Correlation of Salivary Thiocyanate Levels and Oral  Cytological Changes in Smokers

Introduction: Smokers are found to have higher salivary thiocyanate (SCN) concentration compared to normal non-smokers. This elevated level of the SCN in the saliva of smokers may be responsible for oral cancer risk among smokers through nitrosation process. The objective of the study is to estimate salivary thiocyanate levels in tobacco smokers and non-smokers and correlate the levels of thiocyanate with cytomorphological changes in oral mucosa. Methods: This is a comparative cross-sectional study conducted among 40 non-smokers and 40 smokers in outpatient department of Kantipur Dental College. Salivary thiocyanate level was estimated from the saliva sample. Cytological atypia, cytomorphometric changes and micronuclei frequency was estimated from smear from buccal mucosa. Results: Mean salivary thiocyanate level in smokers (3.16 Mm/l 1.61 Mm/l) was higher compared to non-smokers (0.95Mm/l 0.54 Mm/l) which was statistically significant (P<0.001). There were also more atypical changes in smoker than that found in nonsmokers. The mean nuclear cytoplasmic ratio was also higher in smokers compared to nonsmokers which was statistically significant (P<0.001). Similarly, the micronuclei frequency in smokers (1.79 0.76) was also found higher compared to micronuclei frequency in non-smokers (1.24 0.74) which was statistically significant (P=0.002). However, the correlation between salivary thiocyanate level and cytomorphometric changes was weak. Conclusions: Estimation of salivary thiocyanate level and cytological changes are noninvasive, painless and prove to be an efficient tool in screening a large population as well as in aiding motivation of individuals for withdrawal of tobacco smoking.

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Comparison of Heffner Criteria and Light Criteria in Differentiating Exudative and Transudative Pleural Effusion

Nepal Medical College Journal ◽

10.3126/nmcj.v22i3.32638 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

pp. 141-145

Author(s):

Krishna Chandra Devkota ◽

S Hamal ◽

PP Panta

Keyword(s):

Pleural Effusion ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Pleural Space ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Medical College ◽

The Common ◽

The Mean ◽

Exudative Pleural Effusion

Pleural effusion is present when there is >15ml of fluid is accumulated in the pleural space. It can be divided into two types; exudative and transudative pleural effusion. Tuberculosis and parapneumonic effusion are the common cause of exudative pleural effusion whereas heart failure accounts for most of the cases of transudative pleural effusion. This study was a hospital based cross sectional study performed at Nepal Medical College during the period of January 2016-December 2016. A total of 50 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were enrolled. Pleural effusion was confirmed by clinical examination and radiology. After confirmation of pleural effusion, pleural fluid was aspirated and was analysed for protein, LDH, cholesterol. The Heffner criteria was compared with Light criteria to classify exudative or transudative pleural effusion. Among 50 patients, 30 were male and 20 were female. The mean age of patient was 45.4±21.85 years. The sensitivity and specificity of using Light criteria to detect the two type of pleural effusion was 100% and 90.9%, whereas using Heffner criteria was 94.87%, 100% respectively(P<0.01). There are variety of causes for development of pleural effusion and no one criteria is definite to differentiate between exudative or transudative effusion. In this study Light criteria was more sensitive whereas Heffner criteria was more specific to classify exudative pleural effusion. Hence a combination of criteria might be useful in case where there is difficulty to identify the cause of pleural effusion.

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Effect of Medialization of the Trochlear Groove and Lateralization of the Tibial Tubercle on TT-TG Distance: A Cross-sectional Study of Dysplastic and Nondysplastic Knees

The American Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/0363546520987819 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 036354652098781

Author(s):

Mathias Paiva ◽

Lars Blønd ◽

Per Hölmich ◽

Kristoffer Weisskirchner Barfod

Keyword(s):

Trochlear Dysplasia ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Magnetic Resonance Images ◽

Tibial Tubercle ◽

Control Group ◽

Trochlear Groove ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Mean Values ◽

The Mean

Background: Tibial tubercle–trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance is often used as a measure of lateralization of the TT and is important for surgical planning. Purpose: To investigate if increased TT-TG distance measured on axial magnetic resonance images is due to lateralization of the TT or medialization of the TG. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 84 knees (28 normal [NK], 28 with trochlear dysplasia [TD], and 28 with patellar dislocation without TD [PD]) were examined. The medial border of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) was chosen as the central anatomic landmark. The distance from the TT to PCL (TT-PCL) was measured to examine the lateralization of the TT. The distance from the TG to the PCL (TG-PCL) was measured to examine the medialization of the TG. Between-group differences were investigated by use of 1-way analysis of variance. Results: The mean values for TT-TG distance were 8.7 ± 3.6 mm for NK, 12.1 ± 6.0 mm for PD, and 16.7 ± 4.3 mm in the TD group ( P < .01). The mean values for TT-PCL distance were 18.5 ± 3.6 mm for NK, 18.5 ± 4.5 mm for PD, and 21.2 ± 4.2 mm in the TD group ( P = .03). The mean values for TG-PCL distance were 9.6 ± 3.0 mm for NK, 7.1 ± 3.4 mm for PD, and 5.1 ± 3.3 mm in the dysplastic group ( P < .01). Conclusion: The present results indicate that increased TT-TG distance is due to medialization of the TG and not lateralization of the TT. Knees with TD had increased TT-TG distance compared with the knees of the control group and the knees with PD. The TT-PCL distance did not differ significantly between groups, whereas the TG-PCL distance declined with increased TT-TG.

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A cross-sectional study to identify the determinants of non-communicable diseases among fishermen in Southern India

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-10376-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Akhila Doddamani ◽

A. B. Kirthinath Ballala ◽

Sharath P. Madhyastha ◽

Asha Kamath ◽

Muralidhar M. Kulkarni

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Substance Use ◽

Waist Circumference ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Modifiable Risk Factors ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Non Communicable Diseases ◽

Dietary Practice ◽

The Mean

Abstract Background India is currently facing a rising epidemic of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Identification of modifiable risk factors is of paramount importance to curb this menace. Fishermen are one of the most vulnerable occupational groups with unique characteristics that make them prone to acquire NCDs, as a significant share of their life is spent at sea. Hence, this study was planned to ascertain the burden of NCDs, determine various risk factors of NCDs, and measure the association between risk factors and NCDs among fishermen of Coastal Karnataka in South India. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 681 fishermen aged 18 years and above as per the semi-structured interview schedule for two years (2017–2019). A convenience sampling strategy was adopted. The data was entered and analyzed using SPSS v.15.0. The results were described in terms of proportions and their 95% confidence intervals. Continuous data were summarized using the mean and standard deviation or median and interquartile range depending on the skewness of data. Chi-square test was used to study the association between NCDs and modifiable risk factors. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify risk factors of NCDs. Results The mean (SD) age of the population was 42.5 (SD 12.5) years. The mean years involved in fishing was 19.8 years (SD 10.9). More than half (59.5%) of the study participants had severe stress and most (80.3%) were ever substance users. Advancing age, not being able to contact family while at sea, poor dietary practice, ever substance use, increasing waist circumference were significant correlates of NCDs. Conclusions The commonly prevalent risk factors of NCDs among fishermen included poor dietary practice, higher stress levels, substance use, increasing waist circumference, and inability to contact with family while at sea. Hypertension and Diabetes were the two common NCDs in the study population. There is a need for immediate attention in managing NCDs’ risk factors by promoting a healthy lifestyle by primary health care providers through a sustainable community awareness program targeting fishermen at a convenient time and location, either at the sea-port or meeting places. Harmful effects of substance use, healthy dietary practices, and the importance of physical activity outside their job need emphasis. In addition, screening programs should be organized with the help of boat owners and fishing associations at-least once a year to pick up NCDs at an early stage.

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A cross sectional study: The association between sleeping quality and stress among second and third medical students at the University of Jordan

The International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine ◽

10.1177/00912174211011287 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 009121742110112

Author(s):

AA Toubasi ◽

BR Khraisat ◽

RB AbuAnzeh ◽

HM Kalbouneh

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Medical Students ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Regular Exercise ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Chi Square ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Mean ◽

University Of Jordan ◽

The University

Objective Medicine is considered one if not the most stressful educational field. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of stress and poor sleeping quality among medical students and the association between them. Method This cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Jordan on second- and third-year medical students. The questionnaire consisted of: 1) Demographics; 2) The assessment tools which were Pittsburgh Quality of Sleep Index (PSQI) and Kessler Psychological Distress Status (K10). Binary logistic regression, chi-square and linear regression were used to investigate the association between PSQI, K10, and their determinants. Results The mean for PSQI score was 6.76 ± 3.32. PSQI scores interpretation revealed that 61.7% of the 282 participants of this study were poor sleepers. Logistic regression results showed that only the category of not napping at all from the napping hours variable was significantly associated with sleeping quality. Furthermore, the mean of K10 scores was 24.5 ± 8.5. K10 scores revealed that 66.3% of the participants were stressed. Logistic regression results showed that gender and regular exercise were significantly associated with psychological distress. Additionally, chi-square test, logistic regression and linear regression showed that PSQI was significantly associated with K10 (P <0.01). Conclusions Stress and poor sleeping quality in medical students at the University of Jordan were highly prevalent and strongly associated. What determined PSQI was daytime napping, and for K10 were regular exercise and gender. Further investigations into stress and sleep quality in the Arabian region are needed.

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Ultra-processed food consumption in Barbados: evidence from a nationally representative, cross-sectional study

Journal of Nutritional Science ◽

10.1017/jns.2021.21 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

Author(s):

Rachel M. Harris ◽

Angela M. C. Rose ◽

Suzanne Soares-Wynter ◽

Nigel Unwin

Keyword(s):

Communicable Disease ◽

Population Based ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Targeted Interventions ◽

Sweetened Beverages ◽

Group 4 ◽

The Mean ◽

Nationally Representative

Abstract Our objective was to describe, for the first time in an English-speaking Caribbean country, the contribution of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) to nutrients linked to non-communicable disease. Using a cross-sectional study design, dietary data were collected from two non-consecutive 24-h dietary recalls. Recorded food items were then classified according to their degree of processing by the NOVA system. The present study took place in Barbados (2012–13). A representative population-based sample of 364 adult Barbadians (161 males and 203 females) aged 25–64 years participated in the study. UPFs represented 40⋅5 % (838 kcal/d; 95 % CI 791, 885) of mean energy intake. Sugar-sweetened beverages made the largest contribution to energy within the UPF category. Younger persons (25–44 years) consumed a significantly higher proportion of calories from UPF (NOVA group 4) compared with older persons (45–64 years). The mean energy shares of UPF ranged from 22⋅0 to 58⋅9 % for those in the lowest tertile to highest tertile. Within each tertile, the energy contribution was significantly higher in the younger age group (25–44 years) compared with the older (45–64 years). One-quarter of persons consume ≥50 % of their daily calories from UPF, this being significantly higher in younger persons. The ultra-processed diet fraction contained about six times the mean of free sugars and about 0⋅8 times the dietary fibre of the non-ultra-processed fraction (NOVA groups 1–3). Targeted interventions to decrease the consumption of UPF especially in younger persons is thus of high priority to improve the diet quality of Barbadians.

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Socio-Economic Status and Prevalence of Self-Reported Osteoporosis in Tehran: Results from a Large Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study (Urban HEART-2)

Journal of Urban Health ◽

10.1007/s11524-018-0246-6 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 95 (5) ◽

pp. 682-690 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

M. Asadi-Lari ◽

Y. Salimi ◽

M. R. Vaez-Mahdavi ◽

S. Faghihzadeh ◽

A. A. Haeri Mehrizi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Economic Status ◽

Large Population ◽

Population Based ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Socio Economic Status

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Multimorbidity as an important issue among women: results of a gender difference investigation in a large population-based cross-sectional study in West Asia

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2016-013548 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (5) ◽

pp. e013548 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Masoomeh Alimohammadian ◽

Azam Majidi ◽

Mehdi Yaseri ◽

Batoul Ahmadi ◽

Farhad Islami ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gender Difference ◽

Large Population ◽

Population Based ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

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Association between Diabetic Retinopathy and Chronic Periodontitis—A Cross-Sectional Study

Medical Sciences ◽

10.3390/medsci6040104 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 104 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Veena H. R. ◽

Sribhargava Natesh ◽

Sudhir Patil

Keyword(s):

Diabetic Retinopathy ◽

Serum Creatinine ◽

Glycated Haemoglobin ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Diabetic Patients ◽

Age Group ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Chronic Inflammatory Condition ◽

The Mean

Periodontal disease (PD), a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by destruction of the supporting tissues of the teeth, increases the risk of complications in diabetics. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a microvascular complication of prolonged hyperglycaemia. There appears to be a similarity in the pathogenesis of DR and PD. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the association, if any, between DR and PD, correlate the severity of DR with the severity of PD, and investigate the association between glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), serum creatinine and periodontal variables. The periodontal status of 200 adult diabetic patients in the age group of 30–65 years with varying severity of DR was assessed. Evaluation of the severity of PD was assessed by recording clinical parameters. Haematological investigations including glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and serum creatinine were estimated before the initiation of treatment for DR. A statistically significant association between the mean duration of diabetes mellitus (DM) and the severity of DR and PD was found. The severity of PD was directly correlated with the severity of DR. There was a significant association between the levels of HbA1c and serum creatinine and severity of DR and PD. There could be a plausible relationship between DR and PD. Further prospective studies on a larger population with longer follow-ups are required to ascertain whether PD and its severity directly affect the progression and severity of DR.

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Cardiometabolic disease and features of depression and bipolar disorder: Population-based, cross-sectional study

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/bjp.bp.114.157784 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 208 (4) ◽

pp. 343-351 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Daniel J. Martin ◽

Zia Ul-Haq ◽

Barbara I. Nicholl ◽

Breda Cullen ◽

Jonathan Evans ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Bipolar Disorder ◽

Mood Disorder ◽

Psychotropic Medication ◽

Large Population ◽

Population Sample ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cardiometabolic Disease ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

BackgroundThe relative contribution of demographic, lifestyle and medication factors to the association between affective disorders and cardiometabolic diseases is poorly understood.AimsTo assess the relationship between cardiometabolic disease and features of depresion and bipolar disorder within a large population sample.MethodCross-sectional study of 145 991 UK Biobank participants: multivariate analyses of associations between features of depression or bipolar disorder and five cardiometabolic outcomes, adjusting for confounding factors.ResultsThere were significant associations between mood disorder features and ‘any cardiovascular disease’ (depression odds ratio (OR) = 1.15, 95% CI 1.12–1.19; bipolar OR = 1.28, 95% CI 1.14–1.43) and with hypertension (depression OR = 1.15, 95% CI 1.13–1.18; bipolar OR = 1.26, 95% CI 1.12–1.42). Individuals with features of mood disorder taking psychotropic medication were significantly more likely than controls not on psychotropics to report myocardial infarction (depression OR = 1.47, 95% CI 1.24–1.73; bipolar OR = 2.23, 95% CI 1.53–3.57) and stroke (depression OR = 2.46, 95% CI 2.10–2.80; bipolar OR = 2.31, 95% CI 1.39–3.85).ConclusionsAssociations between features of depression or bipolar disorder and cardiovascular disease outcomes were statistically independent of demographic, lifestyle and medication confounders. Psychotropic medication may also be a risk factor for cardiometabolic disease in individuals without a clear history of mood disorder.

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Judicial demand of medications through the Federal Justice of the State of Paraná

Einstein (São Paulo) ◽

10.1590/s1679-45082017gs3792 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 85-91 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Renato Mitsunori Nisihara ◽

Ana Carolina Possebom ◽

Luiza de Martino Cruvinel Borges ◽

Ana Claudia Athanasio Shwetz ◽

Fernanda Francis Benevides Bettes

Keyword(s):

Cross Sectional Study ◽

The State ◽

Brand Name ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Public ◽

Online System ◽

Broad Variety ◽

The Mean ◽

Mean Time

ABSTRACT Objective To describe the profile of lawsuits related to drug requests filled at the Federal Justice of the State of Paraná. Methods A cross-sectional study, and the data were obtained through consulting the lawsuits at the online system of the Federal Justice of Paraná. Results Out of 347 lawsuits included in the study, 55% of plaintiffs were women, with a median age of 56 years. Oncology was the field with more requests (23.6%), and the highest mean costs. A wide variety of diseases and broad variety of requested drugs were found in the lawsuits. Approximately two-thirds of them were requested by the brand name, and the most often requested drugs were palivizumab and tiotropium bromide. Only 14.5% of the requested medicines were registered in the National Medication Register. The Public Defender’s Office filled actions in 89.6% of cases and all lawsuits had an interim relief. The mean time for approval was 35 days and 70% of requests were granted. Conclusion Oncology was the field with the highest demand for medicines at the Federal Justice of Paraná in 2014. A great variety of medications was requested. The Public Defender´s Office represented most lawsuits. All demands had an interim relief, and the majority of requests were granted, within an average of 35 days.

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