A meta-analysis on polymorphic trait of taste perception mediated by TAS2R38 genotype.

The objective of this study is to review the association of TAS2R38 polymorphisms and taste phenotypes to bitter compounds (phenylthiocarbamide [PTC]/propylthiouracil [PROP]), and its association among persons who drink alcohol and individuals with smoking behavior. A literature search was carried out in PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane, and Wiley online library databases using the keyword "(Bitter taste receptor genes OR TAS2R38) AND (PROP OR propylthiouracil) AND (PTC OR phenylthiocarbamide)," "(Bitter taste receptor genes OR TAS2R38) AND (alcohol)," "(Bitter taste receptor genes OR TAS2R38) AND (tobacco OR smoker)" to find articles evaluating the association of taste phenotypes and TAS2R38 polymorphisms, and its association among persons who drink alcohol and individuals with smoking behavior. The analysis show that TAS2R38 taster genotype (proline-alanine-valine [PAV] allele) was significantly (OR, 5.88; CI [3.87, 8.95], p < .001) associated with taster phenotype for bitter compounds (PTC/PROP), and TAS2R38 nontaster genotype (alanine-valine-isoleucine allele) was significantly (OR, 6.73; CI [4.57, 9.90], p < .001) associated with nontaster phenotype for bitter compounds. Further, TAS2R38 taster genotypes (PAV homozygotes and heterozygotes) were significantly associated with higher alcohol intake (OR, 5.15; 95% CI [2.66, 9.98]; p < .001) and among individuals with smoking behavior (OR, 1.73; 95% CI [1.24, 2.42]; p = .001). This suggests that TAS2R38 single nucleotide polymorphisms can be identified by clinically assessing taste phenotype status for bitter compounds and can be used as a potential therapeutic target in the prevention and treatment of harmful higher alcohol intake and smoking behavior. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Risk Factors of Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection (CLABSI): A Prospective Study From a Paediatric Intensive Care Unit in South India.

Background Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) is the most common hospital-acquired infection. However, studies evaluating the factors associated with the risk of CLABSI in pediatric intensive care units (PICU) were limited in India. Objective The objective of our study is to evaluate the association of factors and the etiology causing CLABSI. Study design This is a hospital-based single-center prospective study conducted in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of our tertiary care hospital spanning one year. Participants Children aged between two months to 15 years admitted in the PICU for more than 48 hours with central venous catheterization were included. Pearson's chi-squared test with Yates' continuity correction and logistic regression with odds ratio were calculated by R statistical software (R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria) and a p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Our analysis showed that factors such as young age (2-12 months), high pediatric risk of mortality (PRISM III) score (> 15), leukocytosis, neutrophilia, anemia, change of central venous catheter, duration of catheterization (>7 days), exposure to blood products, use of steroids, inotropes, and prophylactic antibiotics were significantly associated with increased risk of CLABSIs with an odds ratio of 4.53, 4.54, 2.91, 4.56, 4.76, 3.74, 2.49, 2.41, 7.22, 6.77 and 5.16 respectively (p<0.05). Further, factors such as older age (>12 months) and low PRISM III score (≤ 15) significantly reduce the risk of CLABSIs by 83.64% and 69.14% respectively (p<0.05). Conclusion In conclusion, our results revealed that factors such as young age, high PRISM III score, leukocytosis, neutrophilia, anemia, change of central venous catheter, duration of catheterization (> 7 days), exposure to blood products during the hospital stay, use of steroids, inotropes, and prophylactic antibiotics were identified as risk factors for CLABSI.

Association of Thyroid Function and Severity of Illness in Liver Cirrhosis as Measured by Child-Pugh Score.

Objective The main aim of this study is to understand the existing knowledge gap between thyroid function tests and the severity of liver cirrhosis as measured by the Child-Pugh score. Materials and methods This is a cross-sectional study conducted on 100 patients diagnosed with cirrhosis of liver. Serum triiodothyronine (free T3), thyroxine (free T4), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were measured, and the severity of liver cirrhosis was measured by Child-Pugh score and statistical analysis were done to investigate the association of free T3, free T4 and TSH levels with Child-A, Child-B, and Child-C severity groups. Results The results revealed that there is a statistically significant positive correlation between TSH levels and Child-Pugh score, whereas a statistically significant negative correlation was associated between free T3 (fT3), free T4 (fT4) levels, and Child-Pugh Score. Further, we also observed that the Child-C group has 7.5-fold risk of increased TSH levels (odds ratio {OR} = 7.553, 95% CI = 2.869-19.883, p = 0.000), has 5-fold risk of decreased fT3 levels (OR = 5.023, 95% CI = 1.369-18.431, p = 0.009) and has 6.4-fold risk of decreased fT4 levels (OR = 6.402, 95% CI = 2.516-16.290, p = 0.000). Conclusion Our results demonstrated that there is a positive and direct correlation associated between increasing TSH with severity of liver cirrhosis as measured by Child-Pugh score, whereas a negative and inverse correlation was observed between decreasing fT3 and fT4 levels with the severity of liver cirrhosis as measured by Child-Pugh score. This suggests that the Child-Pugh score can be used as a prognostic indicator in cirrhotic patients.