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Atherosclerosis Jun 2024Atherosclerosis manifests itself differently in men and women with respect to plaque initiation, progression and plaque composition. The observed delay in plaque... (Review)
Review
Atherosclerosis manifests itself differently in men and women with respect to plaque initiation, progression and plaque composition. The observed delay in plaque progression in women is thought to be related to the hormonal status of women. Also features associated with the vulnerability of plaques to rupture seem to be less frequently present in women compared to men. Current invasive and non-invasive imaging modalities allow for visualization of plaque size, composition and high risk vulnerable plaque features. Moreover, image based modeling gives access to local shear stress and shear stress-related plaque growth. In this review, current knowledge on sex-related differences in plaque size, composition, high risk plaque features and shear stress related plaque growth in carotid and coronary arteries obtained from imaging are summarized.
PubMed: 38944895
DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2024.117616 -
Adult Pneumococcal Vaccination in Ghana: Current Status and Future Recommendations - Expert Opinion.West African Journal of Medicine Apr 2024Vaccination programs have proven successful in the prevention and control of infectious diseases among children on a global scale, but the majority of adult populations...
Vaccination programs have proven successful in the prevention and control of infectious diseases among children on a global scale, but the majority of adult populations remain unvaccinated. immunocompromised adults as well as older adults aged low-income countries as Streptococcus pneumoniae infections are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality among 65 years and above. Despite the introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs), the burden of vaccine-type serotypes remains high in there are no clear policies for adult vaccination. As per the Global Burden of Disease 2019 report, about 120,000 individuals aged 70 years and older died as a result of LRTIs) in sub-Saharan Africa. A medical advisory board meeting was conducted in April 2022 to discuss the burden of pneumococcal diseases in adults, the current status of policies and practices of adult vaccination, unmet needs, and challenges in Ghana. This expert opinion paper outlines the pneumococcal epidemiology and burden of disease in Ghana, as well as the rationale for adult pneumococcal vaccination. It also highlights the potential barriers to adult vaccination and offers recommendations to overcome these obstacles and enhance vaccine acceptance in Ghana.
Topics: Humans; Pneumococcal Vaccines; Ghana; Pneumococcal Infections; Adult; Vaccination; Aged; Vaccines, Conjugate; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Immunization Programs; Expert Testimony
PubMed: 38944877
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Gastrointestinal and Liver... Jun 2024
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; COVID-19 Vaccines; SARS-CoV-2; Vaccination; Liver Diseases; Chronic Disease
PubMed: 38944866
DOI: 10.15403/jgld-5619 -
Journal of Gastrointestinal and Liver... Jun 2024The environmental factors, apart from gluten ingestion predisposing to coeliac disease are poorly known. Smoking is associated with many immune-mediated diseases, but...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
The environmental factors, apart from gluten ingestion predisposing to coeliac disease are poorly known. Smoking is associated with many immune-mediated diseases, but research on coeliac disease is scarce. This study aims to investigate how smoking affects the clinical presentation, presence of comorbidities and response to gluten-free diet in coeliac disease.
METHODS
Altogether 815 adults with coeliac disease participated in a nationwide cross-sectional study. Participants were interviewed and smoking habits (never, former, or current smoker), clinical presentation of coeliac disease and presence of comorbidities were elicited. Serology and severity of small bowel mucosal lesions at diagnosis were gathered from the participants' medical records and follow-up serology was measured. Gastrointestinal symptoms and psychological well-being were assessed using validated questionnaires.
RESULTS
Current smokers were more often male and were diagnosed at younger ages than never or former smokers. There were no differences between the groups in clinical presentation, severity of symptoms or mucosal lesions at diagnosis or in dietary compliance and clinical, serological, and histological recovery. Musculoskeletal disorders, particularly osteoporosis and osteopenia, were more common in never smokers than in other groups (14.5% vs. 5.1% and 4.1%, p<0.001), and cardiovascular disorders were diagnosed more often in former smokers (36.2% vs. 23.5% and 21.9%, p=0.003).
CONCLUSIONS
Smoking does not seem to have an impact on the clinical presentation, severity of symptoms or mucosal damage in coeliac disease. Histological and clinical recovery as well as seroconversion on gluten-free diet are not affected by smoking status.
Topics: Humans; Celiac Disease; Male; Female; Cross-Sectional Studies; Middle Aged; Diet, Gluten-Free; Adult; Cigarette Smoking; Aged; Treatment Outcome; Comorbidity; Risk Factors; Smokers; Ex-Smokers; Intestinal Mucosa
PubMed: 38944862
DOI: 10.15403/jgld-5364 -
Journal of Gastrointestinal and Liver... Jun 2024
Topics: Humans; Laparoscopy; Gastrectomy; Gastric Fistula; Treatment Outcome; Female; Surgical Instruments; Middle Aged; Adult; Male; Obesity, Morbid
PubMed: 38944857
DOI: 10.15403/jgld-5511 -
Journal of Gastrointestinal and Liver... Jun 2024
Topics: Humans; Glutens; Adult; Male; Healthy Volunteers; Female; Diet, Gluten-Free; Young Adult; Gastrointestinal Diseases
PubMed: 38944854
DOI: 10.15403/jgld-5688 -
Journal of Gastrointestinal and Liver... Jun 2024Mammoplasty, a common cosmetic procedure involving breast augmentation and reduction surgeries, has gained global popularity. Recently, attention has shifted towards...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Mammoplasty, a common cosmetic procedure involving breast augmentation and reduction surgeries, has gained global popularity. Recently, attention has shifted towards understanding the prevalence and significance of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms following mammoplasty. This systematic review aims to consolidate existing literature to provide a comprehensive overview of the type and frequency of GI problems associated with various mammoplasty procedures.
METHODS
A systematic search of PubMed and Scopus databases was conducted until January 22, 2024, identifying observational and interventional studies examining GI symptoms post-mammoplasty. Inclusion criteria covered human studies, while exclusion criteria ensured specificity. Two independent investigators performed screening, and data extraction included study characteristics, surgical procedures, anesthesia methods, and interventions.
RESULTS
Nineteen studies, involving 2,487 subjects, were included in the review. Breast reconstruction emerged as the most studied procedure, followed by breast reduction, augmentation, mastectomy, and breast cancer surgery. Predominant GI symptoms included nausea and vomiting, with varying rates across mammoplasty types. Anesthesia modality influenced symptomatology, with general, local, and combined anesthesia associated with GI disturbances. Antiemetics, notably ondansetron and droperidol, showed variable efficacy. Non-pharmacological approaches, such as preoperative hypnosis, were explored for symptom management.
CONCLUSIONS
Our systematic review reveals insights into GI symptoms post-mammoplasty, emphasizing the common occurrence of symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, alongside less frequent manifestations such as constipation, dry mouth, retching, abdominal pain, and tightness. Variations in symptom prevalence were noted across diverse mammoplasty surgeries, anesthesia methods, and the use of antiemetics, underscoring the complex nature of post-mammoplasty GI disturbances.
Topics: Humans; Mammaplasty; Female; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Adult; Prevalence
PubMed: 38944853
DOI: 10.15403/jgld-5598 -
Journal of Gastrointestinal and Liver... Jun 2024Colonoscopy has a vital role in the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), as well as in the estimation of disease severity, monitoring response to therapy, and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Colonoscopy has a vital role in the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), as well as in the estimation of disease severity, monitoring response to therapy, and surveillance for neoplasia. We performed a systematic review of randomised trials of various bowel preparations for colonoscopy in IBD.
METHODS
We searched various electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL) for studies reporting about the use of various strategies to improve colonoscopy preparation in IBD. We included only randomized clinical trials (RCTs). A network meta-analysis was done using a frequentist approach to compare the effectiveness of various bowel preparations. The risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane risk of bias tool 2.0. Other outcome parameters like compliance, tolerance, acceptance, and adverse effects were assessed qualitatively.
RESULTS
Seven RCTs reporting about 960 patients were included. On comparison with 4 liter (L) of poliethylen glycol (PEG), oral sulfate solution (OR=1.1, 95%CI: 0.65-1.86); PEG2L/Ascorbate (OR=0.98, 95%CI: 0.65-1.48); PEG1L (OR=1, 95%CI: 0.55-1.81); PEG2L plus bisacodyl (OR=1.08, 95%CI: 0.71-1.65); PEG4L plus simethicone (OR=1, 95%CI: 0.67-1.50); PEG/ sodium picosulfate and magnesium citrate (SPMC) 1.5L (OR=0.99, 95%CI: 0.55-1.78); SPMC 2L (OR=1.09, 95%CI: 0.61-1.97) had similar effectiveness. Three RCTs reported compliance, five RCTs reported tolerance, two studies reported patient acceptance and five RCTs reported data on the willingness of patients to repeat the procedure in the future. Low-volume preparations had better compliance, tolerance, acceptance, and willingness to repeat. No difference in additional outcomes like change in disease activity after colonoscopy, procedure-related outcomes after colonoscopy like cecal intubation rate, and change in electrolyte levels were found.
CONCLUSION
Various bowel preparations had similar effectiveness in respect to colonoscopy preparation in IBD patients. Low-volume preparations have better compliance, tolerance, and acceptance. The systematic review was limited by a small number of included RCTs.
Topics: Humans; Colonoscopy; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Cathartics; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Network Meta-Analysis
PubMed: 38944852
DOI: 10.15403/jgld-5433 -
Journal of Asian Natural Products... Jun 2024Four new alkaloids, arecatines A-D (-), were isolated from the peels of . Compound is an unusual piperidine-pyridine hybrid alkaloid, whereas compounds - feature...
Four new alkaloids, arecatines A-D (-), were isolated from the peels of . Compound is an unusual piperidine-pyridine hybrid alkaloid, whereas compounds - feature bis-piperidine alkaloids. Their structures were elucidated by UV, IR, HRESIMS, and NMR spectra analysis. The molecular docking analysis indicated that compound exhibited the best binding affinity with the GABA receptor, indicating its potential anti-epilepsy activity.
PubMed: 38944841
DOI: 10.1080/10286020.2024.2372383 -
Gut Microbes 2024Polyphenols are phytochemicals commonly found in plant-based diets which have demonstrated immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the interplay...
Polyphenols are phytochemicals commonly found in plant-based diets which have demonstrated immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the interplay between polyphenols and pathogens at mucosal barrier surfaces has not yet been elucidated in detail. Here, we show that proanthocyanidin (PAC) polyphenols interact with gut parasites to influence immune function and gut microbial-derived metabolites in mice. PAC intake inhibited mastocytosis during infection with the small intestinal roundworm , and altered the host tissue transcriptome at the site of infection with the large intestinal whipworm , with a notable enhancement of type-1 inflammatory and interferon-driven gene pathways. In the absence of infection, PAC intake promoted the expansion of within the gut microbiota, increased fecal short chain fatty acids, and enriched phenolic metabolites such as phenyl-γ-valerolactones in the cecum. However, these putatively beneficial effects were reduced in PAC-fed mice infected with , suggesting concomitant parasite infection can attenuate gut microbial-mediated PAC catabolism. Collectively, our results suggest an inter-relationship between a phytonutrient and infection, whereby PAC may augment parasite-induced inflammation (most prominently with the cecum dwelling ), and infection may abrogate the beneficial effects of health-promoting phytochemicals.
Topics: Animals; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Mice; Polyphenols; Trichuris; Trichuriasis; Nematospiroides dubius; Proanthocyanidins; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Strongylida Infections; Female; Bacteria; Feces
PubMed: 38944838
DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2024.2370917