scholarly journals A novel 8.7-kb mitochondrial genome deletion accurately detects endometriosis in the plasma of symptomatic women

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-107
Author(s):  
Andrew Harbottle ◽  
Andrea Maggrah ◽  
Robert Usher ◽  
Elise Desa ◽  
Jennifer M Creed
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Accuracy ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Menstrual Phase ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Potential Biomarker ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Mtdna Deletion ◽  
Disease Subtypes ◽  
Improve Patient Management ◽  
Improve Patient

Aim: To evaluate an 8.7-kb mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletion as a potential biomarker of endometriosis. Materials & methods: We tested the diagnostic accuracy of the 8.7-kb deletion real-time PCR assay using 182 prospectively collected blood samples from females presenting with symptoms of endometriosis in a case–control format. Results: The assay differentiated between endometriosis and controls (area under curve: 0.74–0.89) with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in 8.7-kb deletion levels measured for all disease subtypes and stages. No correlation was seen between 8.7-kb deletion levels and participant or specimen age, hormone status or menstrual phase. Conclusion: The diagnostic accuracy of the 8.7-kb deletion for endometriosis suggests potential utility in the clinic to improve patient management.

Determining the diagnostic accuracy of non contrast HRCT Chest study in COVID-19 Pneumonia Keeping PCR assay as gold standard

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanam Yasir ◽  
Maria Rauf ◽  
Raana Kanwal ◽  
Belqees Yawar Faiz ◽  
Atif Iqbal Rana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Accuracy ◽  
Gold Standard ◽  
Pcr Assay

scholarly journals Epidemiology and outcomes from severe hypoglycemia in Kuwait: a prospective cohort study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dalal Al Hasan ◽  
Ameen Yaseen ◽  
Mohammad Al Roudan ◽  
Lee Wallis
Keyword(s):  
Severe Hypoglycaemia ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Severe Hypoglycemia ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Initial Management ◽  
Scene Management ◽  
Prehospital Management ◽  
Improve Patient Management ◽  
Current Guidelines ◽  
Improve Patient

Abstract Background The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology of severe hypoglycaemia in Kuwait, aiming to provide a preliminary background to update the current guidelines and improve patient management. Method This was a prospective analysis of severe hypoglycaemia cases retrieved from emergency medical services (EMS) archived data between 1 January and 30 June 2020. The severe hypoglycaemia cases were then sub-grouped based on EMS personal initial management and compared in terms of scene time, transportation rate, complications and outcomes. The primary outcomes were GCS within 10–30 min and normal random blood glucose (RBS) within 10–30 min. Results A total of 167 cases met the inclusion criteria. The incidence of severe hypoglycaemia in the national EMS was 11 per 100,000. Intramuscular glucagon was used on scene in 89% of the hypoglycaemic events. Most of the severe hypoglycaemia patients regained normal GCS on scene (76.5%). When we compared the two scene management strategies for severe hypoglycaemia cases, parenteral glucose administration prolonged the on-scene time (P = .002) but was associated with more favourable scene outcomes than intramuscular glucagon, with normal GCS within 10–30 min (P = .05) and normal RBS within 10–30 min (P = .006). Conclusion: Severe hypoglycaemia is not uncommon during EMS calls. Appropriate management by EMS personals is fruitful, resulting in favourable scene outcomes and reducing the hospital transportation rate. More research should be invested in improving and structuring the prehospital management of severe hypoglycaemia. One goal is to clarify the superiority of parenteral glucose over intramuscular glucagon in the prehospital setting.

Risk factors associated with subacromial pain in young athletes: A case control study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Zoran Z. Sarcevic ◽  
Andreja P. Tepavcevic
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Sternoclavicular Joint ◽  
Pectoralis Major ◽  
Young Athletes ◽  
Serratus Anterior ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Lower Trapezius ◽  
Control Study

BACKGROUND: Subacromial pain (SAP) is a common complaint of young athletes, independently of the sport engaged. The prevalence of SAP in some sports is up to 50%. OBJECTIVE: The study was aimed to investigate some new factors possibly associated to subacromial pain in young athletes. The factors considered were the grade of tightness of the clavicular portion of the pectoralis major, dysfunction of the sternoclavicular joint, and serratus anterior and lower trapezius strength. METHODS: This case-control study included 82 young athletes 9–15 years, 41 with the symptoms of SAP and 41 controls. All participants self-reported whether they had subacromial pain. In addition, Hawkins–Kennedy Test was performed to all the participants to evaluate the subacromial pressure. Main outcome measures were the grade of tightness of the clavicular portion of the pectoralis major, dysfunction of the sternoclavicular joint, and serratus anterior and lower trapezius strength. The grade of tightness of the clavicular portion of the pectoralis major and the dysfunction of the sternoclavicular joint were measured with an inclinometer. Serratus anterior and lower trapezius strength were measured by a handheld dynamometer with external belt-fixation. The data were analyzed using t-test for independent samples, Mann-Whitney U test, contingency coefficients and a stepwise binary logistic regression. RESULTS: Significant statistical difference was observed in the grade of tightness of the clavicular portion of the pectoralis major and in the variable representing the physiological functioning of the sternoclavicular joint, between the cases and the controls. There was no significant difference in serratus anterior and lower trapezius strength between the cases and the controls. Logistic regression analysis showed that the variable representing the physiological functioning of the sternoclavicular joint and the grade of shortening of the clavicular portion of the pectoralis major were good predictors for presence of SAP. CONCLUSIONS: A strong association was determined between subacromial pain in young athletes, clavicular portion of pectoralis major tightness and the dysfunction of the sternoclavicular joint.

scholarly journals Anesthesia for Transoral Endoscopic Parathyroidectomy by Vestibular Approach (TOEPVA)

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fulya YILMAZ ◽  
Koray BAS
Keyword(s):  
Demographic Data ◽  
Surgical Techniques ◽  
Hemodynamic Parameters ◽  
Safe Anesthesia ◽  
Close Cooperation ◽  
Improve Patient Management ◽  
Conventional Open Surgery ◽  
Vestibular Approach ◽  
Improve Patient ◽  
Endoscopic Parathyroidectomy

Abstract Background After thyroid diseases, hyperparathyroidism is one of the most common endocrine surgical diseases. The increasing diagnosis of thyroid pathologies in early stages and a societal emphasis on physical appearances, especially in young women, have led to the development of new surgical techniques alternative to conventional transcervical incision consistently. Here, we describe our anesthesia experience for parathyroidectomy with Transoral Endoscopic Parathyroidectomy by Vestibular Approach (TOEPVA). Patients who undergo TOEPVA at our institution between November 2018 and April 2019 were reviewed. Demographic data and hemodynamic parameters were reported. Results Seven patients were operated successfully by this technique, none of which required conversion to conventional open surgery. Two patients required atropine and one patient required ephedrine during insufflation. Conclusion After induction of anesthesia with propofol, remifentanil, and rocuronium and anesthesia managed by desflurane co-administered with continuous infusion of remifentanil provide feasible and safe anesthesia for TOEPVA. However, especially during hydrodissection and insufflation, a close cooperation between surgeon and anesthetist has a great value to improve patient management.

scholarly journals A preliminary study exploring the change in ankle joint laxity and general joint laxity during the menstrual cycle in cis women

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomomi Yamazaki ◽  
Sae Maruyama ◽  
Yuki Sato ◽  
Yukako Suzuki ◽  
Sohei Shimizu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Ankle Joint ◽  
Length Change ◽  
Joint Laxity ◽  
Anterior Talofibular Ligament ◽  
Menstrual Phase ◽  
Anterior Drawer ◽  
Linear Distance ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Early Follicular Phase

Abstract Background The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between ankle joint laxity and general joint laxity (GJL) in relation to the menstrual cycle, which was divided into four phases based on basal body temperature and ovulation, assessed using an ovulation kit. Methods Participants were 14 female college students (21–22 years) with normal menstrual cycles (cis gender). Anterior drawer stress to a magnitude of 120 N was applied for all participants. Anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) length was measured as the linear distance (mm) between its points of attachment on the lateral malleolus and talus using ultrasonography. Data on ATFL length from each subject were used to calculate each subject’s normalized length change with anterior drawer stress (AD%). The University of Tokyo method was used for evaluation of GJL. AD% and GJL were measured once in each menstrual phase. Results There was no statistically significant difference between AD% in each phase. GJL score was significantly higher in the ovulation and luteal phases compared with the early follicular phase. AD% and GJL showed a positive correlation with each other in the ovulation phase. Conclusions Although it is unclear whether estrogen receptors are present in the ATFL, the present study suggests that women with high GJL scores might be more sensitive to the effects of estrogen, resulting in ATFL length change in the ovulation phase.

scholarly journals Diagnostic Value of Telomerase Activity in Patients With Bladder Cancer: A Meta-Analysis of Diagnostic Test

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Peng ◽  
Jinze Li ◽  
Chunyang Meng ◽  
Jinming Li ◽  
Dandan Tang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bladder Cancer ◽  
Subgroup Analysis ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Negative Likelihood Ratio ◽  
High Specificity ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Telomerase Activity ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Potential Biomarker ◽  
Significant Difference

BackgroundThis study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of telomerase activity (TA) for bladder cancer (BC) by meta-analysis.MethodsWe conducted a systematic search of studies published on PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science up to June 1, 2019. We used Stata 15 and Review Manager 5.3 for calculations and statistical analysis.ResultsTo evaluate the diagnostic value of TA for BC, we performed a meta-analysis on 22 studies, with a total of 2,867 individuals, including sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratio (PLR, NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The pooled parameters were calculated from all studies, and we found a sensitivity of 0.79 (95% CI: 0.72–0.84), a specificity of 0.91 (95% CI: 0.87–0.94), a PLR of 8.91 (95% CI: 5.91–13.43), an NLR of 0.24 (95% CI: 0.15–0.37), a DOR of 37.90 (95% CI: 23.32–61.59), and an AUC of 0.92 (95% CI: 0.90–0.94). We also conducted a subgroup analysis based on the different stages and grades of BC. Results from the subgroup analysis showed that there was no significant difference in TA in either high and low stages of BC, but that low-grade tumors had a lower TA than high-grade tumours.ConclusionsTA can be used as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of bladder cancer with its high specificity. Rigorous and high-quality prospective studies are required to verify our conclusion.

scholarly journals VWCE as a potential biomarker associated with immune infiltrates in breast cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qin Huo ◽  
Zhenwei Li ◽  
Siqi Chen ◽  
Juan Wang ◽  
Jiaying Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Her2 Status ◽  
Cancer Tissue ◽  
M2 Macrophage ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Immune Infiltration ◽  
Potential Biomarker ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Factor C

Abstract Purpose Von Willebrand Factor C and EGF Domains (VWCE) is an important gene that regulates cell adhesion, migration, and interaction. However, the correlation between VWCE expression and immune infiltrating in breast cancer remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the correlation between VWCE expression and immune infiltration levels in breast cancer. Methods The expression of VWCE was analyzed by the tumor immune estimation resource (TIMER) and DriverDB databases. Furthermore, genes co-expressed with VWCE and gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis were investigated by the STRING and Enrichr web servers. Also, we performed the single nucleotide variation (SNV), copy number variation (CNV), and pathway activity analysis through GSCALite. Subsequently, the relationship between VWCE expression and tumor immunity was analyzed by TIMER and TISIDB databases, and further verified the results using Quantitative Real-Time PCR (RT-PCR), Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. Results The results showed that the expression of VWCE mRNA in breast cancer tissue was significantly lower than that in normal tissues. We found that the expression level of VWCE was associated with subtypes, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) status of breast cancer patients, but there was no significant difference in the expression of VWCE was found in age and nodal status. Further analyses indicated that VWCE was correlated with the activation or inhibition of multiple oncogenic pathways. Additionally, VWCE expression was negatively correlated with the expression of STAT1 (Th1 marker, r = − 0.12, p = 6e−05), but positively correlated with the expression of MS4A4A (r = 0.28, p = 0). These results suggested that the expression of VWCE was correlated with immune infiltration levels of Th1 and M2 macrophage in breast cancer. Conclusions In our study, VWCE expression was associated with a better prognosis and was immune infiltration in breast cancer. These findings demonstrate that VWCE is a potential prognostic biomarker and correlated with tumor immune cell infiltration, and maybe a promising therapeutic target in breast cancer.

scholarly journals Diagnostic Accuracy of Dual-Layer Spectral CT Using Electron Density Images to Detect Post-Traumatic Prevertebral Hematoma of the Cervical Spine

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sam Sedaghat ◽  
Patrick Langguth ◽  
Naomi Larsen ◽  
Graeme Campbell ◽  
Marcus Both ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Diagnostic Accuracy ◽  
Electron Density ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Minimum Thickness ◽  
Rater Reliability ◽  
Key Points ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Conventional Ct

Purpose To investigate the diagnostic value of dual-layer spectral detector computed tomography (SDCT) in detecting posttraumatic prevertebral hematoma of the cervical spine by including electron density images. Methods 38 patients with post-traumatic imaging of the cervical spine were included in this study and received both SDCT and MRI examinations. MRI was set as the reference and combined conventional/electron density (C + ED) images were compared to conventional CT (CCT) images alone. Results A total of 18 prevertebral hematomas were identified. Reader 1 identified 14 of 18 and reader 2 15 of 18 prevertebral hematomas by using C + ED reconstructions. Readers 1 and 2 detected 6 and 9 of 18 hematomas on CCT, respectively. CCT showed a sensitivity of 33–50 % and a specificity of 75–80 %, while for C + ED reconstructed images the sensitivity was 77–83 % and the specificity was 85–90 %. Accuracy increased from 55–66 % to 84 % by using C + ED images. The minimum thickness for detecting hematoma on C + ED images was 3 mm. The sizes of prevertebral hematoma on CCT/C + ED were not significantly under- or overestimated compared to the MRI reference. There was a significant difference between the two readers for measuring hematoma sizes on CCT (p = 0.04). Readers showed an excellent inter-rater reliability (kappa = 0.82) for C + ED images and a moderative inter-rater reliability (kappa = 0.44) for CCT. Conclusion With SDCT, the diagnostic accuracy for detecting post-traumatic prevertebral hematoma is improved by using combined conventional and electron density reconstructions compared to conventional images alone. Key Points:  Citation Format

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document