scholarly journals Biochemical Changes in the Serum of Patients with Chronic Toxigenic Mold Exposures: A Risk Factor for Multiple Renal Dysfunctions

2003 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 1058-1064 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ebere Anyanwu ◽  
Andrew W. Campbell ◽  
Aristo Vojdani ◽  
John E. Ehiri ◽  
Akpan I. Akpan
Keyword(s):  
Strong Association ◽  
Memory Loss ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Blurred Vision ◽  
Renal Disorders ◽  
Runny Nose ◽  
Alkaline Phosphotase ◽  
Pilot Investigation ◽  
Study Population ◽  
The Relationship

This paper analyzes and presents the biochemical abnormalities in the sera of patients presenting with chronic mycosis in order to investigate the relationship with the risks of multiple renal disorders. The study population (n = 10) consisted of six females and four males (mean age 36.3 years) exposed by toxic molds in their homes and offices for an average of 2.8 years. The control group comprised ten people, five males and five females (mean age 35.9 years) without any known exposures to toxic molds. Blood samples were obtained from both the patients and the controls and were processed using specific biochemical methods that included enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA). There were biochemical abnormal concentrations in creatinine, uric acid, phosphorus, alkaline phosphotase, cholesterol, HDH, SGOT/AST, segmented neutrophils, lymphocytes, total T3, IgG and IgA immunoglobulins with significant differences between patients and controls. These abnormalities were consistent with multiple renal disorders. The major complaints of the mycosis patients were headaches, pulmonary symptoms, allergic reactions, memory loss, skin rashes, blurred vision symptoms, fatigue, and runny nose. These findings were depictive of a strong association of chronic mycosis with abnormal renal indicators. It was concluded that, although this research was a pilot investigation, based on the overall results, people exposed to chronic indoor environmental toxic molds were at risk of multiple renal complications.

scholarly journals Characterising post-COVID syndrome more than 6 months after acute infection in adults; prospective longitudinal cohort study, England

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahin Amin-Chowdhury ◽  
Ross J Harris ◽  
Felicity Aiano ◽  
Maria Zavala ◽  
Marta Bertran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Acute Infection ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Memory Loss ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Blurred Vision ◽  
Persistent Symptoms ◽  
Loss Of Appetite ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal

AbstractBackgroundMost individuals with COVID-19 will recover without sequelae, but some will develop long- term multi-system impairments. The definition, duration, prevalence and symptoms associated with long COVID, however, have not been established.MethodsPublic Health England (PHE) initiated longitudinal surveillance of clinical and non-clinical healthcare workers for monthly blood sampling for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in March 2020. Eight months after enrolment, participants completed an online questionnaire including 72 symptoms in the preceding month. Symptomatic mild-to-moderate cases with confirmed COVID-19 were compared with asymptomatic, seronegative controls. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify independent symptoms associated with long COVID.ResultsAll 2,147 participants were contacted and 1,671 (77.8%) completed the questionnaire, including 140 (8.4%) cases and 1,160 controls. At a median of 7.5 (IQR 7.1-7.8) months after infection, 20 cases (14.3%) had ongoing (4/140, 2.9%) or episodic (16/140, 11.4%) symptoms. We identified three clusters of symptoms associated with long COVID, those affecting the sensory (ageusia, anosmia, loss of appetite and blurred vision), neurological (forgetfulness, short-term memory loss and confusion/brain fog) and cardiorespiratory (chest tightness/pain, unusual fatigue, breathlessness after minimal exertion/at rest, palpitations) systems. The sensory cluster had the highest association with being a case (aOR 5.25, 95% CI 3.45-8.01). Dermatological, gynaecological, gastrointestinal or mental health symptoms were not significantly different between cases and controls.ConclusionsMost persistent symptoms reported following mild COVID-19 were equally common in cases and controls. While all three clusters identified had a strong association with previous COVID-19 infection, the sensory cluster had the highest specificity and strength of association.Key pointsCompared to controls, we identified three clusters of symptoms affecting the sensory, neurological and cardiorespiratory systems that were more prevalent among cases. Notably, gastrointestinal and dermatological symptoms and symptoms related to mental health were as prevalent among cases as controls.

The 'Sick immigrant' and 'Healthy immigrant' phenomenon among Jews migrating from the USSR to Israel

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Pinchas-Mizrachi ◽  
Y Naparstek ◽  
R Nirel ◽  
E Kukia
Keyword(s):  
Social Stratification ◽  
High Income ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Total Study Population ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Low Socioeconomic ◽  
Low Incomes ◽  
Study Population ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract The “healthy immigrant” phenomenon attributes health benefits to immigrants. We examined this phenomenon using the relationship between immigration and mortality, by income level, among Soviet immigrants to Israel in the 1990s, in comparison to veteran immigrants with similar genetic makeup. A retrospective cohort study of mortality during 1996-2016 was conducted among 99,037 immigrants born during 1940-1955 in the USSR or Eastern Europe who immigrated during 1990-1995, compared to a control group of 119,150 Jews born during 1940-1955 who and/or whose parents were born in those same countries and immigrated by 1960. After adjusting for gender, age, income and marital status, we found higher mortality rates among immigrants compared to non-immigrants for the total study population (adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) = 1.297, 99% confidence intervals (CI) = 1.248, 1.348) and among 27,563 men (AHR = 2.941, 99%CI = 2.704, 3.199) and 32,220 women (AHR = 1.756, 99%CI = 1.614, 1.909) with low incomes. The opposite relationship was found for 45,863 men (AHR = 0.714 ,99%CI = 0.635, 0.804) and for 24,852 women (AHR = 0.738 ,99%CI = 0.596, 0.913) with high incomes. For the total study population, we found support for the “sick immigrant” phenomenon. However, both genders in the high-income subgroup, and women in the middle-income subgroup, demonstrated the “healthy immigrant” phenomenon. Decision makers in Israel should devote particular attention to immigrants from a low socioeconomic level. Our results emphasize the need for social stratification when examining the relationships between immigration and health outcomes. Key messages For the total study population, we found support for the “sick immigrant” phenomenon. However, both genders in the high-income subgroup, and women in the middle-income subgroup, demonstrated the “healthy immigrant” phenomenon.

scholarly journals Circulating Endothelial Cells as Potential Markers of Atherosclerosis

2008 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 638-642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Gao ◽  
Chunyan Liu ◽  
Xiangjian Zhang ◽  
Jian Gao ◽  
Chunyan Yang
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cell ◽  
Cerebral Infarction ◽  
Vascular Endothelial Cell ◽  
Circulating Endothelial Cells ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Vascular Endothelial ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

Background and Purpose:Vascular endothelial cell (VEC) injury represents a major initiating step in the process of atherosclerosis, which may lead to cerebral infarction. “Circulating endothelial cell” (CEC) is an index of ongoing endothelial injury, while intimal-medial thickness (IMT) detected by sounography was used to evaluate the severity of atherosclerosis. However, to our knowledge, there is no study that investigated the relationship of these two determinations. Our study was designed to address correlate CEC with IMT.Methods and Results:The study population consisted of 30 patients with acute cerebral infarction (ACI) and 30 age-and sex-matched volunteers as controls. The CEC counts were determined using Hladovec's method. All subjects underwent a 2-dimensional ultrasound examination of both carotid arteries to measure IMT. CEC counts in ACI group were significantly increased compared with control group (4.88±2.14 cells /0.9μl vs 2.73±1.95/0.9μl, P0.01); IMT in ACI patients was also significantly thicker compared with volunteers (2.72±1.07 mm vs 1.73±0.99 mm, P<0.01). There was positive correlation between CEC counts and maximal carotid artery IMT in both groups (r=0.522, P<0.01 in ACI patients and r=0.395, P<0.05 in healthy volunteers).Conclusions:Circulating endothelial cell counts can directly reflect the vascular injury. CEC counts parallel IMT. The CEC may be an independent predictor of cerebral infarction.

scholarly journals C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and Health Resort Reaction

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Jadwiga Kuciel-Lewandowska ◽  
Michal Kasperczak ◽  
Malgorzata Szybinska ◽  
Jan Gnus ◽  
Malgorzata Paprocka-Borowicz
Keyword(s):  
Acute Phase Proteins ◽  
Control Group ◽  
C Reactive Protein ◽  
Health Resort ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Treatment Standard ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Leukocyte Counts ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Elevated Body Temperature

Incident tissue-damaging factors trigger a systemic response manifested by inflammatory reaction. Acute-phase proteins are a diagnostic and prognostic marker in various systemic homeostasis disorders. In the course of health resort therapy, a so-called health resort reaction is observed presenting with, e.g., exacerbation of organ-related disorders, elevated body temperature, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and leukocyte counts. The objective of the study was to demonstrate a change in the concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP) as a result of health resort radon therapy as well as to determine the relationship between this change and the phenomenon known as health resort reaction. The study was conducted in Swieradow-Zdroj resort. The study population consisted of patients undergoing radon-active water bath treatment. Standard tests were used to determine CRP levels before the treatment as well as 5 and 18 days into the treatment. The study group consisted of n = 34 patients with osteoarthritis and spondyloarthritis. The control group consisted of 17 employees of the health resort who were also burdened with osteoarthritis or spondyloarthritis yet did not undergo radon therapy and had absolutely no contact with radon materials. The study revealed no statistically significant increase in the concentration of CRP. This trial is registered with NCT03274128. The study was carried out as part of the statutory task SUB.E060.19.001.

scholarly journals The relationship between spinal pain and temporomandibular joint disorders in Korea: a nationwide propensity score-matched study

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Doori Kim ◽  
Seong-Gyu Ko ◽  
Eun-Kyoung Lee ◽  
Boyoung Jung
Keyword(s):  
Propensity Score ◽  
Temporomandibular Joint ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Spinal Pain ◽  
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders ◽  
Medical Expenditure ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Number Of Visits ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background Patients with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) often complain of pain in other areas. Several studies have been conducted on spinal pain in TMD patients, but have contained only limited information. Therefore, this study analyzed the relationship between TMD and spinal pain in greater detail by using nationwide data. Methods A total of 12,375 TMD patients from the Korean National Health Insurance Review and Assessment database were analyzed. Controls were selected using propensity score-matching. The McNemar test, chi-square test, and paired t-test were used to compare the prevalence and severity of spinal pain between cases and matched controls. Logistic regression and linear regression models were used to analyze factors affecting the prevalence and severity of spinal pain in patients with TMD. Results The annual period prevalence of TMD was 1.1%. The prevalence was higher in younger individuals than in individuals of other ages and was higher in women than in men. The medical expenditure for TMD per person was $86. Among TMD patients, 2.5% underwent surgical procedures and 0.3% were hospitalized. The prevalence of spinal pain in patients with TMD was 48%, whereas that in the control group was 34%. Increased severity of TMD was associated with an increased probability of spinal pain. The medical expenditure, mean number of visits, and lengths of treatment for spinal pain were greater for patients with TMD than for controls ($136 vs. $81, 4.8 days vs. 2.7 days, 5.5 days vs. 3.3 days). Higher TMD grade was associated with greater differences in average medical expenditure, number of visits, and lengths of treatment for spinal pain between cases and controls. Additionally, for women, living in a rural area and having an older age and more severe TMD were associated with a greater probability of spinal pain and higher medical expenditure related to spinal pain. Conclusion A strong association was observed between the presence of TMD and the presence of spinal pain. The association became stronger as the severity of TMD increased, indicating a positive correlation between the severity of TMD and spinal pain.

scholarly journals Mitochondrial nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydride dehydrogenase (NADH) subunit 4 (MTND4) polymorphisms and their association with male infertility

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatina W. Dahadhah ◽  
Mayyas Saleh Jaweesh ◽  
Mazhar Salim Al Zoubi ◽  
Manal Issam Abu Alarjah ◽  
Mohamad Eid Hammadeh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
Male Infertility ◽  
Semen Analysis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Case Group ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Genotype Frequencies ◽  
Study Population ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Sanger Method

Abstract Purpose The purpose of the present study was to determine the relationship between infertility and the polymorphisms of mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 (MTND4) by spermatozoa analysis in fertile and subfertile men. Methods Samples were divided into 68 subfertile men (case group) and 44 fertile men (control group). After semen analysis, samples were purified. The whole genome was extracted using a QIAamp DNA Mini Kit and the mitochondrial DNA was amplified by using the REPLI-g Mitochondrial DNA Kit. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify the MT-ND4 gene. Then, samples were purified and sequenced using the Sanger method. Results Twenty-five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in the MTND4 gene. The genotype frequencies of the study population showed a statistically significant association between rs2853495 G>A (Gly320Gly) and male infertility (P = 0.0351). Similarly, the allele frequency test showed that rs2853495 G>A (Gly320Gly) and rs869096886 A>G (Leu164Leu) were significantly associated with male infertility (adjusted OR = 2.616, 95% CI = 1.374–4.983, P = 0.002; adjusted OR = 2.237, 95% CI = 1.245–4.017, P = 0.007, respectively). Conclusion In conclusion, our findings suggested that male infertility was correlated with rs2853495 and rs869096886 SNPs in MTND4.

scholarly journals Characteristics of the Uncinate Fasciculus and Cingulum in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment: Diffusion Tensor Tractography Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chan-Hyuk Park ◽  
Su-Hong Kim ◽  
Han-Young Jung
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
Memory Loss ◽  
Diffusion Tensor Tractography ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Uncinate Fasciculus ◽  
Neuropsychological Screening ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Relationship

Many studies have examined the relationship between cognition, and the cingulum and uncinate fasciculus (UF). In this study, diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) was used to investigate the correlation between fractional-anisotropy (FA) values and the number of fibers in the cingulum and UF in patients with and without cognitive impairment. The correlation between cognitive function, and the cingulum and UF was also investigated. Thirty patients (14 males, age = 70.68 ± 7.99 years) were divided into a control group (n = 14) and mild-cognitive-impairment (MCI) group (n = 16). The Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery (SNSB) and DTT were performed to assess cognition and bilateral tracts of the cingulum and UF. The relationship between SNSB values and the cingulum and UF was analyzed. The number of fibers in the right cingulum and right UF were significantly different between the two groups. The MCI group showed thinner tracts in both the cingulum and UF compared to the control group. A significant relationship was found between the number of fibers in the right UF and delayed memory recall. In conclusion, memory loss in MCI was associated with a decreased number of fibers in the right UF, while language and visuospatial function were related to the number of fibers in the right cingulum.

The Association between Polymorphism-119G>A of the Alpha-Fetoprotein Gene and Increased Serum Alpha- Fetoprotein Level: A Case Control Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahdieh Yavari ◽  
Saghar Zakeri ◽  
Mahta Mazaheri
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
Neural Tube Defects ◽  
Fetal Liver ◽  
Alpha Fetoprotein ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Case Group ◽  
Serum Alpha Fetoprotein ◽  
Study Population ◽  
The Relationship

Background: Alpha-fetoprotein is produced during pregnancy by the yolk sac, and then by the fetal liver. This hormone is secreted from early pregnancy, but its level of measurement is important from 15 to 21 weeks of gestation. The secretion of this hormone is very important because an increase in this hormone is associated with neural tube defects (NTDs) in the fetus. In this study, we analyzed the association between polymorphism-119G>A in the alpha-fetoprotein (AFp ) gene with increased AFP levels in mothers with no neural tube defects in their fetus.Methods: Participants were 50 pregnant women who had high alpha-fetoprotein but no neural tube defects in their fetus (the case group) and 50 pregnant women that their alpha fetoprotein was normal with no neural tube defects in their fetus (control group). After DNA extraction, the fragment including the desired polymorphism was amplified using the PCR technique, and then sequenced.Results: The results of this study showed that there was no significant relationship between this polymorphism and the increase in alpha fetoprotein in the study population.                                               Conclusion: Future studies are needed to investigate other polymorphisms with higher specimens, and the relationship between this polymorphism, and the survival rate of pregnant mothers in the Iranian population.

Adolescents’ self-mutilation - Relationship with dependent behaviour

2003 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 241-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Bolognini ◽  
B. Plancherel ◽  
J. Laget ◽  
P. Stéphan ◽  
O. Halfon
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Clinical Sample ◽  
Control Sample ◽  
Clinical Population ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Clinical Group ◽  
Self Mutilation ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Partial Overlap ◽  
The Relationship

The aim of this study, which was carried out in the French-speacking part of Switzerland, was to examine the relationship between suicide attempts and self-mutilation by adolescents and young adults. The population, aged 14-25 years (N = 308), included a clinical sample of dependent subjects (drug abuse and eating disorders) compared to a control sample. On the basis of the Mini Neuropsychiatric Interview ( Sheehan et al., 1998 ), DSM-IV criteria were used for the inclusion of the clinical population. The results concerning the occurrence of suicide attempts as well as on self-mutilation confirm most of the hypotheses postulated: suicidal attempts and self-mutilation were more common in the clinical group compared to the control group, and there was a correlation between suicide attempts and self-mutilation. However, there was only a partial overlap, attesting that suicide and self-harm might correspond to two different types of behaviour.

Usia Resiko Tinggi dan Perdarahan Post Partum

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 91
Author(s):  
Ani Media Harumi ◽  
Kasiati Kasiati
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Sample Number ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship of age high risk with the incidence ofbleeding post partum in dr. M. Soewandhie Surabaya hospital. This research is analytic with an approachof a sectional cross. The study population was all post partum mothers in the Dr. M. Soewandhie Surabayahospital in January 2016 to March 2017, which amounts to an average of 1840respondents while theresearch sample number 182. Measuring collection sheet data obtained by systematic random sampling.The Study was conducted Chi-Square test obtained mean count X2 (0,00) is less than á (0.05) thenH0 is rejected and H1 accepted it means that there is a relationship between the age of high risk withbleeding post partum. Conclusion, there is a relationship between the age of high risk with the incidenceof bleeding post partum in the Spaceof the Maternity room Dr. Moch. Soewandhie Surabayahospital.

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