scholarly journals Simultaneous Seroprevalence to Toxoplasma gondii, Cytomegalovirus and Rubella Virus in Childbearing Women from Western Romania

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (9) ◽  
pp. 927
Author(s):  
Adelina Mocanu ◽  
Florin Gorun ◽  
Ioana Ciohat ◽  
Dan Navolan ◽  
Daniel Malita ◽  
...  

Background and Objectives: Toxoplasma gondii, cytomegalovirus (CMV) and rubella virus, besides other agents, belong to a group named the TORCH complex. Research on the epidemiology of these agents in women is of particular interest, as primary infection during pregnancy could cause severe damage to the fetus. Women who had contracted infection before pregnancy develop IgG antibodies, so the fetus is protected in case of contact with the same agent. Our scope was to identify the childbearing women simultaneously protected or susceptible to a primary infection to two or three agents mentioned above. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 6961 fertile Caucasian women from Western Romania, to analyze the simultaneous seroprevalence to two or three of the pathogens from the TORCH complex: Toxoplasma gondii, CMV, and rubella virus. Sampling was conducted at two time points: 2008–2010 (group 1; 1461 participants) and 2015–2018 (group 2; 5500 participants). Results: The percentage of women simultaneously seropositive to IgG-anti-Toxoplasma gondii/IgG-anti-CMV, IgG-anti-Toxoplasma gondii/IgG-anti-rubella, IgG-anti-CMV/IgG-anti-rubella or IgG-anti-Toxoplasma gondii and IgG-anti-CMV/IgG-anti-rubella antibodies decreased between the two groups (2008–2010 vs. 2015–2018): 41.4% vs. 36.1%, OR = 0.79, p = 0.0002; 41.8% vs. 35.7%, OR = 0.77, p < 0.0001; 88.9% vs. 83.6%, OR = 0.63, p < 0.0001; 39.6% vs. 33.2%, OR = 0.75, p < 0.0001. When comparing women from urban and rural areas, the simultaneous seroprevalence was higher in rural areas. In women tested 2008–2010 (group 1) the simultaneous seroprevalence (urban vs. rural) was: 38.4% vs. 49.1%, OR = 1.54, p = 0.0002; 38.4% vs. 50.6%, OR = 1.64, p < 0.0001; 88.8% vs. 89.2%, OR = 1.04, NS; 36.4% vs. 47.7%, OR = 1.58, p = 0.0001. A similar trend was found in women tested in group 2. Conclusions: The rate of simultaneous seropositivity to Toxoplasma gondii, CMV and rubella virus among Romanian women of reproductive age decreased significantly between 2008–2010 and 2015–2018 and the susceptibility to infections increased. It is necessary to apply increased prevention measures among susceptible pregnant women.

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 417
Author(s):  
Lidia Arce-Sánchez ◽  
Salvatore Giovanni Vitale ◽  
Claudia Montserrat Flores-Robles ◽  
Myrna Souraye Godines-Enriquez ◽  
Marco Noventa ◽  
...  

The primary aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) using two different cut-off levels for TSH values (≥2.5 mIU/L versus ≥4.1 mIU/L). The secondary objective was to analyze the clinical-biochemical characteristics in women with and without SCH. This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. In total, 1496 Mexican women with infertility were included: Group 1, women with TSH levels ranging between 0.3 and 2.49 mIU/L, n = 886; Group 2, women with TSH between 2.5 and 4.09 mIU/L, n = 390; and Group 3, women with TSH ≥4.1 mIU/L n = 220. SCH prevalence was 40.7% (CI 95%: 38.3–43.3%) with TSH cut-off ≥ 2.5 mIU/L, and 14.7% (CI 95%: 12.7–16.5%) with TSH cut-off ≥ 4.1 mIU/L, (p = 0.0001). The prevalence of overweight was higher in Group 2 than in Groups 1 and 3. Thyroid autoimmunity, obesity and insulin resistance were higher in Group 3 than in Group 1 (p < 0.05). No other differences were observed between groups. Conclusions: The prevalence of SCH in our selected patients increased almost three times using a TSH cut-off ≥ 2.5 mIU/L compared with a TSH cut-off ≥ 4.1 mIU/L. Women with TSH ≥4.1 mIU/L compared with TSH cut-off ≤ 2.5 mIU/L more often presented with obesity, thyroid autoimmunity and insulin resistance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (02) ◽  
pp. 281-289
Author(s):  
Pranjal Phukan ◽  
Kalyan Sarma ◽  
Barun Kumar Sharma ◽  
Deb K. Boruah ◽  
Bidyut Bikash Gogoi ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective Japanese encephalitis (JE) is an arthropod-borne flavivirus infection having high mortality and morbidity. This study was performed to evaluate the conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in JE and to find out any difference between pediatric and adult JE. Materials and Methods This retrospective study was performed on serologically positive 54 JE patients presented to a tertiary care hospital with acute encephalitic symptoms between April 2016 and October 2019. Relevant neurological examination, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and MRI scan of the brain were performed. Results Fifty-four JE patients (n = 31 males and n = 23 females) having 32 pediatric and 22 adult JE were included in the study sample. Group 1 JE (n = 16) patients had encephalitic symptoms with duration less than 15 days up to the day of MRI scan and group 2 JE (n = 38) had symptoms more than 15 days. Group 1 JE had mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value of 0.563 ± 0.109 (standard deviation [SD]) × 10–3 mm2/sec and group 2 JE had 1.095 ± 0.206 (SD) × 10–3 mm2/sec. The mean ADC value of pediatric JE was 0.907 ± 0.336 (SD) × 10–3 mm2/sec and adult JE was 0.982 ± 0.253 (SD) × 10–3 mm2/sec. Conclusion The majority of the JE patient shows abnormal signal alterations in bilateral thalami and substantia nigra. Diffusion-weighted imaging with ADC mapping helps in evaluating the stage of the JE. No statistical significance of the various conventional MRI findings was found between the pediatric JE and adult JE.


BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. e022233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Jane Blatch-Jones ◽  
Wei Pek ◽  
Emma Kirkpatrick ◽  
Martin Ashton-Key

ObjectivesTo assess the value of pilot and feasibility studies to randomised controlled trials (RCTs) funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme. To explore the methodological components of pilot/feasibility studies and how they inform full RCTs.Study designCross-sectional study.SettingBoth groups included NIHR HTA programme funded studies in the period 1 January 2010–31 December 2014 (decision date). Group 1: stand-alone pilot/feasibility studies published in the HTA Journal or accepted for publication. Group 2: all funded RCT applications funded by the HTA programme, including reference to an internal and/or external pilot/feasibility study. The methodological components were assessed using an adapted framework from a previous study.Main outcome measuresThe proportion of stand-alone pilot and feasibility studies which recommended proceeding to full trial and what study elements were assessed. The proportion of ‘HTA funded’ trials which used internal and external pilot and feasibility studies to inform the design of the trial.ResultsGroup 1 identified 15 stand-alone pilot/feasibility studies. Study elements most commonly assessed weretesting recruitment(100% in both groups),feasibility(83%, 100%) andsuggestions for further study/investigation(83%, 100%). Group 2 identified 161 ‘HTA funded’ applications: 59 cited an external pilot/feasibility study wheretesting recruitment(50%, 73%) andfeasibility(42%, 73%) were the most commonly reported study elements: 92 reported an internal pilot/feasibility study wheretesting recruitment(93%, 100%) andfeasibility(44%, 92%) were the most common study elements reported.Conclusions‘HTA funded’ research which includes pilot and feasibility studies assesses a variety of study elements. Pilot and feasibility studies serve an important role when determining the most appropriate trial design. However, how they are reported and in what context requires caution when interpreting the findings and delivering a definitive trial.


2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sikandar Hayat Khan ◽  
Najmusaqib Khan Niazi ◽  
Farah Sobia ◽  
Nadeem Fazal ◽  
Syed Mohsin Manzoor ◽  
...  

Objectives: To measure correlation and concordance between measured LDL cholesterol (mLDLc) and Friedewald’s calculated LDL cholesterol (cLDLc). To compare the mLDLc and cLDLc values for various anthropometric measures and biochemical indices including insulin resistance, nephropathy, glycated hemoglobin and triglycerides. Methods: Two hundred thirty two subjects were included in this cross-sectional analysis from Jan-2016 to July-2017 from a target population visiting PNS HAFEEZ hospital. Mean age of the subjects was 46.56(±11.95) years (n=232). These subjects underwent clinical evaluation including measurement of anthropometric measurements, biochemical testing for fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profile, urine albumin creatinine ratio (UACR), and insulin. Correlation and concordance between mLDLc and Friedewald’s cLDLc were measured. Finally, Comparison of risk evaluation for mLDLc and cLDLc between groups formulated based upon UACR (Based upon a cut off of 2.5 mg/g) and fasting triglycerides (Group-1 :< 1.0 mmol/L, Group-2: 1.0-1.99 mmol/L and Group-3 :> 1.99 mmol/) was carried out. Results: There was significant positive linear correlation between mLDLc and cLDLc [r=0.468, <0.001]. Kendall’s Coefficient of concordance between mLDLc and cLDLc was 0.055 (p<0.001). Differences evaluated by one way ANOVA analysis for mLDLc between various triglycerides groups were only significant between group-1 and group-2 [{Group-1:Mean=2.40, (2.19-2.61), n=43}, {Group-2:Mean=2.81, (2.69-2.92),n=136}, [{Group-3:Mean=2.59,(2.37-2.81), n=53}],(p=0.004) in comparison to cLDLc [{Group-1:Mean=2.63, (2.43-2.84), n=43}, {Group-2:Mean=2.85, (2.76-2.93), n=136}, [{Group-3:Mean=2.75, (2.60-2.90),n=53}]. Calculated method for LDLc showed higher UACR than mLDLc. (p=0.021) Conclusion: cLDLc over estimates LDL-cholesterol in comparison to mLDLc. The correlation between cLDLc and mLDLc was only moderate. However, cLDLc provided better degree of risk prediction for nephropathy and glycated hemoglobin than mLDLc. How to cite this:Khan SH, Niazi NK, Sobia F, Fazal N, Manzoor SM, Nadeem A. Friedewald’s equation for calculating LDL-cholesterol: Is it the time to say “Goodbye” and adopt direct LDL cholesterol methods? Pak J Med Sci. 2019;35(2):---------.   doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.2.679 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 98-101
Author(s):  
Akshaye Kumar ◽  
Priyanka Sharma ◽  
Arjun Malhotra

INTRODUCTION: Research has proven that music plays an important role in alleviating fear and anxiety among patients.AIM: To assess the effect of audio analgesia in pre-teen children aged 8-12 years undergoing dental restorations. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Data was collected using a pre-tested and pre-validated proforma filled by the child prior to start of the treatment by circling the number corresponding to the expected pain during the procedure [Ranged 0 (No pain) -10 (Maximum pain)]. Children who reported their expected pain above 5, were enrolled in group 1 (The ones receiving audio analgesia) while the remaining were assigned group 2 (controls). Children in group 1 were asked to put on their favourite song using noise cancellation headphones and the procedure was commenced. After completion of the treatment, the VAS scale was re-introduced and the children were asked to re-circle the actual pain experienced during the procedure. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 using the chi-squared test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. A significant value was obtained when p was≤ 0.05. RESULTS: Of the total 80 children enrolled in the present study, there were an equal number of males and females (40 each). It was observed that 70.3% of children in group 1 had an increased pain tolerance as compared to only 37.2% of children in the control group(p=0.01). Pearson’s Correlation revealed a positive and linear association (r: +0.721) and a significant relationship (p = 0.03) between both groups. CONCLUSION: Audio analgesia has been proven to a promising alternative to distract the patient from the anxiety faced in the dental setting and is recommended for nervous and anxious patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan-Bogdan Navolan ◽  
Florin Gorun ◽  
Cristian Oancea ◽  
Ioana-Mihaela Ciohat ◽  
Daniel Malița ◽  
...  

(1) Background: Toxoplasma gondii and cytomegalovirus belong to a group of pathogens entities called TORCH agents. TORCH represents an acronym which derives from the name of a series of certain pathogenic agents (Toxoplasma gondii, Other agents, Rubella virus, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes virus). They could cross the placenta barrier and cause serious damage to the fetus if a primary infection occurs in a pregnant woman. Immunized women are relatively protected against a reinfection and the risk of a materno-fetal infection in these categories of pregnant women is considered low. (2) Aim of the study: To analyze changes in the percentage of pregnant women seronegative to Toxoplasma gondii and cytomegalovirus along a period of ten years, from 2008 to 2018. (3) Material and Methods: We studied the changes in percentage of seronegative Toxoplasma gondii and Cytomegalovirus pregnant women along two periods: 2008–2010 and 2015–2018. Only pregnant women with declared medium of provenience and unequivocal results were enrolled in the study. (4) Results: In urban areas, we found an increase in the percentage of pregnant women seronegative to Toxoplasma gondii (RR = 1.488, p < 0.0001), respectively to cytomegalovirus (RR = 1.985, p < 0.0001), from 2008–2010 to 2015–2018. A similar increasing trend was found also in rural areas: Toxoplasma gondii (RR = 1.136, p < 0.0322), respectively cytomegalovirus (RR = 1.088, p < 0.8265) but it did not reach a significant threshold for cytomegalovirus. (5) Conclusion: Our study showed that the percentage of women seronegative to Toxoplasma gondii and cytomegalovirus antibodies increases along a period of ten years, from 2008–2010 to 2015–2018, in both urban and rural areas. Probably, the main cause of this trend is represented by the improvement in hygienic condition and food quality control. These results present an argument for continuing the TORCH screening of pregnant women.


2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 480-484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernanda Maria Machado Maia ◽  
Emanuelly Barbosa Santos ◽  
Germana Elias Reis

Objective To evaluate the relation between oxidative stress and lipid profile in patients with different types of cancer.Methods This was an observational cross-sectional. A total of 58 subjects were evaluated, 33 males, divided into two groups of 29 patients each: Group 1, patients with cancer of the digestive tract and accessory organs; Group 2 patients with other types of cancers, all admitted to a public hospital. The plasma levels (lipoproteins and total cholesterol, HDL, and triglycerides, for example) were analyzed by enzymatic kits, and oxidative stress based on thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, by assessing the formation of malondialdehyde.Results In general the levels of malondialdehyde of patients were high (5.00μM) as compared to 3.31μM for healthy individuals. The median values of lipids exhibited normal triacylglycerol (138.78±89.88mg/dL), desirable total cholesterol values (163.04±172.38mg/dL), borderline high LDL (151.30±178.25mg/dL) and low HDL (31.70±22.74mg/dL). Median HDL levels in Group 1 were lower (31.32mg/dL) than the cancer patients in Group 2 (43.67mg/dL) (p=0.038). Group 1 also showed higher levels of oxidative stress (p=0.027).Conclusion The lipid profile of patients with cancer was not favorable, which seems to have contributed to higher lipid peroxidation rate, generating a significant oxidative stress.


2016 ◽  
Vol 48 (6) ◽  
pp. 1631-1639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dale L. Smith ◽  
David Gozal ◽  
Scott J. Hunter ◽  
Mona F. Philby ◽  
Jaeson Kaylegian ◽  
...  

Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in children has been associated with inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity, but the associations between SDB severity and the type and severity of behavioural disruption are unclear.1022 children aged 5–7 years old prospectively underwent sleep studies and behavioural assessments through completion of standardised instruments. Participants were subdivided into four categorical groups based on the apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI; measured per hour of total sleep time (hTST)), i.e. Group 1: nonsnoring and AHI <1 hTST–1; Group 2: habitual snoring and AHI <1 hTST–1; Group 3: habitual snoring and AHI 1–5 hTST–1; and Group 4: habitual snoring and AHI >5 hTST–1, followed by comparisons of behavioural functioning across the groups.All 10 behavioural variables differed significantly between Group 1 and all other groups. Post hoc comparisons indicated that Group 2 was the most impaired for most behavioural measures. Furthermore, differences between Group 2 and more severe sleep pathology conditions were rarely significant.This large community-based paediatric cohort confirms earlier findings highlighting a significant impact of SDB on behavioural regulation, with the greatest impact being already apparent among habitually snoring children. Thus, a likely low asymptote exists regarding SDB behavioural impact, such that further increases in severity do not measurably increase parent-rated difficulties with behavioural regulation relative to controls. Our findings do support the need for considering early intervention, particularly among those children manifesting a behavioural impact of SDB.


MedAlliance ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 72-78

Small airway dysfunction (SAD) is associated with poorly controlled asthma and frequent exacerbations. Objective: To assess the prevalence of SAD in asthmatics using spirometry, body plethysmography, and impulse oscillometry (IOS). Materials and methods: The observational cross-sectional study of 61 patients with asthma was performed. Conclusion available SAD was made on the basis of identifying one of the criteria or their combination: 1) slow vital capacity (SVC) - forced vital capacity (FVC) >10% according spirometry; 2) "air trapping" according body plethysmography; 3) presence of pathological frequency dependence of the resistance (R) at 5 and 20 Hz (R5-R20 > 0,07 kPa•sec/l) according IOS. Results: The analysis was performed for the entire group as well as for patients with FEV1 > 80 %pred. and FEV1/SVC < 0,7 (group 1) and patients with FEV1 > 80 %pred. and normal FEV1/SVC (group 2). SAD was most often diagnosed using IOS and the selected criterion R5-R20>0,07 kPa •sec/l since 75% of patients had this deviation in the entire group, 65% of patients in group 1 and 55% of patients in group 2 whereas only in 48% and 24% of cases in the entire group according body plethysmography and spirometry, respectively. Conclusion: SAD is definitely observed in patients with asthma. IOS is a more effective method of diagnosing SAD compared to spirometry and body plethysmography and can serve as a supplement functional method, especially in cases of normal parameters of spirometry and body plethysmography in asthmatics.


2021 ◽  
pp. 58-61
Author(s):  
Rubi Kataki ◽  
Pranamee Barua ◽  
Debosmita Roy ◽  
Prasanta Kumar Rabha

The novel coronavirus are found to affect the ACE2 receptors in the epithelial cells of the lining of the respiratory tract. Since live virus have been found in the saliva of infected patients, and ACE2 receptors are present in epithelial lining of salivary glands and tongue, there are chances that the virus might affect the oral cavity and hence might have oral manifestation. The aim of the study was to determine and evaluate the presence of oral symptoms in the patients infected with the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (Covid 19). In this cross sectional descriptive study, a set of questionnaires was MATERIALS AND METHODS: formulated and the patients who have come to covid screening centers in Kamrup Metro region were interviewed for both oral symptoms and general symptoms. A total of 467 patients were evaluated. The samples were divided according to covid positive or negative. Group 1: Covid positive (+ve); Group 2: Covid negative (- ve). Out of which Group 1 had 287 patients whereas Group 2 had 180 patients. Upon statist RESULTS: ical analysis, signicant differences were found with respect to fever, cough, breathing difficulty, sore throat, arthralgia, and asthenia where covid positive patients found to have a high prevalence of these symptoms. On evaluation of the of the oral symptoms in both covid positive and negative patients signicant differences were found viz., burning sensation, swollen gums , changes in taste sensation, pain in the TMJ and bleeding gums with covid positive patients having more predilection of having all these symptoms. On evaluation of the gender predilection between positive patients with symptoms, positive patients without symptoms and negative patients with symptoms , there found to be no signicant difference. oral CONCLUSION symptoms of burning sensation, changes in taste sensation , bleeding gums and pain in the TMJ are found to be more prevalent with patients having corona virus infection.


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