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study was to investigate the association between brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of sixty male adult Wistar rats with similar body weight and age were randomly divided into 3 groups the blank control group (CON, n=20), the saline control group (SAL, n=20), and the combined medication group (Deanxit +fluoxetine, DF, n=20), then rats in group SAL and group DF were prepared for model of anxiety disorder for 14 days. The body weight, center-retention time (CRT) and square-crossover number per unit time (SCN) were compared during modeling to define the anxiety of rats on day 1, day 7 and day 14; the BDNF mRNA in brain were detected by RT-PCR and the protein of BDNF in brain were detected by immunohistochemistry before and after intervention. The body weight, CRT and SCN in group SAL and DF after modeling were decreased with time compared with CON (p<0.05). The rats were taken euthanasia after 14 days, the BDNF mRNA showed significant decrease in SAL group (0.58±0.07) compared with group CON (2.87±0.23), while in DF group (1.76±0.21), the BDNF mRNA were higher than SAL group but lower than CON (p<0.05); the BDNF positive cells in group CON was highest (90%), then was group DF (75%) and group SAL was the lowest (35%).

RESULTS: The changes in the indexes of the rats among different groups before and after modeling showed that after modeling, the body weights of the rats in group SAL and group DF were lower than group CON, the CRT decreased, and the SCN increased. The differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05), indicating that the combined medication (Qilixin + fluoxetine) can improve anxiety symptoms (body weight, CRT, and SCN).

CONCLUSIONS: Anti-anxiety drugs (Deanxit+fluoxetine) can improve anxiety symptoms of rats and increase the expressions of BDNF mRNA and protein in rat brain cells. Anxiolytic drugs (Deanxit+fluoxetine) may achieve the treatment of anxiety disorders through improving the 5-HT nervous system and the expressions of BDNF mRNA and protein. BDNF can be used as a biochemical indicator for the diagnosis and efficacy evaluation of GAD.

PMID:35302194 | DOI:10.26355/eurrev_202203_28214

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2022 Mar;26(5):1475-1483. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_202203_28211.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the correlations of interleukin (IL)-18 and IL-6 gene polymorphisms and expression levels with the onset of glioma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: The differences in the expression levels of IL-18 and IL-6 between glioma patients and normal people in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) databases were analyzed. A total of 200 glioma patients and 200 healthy people were taken as the research subjects. Peripheral blood was collected to extract deoxyribonucleic acids (DNAs). IL-18 and IL-6 gene polymorphisms were detected and analyzed combined with haplotype analysis and gene expression levels of IL-18 and IL-6, as well as their levels in serum.

RESULTS: Both IL-18 and IL-6 were highly expressed in tumor tissues of glioma patients, whereas they were lowly expressed in normal cerebral tissues, with statistically significant differences (p<0.05). Statistically significant differences in the allele distributions of IL-18 gene polymorphisms rs371411440 (p=0.041) and rs371828055 (p=0.002) and IL-6 gene polymorphisms rs201211345 (p=0.000) and rs201439472 (p=0.003) were observed between disease group and control group (p<0.05). Genotype distributions of IL-18 gene polymorphism rs371828055 (p=0.005) and IL-6 gene polymorphisms rs201211345 (p=0.000) and rs201439472 (p=0.019) in disease group were significantly different from those in control group (p<0.05). Disease group exhibited significantly higher frequencies of genotype GG of IL-18 gene polymorphism rs371828055, genotype AA of IL-6 gene polymorphism rs201211345 and genotype TT of IL-6 gene polymorphism rs201439472 than control group (p<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in the distributions of the dominant model AA+AC of IL-6 gene polymorphism rs201211345 (p=0.016) and the recessive model GT+TT of IL-18 gene polymorphism rs371828055 (p=0.010) between the two groups (p<0.05). Differences in the distributions of haplotypes CC (p=0.001) and GT (p=0.027) of IL-18 gene polymorphisms rs371411440 and rs371828055 and haplotypes AC (p=0.009), AT (p=0.000) and CT (p=0.000) of IL-6 gene polymorphisms rs201211345 and rs201439472 were observed between disease group and control group (p<0.05). In addition, a high degree of linkage disequilibrium was detected between IL-6 gene polymorphisms rs201211345 and rs201439472 (D’=0.583). The genotypes of IL-18 gene polymorphism rs371828055 were evidently correlated with the gene expression of IL-18 (p=0.000). Meanwhile, patients with genotype GT had a distinctly lower expression level of IL-18 (p<0.05). The genotypes of IL-6 gene polymorphism rs201211345 were obviously associated with the expression of IL-6 (p=0.002). The expression of IL-6 was markedly down-regulated in patients carrying genotype AA (p<0.05). Consistent with the expression levels of IL-18 and IL-6, the genotypes of IL-18 gene polymorphism rs371828055 were associated with the content of serum IL-18 (p<0.05). Moreover, patients carrying genotype GT had distinctly lower content of serum IL-18 (p<0.05). Additionally, the genotypes of IL-6 gene polymorphism rs201211345 were evidently correlated with the content of serum IL-6 (p<0.05), and the content of serum IL-6 declined distinctly in patients with genotype AA (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: IL-18 and IL-6 gene polymorphisms and expression levels are significantly correlated with the onset of glioma.

PMID:35302191 | DOI:10.26355/eurrev_202203_28211

Brain. 2022 Mar 18:awab471. doi: 10.1093/brain/awab471. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:35302165 | DOI:10.1093/brain/awab471

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2022 Mar;26(5):1450-1461. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_202203_28209.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare corneal and anterior segment morphology among children and adolescents with and without diabetes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: PubMed, Embase and Scopus databases were systematically searched. Studies that were observational in design were considered. Included studies should have been done in young children and/or adolescents and compared relevant outcomes of interest based on the diabetic status. The outcomes of interest were related to corneal morphology, morphology of lens, as well as important characteristics of anterior segment such as depth, pupillary diameter, intra-ocular pressure and axial length. The pooled effect sizes were reported as weighted mean difference (WMD). STATA software was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS: The meta-analysis included 17 studies. Diabetic children had lower corneal endothelial cell density (cells/mm2) (WMD -215.7, 95% CI: -406.5, -24.9), higher central corneal thickness (µm) (WMD 12.66, 95% CI: 5.47, 19.84), higher lenticular thickness (mm) (WMD 0.25, 95% CI: 0.13, 0.36) and density (WMD 3.02, 95% CI: 2.23, 3.81) than non-diabetic children. The anterior chamber depth (mm) (WMD -0.17, 95% CI: -0.24, -0.09) and pupillary diameter (mm) (WMD -0.61, 95% CI: -1.12, -0.10) was significantly reduced in diabetic children, compared to non-diabetic children. No differences in the corneal curvature, corneal diameter, spherical equivalent, intra-ocular pressure, axial length, tear film breakup time and Schirmer test were noted among diabetic and non-diabetic children.

CONCLUSIONS: Significant structural changes in cornea and lens along with reduction in anterior chamber depth and pupillary diameter were found. These morphological changes may be indication for early and prompt management and underscore the need for more advanced ophthalmological evaluation techniques, in addition to routine examination.

PMID:35302189 | DOI:10.26355/eurrev_202203_28209

Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2022 Mar 15:145167. doi: 10.13075/ijomeh.1896.01682. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Chronic exposure to air pollution caused by particulate matter (PM) with aerodynamic diameters of <10 μm (PM₁₀) and <2.5 μm (PM_2.5), dependent on “low emissions” resulting from the combustion of solid fuels in households, significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular events. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of chronic exposure to air pollution in the place of residence on the occurrence of coronary artery disease, hypertension and the presence of electrocardiographic abnormalities in 24-hour Holter ECG recording.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: After considering the exclusion criteria, 100 consecutive patients of the cardiology outpatient clinic were enrolled in the study, including 50 patients living for ≥10 years in Warsaw districts with the lowest average concentrations of PM_2.5 (group I) and 50 living in the districts with the highest recorded exposure (group II). All patients underwent clinical and physical examination, 12-lead ECG, 2D cardiac echo, and Holter ECG. To avoid the impact of acute exposure, the study was carried out in May – the month with statistically the lowest recorded PM_2.5 concentrations.

RESULTS: In the group of patients exposed to higher concentrations of PM_2.5 in the place of residence, coronary artery disease and arterial hypertension were significantly more frequent, while in the Holter ECG examination, ventricular arrhythmias, conduction disturbances and ST-segment and T-wave changes were independently associated with exposure to air pollution.

CONCLUSIONS: Chronic exposure to air pollution in the place of residence contributes to the occurrence of chronic coronary syndrome and hypertension. Chronic exposure to air pollution seems to be a significant factor increasing the incidence of ventricular arrhythmia, conduction disturbances and ST-segment depression episodes in Holter monitoring.

PMID:35302115 | DOI:10.13075/ijomeh.1896.01682

Neurologist. 2022 Mar 18. doi: 10.1097/NRL.0000000000000430. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is a conventional second-line treatment for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) or clinically isolated syndrome with steroid-refractory relapses.

METHODS: MS and clinically isolated syndrome patients with a steroid-refractory relapse, who fulfilled the indications for TPE were enrolled in this study. An expert nurse recorded the data comprising age, sex, type of MS, disease modifying therapy, disease duration, relapse rate, vital signs at the beginning, during and at the end of each plasma exchange session, plasma exchange volume, normal saline volume, and TPE complications. Ultimately, the statistical association was estimated amongst the variables.

RESULTS: A total of 122 cases were assessed. Twelve cases (9.8%) received plasmapheresis for the second time. The mean age was 32.2±8.7 years and 107 (87.7%) were female. In total, 609 plasma exchange sessions were completed. Hypotension and skin reaction were the most clinical complications. Hemoglobin loss and hypokalemia were the most laboratory complications. Fifty-four cases (44.3%) had no complications, 40 (32.8%) had 1 complication, 21 (17.2%) 2 complications, 6 (4.9%) had 3 complications, and 1 (0.8%) disclosed 4 complications. The relapse rate in the past 12 months and the mean plasma volume exchange were significantly different between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS: We revealed that TPE could be considered as a safe second-line therapy in MS relapses. Hypotension, skin reaction, hemoglobin loss, and hypokalemia were the most complications of TPE in our patients.

PMID:35302053 | DOI:10.1097/NRL.0000000000000430