Cross-sectional Case-control Study Research Articles

The impact of aphasia on the marital relationship from the perspective of people with post-stroke aphasia and their partners: a case-control study

ABSTRACT Introduction Aphasia is the result of neurological damage that leads to disorders in the individual’s expressive and/or receptive language. Communication difficulties adversely impact various aspects of the person’s life, and relationships are no exception. Marital relationships might be influenced by health conditions, and possibly by aphasia. Objectives This study aimed to compare marital adjustment between couples in which one of the people suffered a stroke and had aphasia with couples in which the person who had a stroke did not have aphasia. Methods and Procedures This is a cross-sectional case-control, quantitative and qualitative study, which included people affected by stroke and their spouses, in which one of the people in the dyad had post-stroke aphasia of expression (study group) or stroke without aphasia (control group). Data collection was carried out by applying the study’s own questionnaire and the Revised and Validated Dyadic Adjustment Scale, Portuguese version, (RDAS-P) in person or by phone. Results 35 participants were included, who were divided into a study group (n = 11) and a control group (n = 11); their marital partners were classified into partners of the study group (n = 7) and partners of the control group (n = 6). No statistically significant difference was observed between the groups regarding sociodemographic and clinical data, nor regarding the outcomes of interest. Different correlations were found into the groups. Qualitative results showed differences in the perception of changes in relationships in each group. Conclusions There was no difference in measures of marital adjustment between individuals who had a stroke with and without aphasia. However, the varying correlations and reports found suggest that the groups experience marital issues differently.

Exercise response in post-acute coronary syndrome patients survived to COVID-19 infection

AimsMany studies evaluated the functional response in post-Covid-19 patients; however, they systematically excluded patients with concomitant acute coronary syndrome (ACS).We evaluated the long-term functional capacity assessed by cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) in patients hospitalized for ACS and concomitant SARS-CoV2 infection. The secondary aim was to investigate the functional response in patients with symptoms related to “long COVID-19 syndrome” (LCS). MethodsThis cross-sectional case-control study compared 20 patients with ACS and concomitant SARS-COV2 infection with 20 patients without COVID-19. At the follow-up visit (between 6 and 12 months after revascularization procedure) all patients underwent a CPET. ResultsPatients with previous ACS and concomitant COVID-19 showed a reduced O2 consumption than controls (predicted peak V̇O2 74.00% vs 86.70%; p = 0.01) with a high degree of ventilatory inefficiency (VE/ V̇CO2 slope 38.04 vs 30.31; p = 0.002).50% of subjects with previous COVID-19 disease showed symptoms related to “LCS”; this subgroup demarcates the characteristic reduced exercise capacity found in the entire COVID + group. ConclusionsThis study is the first in literature having analyzed the long-term functional capacity phenotype in a population of ACS patients and concomitant SARS-CoV2 infection. Severe ventilatory inefficiency emerged as the functional signature of these patients. Moreover, the subset of patients with symptoms related to LCS has the most compromised long term reduced exercise capacity and an altered ventilation control.

Assessment of vitamin D status and associated risk factors in high-altitude populations affected by multiple sclerosis: A case-control study.

Several studies have suggested a correlation between serum vitamin D (VitD) level and multiple sclerosis (MS). MS has a known latitudinal distribution pattern, with greater incidence, prevalence, and mortality rates at higher latitudes. This study aims to assess levels of VitD and serum potassium in subjects with MS and the impact of gender and age as disease risk factors. A cross-sectional case-control study was conducted in a high-altitude region of Saudi Arabia. VitD deficiency was defined as serum 25 (OH)D level of ≤20 ng/mL and insufficiency as a serum level between >20 ng/mL and <30 ng/mL. Two hundred patients with MS volunteered for the study, and 160 healthy participants served as controls. VitD and serum potassium were measured in patients and controls. Student t test and regression analysis were used to analyze the data. The average MS patient age was 37.37 ± 10.8 years. Most (73.02%) MS patients suffered from deficient vitamin D, while insufficiency (20-29 ng/mL) was found in 12.17%. Only 6.35% had sufficient vitamin D (30-40 ng/mL). VitD was significantly decreased in MS patients compared to the healthy controls (17.036 vs 25.01 ng/mL, P < .001), while serum potassium was also decreased (4.278 vs 4.329 mmol/L, P = .269). Risk factors found to have a statistically significant association with MS included female gender (odd ratio [OR] = 1.72, 95% confidence interval: 1.016-2.915; P = .044) and patient age < 40 years (OR = 1.04, 95% confidence interval: 1.023-1.054; P = .044). VitD was significantly lower in MS patients. The prevalence of MS was higher among women and younger individuals in a high-altitude population in Saudi Arabia.

Targeted proteomic profiling of cardiogenic shock in the cardiac intensive care unit.

We sought to characterize circulating protein biomarkers associated with cardiogenic shock (CS) using highly multiplex proteomic profiling. This analysis employed a cross-sectional case-control study design using a biorepository of patients admitted to a cardiac intensive care unit between 2017 and 2020. Cases were patients adjudicated to have CS, and controls were those presenting for cardiac critical care without shock, including subsets of patients with isolated hypotension or heart failure (HF). The Olink platform was used to analyse 359 biomarkers with Bonferroni correction. The analysis included 239 patients presenting for cardiac critical care (69 cases with CS, 170 non-shock controls). A total of 63 biomarkers (17.7%) were significantly associated with CS after Bonferroni correction compared with all controls. Of these, nine biomarkers remained significantly associated with CS when separately cross-validated in subsets of controls presenting with isolated hypotension and HF: cathepsin D, fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-21 and -23, growth differentiation factor (GDF)-15, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, osteopontin, oncostatin-M-specific receptor subunit beta (OSMR), and soluble ST2 protein (sST2). Four biomarkers were identified as providing complementary information for CS diagnosis with development of a multi-marker model: sST2, FGF-23, CTSD, and GDF-15. In this pilot study of targeted proteomic profiling in CS, we identified nine biomarkers significantly associated with CS when cross-validated against non-shock controls including those with HF or isolated hypotension, illustrating the potential application of a targeted proteomic approach to identify novel candidates that may support the diagnosis of CS.

#1776 Distinct changes in gut microbiota of patients with kidney graft rejection

Abstract Background and Aims Kidney graft rejection still represents the major cause of graft loss in kidney transplant recipients. Of growing interest is the bidirectional relationship between gut microbiome and immune system suggesting that gut microbiota can affect allograft outcome. Method In this cross-sectional case control study, we characterized the gut microbial profile of adult renal transplant recipients with and without graft rejection in order to define a cohort-specific microbial fingerprint through 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We used very strict inclusion and exclusion criteria to address confounder of microbiota composition. Results Different relative abundances in several gut microbial taxa were detectable in control patients compared to patients with kidney allograft rejection. Alpha diversity was lower in the rejection group and beta diversity revealed dissimilarity between patients with and without kidney graft rejection (P &amp;lt; .01). When the rejection group was stratified according to different types of allograft rejection, major changes were identified between patients with chronic T cell mediated rejection (cTCMR) and controls. Changes in alpha diversity within the gut microbiome were related to the probability of cTCMR (P &amp;lt; .05). Kidney transplant patients without rejection showed significant enrichment of rather anti-inflammatory taxa whereas in the rejection group bacteria well known for their role in chronic inflammation were increased. For example, ASV 362 belonging to the genus Bacteroides and ASV 312 belonging to Tanerrelaceae were enriched in no rejection (P &amp;lt; .001 and P &amp;lt; .01) whereas ASV 365 was enriched in patients with allograft rejection (P = .04). Looking at metagenomic functions, a higher abundance of genes coding for enzymes involved in bacterial multidrug resistance and processing of short chain fatty acids was found in patients without rejection but an increase in enzymes involved in NADPH production was seen in patients with allograft rejection. Conclusion A distinct microbial fingerprint of patients with allograft rejection might serve as non-invasive biomarker in the future.

Serum sclerostin as a biomarker of disease activity in ankylosing spondylitis in correlation with radiographic imaging

BackgroundThe wingless signaling pathway of bone development is inhibited by sclerostin, which may contribute to the etiology of ankylosing spondylitis.AimThe study aimed to evaluate serum sclerostin levels in ankylosing spondylitis patients and investigate how it correlated with radiographic damage using the Spondylo-arthritis Research Consortium of Canada index (SPARCC), disease activity, and functional impairment.ResultsThis cross-sectional case–control study revealed a significantly lower mean serum sclerostin (11.28 ng/ml) in AS patients compared with controls (101.25 ng/ml). Serum sclerostin levels showed a significant negative correlation with each of Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI) (p = 0.043), sacroiliac joints SPARCC, spine SPARCC, and overall SPARCC scores (p = 0.012, p = 0.036, and p = 0.007). The detection of AS, serum sclerostin levels ≤ 20 ng/ml showed 100% sensitivity and specificity.ConclusionSerum sclerostin had good discriminating power between ankylosing spondylitis cases and healthy control individuals and was correlated with subclinical activity status on magnetic resonance imaging.

SMAD3 rs17228212 Polymorphism Is Associated with Advanced Carotid Atherosclerosis in a Slovenian Population.

Smad proteins influence the TGFβ signaling pathway, which plays an important role in the progression of atherosclerosis. The aim of our study was to investigate the association between the rs17228212 polymorphism of the SMAD3 gene and advanced carotid atherosclerosis in Slovenian subjects and to investigate the effect of the rs17228212 SMAD3 polymorphism on the expression of SMAD3 in endarterectomy sequesters. In this cross-sectional case-control study, 881 unrelated Caucasians were divided into two groups. The first group included 308 patients with advanced carotid atherosclerosis of the common or internal carotid artery with stenosis greater than 75% that underwent a revascularization procedure (cases). The control group consisted of 573 subjects without hemodynamically significant carotid atherosclerosis. We analyzed the rs17228212 polymorphism of the SMAD3 gene using the StepOne real-time polymerase chain reaction system and TaqMan SNP genotyping assay. The results in the two genetic models showed a statistically significant association, codominant (OR 4.05; CI 1.10-17.75; p = 0.037) and dominant (OR 3.60; CI 1.15-15.45; p = 0.045). An immunohistochemical analysis of SMAD3 expression was conducted for 26 endarterectomy specimens. The T allele of the rs17228212 SMAD3 gene was shown to be associated with an increased numerical area density of SMAD3-positive cells in carotid plaques.

Protein Citrullination by Peptidyl Arginine Deiminase/Arginine Deiminase Homologs in Members of the Human Microbiota and Its Recognition by Anti-Citrullinated Protein Antibodies.

The human microbiome exists throughout the body, and it is essential for maintaining various physiological processes, including immunity, and dysbiotic events, which are associated with autoimmunity. Peptidylarginine deiminase (PAD) enzymes can citrullinate self-proteins related to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that induce the production of anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) and lead to inflammation and joint damage. The present investigation was carried out to demonstrate the expression of homologs of PADs or arginine deiminases (ADs) and citrullinated proteins in members of the human microbiota. To achieve the objective, we used 17 microbial strains and specific polyclonal antibodies (pAbs) of the synthetic peptide derived from residues 100-200 of human PAD2 (anti-PAD2 pAb), and the recombinant fragment of amino acids 326 and 611 of human PAD4 (anti-PAD4 pAb), a human anti-citrulline pAb, and affinity ACPAs of an RA patient. Western blot (WB), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), elution, and a test with Griess reagent were used. This is a cross-sectional case-control study on patients diagnosed with RA and control subjects. Inferential statistics were applied using the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test generated in the SPSS program. Some members of phyla Firmicutes and Proteobacteria harbor homologs of PADs/ADs and citrullinated antigens that are reactive to the ACPAs of RA patients. Microbial citrullinome and homolog enzymes of PADs/ADs are extensive in the human microbiome and are involved in the production of ACPAs. Our findings suggest a molecular link between microorganisms of a dysbiotic microbiota and RA pathogenesis.

Structural Changes in Brain White Matter Tracts Associated With Overactive Bladder Revealed by Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Findings From a Symptoms of Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Research Network Cross-Sectional Case-Control Study.

Our objective was to investigate structural changes in brain white matter tracts using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in patients with overactive bladder (OAB). Treatment-seeking OAB patients and matched controls enrolled in the cross-sectional case-control LURN (Symptoms of Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Research Network) Neuroimaging Study received a brain DTI scan. Microstructural integrity of brain white matter was assessed using fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity. OAB and urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) symptoms were assessed using the OAB Questionnaire Short-Form and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence. The Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Tool UUI questions and responses were correlated with FA values. Among 221 participants with evaluable DTI data, 146 had OAB (66 urinary urgency-only without UUI, 80 with UUI); 75 were controls. Compared with controls, participants with OAB showed decreased FA and increased mean diffusivity, representing greater microstructural abnormalities of brain white matter tracts among OAB participants. These abnormalities occurred in the corpus callosum, bilateral anterior thalamic radiation and superior longitudinal fasciculus tracts, and bilateral insula and parahippocampal region. Among participants with OAB, higher OAB Questionnaire Short-Form scores were associated with decreased FA in the left inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, P < .0001. DTI differences between OAB and controls were driven by the urinary urgency-only (OAB-dry) but not the UUI (OAB-wet) subgroup. Abnormalities in microstructural integrity in specific brain white matter tracts were more frequent in OAB patients. More severe OAB symptoms were correlated with greater degree of microstructural abnormalities in brain white matter tracts in patients with OAB. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02485808.

Prevalence and determinants of microvascular and macrovascular complications of diabetes in acromegaly patients: A prospective case-control cross-sectional study

Prevalence and determinants of microvascular and macrovascular complications of diabetes in acromegaly patients: A prospective case-control cross-sectional study

Evaluation of serum cystatin C levels in multiple myeloma: diagnostic significance and clinical implications

Cystatin C (CysC) levels in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) have been linked to tumour load and outcomes’ prediction. This study aimed at assessing the diagnostic utility of CysC in distinguishing MM patients from controls and advanced stages of MM. In total, 98 MM patients and 57 healthy controls participated in this cross-sectional case-control study. Demographic, clinical, and biochemical data were assessed. The study groups exhibited significantly diverse measures of urea, creatinine, CysC, β2-microglobulin, and lactate dehydrogenase activity. β2-Microglobulin was found to be a reliable predictor for both the MM staging and its diagnosis, but CysC was found to only possess a partial capacity of predicting advanced MM stages. Our results highlight the significance of taking into account many biomarkers in the therapy of MM, so as to achieve effective clinical evaluation. More research is required in order to clarify the CysC implication in the prognosis and management of MM.

Salivary metabolomic identification of biomarker candidates for oral melanoma and oral squamous cell carcinoma in dogs.

Oral melanoma (OM) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) are frequently diagnosed in dogs, presenting a challenge in distinguishing them from benign oral tumors (BN). Salivary metabolomic biomarkers offer a practical solution because of saliva's direct contact with tumors and the noninvasive nature of collection. Assess the diversity and abundance of the salivary metabolome in dogs with BN, OM, and OSCC using amine/phenol submetabolome analysis and high-performance chemical isotope labeling liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (CIL LC-MS). Study included 11 BN, 24 OM, 10 OSCC, and 20 healthy control dogs. Case-control cross-sectional study was conducted to assess salivary submetabolic profiles in dogs with BN, OM, and OSCC and healthy dogs. Samples were labeled with 12C-dansyl chloride and analyzed using CIL LC-MS targeted to amine- and phenol-containing metabolites for amine/phenol submetabolome analysis. Distinct clusters and significant differences in metabolite concentrations were observed among the oral cancer, BN, and control groups. A total of 154 and 66 metabolites showed significantly altered concentrations, particularly in OM and OSCC, respectively, when compared with BN (Padj < .05). Potential metabolic biomarkers were identified for each cancer, including decreased concentrations of seryl-arginine and sarcosine in OSCC. Moreover, high-confidence putative metabolites were identified, including an increase in tryptophyl-threonine and a decrease in 1,2-dihydroxynapthalene-6-sulfonic acid and hydroxyprolyl-hydroxyproline for OM. We identified high coverage of the amine/phenol submetabolome, including seryl-arginine, and sarcosine, in OSCC. Our findings emphasize the potential of these biomarkers for distinguishing between oral OSCC and BN in dogs.

A combined cross-sectional analysis and case-control study evaluating tick-borne encephalitis vaccination coverage, disease and vaccine effectiveness in children and adolescents, Switzerland, 2005 to 2022.

BackgroundTick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a severe, vaccine-preventable viral infection of the central nervous system. Symptoms are generally milder in children and adolescents than in adults, though severe disease does occur. A better understanding of the disease burden and duration of vaccine-mediated protection is important for vaccination recommendations.AimTo estimate TBE vaccination coverage, disease severity and vaccine effectiveness (VE) among individuals aged 0-17 years in Switzerland.MethodsVaccination coverage between 2005 and 2022 was estimated using the Swiss National Vaccination Coverage Survey (SNVCS), a nationwide, repeated cross-sectional study assessing vaccine uptake. Incidence and severity of TBE between 2005 and 2022 were determined using data from the Swiss disease surveillance system and VE was calculated using a case-control analysis, matching TBE cases with SNVCS controls.ResultsOver the study period, vaccination coverage increased substantially, from 4.8% (95% confidence interval (CI): 4.1-5.5%) to 50.1% (95% CI: 48.3-52.0%). Reported clinical symptoms in TBE cases were similar irrespective of age. Neurological involvement was less likely in incompletely (1-2 doses) and completely (≥ 3 doses) vaccinated cases compared with unvaccinated ones. For incomplete vaccination, VE was 66.2% (95% CI: 42.3-80.2), whereas VE for complete vaccination was 90.8% (95% CI: 87.7-96.4). Vaccine effectiveness remained high, 83.9% (95% CI: 69.0-91.7) up to 10 years since last vaccination.ConclusionsEven children younger than 5 years can experience severe TBE. Incomplete and complete vaccination protect against neurological manifestations of the disease. Complete vaccination offers durable protection up to 10 years against TBE.

Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Toxoplasma gondii in Patients Diagnosed with Schizophrenia: A Case-Control Cross Sectional Study.

The protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, has been linked to several psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of T. gondii IgG antibodies and risk factors associated with seroprevalence in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. This seroepidemiological study assessed 196 participants, divided into two groups. The study group consisted of 98 schizophrenic patients and was matched with 98 healthy blood donors. A questionnaire was used to gather information regarding potential risk factors associated with T. gondii seroprevalence. Results revealed a higher seroprevalence of T. gondii IgG antibodies in schizophrenic patients (69.39%, 68/98) when compared to healthy controls (51.02%, 50/98) (OR: 2.18; 95% CI: 1.21-3.9; p = 0.01). Patients with schizophrenia who consumed raw or undercooked meat (80.65%, 25/31) (OR: 3.75; 95% CI: 1.25-11.21, p = 0.02) and those with a lower educational level (77.59%, 45/58) (OR: 3.5; 95% CI: 1.59-7.54, p = 0.002) presented increased T. gondii seropositivity rates versus their control counterparts. Our findings indicate a high T. gondii IgG seroprevalence in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia compared to healthy blood donors. Factors associated with T. gondii seroprevalence were consumption of raw or uncooked meat and a lower educational attainment. This study provided the first data regarding the potential risk factors for toxoplasmosis in Romanian patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and may serve as a foundation for future research and the development of preventive strategies.

Cognitive impairment is associated with female sex, low level of education, lack of spousal relationship, and serum testosterone in type 2 diabetes

Abstract Background: Relationship between cognitive impairment, serum testosterone, and body mass index in type 2 diabetes (T2D) is not fully understood. Objectives: To compare cognition between T2D patients and healthy controls. To determine relationship of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) with serum total testosterone and sociodemographic factors. Materials and Methods: The study was a cross-sectional case-control study. About 17 male and female T2D patients and healthy controls were randomly selected. Montreal cognitive assessment-basic (MoCA-B) was used to assess cognition; anthropometric indices were measured using standard protocols, while total testosterone was assayed from serum using competitive ELISA kits. Results: The mean age of the T2D patients and healthy controls was 51.62 and 66.76 years, respectively. About 82.35% of the T2D patients had MCI compared to 58.82% of the healthy controls. MCI was associated with female sex (P = 0.033), lack of spousal relationship (P = 0.016), low level of education (P = 0.014), and normal or high level of total testosterone (P = 0.010). Conclusion: Proportion of MCI in T2D patients is high and is associated with female sex, lack of spousal relationship, low level of education, and normal or high testosterone level.

Predictive Factors of the Occurrence of Shoulder Dystocia in Diabetic Mothers [ID 2683495

INTRODUCTION: Maternal diabetes is associated with shoulder dystocia that places the newborn and mother at high risk of morbidity and complications. In the diabetic population, obstetricians lack definitive predictive factors that may improve the counseling, preparation, and management before delivery. This study evaluates prenatal maternal and fetal factors that would predict shoulder dystocia prior to delivery in diabetic mothers. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional case–control study of 63 diabetic mothers with shoulder dystocia and 200 diabetic mothers without shoulder dystocia delivered at a single medical center between January 2013 and December 2021. Maternal and neonatal characteristics were obtained. Among the studied maternal characteristics were body mass index, height, weight, ethnicity, age, gestational age, medical comorbidities (including preeclampsia and essential hypertension), hemoglobin A1C, insulin administration, labor type, parity, and health insurance type (public versus private). Neonatal characteristics included weight, height, length, and head circumference. Statistical analysis was performed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. A value of P&lt;.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference among most of the maternal and neonatal characteristics between the two groups using univariate and multivariate analysis. We did find a statistically significant association between the incidence of shoulder dystocia and lower maternal gravidity (P=.016), larger neonatal weight (P=.00001), smaller neonatal head circumference (P=.025), smaller head circumference/weight ratio (P=.00001), and smaller head circumference/length ratio (P=.00001). CONCLUSION: Our preliminary results indicate that most available maternal and neonatal characteristics were not able to predict perinatal injury. Our sample size and the complexity of etiologies behind neonatal injury are possible reasons behind our non-statistically significant results. Over the coming 2 months, based on the association between shoulder dystocia and neonatal weight and head circumference, we will evaluate third-trimester ultrasound head circumference/abdominal circumference ratio and the ability to predict shoulder dystocia with and without neonatal injury.

Evaluation of left ventricular function in normotensive type-2 dm patients by echocardiography

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasing globally. Indians are also believed to have a greater degree of insulin resistance and a stronger genetic predisposition to diabetes. Type II DM is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular complications and these are a major cause of mortality and morbidity in diabetic patients. Left ventricular dysfunction, increased left ventricular wall thickness, increased left ventricular mass, and specific diabetic cardiomyopathy are some of the cardiovascular complications associated with diabetes. So the present study was performed to assess normotensive diabetic patients by echocardiography to evaluate their left ventricular function. A case control cross sectional study was conducted on 40 normotensive type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. 40 patients who were non-diabetic, non-hypertensive were taken as a control. A standard 2D echocardiography with M mode and Doppler was performed on case and control. In our study among 40 cases, 55% were male and 45% were female with mean age of case population being 47.5±7.24 year and among 40 controls, 50% were male and 50% were female with mean age 48.03±7.14 year. Mean BMI in case group was 29.49±2.37 kg/m2 and in control group 29.36±2.46 kg/m2. In our study we found that LVDD was present in 57.5% cases, 47.5% of cases had grade 1 LVDD whereas 10% had grade 2 LVDD. In comparison, only 10% of controls had LVDD with all of them having grade 1 LVDD. Also LV Systolic dysfunction, LVM and LVMI were higher in cases as compared to controls. Thus we concluded that the prevalence of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in asymptomatic, normotensive patients with type 2 DM without significant coronary artery disease is much higher than previously suspected as evidenced by the results of this study and also of similar other studies and it increases with the duration of Diabetes. Left ventricular systolic dysfunction, LVM and LVMH prevalence were also higher in cases as compared to controls and they also correlate with duration of Diabetes.

Evaluating the microcirculation of the dome-shaped macula and its complications in adults with highly myopic eyes by swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography.

The aim of this study was to investigate the microcirculatory characteristics of the dome-shaped macula (DSM), its complications in highly myopic eyes and to explore the factors associated with a DSM. This cross-sectional case-control study included a total of 98 subjects (98 eyes): 49 eyes with DSM and 49 eyes without DSM. The axial length (AL) of the myopic eyes was matched 1:1 to eliminate the effect of AL differences on the results. Choroidal (CT) and scleral thickness (ST) and other structural parameters were assessed by swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). OCT angiography was used to measure microcirculatory parameters in highly myopic eyes. Subjects with DSM had thinner subfoveal choroidal thickness (46.01 ± 13.25 vs. 81.62 ± 48.26 μm; p < 0.001), thicker subfoveal scleral thickness (SFST; 331.93 ± 79.87 vs. 238.74 ± 70.96 μm; p < 0.001) and thinner foveal CT (66.86 ± 24.65 vs. 107.85 ± 52.65 μm; p < 0.001) compared to subjects without DSM. The foveal choroidal perfusion area (0.72 ± 0.04 vs. 0.76 ± 0.04 mm2; p < 0.001) and foveal choroidal vascularity index (0.15 ± 0.04 vs. 0.33 ± 0.14; p < 0.001) were significantly lower in eyes with DSM. Retinoschisis (81.6% vs. 38.8%; p < 0.001) was more common in eyes with DSM. Eyes with horizontal DSM had worse best-corrected logMAR visual acuity than eyes with round DSM (0.34 ± 0.22 vs. 0.23 ± 0.22; p = 0.03). DSM height (98.95 ± 65.17 vs. 104.63 ± 44.62 μm; p = 0.05) was lower in the horizontal DSM. SFST (OR = 1.06, p = 0.04) and foveal choroidal vascularity index (OR = 0.711, p = 0.02) were significantly associated with DSM. DSM width (p < 0.001), foveal choroidal perfusion area (p = 0.01), foveal choriocapillaris perfusion area (p = 0.02) and parafoveal choroidal vascularity index (p = 0.03) were the most significantly associated factors with DSM height. The microcirculatory characteristics of eyes with DSM differed from those without DSM. Microcirculatory abnormalities were significantly associated with a DSM. The height of the DSM was associated with decreased blood perfusion.

Environmental antibiotics exposure and childhood obesity: A cross-sectional case-control study

Children’s exposures to environmental antibiotics are a major public health concern. However, limited data are available on the effects of environmental antibiotic exposures on childhood obesity. Our study aimed to explore this relationship. We conducted a cross-sectional case-control study nested in a population-based survey of primary school students, including 1855 obese and 1875 random selected control children. A total of 10 antibiotics in urine samples were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Multivariable survey logistic regression was used to assess the associations between environmental antibiotics exposures and childhood obesity. After adjusting for potential confounders, increased odds of obesity were observed in children exposed to tetracycline (OR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.09–1.57) and sulfamonomethoxine (OR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1–2.05). Comparing none (<LODs), low-, middle-, and high-exposure groups, the low- sulfamonomethoxine exposure was associated with an increased odds of obesity (OR = 1.91, 95% CI: 1.05–3.47). Higher odds of obesity were associated with middle-level exposures to tetracycline (OR = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.05–3.66), doxycycline (OR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1–2.46), and lincomycin (OR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.05–1.74). However, no significant association was found in any high-level antibiotic exposure groups. The significant associations were mainly observed in boys. The associations between environmental antibiotics exposures and childhood obesity are non-linear. Low- to middle-level exposures to certain environmental antibiotics may increase the risk of childhood obesity, especially in boys.

Evaluation of Antithrombin-III Activity and Platelet Count in Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension among Pregnant Women attending Antenatal care in a Tertiary Health Facility in Southeast, Nigeria

Background: Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) is a significant health issue that affects maternal and fetal outcomes. Antithrombin-III (AT-III) and platelet count alterations could serve as pivotal indicators for the management and prognosis of PIH. Objective: This study aimed to assess AT-III activity and platelet counts in pregnant women with and without PIH at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. Methods: A case-control cross-sectional analytical study design was employed, including 135 pregnant women with PIH and 135 age-matched normotensive pregnant women. Exclusion criteria comprised chronic hypertension, known thrombophilic disorders, or anticoagulant therapy before pregnancy. AT-III levels and platelet counts were compared between groups using SPSS version 20.0, with significance set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: AT-III activity was significantly lower in the PIH group (75.45±6.23%) compared to the normotensive group (96.84±9.64%, p=0.028). Similarly, platelet count was significantly reduced in the PIH group (170.90 ±8.78 x109/L) versus the normotensive group (191.56±6.54 x109/L, p=0.032). No significant differences were found in sociodemographic variables except for the trimester of antenatal care registration and history of preeclampsia in previous pregnancies. Conclusion: This study highlights significant reductions in AT-III activity and platelet count among pregnant women with PIH, suggesting these parameters' potential role in PIH management and prognosis. These findings emphasize the importance of monitoring AT-III levels and platelet count as part of the antenatal care protocol in pregnant women, particularly those with or at risk for PIH.