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Abstract Background Osteonecrosis is a major cause of morbidity for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Although core decompression is an approved and trusted technique to prevent further joint deterioration, this surgical method seems to be less beneficial for SLE patients. We aimed to evaluate the outcomes of core decompression in SLE patients with primary stages of femoral head osteonecrosis. Methods In this study, 23 patients (39 affected hip joints) with osteonecrosis of the femoral head with stage II of the disease, based on the Ficat-Arlet classification system, underwent core decompression. Also, patients demographic characteristics, clinical data, medication history, comorbidities, immunological findings, hip plain radiographs, history of total hip arthroplasty after core decompression, and patients satisfaction with joint function according to the Oxford hip score questionnaire were obtained. Results In the study, 53.8% of affected joints showed signs of radiographic deterioration in follow-up imaging. Sixty-one and a half percent (61.5%) of patients had unsatisfactory joint performance. A third (33.3%) of affected hip joints underwent total hip arthroplasty up to 5 years from core decompression. SLE patients with a history of receiving bisphosphonate were 83.2% less dissatisfied with their joint function than patients without a history of bisphospho-nate use (P < 0.02). Of the 23 studied cases, the mean cumulative dose of prednisolone before and after core decompression surgery was 46.41 mg and 14.74 mg respectively. Besides, one case (2.6%) that had a high anti-phospholipid antibodies level during follow-up did not have any radiographic deterioration, and 9 cases (23.1%) had some degrees of radiographic deterioration. Conclusions The patients group that used bis-phosphonate, had a higher level of satisfaction with joint function after core decompression. Patients with high-level anti-phospholipid antibodies are related to a poor prognosis after core decompression.
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ABSTRACT Objective: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease and a growing global epidemic. In NAFLD, liver fat surpasses 5% of hepatocytes without the secondary causes of lipid accumulation or excessive alcohol consumption. Given the link between NAFLD and insulin resistance, the possible association between the rs2854744 (−202 G>T) promoter polymorphism of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) gene and NAFLD was investigated in this study. Materials and methods: In this genetic case-control association study, the IGFBP3 rs2854744 genotypes of 315 unrelated individuals, including 156 patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD and 159 controls, were determined using polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses. Results: The "GT+TT" genotype of the IGFBP3 rs2854744 polymorphism, compared with the "GG" genotype, was associated with a 2.7-fold increased risk of NAFLD after adjustment for confounding factors (P = 0.009; odds ratio [OR] = 2.71; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.19-3.18). Additionally, the IGFBP3 rs2854744 "T" allele, in comparison with the "G" allele, was significantly overrepresented in NAFLD patients than the controls (P = 0.008; OR = 1.85; 95%CI = 1.23-2.94). Conclusion: Our findings first indicated that the IGFBP3 rs2854744 "GT+TT" genotype is a marker of increased NAFLD susceptibility; however, it needs to be supported by further investigations in other populations.
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Background: COVID-19 is a global pandemic caused by SARS_COV2. The symptoms of covid-19 include: fever, dyspnea, fatigue, a recent loss of smell and taste, sore throat, cough, and cutaneous lesions. In addition, some skin manifestations were reported to be associated with COVID-19. Methods: The study design is a descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based study. The study aimed to evaluate the level of knowledge and practice about skin manifestations of COVID-19 among doctors working at Khartoum dermatology and venereology teaching hospital. A self-administrated questionnaire was used for data collection after an informed consent was taken. Results: Among 140 doctors working in the dermatology and venereology teaching hospital, 75.7% of the doctors had knowledge that COVID-19 can present with skin manifestations. The study results showed that about half of the participants have poor knowledge about COVID-19 skin manifestations while 25% have no knowledge, and that 35 (25%) doctors have good knowledge. From a total of 140 doctors; 46.4% reported that when patients present with COVID-19 skin lesions, they will isolate them in separate rooms and call the epidemiology center, whereas, 61 doctors (43.6%) did not know if they have a protocol for COVID-19 suspected cases. This study reported a significant association between job category and level of knowledge toward COVID-19 skin manifestations measured by Chi-square test, the P-value was 0.003 (significant at 0.05), and the same significant association was found between the year of rotation and knowledge. Conclusion: Half of the doctors covered by this study had poor knowledge about COVID-19 skin manifestations, and therefore, educating doctors in dermatology hospitals about skin manifestations of COVID-19 is recommended, besides clear and precise guidelines and protocols for diagnosis and management.
Subject(s)
Signs and Symptoms , Skin Manifestations , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome , COVID-19ABSTRACT
Abstract The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a medium-sized carnivore that occurs in different regions of Pakistan, however, still lacks scientific data on its ecology and distribution. The current study investigated the phylogenetic status and diet of the red fox (V.v. griffithii) occurring in Ayubia National Park, Pakistan. Through camera trapping and molecular analysis, we confirmed the occurrence of red fox in the study area. Based on mitochondrial cytochrome B (304 bp) and limited sampling, nearly all red foxes of Ayubia National Park and surrounding Himalayan ranges fall within Holarctic maternal lineage, whereas red foxes found in plains of Pakistan are part of the basal Palearctic maternal lineage. Using 32 scats, we found that red fox diet comprises of 80% animal-based prey species (both wild and domestic) and 19% plant matter. The wild animal prey species included Cape hare (Lepus capensis) and flying squirrel (Pteromyini sp.), which constituted 17% and 15% of diet, respectively. Red foxes infrequently consumed House mouse (Mus musculus), Himalayan Palm civet (Paguma larvata) and sheep (Ovis aries), each comprising around 6% to 9% of red fox diet. The fox species also scavenged on domestic donkey opportunistically. Based on our sampling, our study suggests that the red fox (V.v. griffithii) that occurs in Ayubia National Park and across the lesser Himalayan ranges belongs to Holarctic maternal lineage. The study also highlights consumption of plant seeds by red foxes, indicating it may play an important ecological role in seed dispersal in Ayubia National Park.
Resumo A raposa-vermelha (Vulpes vulpes) é um carnívoro de médio porte que ocorre em diferentes regiões do Paquistão, porém ainda carece de dados científicos sobre sua ecologia e distribuição. O presente estudo investigou o status filogenético e a dieta da raposa-vermelha (V.v. griffithii) que ocorre no Parque Nacional de Ayubia, Paquistão. Por meio de armadilhas fotográficas e análises moleculares, confirmamos a ocorrência de raposa-vermelha na área de estudo. Com base no citocromo B mitocondrial (304 bp) e amostragem limitada, quase todas as raposas-vermelhas do Parque Nacional de Ayubia e áreas circundantes do Himalaia se enquadram na linhagem materna holártica, enquanto as raposas-vermelhas encontradas nas planícies do Paquistão fazem parte da linhagem materna basal paleártica. Usando 32 fezes, descobrimos que a dieta da raposa-vermelha compreende 80% de espécies de presas de origem animal (selvagens e domésticas) e 19% de matéria vegetal. As espécies de presas de animais selvagens incluíram a lebre-do-cabo (Lepus capensis) e o esquilo-voador (Pteromyini sp.), que constituíram 17% e 15% da dieta, respectivamente. As raposas-vermelhas consumiam raramente ratos domésticos (Mus musculus), algas do Himalaia (Paguma larvata) e ovelhas (Ovis aries), cada um compreendendo cerca de 6% a 9% da dieta da raposa-vermelha. A espécie de raposa também se alimentava de burros domésticos de forma oportunista. Com base em nossa amostragem, nosso estudo sugere que a raposa-vermelha (V.v. griffithii) que ocorre no Parque Nacional de Ayubia e nas cordilheiras menores do Himalaia pertence à linhagem materna holártica. O estudo também destaca o consumo de sementes de plantas por raposas-vermelhas, indicando que pode desempenhar um papel ecológico importante na dispersão de sementes no Parque Nacional de Ayubia.
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Background: Eclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication that can lead to seizures and potentially fatal outcomes for both mother and baby. It is most common in developing countries but improved antenatal care and early intervention have significantly decreased its incidence in developed countries. Risk factors for eclampsia include pre-eclampsia, hypertension, obesity, and renal disease, and early detection and management are crucial for preventing adverse outcomes. Magnesium sulfate is the preferred treatment for seizures, and delivery timing depends on disease severity, gestational age, and fetal well-being. Maternal and perinatal mortality rates vary by country, highlighting the need for continued efforts to improve outcomes for those affected by eclampsia. The study aimed to observe the maternal and perinatal complications in eclampsia patients. Material & Methods: This observational study was conducted at the Department of Gynecology, Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh during the period of January 2020 to June 2020. We included a total of 270 patients with eclampsia who were admitted to a tertiary care hospital. A Purposive consecutive sampling method was followed for the selection of the participants. Results: This study analyzed the demographic and clinical characteristics, maternal and perinatal complications, and risk factors of 270 patients with eclampsia. The majority of patients were aged between 20-34 years (77.8%), and 61.1% were multiparous. Over half of the cases (55.6%) presented with eclampsia between 28-36 weeks of gestation, and 38.9% had a history of preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy. The most common symptoms reported were headaches (88.9%). All cases involved hypertensive disorders, and maternal death was reported in 1.9% of cases. Perinatal complications included low birth weight (44.4%), preterm delivery (36.3%), NICU admission (34.8%), stillbirth (4.4%), and early neonatal death (3.0%). Maternal mortality rates were highest among women aged 20-34 years (56.5%), while perinatal mortality rates were highest among women aged under 20 years (20.0%). The highest maternal mortality rate was observed among women with severe eclampsia (91.4%), and time to treatment was a crucial factor in maternal mortality rates. These findings underscore the need for timely and appropriate care to improve maternal and perinatal outcomes, particularly in high-risk populations. Conclusion: Eclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy that can result in significant maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Early detection, prompt management, and close monitoring of high-risk pregnancies are crucial in preventing adverse outcomes. Further research is needed to identify effective interventions for preventing and managing eclampsia.
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Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a diagnostic term used to describe a group of motor syndromes resulting from disorders of early brain development. CP remains unexplained in most cases and is typically diagnosed outside the neonatal period. Visual impairment decreases the quality of life and hearing impairment hampers linguistic development. This study aimed to observe the visual and hearing impairment of children with cerebral palsy associated with developmental disabilities. Material & Methods: This is a cross-sectional observational descriptive study carried out in the department of Paediatric Neurology CMH Dhaka from March 2018 to February 2022. The participants (N=120) were from birth to 12 years of age. Detailed information was obtained in each case according to protocol. The pediatric neurologist based on the study definition crosschecked the diagnosis. The hearing assessment was done with the help of an Otolaryngologist in the department of Otolaryngology and the ophthalmological evaluation was done with the help of an ophthalmologist of the department of ophthalmology of CMH Dhaka. Hearing impairment, Ophthalmological motor disturbance, and developmental disabilities were correlated. A convenience sampling technique was used in this study. Relevant data were collected from hospital records. All the information was recorded in the fixed protocol. Collected data were classified, edited, coded, and entered into the computer for statistical analysis by using SPSS 2021. Results: In this study, among the 120 children with CP, the mean age of the study was 5.57(SD±3.89) age range of 2-12 years Males were 82(68%) and females were 38(32%), male-female ratio (sex M: F 2.15: 1). Spastic quadriplegia constitutes the predominant group 59(49%), followed by Spastic diplegia 21(18%), Spastic hemiplegia 20(17.5%), dyskinetic CP 09(8%), 7(6%) were mixed CP and 4(3%) were hypotonic CP. Hearing impairment was found in 87 (72%) cases and visual impairment was detected in 92(76%). Among them, the child with Spastic Quadriplegic (83%) and diplegic CP (62%) children had a hearing impairment. Regarding vision, no fix and follow were observed in 69(57%) cases. Among the studied CP child (n=120) 16 children (13.33%) had normal eye finding and 104 (86%) had abnormal eye findings. Refractive error (32.5%) and Squint (19%) were the most common ocular defect among studied patients. Other ocular defect were nystagmus(10%), optic atrophy(12.5%), microphthalmia(10%), corneal opacity(3%), optic hypoplasia(4.1%), cataract(2.5%), pigmentary retinopathy(5%), retro-lental fibroplasias(3.3%) and ptosis(2.5%). In children with hypotonic (athetoid) and mixed CP, almost all (11 of 11) children had visual impairment. Spastic quadriplegic CP children (80%) and Spastic diplegic CP children (90%) had one or more domains of visual impairment. Conclusion: Cerebral Palsy is a non-progressive various form of neurological disorder in children. Early visual screening and hearing assessment can help CP children to minimize mental retardation, learning difficulties, and speech delay.
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Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a commonly occurring head and neck cancer. It has a high prevalence, and is associated with a high mortality rate. OSCC occurs due to many etiological factors, but smoking and alcohol remain the most common risk factors. The histological grading of tumors has been used to predict the clinical behaviour of OSCC. Broder’s initiated quantitative grading in cancer. Anneroth’s and Hansen developed another grading system for grading of OSCC’s. With this background, a study was undertaken to compare between Anneroth’s & Broder’s grading systems in oral squamous cell carcinoma in relation to histopathological prognostic factors. Material & Methods: A retrospective study was carried out on 50 formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue blocks of the confirmed cases of Oral squamous cell carcinoma in the archives of department of oral pathology, Govt. Dental College & Hospital, Srinagar. The cases were evaluated on the basis of Broder’s & Anneroth’s grading systems for OSCC & the comparison of the systems was made pertaining to histopathological prognostic parameters. Results: In our study according to Anneroth’s system maximum cases comes under grade III while in Broder’s system maximum cases are in grade I & II. Conclusion: Anneroth’s classification provides us a detailed analysis of grading the cases according to scoring of each parameter. Thus, it is more informative than Broder’s grading system.
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Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common oral malignancy, representing up to 80–90% of all malignant neoplasms of the oral cavity. The increasing cases of oral cancer are the most important concern for community health. Defects of mitosis result in various nuclear abnormalities namely micronuclei, binucleation, broken egg appearance, pyknotic nuclei, and increased numbers of mitotic figures. The rationale for mitotic counting is that it is frequently used for classification and grading of tumors, prediction of prognosis of tumors and even advocated as a decision point for treatment. Reproducibility of the mitotic counting is paramount for the assessment of malignancy on a histologic scale. Considering this, we decided to assess the inter-observer variability in mitotic figure counting in various grades of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Material & Methods: A retrospective study was carried out on 48 formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue blocks of the confirmed cases of Oral squamous cell carcinoma in the archives of department of oral pathology, Govt. Dental College & Hospital, Srinagar. Mitotic figure counting was done by two independent, mutually blind observers. The data was assessed for inter-observer variability in counting of figures. Results: Least difference was seen in cases of WDSCC up to the maximum difference of 3 mitoses. MDSCC showed modest differences in observations, with a maximum difference of 4 mitoses. PDSCC cases had the highest inter-observer variability, with a maximum difference of 5 mitoses. Conclusion: Mitosis counting has been shown most convincingly to provide independent prognostic value and is the most well established component of the histological grading systems of OSCC. Reproducibility of the mitotic counting is paramount for the assessment of malignancy on a histologic scale.
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India is a heliophobic country; despite ample sunshine, almost 490 million people are vitamin D deficient in the country. Additionally, the Indian diet has not been successful in providing the daily need for vitamin D, leading to a vitamin D deficiency. The need to fortifying food with vitamin D has been raised several times. Besides, there have been discussions about whether vitamin D is a hormone or a vitamin? In this review, the authors have reviewed vitamin D deficiency and its status in India, assessment and screening, the role of vitamin D in various disease conditions, dosage recommendation and regimen.
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Objective: This study aimed to find the common inborn errors of metabolism in Iranian patients with autism spectrum disorder. Methods: In this cross-sectional multicenter study, 105 children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder from six centers in different cities of Iran were enrolled between August, 2019 and October, 2020. Metabolic screening, including measuring plasma levels of amino acids, acylcarnitines, creatine, and guanidinoacetate, and urinary levels of organic acids, purines, and pyrimidines was performed. Other data, including age, parental consanguinity, history of seizure, developmental mile-stones, and physical examination, were also recorded. Results: An inborn error of metabolism was found in 13 (12.4%) patients. Five patients (4.8%) had cerebral creatine deficiency syndrome, 4 (3.8%) had arginine succinate aciduria, 2- methylbutyryl glycinuria, short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency, and combined methylmalonic aciduria/malonic aciduria. There was a strong association between positive metabolic evaluation and parental consanguinity, history of seizures, microcephaly, and delayed development. Conclusions: Our results suggest that metabolic screening should be performed in the cases of autism associated with parental consanguinity, developmental delay, and a history of seizures. The assays to be considered as a screening panel include plasma or blood amino acids, acylcarnitines, creatine and guanidinoacetate, and urinary levels of organic acids.
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India is a heliophobic country; despite ample sunshine, almost 490 million people are vitamin D deficient in the country. Additionally, the Indian diet has not been successful in providing the daily need for vitamin D, leading to a vitamin D deficiency. The need to fortifying food with vitamin D has been raised several times. Besides, there have been discussions about whether vitamin D is a hormone or a vitamin? In this review, the authors have reviewed vitamin D deficiency and its status in India, assessment and screening, the role of vitamin D in various disease conditions, dosage recommendation and regimen.
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Mitochondrial dynamics are a contraversal issue in hepatocellular carcinoma. The present study tries to illustrate the role of mitochondrial dynamics proteins (mitofusin-2 (Mfn2) and YME1L) in hepatocarcinogenesis. Five groups were used: the control group and three HCC groups (after 8, 16, and 24 weeks from DENA induction). The last group was treated with Sorafenib (SP) (10 mg/kg), via oral gavage for 4 weeks after cancer induction. This study revealed that Mfn-2 was downregulated and YME1l was overexpressed in different HCC groups. This dysregulation of mitochondrial dynamics proteins was associated with high hepatic levels of cyclin D1, MMP-9, and MDA and overexpression of ki67 as well as decreasing the hepatic expression of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (Timp-3) and Bax. To confirm the possible role of Mfn2 and YME1L in HCC, we assessed the effect of sorafenib on these parameters and its related HCC characteristics. Sorafenib corrected the level of Mfn2 and YME1L and decreased tumor cell proliferation as well. We also elucidated that mitochondrial dynamics proteins (Mfn2 and YME1L) could be a good therapeutic target for HCC.
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Cell cycle is one of the main cellular mechanisms involved in tumor progression. Almost all of the active molecular pathways in tumor cells directly or indirectly target the cell cycle progression. Therefore, it is necessary to assess the molecular mechanisms involved in cell cycle regulation in tumor cells. Since, early diagnosis has pivotal role in better cancer management and treatment, it is required to introduce the non-invasive diagnostic markers. Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) have higher stability in body fluids in comparison with mRNAs. Therefore, they can be used as efficient non-invasive markers for the early detection of breast cancer (BCa). In the present review we have summarized all of the reported lncRNAs involved in cell cycle regulation in BCa. It has been reported that lncRNAs mainly affect the cell cycle in G1/S transition through the CCND1/CDK4-6 complex. Present review paves the way of introducing the cell cycle related lncRNAs as efficient markers for the early detection of BCa.
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Breast Neoplasms/diagnosis , Breast Neoplasms/genetics , Breast Neoplasms/pathology , RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics , RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism , Cell Cycle/genetics , Cell Division , Cell Cycle CheckpointsABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION@#Despite the challenges related to His bundle pacing (HBP), recent data suggest an improved success rate with experience. As a non-university, non-electrophysiology specialised centre in Singapore, we report our experiences in HBP using pacing system analyser alone.@*METHODS@#Data of 28 consecutive patients who underwent HBP from August 2018 to February 2019 was retrospectively obtained. The clinical and technical outcomes of these patients were compared between two timeframes of three months each. Patients were followed up for 12 months.@*RESULTS@#Immediate technical success was achieved in 21 (75.0%) patients (mean age 73.3 ± 10.7 years, 47.6% female). The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 53.9% ± 12.1%. The indications for HBP were atrioventricular block (n = 13, 61.9%), sinus node dysfunction (n = 7, 33.3%) and upgrade from implantable cardioverter-defibrillator to His-cardiac resynchronisation therapy (n = 1, 4.8%). No significant difference was observed in baseline characteristics between Timeframe 1 and Timeframe 2. Improvements pertaining to mean fluoroscopy time were achieved between the two timeframes. There was one HBP-related complication of lead displacement during Timeframe 1. All patients with successful HBP achieved non-selective His bundle (NSHB) capture, whereas only eight patients had selective His bundle (SHB) capture. NSHB and SHB capture thresholds remained stable at the 12-month follow-up.@*CONCLUSION@#Permanent HBP is feasible and safe, even without the use of an electrophysiology recording system. This was successfully achieved in 75% of patients, with no adverse clinical outcomes during the follow-up period.
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Middle Aged , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Male , Bundle of His , Follow-Up Studies , Stroke Volume , Retrospective Studies , Treatment Outcome , Cardiac Pacing, Artificial/adverse effects , Electrocardiography , Ventricular Function, Left/physiologyABSTRACT
@#Following the COVID-19 outbreak, the World Health Organization issued provisional guidelines to address considerations for essential oral health services in the pandemic situation. Compliance with the guidelines is essential to curb the potential spread of infection within a dental practice. This study aimed to assess the perception of Malaysian dental practitioners towards exercising the provisional COVID-19 dental practice guideline during the early phase of the pandemic. A self-administered questionnaire of a structured type consisting of demographic information and dentist perceptions of the provisional guidelines of dental care during the COVID-19 outbreak was distributed online from May 2021 until August 2021 through various social networking platforms among dental practitioners working at different healthcare sectors in all states in Malaysia. A total of 468 dental practitioners responded to this study. More than threequarters of the respondents were working in public dental care facilities (76.3%, n=357). The majority of respondents adhered to the provisional guidelines issued during the pandemic outbreak and exhibited a change in standard clinical practice (p<0.001). Dental practitioners working in public sectors perceive that swab tests prior to dental appointments should be mandatory, the reopening of dental clinics increases the risk of spread and the provisional guidelines of COVID-19 in dental practice will be changed in the future compared to private dental practitioners (p<0.001). The majority of dental practitioners in Malaysia have complied with the provisional guidelines imposed by the health bodies. As the COVID-19 virus will persist and become endemic in our communities, it is important to balance the safety issue and patient oral health needs.
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Depression is a neuropsychiatric disorder associated with persistent stress and disruption of neuronal function. Persistent stress causes neuronal atrophy, including loss of synapses and reduced size of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. These alterations are associated with neural dysfunction, including mood disturbances, cognitive impairment, and behavioral changes. Synaptic plasticity is the fundamental function of neural networks in response to various stimuli and acts by reorganizing neuronal structure, function, and connections from the molecular to the behavioral level. In this review, we describe the alterations in synaptic plasticity as underlying pathological mechanisms for depression in animal models and humans. We further elaborate on the significance of phytochemicals as bioactive agents that can positively modulate stress-induced, aberrant synaptic activity. Bioactive agents, including flavonoids, terpenes, saponins, and lignans, have been reported to upregulate brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression and release, suppress neuronal loss, and activate the relevant signaling pathways, including TrkB, ERK, Akt, and mTOR pathways, resulting in increased spine maturation and synaptic numbers in the neuronal cells and in the brains of stressed animals. In clinical trials, phytochemical usage is regarded as safe and well-tolerated for suppressing stress-related parameters in patients with depression. Thus, intake of phytochemicals with safe and active effects on synaptic plasticity may be a strategy for preventing neuronal damage and alleviating depression in a stressful life.
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@#Introduction: Binaural beats (BB) provisions alpha and gamma have been suggested to modulate working memory (WM), while white noise (WN) acted as a control condition. Methods: The current study overlays WN on alpha and gamma tones to study its modulating role on WM performance. A block-design n-back task paradigm used to determine the effect of load on embedded BB on WM performance using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Results: Six young adults (3 males and 3 females) with mean age of 23.5 ± 0.84 within the Kota Bharu vicinity participated in the study. A repeated-measures ANOVA (p<0.05) on response accuracy indicate medium effect size on condition (η2 =0.420), and large effect sizes on groups (η2 = 0.388) and load (η2 = 0.487). The potential practical difference is more evident on low- (0-back) and high-load (3-back). GWN provision marginally excels, implying its entrainment may benefit WM processing. A repeated-measures ANOVA (p<0.05) on reaction time (RT) implied a large effect size on all variables (condition: η2 =0.065, groups: η2 =0.227 and load: η2 =0.169). It was observed that BB exposure elicits a slow processing speed which worsens RT. The neural correlates suggest activated regions in GWN and AWN are associated with attentional mechanisms and WM processes. Conclusion: Preliminary findings indicate both embedded BB has a potential to improve WM performance with the cost of slower processing speed. GWN provision modulates attentional mechanisms benefiting WM performance and AWN may enhance performance in extreme ends of WM load.
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Background@#Cone-beam computed tomography is being utilized in more clinical contexts and determining bone density with this method is becoming more important. Dentists, particularly dentomaxillofacial radiologists, orthodontists, and oral surgeons, must have a solid understanding of gray value. The gray values acquired from conebeam computed tomography images are used to assess dental implant bone density, diagnose dental ankylosis, and diagnose and differentiate pathological lesions.@*Objective@#To determine the difference in the gray value of the trabecular bone in the impacted and normal erupted maxillary canine teeth using cone computed tomography.@*Methods@#We retrospectively evaluated the cone-beam computed tomography images of patients scheduled for orthodontic treatment at the Universitas Airlangga Dental and Oral Hospital. On cross-sectional cone-beam computed tomography images, the region of interest determination of 5 mm2 in the area was placed in the trabecular bone and the gray value measurements were collected using Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (OnDemand3D™) dental software. The images were categorized by type of impacted canine teeth after assessing the gray values of all the teeth. Using images on the mesial, distal, buccal, and palatal areas, gray values of impacted and non-impacted teeth were compared. We used the SPSS 24 software.@*Results@#From a total of 13 patient radiographs, we found types I (6/13), II (6/13), and VII (1/13). The mean pixel values of impacted maxillary unilateral canine teeth were 1972.92 (mesial), 2016.55 (distal), 1990.66 (buccal), and 1904.39 (palatal). The mean pixel values of normal erupted maxillary canines were 1754.93 (mesial), 1710.53 (distal), 1852.94 (buccal), and 1674.49 (palatal). There were significant differences between impacted and normal erupted maxillary canines: mesial (P = 0.018), distal (P = 0.000), buccal (P = 0.003), and palatal (P = 0.036).@*Conclusion@#There were statistically significant differences between affected and unaffected gray values in the canines in FOV size 51 × 55 mm. However, no statistically significant differences were found in the gray values in trabecular bone of unilateral maxillary impacted canines and normal erupted canines on the mesial, distal, buccal, and palatal sides.
Subject(s)
Cancellous Bone , Cone-Beam Computed TomographyABSTRACT
@#Introduction: Football is the most popular sport and is widely played around the globe, with approximately 400 million players in 208 countries. Lower extremity injuries showed the highest incidence, with ankle injuries being the most prevalent after hip and knee injuries. The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics of the players who reported previous ankle injuries during pre-competition medical assessment (PCMA) during the 2022 seasons of the Malaysian professional club. In addition, the study also investigated the effect of previous injuries on current ankle function. Materials and methodsː This was a retrospective crosssectional study using secondary data from the preseason PCMA data from a professional club that competed in Malaysia. The ankle range of motion, anterior drawer test, and functional ankle assessments including the Biodex athlete single leg stability test and ankle joint muscle strength were performed during the PCMA. Results: A total of 45 footballers reported previous history of ankle injuries to the left (n=9), right (n=20), or both ankles (n=16). Footballers with prior ankle injuries exhibited significantly less ankle inversion (p = 0.008) and a larger proportion of positive ADT tests in the injured ankle (x² (1, N=90) =7.76, p=0.005) compared to the non-injured side. there was no significant difference in other ankle range of motion, ankle stability index, or ankle muscular strength between previously injured and uninjured ankles. Conclusionsː During preseason screening, half of the footballers in this study reported previous history of ankle injury, putting them at risk of having future ankle injuries. Aside from inversion and the anterior drawer test, no significant differences in range of motion, stability index, or muscle strength were discovered. However, as injury causation is multifactorial, preventive measures should be taken to reduce the risk of injury.