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ACS Omega Jun 2023In a previous study, it was observed that survivability was low when attempting to cryopreserve sperm cells in a nanoliter-sized droplet protected under soybean oil, in...
In a previous study, it was observed that survivability was low when attempting to cryopreserve sperm cells in a nanoliter-sized droplet protected under soybean oil, in stark contrast to the high survival rates in milliliter-sized droplets. In this study, infrared spectroscopy was used to provide an estimate of the saturation concentration of water in soybean oil. By following the time evolution of the infrared absorption spectrum of water-oil mixtures, the saturation of water in soybean oil was found to reach equilibrium after 1 h. From the absorption spectra of neat water and neat soybean oil and the application of the Beer-Lambert law to an estimation of the absorption of a mixture from its individual components, it was estimated that the saturation concentration of water is 0.010 M. This estimate was supported by molecular modeling using the latest semiempirical methods (in particular, GFN2-xTB). While for most applications the very low solubility has little impact, the implications in those exceptions were discussed.
PubMed: 37305304
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c00348 -
Microbiology Spectrum Dec 2022The NeuMoDx96 platform is a fully automated real-time PCR (RT-PCR) system. To provide continued testing quality with the introduction of new assays, the primary aim of...
Performance Evaluation of the Fully Automated NeuMoDx RT-PCR Platform for the Quantification of CMV and EBV DNA in EDTA Plasma: Implications for Clinical Management and Establishment of a Conversion Formula.
The NeuMoDx96 platform is a fully automated real-time PCR (RT-PCR) system. To provide continued testing quality with the introduction of new assays, the primary aim of this study was to evaluate the analytical and clinical performance of the NeuMoDx platform for the detection and quantification of CMV and EBV DNA in EDTA plasma. As no conversion from log international units per milliliter to copies per milliliter was provided, the secondary aim was to calculate and establish a conversion factor for the output of results in copies per milliliter for CMV and EBV. Archived ETDA plasma samples (cytomegalovirus [CMV], = 290; Ebstein-Barr virus [EBV], = 254) were used to evaluate the analytical performance of the NeuMoDx96 platform against the routine real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays. Additionally, the first WHO international standards (WHO-IS) for CMV ( = 70) and EBV ( = 72) were used for the calculation of the intra- and interassay variation. WHO-IS qualitative agreement between the assays was 100%. Intra-assay variability was low for both CMV assays (coefficient of variation [CV], phosphate-buffered saline [PBS], 3 log IU/mL NeuMoDx, 3.67%; Abbott RealTime, CMV, 3.35%) and NeuMoDx EBV assay (CV, PBS, 3 log IU/mL, 3.05%) but high for the Altona EBV assay (CV, PBS, 3 log IU/mL, 26.13%). The overall qualitative concordance in clinical samples was 96.8% (270/279) for CMV and 96.7% (237/245) for EBV. The mean difference between the assays was -0.2 log IU/mL (CMV) and -0.18 log IU/mL (EBV). High qualitative concordance and a significant correlation of quantitative values for both assays make NeuMoDx CMV and EBV assays suitable for routine diagnostic testing. The new RT-PCR system and conversion formulas to report results in copies per milliliter are now applied in clinical routine testing. Clinical management of solid organ transplant (SOT) patients requires the careful monitoring of immunosuppression and viral infection or reactivation. qPCR is the gold standard for the detection and quantification of very small amounts of viral DNA and allows for an early assessment of viral load kinetics. The tested NeuMoDx 96 platform provides faster results than the previously used RT-PCR workflows for CMV (Abbott m2000 and RealTime CMV assay) and EBV (LightCycler 480 II, Roche high pure extraction, and Altona RealStar EBV assay) DNA detection. The implemented conversion formulas allow the continued reporting in clinically established copies per milliliter, important for long-term care of SOT patients.
Topics: Humans; Cytomegalovirus; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Herpesvirus 4, Human; Edetic Acid; DNA, Viral; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; Cytomegalovirus Infections; Viral Load
PubMed: 36342307
DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02157-22 -
International Journal of Cardiology.... Apr 2022Atrial Epicardial Adipose Tissue (EAT) is presumably involved in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF). The transient nature of postoperative AF (POAF) suggests...
BACKGROUND
Atrial Epicardial Adipose Tissue (EAT) is presumably involved in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF). The transient nature of postoperative AF (POAF) suggests that surgery-induced triggers provoke an unmasking of a pre-existent AF substrate. The aim is to investigate the association between the volume of EAT and the occurrence of POAF. We hypothesise that the likelihood of developing POAF is higher in patients with high compared to low left atrial (LA) EAT volumes.
METHODS
Quantification of LA EAT based on the Hounsfield Units using custom made software was performed on pre-operative coronary computed tomography angiography scans of patients who underwent cardiac surgery between 2009 and 2019. Patients with mitral valve disease were excluded.
RESULTS
A total of 83 patients were included in this study (CABG = 34, aortic valve = 33, aorta ascendens n = 7, combination n = 9), of which 43 patients developed POAF. The EAT percentage in the LA wall nor indexed EAT volumes differed between patients with POAF and with sinus rhythm (all P > 0.05). In multivariable analysis, age and LA volume index (LAVI) were the only independent predictors for early POAF (OR: 1.076 and 1.056, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
As expected, advanced age and LAVI were independent predictors of POAF. However, the amount of local EAT was not associated with the occurrence of AF after cardiac surgery. This suggests that the role of EAT in POAF is rather limited, or that the association of EAT in the early phase of POAF is obscured by the dominance of surgical-induced triggers.
PubMed: 35402690
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcha.2022.100976 -
Indian Journal of Dental Research :... 2020The quantification of neutrophils in blood is done to primarily screen the patients with acute infections. On the other hand, the neutrophils have also shown the...
AIM
The quantification of neutrophils in blood is done to primarily screen the patients with acute infections. On the other hand, the neutrophils have also shown the antimicrobial activity by allowing the host cells to perform the primary function of preventing the wounds from being infected. The aim of this study was to quantify the blood neutrophil count in patients with chronic gingivitis and chronic periodontitis and to compare with the healthy controls in order to assess the protective role of neutrophils in periodontal inflammation.
METHODS AND MATERIAL
A total of 30 subjects in the age group of 30-55 years were selected. Based on the clinical examination, the subjects were divided into three groups Group I (healthy), Group II (chronic gingivitis) and Group III (chronic periodontitis). The clinical parameters such as modified gingival index (MGI) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were recorded. Two millilitres of venous blood was collected from each participant in all the groups and the differential neutrophil counts were obtained using the Neubauer's chamber under a light microscope. One way ANOVA test was used to calculate the mean and standard deviation for MGI, CAL and blood neutrophil count among various groups.
RESULTS
The mean neutrophil counts in the various study groups were 63.300, 64.100 and 60.800 in Group I, Group II and Group III, respectively. Though there was a decrease in the mean neutrophil count from Group II to Group III, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups.
CONCLUSION
In our study, there was no significant increase in neutrophil count in chronic periodontitis as compared to healthy controls, thereby explaining the protective role of neutrophils in periodontal inflammation.
Topics: Adult; Chronic Periodontitis; Gingivitis; Humans; Inflammation; Middle Aged; Neutrophils; Periodontal Attachment Loss; Periodontal Index
PubMed: 33753656
DOI: 10.4103/ijdr.IJDR_106_19 -
Neurology India 2021Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability in India. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is involved in the development of hypertension,...
BACKGROUND
Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability in India. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is involved in the development of hypertension, atherosclerosis, cardio, and cerebrovascular disease and is a plausible genetic candidate for stroke. The role of ACE polymorphism is still uncertain and requires further investigation.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to study the role of ACE insertion/deletion polymorphism in acute ischemic stroke (AIS).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
One hundred thirty AIS cases and 130 age and sex matched healthy controls were recruited. Ten milliliters venous blood was drawn and 6 mL of blood was used for routine hematological, biochemical tests. Remaining 4 mL of EDTA blood was used for DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and restriction digestion. Three genotypes (II, ID, and DD) were visualized on 3% agarose gel. Association between genotypes among stroke case was done by Chi-square test with P value <0.05 taken as significant.
RESULTS
DD genotype was significantly associated with the risk of stroke with P value of 0.0001. Both the dominant and recessive models showed that the DD genotype was independently associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke (OR = 20.732; 95% CI: 2.7241-157.7864; P value = 0.003 for the recessive model and OR = 2.848; 95% CI: 1.5127-5.3649; P value = 0.001 for dominant model).
CONCLUSIONS
Our study showed a strong association between ACE polymorphism and the risk of AIS. This study paves the way for further studies to confirm the role of ACE polymorphism as genetic risk factors for AIS.
Topics: Brain Ischemia; Genotype; Humans; Ischemic Stroke; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; Polymorphism, Genetic; Stroke
PubMed: 34747787
DOI: 10.4103/0028-3886.329586 -
Indian Journal of Critical Care... Apr 2020Among critically ill patients with severe acute kidney injury either continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) or intermittent hemodialysis (IHD) can be performed to... (Review)
Review
UNLABELLED
Among critically ill patients with severe acute kidney injury either continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) or intermittent hemodialysis (IHD) can be performed to provide optimal solute and volume control. The modality of KRT should be chosen based on the needs of the patient, hemodynamic status, clinician expertise, and resource available under a particular setting and consideration of costs. Evidence from high-quality randomized trials suggests that an effluent flow rate of 25 mL/kg/hour per day using CKRT and / of 1.3 per session of IHD provide optimal solute control. For volume dosing, the net ultrafiltration (UF) rate should be prescribed based on patient body weight in milliliters per kilogram per hour, with close monitoring of patient hemodynamics and fluid balance. Emerging evidence from observational studies suggests a "J"-shaped association between UF rate and outcomes with both faster and slower UF rates being associated with increased mortality compared with moderate UF rates. Thus, randomized trials are required to determine optimal UF rates in critically ill patients.
HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE
Murugan R. Solute and Volume Dosing during Kidney Replacement Therapy in Critically Ill Patients with Acute Kidney Injury. Indian J Crit Care Med 2020;24(Suppl 3):S107-S111.
PubMed: 32704215
DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10071-23391 -
Pain Physician Sep 2023One of the common neuraxial anesthesia complications is postdural puncture headache (PDPH). Greater occipital nerve block (GONB) is a simple and safe maneuver with a... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
One of the common neuraxial anesthesia complications is postdural puncture headache (PDPH). Greater occipital nerve block (GONB) is a simple and safe maneuver with a faster onset than other treatment modalities.
OBJECTIVES
Our work aims to compare the pain-relieving effect between distal and proximal ultrasound (US)-guided bilateral GONBs for PDPH.
STUDY DESIGN
A randomized, double-blinded study.
SETTING
Aswan University Hospital, Egypt.
METHODS
The study included 50 patients of both genders, aged 20 to 60 years, who had PDPH with a sitting Numeric Rating Scale (NRS-11) >= 4. Patients were randomized into 2 equal groups. Group D received a US-guided distal bilateral GONB (at the superior nuchal line level). Group P received a US-guided proximal bilateral GONB (at the second cervical vertebra level). Three milliliters of isobaric bupivacaine 0.5% and 4 mg dexamethasone were injected in both blocks.
RESULTS
There was a significant decrease in lying down and sitting NRS-11 at 10 minutes, 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours after the intervention compared to before the intervention in both groups. Only sitting NRS-11 was significantly lower in group P than group D in all measurements after the intervention. Success rate (sitting NRS-11 < 4) at 24 hours was 60% in group D and 84% in group P, with an insignificant difference. The total 48-hour paracetamol and tramadol consumption was significantly lower in group P than in group D (P = 0.038 and 0.036, respectively). Transient cervicalgia occurred in 8% of each group.
LIMITATIONS
The small number of cases to prove the secondary outcomes and the absence of a control group.
CONCLUSIONS
US-guided proximal and distal GONBs were minimally invasive, simple, and effective ways to treat PDPH, with the superiority of proximal GONB in alleviating PDPH.
KEY WORDS
Postdural puncture headache, distal, proximal, greater occipital nerve, block, ultrasound, pain-relieving, neuraxial anesthesia.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Post-Dural Puncture Headache; Bupivacaine; Peripheral Nerves; Pain; Nerve Block
PubMed: 37774204
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency... Apr 2021The ability of elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (E/C/F/TAF) to maintain virologic suppression in participants with M184V and/or M184I...
BACKGROUND
The ability of elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (E/C/F/TAF) to maintain virologic suppression in participants with M184V and/or M184I resistance mutations from historical genotypic reports when switching from a tenofovir disoproxil fumarate-based or abacavir (ABC)-based regimen was investigated.
SETTING
Phase IIIb, 48-week, open-label, single-arm, multicenter, clinical trial (NCT02616029).
METHODS
Virologically suppressed adults with HIV and documented M184V/I on historical genotypic records switched to E/C/F/TAF from a tenofovir disoproxil fumarate-based or ABC-based regimen. The primary end point was HIV-1 RNA of <50 copies per milliliter at week 12 using pure virologic response (PVR). Secondary end points included HIV-1 RNA of <50 copies per milliliter at weeks 24/48 (PVR) and at weeks 12, 24, and 48 (Food and Drug Administration snapshot algorithm), and change in CD4+ count at weeks 12, 24, and 48.
RESULTS
M184V alone was reported in 82.8% of 64 participants; 9.4% and 7.8% had M184I and M184V/I, respectively, and 43.8% had archived M184V/I (baseline DNA). All (62/62 with available data, 100%, 95% confidence interval 94.2% to 100%) participants maintained PVR at weeks 12, 24, and 48. By Food and Drug Administration snapshot algorithm, one participant had HIV-1 RNA of ≥50 copies per milliliter (week 12); confirmatory HIV-1 RNA was <50 copies per milliliter. No significant changes were observed in CD4+ cell count. Drug-related adverse events (AEs) were reported by 10 (15.6%) participants. Six (9.4%) and 5 (7.8%) participants had grade 3-4 AEs or serious AEs, respectively (none drug related).
CONCLUSIONS
The presence of the resistance mutations M184V/I did not jeopardize the efficacy of switching to E/C/F/TAF in virologically suppressed adults. High rates of virologic suppression were maintained throughout 48 weeks of therapy and treatment was well tolerated.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Alanine; Anti-HIV Agents; Cobicistat; Drug Combinations; Drug Resistance, Viral; Emtricitabine; Female; HIV Infections; HIV-1; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Mutation; Quinolones; Tenofovir; Young Adult
PubMed: 33315694
DOI: 10.1097/QAI.0000000000002595 -
European Journal of Dentistry Oct 2023A 1-year prospective human intervention study was performed to examine the anticaries, anti-inflammatory, antiproteolytic, and antimicrobial effects of fermented...
OBJECTIVES
A 1-year prospective human intervention study was performed to examine the anticaries, anti-inflammatory, antiproteolytic, and antimicrobial effects of fermented lingonberry juice (FLJ), used as a mouthwash for a period of 6 months, followed by a 6-month washout period.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Twenty-five adults were recruited from private dental clinics in Helsinki and Joensuu (Finland). Standard oral examinations and sample gatherings were performed at base level, 6 months, and 1 year for oral , , and levels, and active matrix metalloprotease-8 (aMMP-8) levels, and for decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT), decayed, missing filled surfaces (DMFS) and decayed surfaces (DS) indexes, and probing pocket depths (PPDs), bleeding on probing (BOP), and visible plaque index (VPI). FLJ was used by the participants once daily for 30 seconds for 6 months. FLJ contains 0.212% (w/v) polyphenols, 3% (w/ v) sugars, and contains no excipients. Ten milliliters of FLJ were equal to 1 dL of lingonberry juice.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
Statistical analyses were performed with nonparametric Friedman's test and pairwise post-hoc analysis with Dunn-Bonferroni test, SPSS (version 27; IBM) and < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.
RESULTS
The levels of and counts, DS, BOP, and VPI decreased significantly ( < 0.05) during the FLJ period. counts increased significantly, while there was also significant difference in aMMP-8 levels, DMFT, and DMFS between the three measurement points. PPDs were not affected.
CONCLUSIONS
The specially formulated FLJ may have a positive decreasing effect on , and counts as well as decrease low-grade inflammation and proteolytic burden in the oral mucosa and periodontal tissues. The beneficial effects to the oral cavity of FLJ mouthwash may be useful among patients with oral diseases, such as dental caries, periodontitis and candidosis.
PubMed: 36599454
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1759619 -
Frontiers in Pediatrics 2022Food allergy is a common health problem in childhood since its prevalence was estimated to range from 6. 5 to 24.6% in European countries. Recently, a lot of research... (Review)
Review
Food allergy is a common health problem in childhood since its prevalence was estimated to range from 6. 5 to 24.6% in European countries. Recently, a lot of research has focused on the impact of breastfeeding on oral tolerance induction. Since it was found that breast milk contains immunologically active food antigens, it would be very helpful to clarify the factors of antigen shedding that promotes oral tolerance. This narrative review aimed to summarize the latest evidence from experimental and human studies regarding allergen characteristics in human milk that may influence oral tolerance induction. A literature search in PubMed, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar was conducted. The diet of the mother was found to have a direct impact on allergen amount in the breastmilk, while antigens had different kinetics in human milk between women and depending on the antigen. The mode of antigen consumption, such as the cooking of an antigen, may also affect the allergenicity of the antigen in human milk. The dose of the antigen in human milk is in the range of nanograms per milliliter; however, it was found to have a tolerogenic effect. Furthermore, the presence of antigen-specific immunoglobulins, forming immune complexes with antigens, was found more tolerogenic compared to free allergens in experimental studies, and this is related to the immune status of the mother. While examining available data, this review highlights gaps in knowledge regarding allergen characteristics that may influence oral tolerance.
PubMed: 35311039
DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.830718