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Malaria Journal Feb 2023Genome-wide association studies have identified ATP2B4 as a severe malaria resistance gene. Recently, 8 potential causal regulatory variants have been shown to be...
BACKGROUND
Genome-wide association studies have identified ATP2B4 as a severe malaria resistance gene. Recently, 8 potential causal regulatory variants have been shown to be associated with severe malaria.
METHODS
Genotyping of rs10900585, rs11240734, rs1541252, rs1541253, rs1541254, rs1541255, rs10751450, rs10751451 and rs10751452 was performed in 154 unrelated individuals (79 controls and 75 mild malaria patients). rs10751450, rs10751451 and rs10751452 were genotyped by Taqman assays, whereas the fragment of the ATP2B4 gene containing the remaining SNPs was sequenced. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between the SNPs and mild malaria.
RESULTS
The results showed that mild malaria was associated with rs10900585, rs11240734, rs1541252, rs1541253, rs1541254, rs1541255, rs10751450, rs10751451 and rs10751452. The homozygous genotypes for the major alleles were associated with an increased risk of mild malaria. Furthermore, the haplotype containing the major alleles and that containing the minor alleles were the most frequent haplotypes. Individuals with the major haplotypes had a significantly higher risk of mild malaria compared to the carriers of the minor allele haplotype.
CONCLUSIONS
ATP2B4 polymorphisms that have been associated with severe malaria are also associated with mild malaria.
Topics: Humans; Genome-Wide Association Study; Alleles; Genotype; Malaria; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Plasma Membrane Calcium-Transporting ATPases
PubMed: 36849945
DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04503-8 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2021Pregnant women are often susceptible to anemia, which can damage the thyroid gland. However, compared with moderate and severe anemia, less attention has been paid to...
BACKGROUND
Pregnant women are often susceptible to anemia, which can damage the thyroid gland. However, compared with moderate and severe anemia, less attention has been paid to mild anemia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of mild anemia on the thyroid function in pregnant women during the first trimester.
METHODS
A total of 1,761 women in the first trimester of their pregnancy were enrolled from Shenyang, China, and divided into mild anemia and normal control groups based on their hemoglobin levels. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), and free triiodothyronine (FT3) levels were compared between the two groups.
RESULTS
The TSH levels of pregnant women with mild anemia were higher than those of pregnant women without mild anemia (p < 0.05). Normal control women were selected to set new reference intervals for TSH, FT3, and FT4 levels during the first trimester, which were 0.11-4.13 mIU/l, 3.45-5.47 pmol/l, and 7.96-16.54 pmol/l, respectively. The upper limit of TSH 4.13 mU/l is close to the upper limit 4.0 mU/l recommended in the 2017 American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines, indicating that exclusion of mild anemia may reduce the difference in reference values from different regions. Mild anemia was related to 4.40 times odds of abnormally TSH levels (95% CI: 2.84, 6.76) and 5.87 increased odds of abnormal FT3 (95% CI: 3.89, 8.85). The proportion of hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism in patients with mild anemia was higher than that in those without anemia (0.6% vs. 0, p = 0.009; 12.1% vs. 1.9%, p < 0.001). Mild anemia was related to 7.61 times increased odds of subclinical hypothyroidism (95% CI: 4.53, 12.90).
CONCLUSIONS
Mild anemia may affect thyroid function during the first trimester, which highlights the importance of excluding mild anemia confounding when establishing a locally derived specific reference interval for early pregnancy.
Topics: Adult; Anemia; China; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic; Pregnancy Trimester, First; Pregnant Women; Thyroid Function Tests; Thyroid Gland; Thyrotropin; Thyroxine; Triiodothyronine
PubMed: 34956084
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.772917 -
Heliyon Nov 2020While the ability to measure time correctly is crucial for adaptation to the external physical and social environment, to date, research on timing ability and its...
BACKGROUND
While the ability to measure time correctly is crucial for adaptation to the external physical and social environment, to date, research on timing ability and its development in individuals with intellectual disability (ID) is unfortunately remarkably scarce.
AIMS
In the present study, we investigated the ability of individuals with mild ID to estimate durations and the development of this ability from 11 to 19 years, in comparison to typically developing (TD) individuals.
METHODS AND PROCEDURES
Participants with mild ID and TD participants matched on chronological age completed two temporal tasks: (1) a temporal bisection of auditory stimuli, in which they had to decide whether arbitrary stimulus duration was more similar to the short (200 ms) or the long (800 ms) standard previously learned, and (2) a temporal categorization of familiar actions, in which short, medium or long target durations had to be paired with one of three comparison action durations.
OUTCOMES AND RESULTS
Temporal performance was systematically impaired in participants with mild ID. Moreover, the temporal impairment increased with age in the bisection task but not in the categorization task.
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS
These findings suggest that the ability to estimate durations develops at a slower pace in individuals with mild ID compared to TD individuals.
PubMed: 33294668
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05514 -
Journal of Medicine and Life Sep 2023This study aimed to explore the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in predicting perinatal outcomes among women with COVID-19. Data was collected from hospitals in the...
This study aimed to explore the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in predicting perinatal outcomes among women with COVID-19. Data was collected from hospitals in the Middle Euphrates and Southern regions of Iraq, with 152 pregnant patients included in the study. Patients were categorized into mild and severe infection groups, and their serum samples were analyzed for mineral levels (magnesium, copper, calcium, sodium, potassium, zinc, selenium, and iron) and immune factors (IL-6, IL-8, IL-32, IL-10, IL-18, IL-37, IL-38, IL-36, and IL-1). The findings revealed significant associations between specific mineral levels, immune factors, and perinatal outcomes. Mineral levels such as magnesium (75.5% mild infection, 80.9% severe infection), copper (68.2% mild infection, 64.3% severe infection), calcium ion (81.8% mild infection, 76.2% severe infection), sodium (70.9% mild infection, 69.0% severe infection), potassium (72.7% mild infection, 71.4% severe infection), zinc (61.8% mild infection, 54.8% severe infection), selenium (78.2% mild infection, 82.9% severe infection), and iron (74.5% mild infection, 68.3% severe infection) showed varying percentages associated with mild and severe infections. Immune factors such as IL-6 (32% mild infection, 21% severe infection), IL-8 (15% mild infection, 7% severe infection), IL-32 (24% mild infection, 9% severe infection), IL-10 (7% mild infection, no severe infection), IL-18 (13% mild infection, 11% severe infection) demonstrated varying percentages associated with perinatal outcomes, while other interleukins showed no changes in severe infections. These results highlight the potential of AI in predicting outcomes for pregnant women with COVID-19, which could aid in improving their management and care. Further research and validation of predictive models are recommended to enhance accuracy and applicability.
Topics: Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Copper; Magnesium; Selenium; Interleukin-10; Calcium; Interleukin-18; COVID-19; Artificial Intelligence; Interleukin-6; Interleukin-8; Zinc; Iron; Potassium; Sodium; Immunologic Factors
PubMed: 38107716
DOI: 10.25122/jml-2023-0214 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Oct 2022To evaluate the efficacy of biofeedback and electrical stimulation-assisted pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) between women with mild and moderate to severe stress...
BACKGROUND
To evaluate the efficacy of biofeedback and electrical stimulation-assisted pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) between women with mild and moderate to severe stress urinary incontinence (SUI).
METHODS
This retrospective cohort study was conducted at a single center from 2014 to 2021. We included 57 patients with urodynamically proven SUI who underwent a biofeedback and electrical stimulation-assisted PFMT. They were categorized into mild and moderate to severe SUI. One-hour pad test from 2 to 10 g was defined as mild SUI, and ≥11 g was defined as moderate to severe SUI.
RESULTS
Fifty-seven patients were reviewed during the study period. Incontinence-related symptoms of distress, including the UDI-6, ISI, and VAS, all significantly improved in the mild SUI group ( = 0.001, = 0.001 and = 0.010, respectively), while only UDI-6 and VAS statistically improved in the moderate to severe SUI group ( = 0.027 and = 0.010, respectively). There was significant improvement in IIQ-7 in the mild SUI group during serial treatments, but only in Session 6 in the moderate to severe SUI group. After 18 sessions of treatment, the UDI-6, ISI, and IIQ-7 scores showed significantly greater improvements in the mild SUI group compared to the moderate to severe SUI group ( = 0.003, = 0.025, and = 0.002, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
Although biofeedback and electrical stimulation-assisted PFMT is an effective treatment option for SUI, it is more beneficial for patients with mild SUI and a 1-h pad weight ≤ 10 g urine leak.
PubMed: 36362651
DOI: 10.3390/jcm11216424 -
Frontiers in Physiology 2022Mild degrees of hypoxia are known to exert a detrimental effect on cognitive functions. In a lab study, we assessed the effect of mild hypoxia on risk-taking behavior....
Mild degrees of hypoxia are known to exert a detrimental effect on cognitive functions. In a lab study, we assessed the effect of mild hypoxia on risk-taking behavior. Participants ( = 25) were presented with pairs of bets of equal expected monetary value, one having a higher probability of winning/losing a lower payoff (safer bet) and one having a lower probability of winning/losing a higher payoff (riskier bet). We systematically varied the ratio of the probabilities (and corresponding payoffs) of the two bets and examined how this affected participants' choice between them. Following a familiarization session, participants performed the task twice: once in a normoxic environment (20.9% oxygen concentration) and once in a mildly hypoxic environment (14.1% oxygen concentration). Participants were not told and could not guess which environment they were in. We found a higher preference for the riskier bet in the mild hypoxic than normoxic environment but only in the loss domain. Furthermore, as the probability ratio increased, mild hypoxia increased the preference for the riskier bet in the domain of losses but decreased it for gains. The present findings support that mild hypoxia promotes riskier choices in the loss domain and provide new insights into the impact of mild hypoxia in moderating the effect of probability ratio on risky choices.
PubMed: 36105278
DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.960773 -
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2019
PubMed: 31001151
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00169 -
Critical Care Medicine Nov 2016Approximately half of ICU admissions are comprised of patients older than 65 years old. Mild cognitive impairment is a common disorder affecting 10-20% of patients in...
OBJECTIVES
Approximately half of ICU admissions are comprised of patients older than 65 years old. Mild cognitive impairment is a common disorder affecting 10-20% of patients in the same age group. A need exists for exploring mild cognitive impairment and risk of critical illness. As mild cognitive impairment may be a contributor to poorer overall health or be a result of it, we sought to determine whether the presence of mild cognitive impairment independently increases the risk of critical illness admissions.
DESIGN
Data from the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging were analyzed. All study participants underwent prospective comprehensive cognitive testing and expert panel consensus diagnosis of both cognitive function and clinical state at baseline and subsequent visits. Comparisons were made between those with normal cognitive function and mild cognitive impairment regarding baseline health and frequency of critical illness.
SETTING
Single-center population-based cohort out of Olmsted County, MN.
PARTICIPANTS
All individuals 70-89 years old were screened for prospective enrollment in the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging. Patients with preexisting dementia and ICU admission within 3 years of entry to the study were excluded from this analysis.
INTERVENTIONS
None.
MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS
Of 2,425 patients analyzed from the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging, 1,734 patients (71%) were included in the current study. Clinical factors associated with baseline mild cognitive impairment included age, male gender, stroke, and poorer health self-rating. Using a Cox regression model adjusting for these and a priori variables of baseline health, the presence of mild cognitive impairment remained a significant predictor of ICU admission (hazard ratio, 1.50 [1.15-1.96]; p = 0.003).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
The presence of mild cognitive impairment is independently associated with increased critical illness admission. Further prospective studies are needed to analyze the impact of critical illness on cognitive function.
Topics: Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cognitive Dysfunction; Critical Illness; Female; Health Status; Humans; Intensive Care Units; Male; Minnesota; Patient Admission; Sex Factors; Stroke
PubMed: 27441907
DOI: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000001842 -
Brain and Behavior Aug 2022Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Mild hypothermia (32-35°C) has been found to show neuroprotective effects against...
BACKGROUND
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Mild hypothermia (32-35°C) has been found to show neuroprotective effects against TBI. However, the specific mechanism is still elusive. In the current study, we explored the relationship between oxidative damage after TBI and treatment with mild hypothermia as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms.
METHODS
We used the closed cortex injury model to perform the brain injury and a temperature monitoring and control system to regulate the body temperature of mice after injury. Adult male C57BL/6 mice were adopted in this study and divided into four experimental groups. Tissue samples were harvested 24 h after injury.
RESULTS
First, our results showed that treatment with mild hypothermia significantly improved neurobehavioral dysfunction and alleviated brain edema after TBI. Moreover, treatment with mild hypothermia enhanced the activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and reduced the accumulation of lipid peroxidation malondialdehyde. Importantly, the expression and activation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2-antioxidant response element (Nrf2-ARE) pathway were upregulated by mild hypothermia after TBI. Finally, treatment with hypothermia significantly decreased the cell apoptosis induced by TBI.
CONCLUSION
Our results showed that the protective effects of mild hypothermia after TBI may be achieved by the upregulation of the Nrf2-ARE pathway and revealed Nrf2 as a potentially important target to improve the prognosis of TBI.
Topics: Animals; Brain Injuries, Traumatic; Disease Models, Animal; Hypothermia; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; NF-E2-Related Factor 2; Neuroprotection; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 35803901
DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2686 -
JAMA Otolaryngology-- Head & Neck... May 2021Accurate assessment of hearing is critically important regardless of a person's cognitive ability. The degree to which hearing can be reliably measured in adults with...
IMPORTANCE
Accurate assessment of hearing is critically important regardless of a person's cognitive ability. The degree to which hearing can be reliably measured in adults with mild dementia has not been determined.
OBJECTIVE
To obtain quantitative measures of reliability to evaluate the degree to which audiologic testing can be accurately conducted in older adults with mild dementia.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This repeated-measures cross-sectional study consisted of a comprehensive audiologic assessment on 2 occasions separated by 1 to 2 weeks performed in the department of otolaryngology at the Washington University School of Medicine from December 3, 2018, to March 4, 2020. Participants were 15 older adults with a verified diagnosis of mild dementia and 32 older adults without a verified diagnosis of mild dementia who were recruited from the Knight Alzheimer Disease Research Center at Washington University in St Louis.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Test-retest reliability was assessed for tympanometry, acoustic reflex thresholds, otoacoustic emissions, hearing sensitivity, speech reception threshold, speech perception in noise, and hearing handicap, using standard clinical audiology measures.
RESULTS
A total of 47 older adults (26 women; mean [SD] age, 74.8 [6.0] years [range, 53-87 years]), including 32 with normal cognitive function and 15 with very mild or mild dementia, completed the study protocol. For participants with mild dementia, high test-retest reliability (Spearman ρ > 0.80) was found for most measures typically included in a comprehensive audiometric evaluation. For acoustic reflex thresholds, agreement was moderate to high, averaging approximately 83% across frequencies for both groups. Scores for the screening Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly at time 1 and time 2 were highly correlated for the group with normal cognitive function (r = 0.84 [95% CI, 0.70-0.93]) and for the group with mild dementia (r = 0.96 [95% CI, 0.88-0.99]). For hearing thresholds, all rank-order correlations were above 0.80 with 95% CIs at or below 15% in width, with the exception of a moderate correlation of bone conduction thresholds at 500 Hz for the group with normal cognitive function (r = 0.69 [95% CI, 0.50-0.84]) and slightly wider 95% CIs for low-frequency bone conduction thresholds for both groups. For speech reception thresholds, correlations were high for groups with normal cognitive function (r = 0.91 [95% CI, 0.84-0.95]) and mild dementia (r = 0.83 [95% CI, 0.63-0.94]).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Test-retest reliability for hearing measures obtained from participants with mild dementia was comparable to that obtained from cognitively normal participants. These findings suggest that mild cognitive impairment does not preclude accurate audiologic assessment.
Topics: Acoustic Impedance Tests; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Audiometry; Auditory Threshold; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dementia; Disability Evaluation; Female; Hearing Loss; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous; Reproducibility of Results; Speech Perception
PubMed: 33662120
DOI: 10.1001/jamaoto.2021.0012