The Effect of Crystal Dependence on Brain Activity Related to the Perception of Pleasure Using fMRI

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Yoonessi ◽  
Seyed Amir Hossein Batouli ◽  
Iman Ahmadnezhad ◽  
Hamid Soltanian-zadeh
Keyword(s):  
Case Control Study ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Smoking History ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Human Society ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Control Study

Background: Addiction is currently one of the problems of human society. Drug abuse is one of the most important issues in the field of addiction. Methamphetamine (crystal) is one of the drugs that has been abused in recent decades. Methods: In this case-control study, 10 individuals aged 20 to 40 years old with at least 2 years of experience of methamphetamine consumption without any history of drug use or other stimulants from clients and drug withdrawal centers in Tehran City, and 10 healthy volunteers were selected. Age, social status, and economic status of addicts were included in the fMRI apparatus, and 90 selected pleasurable, non-pleasurable, and neutral images (IAPS) were displayed by the projector through an event-related method. The playback time of each photo was 3 s, and after this process, the person outside the device, without the time limit selected the enjoyable and unpleasant images. Results: The results showed that there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of age, alcohol use, and smoking history (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in terms of the age at first use between members of the methamphetamine-dependent group. Also, the methamphetamine-dependent group showed more brain activity in their pre-center and post-center gyrus than the normal (control) group. Conclusions: According to the results obtained in this study, in general, it can be concluded that there are some areas in the brain of addicts that are activated when watching pleasant photos, while these areas are not active in the brains of normal people.

scholarly journals Clinical Application of Nasometry in Patients with Nasal Obstruction

2017 ◽  
Vol 96 (10-11) ◽  
pp. E13-E16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georges Ziade ◽  
Maher Kasti ◽  
Doja Sarieddine ◽  
Zein Saadeddine ◽  
Abdul-Latif Hamdan
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Application ◽  
Nasal Obstruction ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
History Of ◽  
Patient Groups ◽  
Control Study

The purpose of this case-control study is to report on the clinical application of nasometry as a diagnostic tool in patients with the symptom of nasal obstruction compared with subjects with no history of nasal obstruction. Thirty-eight adult patients (mean age: 28.1 years) complaining of nasal obstruction were enrolled in the study, and another group of 38 adults (mean age: 25.9 years) with no history of nasal obstruction served as controls. Demographic data, including age and sex, were collected. Patients were asked to read three passages; the Zoo passage, the Rainbow passage, and nasal sentences. Nasalance scores were reported on all subjects using a Nasometer II instrument. The control and patient groups each included 22 men and 16 women. No statistically significant difference in nasalance score was found between the study group and the control group in any of the Zoo passage, Rainbow passage and nasal sentences. We conclude that nasometry has limited value in the objective assessment of nasal obstruction as a symptom, which we attribute to nasal obstruction's not always reflecting the volume and pressure in the nasal cavity.

scholarly journals Risk of Attention Deficit Hyper Activity Disorder After Early Exposure to General Anesthesia; A Case Control Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abbas Sedighnejad ◽  
Soheil Soltanipour ◽  
Alia Saberi ◽  
Maryam Kousha ◽  
Elham Bidabadi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Anesthesia ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Early Exposure ◽  
Anesthetic Agents ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
History Of ◽  
Development Methods ◽  
Control Study

Background: Over the past decade, following the discovery that developing brain of immature animals was affected by anesthetic agents, the safety of general anesthesia (GA) in early life has been questioned. Objectives: We investigated the association between anesthesia exposure in children and ADHD development. Methods: This case-control study was conducted at pediatric psychology clinic of our institution and a pediatric neurology private clinic during 2019. Firstly the responsible resident of anesthesiology separated new ADHD cases. Then a questionnaire was filled out through an almost 10 minute’s telephone interview. Finally, frequency distribution of GA was compared between ADHD cases and controls. Results: Finally, the data from 210 children were analyzed. Among 105 ADHD cases, 19% had a history of a procedure requiring GA while it was 3.8% in control group. Comparing the two groups a significant difference was observed regarding the age of receiving GA (P = 0.004), gender (P < 0.001), the history of receiving GA (P = 0.001) and the number of anesthesia exposures (P = 0.001). According to logistic regression analysis, male gender (P = 0.001) OR 3.11 (95CI = 1.63 - 5.93) and age (P = 0.003) OR 0.92 (95CI = 0.87 - 0.97) were significant predictors of early exposure to GA and ADHD development. Conclusions: It was revealed that early exposure to GA might be a risk factor for later developing ADHD. Boys might be more sensitive to the long term adverse effects of anesthetic agents than girls. Further prospective well-planned studies are needed to confirm these findings.

scholarly journals Risk factors associated with early childhood caries – a case control study

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 83
Author(s):  
Marina De Deus Moura Lima ◽  
Zacarias Soares Brito-Neto ◽  
Heylane Oliveira Amaral ◽  
Cacilda Castelo Branco Lima ◽  
Marcoeli Silva de Moura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Early Childhood ◽  
Early Childhood Caries ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
History Of ◽  
Control Study ◽  
Childhood Caries

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors associated with early childhood caries (ECC).Methods: It was an observational retrospective case-control study. The case group consisted of all patients diagnosed with ECC in the records of an active program of maternal and child care. The control group was composed of an equal number of children, matched for gender and age, who attended the program and did not have ECC. The process of data collection consisted of completing a pre-established schedule to analyse variables related to the mother/caregiver and child.Statisticalanalysis was performed using the chi-squared and odds ratio (OR), with alpha (α) = 0.05.Results: History of caries in the mother (OR=2.61; CI 95%=1.45-4.67) and father (OR=1.72; CI 95%=1.02-2.89) were key determinants in the child being diagnosed with ECC.Conclusions: The risk factors associated with ECC were the following: no oral hygiene acceptance, nocturnal feeding duration of more than 16 months, a daily intake of sugar greater than 4 times a day, a Baume type II maxillary arch, fewer than 3 consultations with the program, and a history of decay in the parents.

scholarly journals The association of male infertility with telomere length: A case control study

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 325-332
Author(s):  
Kate Deepali Rajesh ◽  
Puranam Vatsalaswamy ◽  
Manvikar Purshotam Rao
Keyword(s):  
Male Infertility ◽  
Telomere Length ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Control Study ◽  
Sperm Telomere Length

To study the relevance of sperm telomere length and infertility in men. : Our case-control study included twenty-five males in couple with sub-fertility/infertility (test group) and twenty five healthy males (control group) with proven paternity in the age group 25 to 35 years. The Absolute Sperm Telomere length (aSTL) was measured by real-time PCR. We investigated whether any significant difference in the aSTL value existed between the groups and analysed the relationship between aSTL and other sperm parameters.The mean (SE) aSTL recorded in the infertile cases was significantly shorter than for the control group being 140.60 (6.66) Kb/genome and 239.63 (12.32) Kb/genome respectively (p &#60;0.001) A weak correlation was eminent between aSTL kb/genome and the total sperm count mil/ml (rho= 0.04, p - 0.86), progressive sperm motility (rho= - 0.02, p=0.934) and sperm viability (rho= - 0.07 p=0.741) in the infertile group. The measurement of aSTL by real-time PCR is a simple and rapid method that offers further paramount information with respective to the quality of sperm. It is befitted for epidemiological studies, hence opening new perspectives in the evaluation of male infertility. Limitations - Our study was confined to men aged between 25 and 35 years. Further comparative studies are needed to explore the significance of STL and infertility in older males. Additional studies will help illumine the significance of aSTL as a prognostic biomarker in assisted reproduction.

scholarly journals The Relationship between Serum Levels of Vitamin C, Uric Acid and Antioxidant Condition with Coronary Artery Diseases: a Case-Control Study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aida Torkzaban ◽  
Seyed Amir Mansour Alavi Naeini ◽  
Akbar Hassanzadeh ◽  
Mehrdad Namdari
Keyword(s):  
Uric Acid ◽  
Vitamin C ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Systolic Pressure ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Case Group ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Control Study

Abstract Background Coronary hearth diseases are among the main causes of death in adults. Increase of oxidative stress and defects in antioxidant defense play a major role in endothelium performance and are an effective factor in progress of atherosclerosis. Some studies have also reported different malondialdehyde and total antioxidant capacity among the atherosclerosis patients.Methods In this case-control study, 44 atherosclerosis patients referring to Shahid Madani treatment-education center were considered as the case group; while 44 healthy peoples were placed in the control group. Demographic data and anthropometric indices were measured. Food frequency questionnaire and international physical activity questionnaires were also completed. After 12 hours of fasting, 10 ml blood was sampled from the participants. Uric acid, vitamin C, TAC and MDA were also measured. The data were finally analyzed by SPSS Ver 22 software.Results A significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of uric acid (P<0.001) and vitamin C (P<0.03). However, mean MDA and TAC showed no significant difference between the two groups. The two groups’ difference in terms of vitamin A, E and beta carotene, zinc and selenium intake was not significant. A significant difference was however detected between the two groups in terms of vitamin C (P<0.047). A significant relationship was also observed between the systolic pressure and CHD (P<0.028).Conclusion Results of this study indicated that the uric acid and vitamin C levels of atherosclerosis patients had significant increase and decrease in comparison with the healthy subjects, respectively. Mean TAC and antioxidant levels of their diets (except for vitamin C) showed no significant difference. Systolic blood pressure of the patients was significantly higher than the controls.

scholarly journals Interaction between serum FGF-23 and PTH in renal phosphate excretion, a case-control study in hypoparathyroid patients

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Forough Saki ◽  
Seyed Reza Kassaee ◽  
Azita Salehifar Salehifar ◽  
gholamhossein Ranjbar omrani
Keyword(s):  
Parathyroid Hormone ◽  
Serum Calcium ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Fractional Excretion ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Phosphate Excretion ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Fgf 23 ◽  
Control Study

Abstract Background:phosphate homeostasis is mediated through complex counter regulatory feed-back balance between parathyroid hormone, FGF-23 and 1,25(OH)2D. Both parathyroid hormone and FGF-23 regulate proximal tubular phosphate excretion through signaling on sodium- phosphate cotransporters II a and II c . However, the interaction between these hormones on phosphate excretion is not clearly understood. We performed the present study to evaluate whether the existence of sufficient parathyroid hormone is necessary for full phosphaturic function of FGF-23 or not. Methods:In this case-control study, 19 patients with hypoparathyroidism and their age- and gender-matched normal population were enrolled. Serum calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase,parathyroid hormone, FGF-23, 25(OH)D, 1,25(OH)2D and Fractional excretion of phosphorous were assessed and compared between the two groups, using SPSS software. Results:The mean serum calcium and parathyroid hormone level was significantly lower in hypoparathyroid patients in comparison with the control group(P<0.001 and P<0.001, respectively). We found high serum level of phosphate and FGF-23 in hypoparathyroid patients compared to the control group (P<0.001 and P<0.001,respectively). However, there was no significant difference in Fractional excretion of phosphorous or 1,25OH2D level between the two groups. There was a positive correlation between serum FGF-23 and Fractional excretion of phosphorous just in the normal individuals (P <0.001, r = 0.79). Conclusions:Although the FGF-23 is a main regulator of urinary phosphate excretion but the existence of sufficient parathyroid hormone is necessary for the full phosphaturic effect of FGF-23.

Is There a Relationship between Patellofemoral Alignment and Osgood–Schlatter Disease? A Case-Control Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (01) ◽  
pp. 067-072 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fırat Seyfettinoğlu ◽  
Özkan Köse ◽  
Hasan Ulaş Oğur ◽  
Ümit Tuhanioğlu ◽  
Hakan Çiçek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Case Control Study ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Radiographic Examination ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Etiologic Factor ◽  
Full Extension ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Patellofemoral Alignment ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Control Study

AbstractThis study was aimed to investigate the role of anatomic variations in patellofemoral alignment in patients with or without Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD) and to determine the potential anatomic risk factors that may play role in the etiology. This prospective observational case-control study was conducted on two groups of adolescent patients. Group 1 comprised patients who were diagnosed as having OSD and group 2 consisted of an equal number of age-matched patients who presented to the outpatient clinic with traumatic knee injury and underwent knee radiographic examination but without a diagnosis of OSD. Age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), dominant side, and level of sporting activity were recorded. Quadriceps (Q) angles were measured using a long-arm goniometer with patients lying in the supine position with their knees in full extension and contracting the Q muscles. On anteroposterior, lateral knee, and tangential patella (Merchant and Laurin views) radiographs, the following measurements were performed: Insall–Salvati (IS), Caton–Deschamps (CD), and Blackburne–Peel (BP) indexes, congruence angles, lateral patellofemoral angles, sulcus angles, and patella type according to Grelsamer's morphology classification. Both groups were similar in respect of age (p = 0.160), sex (p = 0.311), height (p = 0.326), weight (p = 0.596), BMI (p = 0.153), and dominancy (p = 0.500). The rate of patients engaged in sports activities was significantly greater in the OSD group (p = 0.003). No significant difference was determined between the groups in respect to IS index, CD index, BP index, sulcus angle, lateral patellofemoral angle, and congruence angle (p–values: 0.358, 0.995, 0.912, 0.802, 1.000, and 0.907, respectively). The mean Q angle was measured as 15.6 ± 2.2 degrees in the OSD group and 14.3 ± 2.5 degrees in the control group (p = 0.014). Despite the difference being statistically significant, it was clinically insignificant because the difference was only 1.3 degrees. The principle etiologic factor seems to be increased physical activity rather than subtle variations is patellofemoral anatomy and alignment of extensor mechanism.

scholarly journals Peri-implantitis and extracellular matrix antibodies: A case–control study

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (03) ◽  
pp. 340-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Piero Papi ◽  
Stefano Di Carlo ◽  
Daniele Rosella ◽  
Francesca De Angelis ◽  
Mario Capogreco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Test Group ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Fisher Exact Test ◽  
Type I ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Control Study

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this case–control study was to compare patients with a healthy peri-implant environment and patients affected by peri-implantitis, evaluating the occurrence of antibodies to extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules. The authors hypothesized the presence of ECM autoantibodies in serum of peri-implantitis patients. Materials and Methods: Patients were divided into two groups: one with dental implants with a diagnosis of peri-implantitis and one control group with implants classified as being “healthy.” Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed on patients' sera to detect human antibodies to type I, III, IV, and V collagens, laminin, and fibronectin. Fisher exact test was performed to evaluate statistical association, with a significant P < 0.05. Results: Forty-two patients were enrolled in this study, 27 females (64.28%) and 15 males (35.72%) with a mean age of 53 ± 29.69 years (age range 32–74). The presence of antibodies to CIII was recorded in 6/21 (28.57%) patients of test group, compared to just 2/21 (9.52%) for the control group, showing a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). Other antibodies tested were found to be not statistically significant or absent. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that further studies, with larger sample and different design, are necessary to address the research purpose, evaluating possible associations between anti-ECM antibodies and peri-implantitis.

Hair nicotine concentration of cats with gastrointestinal lymphoma and unaffected control cases

2020 ◽  
Vol 186 (13) ◽  
pp. 414-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Smith ◽  
Clare Knottenbelt ◽  
David Watson ◽  
Dominic J Mellor ◽  
Alexandra Guillen Martinez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Case Control Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Gastrointestinal Lymphoma ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Nicotine Concentration ◽  
Hair Samples ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Unaffected Control ◽  
And Control ◽  
Control Study

BackgroundA previous study showed an association between owner-reported exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and lymphoma in cats. This study aimed to investigate the association between ETS exposure and gastrointestinal lymphoma in cats, using hair nicotine concentration (HNC) as a biomarker.MethodsThis was a prospective, multi-centre, case–control study. Gastrointestinal lymphoma was diagnosed on cytology or histopathology. Hair samples were obtained from 35 cats with gastrointestinal lymphoma and 32 controls. Nicotine was extracted from hair by sonification in methanol followed by hydrophilic interaction chromatography with mass spectrometry. Non-parametric tests were used.ResultsThe median HNC of the gastrointestinal lymphoma and control groups was not significantly different (0.030 ng/mg and 0.029 ng/mg, respectively, p=0.46). When the HNC of all 67 cats was rank ordered and divided into quartiles, there was no significant difference in the proportion of lymphoma cases or controls within these groups (p=0.63). The percentage of cats with an HNC≥0.1 ng/mg was higher for the lymphoma group (22.9%) than the control group (15.6%) but failed to reach significance (p=0.45).ConclusionA significant association was not identified between HNC (a biomarker for ETS) and gastrointestinal lymphoma in cats; however, an association may exist and further studies are therefore required.

scholarly journals Clinical Presentation and Prevalence of Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis in Patients with Cryptogenic Cirrhosis and Features of Metabolic Syndrome

2004 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 381-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Sorrentino ◽  
G Tarantino ◽  
P Conca ◽  
A Perrella ◽  
O Perrella
Keyword(s):  
Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cryptogenic Cirrhosis ◽  
Bacterial Peritonitis ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity ◽  
History Of ◽  
Juvenile Obesity ◽  
Control Study

BACKGROUND:Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) may progress to cirrhosis. The prevalence and clinical relevance that spontaneous bacterial peritonitis may have in complicating ascites due to NASH-related cirrhosis have yet to be defined.METHODS:Among 611 cases of cirrhosis-associated ascites, 45 patients with cryptogenic cirrhosis were retrospectively identified. Of these, 36 patients and a control group of subjects with viral-associated ascites were followed up and compared in a case control study. Information on the onset of ascites, with or without spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, history of risk factors for multimetabolic syndrome, and serological and ascitic laboratory data were compared between groups.RESULTS:Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis occurred significantly more often in patients with cryptogenic cirrhosis than in equally symptomatic viral controls. The prevalence of obesity, diabetes and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis was significantly higher in patients with cryptogenic cirrhosis. Although liver function was similar in both groups, cryptogenic cirrhosis patients had lower aminotransferase levels. Multivariate analysis identified diabetes, juvenile obesity and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis as independent factors associated with ascites due to cryptogenic cirrhosis.CONCLUSIONS:Features suggestive of NASH are more frequently observed in patients with ascites and cryptogenic cirrhosis than in age- and sex-matched ascitic patients with well-defined viral etiology. Ascites may be a presenting symptom of NASH-related cirrhosis, and affected patients have a twofold greater risk of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

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