scholarly journals A multidisciplinary approach to mental illness: do inflammation, telomere length and microbiota form a loop? A protocol for a cross-sectional study on the complex relationship between inflammation, telomere length, gut microbiota and psychiatric disorders

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. e032513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirko Manchia ◽  
Pasquale Paribello ◽  
Carlo Arzedi ◽  
Alberto Bocchetta ◽  
Paola Caria ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Telomere Length ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Telomere Shortening ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The University

IntroductionSevere psychiatric disorders are typically associated with a significant reduction in life expectancy compared with the general population. Among the different hypotheses formulated to explain this observation, accelerated ageing has been increasingly recognised as the main culprit. At the same time, telomere shortening is becoming widely accepted as a proxy molecular marker of ageing. The present study aims to fill a gap in the literature by better defining the complex interaction/s between inflammation, age-related comorbidities, telomere shortening and gut microbiota in psychiatric disorders.Methods and analysisA cross-sectional study is proposed, recruiting 40 patients for each of three different diagnostic categories (bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and major depressive disorder) treated at the Section of Psychiatry and at the Unit of Clinical Pharmacology of the University Hospital Agency of Cagliari (Italy), compared with 40 age-matched and sex-matched non-psychiatric controls. Each group includes individuals suffering, or not, from age-related comorbidities, to account for the impact of these medical conditions on the biological make-up of recruited patients. The inflammatory state, microbiota composition and telomere length (TL) are assessed.Ethics and disseminationThe study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University Hospital Agency of Cagliari (PG/2018/11693, 5 September 2018). The study is conducted in accordance with the principles of good clinical practice and the Declaration of Helsinki, and in compliance with the relevant Italian national legislation. Written, informed consent is obtained from all participants. Participation in the study is on a voluntary basis only. Patients will be part of the dissemination phase of the study results, during which a local conference will be organised and families of patients will also be involved. Moreover, findings will be published in one or more research papers and presented at national and international conferences, in posters or oral communications.

scholarly journals Reconciliation of medications upon the admission of patients to the cardiology sector of a university hospital

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 0353
Author(s):  
Lorena S. Miranda ◽  
Ana L. Cavalcante ◽  
Rafael M. Pinheiro ◽  
Dayani Galato ◽  
Emília V. Silva
Keyword(s):  
Medical Records ◽  
Medication Reconciliation ◽  
Adverse Reactions ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Medical Prescription ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cardiology Department ◽  
The University

Introduction: The reconciliation of medications is an important process that impacts on patient safety during the level of care transition, a moment with high discrepancy rates that can lead to adverse reactions. Objective: To analyze the results of medication reconciliation in order to identify discrepancies between the medical prescription and the medications previously used by the patient. Method: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted between May and November 2017 (until the second fortnight of the month), with patients admitted to the cardiology department of the University Hospital of Brasília. Data was collected through interviews with patients, relatives and/or caregivers, and through consultation of the medical records. The reconciliation of medications was performed daily, from Monday to Friday, within 48 hours of the patient’s admission to the unit, through a medication reconciliation form prepared by the author. Results: 90 patients were included in the study and a total of 297 discrepancies were found, 267 (90%) being intentional and 30 (10%), unintentional. Among the unintentional discrepancies, the most frequent was omission of medication in use by the patient (56%). Of the intentional discrepancies, the dosage modifications were more common in 45% of the cases. Conclusion: The reconciliation of medications was a crucial clinical service for the identification and resolution of unintentional discrepancies between previously used medications and hospital medical prescription.

scholarly journals Factors associated with balance impairments amongst stroke survivors in northern Benin: A cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oyéné Kossi ◽  
Mendinatou Agbetou ◽  
Sènadé I. Noukpo ◽  
Lisa T. Triccas ◽  
Daniel-Eude Dossou-Yovo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Stroke Survivors ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Male Predominance ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Post Stroke ◽  
Severity Of Disability ◽  
The University

Background: Balance impairment is the predominant risk factor for falls in stroke survivors. A fear of falling after stroke can contribute to sedentary lifestyles, increased disability and risk of recurrence, leading to poor quality of life.Objective: To determine the frequency and factors associated with balance impairments amongst stroke survivors at the University Hospital of Parakou.Method: This cross-sectional study included adult stroke survivors. Stroke survivors after discharge were enrolled at the University Hospital of Parakou between 01 January 2020 and 30 September 2020. Balance impairments were measured by using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Timed Up and Go (TUG) and the Get Up and Go (GUG) tests.Results: A total of 54 stroke survivors were included, with a mean age of 58.37 ± 12.42 years and a male predominance of 68.52%. The mean BBS score was 36.87 ± 14.34 with a minimum and a maximum of 10 and 56, respectively. Thirteen (24.07%) had balance impairments (BBS score ≤ 20), 34 (62.96%) had a TUG score ≥ 14 s (abnormal), 9 (16.67%) presented a moderate risk of falling and 6 (11.11%) presented high risk of fall with the GUG test. Post-stroke duration (odds ratio [OR] = 0.04; 95% CI: 0.04–0.30; p 0.01), severity of disability (OR = 8.33; 95% CI: 1.03–67.14; p = 0.03) and the number of physiotherapy sessions (OR = 0.18; 95% CI: 0.03–0.93; p = 0.02) were significantly associated with balance impairments.Conclusion: Our results showed that almost one quarter of stroke survivors after discharge at the University Hospital of Parakou had balance impairments. Post-stroke duration, severity of disability and the number of physiotherapy sessions were significantly associated with balance impairments.Clinical implications: [AQ1] Balance should be regularly assessed in people post-stroke. Further studies should document the content of rehabilitation and any rehabilitative efforts to improve balance in people post-stroke in Benin.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Intestinal Opportunistic Parasites Infections among HIV Positive Children in the University Hospital Center Yalgado Ouédroago of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 550-557
Author(s):  
Traoré Roukiatou Zongo Cheikna ◽  
Zongo Oumarou Ouédraogo Ganamé Abasse ◽  
Zida Adama Yonaba Caroline ◽  
Traoré Yves Savadogo Aly
Keyword(s):  
Intestinal Parasites ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Gastrointestinal Parasites ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
The University

In sub-Saharan Africa, Gastrointestinal parasites infections are widespread, particularly among immune deficient individuals. Prevalence of these infections varies from locality to other due to many factors. The present cross-sectional study aimed to assess the prevalence of intestinal parasites among HIV-positive children in the paediatric clinic at the University Hospital Yalgado Ouedraogo of Ouagadougou. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the University hospital of Ouagadougou from July to November 2015. Ninety-three (93) freshly issued stool samples were collected in HIV-positive children less than 15 years old. Stool samples were analysed for the presence of various intestinal parasites using direct microscopy, formol-ether concentration method, modified Ziehl Neelsen stain and Weber trichrome stain. The study included 93 HIV positive children. The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was 24.73% (23/93). The most detected parasites were Entamoeba coli (52.17% of total detected parasites), Trichomonas intestinalis (21.73%), Giardia intestinalis (8.65%), Entamoeba histolytica (4.34%). Patients with multi-infection (2 or 3 parasites) have been detected. The participants, 97.5% (89/93) were on cotrimoxazole prophylaxis and 81.76% (76/93) were on ARV therapy. Despite the medical care given to the HIV-infected children, the prevalence of opportunistic intestinal is high at the University hospital Yalgado Ouédraogo (CHU-YO)and deserves special attention.

scholarly journals The Relation between Red Meat and Whole-Grain Intake and the Colonic Mucosal Barrier: A Cross-Sectional Study

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1765
Author(s):  
Mohamad Jawhara ◽  
Signe Bek Sørensen ◽  
Berit Lilienthal Heitmann ◽  
Þórhallur Ingi Halldórsson ◽  
Andreas Kristian Pedersen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Outer Part ◽  
Human Colon ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Red Meat ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Mucosal Barrier ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Whole Grain ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The University

The Colonic Mucosal Barrier (CMB) is the site of interaction between the human body and the colonic microbiota. The mucus is the outer part of the CMB and is considered as the front-line defense of the colon. It separates the host epithelial lining from the colonic content, and it has previously been linked to health and diseases. In this study, we assessed the relationship between red meat and whole-grain intake and (1) the thickness of the colonic mucus (2) the expression of the predominant mucin gene in the human colon (MUC2). Patients referred to colonoscopy at the University Hospital of Southern Denmark- Sonderjylland were enrolled between June 2017 and December 2018, and lifestyle data was collected in a cross-sectional study design. Colonic biopsies, blood, urine, and fecal samples were collected. The colonic mucus and bacteria were visualized by immunostaining and fluorescence in situ hybridization techniques. We found a thinner mucus was associated with high red meat intake. Similarly, the results suggested a thinner mucus was associated with high whole-grain intake, albeit to a lesser extent than red meat. This is the first study assessing the association between red meat and whole-grain intake and the colonic mucus in humans. This study is approved by the Danish Ethics Committee (S-20160124) and the Danish Data Protecting Agency (2008-58-035). A study protocol was registered at clinical trials.gov under NCT04235348.

scholarly journals Association between dynamic asymmetry of the newborn's head and intrauterine factors

2007 ◽  
Vol 65 (2A) ◽  
pp. 218-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cláudia Regina Beuter ◽  
Fleming Salvador Pedroso ◽  
Ricardo César Mazetto ◽  
Cassandra Trojahn dos Santos ◽  
Ângela Garcia Rossi
Keyword(s):  
Vestibular Function ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Head Turning ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Right ◽  
The University ◽  
Santa Maria

A non-comparable, individual, observational and contemporary cross-sectional study in newborns was made to determine the dynamic lateralization in the head turning after release from the midline and its relationship with obstetric variables. From October to December of 2005, 320 newborns were admitted to the Adjacent Lodgings of the University Hospital of Santa Maria. From those, 89 were selected for assessment of the vestibular function since they have had previously fetal static control through ultrasound. Our results show that the right-sided head lateralization was significantly greater than the left-sided. The predominancy of the lateralization towards the right side also occurred in cephalic presentations and left-sided back, however these were not significant. Results corroborate with the existing literature and suggest an association between fetal static and vestibular function.

scholarly journals Long-Term Outcomes of Accelerated Telomere Shortening in Acquired Aplastic Anemia

Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 4396-4396
Author(s):  
Alexander Kulagin ◽  
Vyacheslav Borisov ◽  
Natalia Pronkina ◽  
Irina Kruchkova ◽  
Igor Lisukov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aplastic Anemia ◽  
Telomere Length ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Long Term Outcomes ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Telomere Shortening ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Treatment Naïve

Abstract Introduction: Accelerated telomere shortening (TS) in blood cells has been well documented in both dyskeratosis congenita and acquired aplastic anemia (AA). The present study investigated the incidence and long-term outcomes of TS in AA patients treated with ATG plus cyclosporine immunosuppressive therapy (IST). Methods: A total of 53 patients (31 M and 22 F, median age 24, 9-62) with moderate (MAA 15), severe (SAA 22) and very severe (vSAA 16) AA were included in cross-sectional study of telomere length (TEL) between 2008 and 2009 and then followed prospectively for 5 years. Treatment-naïve, recovering after IST and refractory AA were in 13, 35 and 5 patients respectively. There were no cases with physical abnormalities or family history of hematological disorders. TEL in granulocytes was assessed by Flow-FISH method with calculation of absolute and age-adjusted (DeltaTEL) values. TS was defined as absolute TEL value below the normal 99% confidence interval in age matched healthy donors (n=71). Outcome measures were response rate in treatment-naïve patients, cumulative incidence (CI) of relapse and clonal evolution, overall (OS) and failure-free survival (FFS). Adult patients or parents of children signed informed consent. Results: TS was detected in 24 patients (45%) with a median DeltaTEL of -1.715 kbp compared to -0.009 kbp in 29 patients with normal telomere length (TN) (Table 1). Table 1. Patient and disease characteristics in cross-sectional study TS (n=24) TN (n=29) P DeltaTEL, kbp, median (range) -1.715 (-5.100 – -0.983) -0.009 (-0.760 – 4.142) <0.001 Age, years, median (range) 22.5 (9-37) 26 (14-62) 0.102 Gender, M/F, n 15/9 16/13 0.780 Severity, n (%) MAA 10 (42%) 5 (17%) 0.0485 SAA/vSAA 14 (58%) 24 (83%) Response to prior IST, n (%) Treatment-naïve 4 (17%) 9 (31%) 0.338 Partial response 7 (29%) 9 (31%) Complete response 8 (33%) 11 (38%) Refractory 5 (21%) 0 (0%) 0.047 PNH positive, n/n (%) 12/24 (50%) 13/28 (46%) 1.000 Interval between AA onset and IST, days, median (range) 92 (17-508) 102 (26-585) 0.848 Interval between AA onset and TEL testing, days, median (range) 1093 (49-3792) 785 (64-3494) 0.173 TS was associated with MAA (p = 0.049) and refractory disease (p=0.047) in cross-sectional study. No significant differences in gender, median age, baseline blood counts, PNH positivity or interval from AA onset and IST were observed between the two groups. Median follow-up after IST start and TEL testing were 90 and 67 months respectively. Response rates to IST were similar in TS (3/4, 75%) and TN (6/9, 67%) patients evaluated prospectively (p=1.0). TS and TN patients showed similar 10-year CI of relapse (16% vs 14%, p=0.905) and hemolytic PNH (28% vs 20%, p=0.532). However, all 3 cases of MDS /AML occurred in patients with TS with CI of 15.4% vs. 0% in the TN (p = 0.063). Compared patient groups have similar high probability of 10-year OS (TS 86.9% vs TN 92.6%, p=0.571) due to the large proportion of patients responding to treatment. The FFS rates were much lower (38.5% and 57.5% respectively, p=0.510). Conclusions: TS is a relatively common phenomenon in patients with otherwise typical acquired AA and more frequently detected in MAA and refractory to IST cases in cross-sectional study. Our data confirm the previously reported association of TS and increased risk of MDS/AML, which should be considered for a more careful monitoring and treatment planning, including allogeneic BMT as a curative approach. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Age-related changes in gut microbiota composition from newborn to centenarian: a cross-sectional study

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshitaka Odamaki ◽  
Kumiko Kato ◽  
Hirosuke Sugahara ◽  
Nanami Hashikura ◽  
Sachiko Takahashi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Microbiota Composition ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Gut Microbiota Composition ◽  
Age Related Changes

Telomere Length, SIRT1, and Insulin in Male Master Athletes: The Path to Healthy Longevity?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel S. Aguiar ◽  
Thiago S. Rosa ◽  
Rodrigo V. P. Neves ◽  
Patrício L. A. Leite ◽  
Larissa A. Maciel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Telomere Length ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Biological Aging ◽  
Master Athletes ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Telomere Shortening ◽  
Healthy Longevity ◽  
Relative Telomere Length ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Commercial Kits

AbstractLower SIRT1 and insulin resistance are associated with accelerated telomere shortening. This study investigated whether the lifestyle of master athletes can attenuate these age-related changes and thereby slow aging. We compared insulin, SIRT1, and telomere length in highly trained male master athletes (n=52; aged 49.9±7.2 yrs) and age-matched non-athletes (n=19; aged 47.3±8.9 yrs). This is a cross-sectional study, in which all data were collected in one visit. Overnight fasted SIRT1 and insulin levels in whole blood were assessed using commercial kits. Relative telomere length was determined in leukocytes through qPCR analyses. Master athletes had higher SIRT1, lower insulin, and longer telomere length than age-matched non-athletes (p<0.05 for all). Insulin was inversely associated with SIRT1 (r=−0.38; p=0.001). Telomere length correlated positively with SIRT1 (r=0.65; p=0.001), whereas telomere length and insulin were not correlated (r=0.03; p=0.87). In conclusion, master athletes have higher SIRT1, lower insulin, and longer telomeres than age-matched non-athletes. Furthermore, SIRT1 was negatively associated with insulin and positively associated with telomere length. These findings suggest that in this sample of middle-aged participants reduced insulin, increased SIRT1 activity, and attenuation of biological aging are connected.

scholarly journals ICU Nurses’ Perception of Visits to Patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-101
Author(s):  
Ines Dobrinić ◽  
Slađana Režić
Keyword(s):  
Demographic Data ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Poor Knowledge ◽  
The Family ◽  
The University ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
Visiting Policy

Introduction. Visits to patients are part of a positive and effective strategy of helping patients and their families to better adapt to the stress caused by a patient’s admission to an intensive care unit (ICU). Aim. To determine the ICU nurses’ perception of visits to patients. Methods. The study was conducted at the University Hospital Centre Zagreb (UHC). The cross-sectional study included nurses who work in ICUs. An anonymous, self-designed questionnaire was used and filled in by 44 respondents. The questionnaire consisted of 17 closed-ended questions pertaining to demographic data, questions related to information on visits and questions about the concept of open visits. Results. Out of the total number of 44 respondents, 25 respondents stated that their ICU has booklets about the manner of visits and visiting hours, and that they hand them out to families, while 19 respondents stated that they do not have such booklets. 61% of the respondents feel they have sufficient training to communicate with the patient’s family. 41% of the respondents said that the visits had a positive effect on the patient’s condition and only 2% stated that the visits had no positive effect. 57 % of the respondents think that visits sometimes have a positive effect on the patient’s condition. Of the total number of respondents, 84% feel that visiting hours should be limited. Respondents feel that visits sometimes impede them in their work (66%), while 59% of the respondents feel that visits help spread infections. Out of the total number of respondents, only 32% of them stated that they were familiar with the open ICU concept. Conclusion. More than half of the respondents stated that they have a written visiting policy on ICU wards, and that they are trained to communicate with the family members of patients. Most respondents feel that visits contribute to the spread of infections and that they would limit children’s visits to the ICU. The respondents’ poor knowledge of the open ICU concept creates one of the barriers to introducing it in their wards.

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