Morphometric brain changes during aging: Results from a Brazilian necropsy sample

Abstract The present study aimed to establish the morphometric brain changes during aging in a necropsy series from Brazil and determine whether sexual dimorphisms interfere in these changes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the São Paulo Autopsy Service in Brazil where, after informed consent, data was gathered from next of kin interview with reference to clinical status prior to death. Brain weight, volume and density measurements were taken and then adjusted for head circumference. Descriptive statistics and tests of hypothesis and correlations were applied, considering a p-value of 0.05. Results: 414 subjects, mostly men (60.4%), with a mean age of 67.1 years, were included. The mean brain weight of the sample was 1219.2g±140.9 and mean volume was 1217mL±152.3. The mean brain density of the sample was 1.0g/mL±0.09. Values differed between males and females in terms of weight and volume. Brain weight decreased during aging by about 45g per decade (r= -0.300; p<0.01) and volume by about 43mL (r= -0.278; p<0.00). Mean density of the sample was 1.0 g/mL in both genders. Conclusions: Brain weight and volume (with or without corrections) decreased during aging, and these reductions were more pronounced in women. Density remained unchanged for both genders. Further studies are needed to investigate factors associated to these reductions.

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Brief Overview and Experience of Visual Evoked Potential of First 67 cases at Referral Neuroscience Hospital in Bangladesh

Journal of National Institute of Neurosciences Bangladesh ◽

10.3329/jninb.v6i2.50744 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 74-77

Author(s):

Mohammad Enayet Hussain ◽

Bithi Debnath ◽

AFM Al Masum Khan ◽

Md Ferdous Mian ◽

Md Nahidul Islam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Optic Neuritis ◽

Clinical Diagnosis ◽

Optic Neuropathy ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

P Value ◽

Pattern Reversal ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Mean ◽

Visual Evoked

Background: The visual evoked potentials (VEP) is a valuable tool to document occult lesions of the central visual channels especially within the optic nerve. Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to observe the findings of first few cases of VEP done in the neurophysiology department of the National Institute of Neurosciences (NINS), Dhaka, Bangladesh. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Neurophysiology at the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh from September 2017 to March 2020. All patients referred to the Neurophysiology Department of NINS for VEP were included. Pattern reversal VEPs were done using standard protocol set by International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology (IFCN). Results: The mean age of the study population was 30.70 (±12.11) years (6-68 years) with 31 (46.3%) male and 36 (53.7%) female patients. The mean duration of illness was 8.71 (±1.78) months (3 days- 120 months). Most common presenting symptom was blurring of vision (37.3%) and dimness of vision (32.8%). Patterned VEP revealed mixed type (both demyelinating and axonal) of abnormality in most cases [29(43.35)]. The most common clinical diagnosis was multiple sclerosis (29.85%) and optic neuropathy (26.87%). In the clinically suspected cases of multiple sclerosis, optic neuropathy and optic neuritis most of the cases of VEP were abnormal and the p value is 0.04 in optic neuropathy and optic neuritis. Conclusion: The commonest presentation of the patients in this series were blurring of vision and dimness of vision. The most common clinical diagnosis for which VEP was asked for, was optic neuritis and multiple sclerosis. Most abnormalities were of mixed pattern (demyelinating and axonal). Journal of National Institute of Neurosciences Bangladesh, 2020;6(2): 74-77

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POS0548 OPTIMAL ASSESSMENT OF THE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS ANKLE AND HINDFOOT: A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN CLINICAL EXAMINATION AND ULTRASONOGRAPHY

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-eular.2720 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 508.2-509

Author(s):

K. Maatallah ◽

H. Boussaa ◽

H. Riahi ◽

H. Ferjani ◽

M. Habechi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Clinical Examination ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Power Doppler ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

P Value ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Therapeutic Decisions ◽

The Mean ◽

Foot Disease

Background:Foot disease is a common problem in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Therapeutic decisions are often based on clinical examination (CE) alone, which can be adversely affected by factors such as deformity, obesity, and peripheral edema. Ultrasonography (US) has previously been shown to be more sensitive than CE for detecting synovitis and tenosynovitis in RA forefeet, but few data exist for the hindfoot and ankle.Objectives:The aim of this study was to compare CE and US for the detection of hindfoot and ankle synovitis and tenosynovitis in patients with established RA.Methods:We conducted a cross-sectional study including patients with RA (ACR/EULAR 2010). Demographic data and disease parameters were collected. CE was performed by a rheumatologist for the presence or absence of tenderness, swelling, and mobility restriction of both ankles. The following tendons were examined for tenosynovitis: tibialis anterior (TA) and posterior (TP), fibularis longus (FL), and brevis (FB) (assessed together). In a second time, US examination of the tibiotalar, talonavicular, and subtalar joints and the same tendons as CE was performed by a blinded radiologist experienced in musculoskeletal imaging using a Philips HD11 device with a high-frequency linear transducer. The presence or absence of synovitis and tenosynovitis was recorded, and the composite synovitis score (power doppler / grayscale ultrasound (PDUS)) was measured for each joint. The US score of each patient was defined by the sum of the composite scores of the joints studied (0-30). A p-value <0.05 was considered significant.Results:Sixty-two feet were examined in 31 RA patients (25 women and six men) with a mean age of 54.8±10.8 years old [32-70]. The mean disease duration was 8.5±7.2 years [1-37]. Rheumatoid Factor (RF) and Anti-Citrullinated Peptides Antibodies (ACPA) were positive in 61.3% and 83.8% of cases. The mean DAS28 ESR was 3.8±1.5 [0.6-7].Clinical examination of ankles revealed tenderness in 57.4% of cases, swelling in 38.8% of cases, and restriction in the range of motion in 11.1% of cases. TA tenosynovitis was noted in 14.8% of cases, TP tenosynovitis in 22.2% of cases, and FL and FB tenosynovitis in 31.5% of cases.US showed tibiotalar synovitis in 59.3% of cases, talonavicular synovitis in 64.8% of cases, and subtalar synovitis in 46.3% of cases. TA tenosynovitis was noted in 5.6% of cases, TP tenosynovitis in 22.2% of cases, and FB and FL tenosynovitis in 25% and 11.1% of cases respectively.An association was found between clinical tenderness and US synovitis of the tibiotalar joint (p=0.013) and the talonavicular joint (p=0.027). No association was noted between clinical swelling and US synovitis in these joints.No association was noted between clinical and US tenosynovitis of TA (p=0.279), TP (p=0.436), FB (p=0.495) and FL (p=0.315).Conclusion:Clinical examination of RA ankles may be challenging and needs to be coupled with US, which is more sensitive and accurate in the detection of synovitis and tenosynovitis.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

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Satisfaction and Adherence to Biological Treatment in Patients with Rheumatic Diseases

Current Rheumatology Reviews ◽

10.2174/1573397118666211230101451 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 ◽

Author(s):

Marwa Hammad ◽

Huny Bakry

Keyword(s):

Rheumatic Diseases ◽

Biological Treatment ◽

Formal Education ◽

Biological Therapy ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

P Value ◽

Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

New Era ◽

The Mean

Background: Autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases have long been treated by conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Biological therapy is a new era in the treatment of rheumatic diseases, but satisfaction and adherence to it is still not well tested. Aim: To assess the satisfaction and adherence to biological treatment among patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 56 patients suffering from inflammatory rheumatic diseases using Morisky 8 questionnaire and Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM) over a period of one month Results: About 76.8% of the patients had medium adherence and the underlying cause of missing doses was the unavailability of the drugs. The mean satisfaction with biological treatment was 62.7±6.9. Patients who did not receive formal education had significantly higher satisfaction with the biological treatment than others 64.94±5.01 at a P value 0.04 (<0.05). Conclusion: Patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases in our study showed medium adherence and satisfaction. Authorities in the medical field are providing great help to these patients in need of biological therapy, but ensuring the availability of all doses of the biological treatment regimen is still necessary. Patient, family and nurse education programs are also necessary to maximize adherence and satisfaction.

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Tooth Loss and Its Association With Frequency of Pregnancy: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Yemeni Women

10.21203/rs.3.rs-147421/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Anas Shamala ◽

Ebtesam Al-Maimooni ◽

Salsbeel Al-Matari ◽

Ryhana Hiyat ◽

Mohammed Al-wesabi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oral Hygiene ◽

Tooth Loss ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

P Value ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Khat Chewing ◽

Number Of Children ◽

Hygiene Practices ◽

The Mean

Abstract Backgrounds: The present study sought to assess tooth loss and oral hygiene practices among a sample of Yemeni women in association with giving births (parity).Subjects and Methods: This cross-sectional study included a sample of 644 Yemeni women. They were interviewed to gather socio-demographic (age, education, number of children) and behavioral data (oral hygiene practices, khat chewing and smoking). Additionally, they were examined clinically to assess number of tooth loss. Data were analyzed using SPSS with a P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The participating women aged between 16 and 51 years. Only one fifth of the sample reported brushing their teeth regularly (i.e, at least once a day), and around 36.8% reported using dental aids occasionally. Additionally, 52% and 21% of the sample reported they were khat chewers and smokers, respectively. The mean number of tooth loss was 4.7. The mean number of children was 4.15, with approximately 54% of the participating women had more than 3 children. The results of the logistic regression revealed a significant association between number of children and tooth loss. Conclusion: Yemeni women had poor oral hygiene practices and high prevalence of tooth loss increased proportionally with the increased number of children. This emphasizes the importance of an effective oral hygiene motivation and health education among female patients during pregnancy periods.

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Cross-sectional study to compare the biochemical parameters in low normal versus high normal plasma glucose levels in euglycemic individuals

International Journal of Advances in Medicine ◽

10.18203/2349-3933.ijam20202117 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (6) ◽

pp. 997

Author(s):

Dharmendra Jhavar ◽

Neha Kirti ◽

Sumit Kumar Vishwakarma ◽

Umesh Kumar Chandra ◽

Vinod Verma

Keyword(s):

Uric Acid ◽

Total Cholesterol ◽

General Medicine ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Normal Group ◽

P Value ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Mean ◽

The Difference

Background: Since a long time ago, the experts have realized that determination of cut-off point for diagnosing diabetes will be revised over time with the lower blood glucose level as the more sensitive diagnosis for detecting the occurring complication and biochemical changes.Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out in the department of medicine, M.G.M. Medical College and M.Y. Hospital Indore from July, 2016 to August, 2017 in 200 individuals and patients having euglycemic status attending General Medicine OPD.Results: In the low and high normal group 2 (2.0%) and 8 (8.0%) were having abnormal total cholesterol (TC) level respectively. The mean total cholesterol in the low normal group was 117.16±26.94mg/dl and it was 154.74±28.38mg/dl in the high normal group. The difference was found to be statistically significant (p value 0.000). In the low and high normal group, 4 (4.0%) and 17 (17.0%) were having abnormal triglyceride (TG) levels respectively. The mean TG levels in the low and high normal group were 96.93±22.64mg/dl and 110.55±32.37mg/dl respectively. The difference was found to be statistically significant (p value 0.001). In the low and high normal group, 6 (6.0%) and 14 (14.0%) patient was having abnormal uric acid levels respectively. The mean uric acid levels in the low and high normal group was 4.88±1.10mg/dl and 5.31±1.31mg/dl respectively. The difference was found to be statistically significant (p value 0.013).Conclusions: Higher levels of Cholesterol and Triglycerides were found more commonly in high normal euglycemic group compared to low normal euglycemic group. Mean cholesterol and mean triglyceride levels were higher in high normal euglycemic group.

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Waist Circumference, Blood Pressure and Lifestyle of Sudanese Population, Khartoum Locality, Sudan 2016

Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research ◽

10.9734/jammr/2019/v29i1130139 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Asma Abdelaal Abdalla ◽

Siham Ahmed Balla ◽

Amna Abdalla Babiker ◽

Safaa Abdelhameed Medani ◽

Rania Abdalla Osman Khalfa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Waist Circumference ◽

Physical Exercise ◽

Age Distribution ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

P Value ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Men And Women ◽

Study Population ◽

The Mean

Aims: To measure the waist circumference of Sudanese adults in Khartoum Locality and its relationship to blood pressure and lifestyle during celebration of international day of hypertension in May 2016 . Study Design: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Place of the Celebration: Khartoum Locality at Alsahaa Alkhadraa (The Green Park). Methodology: A total of 364 adult participants, 196 men and 168 women were interviewed using structured questionnaire. Blood pressure (BP) was measured considering hypertension as ≥ 140 mmHg and ≥ 90 mmHg for systole and diastole BP respectively. Waist circumference was measured using an anthropometric measuring tape at cut-off point of 94 cm and 80 cm for men and women respectively. Data was managed by SPSS version 20 and Chi-square test at 95% CL was used to test the association between waist circumference, blood pressure and life style characteristics. Results: Age distribution of the study population showed 48.2% females and 45.4% males in the middle age group (38-57 years). Two thirds of the study population were hypertensive, 62.8% of males and 64.3% of females. The mean waist circumference of men was 97.82 cm + 16.7, mean Systolic BP was 127 + 22 and mean Diastolic BP was 85 + 15. The mean waist circumference of women was 99.31 + 16.2, mean Systolic was 128 + 24 and mean Diastolic BP was 84 +17. Abnormal waist circumference was found in 61.2% of males and 86.9% of females. Fifty nine (30.1%) of the males and 86 (51.2%) of the females with abnormal waist circumference were hypertensive. The association between abnormal waist circumference and high blood pressure was significant among both sexes, P value = 0.001. Physical exercise and fat and salt foods were not significantly associated waist circumference in both men and women. Conclusion: Two thirds of women and men in the celebrating areas were hypertensive. Half of women and one third of men were significantly hypertensive and having abnormal waist circumference. Doing physical exercise, avoiding fat and salt foods was insignificantly associated with normal waist circumference. Large survey with representative sample is needed to estimate the real Sudanese waist circumference.

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Correlation between hair zinc level and cognitive function in elderly population

World Nutrition Journal ◽

10.25220/wnj.v03.i2.0008 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 59

Author(s):

Dian Sarah Mutiara ◽

Diana Sunardi ◽

Esthika Dewiasty

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Function ◽

Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽

Rank Correlation ◽

Amyloid Β ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Zinc Level ◽

P Value ◽

Hair Zinc ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Mean

Introduction: Neurodegenerative disease is the most problem in elderly. Amyloid β (Aβ) accumulation is the major cause of cognitive impairment. Zinc has an important role in antioxidant and Aβ accumulation process. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between hair zinc level and cognitive function in elderly.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted involving 58 subjects of elderly in Jakarta. Subjects were recruited by consecutive sampling. Hair zinc level was measured by inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometer (ICPS) and cognitive function assessed by abbreviated mental test (AMT). Data analysis was done by spearman rank correlation test and p-value less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.Results: The mean of age was 65.4 ± 4.4 years old and 56.9% of subjects were female. The mean of hair zinc level was 123.23 ± 69.71 µg/gram hair and 32.8% subjects had hair zinc deficiency. There was 91.4% subjects had normal cognitive function. The study showed no correlation between hair zinc level and cognitive function in elderly (p=0.871 ; r=-0.022).Conclusions: There was no correlation between hair zinc level and cognitive function in elderly. Further research is expected to be performed with different level of cognitive function.Keywords: cognitive, elderly, hair zinc level, zinc.

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Lifestyle of students at Tehran University of Medical Sciences during Corona Epidemic: A cross-sectional study

Iranian Journal Of Health Sciences ◽

10.18502/jhs.v9i3.7308 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Fatemeh Rahimi ◽

Elahe Alamdar ◽

Hengame Sadat Seyed Mirnasab ◽

Somaieh Borjalilu ◽

Mahnaz Pouresmaeil ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spiritual Growth ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Demographic Variables ◽

P Value ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Medical Sciences ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health Promoting ◽

The Mean ◽

Health Promoting Lifestyle

Background and purpose: There is concern that students may have an unhealthy lifestyle as a result of changes that occurred during corona conditions, so this study aimed to determine the status of the lifestyle and its relationship with the demographic characteristics of postgraduate students during the corona span. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2020. The link to the online Health-Promoting Lifestyle Questionnaire Profile2 was sent to conduct the research. To examine the relationships between the mean scores of health-promoting lifestyle and different variables, an independent samples t-test was applied in the case of dichotomous demographic variables (gender, education level, and income-generating activity), while one-way analysis of variance test was used to evaluate the multilevel demographic variables (marital status, place of residence, and faculty). The Pearson correlation coefficient was also used for testing age. Results: The sample 240, (75.4%) were female and 145 of them, (60.4%) were single. The mean age of them was 32.21±7.45.45 years old. The lifestyle total score was 138.28± 21.18 at the average level. The highest score was related to spiritual growth (26.93±5.01), whereas the lowest score was reported on physical activity (16.92±5.17). The difference between the mean of health-promoting lifestyle was not significant in terms of demographic variables.According to the results, a statistically significant difference was observed between male and female students in the field of nutrition. Also, students were significantly different in the nutrition domain regarding students’ residence (p-value <0.05). Spiritual growth was significantly different among students in terms of marital status (p-value <0.05). Conclusion: Although the mean score of health-promoting lifestyle was not different from other studies, further studies are proposed to plan health interventions in accordance with epidemic conditions for students.

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Mean difference of visual acuity with auto refraction and subjective refraction.

Pakistan Journal of Ophthalmology ◽

10.36351/pjo.v36i1.909 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 36 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Shakeel Ahmad ◽

Rashida RIaz ◽

Muhammad Haseeb ◽

Hafiza Ammara Rasheed ◽

Samia Iqbal

Keyword(s):

Visual Acuity ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Anterior Segment ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Mean Difference ◽

P Value ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Department Of Ophthalmology ◽

The Mean ◽

Cylindrical Axis

Purpose: To compare the mean difference of visual acuity as measured by auto refraction and subjective refraction. Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of ophthalmology, Services hospital Lahore from November 2013 to April 2014. Material and Methods: Using non-probability consecutive sampling 300 eyes of 300 patients fulfilling inclusion criteria were recruited through OPD registration slip. Demographic data including age and gender was recorded. Complete ophthalmic examination was performed. This included measurement of refractive error by auto-refraction as well as subjective refraction. Detailed anterior segment examination with slit lamp and dilated fundus examination with indirect ophthalmoscopy was performed. The collected data was analyzed by using software SPSS version 17. Results: The mean age of patients was 34.71 ± 7.45 years. There were 156 (52%) males and 144 (48%) females. There were 263 (87.69%) patients who had visual acuity of 6/6 and 37 (12.33%) had 6/9. Mean spherical auto-refraction and subjective refraction was 0.0290 ± 2.58 and -0.2842 ± 2.37 D with mean difference of -0.3133 ± 1.27 D. The mean cylindrical auto and subjective refraction in this study was -.9742 ± 0.78 D and -0.7500 ± 0.81 D and mean difference was 0.2242 ± 0.74 D. The mean cylindrical axis of auto and subjective refraction was 114.88 ± 49.75 and 115.60 ± 49.70 with mean difference as 0.72 ± 3.02 D (p-value < 0.05). Conclusion: Difference of spherical, cylindrical and cylindrical axis in auto and subjective refraction was significantly different.

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Fermentable Oligo-, Di-, and Mono-Saccharides and Polyols (FODMAPs) Consumption and Irritable Bowel Syndrome in the French NutriNet-Santé Cohort

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13124513 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (12) ◽

pp. 4513

Author(s):

Elodie Schneider ◽

Jean-Marc Sabaté ◽

Michel Bouchoucha ◽

Serge Hercberg ◽

Mathilde Touvier ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Irritable Bowel Syndrome ◽

Daily Intake ◽

Population Based ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

P Value ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

The Mean ◽

Irritable Bowel ◽

Composition Table

(1) Background: Specific foods, and more particularly, fermentable oligo-, di-, and mono-saccharides and polyols (FODMAPs) are often considered as triggers of digestive symptoms in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Our aim was to study FODMAP consumption in controls and IBS participants in a large French population-based cohort; (2) Methods: Participants from the NutriNet-Santé cohort study completed the Rome IV and IBS-SSS questionnaire in a cross sectional study. Among them, 27,949 eligible participants had previously completed three 24-h recalls as well as anthropometrics, socio-demographical and lifestyle data. Total FODMAP intake (in g/day) was computed using a specific composition table. The association between FODMAPs and IBS was estimated through multivariable logistic regression models; (3) Results: Included participants were mainly women (75.4%) and the mean age was 43.4 ± 14.1 years. FODMAPs accounted for a mean daily intake of 19.4 ± 9.5 g/day. Overall 1295 participants (4.6%) were identified with an IBS. After adjusting for confounding factors, IBS participants had lower intakes in FODMAPs than non-IBS ones (aOR: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.82–0.95, p-value: 0.001). IBS severity was associated with more frequent low FODMAP intakes (<9 g/day); (4) Conclusions: Participants tended to consume 19 g of FODMAPs per day, but slightly less for IBS participants than for controls. In IBS participants, higher severity was associated with lower intakes.

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