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Nutrients Jun 2024Infant birth sizes are vital clinical parameters to predict poor growth and micronutrient deficiency in early life. However, their effects on childhood anemia remain...
Infant birth sizes are vital clinical parameters to predict poor growth and micronutrient deficiency in early life. However, their effects on childhood anemia remain unclear. We aimed to explore the associations between birth weight, crown-heel length, and head circumference with anemia in early childhood, as well as potential modification factors. This population-based prospective cohort study included 204,556 participants with singleton live births delivered at gestational ages of 28-42 weeks. A logistic regression model was used to estimate the associations of the measures of infant birth size and their Z-score with anemia under five years old. There were 26,802 (13.10%) children under five years old who were diagnosed has having anemia. Compared with children who did not have anemia, children who had anemia had a lower birth weight and smaller head circumference and a longer crown-heel length (all -values < 0.05). After adjusting for confounders, not only birth weight (β coefficient, -0.008; 95% CI, -0.011--0.004; < 0.001) and head circumference (β coefficient, -0.004; 95% CI, -0.007--0.001; = 0.009), but also the related Z-scores were negatively associated with childhood anemia, while the trends for crown-heel length were the opposite. We further found significant interactions of folic acid use and maternal occupation with infant birth sizes. In conclusion, infants having abnormal sizes at birth are significantly associated with the risk for childhood anemia, which can be modified by folic acid use during pregnancy and maternal occupation.
Topics: Humans; Prospective Studies; Female; Birth Weight; China; Male; Anemia; Child, Preschool; Infant, Newborn; Infant; Adult; Pregnancy; Risk Factors; Logistic Models
PubMed: 38931151
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121796 -
Microorganisms Jun 2024We present the validity of using an ultrasensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for quantifying high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 E7 oncoproteins in...
We present the validity of using an ultrasensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for quantifying high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 E7 oncoproteins in urine specimens as a noninvasive method of analyzing the oncogenic activity of HPV. Some reports claim that the oncogenic activity of HPV is a more relevant clinical indicator than the presence of HPV DNA for estimating malignant potential. In the present study, urine containing HPV16 and related types were selected by uniplex E6/E7 polymerase chain reaction and classified according to the pathologic diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in cervical biopsy specimens. Our ultrasensitive ELISA was able to detect attomole levels of HPV16 E7 oncoproteins, and it detected HPV16-positive SiHa cells at >500 cells/mL without detecting HPV18-positive cells. Our ELISA results showed E7 oncoproteins in 80% (4/5) of urine specimens from women with HPV16-positive CIN1, 71% (5/7) of urine specimens from CIN2 patients, and 38% (3/8) of urine specimens from CIN3 patients. Some urine specimens with undetectable E7 oncoproteins were thought to be negative for live HPV 16-positive cells or in an inactivated state of infection. These results provide the basis for assessing oncogenic activity by quantifying E7 oncoproteins in patient urine.
PubMed: 38930587
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061205 -
Microorganisms May 2024The endometrium remains a difficult tissue for the analysis of microbiota, mainly due to the low bacterial presence and the sampling procedures. Among its pathologies,...
BACKGROUND
The endometrium remains a difficult tissue for the analysis of microbiota, mainly due to the low bacterial presence and the sampling procedures. Among its pathologies, endometrial cancer has not yet been completely investigated for its relationship with microbiota composition. In this work, we report on possible correlations between endometrial microbiota dysbiosis and endometrial cancer.
METHODS
Women with endometrial cancer at various stages of tumor progression were enrolled together with women with a benign polymyomatous uterus as the control. Analyses were performed using biopsies collected at two specific endometrial sites during the surgery. This study adopted two approaches: the absolute quantification of the bacterial load, using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), and the analysis of the bacterial composition, using a deep metabarcoding NGS procedure.
RESULTS
ddPCR provided the first-ever assessment of the absolute quantification of bacterial DNA in the endometrium, confirming a generally low microbial abundance. Metabarcoding analysis revealed a different microbiota distribution in the two endometrial sites, regardless of pathology, accompanied by an overall higher prevalence of pathogenic bacterial genera in cancerous tissues.
CONCLUSIONS
These results pave the way for future studies aimed at identifying potential biomarkers and gaining a deeper understanding of the role of bacteria associated with tumors.
PubMed: 38930472
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061090 -
Microorganisms May 2024Leptospirosis is one of the most common zoonotic infections and a major problem in terms of both veterinary medicine and public health. However, the disease is...
Leptospirosis is one of the most common zoonotic infections and a major problem in terms of both veterinary medicine and public health. However, the disease is under-recognised and under-diagnosed worldwide, particularly in horses. Clinical leptospirosis in horses is mainly associated with recurrent uveitis (ERU), which has recently been studied more intensively, and reproductive disorders, the epidemiology of which is still relatively poorly understood. To enhance our comprehension of abortions caused by leptospirosis in horses and to identify the causative strains, a serological study was carried out with subsequent molecular characterisation of the isolate obtained. Using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), serum samples from mares that aborted and foetal fluids (when available) were tested for antibodies against spp. Furthermore, bacteria isolation from kidney cultures was conducted. Of 97 mare serum samples, 21 (21.64%) tested positive, with Grippotyphosa and Pomona being the most frequently detected serogroups. A significantly higher seroprevalence was found in aborting mares compared to the healthy horse population from the same geographical area, as well as a pronounced seasonal variation. Leptospiral antibodies were not detected in any of the foetal fluids, but isolation was successful in 1 case out of 39 (2.56%). Genotyping by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) identified the obtained isolate as , serogroup Pomona, serovar Mozdok. Further surveillance and molecular typing of strains causing abortion in horses would be invaluable in understanding the prevalence and impact of leptospirosis on equine reproductive health in Europe.
PubMed: 38930421
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061039 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jun 2024: This study assesses the effects of the 'Radiant' image enhancement technique on fetal nuchal translucency (NT) measurements during first-trimester sonographic exams. :...
: This study assesses the effects of the 'Radiant' image enhancement technique on fetal nuchal translucency (NT) measurements during first-trimester sonographic exams. : A retrospective analysis of 263 ultrasound images of first-trimester midsagittal sections was conducted. NT measurements were obtained using a semi-automatic tool. Statistical methods were applied to compare NT measurements with and without 'Radiant' enhancement. An in vitro setup with predefined line distances provided additional data. : Incremental increases in NT measurements were observed with varying levels of 'Radiant' application: an average increase of 0.19 mm with 'Radiant min', 0.24 mm with 'Radiant mid', and 0.30 mm with 'Radiant max.' The in vitro results supported these findings, showing consistent effects on line thickness and measurement accuracy, with the smallest mean deviation occurring at the 'Radiant mid' setting. : 'Radiant' image enhancement leads to significant increases in NT measurements. To avoid systematic biases in clinical assessments, it is advisable to disable 'Radiant' during NT measurement procedures. Further studies are necessary to corroborate these findings and to consider updates to the NT reference tables based on this technology.
PubMed: 38930153
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13123625 -
The Role of Viscoelastic Testing in Assessing Hemostasis: A Challenge to Standard Laboratory Assays?Journal of Clinical Medicine Jun 2024Viscoelastic testing is increasingly being used in clinical and research settings to assess hemostasis. Indeed, there are potential situations in which viscoelastic... (Review)
Review
Viscoelastic testing is increasingly being used in clinical and research settings to assess hemostasis. Indeed, there are potential situations in which viscoelastic testing is reportedly superior to standard routine laboratory testing for hemostasis. We report the current testing platforms and terminology, as well as providing a concise narrative review of the published evidence to guide its use in various clinical settings. Notably, there is increasing evidence of the potential utility of viscoelastic testing for assessment of direct oral anticoagulants, and bleeding associated with chronic liver disease, orthotopic liver transplantation, cardiac surgery, trauma, obstetrics and pediatrics.
PubMed: 38930139
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13123612 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jun 2024The aim of the study was to investigate if feto-maternal transfusion was related to the size of the fetal-maternal interface, and, therefore, was larger in twin...
The aim of the study was to investigate if feto-maternal transfusion was related to the size of the fetal-maternal interface, and, therefore, was larger in twin pregnancy in comparison with singleton pregnancy. : Blood samples from women with singleton ( = 11), and monochorionic ( = 11) and dichorionic ( = 13) twin gestations were tested. Flow cytometry tests with hemoglobin F, glycophorin A, and hemoglobin F and carbonic anhydrase simultaneous staining were used to detect fetal red blood cells and maternal F cells. : In all cases, the volume of feto-maternal transfusion was estimated to be low. The highest rate of fetal red blood cells in the maternal circulation was observed in the blood of women with dichorionic twin gestations both before and after delivery. An increase in fetal red blood cells was observed after cesarean section in singletons and twins. The median rate of maternal F cells was 2.23% in singleton, 2.1% in monochorionic and 3.95% in dichorionic pregnancy. : Feto-maternal transfusion during pregnancy may be related to the multiplicity and chorionicity of pregnancy.
PubMed: 38930136
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13123609 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jun 2024Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection and the management of its persistence is still a great medical challenge. Recently, scientific evidence has supported the...
Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection and the management of its persistence is still a great medical challenge. Recently, scientific evidence has supported the potential therapeutic effects of four combined natural molecules-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), folic acid, vitamin B12 and hyaluronic acid (HA)-in counteracting HPV DNA positivity and related cytological lesions. : Each patient of these five clinical cases had persistent HPV positivity in the anogenital site and assumed a dietary supplement based on a combination of 200 mg of EGCG, 50 mg of HA, 1 mg of vitamin B12 and 400 mcg of folic acid (Pervistop, Farmares s.r.l., Rome, Italy) at a dosage of 1 or 2 caps/day for 6 or 3 months, respectively, depending on clinical history. : After treatment, all the patients reported a negative HPV DNA test and improved cytological lesions, thus demonstrating the ability of these combined molecules to counteract both anal and cervical HPV infection and related manifestations. : Overall, these data corroborate previous evidence about the effectiveness of such natural molecules in the management of HPV infection and its persistence. Naturally, further studies with a larger population and long-term follow-up will contribute to reinforce the positive effects of this dietary supplement in counteracting HPV infection.
PubMed: 38930126
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13123597 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jun 2024We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the fetoscopic tracheal occlusion in patients with isolated severe and left-sided diaphragmatic... (Review)
Review
We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the fetoscopic tracheal occlusion in patients with isolated severe and left-sided diaphragmatic hernia. Cochrane Library, Embase, and PubMed (Medline) databases were searched from inception to February 2024 with no filters or language restrictions. We included studies evaluating the outcomes of fetoscopic intervention compared to expectant management among patients with severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia exclusively on the left side. A random-effects pairwise meta-analysis was performed using RStudio version 4.3.1. In this study, we included 540 patients from three randomized trials and five cohorts. We found an increased likelihood of neonatal survival associated with fetoscopic tracheal occlusion (Odds Ratio, 5.07; 95% Confidence Intervals, 1.91 to 13.44; < 0.01) across general and subgroup analyses. Nevertheless, there were higher rates of preterm birth (OR, 5.62; 95% CI, 3.47-9.11; < 0.01) and preterm premature rupture of membranes (OR, 7.13; 95% CI, 3.76-13.54; < 0.01) in fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion group compared to the expectant management. Our systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated the benefit of fetoscopic tracheal occlusion in improving neonatal and six-month postnatal survival in fetuses with severe left-sided CDH. Further studies are still necessary to evaluate the efficacy of tracheal occlusion for isolated right-sided CDH, as well as the optimal timing to perform the intervention.
PubMed: 38930102
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13123572 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jun 2024: This multicentric prospective study was carried out at Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio Medico and Ospedale di Stato of St. Marino Republic. Between 1...
: This multicentric prospective study was carried out at Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio Medico and Ospedale di Stato of St. Marino Republic. Between 1 January 2019, and 31 December 2022, all pre- and post-menopausal women diagnosed with recurrent, post-coital, and interstitial cystitis at both centers were included in the study. The main aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of vaginal CO laser treatment, alone or combined with intravesical hyaluronic acid instillations, in managing cystitis symptoms, such as dysuria, pollakiuria, and urgency, across the entire patient cohort. The secondary objective was to investigate the reduction in number of annual cystitis episodes post-treatment. : Each woman underwent three to four sessions of micro-ablative CO vaginal laser treatment. A follow-up examination was conducted 12 months after the final laser session (up to December 2023), during which a post-treatment VAS assessment evaluated dysuria, daily pollakiuria, and urgency. The enrolled patients recorded the number of cystitis episodes experienced during the 12-month pre- and post-treatment period. : Results indicated the laser's efficacy in reducing the total number of cystitis episodes per year and an improvement in symptoms up to one year post-treatment. Greater efficacy of the CO laser treatment, particularly when combined with intravesical hyaluronic acid instillation, was observed in both pre- and post- menopausal women. : Fractional CO laser therapy represents a safe and efficacious, non-hormonal approach for pre- and post-menopausal women diagnosed with recurrent, post-coital, and interstitial cystitis.
PubMed: 38930079
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13123550