Medical Principles And Practice[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
The Modulation of Euglycemic Endocrine and Exocrine Pancreatic Secretions in Iron Deficiency.
Bani-Ahmad MA, Abu Tayyem NE
Med Princ Pract · 2024 · PMID 38479367 · Full text
OBJECTIVES: The contribution of pancreatic secretions in iron metabolism has been elucidated, but the clinical outcomes of iron deficiency on pancreatic function are debatable. This study aimed to investigate the modulat...
OBJECTIVES: The contribution of pancreatic secretions in iron metabolism has been elucidated, but the clinical outcomes of iron deficiency on pancreatic function are debatable. This study aimed to investigate the modulation of euglycemic endocrine and exocrine pancreatic excretions in response to variations in iron availability. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Serum levels of insulin, glucagon, insulin-to-glucagon ratio (IGR), and amylase were determined in 170 adult subjects with variable levels of serum iron. RESULTS: Control (n = 46) and iron-deficient (n = 124) subjects had significant differences (p < 0.001) in their average levels of insulin (68.7 ± 0.5 vs. 100.0 ± 2.0 pmol/dL), glucagon (17.9 ± 0.6 vs. 10.8 ± 0.8 pmol/dL), IGR (4.0 ± 0.1 vs. 19.5 ± 2.1), and amylase (29.7 ± 0.9 vs. 17.5 ± 0.2). The upregulation of serum insulin levels increases proportionally and gradually to the extent of iron deficiency as compared to an abrupt downregulation of serum levels of glucagon and amylase. A significant association was observed between serum iron and IGR (r = -0.645, p < 0.001) and amylase levels (r = 0.653, p < 0.001). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis defines an excellent predictivity of the reduced serum iron level to discriminate subjects with upregulated IGR and amylase levels with area under curves of 0.938 and 0.905, respectively. CONCLUSION: Iron deficiency is associated with an adaptive modulation of euglycemic endocrine and exocrine secretions that is consistent with a status of insulin resistance.
Alzheimer's Disease: A Suitable Case for Treatment with Precision Medicine?
Pauwels EKJ, Boer GJ
Med Princ Pract · 2024 · PMID 38471490 · Full text
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of neurodegenerative impairment in elderly people. Clinical characteristics include short-term memory loss, confusion, hallucination, agitation, and behavioral disturbanc...
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of neurodegenerative impairment in elderly people. Clinical characteristics include short-term memory loss, confusion, hallucination, agitation, and behavioral disturbance. Owing to evolving research in biomarkers, AD can be discovered at early onset, but the disease is currently considered a continuum, which suggests that pharmacotherapy is most efficacious in the preclinical phase, possibly 15-20 years before discernible onset. Present developments in AD therapy aim to respond to this understanding and go beyond the drug families that relieve clinical symptoms. Another important factor in this development is the emergence of precision medicine that aims to tailor treatment to specific patients or patient subgroups. This relatively new platform would categorize AD patients on the basis of parameters like clinical aspects, brain imaging, genetic profiling, clinical genetics, and epidemiological factors. This review enlarges on recent progress in the design and clinical use of antisense molecules, antibodies, antioxidants, small molecules, and gene editing to stop AD progress and possibly reverse the disease on the basis of relevant biomarkers.
The Impact of Educational Status on the Occurrence of Colonic Diverticula: Insights from an Austrian Cohort Study.
Völkerer A, Wernly S, Semmler G … +6 more , Flamm M, Radzikowski K, Datz L, Aigner E, Datz C, Wernly B
Med Princ Pract · 2024 · PMID 38471466 · Full text
OBJECTIVE: Education often reflects socioeconomic status. Research indicates that lower socioeconomic status may increase the risk of diverticulosis, and according to data from the USA, diverticular disease is a signific...
OBJECTIVE: Education often reflects socioeconomic status. Research indicates that lower socioeconomic status may increase the risk of diverticulosis, and according to data from the USA, diverticular disease is a significant and costly health problem. Our study explores the link between educational level and colonic diverticula occurrence. SUBJECT AND METHODS: We conducted a cohort study on 5,532 asymptomatic Austrian patients who underwent colonoscopy, categorizing them by education level using the updated Generalized International Standard Classification of Education (GISCED). Logistic regression models, adjusting for age, gender, metabolic syndrome, diet, and activity, were used to determine the association between education and diverticulosis. RESULTS: Overall, 39% of the patients had low educational status, while 53% had medium, and 8% had high educational status. Colon diverticula were less frequent in patients with medium (OR 0.73) and high (aOR 0.62) educational status. Medium educational level remained associated with lower rates of diverticulosis after adjustment for age and sex (aOR 0.85) and further metabolic syndrome, dietary habits, and physical activity (aOR 0.84). In higher education status, this phenomenon was only seen by trend. CONCLUSION: Low education correlated with higher colon diverticula risk, while medium education showed lower rates even after adjustments. This trend persisted at higher education levels, highlighting the potential for strategies for cost reduction tailored to socioeconomic conditions.
Advancements in HLA Typing Techniques and Their Impact on Transplantation Medicine.
Geo JA, Ameen R, Al Shemmari S … +1 more , Thomas J
Med Princ Pract · 2024 · PMID 38442703 · Full text
HLA typing serves as a standard practice in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation to ensure compatibility between donors and recipients, preventing the occurrence of allograft rejection and graft-versus-host disease. C...
HLA typing serves as a standard practice in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation to ensure compatibility between donors and recipients, preventing the occurrence of allograft rejection and graft-versus-host disease. Conventional laboratory methods that have been widely employed in the past few years, including sequence-specific primer PCR and sequencing-based typing (SBT), currently face the risk of becoming obsolete. This risk stems not only from the extensive diversity within HLA genes but also from the rapid advancement of next-generation sequencing and third-generation sequencing technologies. Third-generation sequencing systems like single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing and Oxford Nanopore (ONT) sequencing have the capability to analyze long-read sequences that span entire intronic-exonic regions of HLA genes, effectively addressing challenges related to HLA ambiguity and the phasing of multiple short-read fragments. The growing dominance of these advanced sequencers in HLA typing is expected to solidify further through ongoing refinements, cost reduction, and error rate minimization. This review focuses on hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and explores prospective advancements and application of HLA DNA typing techniques. It explores how the adoption of third-generation sequencing technologies can revolutionize the field by offering improved accuracy, reduced ambiguity, and enhanced assessment of compatibility in HSCT. Embracing these cutting-edge technologies is essential to advancing the success rates and outcomes of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. This review underscores the importance of staying at the forefront of HLA typing techniques to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients undergoing HSCT.
Whole Genome Sequencing: Applications in Clinical Bacteriology.
Mustafa AS
Med Princ Pract · 2024 · PMID 38402870 · Full text
The success in determining the whole genome sequence of a bacterial pathogen was first achieved in 1995 by determining the complete nucleotide sequence of Haemophilus influenzae Rd using the chain-termination method esta...
The success in determining the whole genome sequence of a bacterial pathogen was first achieved in 1995 by determining the complete nucleotide sequence of Haemophilus influenzae Rd using the chain-termination method established by Sanger et al. in 1977 and automated by Hood et al. in 1987. However, this technology was laborious, costly, and time-consuming. Since 2004, high-throughput next-generation sequencing technologies have been developed, which are highly efficient, require less time, and are cost-effective for whole genome sequencing (WGS) of all organisms, including bacterial pathogens. In recent years, the data obtained using WGS technologies coupled with bioinformatics analyses of the sequenced genomes have been projected to revolutionize clinical bacteriology. WGS technologies have been used in the identification of bacterial species, strains, and genotypes from cultured organisms and directly from clinical specimens. WGS has also helped in determining resistance to antibiotics by the detection of antimicrobial resistance genes and point mutations. Furthermore, WGS data have helped in the epidemiological tracking and surveillance of pathogenic bacteria in healthcare settings as well as in communities. This review focuses on the applications of WGS in clinical bacteriology.
Long-Term Mortality and SGLT2 Inhibitors in Type 2 Diabetes with and without Renal Impairment: An Observational Cohort Study.
Al-Muhaiteeb A, Alahmad B, Abu-Farha M … +5 more , Abubaker J, Thanaraj TA, Ali H, Al-Mulla F, Qaddoumi M
Med Princ Pract · 2024 · PMID 38359814 · Full text
AIM: Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have emerged as a vital part of management of type 2 diabetes, as they have been shown to have both cardiovascular and renal benefits along with an improved surviva...
AIM: Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have emerged as a vital part of management of type 2 diabetes, as they have been shown to have both cardiovascular and renal benefits along with an improved survival rate in several randomized clinical trials. We designed a retrospective cohort study to investigate the impact of SGLT2 inhibitors on mortality among type 2 diabetes patients. METHODS: Patients with type 2 diabetes who presented to the Dasman Diabetes Institute in Kuwait were followed from January 1st, 2015, until January 20th, 2023. To control for non-random allocation of SGLT2 inhibitors and measured confounders, we performed one-to-one propensity score matching and evaluated outcomes in the matched cohorts using a Cox proportional hazards model. The primary treatment variable was SGLT2 inhibitor use; time to mortality from any cause was used as the outcome of interest. RESULTS: 1,551 patients were taking SGLT2 inhibitors, and 1,687 patients were not. After propensity score matching, 845 patients were on SGLT2 inhibitors, and 845 patients were not. In post-matching analysis, all-cause mortality was higher among patients who did not take SGLT2 inhibitors compared to patients taking SGLT2 inhibitors (5.2 vs. 2.1%, p = 0.0012). The hazard ratio of all-cause mortality in patients taking SGLT2 inhibitors was 0.42 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.24-0.72). Additional adjustment of matching factors did not change the results. CONCLUSION: This observational study demonstrated substantial long-term reduction in mortality risk among patients with type 2 diabetes treated with SGLT2 inhibitors. This is irrespective of the stage of their renal diseases or GLP1 agonist.
The Effect of Citric and Ascorbic Acids as Anti-Biofilm and Anti-Capsular Agents on Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.
El-Soudany I, Attia N, Emad R … +1 more , Rezk S
Med Princ Pract · 2024 · PMID 38359804 · Full text
OBJECTIVE: Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) is an opportunistic bacterium with multiple virulence factors, including capsule and biofilm, and is known for its high drug resistance. Anti-virulence natural substances...
OBJECTIVE: Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) is an opportunistic bacterium with multiple virulence factors, including capsule and biofilm, and is known for its high drug resistance. Anti-virulence natural substances have been suggested as novel alternatives to conventional antibiotics. We aimed to evaluate the effect of citric and ascorbic acids as anti-biofilm and anti-capsular agents against multidrug-resistant (MDR) A. baumannii clinical isolates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight A. baumannii MDR isolates were collected from different clinical sources. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of each agent was estimated. Biofilm formation and capsule were investigated phenotypically in the absence and presence of both agents at ½ and ¼ MICs. The presence of 14 adhesive and nonadhesive virulence genes was investigated. RESULTS: Phenotypically, all the isolates were biofilm producers and were capsulated. The MIC of citric acid ranged from 1.25 to 2.5 mg/mL, while that of ascorbic acid was 3 mg/mL for all isolates. Both agents showed significant reduction in biofilm and capsular thinning. Ascorbic acid showed a dose-dependent effect in both biofilm reduction and capsule thinning unlike citric acid. Four genes, papG23, sfa1, fyuA, and cvaC, were absent among all isolates, while iutA was present in 100% of isolates. Other genes showed different distributions among the isolates. These virulence genes were not correlated to the anti-biofilm effect of both agents. Ascorbic acid was observed to have a better effect than citric acid. This can provide a clue for a better treatment regimen including ascorbic acid against MDR A. baumannii infections.
The Effects of Neuroactive Steroids on Myelin in Health and Disease.
Kalakh S, Mouihate A
Med Princ Pract · 2024 · PMID 38350432 · Full text
Myelin plays a pivotal role in the efficient transmission of nerve impulses. Disruptions in myelin integrity are associated with numerous neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis. In the central nervous syste...
Myelin plays a pivotal role in the efficient transmission of nerve impulses. Disruptions in myelin integrity are associated with numerous neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis. In the central nervous system (CNS), myelin is formed by oligodendrocytes. Remyelination refers to the re-formation of the damaged myelin sheath by newly formed oligodendrocytes. Steroids have gained attention for their potential modulatory effects on myelin in both health and disease. Steroids are traditionally associated with endocrine functions, but their local synthesis within the nervous system has generated significant interest. The term "neuroactive steroids" refers to steroids that can act on cells of the nervous system. In the healthy state, neuroactive steroids promote myelin formation, maintenance, and repair by enhancing oligodendrocyte differentiation and maturation. In pathological conditions, such as demyelination injury, multiple neuroactive steroids have shown promise in promoting remyelination. Understanding the effects of neuroactive steroids on myelin could lead to novel therapeutic approaches for demyelinating diseases and neurodegenerative disorders. This review highlights the potential therapeutic significance of neuroactive steroids in myelin-related health and diseases. We review the synthesis of steroids by neurons and glial cells and discuss the roles of neuroactive steroids on myelin structure and function in health and disease. We emphasize the potential promyelinating effects of the varying levels of neuroactive steroids during different female physiological states such as the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, lactation, and postmenopause.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Point-of-Care Testing of C-Reactive Protein, Interleukin-6, and Procalcitonin in Neonates with Clinically Suspected Sepsis: A Prospective Observational Study.
Goyal M, Mascarenhas D, Rr P … +1 more , Haribalakrishna A
Med Princ Pract · 2024 · PMID 38320541 · Full text
OBJECTIVE: Sepsis often prompts clinicians to start empirical antibiotics in suspected neonates while awaiting diagnosis. The next-generation testing with point-of-care (POC) techniques offers a lead-time advantage that...
OBJECTIVE: Sepsis often prompts clinicians to start empirical antibiotics in suspected neonates while awaiting diagnosis. The next-generation testing with point-of-care (POC) techniques offers a lead-time advantage that could bridge the gap by providing a timely diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective diagnostic study in 82 neonates enrolled between May and October 2022 in a level III neonatal intensive care unit. All neonates with a new episode of clinically suspected sepsis were included. Diagnostic accuracy of POC testing of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and procalcitonin (PCT) with standard laboratory methods was performed. RESULTS: The mean gestation age and birth weight of the neonates were 33.17 ± 4.25 weeks and 1,695.4 ± 700.74 grams, respectively. Most neonates were preterm (75%) with nearly equal proportions of early (51.22%) and late-onset (48.78%) sepsis. The POC CRP correlated well with standard CRP (r = 0.8001, 95% CI: 0.706-0.867, p < 0.0001). Among the three biomarkers, CRP had the maximum diagnostic accuracy (area under the curve [AUC] - 0.73) followed by PCT (AUC - 0.65) and IL-6 (0.55). There was no significant difference in the diagnostic accuracy of CRP (p = 0.46), PCT (p = 0.29), and IL-6 (p = 0.60) in early- and late-onset sepsis. The mean time for POC estimation of IL-6, PCT, and CRP was 12 ± 3 min which was significantly less compared to 366 ± 61 min for standard techniques (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: POC CRP correlates well with standard techniques of estimation, and CRP alone and in combination with PCT has good diagnostic accuracy in neonatal sepsis.
Clinical Benefits of Decreased Photo-Oxidative Stress on Human Embryo Development.
Gödöny K, Herczeg R, Gyenesei A … +9 more , Várnagy Á, Bognár Z, Kovács GL, Szekeres-Barthó J, Mauchart P, Nagy B, Erostyák J, Kovács K, Bódis J
Med Princ Pract · 2024 · PMID 38262379 · Full text
OBJECTIVE: Early embryonic development is characterized by rapid cell division and gene activation, making the embryo extremely sensitive to environmental influences. Light exposure can affect embryonic development throu...
OBJECTIVE: Early embryonic development is characterized by rapid cell division and gene activation, making the embryo extremely sensitive to environmental influences. Light exposure can affect embryonic development through a direct toxic effect on the embryo via the generation of reactive oxygen species. In a previous study, we demonstrated the positive effect of improved light-protected embryo culture conditions implemented in our laboratory. This study aimed to investigate the changes in human embryo development under light protection during the conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We tested the potential beneficial effect of light filters to reduce the risk of toxic effects of light. IVF outcomes were compared between two experimental conditions, light protection with red light filters versus no light protection as a control. RESULTS: Blastocyst development rate in IVF was significantly higher in the light-protected group than in the group treated under conventional conditions (46.6 vs. 26.7%). In the case of ICSI, we obtained a similar result (44.5 vs. 31.6%). The rate of cryopreservation with at least one embryo was higher in the light-protected phase (32.8%) than in the conventionally manipulated phase (26.8%). The abortion rate was also significantly lower during the light-protected period in IVF, resulting in a higher live birth rate. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of light protection to reduce the embryotoxic wavelengths of light in IVF centers may improve the blastocyst development rate and embryo quality while maintaining embryo safety.
TCF7L2 and FTO Polymorphisms Are Associated with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Risk in Kuwait.
Chaudhary N, Alawadhi F, Al-Serri A … +1 more , Al-Temaimi R
Med Princ Pract · 2024 · PMID 38228106 · Full text
OBJECTIVE: Despite the high prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity in the region, reports are limited on genetic risk factors associated with T2DM risk in Kuwait. Our aim was to investigate the associa...
OBJECTIVE: Despite the high prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity in the region, reports are limited on genetic risk factors associated with T2DM risk in Kuwait. Our aim was to investigate the association of reported FTO and TCF7L2 T2DM genetic risk variants in Kuwaiti T2DM patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: FTO rs9939609 and TCF7L2 rs7903146 variants were genotyped in 203 T2DM patients and 162 healthy controls. Data analysis included Fisher's exact test, χ2 test, and linear and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: FTO rs9939609 (AA) and TCF7L2 rs7903146 (TT) genotypes associated with T2DM risk among Kuwaitis (p = 0.0016 and p < 0.0001; respectively). Both variants had the strongest association with T2DM risk in an autosomal recessive inheritance model (FTO rs9939609A: odds ratio (OR) 2.136, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.21-3.67, p = 0.0075; TCF7L2 rs7903146T: OR 3.283, 95% CI: 1.92-5.76, p < 0.0001). Moreover, rs7903146T associated with risk of peripheral neuropathy (β = 0.735, 95% CI: 0.514-0.96, p < 0.001) and risk of myocardial infarction (β = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.024-0.7, p = 0.036) in T2DM patients. CONCLUSION: The increased susceptibility of Kuwaitis to T2DM is influenced by the same common genetic factors found in other T2DM populations. Further investigations of other T2DM genetic risk factors in Kuwait should refine and further support the clinical utility of a genetic risk score in predicting T2DM risk in a high-risk population such as Kuwait.
Impact of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome on Periodontal Status of Women of Adolescent and Adult Age Groups: A Cross-Sectional Study.
Jaglan S, Tewari S, Singhal SR … +1 more , Sharma RK
Med Princ Pract · 2024 · PMID 38211576 · Full text
OBJECTIVE: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is identified as the most common endocrine disorder in reproductive-aged women, and symptoms of PCOS appear during the early pubertal age. There is a gap in knowledge in recogn...
OBJECTIVE: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is identified as the most common endocrine disorder in reproductive-aged women, and symptoms of PCOS appear during the early pubertal age. There is a gap in knowledge in recognizing the status of gingival inflammation/periodontal destruction and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels (hsCRP) in adolescents versus adults with PCOS. This study aimed to observe the impact of PCOS on periodontal status and systemic inflammation in adolescents and compared them with adults with PCOS. METHODS: A total of 100 newly diagnosed female subjects with PCOS were enrolled into two groups: adolescents (11-19 years, n = 50) and adult females (20-40 years, n = 50). Periodontal parameters, anthropometric parameters, PCOS phenotype, hirsutism score, and serum hsCRP levels were recorded. RESULTS: High levels of mean hsCRP, gingival index, and bleeding on probing % were observed in adolescent and adult PCOS groups, though nonsignificant between the groups (p > 0.05). Significantly more sites with probing pocket depth 3-4 mm, higher mean clinical attachment level (CAL) and sites with CAL 1-2 mm, and high frequency of patients (n = 11) with periodontitis (stage 1) were observed in adults with PCOS compared to adolescents (p ≤ 0.05). Similar and predominant prevalence of PCOS phenotype A (66%) and moderate hirsutism (46% adolescents vs. 58% adults) were observed in both groups. CONCLUSION: Similar levels of hsCRP and periodontal inflammation were found in adolescents and adults with PCOS. More periodontal tissue destruction was observed in adults with PCOS as compared to adolescents with PCOS.
Prevalence and Factors Associated with Olfactory Dysfunction in Individuals with COVID-19 in Brazil: A Study of 20,669 Cases from 2020 to 2021.
Souza CDF, Magalhães AJA, Silva Nobre YV … +8 more , Souza CA, Nascimento ALOD, Faria LR, Bezerra-Santos M, Armstrong ADC, Nicácio JM, Gomes OV, Carmo RFD
Med Princ Pract · 2024 · PMID 38198785 · Full text
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence and factors associated with olfactory dysfunction in individuals with COVID-19 in the first 2 years of the pandemic in Brazil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is...
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence and factors associated with olfactory dysfunction in individuals with COVID-19 in the first 2 years of the pandemic in Brazil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prevalent study involving the confirmed cases of COVID-19 recorded in the municipality between the years 2020 and 2021. Individuals symptomatic for COVID-19, with a positive laboratory result and aged 12 or older were included in this study. Measures of central tendency and dispersion were used in the description of continuous variables and frequency was used for categorical variables. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to evaluate data distribution. RESULTS: Data from 20,669 individuals were analyzed. The prevalence of olfactory disorders was 17.9% and increased from 11.5% to 21.9% between 2020 and 2021. A female gender predominance was observed among individuals who reported anosmia, with 61.1% (n = 564) in 2020 and 61.7% (n = 1,713) in 2021. On the other hand, the median age of individuals with olfactory disorders was lower than that of the group without disorders (35 [IQR 27-46] vs. 39 [IQR 29-50]; p < 0.001). Smell disturbances were present in 18.2% (n = 3,634) of patients who recovered and in 7.1% (n = 38) of those who died. Furthermore, in 2021, a prevalence rate of 30.6% for olfactory disorders was linked to obesity as a comorbidity. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of olfactory disorders was lower compared to other studies, with cough and fever being negatively related to olfactory dysfunction and headache, coryza, and taste disorders being positively related. Obesity was the only associated comorbidity.
Cannabis-Induced Gastrointestinal Tract Symptoms in the Adult Population: A Systematic Review.
Senderovich H, Meaney C, Vashishtha S
Med Princ Pract · 2024 · PMID 38198773 · Full text
OBJECTIVE: Cannabinoid usage is widespread in the self-management of various medical ailments. However, adverse effects have been reported with use, especially pertaining to the gastrointestinal system in adults and aged...
OBJECTIVE: Cannabinoid usage is widespread in the self-management of various medical ailments. However, adverse effects have been reported with use, especially pertaining to the gastrointestinal system in adults and aged patients. These range from nausea, vomiting, bloating, or abdominal pain. This systematic review of previously reported cannabis-induced gastrointestinal symptoms in the adult population from the literature provides an analysis of relevant data to enhance knowledge and awareness of this topic. METHODS: PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, Cochrane Central, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases were searched for relevant studies published from inception to March 2023. RESULTS: The search yielded 598 results, of which 13 were deemed relevant and underwent further review. These included two systematic reviews, one retrospective cohort study, one retrospective chart review, two cross-sectional studies, one survey, and six case reports. The Cochrane Risk Tool for bias analysis was applied where relevant. The total number of people in the studies selected for analysis was 79, 779. Twelve out of the thirteen included studies reported some type of gastrointestinal tract symptoms experienced in medical and/or recreational cannabis users ranging from nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain to adult intussusception. CONCLUSION: Potential limitations include small sample sizes, variation in research methodologies, varied studied designs, and limited availability of data on specific populations such as geriatric users. Further research is warranted to add to current evidence pertaining to this emerging topic of significance, fill the broad knowledge gaps and contribute to evidence-based guidelines for healthcare professionals, ensuring safe prescribing practices and provision of quality care.
Correlation between Physical Activity and Depression in Community-Dwelling Older Adult Palestinians.
Halaweh H, Al-Khateeb A, Rasheed A … +3 more , Tomeze L, Sultan M, Alqaissi I
Med Princ Pract · 2024 · PMID 38160672 · Full text
OBJECTIVE: Investigating the relationship between physical activity (PA) and depressive symptoms is a vital field of research globally. Nonetheless, this association remains unexplored in the context of older Palestinian...
OBJECTIVE: Investigating the relationship between physical activity (PA) and depressive symptoms is a vital field of research globally. Nonetheless, this association remains unexplored in the context of older Palestinian adults, highlighting the need for additional research on this population. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the association between PA and depressive symptoms among older Palestinian adults. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the West Bank/Palestine with 266 participants. Data were collected using a PA socio-cultural adapted questionnaire (PA-SCAQ), the EuroQuol-5Dimensions-5Levels measure, and the Geriatric depression scale (GDS-15). Independent sample t tests and ANOVA tests were used to investigate mean differences in PA and GDS-15 scores between groups. Furthermore, multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between study variables and the impact of the independent variable (PA level) on depressive symptoms. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 65.01 ± 8.02 years (range: 55-86), women 51.9%. Lower levels of PA and higher depressive symptoms were recorded among women, participants ≥65 years, and with recorded diagnosed disease (p < 0.05). The regression analysis showed a negative significant correlation between PA and GDS-15 scores (β = -0.235, p < 0.001), when controlling for age (model 2), and for age and sex (model 3), significant associations were recorded, respectively (β = 0.192, p = 0.002), and (β = 0.14, p = 0.015). CONCLUSION: Participants who recorded higher depressive symptoms had a lower level of PA; regular moderate-intensity aerobic exercises can contribute to prevent depression symptoms in older adults.
Clinicopathological Pattern of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer in Kuwait: A Retrospective Study.
Almutairi R, Al-Awadhi R, Al-Sabah H
Med Princ Pract · 2024 · PMID 38160671 · Full text
OBJECTIVE: One in every three diagnosed malignancies is skin cancer, making it the most prevalent type of cancer in the world. As skin cancer is not commonly reported in Kuwait, this study was conducted to analyze the cl...
OBJECTIVE: One in every three diagnosed malignancies is skin cancer, making it the most prevalent type of cancer in the world. As skin cancer is not commonly reported in Kuwait, this study was conducted to analyze the clinicopathological characteristics of nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSC), primarily basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), during the last 13 years in a tertiary dermatology center in Kuwait. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were searched for patients with NMSC, primarily BCC and SCC, from 2010 to 2022. A retrospective review was conducted and descriptive data analysis was performed. RESULTS: Of 7,645 cases, a total of 146 patients had NMSC. The patient's average age was 64.9 years. 123 cases (84.2%) had BCC, whereas 23 (15.8%) had SCC. Most of the tumors were seen on the face (35.6%), scalp (20.8%), and nose (17.8%), followed by the back (6.2%), trunk (5.5%), and ear (5.5%). Well-differentiated Cutaneous SCCs were detected in 82.6% of cases. Ulceration was observed in (21.9%) of tumors. The nodular BCC subtype was observed in 50.4% of patients. CONCLUSION: BCC is the most common type of NMSC detected in Kuwait, with the scalp and face being the most common sites of involvement. Any suspicious lesions should be biopsied to rule out skin malignancy.
COVID-19 in Dental Practice Is Prevented by Eugenol Responsible for the Ambient Odor Specific to Dental Offices: Possibility and Speculation.
Tsuchiya H, Takai Y
Med Princ Pract · 2024 · PMID 38147833 · Full text
Dental professionals routinely work in proximity to patients even when either or both of them have suspected or confirmed COVID-19. The oral cavity also serves as a reservoir for SARS-CoV-2 because the virus is present i...
Dental professionals routinely work in proximity to patients even when either or both of them have suspected or confirmed COVID-19. The oral cavity also serves as a reservoir for SARS-CoV-2 because the virus is present in and replicates in oral secretions (saliva and gingival crevicular fluid), oral tissues (salivary gland and periodontal tissue), and oral microenvironments (gingival sulcus and periodontal pocket). Despite a high risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the prevalence of COVID-19 in dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, and their patients was similar to that in the general population even during the pandemic. We propose that eugenol, which is responsible for the ambient odor specific to dental offices, could contribute to prevention of COVID-19 in dental settings. Eugenol is not only released from dental materials (filling, cement, and sealer) but is also aerosolized by dental procedures (grinding, polishing, and restoration). Such eugenol has been suggested to possess the potential to inhibit the infectivity and replication of SARS-CoV-2, the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into human cells by binding specifically to the viral spike protein, and the protease indispensable for SARS-CoV-2 replication. It has been shown that aerosolized eugenol acts on airborne viruses to reduce their loads. This review highlights a hypothesis that the environment of dental offices impregnated with eugenol suppresses SARS-CoV-2 airborne transmission and SARS-CoV-2 contagion between dental professionals and patients, preventing COVID-19 in dental practice. Anti-COVID-19 eugenol might give insights into the safe delivery of dental treatment and oral care in the COVID-19 era.
Spatial Variations in the Nasal Microbiota of Staff Working in a Healthcare-Associated Research Core Facility.
Mustafa AS, Habibi N
Med Princ Pract · 2024 · PMID 38147830 · Full text
OBJECTIVE: Workers in the healthcare sector are exposed to a multitude of bacterial genera. The location of their work contributes significantly to shaping personal microbiomes. In this study, we investigated the role of...
OBJECTIVE: Workers in the healthcare sector are exposed to a multitude of bacterial genera. The location of their work contributes significantly to shaping personal microbiomes. In this study, we investigated the role of the workspace on the nasal bacteriome of staff working in a healthcare-associated research facility. METHODS: The anterior nares of 10 staff working in different laboratories on the ground and first floor of the research facility were aseptically swabbed. Genomic DNA from each sample was used to amplify the V3 and V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene. The amplified products were sequenced using the MiSeq sequencer (Illumina). Operational taxonomic units were filtered through MG-RAST v.3.6. Taxonomic profiling and visualizations were performed in MicrobiomeAnalyst v2.0. RESULTS: The Wilcoxson Sum test at median abundances (p < 0.05) indicated that seven taxa (Micromonosporaceae, Micromonospora, Lactobacillaceae, Lactobacillus, Betaproteobacteria, Burkholderiales, Pectobacterium) were significantly diverse between ground-floor and first-floor workers. The analysis of similarity coefficient was 0.412 (p < 0.03) between the ground and the first-floor workers. Random forest analysis predicted 15 features that were significantly different (p < 0.05) in individuals working in different laboratories. Species richness and evenness also differed according to the placement of individuals in respective laboratories. CONCLUSION: These findings add to the knowledge that the healthcare support staff are at a speculated occupational risk. A slight shift in the abundances of bacterial genera and species might lead to unwanted consequences. Continual monitoring is thus warranted.
Association between Pre-Operative Total Prostate-Specific Antigen and Survivorship of Prostate Cancer following Radical Prostatectomy: A Systematic Review.
Okwor CJ, Okwor VC, Meka IA … +2 more , Emedoh AE, Nweke M
Med Princ Pract · 2024 · PMID 38142683 · Full text
OBJECTIVE: This review aimed to systematically quantify the association between pre-operative total prostate-specific antigen (tPSA) and survivorship of prostate cancer (PCa). METHODS: Data sources for the review include...
OBJECTIVE: This review aimed to systematically quantify the association between pre-operative total prostate-specific antigen (tPSA) and survivorship of prostate cancer (PCa). METHODS: Data sources for the review included MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Academic Search Complete, PsycINFO, and relevant reference lists. Databases were searched from inception to June 2022. The study took place between May 2022 and March 2023. We included studies that applied a quantitative approach to examine the interaction between pre-operative PSA and survivorship of PCa. Pre-operative PSA constituted the independent variable, whereas survivorship of PCa as measured by biochemical recurrence and mortality constitute the outcome variable. A risk of bias assessment was conducted with the aid of a mixed-method appraisal tool. We employed meta-analysis to quantify the association of pre-operative PSA with biochemical recurrence and mortality and computed I2 to assess the degree of heterogeneity. RESULTS: We found a positive weak association between pre-operative PSA and biochemical recurrence (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.074; 95% CI = 1.042-1.106). With a median rise in PSA (≥2 ng/mL), the likelihood for biochemical recurrence increase by approximately 7.4%. There was statistically a significant association between PSA and mortality (HR = 1.222, CI = 0.917-1.630). CONCLUSIONS: Biochemical recurrence associates with pre-operative PSA in an inconsistent manner. The sole use of pre-operative PSA in estimating post-prostatectomy biochemical recurrence should be discouraged. There is need for a multifactorial model which employs a prudent combination of the most important and cost-effective biomarkers in predicting post-prostatectomy biochemical recurrence.
Factors Affecting the Second Complete Atypical Femoral Fracture after the First Atypical Fracture.
Tsuchie H, Kasukawa Y, Nozaka K … +17 more , Kinoshita H, Sasaki K, Aizawa T, Mita M, Ouchi K, Yuasa Y, Miura T, Tomite T, Maekawa S, Abe H, Akagawa M, Shibata N, Fujii M, Takeshima M, Inoue J, Saito H, Miyakoshi N
Med Princ Pract · 2024 · PMID 38104544 · Full text
OBJECTIVES: Atypical femoral fracture (AFF) is an atypical low-energy subtrochanteric and diaphyseal femoral fracture. Even if bone fusion is achieved in patients with AFF, the risk of AFF in the contralateral femur must...
OBJECTIVES: Atypical femoral fracture (AFF) is an atypical low-energy subtrochanteric and diaphyseal femoral fracture. Even if bone fusion is achieved in patients with AFF, the risk of AFF in the contralateral femur must be considered. This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting complete AFF in the contralateral femur and conservatively treated incomplete AFF. SUBJECT AND METHODS: Radiographs of 111 femurs in 104 AFF cases were examined, and the femurs were classified as follows: 85 contralateral femurs with complete AFF; 18 contralateral femurs with incomplete AFF; 8 femurs with incomplete AFF without surgical treatment. Various patients' clinical data were collected, and we investigated the factors affecting the second complete AFF. RESULTS: Complete fractures occurred in 10 (9.7%) of 103 femurs without incomplete AFF at the first visit and in 3 (37.5%) of 8 femurs with incomplete AFF. The Kaplan-Meier curve revealed that lateral cortical bone thickening and thigh pain were associated with significantly poorer prognoses (p = 0.026 and p = 0.013, respectively). Multivariate analyses revealed that eldecalcitol usage after AFF onset (p = 0.0094) and previous use of bisphosphonate or denosumab (p = 0.0126) were protective factors for second complete AFF and that the presence of thigh pain (p = 0.0134) was a risk factor for second complete AFF. CONCLUSIONS: Eldecalcitol administration after bone union of first AFF may prevent AFF recurrence. In addition, painful incomplete AFF has a high risk of developing a complete fracture.
About
- Frequency
- Sun
- Papers found
- 200
- RSS feed
- Subscribe