The impact of spinal cord injury(SCI)on the immune system is increasingly recognized in a field traditionally focused on motor impairments.SCI can seriously affect the immune system by progressively disrupting the reg...The impact of spinal cord injury(SCI)on the immune system is increasingly recognized in a field traditionally focused on motor impairments.SCI can seriously affect the immune system by progressively disrupting the regulatory mechanisms that control immune responses.This dysregulation varies widely among patients and can evolve over time,ranging from systemic inflammatory responses to immunosuppression,greatly contributing to the morbidity and mortality of individuals with SCI(Bao et al.,2011;Brennan et al.,2024).展开更多
BACKGROUND Steroids remain the primary treatment for severe alcohol-associated hepatitis(AAH),though there is little available tools to predict patient response to steroids.It was hypothesized that phosphatidylethanol...BACKGROUND Steroids remain the primary treatment for severe alcohol-associated hepatitis(AAH),though there is little available tools to predict patient response to steroids.It was hypothesized that phosphatidylethanol(PEth)value will inversely corre-late with response to steroid therapy based on Lille score in AAH.AIM To assess the relationship of patient factors,focusing on pre-steroid therapy PEth value,to steroid therapy response in AAH.METHODS A retrospective case control study was performed on patients who received≥4 days of steroid therapy for AAH at our hospital between July 1,2019 and June 30,2022.A total of 2087 patients were screened for AAH and those treated with steroids were included for statistical analysis utilizing independent sample t-test and for categorical variables using the χ^(2) test.RESULTS No correlation was found between PEth value,pre-steroids abstinence length,or number of drinks per week pre-steroids and response to steroids.Non-responder status significantly correlated with older age(P=0.024),lower albumin(P=0.003),and higher bilirubin(P=0.010)pre-steroids.Our study suggests that age,pre-steroid albumin,and pre-steroid bilirubin levels may predict nonresponse to steroid therapy.Non-responders have increased incidence of death and higher medical costs.CONCLUSION Identifying non-responders through these identified factors should prompt early referral for liver transplantation.Future prospective studies with larger population size are needed to assess the efficacy of combined pre-steroid age,albumin,bilirubin and other biochemical markers as predictors of steroid response.展开更多
BACKGROUND Insulin resistance,lipotoxicity,and mitochondrial dysfunction contribute to the pathogenesis of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease(MASLD).Mitochondrial dysfunction impairs oxidative ph...BACKGROUND Insulin resistance,lipotoxicity,and mitochondrial dysfunction contribute to the pathogenesis of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease(MASLD).Mitochondrial dysfunction impairs oxidative phosphorylation and increases reactive oxygen species production,leading to steatohepatitis and hepatic fibrosis.Artificial intelligence(AI)is a potent tool for disease diagnosis and risk stratification.AIM To investigate mitochondrial DNA polymorphisms in susceptibility to MASLD and establish an AI model for MASLD screening.METHODS Multiplex polymerase chain reaction was performed to comprehensively genotype 82 mitochondrial DNA variants in the screening dataset(n=264).The significant mitochondrial single nucleotide polymorphism was validated in an independent cohort(n=1046)using the Taqman®allelic discrimination assay.Random forest,eXtreme gradient boosting,Naive Bayes,and logistic regression algorithms were employed to construct an AI model for MASLD.RESULTS In the screening dataset,only mt12361A>G was significantly associated with MASLD.mt12361A>G showed borderline significance in MASLD patients with 2-3 cardiometabolic traits compared with controls in the validation dataset(P=0.055).Multivariate regression analysis confirmed that mt12361A>G was an independent risk factor of MASLD[odds ratio(OR)=2.54,95%confidence interval(CI):1.19-5.43,P=0.016].The genetic effect of mt12361A>G was significant in the non-diabetic group but not in the diabetic group.mt12361G carriers had a 2.8-fold higher risk than A carriers in the non-diabetic group(OR=2.80,95%CI:1.22-6.41,P=0.015).By integrating clinical features and mt12361A>G,random forest outperformed other algorithms in detecting MASLD[training area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUROC)=1.000,validation AUROC=0.876].CONCLUSION The mt12361A>G variant increased the severity of MASLD in non-diabetic patients.AI supports the screening and management of MASLD in primary care settings.展开更多
BACKGROUND Diabetes mellitus(DM)and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD)are common metabolic disorders,and their coexistence can exacerbate the progression of either disease.Human umbilical cord mesenchymal...BACKGROUND Diabetes mellitus(DM)and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD)are common metabolic disorders,and their coexistence can exacerbate the progression of either disease.Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell(hUCMSC)therapy has shown promising potential in the treatment of several metabolic diseases.AIM To investigate how hUC-MSCs affect liver metabolism in diabetic rats with MAFLD and assess their therapeutic potential and underlying mechanisms.METHODS A streptozotocin-induced rat model of DM with MAFLD was established,and hUC-MSCs were administered via tail vein injection.Changes in body weight,fasting blood glucose(FBG),and serum triglyceride(TG),alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase levels,and pathological changes of liver were evaluated.Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to assess the diagnostic value of differential metabolites and their ability to predict the therapeutic effects of hUC-MSCs.Spearman correlation was employed to analyze the relationships between liver metabolites and key biochemical markers.RESULTS hUC-MSC treatment significantly reduced FBG and TG levels in diabetic rats with MAFLD and improved histological steatosis and injury in the liver.Metabolomic analysis indicated that hUC-MSCs significantly ameliorated liver metabolic disturbances via their regulatory effect on several key metabolic pathways related to carbohydrate,amino acid,and lipid metabolism.Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that 70 differential metabolites had good diagnostic value for DM with MAFLD and could effectively predict the therapeutic effect of hUC-MSCs.Moreover,Spearman correlation analysis confirmed that significant correlations existed between differential liver metabolites and the concentrations of biochemical markers(FBG,TG,alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase).CONCLUSION hUC-MSCs alleviate liver metabolic disturbances in diabetic rats with MAFLD,thereby mitigating the pathological state of DM and slowing the progression of MAFLD.展开更多
Objective:Intimate partner violence(IPV)among people living with the human immune deficiency virus(PLHIV)poses a significant threat to efforts to reduce the spread of human immune deficiency virus(HIV)and achieve the ...Objective:Intimate partner violence(IPV)among people living with the human immune deficiency virus(PLHIV)poses a significant threat to efforts to reduce the spread of human immune deficiency virus(HIV)and achieve the sustainable development goals.In Ghana,scholarly research on the forms and prevalence of IPV is available,however knowledge of the prevalence of IPV among PLHIV is limited.To understand the prevalence of IPV among PLHIV and the intersectional factors that contribute to it,this study examined the overall prevalence of IPV among PLHIV and the associated sociodemographic factors across ten regions of Ghana.Methods:We administered face-to-face survey questionnaires to 661 randomly selected antiretroviral therapy(ART)clients using Research Electronic Data Capture tools.We used descriptive statistics(mean,standard deviation,minimum,and maximum),pairwise correlation,and multivariate regression analysis to look at the data.Results:The clients of ART experienced various forms of IPV,including sexual,physical,emotional,and economic violence and controlling behaviour.The overall prevalence of IPV among PLHIV was 27.5%.This result,although on par with the global IPV average(27%),is 1.5%higher than the national rate(26%).The Upper West Region had the highest prevalence in all the categories of IPV analysed,followed by Oti Region in second place and the Upper East Region in third,except for the prevalence of sexual violence,where Greater Accra Region ranks second.In specific regions of Ghana,sociodemographic factors shaped by patriarchal and economic considerations contribute to a higher prevalence of IPV among people living with HIV.Conclusion:The findings have implications for developing policies and interventions that address the specific factors associated with HIV-induced IPV in different regions of Ghana.These interventions should also include screening PLHIV receiving ART for their IPV status regardless of gender and deploying culturally appropriate education at the community level to foster empathy towards intimate partners living with HIV.展开更多
BACKGROUND Diabetes and its associated microvascular complications,such as nephropathy and retinopathy,significantly impact global health.These complications often begin in the prediabetic stage,emphasizing the import...BACKGROUND Diabetes and its associated microvascular complications,such as nephropathy and retinopathy,significantly impact global health.These complications often begin in the prediabetic stage,emphasizing the importance of early detection and intervention.Inflammatory pathways are key contributors to these conditions,and recent research has identified members of the tumor necrosis factor(TNF)receptor superfamily as potential biomarkers.However,their association with renal and retinal dysfunction in individuals with intermediate hyperglycemia(IH)remains underexplored.The Early Prevention of Diabetes Complications(ePREDICE)trial provides a valuable cohort to investigate these associations and improve risk assessment strategies.AIM To identify inflammatory biomarkers associated with early renal and retinal dysfunction in individuals with IH.Specifically,we evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic potential of TNF receptor superfamily members[TNF receptor 1(TNF-R1),TNF receptor 2(TNF-R2)],T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3(TIM-3)/HAVCR2,galectin-3,and interleukin-6(IL-6)in detecting kidney dysfunction and retinopathy in this high-risk population.By understanding their roles,we seek to enhance early screening methods and inform personalized intervention strategies.METHODS A cross-sectional analysis of 967 individuals with IH from the ePREDICE trial was conducted.Participants underwent comprehensive anthropometric and biochemical assessments.Key inflammatory biomarkers,including TNF-R1,TNF-R2,TIM-3/HAVCR2,galectin-3,and IL-6,were quantified using immunoassays.Renal function was assessed using estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)and albuminuria,while retinopathy was evaluated through fundoscopic examination.Statistical analyses included adjusted mean comparisons,correlation studies,and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis to assess biomarker diagnostic accuracy.RESULTS TNF-R1,TNF-R2,and TIM-3/HAVCR2 were significantly associated with reduced filtration function(eGFR<60 mL/minute/1.73 m^(2))and albuminuria,with area under the curve(AUC)values between 0.815 and 0.845.TIM-3/HAVCR2 emerged as the strongest predictor of retinopathy(AUC=0.737).Strong correlations(r>0.75)were observed among TNF-R1,TNF-R2,and TIM-3/HAVCR2,suggesting a coordinated role in inflammatory pathways.CONCLUSION Our findings highlight the potential of TNF receptor superfamily members as biomarkers for early-stage renal and retinal complications in individuals with IH.Their integration into clinical screening protocols could facilitate earlier detection,improving patient stratification and personalized management strategies.Further longitudinal studies are necessary to validate their predictive value and potential for guiding therapeutic interventions in IH and early diabetes management.展开更多
Background:Microglia and brain macrophages contribute significantly to the tumor microenvironment in highly malignant glioblastoma where they are considered important drivers of tumor progression.A better understandin...Background:Microglia and brain macrophages contribute significantly to the tumor microenvironment in highly malignant glioblastoma where they are considered important drivers of tumor progression.A better understanding of the role of the brain macrophages present in glioblastoma appears crucial for improving therapeutic outcomes,especially in the context of novel immunotherapeutic approaches.Methods:We investigated the regulation of two well-established markers for microglia and brain macrophages,IBA1 and CD163,in relation to glioblastoma tumor necrosis using immunohistochemistry and modality fusion heatmaps of whole slide images obtained from adjacent tissue sections.Results:IBA1 and CD163 showed remarkable differences in relation to glioblastoma tumor necrosis.Generally,IBA1 immunoreactive cells were far less common in necrotic tissue areas than CD163-expressing cells.We also found extensive and frequently diffuse extracellular CD163 deposition,especially in hypocellular necrobiotic tumor regions where IBA1 was typically absent.Conclusions:Resident microglia seem more likely to be important for the diffuse infiltration of glioma cells in hypercellular tissue areas,whereas myeloid macrophages may be the main macrophage population in the wake of tumor necrosis.Since the necrotic niche with its interactions between microglia,brain macrophages,and glioblastoma/glioma stem cells is increasingly recognised as an important factor in tumor progression,further detailed studies of the macrophage populations in glioblastoma are warranted.展开更多
Healthcare-associated infection is a common problem of newborn in neonatal intensive care units. It results in high mortality rate and serious complications. The Aim: to assess the incidence, etiology and the mortalit...Healthcare-associated infection is a common problem of newborn in neonatal intensive care units. It results in high mortality rate and serious complications. The Aim: to assess the incidence, etiology and the mortality of healthcareassociated infections of patients in neonatal intensive care unit at King Abdl Aziz Specialist Hospital (KAASH), Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Material and Methods: This is a retrospective study including 8033 neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care unit during period between April, 2006 and December, 2012. The health-care associated infection rate, mortality rate, causative organism and risk factors were studied. Results: The prevalence of health-care associated infection was found to be 6.03%;the mortality rate was 27.1%. The highest prevalence was among children with the birth weight below 1000 g. The most frequent causative pathogen was klebseilla spp, followed by other gram negative bacilli. Conclusion: The rate of healthcare-associated infections in neonatal intensive care unit at KAASH was relatively high. In addition, the mortality rate was observed to be high (27.1%) owing to the high virulence of the causative organisms.展开更多
Metabolic associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD)has become a prevalent chronic liver disease worldwide because of lifestyle and dietary changes.Gut microbiota and its metabolites have been shown to play a critical role...Metabolic associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD)has become a prevalent chronic liver disease worldwide because of lifestyle and dietary changes.Gut microbiota and its metabolites have been shown to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of MAFLD.Understanding of the function of gut microbiota and its metabolites in MAFLD may help to elucidate pathological mechanisms,identify diagnostic markers,and develop drugs or probiotics for the treatment of MAFLD.Here we review the pathogenesis of MAFLD by gut microbiota and its metabolites and discuss the feasibility of treating MAFLD from the perspective of gut microbes.展开更多
Monoclonal antibodies against colon and pancreatic cancer, CL-2, CL-3, PS-9, PS-10, were used to detect the associated antigens in feces of patients with gastrointestinal carcinoma and non-cancer diseases. Binding inh...Monoclonal antibodies against colon and pancreatic cancer, CL-2, CL-3, PS-9, PS-10, were used to detect the associated antigens in feces of patients with gastrointestinal carcinoma and non-cancer diseases. Binding inhibition test by SABC-ELISA method were performed for the measurement of the antigen level. Results showed that the associated antigen detected in feces of patients with colon cancer were significantly higher than that of non-cancer disease or normal subjects. The positive rates were 61.1% as detected with CL-2; 53.4% with CL-3; 55.0%, PS-9; and 53.3% PS-10 in cancer patients while that in normal subjects were 7%; 9%; 8%; and 8% respectively. When 'cocktail' of CL-2, PS-9 and PS-10 were used, the positive rates were 92.5% in colon cancer and 14% in normal subjects. In seven out of the sixty patients with colon cancer studied who were graded as Dukes A, the results were all positive. The results seem superior to the serologic detection and may provide a promising new approach in the early diagnosis of colon cancer.展开更多
To explore the possible explanation of the marked difference in the incidence of breast cancer between Chinese and Australian women, the authors have compared and analysed the results of two case-control studies compl...To explore the possible explanation of the marked difference in the incidence of breast cancer between Chinese and Australian women, the authors have compared and analysed the results of two case-control studies completed recently in Tianjin, China and Adelaide, Australia. Of 10 known risk factors for breast cancer 9 were significantly higher in level in Adelaide women than in Tianjin women, i.e., women in Adelaide were much taller, heavier, more obese, earlier at menarche, later at first full-term pregnancy, more nulliparous, less parity, more in history of breast cancer in first degree relatives, more educated. From the 7 risk factors analysed by use of logistic regression model 5 factors, i.e., earlier age at menarche, later age at first full-term pregnancy, less parity, history of benign disease, and history of breast cancer in first degree relatives, were associated significantly with the increased risk for breast cancer in the Tianjin study, but not in Adelaide study. These factors being not associated with breast cancer in Adelaide women were unexpected. The explanation of the indefinite findings in Adelaide study was due to the fact that the level of the risk factor is universally high, relatively uniform and lack of categories. The difference in the risk factor distribution between cases and controle would not be seen in case-control studies, and significance of the risk factor therefore may not be found. According to data on diet survey in these two cities, the calories from fat was significantly higher in Adelaide women than in Tianjin women. The marked difference in incidence in women in the two cities resulted from the summing-up effect of a number of factors. The important role of fat intake in geographical incidence difference and in the development of breast cancer was also discussed.展开更多
The objective of this paper is to develop a methodology for calibration of a discrete element grain-based model(GBM)to replicate the hydro-mechanical properties of a brittle rock measured in the laboratory,and to appl...The objective of this paper is to develop a methodology for calibration of a discrete element grain-based model(GBM)to replicate the hydro-mechanical properties of a brittle rock measured in the laboratory,and to apply the calibrated model to simulating the formation of excavation damage zone(EDZ)around underground excavations.Firstly,a new cohesive crack model is implemented into the universal distinct element code(UDEC)to control the fracturing behaviour of materials under various loading modes.Next,a methodology for calibration of the components of the UDEC-Voronoi model is discussed.The role of connectivity of induced microcracks on increasing the permeability of laboratory-scale samples is investigated.The calibrated samples are used to investigate the influence of pore fluid pressure on weakening the drained strength of the laboratory-scale rock.The validity of the Terzaghi’s effective stress law for the drained peak strength of low-porosity rock is tested by performing a series of biaxial compression test simulations.Finally,the evolution of damage and pore pressure around two unsupported circular tunnels in crystalline granitic rock is studied.展开更多
This experiment studied hepatic lipogenesis associated with biochemical changes in overfed Landaise Geese and China Xupu geese. Twenty healthy male Landaise geese and 20 healthy male Xupu geese, hatched on the same da...This experiment studied hepatic lipogenesis associated with biochemical changes in overfed Landaise Geese and China Xupu geese. Twenty healthy male Landaise geese and 20 healthy male Xupu geese, hatched on the same day under the same feeding conditions, were selected as experimental animals. The animals were divided into two groups and each breed served as an experimental group. Per goose of per experimental group served for a repeat. Brown rice was selected as test diet. After overfeeding for 21 d and then slaughtering, the biochemical changes of hepatic lipogenesis in the genetic susceptibility to fatty liver were evaluated. These results showed that （1） the weight of fatty liver of the two breeds of geese were 801 and 375 g （P〈0.05）, respectively. There were no differences on the abdominal fat pat, filet total and filet pectoralis major in the two breeds experimental of the geese group （P〈0.05） and no difference on body and filet skin plus subcutaneous adipose tissue （P〉0.05） was found; （2） in these two breeds of geese, there were no differences on very-lowdensity lipoprotein （VLDL）, cholesteryl esters （CE） （P〈0.05）, free cholesterol （FC）, triglycerides （TG）, phospholipids （PL） and protein （P 〈 0.05）; （3） there were no differences on activities of malic enzyme （ME）, glucose-6-phosphatedehydrogenase （G6PDH）, acetyl-CoA-carboxylas （ACX）, fatty acid synthase （FAS）, and mRNA level of ME in the two experimental breeds of geese groups （P 〈0.05）; （4） test in Landaise geese group showed that there was no significant correlation with the specific enzymatic activities, while in Xupu geese group, the liver weight was negatively correlated to the specific activity of ACX and positively to that of ME; （5） in these overfed geese, ME activity appeared to be a major factor involved in the genetic susceptibility to hepatic steatosis and it determined the hepatic lipogenesis capacity.展开更多
BACKGROUND: Oligoanalgesia in emergency departments (EDs) is multifactorial. A previousstudy reported that emergency providers did not adequately manage patients with severe paindespite objective findings for surgical...BACKGROUND: Oligoanalgesia in emergency departments (EDs) is multifactorial. A previousstudy reported that emergency providers did not adequately manage patients with severe paindespite objective findings for surgical pathologies. Our study aims to investigate clinical andlaboratory factors, in addition to providers’ interventions, that might have been associated witholigoanalgesia in a group of ED patients with moderate and severe pains due to surgical pathologies.METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of adult patients who were transferred directlyfrom referring EDs to the emergency general surgery (EGS) service at a quaternary academic centerbetween January 2014 and December 2016. Patients who were intubated, did not have adequaterecords, or had mild pain were excluded. The primary outcome was refractory pain, which wasdefi ned as pain reduction <2 units on the 0–10 pain scale between triage and ED departure.RESULTS: We analyzed 200 patients, and 58 (29%) had refractory pain. Patients with refractory painhad signifi cantly higher disease severity, serum lactate (3.4±2.0 mg/dL vs. 1.4±0.9 mg/dL, P=0.001), and lessfrequent pain medication administration (median [interquartile range], 3 [3–5] vs. 4 [3–7], P=0.001), whencompared to patients with no refractory pain. Multivariable logistic regression showed that the number of painmedication administration (odds ratio [OR] 0.80, 95% confi dence interval [95% CI] 0.68–0.98) and ED serumlactate levels (OR 3.80, 95% CI 2.10–6.80) were signifi cantly associated with the likelihood of refractory pain.CONCLUSIONS: In ED patients transferring to EGS service, elevated serum lactate levelswere associated with a higher likelihood of refractory pain.展开更多
AIM： To determine allelic imbalance on chromosomal region 21q22-qter including trefoil factor family genes （TFF） in cholangiocarcinoma （CCA） patients and analyze the correlation between allelic imbalances and cli...AIM： To determine allelic imbalance on chromosomal region 21q22-qter including trefoil factor family genes （TFF） in cholangiocarcinoma （CCA） patients and analyze the correlation between allelic imbalances and clinicopathological parameters. METHODS： Quantitative PCR amplification was performed on four microsatellite markers and trefoil factor family genes （TFF1, TFF2, and TFF3） using a standard curve and SYBR Green I dye method. The relative copy number was determined by DNA copy number of tested locus to reference locus. The relative copy number was interpreted as deletion or amplification by comparison with normal reference range. Associations between allelic imbalance and clinicopathological parameters of CCA patients were evaluated by χ^2-tests. Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze survival. RESULTS： The frequencies of amplification at D21S1890, D21S1893, and TFF3 were 32.5%, 30.0%, and 28.7%, respectively. Patients who had amplification at regions covering D21S1893, D21S1890, and TFF showed poor prognosis, whereas patients who had deletion showed favorable prognosis （mean： 51.7 wk vs 124.82 wk, P = 0.012）. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that amplification of D21S1893, D21S1890 and TFF, blood vessel invasion, and staging were associated with poor prognosis. CONCLUSION： D21S1893-D21S1890 region may harbor candidate genes especially TFF and serine protease family, which might be involved in tumor invasion and metastasis contributing to poor survival. The amplification in this region may be used as a prognostic marker in the treatment of CCA patients.展开更多
Introduction: Gynaecological and breast cancers (GBC) are the most frequent and most serious cancers of women. They are frequent in Benin with an average of 108.5 cases per year. Objective: To identify factors associa...Introduction: Gynaecological and breast cancers (GBC) are the most frequent and most serious cancers of women. They are frequent in Benin with an average of 108.5 cases per year. Objective: To identify factors associated with women’s knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding GBC. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, prospective, descriptive and analytical study. Women of childbearing age residing in the commune of Glazoué in Benin for at least six months were included. The WHO cluster sampling technique was used. The Bruno De Finetti postulate and the Likert scale were used to study women’s knowledge, attitudes and practices. Data were collected and analysed using Epi Data 3.1 and Epi info 7.2.2.6 software. Results: A total of 540 women were registered. The mean age was 27.1 ± 8.84 years with extremes of 15 and 49 years. They were married (61.1%), had secondary education (40.2%) and lived in urban areas (61.9%). They had a low level of knowledge (75.4%), an adapted attitude (93.0%) and poor practice (88.9%). Occupation (p = 0.000), level of education (p = 0.007) and place of residence (p = 0.001) significantly influenced knowledge of GBC. The attitude was adequate (93%) and the practice was poor (88.9%). Inappropriate attitude was significantly associated with the level of education (p = 0.006). Conclusion: Women in the commune of Glazoué in Benin have a low level of knowledge of GBC with an adapted attitude and poor practice. Several factors are associated, hence the need to take them into account to facilitate GBC screening.展开更多
Background: Pregnancy is typically accompanied by an increase of micronutrient requirements in general and especially iron. This increased need may be an additional risk factor for developing anemia. Purpose of the st...Background: Pregnancy is typically accompanied by an increase of micronutrient requirements in general and especially iron. This increased need may be an additional risk factor for developing anemia. Purpose of the study: The aim of this study is to provide data on the prevalence of anemia of pregnancy in the maternity ward of the regional hospital in the city of Temara, and examine risk factors that may expose women to anemia during pregnancy. Materiel and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study of a year was conducted to the hospital Sidi Lahcen in the city of Temara. Sociodemographic and nutritional data were collected through a questionnaire, obstetric and medical histories of women in labor and the results of biological tests were recorded from the patient obstetric file. Results: Among the 849 women surveyed, 690 (82%) had performed a blood count, and among these 117 (16.8%) were found anemic, with the following proportions: 57.6% had mild anemia, 41.5% had moderate anemia and a minority (0.8%) had severe anemia. The pregnant women aged over 35 years were the most exposed to anemia during pregnancy (47%) compared with younger women (p < 0.001). Women who had a history of anemia aside from pregnancy and those who had anemia in earlier pregnancies were more prone to developing anemia in the current pregnancy with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). The number of pregnancies, number of previous abortions and place of residence had no influence on the occurrence of anemia of pregnancy. The consumption of fortified flour with iron and vitamins as well as consuming iron rich foods was not a protective factor against the development of anemia of pregnancy. Tea consumption near the meal was not a factor exposing to anemia during pregnancy. Conclusion: Anemia is a public health problem in Morocco. Evidence from our study emphasizes the need to implement educational programs to improve the nutritional knowledge and sensitization of women.展开更多
Cyanobacterial populations in surface waters, including drinking water supplies and recreational waters, represent an ever present challenge for resource managers. As communities continuously respond to external and i...Cyanobacterial populations in surface waters, including drinking water supplies and recreational waters, represent an ever present challenge for resource managers. As communities continuously respond to external and internal processes, dynamic profiles of composition, dominance, growth and toxigenicity emerge. In this study measures of size structure and biomass, quantified using light microscopy and fluorometry, were used to estimate microcystin concentrations through linear regression analysis. Toxigenic profiles using cyanobacterial biomass were developed for lakes dominated by Microcystis spp. and Dolichospermum spp., influenced by both genus-specific pigment concentrations as well as microcystin concentrations. Community composition (Log %MIC) and biomass were used to describe microcystin concentrations in mixed assemblages, where composition was the first input variable. The accessory photopigment phycocyanin was used to describe the linear relationship between the daily growth and net microcystin production rates in the bloom-forming Microcystis spp. samples, suggesting that this size-fractionated sample may provide indications of potential toxigenicity in the whole lake water sample. Future investigations using fluorometric evaluation of cyanobacterial populations could provide additional applications and metrics for use by resource managers to quantify risk association with elevated cyanotoxin concentrations.展开更多
We expose the results of the study of the south-western Alboran seismic sequence of January-March 2016 and the stress perturbations it caused by means of Coulomb modeling. The use of data from numerous stations allowe...We expose the results of the study of the south-western Alboran seismic sequence of January-March 2016 and the stress perturbations it caused by means of Coulomb modeling. The use of data from numerous stations allowed us to relocate the largest events (Mw ≥ 3.8) south of those determined by IGN (Spain). The main shock of 25 January 2016 (Mw = 6.3) was relocated at 35.6133°N × 3.6888°W, at a hypocentral depth of 15.5 ± 6.0 km. The epicenters are aligned along two distinct clusters: The first runs N-S towards the Moroccan coast along Al-Idrissi fracture zone, while the second is centered on the Alboran ridge northern thrust fault. The focal mechanisms determined by different agencies correspond to a strike-slip/normal/reverse motion in the western cluster and thrusting in the eastern one. Coulomb stress change modeling shows that the main earthquake: (1) may have been triggered by stress accumulation by the 1994 and 2004 earthquakes;(2) has induced stress perturbations that provide a suitable explanation for the distribution of the aftershock clusters, including the eastern cluster. The prediction of the next event shows that it is likely to occur near the Moroccan coast.展开更多
基金funded by the Santa Casa Neuroscience Awards—Prize Melo e Castro for Spinal Cord Injury Research(MC-18-2021)(to AJS and NAS)by the Wings for Life Spinal Cord Research Foundation(WFL-PT-14/23)(to NAS)+2 种基金funded by national funds through the Foundation for Science and Technology(FCT)—projects UIDB/50026/2020,UIDP/50026/2020,and EXPL/MED-PAT/0931/2021-http://doi.org/10.54499/EXPL/MED PAT/0931/2021supported by the Norte Portugal Regional Operational Programme(NORTE 2020)under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement through the European Regional Development Fund(ERDF)(to SM)the support given by the Portuguese Foundation of Science and Technology to SM(CEECIND/01902/2017-Doi:10.54499/CEECIND/01902/2017/CP1458/CT0024),and NAS(CEECIND/04794/2007)。
文摘The impact of spinal cord injury(SCI)on the immune system is increasingly recognized in a field traditionally focused on motor impairments.SCI can seriously affect the immune system by progressively disrupting the regulatory mechanisms that control immune responses.This dysregulation varies widely among patients and can evolve over time,ranging from systemic inflammatory responses to immunosuppression,greatly contributing to the morbidity and mortality of individuals with SCI(Bao et al.,2011;Brennan et al.,2024).
文摘BACKGROUND Steroids remain the primary treatment for severe alcohol-associated hepatitis(AAH),though there is little available tools to predict patient response to steroids.It was hypothesized that phosphatidylethanol(PEth)value will inversely corre-late with response to steroid therapy based on Lille score in AAH.AIM To assess the relationship of patient factors,focusing on pre-steroid therapy PEth value,to steroid therapy response in AAH.METHODS A retrospective case control study was performed on patients who received≥4 days of steroid therapy for AAH at our hospital between July 1,2019 and June 30,2022.A total of 2087 patients were screened for AAH and those treated with steroids were included for statistical analysis utilizing independent sample t-test and for categorical variables using the χ^(2) test.RESULTS No correlation was found between PEth value,pre-steroids abstinence length,or number of drinks per week pre-steroids and response to steroids.Non-responder status significantly correlated with older age(P=0.024),lower albumin(P=0.003),and higher bilirubin(P=0.010)pre-steroids.Our study suggests that age,pre-steroid albumin,and pre-steroid bilirubin levels may predict nonresponse to steroid therapy.Non-responders have increased incidence of death and higher medical costs.CONCLUSION Identifying non-responders through these identified factors should prompt early referral for liver transplantation.Future prospective studies with larger population size are needed to assess the efficacy of combined pre-steroid age,albumin,bilirubin and other biochemical markers as predictors of steroid response.
基金Supported by the“Center of Excellence for Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease,National Sun Yat-sen University,Kaohsiung”,No.NSTC 112-2321-B-001-006The Featured Areas Research Center Program within the Framework of the Higher Education Sprout Project by the Ministry of Education in Taiwan,No.MOHW112-TDU-B-221-124007.
文摘BACKGROUND Insulin resistance,lipotoxicity,and mitochondrial dysfunction contribute to the pathogenesis of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease(MASLD).Mitochondrial dysfunction impairs oxidative phosphorylation and increases reactive oxygen species production,leading to steatohepatitis and hepatic fibrosis.Artificial intelligence(AI)is a potent tool for disease diagnosis and risk stratification.AIM To investigate mitochondrial DNA polymorphisms in susceptibility to MASLD and establish an AI model for MASLD screening.METHODS Multiplex polymerase chain reaction was performed to comprehensively genotype 82 mitochondrial DNA variants in the screening dataset(n=264).The significant mitochondrial single nucleotide polymorphism was validated in an independent cohort(n=1046)using the Taqman®allelic discrimination assay.Random forest,eXtreme gradient boosting,Naive Bayes,and logistic regression algorithms were employed to construct an AI model for MASLD.RESULTS In the screening dataset,only mt12361A>G was significantly associated with MASLD.mt12361A>G showed borderline significance in MASLD patients with 2-3 cardiometabolic traits compared with controls in the validation dataset(P=0.055).Multivariate regression analysis confirmed that mt12361A>G was an independent risk factor of MASLD[odds ratio(OR)=2.54,95%confidence interval(CI):1.19-5.43,P=0.016].The genetic effect of mt12361A>G was significant in the non-diabetic group but not in the diabetic group.mt12361G carriers had a 2.8-fold higher risk than A carriers in the non-diabetic group(OR=2.80,95%CI:1.22-6.41,P=0.015).By integrating clinical features and mt12361A>G,random forest outperformed other algorithms in detecting MASLD[training area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUROC)=1.000,validation AUROC=0.876].CONCLUSION The mt12361A>G variant increased the severity of MASLD in non-diabetic patients.AI supports the screening and management of MASLD in primary care settings.
基金Supported by the National Key Specialty Major Scientific Research Project of the Hunan Provincial Health Commission,No.Z2023158.
文摘BACKGROUND Diabetes mellitus(DM)and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD)are common metabolic disorders,and their coexistence can exacerbate the progression of either disease.Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell(hUCMSC)therapy has shown promising potential in the treatment of several metabolic diseases.AIM To investigate how hUC-MSCs affect liver metabolism in diabetic rats with MAFLD and assess their therapeutic potential and underlying mechanisms.METHODS A streptozotocin-induced rat model of DM with MAFLD was established,and hUC-MSCs were administered via tail vein injection.Changes in body weight,fasting blood glucose(FBG),and serum triglyceride(TG),alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase levels,and pathological changes of liver were evaluated.Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to assess the diagnostic value of differential metabolites and their ability to predict the therapeutic effects of hUC-MSCs.Spearman correlation was employed to analyze the relationships between liver metabolites and key biochemical markers.RESULTS hUC-MSC treatment significantly reduced FBG and TG levels in diabetic rats with MAFLD and improved histological steatosis and injury in the liver.Metabolomic analysis indicated that hUC-MSCs significantly ameliorated liver metabolic disturbances via their regulatory effect on several key metabolic pathways related to carbohydrate,amino acid,and lipid metabolism.Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that 70 differential metabolites had good diagnostic value for DM with MAFLD and could effectively predict the therapeutic effect of hUC-MSCs.Moreover,Spearman correlation analysis confirmed that significant correlations existed between differential liver metabolites and the concentrations of biochemical markers(FBG,TG,alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase).CONCLUSION hUC-MSCs alleviate liver metabolic disturbances in diabetic rats with MAFLD,thereby mitigating the pathological state of DM and slowing the progression of MAFLD.
基金supported by the Christian Health Association of Ghana under Global Fund New Funding Model 3(NFM 3)HIV/TB Community Systems Strengthening programme(CSS)。
文摘Objective:Intimate partner violence(IPV)among people living with the human immune deficiency virus(PLHIV)poses a significant threat to efforts to reduce the spread of human immune deficiency virus(HIV)and achieve the sustainable development goals.In Ghana,scholarly research on the forms and prevalence of IPV is available,however knowledge of the prevalence of IPV among PLHIV is limited.To understand the prevalence of IPV among PLHIV and the intersectional factors that contribute to it,this study examined the overall prevalence of IPV among PLHIV and the associated sociodemographic factors across ten regions of Ghana.Methods:We administered face-to-face survey questionnaires to 661 randomly selected antiretroviral therapy(ART)clients using Research Electronic Data Capture tools.We used descriptive statistics(mean,standard deviation,minimum,and maximum),pairwise correlation,and multivariate regression analysis to look at the data.Results:The clients of ART experienced various forms of IPV,including sexual,physical,emotional,and economic violence and controlling behaviour.The overall prevalence of IPV among PLHIV was 27.5%.This result,although on par with the global IPV average(27%),is 1.5%higher than the national rate(26%).The Upper West Region had the highest prevalence in all the categories of IPV analysed,followed by Oti Region in second place and the Upper East Region in third,except for the prevalence of sexual violence,where Greater Accra Region ranks second.In specific regions of Ghana,sociodemographic factors shaped by patriarchal and economic considerations contribute to a higher prevalence of IPV among people living with HIV.Conclusion:The findings have implications for developing policies and interventions that address the specific factors associated with HIV-induced IPV in different regions of Ghana.These interventions should also include screening PLHIV receiving ART for their IPV status regardless of gender and deploying culturally appropriate education at the community level to foster empathy towards intimate partners living with HIV.
基金Supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos Ⅲ(ISCⅢ)Through the Project Co-Funded by the European Union,No.PI20-00487,No.PI23-00119 and No.PI24-01630.
文摘BACKGROUND Diabetes and its associated microvascular complications,such as nephropathy and retinopathy,significantly impact global health.These complications often begin in the prediabetic stage,emphasizing the importance of early detection and intervention.Inflammatory pathways are key contributors to these conditions,and recent research has identified members of the tumor necrosis factor(TNF)receptor superfamily as potential biomarkers.However,their association with renal and retinal dysfunction in individuals with intermediate hyperglycemia(IH)remains underexplored.The Early Prevention of Diabetes Complications(ePREDICE)trial provides a valuable cohort to investigate these associations and improve risk assessment strategies.AIM To identify inflammatory biomarkers associated with early renal and retinal dysfunction in individuals with IH.Specifically,we evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic potential of TNF receptor superfamily members[TNF receptor 1(TNF-R1),TNF receptor 2(TNF-R2)],T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3(TIM-3)/HAVCR2,galectin-3,and interleukin-6(IL-6)in detecting kidney dysfunction and retinopathy in this high-risk population.By understanding their roles,we seek to enhance early screening methods and inform personalized intervention strategies.METHODS A cross-sectional analysis of 967 individuals with IH from the ePREDICE trial was conducted.Participants underwent comprehensive anthropometric and biochemical assessments.Key inflammatory biomarkers,including TNF-R1,TNF-R2,TIM-3/HAVCR2,galectin-3,and IL-6,were quantified using immunoassays.Renal function was assessed using estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)and albuminuria,while retinopathy was evaluated through fundoscopic examination.Statistical analyses included adjusted mean comparisons,correlation studies,and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis to assess biomarker diagnostic accuracy.RESULTS TNF-R1,TNF-R2,and TIM-3/HAVCR2 were significantly associated with reduced filtration function(eGFR<60 mL/minute/1.73 m^(2))and albuminuria,with area under the curve(AUC)values between 0.815 and 0.845.TIM-3/HAVCR2 emerged as the strongest predictor of retinopathy(AUC=0.737).Strong correlations(r>0.75)were observed among TNF-R1,TNF-R2,and TIM-3/HAVCR2,suggesting a coordinated role in inflammatory pathways.CONCLUSION Our findings highlight the potential of TNF receptor superfamily members as biomarkers for early-stage renal and retinal complications in individuals with IH.Their integration into clinical screening protocols could facilitate earlier detection,improving patient stratification and personalized management strategies.Further longitudinal studies are necessary to validate their predictive value and potential for guiding therapeutic interventions in IH and early diabetes management.
基金funding but aspects of this work(computer analysis)were supported by an Australian Research Council(ARC)grant,DP150104472(MBG)The Australian Genomics and Outcomes of Glioma project was funded by a Cancer Council NSW Strategic Research Partnership Grant.
文摘Background:Microglia and brain macrophages contribute significantly to the tumor microenvironment in highly malignant glioblastoma where they are considered important drivers of tumor progression.A better understanding of the role of the brain macrophages present in glioblastoma appears crucial for improving therapeutic outcomes,especially in the context of novel immunotherapeutic approaches.Methods:We investigated the regulation of two well-established markers for microglia and brain macrophages,IBA1 and CD163,in relation to glioblastoma tumor necrosis using immunohistochemistry and modality fusion heatmaps of whole slide images obtained from adjacent tissue sections.Results:IBA1 and CD163 showed remarkable differences in relation to glioblastoma tumor necrosis.Generally,IBA1 immunoreactive cells were far less common in necrotic tissue areas than CD163-expressing cells.We also found extensive and frequently diffuse extracellular CD163 deposition,especially in hypocellular necrobiotic tumor regions where IBA1 was typically absent.Conclusions:Resident microglia seem more likely to be important for the diffuse infiltration of glioma cells in hypercellular tissue areas,whereas myeloid macrophages may be the main macrophage population in the wake of tumor necrosis.Since the necrotic niche with its interactions between microglia,brain macrophages,and glioblastoma/glioma stem cells is increasingly recognised as an important factor in tumor progression,further detailed studies of the macrophage populations in glioblastoma are warranted.
文摘Healthcare-associated infection is a common problem of newborn in neonatal intensive care units. It results in high mortality rate and serious complications. The Aim: to assess the incidence, etiology and the mortality of healthcareassociated infections of patients in neonatal intensive care unit at King Abdl Aziz Specialist Hospital (KAASH), Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Material and Methods: This is a retrospective study including 8033 neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care unit during period between April, 2006 and December, 2012. The health-care associated infection rate, mortality rate, causative organism and risk factors were studied. Results: The prevalence of health-care associated infection was found to be 6.03%;the mortality rate was 27.1%. The highest prevalence was among children with the birth weight below 1000 g. The most frequent causative pathogen was klebseilla spp, followed by other gram negative bacilli. Conclusion: The rate of healthcare-associated infections in neonatal intensive care unit at KAASH was relatively high. In addition, the mortality rate was observed to be high (27.1%) owing to the high virulence of the causative organisms.
基金partially supported by the Special Funding for the Construction of Innovative Provinces in Hunan(2021SK4031)the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province(2022JJ50166)the Guidance Plan Project of Hengyang(hyzdxjh20213).
文摘Metabolic associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD)has become a prevalent chronic liver disease worldwide because of lifestyle and dietary changes.Gut microbiota and its metabolites have been shown to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of MAFLD.Understanding of the function of gut microbiota and its metabolites in MAFLD may help to elucidate pathological mechanisms,identify diagnostic markers,and develop drugs or probiotics for the treatment of MAFLD.Here we review the pathogenesis of MAFLD by gut microbiota and its metabolites and discuss the feasibility of treating MAFLD from the perspective of gut microbes.
文摘Monoclonal antibodies against colon and pancreatic cancer, CL-2, CL-3, PS-9, PS-10, were used to detect the associated antigens in feces of patients with gastrointestinal carcinoma and non-cancer diseases. Binding inhibition test by SABC-ELISA method were performed for the measurement of the antigen level. Results showed that the associated antigen detected in feces of patients with colon cancer were significantly higher than that of non-cancer disease or normal subjects. The positive rates were 61.1% as detected with CL-2; 53.4% with CL-3; 55.0%, PS-9; and 53.3% PS-10 in cancer patients while that in normal subjects were 7%; 9%; 8%; and 8% respectively. When 'cocktail' of CL-2, PS-9 and PS-10 were used, the positive rates were 92.5% in colon cancer and 14% in normal subjects. In seven out of the sixty patients with colon cancer studied who were graded as Dukes A, the results were all positive. The results seem superior to the serologic detection and may provide a promising new approach in the early diagnosis of colon cancer.
文摘To explore the possible explanation of the marked difference in the incidence of breast cancer between Chinese and Australian women, the authors have compared and analysed the results of two case-control studies completed recently in Tianjin, China and Adelaide, Australia. Of 10 known risk factors for breast cancer 9 were significantly higher in level in Adelaide women than in Tianjin women, i.e., women in Adelaide were much taller, heavier, more obese, earlier at menarche, later at first full-term pregnancy, more nulliparous, less parity, more in history of breast cancer in first degree relatives, more educated. From the 7 risk factors analysed by use of logistic regression model 5 factors, i.e., earlier age at menarche, later age at first full-term pregnancy, less parity, history of benign disease, and history of breast cancer in first degree relatives, were associated significantly with the increased risk for breast cancer in the Tianjin study, but not in Adelaide study. These factors being not associated with breast cancer in Adelaide women were unexpected. The explanation of the indefinite findings in Adelaide study was due to the fact that the level of the risk factor is universally high, relatively uniform and lack of categories. The difference in the risk factor distribution between cases and controle would not be seen in case-control studies, and significance of the risk factor therefore may not be found. According to data on diet survey in these two cities, the calories from fat was significantly higher in Adelaide women than in Tianjin women. The marked difference in incidence in women in the two cities resulted from the summing-up effect of a number of factors. The important role of fat intake in geographical incidence difference and in the development of breast cancer was also discussed.
文摘The objective of this paper is to develop a methodology for calibration of a discrete element grain-based model(GBM)to replicate the hydro-mechanical properties of a brittle rock measured in the laboratory,and to apply the calibrated model to simulating the formation of excavation damage zone(EDZ)around underground excavations.Firstly,a new cohesive crack model is implemented into the universal distinct element code(UDEC)to control the fracturing behaviour of materials under various loading modes.Next,a methodology for calibration of the components of the UDEC-Voronoi model is discussed.The role of connectivity of induced microcracks on increasing the permeability of laboratory-scale samples is investigated.The calibrated samples are used to investigate the influence of pore fluid pressure on weakening the drained strength of the laboratory-scale rock.The validity of the Terzaghi’s effective stress law for the drained peak strength of low-porosity rock is tested by performing a series of biaxial compression test simulations.Finally,the evolution of damage and pore pressure around two unsupported circular tunnels in crystalline granitic rock is studied.
文摘This experiment studied hepatic lipogenesis associated with biochemical changes in overfed Landaise Geese and China Xupu geese. Twenty healthy male Landaise geese and 20 healthy male Xupu geese, hatched on the same day under the same feeding conditions, were selected as experimental animals. The animals were divided into two groups and each breed served as an experimental group. Per goose of per experimental group served for a repeat. Brown rice was selected as test diet. After overfeeding for 21 d and then slaughtering, the biochemical changes of hepatic lipogenesis in the genetic susceptibility to fatty liver were evaluated. These results showed that （1） the weight of fatty liver of the two breeds of geese were 801 and 375 g （P〈0.05）, respectively. There were no differences on the abdominal fat pat, filet total and filet pectoralis major in the two breeds experimental of the geese group （P〈0.05） and no difference on body and filet skin plus subcutaneous adipose tissue （P〉0.05） was found; （2） in these two breeds of geese, there were no differences on very-lowdensity lipoprotein （VLDL）, cholesteryl esters （CE） （P〈0.05）, free cholesterol （FC）, triglycerides （TG）, phospholipids （PL） and protein （P 〈 0.05）; （3） there were no differences on activities of malic enzyme （ME）, glucose-6-phosphatedehydrogenase （G6PDH）, acetyl-CoA-carboxylas （ACX）, fatty acid synthase （FAS）, and mRNA level of ME in the two experimental breeds of geese groups （P 〈0.05）; （4） test in Landaise geese group showed that there was no significant correlation with the specific enzymatic activities, while in Xupu geese group, the liver weight was negatively correlated to the specific activity of ACX and positively to that of ME; （5） in these overfed geese, ME activity appeared to be a major factor involved in the genetic susceptibility to hepatic steatosis and it determined the hepatic lipogenesis capacity.
文摘BACKGROUND: Oligoanalgesia in emergency departments (EDs) is multifactorial. A previousstudy reported that emergency providers did not adequately manage patients with severe paindespite objective findings for surgical pathologies. Our study aims to investigate clinical andlaboratory factors, in addition to providers’ interventions, that might have been associated witholigoanalgesia in a group of ED patients with moderate and severe pains due to surgical pathologies.METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of adult patients who were transferred directlyfrom referring EDs to the emergency general surgery (EGS) service at a quaternary academic centerbetween January 2014 and December 2016. Patients who were intubated, did not have adequaterecords, or had mild pain were excluded. The primary outcome was refractory pain, which wasdefi ned as pain reduction <2 units on the 0–10 pain scale between triage and ED departure.RESULTS: We analyzed 200 patients, and 58 (29%) had refractory pain. Patients with refractory painhad signifi cantly higher disease severity, serum lactate (3.4±2.0 mg/dL vs. 1.4±0.9 mg/dL, P=0.001), and lessfrequent pain medication administration (median [interquartile range], 3 [3–5] vs. 4 [3–7], P=0.001), whencompared to patients with no refractory pain. Multivariable logistic regression showed that the number of painmedication administration (odds ratio [OR] 0.80, 95% confi dence interval [95% CI] 0.68–0.98) and ED serumlactate levels (OR 3.80, 95% CI 2.10–6.80) were signifi cantly associated with the likelihood of refractory pain.CONCLUSIONS: In ED patients transferring to EGS service, elevated serum lactate levelswere associated with a higher likelihood of refractory pain.
基金Supported by the Research Grants from Khon Kaen University, No. 48-03-1-01-03 the Center for Research and Development in Medical Diagnostic Laboratories, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, No 06-01
文摘AIM： To determine allelic imbalance on chromosomal region 21q22-qter including trefoil factor family genes （TFF） in cholangiocarcinoma （CCA） patients and analyze the correlation between allelic imbalances and clinicopathological parameters. METHODS： Quantitative PCR amplification was performed on four microsatellite markers and trefoil factor family genes （TFF1, TFF2, and TFF3） using a standard curve and SYBR Green I dye method. The relative copy number was determined by DNA copy number of tested locus to reference locus. The relative copy number was interpreted as deletion or amplification by comparison with normal reference range. Associations between allelic imbalance and clinicopathological parameters of CCA patients were evaluated by χ^2-tests. Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze survival. RESULTS： The frequencies of amplification at D21S1890, D21S1893, and TFF3 were 32.5%, 30.0%, and 28.7%, respectively. Patients who had amplification at regions covering D21S1893, D21S1890, and TFF showed poor prognosis, whereas patients who had deletion showed favorable prognosis （mean： 51.7 wk vs 124.82 wk, P = 0.012）. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that amplification of D21S1893, D21S1890 and TFF, blood vessel invasion, and staging were associated with poor prognosis. CONCLUSION： D21S1893-D21S1890 region may harbor candidate genes especially TFF and serine protease family, which might be involved in tumor invasion and metastasis contributing to poor survival. The amplification in this region may be used as a prognostic marker in the treatment of CCA patients.
文摘Introduction: Gynaecological and breast cancers (GBC) are the most frequent and most serious cancers of women. They are frequent in Benin with an average of 108.5 cases per year. Objective: To identify factors associated with women’s knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding GBC. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, prospective, descriptive and analytical study. Women of childbearing age residing in the commune of Glazoué in Benin for at least six months were included. The WHO cluster sampling technique was used. The Bruno De Finetti postulate and the Likert scale were used to study women’s knowledge, attitudes and practices. Data were collected and analysed using Epi Data 3.1 and Epi info 7.2.2.6 software. Results: A total of 540 women were registered. The mean age was 27.1 ± 8.84 years with extremes of 15 and 49 years. They were married (61.1%), had secondary education (40.2%) and lived in urban areas (61.9%). They had a low level of knowledge (75.4%), an adapted attitude (93.0%) and poor practice (88.9%). Occupation (p = 0.000), level of education (p = 0.007) and place of residence (p = 0.001) significantly influenced knowledge of GBC. The attitude was adequate (93%) and the practice was poor (88.9%). Inappropriate attitude was significantly associated with the level of education (p = 0.006). Conclusion: Women in the commune of Glazoué in Benin have a low level of knowledge of GBC with an adapted attitude and poor practice. Several factors are associated, hence the need to take them into account to facilitate GBC screening.
文摘Background: Pregnancy is typically accompanied by an increase of micronutrient requirements in general and especially iron. This increased need may be an additional risk factor for developing anemia. Purpose of the study: The aim of this study is to provide data on the prevalence of anemia of pregnancy in the maternity ward of the regional hospital in the city of Temara, and examine risk factors that may expose women to anemia during pregnancy. Materiel and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study of a year was conducted to the hospital Sidi Lahcen in the city of Temara. Sociodemographic and nutritional data were collected through a questionnaire, obstetric and medical histories of women in labor and the results of biological tests were recorded from the patient obstetric file. Results: Among the 849 women surveyed, 690 (82%) had performed a blood count, and among these 117 (16.8%) were found anemic, with the following proportions: 57.6% had mild anemia, 41.5% had moderate anemia and a minority (0.8%) had severe anemia. The pregnant women aged over 35 years were the most exposed to anemia during pregnancy (47%) compared with younger women (p < 0.001). Women who had a history of anemia aside from pregnancy and those who had anemia in earlier pregnancies were more prone to developing anemia in the current pregnancy with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). The number of pregnancies, number of previous abortions and place of residence had no influence on the occurrence of anemia of pregnancy. The consumption of fortified flour with iron and vitamins as well as consuming iron rich foods was not a protective factor against the development of anemia of pregnancy. Tea consumption near the meal was not a factor exposing to anemia during pregnancy. Conclusion: Anemia is a public health problem in Morocco. Evidence from our study emphasizes the need to implement educational programs to improve the nutritional knowledge and sensitization of women.
文摘Cyanobacterial populations in surface waters, including drinking water supplies and recreational waters, represent an ever present challenge for resource managers. As communities continuously respond to external and internal processes, dynamic profiles of composition, dominance, growth and toxigenicity emerge. In this study measures of size structure and biomass, quantified using light microscopy and fluorometry, were used to estimate microcystin concentrations through linear regression analysis. Toxigenic profiles using cyanobacterial biomass were developed for lakes dominated by Microcystis spp. and Dolichospermum spp., influenced by both genus-specific pigment concentrations as well as microcystin concentrations. Community composition (Log %MIC) and biomass were used to describe microcystin concentrations in mixed assemblages, where composition was the first input variable. The accessory photopigment phycocyanin was used to describe the linear relationship between the daily growth and net microcystin production rates in the bloom-forming Microcystis spp. samples, suggesting that this size-fractionated sample may provide indications of potential toxigenicity in the whole lake water sample. Future investigations using fluorometric evaluation of cyanobacterial populations could provide additional applications and metrics for use by resource managers to quantify risk association with elevated cyanotoxin concentrations.
文摘We expose the results of the study of the south-western Alboran seismic sequence of January-March 2016 and the stress perturbations it caused by means of Coulomb modeling. The use of data from numerous stations allowed us to relocate the largest events (Mw ≥ 3.8) south of those determined by IGN (Spain). The main shock of 25 January 2016 (Mw = 6.3) was relocated at 35.6133°N × 3.6888°W, at a hypocentral depth of 15.5 ± 6.0 km. The epicenters are aligned along two distinct clusters: The first runs N-S towards the Moroccan coast along Al-Idrissi fracture zone, while the second is centered on the Alboran ridge northern thrust fault. The focal mechanisms determined by different agencies correspond to a strike-slip/normal/reverse motion in the western cluster and thrusting in the eastern one. Coulomb stress change modeling shows that the main earthquake: (1) may have been triggered by stress accumulation by the 1994 and 2004 earthquakes;(2) has induced stress perturbations that provide a suitable explanation for the distribution of the aftershock clusters, including the eastern cluster. The prediction of the next event shows that it is likely to occur near the Moroccan coast.
