Female Cases Research Articles

Association of COL2A1rs2276454, rs1793953, COL9A1rs1135056, COL11A1rs1676486 structure-forming collagens of the nucleus pulposus with degeneration of intervertebral discs L5-L4, L5-S1

Aim. The purpose of the work was to determine the relationship between degenerative changes of the L5-S1 and L4-L5 intervertebral discs with collagen mononucleotide variants COL2A1rs2276454, rs1793953, COL9A1rs1135056, COL11A1rs1676486 among ethnic Ukrainians. Materials and methods. The following subjects were investigated: 90 persons of the case group with degeneration of the intervertebral disc L5-S1; 50 persons of the case group with degeneration of the intervertebral disc L4-L5; 66 people of the control group. The object of the study was the venous blood of patients with degenerative lesions of the intervertebral discs and healthy donors. Venous blood was obtained as a result of venipuncture. Typing of COL2A1rs2276454, COL2A1rs1793953, COL9A1rs1135056, COL11A1rs1676486 was performed using the Tag Man Universal PCR Master Mix kit (Applied Biosystems, USA) and Tag Man SNP Genotyping Assays for the determination of polymorphisms (Applied Biosystems, USA). The research was carried out by specialists in the field of molecular biology and biochemistry of the Department of Neurobiochemistry of the SI “Romodanov Neurosurgery Institute, National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine”, using the CFX96 device (Bio-Rrad, USA). Certificate of determination of measuring capabilities No. PT-322/21 from 07/28/2021 to 08/27/2023. Results. COL2A1rs2276454 may have a protective value for the development of degeneration of the intervertebral disc L5-S1 among men (OR (95 % CI): 0.27 (0.10–0.80), χ2 = 6.02, P = 0.015). Genotype C/T (COL9A1rs1135056) is 3.25 times more common among male patients with degeneration of the intervertebral disc L5-S1 in comparison with the female case group (OR (95 % CI): 3.25 (1.20–8.84), χ2 = 5.50, P = 0.02). The presence of the genotype G/A (COL11A1rs1676486) in the general group of patients with degeneration of the intervertebral disc L5-S1 is observed 5.46 times more often among male patients (OR (95 % CI): 5.46 (1.60–18.47), χ2 = 8.29, P = 0.004); G/A is registered 4.17 times more often among men compared to the group of women (OR (95 % CI): 4.17 (1.070–16.82), χ2 = 4.17, P = 0.04). Comparison of the odds of observing the genotype G/G, G/A, AA in the group of men with degeneration of the intervertebral disc L5-S1 showed a statistically significant 4.06 times predominance of the genotype G/A (OR (95 % CI): 4.06 (1.23–13.38), χ2 = 4.17, P = 0.04). The most probable model of heredity for COL11A1rs1676486 is dominant OR (95 % CI): 2.08 (1.03–4.21), χ2 = 4.26, P = 0.04. Associations of COL2A1rs2276454, rs1793953, COL9A1rs1135056, COL11A1rs1676486 structure-forming collagens of the gelatinous nucleus with degeneration of L5-L4 intervertebral discs were not detected. Conclusions. The COL2A1rs2276454 may be protective for the development of L5-S1 intervertebral disc degeneration in men (OR (95 % CI): 0.27 (0.10–0.80), χ2 = 6.02, Р = 0.015). COL2A1rs1793953 is not associated with degeneration of intervertebral discs L4-L5, L5-S1. С/T COL9A3rs1135056 genotype is associated with L5-S1 intervertebral disc degeneration among males (OR (95 % CI): 3.25 (1.20–8.84), χ2 = 5.50, Р = 0.02) compared with L5-S1 females. G/A COL11A1rs1676486 genotype is associated with L5-S1 intervertebral disc degeneration among male patients (OR (95 % CI): 5.46 (1.60–18.47), χ2 = 8.29, Р = 0.004) and compared to female patients (OR (95 % CI): 4.17 (1.07–16.82), χ2 = 4.17, Р = 0.04). The type of inheritance COL11A1rs1676486 is dominant.

Gender Biases Toward People With Difficulty in Balancing Work and Family Due to ADHD: Two Case Vignette Randomized Studies Featuring Japanese Laypersons and Psychiatrists.

Objective The gender gap in labor force participation is likely larger in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) than that in the general population. Thus, we investigated whether gender affected the perception toward persons displaying ADHD symptoms and experiencing difficulty in balancing work and family. Methods Both Japanese laypersons and psychiatrists were recruited for web-based surveys in March and October 2020 via an online survey company, Cross Marketing Inc., and the secretariat of the Japanese Society of Psychiatry and Neurology, respectively. The participants were randomly assigned to read either a male or female case vignette. The vignettes were identical, except for the gender of the patient in the case. The primary and secondary outcomes were the respondents' opinions on the seriousness of the case and the degree to which the case's wish should be maintained, using sliding scales of 0-100. Results We included 560 laypersons and 585 psychiatrists. Neither cohort differed in most outcomes between the groups assigned to the male and female case vignettes. Among laypersons, the average score of seriousness was 58.8 in the female-vignette group and 58.6 in the male-vignette group (mean difference, 0.15; 95% confidence interval, -4.9 to 5.2). Among psychiatrists, the average score of seriousness was 53.9 in the female-vignette group and 53.7 in the male-vignette group (mean difference, 0.18; 95% confidence interval, -3.1 to 3.4). Similarly, between-group differences in the opinions on the degree to which the case's wish should be maintained were 1.2 in laypersons and 0.63 in psychiatrists. We found no significant interaction between the gender of the case and the respondent's gender in any of the outcomes. Conclusion Our results did not support the hypothesis that women were more likely to be pressured to prioritize family over work than men were when there was difficulty balancing work and family due to ADHD symptoms.

More recent insights into the breast cancer burden across BRICS-Plus: Health consequences in key nations with emerging economies using the global burden of disease study 2019.

Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and 30 other Asian nations make up the BRICS-Plus, a group of developing countries that account for about half of the world's population and contribute significantly to the global illness burden. This study aimed to analyzed the epidemiological burden of female breast cancer (BC) across the BRICS-Plus from 1990 to 2019 and studied the associations with age, period, birth cohort and countries' sociodemographic index (SDI). The BC mortality and incidence estimates came from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study. We estimated cohort and period effects in BC outcomes between 1990 and 2019 using age-period-cohort (APC) modeling. The maximum likelihood (ML) of the APC-model Poisson with log (Y) based on the natural-spline function was used to estimate the rate ratio (RR). We used annualized rate of change (AROC) to quantify change over the previous 30 years in BC across BRICS-Plus and compare it to the global. In 2019, there were about 1.98 million female BC cases (age-standardized rate of 45.86 [95% UI: 41.91, 49.76]) and 0.69 million deaths (age-standardized rate of 15.88 [95% UI: 14.66, 17.07]) around the globe. Among them, 45.4% of incident cases and 51.3% of deaths were attributed to the BRICS-Plus. China (41.1% cases and 26.5% deaths) and India (16.1% cases and 23.1% deaths) had the largest proportion of incident cases and deaths among the BRICS-Plus nations in 2019. Pakistan came in third with 5.6% cases and 8.8% deaths. Over the past three decades, from 1990 to 2019, the BRICS-Plus region's greatest AROC was seen in Lesotho (2.61%; 95%UI: 1.99-2.99). The birth cohort impacts on BC vary significantly among the BRICS-Plus nations. Overall, the risk of case-fatality rate tended to decline in all BRICS-Plus nations, notably in South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (China-ASEAN FTA) countries, and the drop in risk in the most recent cohort was lowest in China and the Maldives. Additionally, there was a substantial negative link between SDI and case fatality rate (r1990= -0.91, p<0.001; r2019= -0.89, p<0.001) in the BRICS-Plus in both 1990 and 2019, with the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) nations having the highest case fatality rate. The BC burden varies remarkably between different BRICS-Plus regions. Although the BRICS' efforts to regulate BC succeeded, the overall improvements lagged behind those in high-income Asia-Pacific nations. Every BRICS-Plus country should strengthen specific public health approaches and policies directed at different priority groups, according to BRIC-Plus and other high-burden nations.

High Survivorship and Comparable Patient-Reported Outcomes at a Minimum 5 Years After Hip Arthroscopic Surgery in Patients With Femoroacetabular Impingement, With and Without Lateral Rim Dysplasia

Background: Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) in patients with dysplasia presents a unique challenge to surgeons. Short-term outcomes are conflicting, while longer term follow-up data are only emerging. Purpose: To quantify midterm (minimum 5-year follow-up) outcomes after the arthroscopic correction of FAI in the presence of lateral rim dysplasia compared with a matched control group with FAI with normal acetabular coverage. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Prospective outcome data, collected in a consecutive series of patients undergoing arthroscopic FAI correction with lateral rim dysplasia (lateral center-edge angle [LCEA] of 13°-25°), were reviewed (N = 75 cases). An age- and sex-matched control group of 120 cases was also formed (LCEA >25°). Survivorship was defined as the avoidance of total hip replacement and assessed using a Kaplan-Meier curve with the log-rank test. Survival rates and patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) scores (modified Harris Hip Score [mHHS], University of California, Los Angeles [UCLA], 36-Item Short Form Health Survey [SF-36], and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index [WOMAC] preoperatively and at 5 years postoperatively) were compared between the groups. The proportion of patients across groups achieving the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) was compared for each PROM. The dysplasia group was also analyzed independently to identify any factors that may indicate a less favorable outcome using regression analysis. The group was divided into 2 subgroups: borderline dysplasia (LCEA of 20°-25°) and severe dysplasia (LCEA <20°). Results: The survival rate in the dysplasia group was 97%. There was no statistical difference with respect to survival rates or any PROM scores (P > .05 for all) between the groups. There were similar rates of achieving the MCID between the groups for the mHHS, UCLA, and WOMAC. The FAI control group had a higher rate of achieving the MCID for the SF-36 (P = .012; effect size = 0.274 [small]). Subgroup analysis indicated a lower survival rate (78% vs 100%, respectively; P < .001) in female cases in the dysplasia group (n = 9) compared with male cases in the dysplasia group (n = 66). The UCLA score in female cases in the dysplasia group at 5 years was statistically lower compared with that in male cases in the dysplasia group (6 vs 10, respectively; P = .003; effect size = 0.378 [medium]), but no other outcome revealed any differences between the sexes. There were also no variables identified on regression analysis that accurately predicted a poorer outcome in the dysplasia group. When stratified by severity, there was no difference in survivorship or outcomes between those with severe dysplasia (LCEA <20°; n = 11) and those with borderline dysplasia (LCEA of 20°-25°; n = 64). Conclusion: An arthroscopic intervention was a successful treatment option for FAI in the presence of lateral rim dysplasia at midterm follow-up. Irrespective of the severity of dysplasia, patients can expect similar improvements to those in patients with normal femoral head coverage.

Three dimensional quantitative study of soft tissue changes in nasolabial folds after orthodontic treatment in female adults

BackgroundWith the popularity of medical aesthetic programs, some female adults who will or are undergoing orthodontic treatment often wonder whether orthodontic treatment has adverse effects on the nasolabial folds (NLFs). The aims of the study were to investigate any potential changes in the NLFs and associated peripheral soft tissues after orthodontic treatment of female adults.MethodsThis study compared changes in the NLFs and peripheral soft tissues in female adults undergoing orthodontic treatment using the 3dMD Face system (3dMD, Atlanta, Ga). A total of 52 adult female patient cases (24 teeth extraction, 28 non-teeth extraction) were included to evaluate the effects of different orthodontic treatment regimens on the NLFs and peripheral soft tissues.ResultsIn the NLFs area, the landmarks of the extraction group were all significantly negatively changed (P < 0.001; the NLF2s average value was − 0.72 mm), and the upper and middle parts of the landmarks were negatively changed in the non-extraction group (P < 0.05; the NLF2s average value was − 0.22 mm). Compared to the non-extraction group, the negative changes in the extraction group were more pronounced (P < 0.005). In the lip region, all landmarks in the extraction group were negative changes (P < 0.05; upper lip (ULP) = − 0.93 mm, lower lip (LLP) = − 1.46 mm), and most landmarks in the non-extraction group were positive changes (P < 0.01; ULP = 0.55 mm). In the cheek area, the left and right buccal of the extraction and non-extraction groups were all negatively changed (P < 0.05), and there was no significant difference between the two groups.ConclusionAfter orthodontic treatment, the NLFs showed negative changes, which were more obvious in the extraction group. The lip soft tissue had a negative change in the extraction group and a positive change in the non-extraction group, indicating that orthodontic treatment affected the soft tissue around the nasolabial sulcus, and that tooth extraction would lead to more negative changes.

Prescribing Pattern of Ampicillin and Cloxacillin: Sensitivity and Responsiveness in Pneumonia

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is now a global pandemic and a future threat to the existence of many clinical antibiotics. The excessive overuse in fisheries, poultries, and dairy farms and its irrational prescribing practices are the key factors that lead us to AMR explosions. The current main research objective is to evaluate the empirical practices of ampicillin along with cloxacillin, which are one of the running antibiotics in clinical practices, in most of the tertiary care hospitals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. In this study, the prescribing attitude, sensitivity and responsiveness of these two combinatory antibiotics (ampicillin-cloxacillin) in pediatric/adult pneumonia patients were evaluated in one of the public sector tertiary care hospitals in Mardan. Retrospective data was collected from pediatric ward A and medical A ward (adult), among which a total of n= 90 patient’s prescriptions were evaluated for prescribing practices, WHO core indicators, polypharmacy as well as responsiveness and sensitivity of ampicillin and cloxacillin from hospital longevity. The ampicillin responsiveness was sorted out among all those patients that stayed for a long time in the hospital, and during which the antibiotic therapies were switched from time to time. A total of n= 90 pneumonia patients (40 % &amp; 60 % female) cases were evaluated for ampicillin/cloxacillin (combination) hospital stay longevity and responsiveness. 46 % of patients were under the age of 1–20 years, whereas 31 % were adults between the age of 61–80 years. WHO indicators revealed, that in the prescribed medications (n=918 drugs total, among n=90 patients) 22.33 % of antibiotics were prescribed, where 31.37 % consisted of injectables. Among the antibiotics classes, 17 % of pneumonia patients received penicillin, among which 26.25 % were ampicillin + cloxacillin in the prescribing practices. Ampicillin + cloxacillin responsiveness in pneumonia patients was recorded from the hospital stay and longevity (days) of the patients during their empirical therapy. 46.98 % of pneumonia patients recovered within three days, whereas 40.96 % of patients recovered within six days with ampicillin + cloxacillin (combination therapy). While 10.84 % were stabilized within nine days, though, some patients (1.20 %), recovered after 12 days with ampicillin/cloxacillin (combination therapy). Thus, it may be concluded from the current studies, that the decrease in responsiveness to ampicillin/cloxacillin (combination therapy) and the increase in the hospital longevity of patients, may be an indication of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in pneumonia patients. Though the studies are limited to a very specific number of patients, as well as only to the hospital longevity (stay) parameters of the patients in a tertiary care hospital. These studies should be subjected further to more extensive vigilant research.

Multicystic dysplastic kidney and contralateral renal agenesis in a twin gestation: A case report

Multicystic dysplastic kidney (MCDK) is a common congenital condition in neonates caused by the abnormal formation of renal tissue into multiple fluid-filled cysts that are often dysplastic, affecting kidney function. [1] It has an incidence of 1:4300 live births and is more common in males than females, most often presenting unilaterally with a slightly higher percentage of cases affecting the left kidney. We present a case of a monochorionic diamniotic twin female, with twin A having multicystic dysplastic kidneys on the left and twin B having agenesis of the right kidney. Documented cases involving twins rarely involve both twins or, if so, infrequently in the contralateral kidneys of each twin, highlighting the complexity of renal development in utero.

Recovery from osmotic demyelination syndrome associated with pituitary macroadenoma

45 years old female known case of hypothyroid admitted to local nursing home with pain abdomen, vomiting and generalized weakness. She received intravenous fluids and antibiotics in a nearby hospital. She experienced hyponatremia, which hypertonic saline from 104 to 128 meq/l quickly treated. Modified Rankin scale score was &amp;#62;3. MRI brain done showed pituitary macroadenoma. She was transferred to our hospital after 5 days because of altered sensorium and bradykinesia of all 4 limbs with high grade fever and unexpected MRI finding. Treatment was started initially in line of meningitis but CSF study was negative. She was intubated for airway protection later tracheostomy was done. MRI brain repeated after 15 days showed pontine and extrapontine demyelination. Serum cortisol was low due to secondary adrenal insufficiency so started on steroid therapy. She improved gradually regained consciousness, started obeying commands, decannulated and discharged with Rankin score &amp;#60;1 after 2 months of steroid and thyronorm supplements and extensive supportive therapy.

Measurement of Hyoid Bone Morphometric Parameters for Sex Prediction in Iranian Population

Anatomical and anthropological study of hyoid bones could be used in the sex prediction from skeletal remains. The aim of this study is to examine the morphometrical parameters of the hyoid bone individuals of the Iranian population. The study was carried out on 248 hyoid bones taken from cadavers Referred to Kahrizak Legal Medicine Center in 2020. Four anthropometric indices of hyoid bone were studied and have been associated with the sex and height of the individuals. The study included 179 (72.2%) males and 69 (27.8%) female cases. No significant difference was observed between the two gender groups in terms of age (P=0.678). The indexes of hyoid bones measured were compared between male and female genders, and the results show that the transverse distance between the tubercle of the greater horn, the Anterior/posterior dimension of the body, the distance between the upper and lower margin of the body in the middle (height) and the maximum depth of concavity on the posterior surface of the body, was associated with the sex determination (P&lt;0.001). The four hyoid bone indexes measured in this study were higher in males compared with females, which indicates that hyoid bone morphometry can be used for sex determination in the Iranian population.

Restaurant customers' food leftover reduction intention derived from nature connection and biospheric values: A comparison between men and women.

As the COVID-19 pandemic extends over a long period of time, the World Food Programme (WFP) estimated that food insecurity would take place in the near future. Previous studies focused on various kinds of interventions for food waste prevention. Surprisingly, however, research tackling consumer attitudes and behaviors as a way to reduce food waste is still rare. To fill this gap in the literature, this study examined the antecedent roles of restaurant customers' nature connection and biospheric values in fostering their food leftover reduction intention through environmental self-identity and sense of obligation to reduce food leftover. In addition, the moderating effects of gender were tested on all the relationships in our conceptual model. A quantitative approach with an online survey for restaurant customers was adopted. Structural equation modeling was adopted to analyze the data. Through confirmatory factor analyses, the adequate reliability and validity of the measures were established. All the relationships between the constructs were found to be significant, supporting the hypotheses. In other words, the restaurant customers' nature connection and biospheric values were found to eventually induce the customers' food leftover reduction intention. In addition, in terms of the moderating effect, the male customers' nature connection more strongly increased their biospheric values than the female customers' case. The findings of this study revealed how restaurant customers' food leftover reduction intention is formed through their feeling of oneness with nature and biospheric values. Given that consumer behavior has been recognized as a major driver of restaurant food waste, the findings of this study provide useful insights to restauranteurs and policymakers for the health of society and people in it. It was especially true for men in that their feeling of oneness with nature significantly influences their biospheric values more than women's.

Oxidative DNA Damage in Relation to the Severity of COVID-19 Infection in Duhok City, Kurdistan Region- Iraq

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread across the globe since its outbreak in Wuhan, China, in 2019. Clinical evidence suggests higher oxidative stress in COVID-19 patients, and this worsening redox status which may contribute to disease progression. The present study aimed to investigate the oxidative Deoxyribonucleic acid damage in patients with mild and severe COVID-19 infection and to evaluate its relationship to the disease progression and severity. A case-control study was conducted from September 2021 to January 2022 in Duhok city, Kurdistan Region-Iraq. 180 individuals have participated. Among 88 COVID-19 cases, 92 healthy volunteers as the control group, with ages ranging (18-45) years. Patients were divided into two groups according to the severity of infection (mild cases, severe cases). Serum level of 8-OHdG and malondialdehyde (MDA) were assessed as oxidative stress biomarkers. Serum levels of 8-OHdG were considerably higher in patients with COVID-19 infection in comparison to the control group, (p&lt;0.01). The further statistical analysis has revealed a significantly higher 8-OHdG in blood in female cases with severe COVID-19 infection compared cases with a mild infection, (p&lt;0.01). Serum MDA levels in severe cases were higher, statistically significant when compared with the control group (p=0.007). Severe cases had higher level of MDA than in mild case, in male cases (p&lt;0.05) in female cases (p&lt;0.0001). The current data suggest that patients who were infected severely with COVID-19 are under huge oxidative stress attack. Analysis of data shows that severe cases of COVID-19 infection had significantly greater level of serum 8-OHdG than in healthy control subjects.

A Ten Year Retrospective Study of Poisoning Deaths in a Tertiary Care Hospital Situated in Rural Area of Himachal Pradesh

Acute poisoning is an important medical emergency and one of the commonest causes of unnatural deaths. Poisoning occurs when any substance interferes with normal body functions after it is swallowed, inhaled, injected, or absorbed. Toxicology is the science which deals with the properties, actions, toxicity, fatal dose, detection, estimation, treatment and autopsy findings of poisons, drugs and various chemical substances. An autopsy based retrospective study was conducted from January 2009 to December 2018 at the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Kangra at Tanda, Himachal Pradesh. All cases of deaths due to alleged poisoning brought for medico-legal autopsy were studied. The data obtained was computed and descriptive analysis of baseline characteristics was analysed and summarized. In our study, 24.48% of the total cases autopsied were of deaths occurring due to poisoning. The maximum number of cases 362 (53%) were of males followed by 321(46.99%) cases of females. Aluminium Phosphide was found to be the most commonly used poison. Peak incidence was observed in the age group 41-50 years (72.34%) in males and 21-30 years (54.27%) in females. Based on these findings preventive measures like restriction of sale and strengthening the legislature on the availability of poison, promoting poison treatment and detection centres etc. should be the main aim at this time.

Skin cancer risk self-assessment using AI as a mass screening tool

BackgroundSkin cancer is one of the most common cancers on the planet. The lack of noticeable symptoms, inaccessibility of professional dermatology expertise, and low population awareness prevent early detection, which is vital for successful treatment. MethodsWe proposed the free AI-powered self-examination tool allowing everyone to perform regular skin checkups with a smartphone's photo coupled with the new set of risk factors suitable for self-assessment. While most of the existing AI solutions focus on dermoscopic images and assisting staff in medical facilities, we in contrast designed the ensemble of deep convolutional neural networks to be used by non-specialists for assessing self-taken skin clinical images via mobile app. We aimed to distinguish between malignant and benign neoplasms only, encouraging people to follow up with dermatologists for an in-depth physical examination in case of discovered skin cancer risk. Results400000+ clinical skin images coupled with risk factors and demographic data have been collected, processed by AI, and validated by dermatology experts, which made it one of the biggest mass-screening campaigns for skin cancer disease in the Russian Federation. 9321 malignant cases were discovered including 5230 melanomas.The comprehensive analysis of mass-screening results was conducted for the following regions in Russian Federation: Moscow and Moscow region, Nizhny Novgorod, St. Petersburg and Leningradsky region, and Krasnodar region. We discovered the significantly higher melanoma cancer prevalence rate (number of cases per 100 000 people is 5.43 cases for males and 11.88 cases for females while statistical bulletin reports 4.12 cases in 2021) and much younger average age of skin cancer development (melanoma: 46.78 years for males and 41.35 years for females vs official numbers of 61.5 years and 62.1 years correspondingly; BCC/SCC: 56.28 years for males and 55.98 years for females vs official numbers of 68.2 years and 70.2 years correspondingly) comparing to statistical bulletins. Our findings demonstrate that the female population is at risk almost 5 years earlier and reveal the most common locations for malignant tumors: face, upper body, and shoulders. Our new skin cancer risk self-assessment criteria (20+ spots on arm and solarium visits) associate with the earlier melanoma development in the female population and should be considered in further skin cancer studies as risk factors. ConclusionThe proposed approach proved to be a cost-efficient way of doing mass skin cancer screenings, which have not been considered a feasible option before. The presented self-assessment risk factors along with the revised average age of malignant tumors development and prevalence rates should be considered in skin cancer surveillance.

Cancers Attributable to Smoking and Obesity in Turkey: a population-based study

Objective: Cancers are the second most common cause of mortality following cardiovascular diseases in Turkey. Tobacco and obesity are the two major etiological factors for cancer progression, which are highly prevalent in Turkey. This study aimed to evaluate the new cancer cases in Turkey attributable to these two main risk factors. Material and methods: The tobacco-related cancers based on the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) monographs were esophagus, oral cavity, gastric, pancreatic, larynx, lung, renal, and bladder cancers, and the obesity-related cancers based on the IARC's and World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF)/American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) Continuous Update Project's reports were esophagus, colon, rectum, gallbladder, pancreas, kidney, ovary, endometrium, and breast cancers. The cancer incidences were obtained from the national cancer statistics. A lag time of at least 10 years was regarded adequate to observe the effects of past exposures on the new cancer cases. Prevalence of tobacco smoking was based on Peto-Lopez approach, and the obesity prevalence was obtained from the National Burden of Disease and Cost-Effectiveness Project Household Survey, 2003 Report in Turkey. Using these incidence and prevalence data, we estimated the population-attributable fractions (PAF) of cancers attributable to smoking and obesity in Turkey. Results: For tobacco-related cancers, the highest PAFs were found in lung cancer (89.8%), larynx cancer (86%), oral cavity and pharynx cancer (77.2%) in males, and larynx cancer (46.5%), lung cancer (43%), and esophagus cancer (31.4%) in females. For obesity-related cancers, the highest PAFs were found in esophagus adenocarcinoma (31.4%), kidney cancer (19.8%), gallbladder cancer (15.1%) in males, and esophagus adenocarcinoma (33.9%), endometrium cancer (32.8%), and postmenopausal breast cancer (22.8%) in females. When all tobacco-related cancers were considered, 41283 cases in males and 3853 cases in females were attributable to tobacco smoking, and when all obesity-related cancer types were considered, the number of attributable cancer cases to obesity was 2653 in men and 7387 in women Conclusion: The current situation of avoidable cancer burden in Turkey shows that eliminating the tobacco smoking and obesity may result with preventing more than 50000 cancer cases in Turkey.

Study of the Characteristics of Positive Contacts and Hospitalized Cases in Multiple Waves of the Covid -19 Pandemic in Pali District of Western Rajasthan: A Secondary Data Analysis

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the pandemic that invaded the world in 2020, caused morethan 70 million cases and exceeded a million and a half deaths worldwide by the end of the year. Age and sex havebeen identified as two of the prominent risk factors in COVID-19 deaths. Early epidemiological studies conductedin China, India, and Iran revealed that fewer females were infected by SARS-CoV2(4-9).It is imperative for national governments to identify which population members are at high risk of becoming illor more likely to die. This analysis emphasizes the early epidemiological features of COVID-19 cases in the OPDin order to guide to policy decisions on the health, commercial, social, and economic fronts in case of any futuresurge in Covid cases.Methods: The data collected during contact tracing (urban and rural ) and hospital admissions during the periods:February 2020 to October 2020 (first wave) and April 2021 to June 2021 (second wave) and December 2021 toFebruary 2022 (Third wave) were analyzed for demographics and other characteristics.Present study shows that frequency of positive case is more in rural people in age group II (15-50 years) than urbanpeople. Male case is higher in rural areas and female cases are higher in urban areas, hospital admission and ICUadmission were higher in rural people while death was reported higher in urban areas.Better targeting of interventions may help to limit expensive interventions such as intensive care admissions andavoid deaths. To create an efficient, equitable response to the pandemic, especially in countries where resourcesare limited awareness of the roles of gender, age and geography in the outbreak are imperative.

Morphometric Analysis of Lateral Ventricles of the Brain using Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Dissection Method: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: The lateral ventricle, which is the largest among all ventricles of the brain, can be divided into the frontal horn, body, posterior horn, and inferior horn. Various methodologies may produce different results in measuring the length of the lateral ventricle. Aim: To determine whether there are any differences in the lengths of the lateral ventricle when measured using formalin-fixed brain specimens and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2014 to March 2019 in the Department of Anatomy at Silchar Medical College and Hospital, Assam, India. A total of 127 formalin-fixed cadaveric brain specimens were used to measure the lengths of different parts of the lateral ventricle using a Vernier Calliper. Additionally, MRI scans of 35 patients were used to measure the same lengths. The mean values of the lateral ventricle lengths measured in formalin-fixed brain specimens and MRI scans were compared using Student’s t-test to determine statistical significance. Furthermore, variations in the lengths of the lateral ventricle according to age and gender were also measured using MRI. Results: Among the 127 brain specimens, 78 were from male brains and 49 were from female brains. Out of the 35 MRI scans, 23 were from male cases and 12 were from female cases. The average length of the frontal horn, body, and inferior horn was found to be greater in MRI scans (34.83 mm, 54.37 mm, and 51.09 mm, respectively) compared to the dissection method in cadavers (30.64 mm, 35.49 mm, and 42.29 mm, respectively). All parts of the lateral ventricle measured in MRI scans were found to have greater lengths in males, although the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: A significant difference was observed when comparing the lengths of the lateral ventricle measured in MRI scans and formalin-fixed cadaveric brain specimens.

Washed microbiota transplantation stopped the deterioration of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: The first case report and narrative review.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is known as a progressive paralysis disorder characterized by degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons, and has an average survival time of three to five years. Growing evidence has suggested a bidirectional link between gut microbiota and neurodegeneration. Here we aimed to report one female case with ALS, who benefited from washed microbiota transplantation (WMT), an improved fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), through a transendoscopic enteral tube during a 12-month follow-up. Notedly, the accidental scalp trauma the patient suffered later was treated with prescribed antibiotics that caused ALS deterioration. The subsequent rescue WMTs successfully stopped the progression of the disease with a quick improvement. The plateaus and reversals occurred during the whole course of WMT. The stool and blood samples from the first WMT to the last were collected for dynamic microbial and metabolomic analysis. We observed the microbial and metabolomic changing trend consistent with the disease status. This case report for the first time shows the direct clinical evidence on using WMT for treating ALS, indicating that WMT may be the novel treatment strategy for controlling this so-called incurable disease.

Alexithymia prevalence among patients with chronic dermatological diseases in a tertiary hospital, Saudi Arabia.

Alexithymia is a psychological condition characterized by difficulty in identifying and expressing one's emotions, and it has been associated with several physical and mental health disorders. To determine the prevalence of alexithymia among patients with a range of chronic dermatological diseases in a Saudi public hospital. 477 patients who were over 14 years old and affected by one of the following chronic skin conditions: psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, acne, alopecia areata, vitiligo, hidradenitis suppurativa, pemphigus vulgaris, chronic urticaria were included in this study. Alexithymia was assessed in these patients by using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS) which is a widely used, reliable and valid measure of this construct. Prevalence of alexithymia among chronic dermatological disease patients ranges from 14.8% to 71.4%, with an overall occurrence of 43%. The highest prevalence of alexithymia was found in hidradenitis suppurativa (71.4%) and the lowest in acne (14.8%). Overall, the alexithymia cases were predominantly male (51.7%). The distribution of male and female cases with alexithymia varied among patients with different types of chronic skin diseases, with the highest male prevalence in psoriasis (58.7%) and the highest female prevalence in pemphigus vulgaris (66.7%). Alexithymia is prevalent among patients with chronic dermatological diseases and dermatologists' awareness of how to identify and address alexithymia among their patients can play a vital role in improving treatment adherence and outcomes.

Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Tripoli, Libya

Background: Infection with Helicobacter pylori is typically contracted in early childhood and is associated with a variety of upper gastrointestinal disorders. There is still little local information available on infection epidemiology. This study was performed to determine the antibodies of seroprevalence of H. pylori in people, with their relation to age and gender. Methods: A retrospective epidemiologic survey was conducted in different polyclinics in Tripoli from January 2021 to December 2021 to determine the seroprevalence of H. pylori infection. A total of 707 participants (452 males and 255 females, with mean age of 39 ± 19.3 years) were included in this study. For the detection of H. pylori, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits were utilized. In contrast, the absence of both antibodies (IgG and IgA) resulted in the designation of an H. pylori-negative status. Anti-H pylori immunoglobulin (Ig) G/IgA ≥30 enzyme immune units were classified as H. pylori positive. Chi-square test was used to analyze the obtained data. Results: The overall positive seropositive samples among the study participants were 122 (17.2%). The seropositivity was high 42 (34.4%) among the age group 30 &lt;40 years, compared with the other age groups. There was no significant difference between male and female cases regarding the seropositive samples. Conclusion: Seroprevalence of H. pylori infection shows a drop comparing to previously local reports. Nationwide epidemiological research is necessary for determining the seroprevalence of H. pylori in Libya.

Chimerism Revisited: Perspective of an Immunopathologist

Introduction: Chimerism analysis is an important diagnostic tool not only for assessing the risk of relapse after allo-Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) in patients with malignant diseases, it is also the predominant method for monitoring post-transplant engraftment status in both haematological malignancies and non malignant haematological disorders. Aim: To show the chimerism data observed in post-HSCT cases of our hospital over last four years and to emphasise on timely and close monitoring of these patients in the laboratory. Materials and Methods: The present study was a retrospective study in which 40 HSCT cases comprising of both haematological malignancies and non malignant haematological disorders were monitored in the molecular laboratory of Army Hospital (Research and Referral), at regular intervals by Short Tandem RepeatsPolymerase Chain Reaction (STR-PCR) for quantification of donor chimerism. The pretransplant workup included Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) typing of all recipients and donors, serum Panel Reactive Antibody (PRA) testing and Single Antigen Bead (SAB) assays for detecting donor specific antibodies in all haploidentical transplants. Results: Male patients formed majority, with only nine female cases. After complete HLA matching and preconditioning, 35 patients underwent matched related stem cell transplant, two were Matched Unrelated Donor (MUD) and three haploidentical transplants. Complete donor chimerism at D+90 was reported in 19 patients (73%) of haematologic malignancies with two cases of relapse and five showing evidence of Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD). Amongst non malignant disorders 10 patients (71.4%) showed complete donor chimerism at D+90 with two cases of GVHD. Conclusions: Post-HSCT, progressive chimerism monitoring is an essential molecular test that predicts engraftment status of the patient by verifying the dynamic relationship between recipient and donor cells.