Maja Radziwon, Konrad Borowski, Oskar Pastuszek
et al.
Microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) have emerged as ubiquitous environmental contaminants that are increasingly detected in human biological matrices, including blood, urine, placenta, and reproductive tissues [1–3]. Due to their small size, persistence, and physicochemical properties, these particles are capable of entering the human body through ingestion and inhalation, followed by systemic distribution [4]. Endometriosis is a chronic, estrogen-dependent inflammatory disease affecting approximately 10% of women of reproductive age and is characterized by immune dysregulation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and altered hormonal signaling [5–7]. Growing evidence indicates that exposure to environmental pollutants may modulate molecular pathways relevant to the development and progression of endometriosis [8]. Experimental studies demonstrate that MNPs can induce oxidative stress, activate inflammatory signaling cascades, disrupt endocrine function, and alter immune cell behavior—mechanisms that overlap with the established pathophysiology of endometriosis [9–12]. Recent reports describing the presence of microplastics in human endometrial tissue further raise concerns regarding direct tissue-level exposure [13]. This narrative review summarizes current PubMed-indexed evidence on human exposure to microplastics and nanoplastics, their biological effects relevant to female reproductive health, and the mechanistic plausibility of their involvement in endometriosis pathogenesis, while highlighting existing knowledge gaps and methodological limitations.
Objective Antimicrobial resistance is a significant global health challenge, exacerbated by unnecessary antibiotic prescribing. Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are common reasons for antibiotic prescribing in primary care, despite most being viral or bacterial infections that are self-limiting. C-reactive protein (CRP) point-of-care tests (POCTs) are promising tools to support antibiotic stewardship by guiding the management of lower RTIs (LRTIs). The aim of this study was to develop best practice guidance for using CRP POCT in the management of LRTIs in primary care.Design Scoping review findings informed guidance statements, which were then evaluated through a three-round Delphi process with an expert panel via web-based questionnaires. Statements focused on intended use, detection of bacterial LRTIs, communication strategies, device features, performance and ease of use of CRP POCT.Setting and participants The panel of experts included 19 healthcare professionals across several specialties, including general practitioners, community pharmacists, hospital pharmacists and respiratory physicians.Main outcome measures Panellists rated each guidance statement using a 5-point Likert scale, with acceptance, revision or rejection determined using predefined cut-off scores for medians and interquartile ranges. Statements were revised between rounds using the feedback provided by panellists.Results In the first round, 49 statements were evaluated; 16 were accepted, nine removed and 24 revised for the second round. Of the 24 statements evaluated in the second round, 17 were accepted and seven were revised. In the third round, consensus was reached on four of the seven statements presented, resulting in 37 final guidance statements. These statements covered key areas, including the appropriate use of CRP POCTs to guide antibiotic prescribing, CRP cut-off values, integration with clinical decision rules, device performance and operational considerations, training requirements and financial reimbursement. The panel emphasised the need for structured guidelines to align CRP POCT use with clinical context and highlighted its role in improving diagnostic confidence while supporting antibiotic stewardship.Conclusions This study provides a set of best practice guidance statements to support the use of CRP POCT in the management of LRTIs in primary care. Dissemination and further research are required to assess their impact.
Background Myopia is a refractive error, and in recent years, the prevalence of myopia among children and adolescents has remained high and has shown a tendency to be at a younger age, posing a great threat to the physical and mental health of children and adolescents. Currently, there are few systematic studies on myopia and risk factors in children and adolescents. Objective To explore the prevalence and influencing factors of myopia among children and adolescents in China using Meta-analysis. Methods A combination of Mesh subject terms and free terms was used to search for information on the prevalence of myopia in the databases of Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, China Knowledge Network (CNKI), Wanfang Data, VIP, and China Biomedical Literature Service System (SinoMed). Databases were searched for studies on the prevalence and influencing factors of myopia up to November 2024. The inclusion of studies was determined by consultation after independent screening by 2 investigators, and the studies were assessed for literature quality using the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) evaluation criteria, and Meta-analysis was performed using Stata 18.0 software. Results A total of 33 papers were included, with 768 813 cases of myopia. Meta-analysis showed that the prevalence of myopia among children and adolescents in China was 58% (95%CI=54%-62%), with the prevalence of myopia among females (OR=1.41, 95%CI=1.21-1.64), high school (OR=3.59, 95%CI=1.17-10.97), and senior grades (OR=1.53, 95%CI=1.33-1.77), urban (OR=2.12, 95%CI=1.29-3.48), one or both parents myopic (OR=1.88, 95%CI=1.78-1.99; OR=2.45, 95%CI=1.97-3.06), overweight or obese (OR=1.74, 95%CI=1.63-1.85), and incorrect reading and writing posture (OR=1.35, 95%CI=1.14-1.60), reading books or electronic screens while lying down or lying on their stomachs (OR=1.17, 95%CI=1.03-1.33), terminal video screen use >2 h per day (OR=1.29, 95%CI=1.15-1.44), and of outdoor activity <2 h per day (OR=1.41, 95%CI=1.10-1.80), average daily sleep time ≤8 h (OR=1.71, 95%CI=1.28-2.30), and attending cultural tutorial classes for ≥2 h in the past week (OR=1.27, 95%CI=1.12-1.42) were the risk factors for myopia in children and adolescents (P<0.05) ; doing eye exercises (OR=0.79, 95%CI=0.64-0.98), preferring vegetables and fruits (OR=0.84, 95%CI=0.76-0.92), and having outdoor activities during recess (OR=0.75, 95%CI=0.74-0.77) were protective factors for myopia in children and adolescents (P<0.05) . Conclusion The prevalence of myopia among children and adolescents in China is high, and females, high school, urban, family history of myopia, obesity, eye habits and conditions, sleep time, and insufficient outdoor activities are the main risk factors for myopia among children and adolescents, which should be improved to increase the attention to myopia among children and adolescents, and to provide early identification of myopia and intervention for children and adolescents, so as to reduce the prevalence of myopia and improve the quality of life of children with myopia.
Daniel Lubarsky, Daniel E. Clark, Kimberly Crum
et al.
Abstract Post‐acute sequelae of Coronavirus (PASC), or Long COVID, has emerged as a critical health concern. The clinical manifestations of PASC have been described, but studies have not quantified the cardiopulmonary effects. The goal of this study was to quantify PASC cardiopulmonary changes among endurance athletes. Endurance athletes were recruited via social media; 45 met inclusion criteria, 32 had PASC and 13 were asymptomatic at 3 months (control). Comprehensive interviews were conducted to assess: cardiopulmonary symptoms at 3 months; quantitative and qualitative changes in cardiovascular endurance; exercise hours per week at baseline and 3 months; and Modified Oslo, Dyspnea, and EQ‐5D‐5L scales. All collected data was based on self‐reported symptoms. Wilcoxon rank sum compared PASC with control to distinguish the effects of PASC vs effects of COVID infection/lockdown. PASC subjects were more likely to be female (Table). The most common 3‐month symptoms in PASC were fatigue and shortness of breath. Based on self‐reported data, subjects endorsed a median decrease of 27% in cardiopulmonary endurance levels compared with 0% in controls (p = 0.0019). PASC subjects exercised less hours and had worse self‐reported health as compared with controls. PASC subjects also had significantly worse Modified Oslo, Dyspnea, and EQ‐5D‐5L scores. Of the 32 PASC patients, 10 (31%) reported a complete inability to engage in any cardiovascular endurance exercise at 3 months. PASC leads to a significant, quantifiable decrease in cardiopulmonary health and endurance.
Diseases of the circulatory (Cardiovascular) system, Diseases of the respiratory system
Introduction
The association between levels of physical activity and depression is not well understood. However, depressive symptoms are common in patients with metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). This study aimed to investigate whether there is a correlation between MAFLD patients’ levels of moderate to vigorous recreational exercise and depression.
Material and methods
From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database, 2656 individuals with MAFLD were included in this investigation. Depressive symptoms were examined in relation to varying degrees of recreational activity using a generalized linear model that was weighted on numerous factors.
Results
After accounting for all potential confounding factors, the weighted generalized linear model revealed a negative correlation between moderate recreational activity and depression (OR = 0.599, 95% CI: 0.475–0.755; p < 0.001). This correlation persisted even after controlling for other variables. In spite of this, after controlling for all potential confounding variables, there was still no correlation between the intensity of recreational activity and depression. Females who engage in moderate amounts of amusement are less likely to suffer from depression, according to subgroup analysis (OR = 0.657, 95% CI: 0.440–0.983; p = 0.036).
Conclusions
This association persists after controlling for other variables; patients with MAFLD are more prone to depression, whereas those with higher levels of moderate recreational activity are less likely to suffer from depression. Their depressive symptoms may be treatable by modest recreational activity, according to these results.
It is emphasized that odontogenic sinusitis frequency for at least 9–11% of the total number of inflammatory diseases of the maxillofacial area, and the frequency of their complications ranges from 30% to 50%. Emphasis is placed on the fact that a frequent cause of the development of odontogenic sinusitis is errors in the endodontic treatment of teeth and errors in dental implantation, which is accompanied by the use of tools for processing root canals (root needles, drills, canal fillers, pulp extractors), as well as filling material and an implant behind the apex tooth root into the sinus cavity.
Radiological research methods play a leading role in the diagnosis of odontogenic sinusitis. Traditionally, for the evaluation of paranasal sinuses, radiography in the nasolabial projection, inspection radiographs of the skull in direct and lateral projections are used. The advantages and disadvantages of multispiral computed tomography (MCT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) are given separately. For a group of 130 patients, the results of the diagnostic informativeness of radiological examination methods in the detection of odontogenic sinusitis are given.
The obtained results allow to conclude that in all cases computer tomography (MCT or CBCT) made it possible to accurately diagnose the form of the disease, determine the extent of sinus damage, assess the condition of the lower bone wall of the sinus (reveal a violation of its integrity and report a tooth socket with a sinus), to determine the center of inflammation in the periodontium, as well as to detect the presence of foreign bodies in the maxillary sinus. At the same time, MCT and CBCT data were fully compared with each other, surpassed traditional radiological methods in terms of diagnostic informativeness and had such advantages as the absence of superposition, high contrast resolution, and the possibility of obtaining higher-quality image reconstructions in different planes.
The aim of study. To analyze the diagnostic value of radiological examination methods in the detection of odontogenic sinusitis.Material and methods: We examined 130 patients in the period from 2022 to 2023. X-ray examinations were performed on a Planmeca ProMax 3D cone beam computed tomography scanner and MCT.Results: Regarding the data of СBCT, it is possible to specify the localization of the foreign body and its connection with the odontogenic factor with high probability. It is worth noting that these sinusitis belong to the iatrogenic group of diseases.Conclusions: CT methods (MCT or CBCT) are a necessary component of the complex diagnosis of odontogenic sinusitis.
# Background
A large number of patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) have been developed for specific lower extremity orthopaedic pathologies. However, a consensus as to which PROMs are recommended for use in evaluating treatment outcomes for patients with hip, knee, ankle and/or foot pathology based on the strength of their psychometric properties is lacking.
# Objective
To identify PROMs that are recommended in systematic reviews (SRs) for those with orthopaedic hip, knee, foot, and ankle pathologies or surgeries and identify if these PROMs are used in the literature.
# Study design
Umbrella Review
# Methods
PubMed, Embase, Medline, Cochrane, CINAHL, SPORTDisucs and Scopus were searched for SRs through May 2022. A second search was done to count the use of PROMs in seven representative journals from January 2011 through May 2022.
SRs that recommended the use of PROMs based on their psychometric properties were included in the first search. SRs or PROMs not available in the English were excluded. The second search included clinical research articles that utilized a PROM. Case reports, reviews, and basic science articles were excluded.
# Results
Nineteen SRs recommended 20 PROMs for 15 lower extremity orthopaedic pathologies or surgeries. These results identified consistency between recommended PROMs and utilization in clinical research for only two of the 15 lower extremity pathologies or surgeries. This included the use of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and the Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score to assess outcomes (HAGOS) for those with knee osteoarthritis and groin pain, respectively.
# Conclusion
A discrepancy was found between the PROMs that were recommended by SRs and those used to assess clinical outcomes in published research. The results of this study will help to produce more uniformity with the use of PROMs that have the most appropriate psychometric properties when the reporting treatment outcomes for those with extremity pathologies.
# Level of evidence
3a
This study aims to determine the practical social media marketing activities to grow the loyalty of football club fans in Indonesia. Furthermore, this study analyzes social media marketing activities and what characteristics in social media marketing activities that can significantly increase fan loyalty. The benefit of this research is to find an appropriate and effective model of social media marketing activity for a football club to maintain and even increase the loyalty of its fans to the club. This study uses a qualitative approach, where the data obtained from the questionnaire is then processed through multiple linear regression analysis, so it can be concluded that the influence of social media on the loyalty of football club fans. This study found that social media marketing activities consist of four characteristics: entertainment, engagement, trendiness, and customization have a positive influence on fan loyalty. In addition, it was also found that social media marketing activities with engagement characteristics were the activities with the most substantial positive influence on significantly increasing fan loyalty.
Christine F. Markwalter, Myat Htut Nyunt, Zay Yar Han
et al.
Abstract Background Screening malaria-specific antibody responses on protein microarrays can help identify immune factors that mediate protection against malaria infection, disease, and transmission, as well as markers of past exposure to both malaria parasites and mosquito vectors. Most malaria protein microarray work has used serum as the sample matrix, requiring prompt laboratory processing and a continuous cold chain, thus limiting applications in remote locations. Dried blood spots (DBS) pose minimal biohazard, do not require immediate laboratory processing, and are stable at room temperature for transport, making them potentially superior alternatives to serum. The goals of this study were to assess the viability of DBS as a source for antibody profiling and to use DBS to identify serological signatures of low-density Plasmodium falciparum infections in malaria-endemic regions of Myanmar. Methods Matched DBS and serum samples from a cross-sectional study in Ingapu Township, Myanmar were probed on protein microarrays populated with P. falciparum antigen fragments. Signal and trends in both sample matrices were compared. A case-control study was then performed using banked DBS samples from malaria-endemic regions of Myanmar, and a regularized logistic regression model was used to identify antibody signatures of ultrasensitive PCR-positive P. falciparum infections. Results Approximately 30% of serum IgG activity was recovered from DBS. Despite this loss of antibody activity, antigen and population trends were well-matched between the two sample matrices. Responses to 18 protein fragments were associated with the odds of asymptomatic P. falciparum infection, albeit with modest diagnostic characteristics (sensitivity 58%, specificity 85%, negative predictive value 88%, and positive predictive value 52%). Conclusions Malaria-specific antibody responses can be reliably detected, quantified, and analysed from DBS, opening the door to serological studies in populations where serum collection, transport, and storage would otherwise be impossible. While test characteristics of antibody signatures were insufficient for individual diagnosis, serological testing may be useful for identifying exposure to asymptomatic, low-density malaria infections, particularly if sero-surveillance strategies target individuals with low previous exposure as sentinels for population exposure.
Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine, Infectious and parasitic diseases
Significant progress in osteochondral tissue engineering has been made for biomaterials designed to deliver growth factors that promote tissue regeneration. However, due to diffusion characteristics of hydrogels, the accurate delivery of signaling molecules remains a challenge. In comparison to the direct delivery of growth factors, gene therapy can overcome these challenges by allowing the simultaneous delivery of growth factors and transcription factors, thereby enhancing the multifactorial processes of tissue formation. Scaffold-based gene therapy provides a promising approach for tissue engineering through transfecting cells to enhance the sustained expression of the protein of interest or through silencing target genes associated with bone and joint disease. Reports of the efficacy of gene therapy to regenerate bone/cartilage tissue regeneration are widespread, but reviews on osteochondral tissue engineering using scaffold-based gene therapy are sparse. Herein, we review the recent advances in gene therapy with a focus on tissue engineering scaffolds for osteochondral regeneration.
Christian S. Eriksen, Rene B. Svensson, Anne T. Gylling
et al.
Abstract Background Regular loading of tendons may counteract the negative effects of aging. However, the influence of strength training loading magnitude on tendon mechanical properties and its relation to matrix collagen content and collagen cross-linking is sparsely described in older adults. The purpose of the present study was to compare the effects of moderate or high load resistance training on tendon matrix and its mechanical properties. Methods Seventeen women and 19 men, age 62–70 years, were recruited and randomly allocated to 12 months of heavy load resistance training (HRT), moderate load resistance training (MRT) or control (CON). Pre- and post-intervention testing comprised isometric quadriceps strength test (IsoMVC), ultrasound based testing of in vivo patellar tendon (PT) mechanical properties, MRI-based measurement of PT cross-sectional area (CSA), PT biopsies for assessment of fibril morphology, collagen content, enzymatic cross-links, and tendon fluorescence as a measure of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). Results Thirty three participants completed the intervention and were included in the data analysis. IsoMVC increased more after HRT (+ 21%) than MRT (+ 8%) and CON (+ 7%) (p < 0.05). Tendon stiffness (p < 0.05) and Young’s modulus (p = 0.05) were also differently affected by training load with a reduction in CON and MRT but not in HRT. PT-CSA increased equally after both MRT and HRT. Collagen content, fibril morphology, enzymatic cross-links, and tendon fluorescence were unaffected by training. Conclusion Despite equal improvements in tendon size after moderate and heavy load resistance training, only heavy. load training seemed to maintain tendon mechanical properties in old age. The effect of load magnitude on tendon biomechanics was unrelated to changes of major load bearing matrix components in the tendon core. The study is a sub-study of the LISA study, which was registered at http://clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02123641) April 25th 2014.
Analysis of correlation between miR-146a and miR-155 levels and concentration of antiviral cytokines in patients with allergopathy in active and latent phases of chronic persistence of Epstein-Barr virus infection (EBV) has been conducted. Thus, 38 patients with allergopathy and chronic persistence of EBV of different genders, age 32.73.2 years have been examined, who were divided into groups depending on the phases of virus persistence. Control group included 20 healthy individuals. Reliable changes in IL12, IL33, IL1ß and IFN- were revealed in patients of both groups. The results: reliably higher levels of miR-146a expression, by 2.9 times (р=8.0E-04) and by 2.25 times (р=0.011), respectively, compared with control group; reliable difference in miR-155 levels in patients with EBV-infection in active and latent forms of virus persistence (р=1.0E-07) and significant decrease in the indicated miRNA (р=1.0E-07) by 55.8 times in patients with latent course of EBV-infection compared with control. A reliable reverse correlation of various intensities was detected between IL12, IL1ß, IFN- and miR-146a; absence of correlation between TNF-α, IL33 and miR-146a was observed. A direct correlation was revealed between all investigated cytokines IL12, TNF-α, IL33, IL1ß, IFN- and miR-155. the results of investigation showed that elevation of miR-146a can prognostically indicate inhibition of pro-inflammatory activity of cytokines and anti-inflammatory protection with the formation of pathological disorders, including allergopathy. Meanwhile, the presence of chronic persistence of EBV demonstrates an opposite direction of correlations between miR-155 and cytokines with pro-inflammatory properties, which confirms the ability of opportunistic infections to modulate immune response toward allergopathy.