Evaluation of choroidal circulation and stromal features in Graves’ disease

2021 ◽  
pp. 112067212110314
Author(s):  
Mustafa Aksoy ◽  
Mert Simsek ◽  
Mahmut Apaydın
Keyword(s):  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Graves Disease ◽  
Ocular Involvement ◽  
Ct Measurements ◽  
Thyrotropin Receptor Antibody ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
And Gender ◽  
And Control

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate choroidal thickness (CT) and choroidal vascularity index (CVI) in patients with Graves’ disease (GD) without ocular involvement. Methods: Fifty patients diagnosed with GD and 50 age and gender matched healthy control subjects were retrospectively evaluated. Measurements were taken from five different points on CT images. Choroid images were classified as lumen regions (LA) and stromal regions (SA) using the image binarization method. CVI was calculated by dividing LA by the total choroidal area (TCA). The effects of Thyrotropin Receptor Antibody (TRAb), age, GD duration, blood pressure, axial length measurements, and intraocular pressure were analyzed on CT and CVI measurements. Results: Mean age was 40.1 ± 13.5 years in the patient group and 39.3 ± 13.6 years in the control group ( p = 0.89). There was no significant difference between the GD group and control group in terms of CT measurements. There was a significant difference between the mean CVI measurements of the GD group and control group (68.03 ± 3.41 and 66.62 ± 3.11, respectively) ( p < 0.001). Univariate linear regression analysis revealed a positive correlation between TRAb and CVI ( p = 0.013). Conclusion: While there was no significant difference between the CT measurements of the GD group and the control group, the GD group had significantly higher CVI measurements.

scholarly journals Fascioliasis and COVID-19: A Case-Control Study in Iran

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Balazadeh ◽  
Mohammad Zibaei ◽  
Aliehsan Heidari ◽  
Hadis Rastad ◽  
Farzaneh Firoozeh
Keyword(s):  
Immune Responses ◽  
Fasciola Hepatica ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
And Gender ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background: Human Fascioliasis is a zoonotic infection caused by the adult stage of Fasciola species. Fasciola hepatica is a parasite that, following living in its vertebrate host, reduces the host's inflammatory immune responses to infectious diseases, including COVID-19. Therefore, because of the completely unproven and limited data on this issue, we decided to evaluate the prevalence of antibodies against this parasite in patients admitted to the hospital due to relatively severe symptoms of COVID-19.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on the serum samples of 182 patients with COVID-19 disease who were diagnosed by PCR test and 210 healthy subjects in Alborz Province, Iran between March and June 2020. Anti-Fasciola antibodies status was determined in all serum samples, using ELISA technique. A self-developed questionnaire was used to measure demographic information.Results: The frequency of Fasciola infection was found to be significantly higher in COVID-19 patients as compared to healthy control (n = 4, 2.2%, n = 9, 4.3%; respectively) (P = 0.041). There was no significant difference between COVID-19 patients and control group in age, education, and gender (P > 0.05).Conclusions: This study indicates that a significant association between Fasciola hepatica seropositivity and COVID-19 disease. Our finding suggests that Fasciola infection may be able to lead to decreased immune responses, thereby reducing the severity and symptoms of COVID-19 disease.

scholarly journals A Study of Wideband Energy Reflectance in Patients with Otosclerosis: Data from a Chinese Population

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suju Wang ◽  
Wenyang Hao ◽  
Chunxiao Xu ◽  
Daofeng Ni ◽  
Zhiqiang Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Resonance Frequency ◽  
Racial Differences ◽  
Chinese Population ◽  
Ambient Pressure ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Age And Gender ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Gender ◽  
And Control ◽  
Peak Pressures

Objective(s). The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of wideband acoustic immittance (WAI) in the diagnosis of otosclerosis by comparing the differences in the energy reflectance (ER) of WAI between patients with otosclerosis and age- and gender-matched normal hearing controls in the Chinese population. Methods. Twenty surgically confirmed otosclerotic ears were included in the otosclerotic group. The ER of WAI at ambient and peak pressures, resonance frequency, and 226-Hz tympanogram were collected prior to surgery using a Titan hearing test platform (Interacoustics A/S, Middelfart, Denmark). All diagnoses of otosclerosis in the tested ear were confirmed by surgery after the measurements. Thirteen normal adults (26 ears) who were age- and gender-matched with the otosclerotic patients were included as the control group. Results. At peak pressure, the ERs of otosclerotic patients were higher than those of the control group for frequencies less than 4,000Hz and were lower for frequencies greater than 4,000Hz. In addition, within the analyzed frequencies, the differences observed at 2,520Hz was statistically significant (p<0.05/16=0.003, Bonferroni corrected). At ambient pressure, the differences observed at 1,260 and 6,350Hz were statistically significant (p<0.05/16=0.003, Bonferroni corrected). Although the differences between the otosclerotic and control groups exhibited similar trends to those in studies implemented in Caucasian populations, the norms in the present study in the control group were different from those in the Caucasian populations, suggesting racial differences in WAI test results. Regarding the middle ear resonance frequency, no significant difference was observed between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion. WAI can provide valuable information for the diagnosis of otosclerosis in the Chinese population. Norms and diagnostic criteria corresponding to the patient’s racial group are necessary to improve the efficiency of WAI in the diagnosis of otosclerosis.

Plasma kisspeptin and ghrelin levels in puberty variant cases

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Erdal Kurnaz ◽  
Yaşar Şen ◽  
Süleyman Aydın
Keyword(s):  
Serum Levels ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Premature Thelarche ◽  
Premature Adrenarche ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Gender ◽  
And Control ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractBackground:The aim of this study was to determine the serum levels of kisspeptin and ghrelin (GAH), as well as the relationship of these two peptides with each other in premature thelarche (PT) and premature adrenarche (PA) cases and to investigate the possibility of using these peptides as markers in the differentiation of puberty disorders.Methods:A PT group aged 1–8 years (n = 40), a PA group aged 1–9 years (n = 23, female/male = 20/3) and control groups consistent with each of the previous groups in terms of age and gender were created for the study. Kisspeptin and ghrelin levels were measured with ELISA methods from blood samples drawn while fasting in the morning.Results:When the PT group was compared with the controls, the plasma kisspeptin levels of the cases were significantly higher than the control group (165.47 ± 15.45 pmol/L, 96.82 ± 12.33 pmol/L, p = 0.005, respectively). Kisspeptin levels in the PA group did not show a difference with the control group (121.36 ± 17.99 pmol/L, 95.52 ± 11.54 pmol/L, p = 0.249, respectively). No significant difference could be found when GAH levels in the PT and PA groups were compared with controls. No significant correlation was found between kisspeptin and GAH levels in the PT and PA groups.Conclusions:Our results indicate that kisspeptin plays an important role in the PT, but GAH is not associated with puberty disorders.

scholarly journals Comparison of ox-LDL Levels in Diabetic Patients with Normo-, Micro-, and Macroalbuminuria with Their First Degree Relatives and the Healthy Control Group

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parisa Behzadi ◽  
Firouzeh Torabi ◽  
Massoud Amini ◽  
Ashraf Aminorroaya
Keyword(s):  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
First Degree Relatives ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
And Control

Oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) is a product of oxidative stress. In this cross-sectional study, we compared the ox-LDL concentrations in diabetic patients with normoalbuminuria (n=28), microalbuminuria (n=28), and macroalbuminuria (n=28) with their first degree relatives (n=28) and healthy control people (n=31). They were selected by consecutive patient selection method. The ox-LDL level was assayed using ELISA. We measured blood pressure, lipid profile, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and HbA1c in all groups. There was no significant difference in ox-LDL concentrations among normoalbuminuric, microalbuminuric, and macroalbuminuric diabetic groups. In diabetic patients with micro- and macroalbuminuria, ox-LDL concentration was higher than their first degree relatives (P=0.04andP=0.03) and control group (P=0.001andP=0.03, resp.). In normoalbuminuric diabetic persons, ox-LDL concentration was just higher than that of healthy people (P=0.02). There was no statistically significant difference in ox-LDL levels between normoalbuminuric diabetic patients and their first degree relatives. In conclusion, the presence and progression of albuminuria in diabetic patients are not related to ox-LDL concentration and genetic predisposition influences the plasma OX-LDL level. Larger sample size is needed to confirm this conclusion in future studies.

scholarly journals Positive and Negative Aspects of Copaxone ( Glatiramer acetate) Action on TC, TG HbA1c and Iron Levels in The Sera of Iraqi Women with Multiple Sclerosis in Baghdad

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-166
Author(s):  
Baghdad Science Journal
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Inflammatory Diseases ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Iron Level ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Fourth Decade ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Iraqi Women ◽  
Group B ◽  
And Control

The aim of the present study is to highlight the role of total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TG), Glycated hemoglobin A1c and iron in Iraqi women with multiple sclerosis and also to examine the biochemical action of copaxone (which is the most widely used in the 21st century to treat multiple sclerosis) on these biochemical parameters. This is the first study in Iraq which deals copaxone action on TC , TG , HbA1c and iron. Ninety women in their fourth decade suffering from multiple sclerosis were enrolled in this study. They were divided into: the first (group B) composed of (30) women without any treatment related to multiple sclerosis or any treatment linked with chronic or inflammatory diseases. The second (group A1) included (30) women under treatment with copaxone for 1 year, whereas the third group (group A2) involved (30) women under treatment with copaxone for 2 years. Patients groups were compared with a healthy control group (group C) composed of (30) healthy women, TC, TG, HbA1c and iron levels were determined in the sera of patients and control groups. Results of the present study has revealed that TC was high significantly increasing in the sera of group B (250.68±9.76) mg/dl compared with group C (175.36±8.81) mg/dl, while it was high significantly decreasing in the sera of groups A1 (211.88±5.90) mg/dl and A2 (212.12±5.60) mg/dL compared with group B (250.68±9.76) mg/dl. Beside, a non-significant difference was suggested between groups A1 (211.88±5.90) mg/dl and A2 (212.12±5.60) mg/dl. The present study also reported that TG was high significantly increasing in group B (224.84±10.76) mg / dl compared with group C (131.36±7.53) mg/dL whereas a significant decrease was shown in group A1(142.48±4.63) mg/dl and group A2 (195±4.20) mg/dl compared with group B (224.84±10.76) mg / dl. Surprisingly, a highly significant increase was reported in group A2 (195±4.20) mg/dl compared with group A1(142.48±4.63) mg/dl. The present study also suggested that HbA1c level was high significantly increasing in the sera of group B (6.53±0.57) mg/dl compared with group C (4.99±0.07) mg/dl. Oppositely, it was high significantly decreasing in the sera of groups A1 (4.72±0.42) mg/dl and A2 (4.53±0.35) mg/dl compared with group B (6.53±0.57) mg/dl. Futhermore, a non-significant difference was noted between groups A1 (4.72±0.42) mg/dl and A2 (4.53±0.35) mg/dl. This study also reported that iron level was high significantly decreasing in the sera of group B (37.31±4.24) µg / dl compared with group C (98.23±9.21) µg/ dl, whereas it was significantly increasing in the sera of groups A1 (44.05±6.32) µg/dl and A2 (45.31±6.82) µg/dl compared with group B (37.31±4.24) µg/dl . A non significant difference was shown between groups A1 (44.05±6.32) µg / dl and A2 (45.31±6.82) µg / dl.

Effect of Gamified Mobile Applications and the Role of Player Types on the Achievement of Students

2022 ◽  
pp. 073563312110656
Author(s):  
Feray Ugur-Erdogmus ◽  
Recep Çakır
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Design Research ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Multiple Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Achievement Scores ◽  
Control Group Design ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Control

The purpose of this study was to examine a gamified mobile application’s effect on students’ achievement, and whether the player types of the students predicted their achievement scores. A “pretest-posttest control group design” research was conducted with 65 undergraduate students taking a compulsory online course. In the study, a gamified mobile app was developed by the researchers and then applied within an online History I course. The results of the study showed no significant difference between the achievement scores of the Experimental Group and Control Group students. However, multiple linear regression analysis results showed that the Experimental Group’s students’ achievement scores were significantly predicted by the player types they used and their mobile app performance. It is argued, therefore, that this result underlines the importance of player type in designing effective mobile gamification apps for the purpose of learning. Suggestions for further studies are also provided.

The evaluation of serum N-terminal prohormone brain-type natriuretic peptide, troponin-I, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels in children with congenital heart disease

2014 ◽  
Vol 33 (11) ◽  
pp. 1158-1166 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Uner ◽  
M Doğan ◽  
M Ay ◽  
Ç Acar
Keyword(s):  
Septal Defect ◽  
Troponin I ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Asymptomatic Group ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Hs Crp ◽  
And Control

Although advanced diagnostic and treatment methods are available, congenital heart disease (CHD) holds an important place among the causes of death within the first year of age. Therefore, several prognostic factors are needed for diagnosis and monitoring of these patients. In this study, which includes 66 CHD patients and 38 healthy control children, serum cardiac troponin-I (cTnI), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP), and N-terminal prohormone brain-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels were analyzed for their prognostics values. The patient groups were categorized and then evaluated as cyanotic ( n = 16), acyanotic ( n = 50), symptomatic ( n = 23), asymptomatic ( n = 43), and isolated ventricular septal defect (VSD)-isolated atrial septal defect (ASD) groups. Cyanotic group was statistically compared with acyanotic group, symptomatic group with asymptomatic group, and VSD group with ASD group. Between the cyanotic, acyanotic, and control groups; between symptomatic and asymptomatic groups; and between the VSD and ASD groups, significant difference was not showed for age ( p > 0.05). NT-proBNP was found to be significantly higher in the cyanotic group than acyanotic and control group, in the symptomatic group than asymptomatic group; and in the patient group than healthy control group ( p < 0.05). Between the groups of VSD and ASD, significant difference was not showed ( p > 0.05). The same comparison results for TnI and Hs-CRP were not significant ( p > 0.05). TnI and Hs-CRP were only found significantly higher in the patient group than healthy control group ( p < 0.05). Eventually, we think that NT-proBNP, Hs-CRP, and TnI might be used for clinical management and estimation of outcome of these disorders in the future and these also might be able to modify existing strategies, but much more studies are needed.

scholarly journals Assessment of Carotid Artery Distensibility and Elasticity in Patients with Asthma

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hatice Eylül Bozkurt Yılmaz ◽  
Mustafa Yılmaz
Keyword(s):  
Severe Asthma ◽  
Persistent Asthma ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Asthmatic Patients ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Carotid Distensibility ◽  
And Control

As asthma and atherosclerosis have similar pathophysiological mechanisms and risk factors, asthmatic patients may have an increased risk of atherosclerosis. This study aimed to determine the possibility of a higher risk of atherosclerosis in asthma patients compared with healthy controls by measuring carotid elasticity and distensibility. This was a cross-sectional study on 326 participants including 221 patients (129 [58.37%] females) with persistent asthma, aged 46.47±11.58 years, body mass index (BMI) of 29.74±3.99, and 105 healthy control subjects (60 [57.14%] females) aged 46.08±11.35 years, and BMI of 29.42±3.76. Of the 221 patients with asthma, 75 (33.93%) had mild, 74 (33.48%) had moderate and 72 (32.57%) had severe asthma. The carotid distensibility and elasticity were recorded and compared in both patients and control groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the patients and healthy control groups in terms of age, BMI and gender (p=0.775, p=0.482, and p=0.834, respectively). A statistically significant difference was determined between the patient and control groups in respect of both distensibility and elasticity (10.93±1.64 vs. 11.5±1.31, p=0.002 and 0.21±0.03 vs. 0.22±0.04, p=0.001, respectively). Statistically significant differences were determined between the control group and the asthma subgroups in respect of distensibility and elasticity (p<0.001, for both comparisons). The results showed that the difference was mainly due to the patients with severe asthma. Carotid distensibility and elasticity were decreased in asthmatic patients, and the main reason for this decrease was the patients in the severe asthma group. These results may suggest that the risk of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis is increased in patients with asthma, especially those with severe asthma.

scholarly journals Association of rheumatoid arthritis according to the degree of genetic homozygosity and gender: Pilot study

Genetika ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 1139-1149
Author(s):  
Suzana Cvjeticanin ◽  
Milan Terzic ◽  
Dejan Nikolic
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Group Versus ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Genetic Mechanisms ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Inflammatory Autoimmune Disease

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic synovial inflammatory autoimmune disease with multifactorial origin. With epigenetic and genetic mechanisms playing a role in the development of RA, the aim of our study was to evaluate the anthropogenetic variability in tested individuals that were diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, and the possible influence of gender in expression of illness. 100 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 100 healthy control individuals were evaluated. For the estimation of the degree of recessive homozygosity, the homozygously recessive characteristics (HRC) test was performed testing 20 HRCs. There was a significant difference in the individual variations of 20 HRCs between the individuals of the control group and patients with RA (SX2=135.191; p<0.001). The mean values of the tested HRCs significantly differed between individuals of the control group and RA group (MV?SDControl group-5.97?2.02, MV?SDRA group-7.34?2.00, p=<0.001). There was a decrease in variability in the RA group versus the control group (VRA group=27.19%; VControl group=33.79%).There was significant difference in the frequencies of HRCs between those with and without RA in males (p<0.023) and in females (p<0.001). Our findings pointed to the higher degree of recessive homozygosity along with decreased variability in RA patients compared to a healthy control group. Therefore, it may be assumed that different genes in different proportions have certain influence in the processes responsible for RA susceptibility and its different degrees of expression.

scholarly journals Predictors of Taste Dysfunction and Its Severity Among Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

2021 ◽  
pp. 014556132110197
Author(s):  
Tajudeen Yusuf ◽  
Yemi R. Raji ◽  
Taye J. Lasisi ◽  
Adekunle Daniel ◽  
O. T. Bamidele ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Kidney Disease ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Control Group ◽  
College Hospital ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The University ◽  
Taste Dysfunction ◽  
And Control

Background: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) often complain of taste dysfunction. The prevalent taste dysfunction among patients with CKD predisposes them to malnutrition, poor quality of life, and worsen disease prognoses. To appropriately treat the taste dysfunction in this group of patients, it’s imperative that factors that predict taste dysfunction and its severity are identified for prompt treatment. Aim: To identify factors associated with taste dysfunction and its severity among patients with CKD. Materials and Methods: This was a hospital-based case–control study of adult patients with CKD at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. The control group was made up of age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers with no clinical and laboratory evidence of CKD. Relevant clinical and social data obtained include demographics, symptoms, and signs of taste dysfunction and its risk factors. The 4 basic taste modalities namely sweet, sour, bitter, and salt taste senses of the participants were tested with validated “taste strips.” Factors that predict taste dysfunction were identified among the spectrum of the disease. Results: There were 100 patients with CKD and 100 healthy controls, age ranges between 19 and 86 years (mean ± standard deviation [SD] = 46.3 ± 13.9 years) and 20 and 85 years (mean ± SD = 43.4 ± 14.9 years), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between cases and control gender distribution ( P = .57). Hypogeusia was found in 27.0% of patients with CKD, while total taste function score of all the control was within normal range. Increasing duration of CKD was identified as a predictor of taste dysfunction among patients with CKD (odds ratio: 4.889, P = .038). The stages of CKD had no statistically significant relationship with the severity of taste dysfunction ( P = .629). Conclusion: The prevalence of taste dysfunction among patients with CKD was high and this showed significant correlation with increasing duration of CKD; in contrast, the severity of CKD is not significant in the development of taste dysfunction.

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