scholarly journals Post-mortem computed tomography is a useful tool for determining the pulmonary ventilation status in newborns

Rechtsmedizin ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian T. Fischer ◽  
Michael Schwerer ◽  
Stefanie Lochner ◽  
Daniel Maxien ◽  
Fabian Mück ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Live Birth ◽  
Pulmonary Ventilation ◽  
Lung Ventilation ◽  
The Body ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Current Standard ◽  
Ct Number

Abstract Introduction Lung ventilation is a standard sign of life in newborns. Post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) is highly sensitive to the presence of gas in the body including the lungs. Current standard examinations to determine the pulmonary ventilation status in newborns are the flotation test and histology. The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of PMCT with the flotation test for determining the lung ventilation status with histological control as reference standard. A cut-off value as CT number in Hounsfield Units (HU) determining lung ventilation of newborns in PMCT should be established. Methods A total of 38 infant lungs were examined of which 21 lungs were from infants deceased shortly after live birth (control group) and 17 lungs belonged to infants where live birth was in question (study group). All lungs were examined using PMCT, flotation test, and histological examination. Results The control group showed an overall mean attenuation ± standard deviation of −219 HU ± 135; the study group of 45 ± 15 HU in histologically nonventilated lungs versus −192 ± 207 HU; (p < 0.001) in ventilated lungs. The best cut-off value for optimal discrimination of ventilated and nonventilated lungs in newborns was −35 mean HU. Conclusion PMCT is equally well suited to determine lung ventilation as the flotation test. It provides additional information regarding pulmonary infiltration, degree of putrefaction, or signs of trauma (fractures, pneumothorax). Histology remains mandatory in ambiguous cases.

scholarly journals A randomised, open label comparative study of hydroxychloroquine with betamethasone oral mini pulse in the management of patients with alopecia areata

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 187
Author(s):  
Jeyasudha Jambusayee ◽  
Kulur Mukhyaprana Sudha
Keyword(s):  
Alopecia Areata ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Autoimmune Disorder ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Pulse Therapy ◽  
The Body ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Significant Difference

Background: Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder causing patchy hair loss on scalp and other parts of the body and leading to poor self-esteem and anxiety in patients. Treatment with topical or systemic drugs like steroids or other immunosuppressants is associated with adverse effects. Hydroxychloroquine is an antimalarial drug, with T cell modulating function. This study was undertaken to assess the safety, efficacy and tolerability of Hydroxychloroquine in Alopecia areata compared to betamethasone oral mini pulse (OMP) therapy. Methods: 60 patients with alopecia areata were randomized into two groups of 30 each. Control group received tab. betamethasone 5 mg/day on two consecutive days of week for 12 weeks and Study group received tab. hydroxychloroquine 200 mg/day for 12 weeks. They were followed-up for further 12 weeks. Scale of alopecia tool, dermatology life quality index and global assessment at baseline, 12 weeks and 24 weeks were used to assess the outcome.Results: 94 patients were screened and 60 patients were included. All patients completed the study. At the end of 12 weeks, there was a statistically significant reduction in SALT and DLQI scores in both control and study groups. But at the end of 24 weeks, the study group showed an increase in the scores. Relapses were more in the study group. No significant difference in the incidence of adverse events was noted between the two groups.Conclusions: Hydroxychloroquine 200 mg/day is less efficacious in the management of alopecia areata in comparison to betamethasone oral mini pulse therapy.

Cide-A Gene Expression in Patients with Obesity Qualified for Endovascular Treatment of Abdominal Aorta Aneurysm

2015 ◽  
Vol 86 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcin Feldo ◽  
Janusz Kocki ◽  
Jan Feldo ◽  
Sylwia Łukasik ◽  
Jacek Bogucki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Endovascular Aneurysm Repair ◽  
The Body ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Aorta Aneurysm ◽  
Group Play ◽  
Aneurysm Repair ◽  
Adipose Tissue Cells

Abstractgene and the genes of LRP group play a key role in the regulation of the body weight and lipid metabolism in mammals.was to define the role of. The study group consisted of 38 subjects, including 27 men and 11 women qualified for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). The subjects with abdominal aortic aneurysm were enrolled in the study group, depending on the body mass index (BMI); in obese patients (BMI > 30). The control group (n = 16) included subjects without lipid disorders. One-step isolation of RNA from lymphocytes and adipose tissue cells was performed using the modified TRI method by Chomc-zynski and Sacchi, and then the gene expression was tested by real-time PCR.. The highest mean relative of the gene expression for. Due to the important role of the

scholarly journals The Assessment of the Integrated Antioxidant System of the Body in the Course of Radon Therapy: A Pilot Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jadwiga Kuciel-Lewandowska ◽  
Jan Gnus ◽  
Lilla Pawlik-Sobecka ◽  
Sylwia Płaczkowska ◽  
Izabela Kokot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant System ◽  
Colorimetric Assay ◽  
Total Antioxidant Status ◽  
The Body ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Disc Disease ◽  
Total Antioxidant ◽  
Radon Water ◽  
And Control

Introduction. The sources of Reactive Oxidative Species (ROS) in the organism are the respiratory processes occurring in cells catalyzed by different enzymes. Operation of ROS is balanced by antioxidants, the compounds; although present in low concentrations, they significantly inhibit the degree of oxidation of particular molecules. The Aim of the Study. The aim of this study was to assess the changes in the integrated antioxidant system under the influence of radon therapy in osteoarthritis patients. Material and Methods. Observation included 35 patients suffering from degenerative joints and disc disease (mean age 56.5 years) undergoing radon water therapy and control group that consisted of 15 osteoarthritis patients (mean age 54.2) without contact with radon water. Before therapy and after 18 days of treatment, serum total antioxidant status (TAS) was assessed with the use of standard colorimetric assay. Results. In the study group, we observed trends to increase TAS concentration, whereas, in the control group, TAS concentration was decreasing. Conclusions. (1) Radon waters treatment influenced the level of TAS of osteoarthritis patients treated with the radon water. (2) The change in TAS concentrations in the study group may be the result of low doses of ionizing radiation, but further studies on larger patient’s groups are demanded. This study is registered with number NCT03274128.

scholarly journals Prognostic Utility of Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography: A 5-Year Follow-Up in Type 2 Diabetes Patients with Suspected Coronary Artery Disease

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daliang Liu ◽  
Huijuan Jia ◽  
Yucun Fu ◽  
Wen He ◽  
Daqing Ma
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Coronary Artery ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Coronary Events

Objectives.To analyze the predictive value of coronary computed tomography angiography on acute coronary artery events in patients with type 2 diabetes.Methods.Coronary computed tomography angiography was performed in 250 type 2 diabetic patients. After a follow-up for 5 years, 145 patients were excluded as they did not have any coronary events. The remaining 95 patients were divided into study group and control group. According to their density and shape, the coronary artery plaques were classified into 3 types and 4 types, respectively.Results.There is no statistically significant difference in the degree of stenosis between two groups. The proportion of calcified plaques in the study group was lower than in the control group. The proportion of mixed-calcified plaques in the study group was higher than in the other. Type III plaques have a 76.2% sensitivity and negative predictive value was 64.5% for acute coronary events; type IV plaques have a sensitivity of 52.6% and positive predictive value of 63% for chronic coronary events.Conclusions.CCTA may be used as a non-invasive modality for evaluating and predicting vulnerable coronary atherosclerosis plaques in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Effectiveness study of “occupational connections” – A short-term, in-patient intervention for promotion functioning and participation in daily life of people with mental health conditions

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S380-S381
Author(s):  
L. Lipskaya-Velikovsky ◽  
T. Krupa ◽  
M. Kotler
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Functional Capacity ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Body ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Hospital Treatment ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Mental Health Conditions

ObjectivesMental health conditions (MHC) have been associated with restrictions in daily life participation and functioning affecting health and well-being. Substantial numbers of people with MHC experience hospitalizations, however, there is limited evidence supporting functional interventions in the in-patient setting to promote recovery. The OC is an intervention implemented during sub-acute hospitalization, which attempts to promote activity and participation of people with MHC, both during the in-patient stay and upon return to the community, with a view to enabling recovery. To facilitate its implementation, we investigate the OC effectiveness.AimsInvestigate the OC contribution to cognition, symptoms and functional capacity among inpatients with schizophrenia.MethodsThis is a quasi-experimental, prospective, pre/post-designed study with convenience sampling. Inpatients with schizophrenia were enrolled into the study group participating in the OC intervention (n = 16); or the control group participating in hospital treatment as usual (n = 17). The study participants completed evaluations at baseline and at discharge or after 10 weeks with: Neurocognitive State Examination, Trail Making Test, Ray Complex Figure, and Category Fluency Test for aspects of cognition; Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for symptoms severity, and Observed Tasks of Daily Living-Revised for functional capacity.ResultsStatistically significant improvement in cognitive functioning, symptoms severity and functional capacity was found in the study group after the intervention. These changes were not observed in the control group.ConclusionThe results support the OC effectiveness for cognitive and functional capacity improvement and symptomology relief. The findings advance the body of evidence for functional interventions in hospital settings.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Melatonin Level Variations with Different Behavioural Risk Factors in Obese Female Patients

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 613-617 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Malazonia ◽  
Tamar Zerekidze ◽  
Elen Giorgadze ◽  
Natia Chkheidze ◽  
Ketevan Asatiani
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
The Body ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Melatonin Level ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Female Patients ◽  
Behavioural Risk Factors ◽  
Obese Female ◽  
Behavioural Factors

AIM: The role of behavioural factors and sleep duration and quality is important in the pathogenesis of obesity. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of behavioural risk factors on melatonin secretion in women.SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In total, 120 female patients were enrolled in the study and divided into two groups according to the body mass index. Detailed history, anthropometric measurements, urine and blood samples were evaluated for each patient.RESULTS: Two groups significantly differed in weight, BMI, and waist circumference, and were 94.2 ± 14.9 kg, 33.4 ± 5.23 kg/m2 and 99.2 ± 12.6 cm for the study group and 56.0 ± 5.2 kg, 20.0 ± 1.8 kg/m2 and 60.1 ± 10.4 cm for the control group, respectively, sleep disruptions were detected in 48 patients from study group, with mean score 6.76 ± 3.6, and only 10 patients were detected in the control group, with mean score 4.42 ± 1.68. Eating disturbances were revealed in 66 patients from the study group and 21 patients from the control group. Melatonin levels were 17% higher in the study group, compared to control group.CONCLUSION: Higher melatonin levels in patients with obesity and concomitant behavioural impairments may be due to its protective effect to fight free radicals and to induce vasodilatation. Further studies are needed to confirm our finding.

scholarly journals Dysregulation of miR-381-3p and miR-23b-3p in skeletal muscle could be a possible estimator of early post-mortem interval in rats

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e11102
Author(s):  
Vanessa Martínez-Rivera ◽  
Christian A. Cárdenas-Monroy ◽  
Oliver Millan-Catalan ◽  
Jessica González-Corona ◽  
N. Sofia Huerta-Pacheco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
In Silico Analysis ◽  
Forensic Analysis ◽  
The Body ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Post Mortem Interval ◽  
Silico Analysis

Background The post-mortem interval (PMI) is the time elapsed since the dead of an individual until the body is found, which is relevant for forensic purposes. The miRNAs regulate the expression of some genes; and due to their small size, they can better support degradation, which makes them suitable for forensic analysis. In the present work, we evaluated the gene expression of miR-381-3p, miR-23b-3p, and miR-144-3p in skeletal muscle in a murine model at the early PMI. Methods We designed a rat model to evaluate the early PMI under controlled conditions. This model consisted in 25 rats divided into five groups of rats, that correspond to the 0, 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours of PMI. The 0 h-PMI was considered as the control group. Muscle samples were taken from each rat to analyze the expression of miR-381-3p, miR-23b-3p, and miR-144-3p by quantitative RT-PCR. The gene expression of each miRNA was expressed as Fold Change (FC) and compared among groups. To find the targets of these miRNAs and the pathways where they participate, we performed an in-silico analysis. From the gene targets of miR-381-3p identified in the silico analysis, the EPC1 gene was selected for gene expression analysis by quantitative RT-PCR in these samples. Also, to evaluate if miR-381-3p could predict the early PMI, a mixed effects model was calculated using its gene expression. Results An upregulation of miR-381-3p was found at 24 h-PMI compared with the control group of 0 h-PMI and (FC = 1.02 vs. FC = 1.96; p = 0.0079). This was the opposite for miR-23b-3p, which had a down-regulation at 24 h-PMI compared to 0 h-PMI (FC = 1.22 vs. FC = 0.13; p = 0.0079). Moreover, the gene expression of miR-381-3p increased throughout the first 24 h of PMI, contrary to miR-23b-3p. The targets of these two miRNAs, participate in biological pathways related to hypoxia, apoptosis, and RNA metabolism. The gene expression of EPC1 was found downregulated at 3 and 12 h of PMI, whereas it remained unchanged at 6 h and 24 h of PMI. Using a multivariate analysis, it was possible to predict the FC of miR-381-3p of all but 6 h-PMI analyzed PMIs. Discussion The present results suggest that miR-23b-3p and miR-381-3p participate at the early PMI, probably regulating the expression of some genes related to the autolysis process as EPC1 gene. Although the miR-381-3p gene expression is a potential estimator of PMI, further studies will be required to obtain better estimates.

Pregnancy outcomes among patients with recurrent pregnancy loss and chromosomal aberration (CA) without PGD

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (7) ◽  
pp. 764-770 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maor Kabessa ◽  
Avi Harlev ◽  
Michael Friger ◽  
Ruslan Sergienko ◽  
Baila Litwak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Live Birth ◽  
Pregnancy Outcomes ◽  
Pregnancy Loss ◽  
Recurrent Pregnancy Loss ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Birth Rates ◽  
Live Birth Rates ◽  
Index Pregnancy ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is defined by two or more failed clinical pregnancies. Three to four percent of the couples with RPL have chromosomal aberrations (CA) in at least one partner. The parent’s structural chromosomal abnormalities may cause an unbalanced karyotype in the conceptus which could lead to implantation failure, early or late pregnancy loss, or delivery of a child with severe physical and/or mental disabilities. Objective: To compare live birth rates of couples with CA to couples with normal karyotypes and to investigate medical and obstetric characteristics and pregnancy outcomes of couples with CA and RPL who attend an RPL clinic at a tertiary hospital. Methods: A retrospective cohort study, including 349 patients with two or more consecutive pregnancy losses. The study group consisted of 52 patients with CA, and the control group consisted of 297 couples with normal karyotype. All patients were evaluated and treated in the RPL clinic at Soroka University Medical Center and had at least one subsequent spontaneous pregnancy. Results: The demographic and clinical characteristics were not found to be statistically different between the two groups. The group of carriers of CA had 28/52 (53.8%) live births in their index pregnancy vs. the normal 202/297 (68%) (P=0.067, CI 95%) in the control group. No statistically significant etiology was found between the study group and the control group. A statistically significant difference in live birth rates was found when comparing the total amount of pregnancies [index pregnancy (IP)+post index pregnancy (PIP)] between the study group and the control group (54.16% vs. 67.82%, respectively, P=0.0328). Conclusion: Patients with RPL and CA who have spontaneous pregnancies, have a good prognosis (63.4%) of a successful pregnancy with at least one of the pregnancies (index or post index) resulting in a live birth.

Ultra-low-dose computed tomography and its utility in wrist trauma in the emergency department

2021 ◽  
pp. 028418512198995
Author(s):  
Erdal Tekin ◽  
Kutsi Tuncer ◽  
Ibrahim Ozlu ◽  
Recep Sade ◽  
Rustem Berhan Pirimoglu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Image Quality ◽  
Radiation Dose ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Standard Dose ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Effective Radiation Dose ◽  
Wrist Trauma ◽  
Effective Radiation

Background The use and frequency of computed tomography (CT) are increasing day by day in emergency departments (ED). This increases the amount of radiation exposed. Purpose To evaluate the image quality obtained by ultra-low-dose CT (ULDCT) in patients with suspected wrist fractures in the ED and to investigate whether it is an alternative to standard-dose CT (SDCT). Material and Methods This is a study prospectively examining 336 patients who consulted the ED for wrist trauma. After exclusion criteria were applied, the patients were divided into the study and control groups. Then, SDCT (120 kVp and 100 mAs) and ULDCT (80 kVp and 5 mAs) wrist protocols were applied simultaneously. The images obtained were evaluated for image quality and fracture independently by a radiologist and an emergency medical specialist using a 5-point scale. Results The effective radiation dose calculated for the control group scans was 41.1 ± 2.1 µSv, whereas the effective radiation dose calculated for the study group scans was 0.5 ± 0.0 µSv. The effective radiation dose of the study group was significantly lower than that of the control group ( P < 0.01). The CT images in the study group showed no significant differences in the mean image quality score between observer 1 and observer 2 (3.4 and 4.3, respectively; P = 0.58). Both observers could detect all fractures using the ULDCT images. Conclusion ULDCT provides high-quality images in wrist traumas while reducing the radiation dose by approximately 98% compared to SDCT without any changes in diagnostic accuracy.

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