Hasil untuk "Medicine"

Victor Oluwatomiwa Ajekiigbe, Ikponmwosa Jude Ogieuhi, Temiloluwa Adebayo Odeniyi et al.

Abstract A well-documented mounting public health crisis is the antibiotic crisis, which is most significantly felt in low-resource countries like Nigeria. This article sheds light on the rising level of antibiotic resistance in newborns in Nigeria, a trend that poses a severe threat to neonatal survival and public health at large. A thorough database search was carried out using terms associated with antibiotic resistance in Nigerian neonates, including PubMed, Google Scholar, and other scholarly sources. Only original research conducted between the start of the study and June 2024 was included; articles without an English translation were not. Independent reviewers handled data management and screening. There has been an increasing prevalence of sepsis among newborns primarily due to Gram-negative bacteria, which highlights the urgency and need to be addressed. Studies show a significant rise in multi-drug-resistant infections, with almost half of Escherichia coli and 86% of Staphylococcus aureus strains among newborns resistant to conventionally used antibiotics like penicillin. Some reasons for the continuous trend include but are not limited to unregulated antibiotic purchase and use, inadequate surveillance systems, and cultural determinants and socioeconomic issues. Effective strategies are needed to curb the neonatal antibiotic crisis in Nigeria. This problem can be mitigated by enhancing public education, strengthening healthcare infrastructure, advocating for better maternal health, and promoting the rational use of antibiotics. Additionally, more research into non-antibiotic medications and understanding the barriers to compliance need to be addressed.

M. Jane Morwitzer, Ying Yi Zheng, Heather Friberg et al.

Dengue is caused by the four serotypes of dengue virus (DENV-1-4) and poses a significant global public health challenge, with an estimated 100–400 million infections annually. Severe dengue manifestations, such as Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) and Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS), are influenced by immune responses, particularly during secondary infections with different serotypes. Antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of DENV infection is a critical mechanism in dengue immunopathogenesis, underscoring the need for comprehensive evaluation of antibody responses. Traditional cell lines used for DENV propagation exhibit variability and present logistical challenges for assessing non-neutralizing antibody functions. Here, we report the establishment of a stable CEM-NKR cell line expressing DC-SIGN, designated CEM2001, capable of supporting continuous infection with all four DENV serotypes. These cell lines allow for continuous DENV infection, enabling detailed immunoassays to evaluate serotype-specific and cross-reactive non-neutralizing antibody responses. Our approach offers a significant advancement in dengue research, providing a consistent and reliable system to study DENV immune responses and supporting future efforts to develop and evaluate dengue therapeutics and vaccines.

Seyyed Abolfazl Tabatabaie-Zadeh, Nazanin Mahdavi, Behnaz Mahdaviani et al.

<h4>Purpose</h4>Oral cancers are the 6th most common malignancy worldwide and oral squamous cell carcinoma, comprises over 90% of oral cancers. This study investigates the relationship between physical activity level during the lifetime and oral squamous cell carcinoma risk.<h4>Methods</h4>100 oral squamous cell carcinoma patients and 200 healthy individuals participated in this case-control study. Physical activity level was evaluated via the Lifetime Physical Activity Questionnaire. The occupational, household, and sports domains of lifetime physical activity were determined. Case and control groups' participants were matched in terms of sex, age, smoking, and alcohol consumption by the Frequency Matching Method. Mann-Whitney U Test was applied to compare physical activity levels between groups.<h4>Results</h4>The Body Mass Index was higher among cases compared with controls. The average amounts of lifetime physical activity among cases and controls were approximately identical. However, only a statistically significant difference between time spent on total lifetime physical activities and the oral squamous cell carcinoma risk was discovered. Moreover, there were no statistically significant odds ratios in examining the risk associated with each domain of activities.<h4>Conclusions</h4>The total time spent on lifetime physical activity may decrease the risk of oral squamous cell carcinoma; However, the total level and intensity of lifetime physical activity are not significantly associated with the oral squamous cell carcinoma risk. Further studies are required in this field.

Isobel C. Mouat, Li Zhu, Alperen Aslan et al.

Abstract Background Fatigue is a common complication of stroke that has a significant impact on quality of life. The biological mechanisms that underly post-stroke fatigue are currently unclear, however, reactivation of latent viruses and their impact on systemic immune function have been increasingly reported in other conditions where fatigue is a predominant symptom. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in particular has been associated with fatigue, including in long-COVID and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, but has not yet been explored within the context of stroke. Aims We performed an exploratory analysis to determine if there is evidence of a relationship between EBV reactivation and post-stroke fatigue. Methods In a chronic ischemic stroke cohort (> 5 months post-stroke), we assayed circulating EBV by qPCR and measured the titres of anti-EBV antibodies by ELISA in patients with high fatigue (FACIT-F < 40) and low fatigue (FACIT-F > 41). Statistical analysis between two-groups were performed by t-test when normally distributed according to the Shapiro-Wilk test, by Mann-Whitney test when the data was not normally distributed, and by Fisher’s exact test for categorical data. Results We observed a similar incidence of viral reactivation between people with low versus high levels of post-stroke fatigue (5 of 22 participants (24%) versus 6 of 22 participants (27%)). Although the amount of circulating EBV was similar, we observed an altered circulating anti-EBV antibody profile in participants with high fatigue, with reduced IgM against the Viral Capsid Antigen (2.244 ± 0.926 vs. 3.334 ± 2.68; P = 0.031). Total IgM levels were not different between groups indicating this effect was specific to anti-EBV antibodies (3.23 × 105 ± 4.44 × 104 high fatigue versus 4.60 × 105 ± 9.28 × 104 low fatigue; P = 0.288). Conclusions These data indicate that EBV is not more prone to reactivation during chronic stroke recovery in those with post-stroke fatigue. However, the dysregulated antibody response to EBV may be suggestive of viral reactivation at an earlier stage after stroke.

Akhil P Santhosh, Ajay Gogia

Boscarino JA, Adams RE, Urosevich TG et al.

Joseph A Boscarino,1 Richard E Adams,2 Thomas G Urosevich,3 Stuart N Hoffman,4 H Lester Kirchner,1 Xin Chu,5 Weixing Shi,5 Joseph J Boscarino,6 Ryan J Dugan,1 Carrie A Withey,1 Charles R Figley7 1Department Population Health Sciences, Geisinger Clinic, Danville, PA, 17822, USA; 2Department Sociology, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA; 3Ophthalmology Service, Geisinger Clinic, Mount Pocono, PA, 18344, USA; 4Department Sleep Medicine, Geisinger Clinic, Danville, PA, 17822, USA; 5Obesity Institute, Geisinger Clinic, Danville, PA, 17822, USA; 6Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, STC 7, Tampa, FL, 33606, USA; 7School of Social Work, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USACorrespondence: Joseph A BoscarinoDepartment Population Health Sciences, Geisinger Clinic, 100 N. Academy Ave., 44-00, Danville, PA, 17822, USATel +1 570-214-9825Email joseph.boscarino@gmail.comIntroduction: Since veteran suicide is a concern and our knowledge of predictive factors is still limited, our objective was to assess risk factors for suicide, including genetic factors, among deployed veterans.Methods: For this study, we surveyed 1730 veterans who were outpatients in a multi-hospital system in Pennsylvania. Altogether, 1041 veterans (60%) provided a DNA sample. The genetic risk variants investigated were within loci previously associated with PTSD and substance misuse, including CRHR1, CHRNA5, RORA, and FKBP5 genetic variations, which were used to calculate a polygenic risk score (range=0– 8, mean=3.6, SD=1.4).Results: Most veterans (56.2%) were deployed to Vietnam while significant numbers were deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and other post-Vietnam conflicts. Overall, 95.1% of the veterans were male, their mean age was 56.2 (SD=12), and 95.6% were Caucasian. Among the veterans, 24% had high combat exposure. The prevalence of lifetime suicidal thoughts was 11.3%. Additionally, 5.7% ever developed a suicide plan or attempted suicide in their lifetimes. Among those with a history of a lifetime suicide attempt or suicide plan, the PTSD genetic risk score was significantly higher (OR=3.96 vs 3.55, p=0.033), but for suicidal thoughts, this association was not significant (p=0.717). In multivariable analysis (MVA) logistic regression, significant predictors of attempting suicide or having a suicide plan were history of depression (OR=5.04, p< 0.001), PTSD genetic risk score (OR=1.25, p=0.036), history of childhood abuse/neglect (OR=2.24, p=0.009), and lifetime marijuana use (OR= 1.56, p=0.020). Conversely, rural residence was protective for suicide risk (OR=0.49; p=0.031). For suicidal thoughts, in the MVA genetic risk score was not significant (p=0.697), but history of child abuse/neglect (p< 0.001), history of depression (p> 0.001), low psychological resilience (p=0.004), and lifetime marijuana use (p=0.022) were significant.Discussion: In this study, we identified genetic risk variants and other predictors for suicide among veterans that may have implications for future screening and clinical care. Further research is advised.Keywords: veterans, warzone deployment, suicide, genetic factors, patient screening, precision medicine

Hoon Chin Lim, Yi-En Clara Seah, Arshad Iqbal et al.

Introduction: Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is commonly encountered in the emergency department (ED). Vagal manoeuvres are internationally recommended therapy in stable patients. The head down deep breathing (HDDB) technique was previously described as an acceptable vagal manoeuvre, but there are no studies comparing its efficacy to other vagal manoeuvres. Our objective in this study was to compare the rates of successful cardioversion with HDDB and the commonly practiced, modified Valsalva manoeuvre (VM). Methods: We conducted a randomised controlled trial at an acute hospital ED. Patients presenting with SVT were randomly assigned to HDDB or modified VM in a 1:1 ratio. A block randomisation sequence was prepared by an independent biostatistician, and then serially numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes were opened just before the intervention. Patients and caregivers were not blinded. Primary outcome was cardioversion to sinus rhythm. Secondary outcome(s) included adverse effects/complications of each technique. Results: A total of 41 patients were randomised between 1 August, 2018–1 February, 2020 (20 HDDB and 21 modified VM). Amongst the 41 patients, three spontaneously cardioverted to sinus rhythm before receiving the allocated treatment and were excluded. Cardioversion was achieved in six patients (31.6%) and seven patients (36.8%) with HDDB and modified VM, respectively (odds ratio 1.26, 95% confidence interval, 0.33, 4.84, P = 0.733). Seventeen (89.5%) patients in the HDDB group and 14 (73.7%) from the modified VM group did not encounter any adverse effects. No major adverse cardiovascular events were recorded. Conclusion: Both the head down deep breathing technique and the modified Valsalva manoeuvre appear safe and effective in cardioverting patients with SVT in the ED.

Mourad A. M. Aboul-Soud, Alhusain J. Alzahrani, Amer Mahmoud

The discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has made an invaluable contribution to the field of regenerative medicine, paving way for identifying the true potential of human embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Since the controversy around ethicality of ESCs continue to be debated, iPSCs have been used to circumvent the process around destruction of the human embryo. The use of iPSCs have transformed biological research, wherein increasing number of studies are documenting nuclear reprogramming strategies to make them beneficial models for drug screening as well as disease modelling. The flexibility around the use of iPSCs include compatibility to non-invasive harvesting, and ability to source from patients with rare diseases. iPSCs have been widely used in cardiac disease modelling, studying inherited arrhythmias, neural disorders including Alzheimer’s disease, liver disease, and spinal cord injury. Extensive research around identifying factors that are involved in maintaining the identity of ESCs during induction of pluripotency in somatic cells is undertaken. The focus of the current review is to detail all the clinical translation research around iPSCs and the strength of its ever-growing potential in the clinical space.

Rafael García Capurro

Presentado en la Sesión del 27 de Abril de 1949.

Maria Zahiri, Shima Parviz, Seyed javad Hosseini

Considerable research has been done in the past few decades to treat ischemic heart disease (stroke). Although drug therapies can improve heart disease and reduce mortality in heart failure, none is able to regenerate damaged heart tissue. Therefore, stem cell-based therapies are considered as new approaches to correcting heart tissue remodeling. Since the depletion of cardiac muscle cells at the beginning of the myocardial infarction act as a stimulus for myocardial remodeling, the ability to replace these cells with their healthy counterparts is an effective treatment for many types of cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we reviewed the advances made in the treatment of myocardial infarction through cell therapy.

Vítor Devezas, Pedro Amoroso Canão, Laura Elisabete Barbosa

Adil H. Al Kindi, Jayakrishnan B., Saif M. Al Mubaihsi et al.

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Camila Araujo Dantas, Caroline Medeiros Prohmann, Lorena Barcelos e Silva et al.

A hanseníase é uma doença infectocontagiosa de evolução crónica, causada pelo Mycobacterium leprae. Seu curso crónico pode ser interrompido por episódios reacionais agudos ou subagudos. O fenómeno de Lúcio é uma reação imunológica vasculítica que ocorre em doentes com lepra lepromatosa. Surge com máculas purpúricas que evoluem com necrose e ulceração, de forma ascendente, deixando cicatriz atrófica. Os autores descrevem o caso de um paciente de 73 anos, sexo masculino, com lesões ulceronecróticas em membros inferiores e exposição tendinosa em calcâneo. Com base em dados clínico-laboratoriais e exame dermatológico, confirmado diagnóstico de lepra lepromatosa com vasculite do tipo fenómeno de Lúcio. Evoluiu com boa resposta ao esquema alternativo de tratamento com poliquimioterapia multibacilar.

Fei Yang, Jian Guo, Feiyu Huang et al.

Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is the most toxic and frequently detected monocyclic heptapeptide hepatotoxin produced by cyanobacteria, which poses a great threat to the natural ecosystem and public health. It is very important to seek environment-friendly and cost-efficient methods to remove MC-LR in water. In this study, the MC-degrading capacities of a novel indigenous bacterial community designated as YFMCD4 and the influence of environmental factors including various temperatures, MC concentrations and pH on the MC-degrading activities were investigated utilizing high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In addition, the MC-degrading mechanism of YFMCD4 was also studied using HPLC coupled with a mass spectrometry equipped with electrospray ionization interface (HPLC-ESI-MS). The data showed MC-LR was completely removed at the maximum rate of 0.5 &micro;g/(mL&middot;h) under the optimal condition by YFMCD4. Two pure bacterial strains Alcaligenes faecalis and Stenotrophomonas acidaminiohila were isolated from YFMCD4 degraded MC-LR at a slower rate. The MC-degrading rates of YFMCD4 were significantly affected by different temperatures, pH and MC-LR concentrations. Two intermediates of a tetrapeptide and Adda appeared in the degradation process. These results illustrate that the novel YFMCD4 is one of the highest effective MC-degrading bacterial community, which can completely remove MC-LR and possesses a significant potential to treat water bodies contaminated by MC-LR.

Julie Chastang, Nour Baïz, Jean Sébastien Cadwallader et al.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0133604.].

Mohammad Hossein MOTAZEDIAN, Mohsen NAJJARI, Mohammad EBRAHIMIPOUR et al.

Background: Parasitic intestinal infections are still among socioeconomic prob­lems in the world, especially in developing countries like Iran. Food-handlers that directly deal with production and distribution of foods between societies are one of the most important sources to transmit parasitic infections to humans. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among food-handlers in Shiraz, Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 1021 feces samples were randomly col­lected from food-handlers in Shiraz, central Iran from August to September 2013. Two different methods, routine direct fecal examination and Formalin –Ethyl ace­tate concentration as a complementary technique, were done to detect parasites. Results: The prevalence of parasitic organisms was 10.4% in the food-handlers. The most species of the protozoan parasites were G. lamblia, E. coli and B. hominis; meanwhile, only one infection by H. nana (0.1%) was detected in this group. Mixed infections were observed in 13.2% (n=14/106) of positive cases. The majority of participants were male (57%); however, data analysis showed significant statistical difference in the rate of infection between females 11.9% (n=53/444) and males 9% (n=52/577) (P=0. 024). There was no significant statistical difference in the rate of infection among different educational and occupation groups. Conclusion: Although decreasing of helminthic infections is distinct, but infecting with protozoan parasites is still important in food-handlers. Concentration tech­nique is more useful than direct smear technique, especially for detection parasites in low number. High level of education in our study showed that training courses in this group could be effective in the implementation of control and prevention programs.

Maria Martins

A avaliação do desempenho docente constitui uma prática social complexa e problemática, com repercussões na vida das escolas. Dos diversos modelos teóricos propostos, têm tomado terreno, a nível internacional, os que integram, complementarmente, uma dimensão formativa e desenvolvimentista e uma outra de caráter sumativo, com objetivos de diferenciação. Neste trabalho, desenvolvido no âmbito do mestrado em Supervisão Pedagógica e Avaliação de Docentes na Universidade Católica, é feita, em primeiro lugar, uma análise a essa problemática com base na literatura da especialidade e na produção normativa em Portugal. É também apresentada uma reflexão crítica do processo avaliativo de 2009/2011 numa escola básica dos 2º e 3º ciclos. Os dados, recolhidos através da aplicação de entrevista a três docentes dessa escola, permitem identificar algumas infidelidades em relação aos referenciais (internos e externos), mas sobretudo, um desvio substancial face aos modelos teóricos propostos pela literatura. Com base na identificação de alguns pontos menos conseguidos, e tendo como referência esses mesmos modelos, são adiantadas algumas propostas que poderão contribuir para a melhoria do processo.

Blix Egil S, Irish Jonathan M, Husebekk Anne et al.

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Knowledge about signaling pathways in malignant cells may provide prognostic and diagnostic information in addition to identify potential molecular targets for therapy. B-cell receptor (BCR) and co-receptor CD40 signaling is essential for normal B cells, and there is increasing evidence that signaling via BCR and CD40 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of B-cell lymphoma. The aim of this study was to investigate basal and induced signaling in lymphoma B cells and infiltrating T cells in single-cell suspensions of biopsies from small cell lymphocytic lymphoma/chronic lymphocytic leukemia (SLL/CLL) and marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Samples from untreated SLL/CLL and MZL patients were examined for basal and activation induced signaling by phospho-specific flow cytometry. A panel of 9 stimulation conditions targeting B and T cells, including crosslinking of the B cell receptor (BCR), CD40 ligand and interleukins in combination with 12 matching phospho-protein readouts was used to study signaling.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Malignant B cells from SLL/CLL patients had higher basal levels of phosphorylated (p)-SFKs, p-PLCγ, p-ERK, p-p38, p-p65 (NF-κB), p-STAT5 and p-STAT6, compared to healthy donor B cells. In contrast, anti-BCR induced signaling was highly impaired in SLL/CLL and MZL B cells as determined by low p-SFK, p-SYK and p-PLCγ levels. Impaired anti-BCR-induced p-PLCγ was associated with reduced surface expression of IgM and CD79b. Similarly, CD40L-induced p-ERK and p-p38 were also significantly reduced in lymphoma B cells, whereas p-p65 (NF-κB) was equal to that of normal B cells. In contrast, IL-2, IL-7 and IL-15 induced p-STAT5 in tumor-infiltrating T cells were not different from normal T cells.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>BCR signaling and CD40L-induced p-p38 was suppressed in malignant B cells from SLL/CLL and MZL patients. Single-cell phospho-specific flow cytometry for detection of basal as well as activation-induced phosphorylation of signaling proteins in distinct cell populations can be used to identify aberrant signaling pathways.</p>

M. Khorsand

Belladona leaves as well as all other studied leaves contains two distinct phosphatase fractions belonging respectively to types II and IIIi the major parts of these enzymes is extraetible by water. It was not possible to extract the non soluble fraction which is solidly retained by the cellular constituents. Phosphatase II does not differ from other phosphatnses of the same type. Whereas phosphatase III is distinetely different from enzymes of the same type of vegetal or animal origins. It is activated by bivalent metallic ions which are specific activators of the alkaline phcspbatnses: Mg-Zn-Ni and Co.

Joshi Arun, Sah Shatrughan P, Agrawal Sudha et al.

A 34 year old female had vascular, keratotic papules on her external genitalia for 4 years. The histopathology was diagnostic of angiokeratoma. The case is being reported because of its uncommon occurrence.