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Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience 2024Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) resulting from low-intensity blast (LIB) exposure in military and civilian individuals is linked to enduring behavioral and cognitive...
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) resulting from low-intensity blast (LIB) exposure in military and civilian individuals is linked to enduring behavioral and cognitive abnormalities. These injuries can serve as confounding risk factors for the development of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease-related dementias (ADRD). Recent animal studies have demonstrated LIB-induced brain damage at the molecular and nanoscale levels. Nevertheless, the mechanisms linking these damages to cognitive abnormalities are unresolved. Challenges preventing the translation of preclinical studies into meaningful findings in "real-world clinics" encompass the heterogeneity observed between different species and strains, variable time durations of the tests, quantification of dosing effects and differing approaches to data analysis. Moreover, while behavioral tests in most pre-clinical studies are conducted at the group level, clinical tests are predominantly assessed on an individual basis. In this investigation, we advanced a high-resolution and sensitive method utilizing the CognitionWall test system and applying reversal learning data to the Boltzmann fitting curves. A flow chart was developed that enable categorizing individual mouse to different levels of learning deficits and patterns. In this study, rTg4510 mice, which represent a neuropathology model due to elevated levels of tau P301L, together with the non-carrier genotype were exposed to LIB. Results revealed distinct and intricate patterns of learning deficits and patterns within each group and in relation to blast exposure. With the current findings, it is possible to establish connections between mice with specific cognitive deficits to molecular changes. This approach can enhance the translational value of preclinical findings and also allow for future development of a precision clinical treatment plan for ameliorating neurologic damage of individuals with mTBI.
PubMed: 38948027
DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1397046 -
World Journal of Clinical Pediatrics Jun 2024Childhood obesity is a growing global concern with far-reaching health implications. This study focuses on evaluating the knowledge and practices of physicians in...
BACKGROUND
Childhood obesity is a growing global concern with far-reaching health implications. This study focuses on evaluating the knowledge and practices of physicians in Morocco regarding the link between maternal obesity and childhood obesity. Despite the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity worldwide, this issue remains inadequately addressed in the Moroccan context.
AIM
To assess the awareness and practices of physicians in Morocco concerning the connection between maternal obesity and childhood obesity.
METHODS
The research encompasses a comprehensive survey of practicing physicians, revealing significant gaps in awareness and practices related to maternal obesity.
RESULTS
Notably, a significant portion of doctors do not provide adequate guidance to overweight pregnant women, highlighting the urgency for targeted educational programs.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, this research illuminates critical areas for improvement in tackling childhood obesity in Morocco. By addressing these gaps, fostering awareness, and enhancing medical practices, the healthcare system can contribute significantly to preventing childhood obesity and improving the overall health of future generations.
PubMed: 38947991
DOI: 10.5409/wjcp.v13.i2.91255 -
Contemporary Clinical Trials... Aug 2024Localized prostate cancer treated with radical prostatectomy is highly effective, though severe side-effects are common after the surgery. Prehabilitation is an approach...
BACKGROUND
Localized prostate cancer treated with radical prostatectomy is highly effective, though severe side-effects are common after the surgery. Prehabilitation is an approach to optimize patient's physical and mental resources before surgery, to improve postoperative outcomes. The feasibility of a multi-modal home-based prehabilitation program, delivered using telehealth in patients awaiting radical prostatectomy is unknown. This paper describes the development of a prehabilitation program for patients awaiting radical prostatectomy.
METHOD
A model by The Medical Research Council for developing and evaluating complex interventions (MRC Framework) was used in the development process. The Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) checklist was applied for ensuring sufficient description of the interventions. A total of 40 patients will be randomized to either intervention or control group. Patients in the control group will follow standard care. The 4-week prehabilitation programme consists of exercise, pelvic floor exercise, sexual counseling, stress management and nutritional support. The interventions are home-based and delivered using telehealth. Feasibility outcomes will include recruitment, attrition rates, adherence, safety and suitability.
CONCLUSION
We have developed a multimodal prehabilitation programme, which has the potential to bring tangible health benefits to men with prostate cancer awaiting radical prostatectomy. The results of the feasibility study will inform the design of a fully powered randomized controlled trial.
PubMed: 38947984
DOI: 10.1016/j.conctc.2024.101319 -
Journal of Asthma and Allergy 2024To investigate the patterns of allergens in allergic conjunctivitis (AC) and the association with allergic comorbidity.
PURPOSE
To investigate the patterns of allergens in allergic conjunctivitis (AC) and the association with allergic comorbidity.
METHODS
This retrospective cross-sectional study enrolled 2972 children with AC. Clinical data, including sex, age, allergic comorbidities (allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis), and serum allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE), were collected from the electronic medical record (EMR). The categorical variables were compared with the chi-square test. The characteristics of allergens in children of different ages and comorbidities were analyzed by trend chi-square. The sensitivity level of HDM associated with AC and comorbidities was assessed by odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals of logistic regression analysis.
RESULTS
A total of 2972 children (2015 boys and 957 girls) with AC were included in the study. The mean age was 3.78 (0.5~12) years. The most common allergen was house dust mite(HDM) (43.41%). With age, the positive rate for inhaled allergens gradually increased, and the positive rate for ingested allergens decreased. With the number of comorbidities increasing, the positive rates of sensitization were 38.33%, 74.51%, 80.72%, and 89.05%, and the incidence of polysensitization was 44.66%, 56.48%, 59.54%, and 74.59%, respectively. With the increase of HDM-sIgE level, the number of comorbidities and the risk increased gradually.
CONCLUSION
HDM is the most common allergen in AC children of different ages. High levels of HDM-sIgE may be a predictor for allergic comorbidities. Children with polysensitization and high levels of HDM sIgE will be an important target population for future intervention in other allergy-related disease prevention.
PubMed: 38947955
DOI: 10.2147/JAA.S467671 -
Nature and Science of Sleep 2024Associations between subjective sleep quality and stage-specific heart rate (HR) may have important clinical relevance when aiming to optimize sleep and overall health....
BACKGROUND
Associations between subjective sleep quality and stage-specific heart rate (HR) may have important clinical relevance when aiming to optimize sleep and overall health. The majority of previously studies have been performed during short periods under laboratory-based conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations of subjective sleep quality with heart rate during REM sleep (HR REMS) and non-REM sleep (HR NREMS) using a wearable device (Fitbit Versa).
METHODS
This is a secondary analysis of data from the intervention group of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) performed between December 3, 2018, and March 2, 2019, in Tokyo, Japan. The intervention group consisted of 179 Japanese office workers with metabolic syndrome (MetS), Pre-MetS or a high risk of developing MetS. HR was collected with a wearable device and sleep quality was assessed with a mobile application where participants answered The St. Mary's Hospital Sleep Questionnaire. Both HR and sleep quality was collected daily for a period of 90 days. Associations of between-individual and within-individual sleep quality with HR REMS and HR NREMS were analyzed with multi-level model regression in 3 multivariate models.
RESULTS
The cohort consisted of 92.6% men (n=151) with a mean age (± standard deviation) of 44.1 (±7.5) years. A non-significant inverse between-individual association was observed for sleep quality with HR REMS (HR REMS -0.18; 95% CI -0.61, 0.24) and HR NREMS (HR NREMS -0.23; 95% CI -0.66, 0.21), in the final multivariable adjusted models; a statistically significant inverse within-individual association was observed for sleep quality with HR REMS (HR REMS -0.21 95% CI -0.27, -0.15) and HR NREMS (HR NREMS -0.21 95% CI -0.27, -0.14) after final adjustments for covariates.
CONCLUSION
The present study shows a statistically significant within-individual association of subjective sleep quality with HR REMS and HR NREMS. These findings emphasize the importance of considering sleep quality on the individual level. The results may contribute to early detection and prevention of diseases associated with sleep quality which may have important implications on public health given the high prevalence of sleep disturbances in the population.
PubMed: 38947940
DOI: 10.2147/NSS.S455784 -
Frontiers in Sports and Active Living 2024Hamstring strain injuries (HSIs) remain one of the most burdensome injuries in soccer. Current recommendations to prevent sports injuries suggest the importance for...
INTRODUCTION
Hamstring strain injuries (HSIs) remain one of the most burdensome injuries in soccer. Current recommendations to prevent sports injuries suggest the importance for coaches and medical staff to consider psychological and contextual risk factors and to specify them according to the injury type and context. HSI risk factors in soccer have been widely investigated, mainly from physiological and biomechanical perspectives. However, psychological and health-related risk factors are still unexplored. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the psychological and health-related risk factors for a first HSI in male competitive soccer.
METHOD
Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten male competitive soccer players, who had recently sustained a HSI. Based on multifactorial models of sports injury causation, soccer players' individual, contextual, and situational risk factors at the time of their first HSI were investigated. Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis with deductive and inductive approaches.
RESULTS
Individual psychological risk factors included common at-risk personality traits, obsessive passion for soccer with competitive motivational goals, strong athletic identity, and poor health literacy. The injured players were exposed to a controlling coaching style, with a fear of negative staff evaluations, and had recently experienced life stressors. They were injured during matches or overload periods and were highly engaged in the activity.
DISCUSSION
Previously injured soccer players exhibit a lack of perspective concerning the repercussions of their actions on their health. From a preventive viewpoint, these results suggest enhancing the players' health literacy, supporting their autonomy, and moderating the controlling coaching style.
PubMed: 38947866
DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2024.1377045 -
Global Medical Genetics Sep 2024Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) have the potential to cause severe illness in wild birds, domestic poultry, and humans. The ongoing circulation of highly pathogenic avian... (Review)
Review
Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) have the potential to cause severe illness in wild birds, domestic poultry, and humans. The ongoing circulation of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) has presented significant challenges to global poultry industry and public health in recent years. This study aimed to elucidate the circulation of HPAIVs during 2019 to 2023. Specifically, we assess the alarming global spread and continuous evolution of HPAIVs. Moreover, we discuss their transmission and prevention strategies to provide valuable references for future prevention and control measures against AIVs.
PubMed: 38947761
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1788039 -
Endoscopic Ultrasound 2024Pancreatic cancer (PC) is the third cause of cancer-related deaths. Early detection and interception of premalignant pancreatic lesions represent a promising strategy to...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is the third cause of cancer-related deaths. Early detection and interception of premalignant pancreatic lesions represent a promising strategy to improve outcomes. We evaluated risk factors of focal pancreatic lesions (FPLs) in asymptomatic individuals at hereditary high risk for PC.
METHODS
This is an observational single-institution cohort study conducted over a period of 5 years. Surveillance was performed through imaging studies (EUS or magnetic resonance imaging/magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography) and serum biomarkers. We collected demographic characteristics and used univariate and multivariate logistic regression models to evaluate associations between potential risk factors and odd ratios (ORs) for FPL development.
RESULTS
A total of 205 patients completed baseline screening. Patients were followed up to 53 months. We detected FPL in 37 patients (18%) at baseline; 2 patients had lesions progression during follow-up period, 1 of them to PC. Furthermore, 13 patients developed new FPLs during the follow-up period. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that new-onset diabetes (NOD) is strongly associated with the presence of FPL (OR, 10.94 [95% confidence interval, 3.01-51.79; < 0.001]; OR, 9.98 [95% confidence interval, 2.15-46.33; = 0.003]). Follow-up data analysis revealed that NOD is also predictive of lesions progression or development of new lesions during screening (26.7% 2.6%; = 0.005).
CONCLUSIONS
In a PC high-risk cohort, NOD is significantly associated with presence of FPL at baseline and predictive of lesions progression or new lesions during surveillance.
PubMed: 38947744
DOI: 10.1097/eus.0000000000000057 -
International Journal of General... 2024COVID-19, a highly infectious virus, poses significant risks, particularly for immuno-compromised individuals. Vaccination remains a key preventive measure, yet...
BACKGROUND
COVID-19, a highly infectious virus, poses significant risks, particularly for immuno-compromised individuals. Vaccination remains a key preventive measure, yet acceptance rates vary among populations globally.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to assess COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy among dialysis patients atDr. Salma Center for Dialysis in 2022, highlighting the primary reasons for hesitancy within this vulnerable group.
METHODS
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Dr. Salma Center in Khartoum, Sudan, in 2022. A systematic random sampling method was employed to select participants, who were interviewed using a structured questionnaire.
RESULTS
Of a sample of 137 patients, 125 completed the questionnaire with 91.2% response rate. Approximately half of the respondents reported vaccine hesitancy 50%, with 77% acknowledging the severity of COVID-19 but only 53% advised vaccination among their peers. Primary concerns included vaccine side effects 24.8% and mistrust of production companies 10.4%. No significant associations were found between vaccine hesitancy and demographic factors.
CONCLUSION
The study reveals a notable prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among dialysis patients at Dr. Salma Center in Khartoum, 2022. Addressing this hesitancy requires concerted efforts to bridge the trust gap between patients and healthcare systems, coupled with targeted awareness campaigns to correct misinformation and reinforce confidence in vaccines.
PubMed: 38947565
DOI: 10.2147/IJGM.S463352 -
IScience Jun 2024The NAD-dependent deacetylase SIRT7 is a pivotal regulator of DNA damage response (DDR) and a promising drug target for developing cancer therapeutics. However, limited...
The NAD-dependent deacetylase SIRT7 is a pivotal regulator of DNA damage response (DDR) and a promising drug target for developing cancer therapeutics. However, limited progress has been made in SIRT7 modulator discovery. Here, we applied peptide-based deacetylase platforms for SIRT7 enzymatic evaluation and successfully identified a potent SIRT7 inhibitor . We initially isolated bioactive from cockroach () extracts and then developed the synthesis of this compound Further investigation revealed that impaired SIRT7 enzymatic activities through occupation of the NAD binding pocket. attenuated DNA damage repair induced by ionizing radiation (IR) in colorectal cancer cells and exhibited a synergistic anticancer effect when used in combination with etoposide. Overall, our study not only identified as a selective SIRT7 inhibitor from insect resources, but also confirmed its potential use in combined chemo-radiotherapy by interfering in the DNA damage repair process.
PubMed: 38947512
DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110014