Objective
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) requires exogenous steroid replacement. Treatment is commonly monitored by measuring 17‐OH progesterone (17OHP) and androstenedione (D4).
Design
...Retrospective cohort study using real‐world data to evaluate 17OHP and D4 in relation to hydrocortisone (HC) dose in CAH patients treated in 14 countries.
Patients
Pseudonymized data from children with 21‐hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD) recorded in the International CAH Registry.
Measurements
Assessments between January 2000 and October 2020 in patients prescribed HC were reviewed to summarise biomarkers 17OHP and D4 and HC dose. Longitudinal assessment of measures was carried out using linear mixed‐effects models (LMEM).
Results
Cohort of 345 patients, 52.2% female, median age 4.3 years (interquartile range: 3.1–9.2) were taking a median 11.3 mg/m2/day (8.6–14.4) of HC. Median 17OHP was 35.7 nmol/l (3.0–104.0). Median D4 under 12 years was 0 nmol/L (0–2.0) and above 12 years was 10.5 nmol/L (3.9–21.0). There were significant differences in biomarker values between centres (p < 0.05). Correlation between D4 and 17OHP was good in multiple regression with age (p < 0.001, R2 = 0.29).
In longitudinal assessment, 17OHP levels did not change with age, whereas D4 levels increased with age (p < 0.001, R2 = 0.08). Neither biomarker varied directly with dose or weight (p > 0.05). Multivariate LMEM showed HC dose decreasing by 1.0 mg/m2/day for every 1 point increase in weight standard deviation score.
Discussion
Registry data show large variability in 17OHP and D4 between centres. 17OHP correlates with D4 well when accounting for age. Prescribed HC dose per body surface area decreased with weight gain.
Learning disabilities (LDs) have an estimated prevalence between 5% and 9% in the pediatric population and are associated with difficulties in reading, arithmetic, and writing. Previous ...electroencephalography (EEG) research has reported a lag in alpha-band development in specific LD phenotypes, which seems to offer a possible explanation for differences in EEG maturation. In this study, 40 adolescents aged 10-15 years with LDs underwent 10 sessions of Live Z-Score Training Neurofeedback (LZT-NF) Training to improve their cognition and behavior. Based on the individual alpha peak frequency (i-APF) values from the spectrogram, a group with normal i-APF (ni-APF) and a group with low i-APF (li-APF) were compared in a pre-and-post-LZT-NF intervention. There were no statistical differences in age, gender, or the distribution of LDs between the groups. The li-APF group showed a higher theta absolute power in P4 (
= 0.016) at baseline and higher Hi-Beta absolute power in F3 (
= 0.007) post-treatment compared with the ni-APF group. In both groups, extreme waves (absolute Z-score of ≥1.5) were more likely to move toward the normative values, with better results in the ni-APF group. Conversely, the waves within the normal range at baseline were more likely to move out of the range after treatment in the li-APF group. Our results provide evidence of a viable biomarker for identifying optimal responders for the LZT-NF technique based on the i-APF metric reflecting the patient's neurophysiological individuality.
Diabetic foot is a severe complication of diabetes that occurs as a result of poor glycemic control, being associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Mortality associated with this disease ...is estimated at 5% in the first 12 months, and about 42% in the next 5 years. On average, it affects about 15% of people with diabetes during their lifetime, including as possible manifestations neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, and subsequent ulceration which, if treated incorrectly, can lead to amputation. This paper presents a retrospective and descriptive study of patients diagnosed and treated for diabetic foot ulcers in the Proctoven Clinic. The study includes a group of 50 cases diagnosed with diabetic foot over a period of 5 years, from 01.01.2017 to 31.12.2021. In this study, the effectiveness of the modern treatment methods most frequently used in the surgical treatment of the diabetic foot is analyzed based on several parameters. Keywords: diabetic foot, risk factors, surgery, modern treatment
This review explores the potential benefits of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) as an adjunct treatment in tuberculosis (TB), drawing parallels from its efficacy in inflammatory bowel disease ...(IBD). FMT has shown promise in restoring the gut microbial balance and modulating immune responses in IBD patients. Considering the similarities in immunomodulation and dysbiosis between IBD and TB, this review hypothesizes that FMT may offer therapeutic benefits as an adjunct therapy in TB. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of the existing literature on FMT in IBD and TB, highlighting the mechanisms and potential implications of FMT in the therapeutic management of both conditions. The findings contribute to understanding FMT’s potential role in TB treatment and underscore the necessity for future research in this direction to fully leverage its clinical applications. Conclusion: The integration of FMT into the comprehensive management of TB could potentially enhance treatment outcomes, reduce drug resistance, and mitigate the side effects of conventional therapies. Future research endeavors should focus on well-designed clinical trials to develop guidelines concerning the safety and short- and long-term benefits of FMT in TB patients, as well as to assess potential risks.
Our paper aims to present three cases of committed suicide in SARS-CoV-2 infection during the quarantine period. We investigated if there is a role for the infection itself in triggering the suicidal ...act or if it is augmented by other risk factors such as fear, psychosocial stress, lifestyle changes, and social isolation. To this goal, we analyzed the clinical, paraclinical, histopathological, toxicological records, mental health conditions, psychological, social, cultural, and economic aspects in detail. One patient committed suicide at home, by hanging, while the other two during hospitalization in the red zone, within the Sibiu County Emergency Clinical Hospital, hanging and falling from a height, respectively. The autopsy was carried out within the restricted area for COVID-19 in Sibiu County Forensic Medicine Service. Patients’ medical histories were analyzed based on the available medical reports. Additionally, we interviewed a family member, applying the so-called psychological autopsy method, based on open-ended questions and standardized instruments (questionnaire) to point out the motives and behavioral changes that might explain the committed suicide. With this data, we could fulfill a design to elucidate and outline the reasons for the suicidal act. Our findings showed that the mental state deteriorated progressively, both in preexisting depressive and non-depressive backgrounds. Furthermore, we highlight the COVID-19 psychological impact in the suicidal acts. Further on, we reviewed the risk factors presented in the literature that are associated with mental health problems and behavioral changes such as stress, anxiety, depressions, sleep disorders, impulsivity, loneliness.
Biomass-degrading enzymes can aid the development of new technologies to increase the production efficiency of green fuels like ethanol. This study reports the identification and characterization of ...a novel glycoside hydrolase family 9 (GH9) member from the digestive gland of the snail
Achatina fulica
, an endo-β-1,4-glucanase named AfEG66. The enzyme has a high level of identity with other mollusk endoglucanases and harbors a family 2 carbohydrate-binding module (CBM2) linked to a GH9 domain. Recombinant AfEG66 was expressed in
Escherichia coli
and purified by immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography followed by ion exchange chromatography. The enzyme was active against barley β-glucan, lichenan, and showed a specific activity of 41.56 ± 1.21 IU/mg towards carboxymethyl cellulose. AfEG66 showed higher activities at pH 6.0–6.5 and 45 °C, being stable at temperatures equal or below 37 °C. The enzyme activity on cello-oligosaccharides with different glucose units was evaluated by thin-layer chromatography and showed the hydrolysis of substrates containing at least three glucose residues. A structural model was obtained to perform docking assays that clarified the hydrolytic properties of this enzyme. The results presented here show that
A. fulica
has an endogenous cellulase gene that encodes a GH9 endoglucanase associated to a putative CBM2 with β-1,4 glycoside hydrolase activity.
At present, it is necessary to identify specific biochemical, molecular, and genetic markers that can reliably aid in screening digestive cancer and correlate with the degree of disease development. ...Has-miR-129-5p is a small, non-coding molecule of RNA, circulating in plasma, gastric juice, and other biological fluids; it plays a protective role in tumoral growth, metastasis, etc. Furthermore, it is involved in various diseases, from the development of digestive cancer in cases of downregulation to neurodegenerative diseases and depression. Methods: We examined meta-analyses, research, and studies related to miR-129-5-p involved in digestive cancer and its implications in cancer processes, as well as metastasis, and described its implications in neurological diseases. Conclusions: Our review outlines that miR-129-5p is a significant controller of different pathways, genes, and proteins and influences different diseases. Some important pathways include the WNT and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways; their dysregulation results in digestive neoplasia and neurodegenerative diseases.
Feed additives, such as prebiotics and essential oils, are used in pet foods and can affect digestibility, palatability, and intestinal functionality of dogs. The combined effects of yeast cell wall ...and oregano essential oil on apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) and palatability of diet, intestinal fermentation products, and fecal microbiota in dogs were analyzed. Eighteen adult dogs were fed for 20 days with three dry extruded diets for adult dogs: control (without the additive), a diet containing 1.5 kg/ton of yeast cell wall and oregano essential oil (1.5YCO), and a diet containing 3.0 kg/ton of yeast cell wall and oregano essential oil (3.0YCO). The inclusion of both levels of YCO reduced the intake ratio. The addition of 3.0YCO reduced the ATTD of dry matter, compared to the control group (
< 0.05). There were greater putrescine and cadaverine concentrations and lower histamine and ammonia (
< 0.05) in the feces of dogs fed 3.0YCO. In addition, fecal odor of dogs fed YCO was less fetid than the control group (
< 0.05). There was greater fecal bacterial diversity in dogs fed with both dietary concentrations of YCO evaluated (
< 0.05). Dogs fed 1.5YCO and 3.0YCO showed higher relative abundance of
and
and lower abundance of
(
< 0.05) in the feces, in comparison to the control group. Given the modulation of microorganisms considered beneficial and the lower fecal concentrations of histamine, phenols, and ammonia, the YCO blend resulted in indicators of improvement of intestinal functionality in dogs.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the treatment of Clostridioides Difficile (CD)-infected patients given the increasing number of co-infections with severe acute respiratory syndrome ...coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In this context, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) shows promise in modulating the immune system’s function and alleviating the burdens associated with this condition. Methods: To achieve this goal, we performed a comparative, retrospective, single-center study on 86 patients (admitted between January 2020 and March 2022). We based our approach on specific inclusion criteria: 1. The study group included 46 co-infected patients (COVID-19 and CD) receiving antibiotics and FMT; 2. In the control group, 40 co-infected patients received antibiotics only. Our results showed no significant group differences in terms of gender, age, risk factors such as cardiovascular and neurological diseases, type 2 diabetes, and obesity (p > 0.05), or in pre-treatment inflammatory status, evaluated by white blood cell (WBC) count and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. We report a significant decrease in inflammatory syndrome (CRP, WBC) in coinfected patients receiving FMT in addition to antibiotics (p < 0.05), with a lower relapse rate and mitigation of cramping and abdominal pain (91.3%). In addition, a higher level of fibrinogen, persistent moderate abdominal pain (82.5%), and a significantly higher CD infection relapse rate (42.5%) were recorded in co-infected patients treated only with antibiotics (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our study provides new data to support the multiple benefits of FMT in the case of COVID-19 and CD co-infection by improving patients’ quality of life and inflammatory syndrome.
This review presents up-to-date information about current research on nicarbazin, one of the most used anticoccidials in poultry production. The focus is to elucidate regulation concerning ...nicarbazin, limits for its residues in food, how maximum residue limits in different countries are calculated regarding edible chicken tissues and the possible implications in human health. Analytical methods to extract and quantify this residue, expressed as dinitrocarbanilide (DNC) are presented and discussed, including qualitative screening and quantitative/confirmatory analytical methods. Monitoring results and occurrence of DNC residues in chicken meat are discussed. Additionally, the causes of eventual chicken meat contamination and possible solutions to reduce or eliminate DNC residue in tissues are also presented. The paper concludes with perspectives, the current state of DNC residue analysis and suggestions for future research, especially considering the gap in the study of residue recycling effect due to continuous chicken litter use.
Display omitted
•Nicarbazin is an anticoccidial widely used as feed additive in poultry industry.•The maximum residue limits for chicken meat differ among regulatory agencies.•Chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry is used to quantify nicarbazin residue.•This review presents the residue monitoring program results in different countries.•We discuss analytical performance and decision-making.
PDF
