Group Of Healthy Volunteers Research Articles

Comparative Analysis of Conventional and Speckle Tracking Echocardiographic Variables between Patients with Unrejected Heart Transplants and Healthy Individuals.

Echocardiography is essential for the assessment of patients with heart transplants. However, normal values in such individuals are not clearly defined. To compare conventional echocardiographic and speckle tracking variables between patients with unrejected heart transplants and healthy individuals. :A prospective study was conducted with adult patients having undergone heart transplantation at least one year earlier and submitted to endomyocardial biopsy followed by transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE). Conventional TTE measures and mechanical heart strain assessments using speckle tracking were performed and the results were compared to those of a group of healthy volunteers. Statistical significance was set at 5% (p < 0.05). Thirty-six transplant patients without rejection were analyzed and compared to 30 healthy individuals. Chagas disease was the main reason for transplantation. Lower left ventricular global longitudinal strain expressed in absolute values was found (11.99% in transplant patients vs. 20.60% in controls; p <0.0001), right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain (16.67% in transplant patients vs. 25.50% in controls; p <0.0001) and myocardial work indices (p < 0.0001) as well as a larger size of the left atrium (38.17 ml/m2 in transplant patients vs. 18.98 ml/m2 in controls; p <0.0001) and greater mass and relative wall thickness (p <0.0001). Stable patients having undergone heart transplants without rejection have differences concerning echocardiographic variables compared to healthy individuals. These findings indicate that conventional echocardiographic measures and heart mechanics are altered in transplant patients even in the absence of rejection. Such findings are relevant to the clinical context and follow-up of the patient.

Comparative Evaluation of Calibrated and Non-calibrated Infrared Thermometer Versus Calibrated Digital Thermometer in Healthy Volunteers and Febrile Patients in a Tertiary Care Center in Central India

ABSTRACT Body temperature is a crucial indicator in assessing human physiological activity and health, particularly in pediatric and critically ill patients. This study aimed to compare temperature recordings obtained from digital calibrated thermometers with calibrated infrared thermometers and non-calibrated infrared thermometers against calibrated ones. An observational prospective study was conducted at AIIMS Bhopal, involving volunteers and febrile patients who consented to participate. Approval was obtained from the Institutional Human Ethics Committee, and 200 participants meeting inclusion/exclusion criteria were included. Data were collected and analyzed using Microsoft Excel. Mean and variance values were computed for both volunteer and febrile patient groups. The P values in both groups were less than 0.05, indicating a significant difference between non-calibrated handheld infrared thermometers (T1), calibrated digital thermometers (T2), and their individual comparison with calibrated infrared thermometers (T3). Variance was higher in non-calibrated infrared thermometers (T1) compared to calibrated ones (T2) in both healthy volunteers and febrile patients. Pearson’s correlation coefficient analysis within the febrile patient group demonstrated a robust positive correlation among all three thermometers compared to the healthy volunteers group. The study highlights variations in temperature readings when using different thermometers, irrespective of whether the assessment is conducted on healthy volunteers or febrile patients. Notably, the strength of association is lower in healthy volunteers than in febrile patients, suggesting that the interchangeability of thermometers may be more reliable and sufficient when assessing individuals with fever. These findings underscore the importance of careful consideration and validation of thermometer choices, especially in clinical settings where accurate temperature measurement is critical.

Brain neuroplasticity in multiple sclerosis patients in functional magnetic resonance imaging. Part 1: Comparison with healthy volunteers.

The aim of this study was to assess the activity of motor cortical areas and the resting brain activity in a group of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients compared to a group of healthy individuals according to task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (t-fMRI), resting state functional MRI (rs-fMRI), and volumetric MRI studies. The study enrolled 28 MS patients and 20 healthy volunteers who underwent MRI examinations. Primary motor cortex (M1), premotor area (PMA), supplementary motor area, as well as resting state networks (RSN's) and volumes of selected brain structures were subjected to a detailed analysis. In MS patients, a motor task more often resulted in the activation of ipsilateral M1 cortex (observed in 39% of the studied group) as well as the PMA cortex (observed in 32% of MS patients). No differences in resting brain activity were found between the studied groups. Significant differences were observed in volumetric parameters of the total brain volume (healthy volunteers vs. MS patients, respectively): (1197 cm³ vs. 1150 cm³) and volumes of the grey matter (517 cm³ vs. 481 cm³), cerebellum (150 cm³ vs. 136 cm³), thalamus (16.3 cm³ vs. 12.6 cm³), putamen (8.9 cm³ vs. 7.7 cm³), and globus pallidus (4.57 cm³ vs. 3.57 cm³). In the MS patients, the motor task required significantly more frequent activation of the primary and secondary ipsilateral motor cortex compared to the group of healthy volunteers. The rs-fMRI study showed no differences in activity patterns within the RSN's. Differences in the total cerebral volume and the volume of the grey matter, cerebellum, thalamus, putamen, and globus pallidus were observed.

Relationship of disc degeneration after pubertal growth spurt to future low back pain: a longitudinal cohort study.

In this longitudinal cohort study, we investigated the relationship of disc degeneration (DD) after pubertal growth spurt to future low back pain (LBP). A group of healthy volunteers underwent a semi-structured interview about LBP without trauma and a 1.5T lumbar MRI at ages 18 and 34. A Pfirrmann Summary Score (PSS) was calculated by adding up the Pfirrmann grades of the three lowest lumbar discs of each subject (range 3-15). The relationship of PSS at age 18 to LBP at age 34 was analyzed. Forty-one participants had full data at both time points. Mean PSS at age 18 was 6.8 (SD 1.1) and 5.6 (SD 1.2) for participants with or without LBP at age 34, respectively (p = 0.009). The OR (95% CI) of PSS at age 18 for LBP at age 34 was 5.46 (1.22 to 24.47) when adjusted for sex, BMI, smoking and physical activity. All participants but one with PSS greater than 6 at age 18 reported LBP at age 34. This is the first study to suggest that DD may be associated with future LBP and the critical time frame seems to be the pubertal growth spurt. Every 1-point increase in Pfirrmann grade at age 18 increased the risk of LBP 5.5-fold at age 34 when adjusted for sex, BMI, smoking and physical activity at age 34. All participants but one with at least one disc with Pfirrmann grade 3 or higher at age 18 reported LBP at age 34.

Functional changes in sleep-related arousal after ketamine administration in individuals with treatment-resistant depression

The glutamatergic modulator ketamine is associated with changes in sleep, depression, and suicidal ideation (SI). This study sought to evaluate differences in arousal-related sleep metrics between 36 individuals with treatment-resistant major depression (TRD) and 25 healthy volunteers (HVs). It also sought to determine whether ketamine normalizes arousal in individuals with TRD and whether ketamine’s effects on arousal mediate its antidepressant and anti-SI effects. This was a secondary analysis of a biomarker-focused, randomized, double-blind, crossover trial of ketamine (0.5 mg/kg) compared to saline placebo. Polysomnography (PSG) studies were conducted one day before and one day after ketamine/placebo infusions. Sleep arousal was measured using spectral power functions over time including alpha (quiet wakefulness), beta (alert wakefulness), and delta (deep sleep) power, as well as macroarchitecture variables, including wakefulness after sleep onset (WASO), total sleep time (TST), rapid eye movement (REM) latency, and Post-Sleep Onset Sleep Efficiency (PSOSE). At baseline, diagnostic differences in sleep macroarchitecture included lower TST (p = 0.006) and shorter REM latency (p = 0.04) in the TRD versus HV group. Ketamine’s temporal dynamic effects (relative to placebo) in TRD included increased delta power earlier in the night and increased alpha and delta power later in the night. However, there were no significant diagnostic differences in temporal patterns of alpha, beta, or delta power, no ketamine effects on sleep macroarchitecture arousal metrics, and no mediation effects of sleep variables on ketamine’s antidepressant or anti-SI effects. These results highlight the role of sleep-related variables as part of the systemic neurobiological changes initiated after ketamine administration. Clinical Trials Identifier: NCT00088699.

Quantitative 23Na magnetic resonance imaging in the abdomen at 3 T

ObjectivesTo assess the feasibility of sodium-23 MRI for performing quantitative and non-invasive measurements of total sodium concentration (TSC) and relaxation in a variety of abdominal organs.Materials and methodsProton and sodium imaging of the abdomen was performed in 19 healthy volunteers using a 3D cones sequence and a sodium-tuned 4-rung transmit/receive body coil on a clinical 3 T system. The effects of B1 non-uniformity on TSC measurements were corrected using the double-angle method. The long-component of 23Na T2* relaxation time was measured using a series of variable echo-times.ResultsThe mean and standard deviation of TSC and long-component 23Na T2* values were calculated across the healthy volunteer group in the kidneys, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), liver, gallbladder, spleen, aorta, and inferior vena cava.DiscussionMean TSC values in the kidneys, liver, and spleen were similar to those reported using 23Na-MRI previously in the literature. Measurements in the CSF and gallbladder were lower, potentially due to the reduced spatial resolution achievable in a clinically acceptable scan time. Mean long-component 23Na T2* values were consistent with previous reports from the kidneys and CSF. Intra-population standard error was larger in smaller, fluid-filled structures due to fluid motion and partial volume effects.

Filtering Efficiency and Design Properties of Medical- and Non-Medical-Grade Face Masks: A Multiscale Modeling Approach

Approved medical face masks have been shown to prevent the spread of respiratory droplets associated with coronavirus transmission in specific settings. The primary goal of this study was to develop a new strategy to assess the filtering and transmissibility properties of medical- and non-medical-grade face masks. In this study, we designed and assessed the filtering efficiency of particles through six different masks with a diverse set of fabrics, textures (woven and non-woven), fiber diameters, and porosity. The filtering and transmissibility properties of face mask layers individually and in combination have been assessed using mathematical analyses and new experimental data. The latter provided velocity profiles and filtration efficiencies for which the data were shown to be predictable. The filtration efficacy and pressure drop across each fabric have been tested using an aerosol particle spray and scanning electron microscopy. To assess clinical significance, the temperature and humidity of the masks were tested on a group of healthy volunteers spanning various age ranges (9–79 years old), utilizing an embedded temperature sensor disc. Also, a mask filter model was developed using fluid dynamic simulations (Solidworks Flow) to evaluate the aerodynamic dispersion of respiratory droplets. Overall, the FFP2 and FFP3 masks demonstrated the highest filtration efficiencies, each exceeding 90%, a feature of multi-layered masks that is consistent with simulations demonstrating higher filtering efficiencies for small particles (&lt;5 µm). The velocity and temperature simulations of all six masks revealed a low air velocity (~1 m/s) inside the mask and a temperature variation of approximately 3 °C during the breathing cycle.

Hip capsular pattern and chronic non-specific low back pain –A case controlled prospective study

BackgroundIndividuals with chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNLBP) presents with altered lumbosacral biomechanics, potentially stemming from compromised hip joint mobility. The objective of our study was to assess hip range of motion (ROM) and hamstring flexibility in individuals with CNLBP to ascertain the presence of a hip capsular pattern in relation to age-matched controls. MethodsThis study was conducted at a tertiary hospital between July 2017 and September 2018, with approval from the institutional review board (JIP/IEC/2017/0044). Inclusion criteria encompassed axial or non-radiating pain primarily in the back for more than 3 months with no definitive pathology. A group of individuals with CNLBP (n = 27) and a control group (n = 30) of age-matched healthy volunteers were included. The observers were blinded to grouping. Bilateral hip range of motion and hamstring flexibility were measured. ResultsIndividuals with CNLBP exhibited a significant mean reduction in hip adduction (9.68 & 8.8o) and internal rotation (7.19 & 7.09°) of the right and left hips, respectively. Additionally, there was a mean increase in flexion (7.68 & 7.71°), extension (6.99 & 8.64°), abduction (7.08 & 8.02°), and external rotation (20.4 & 20.1°) of the right and left hips, respectively, compared to controls (p < 0.01). Notably, hamstring flexibility did not show a significant difference (P > 0.05). ConclusionBased on this study, it is plausible that individuals with CNLBP may exhibit a hip capsular pattern (FABER), with the exception of flexion, when compared to age-matched normal individuals. Also, it was also noted that hamstring tightness did not accompany CNLBP.

Are the Increased Frequency of Hand Washing After the COVID-19 Pandemic and Xerosis on the Hands Associated with the Occurrence of Hand Warts?

Aim: The COVID-19 pandemic has changed hand-washing habits. Exposure to water more frequently and time than normal causes dryness, dermatitis, and damage to the skin barrier. We aimed to investigate the relationship between the frequency and duration of exposure to water on the hands, obsession with hand washing, and warts on the hands. Material and Method: A questionnaire was administered to hand warts group (n=94), plantar warts group (n=46), and healthy volunteers (n=30) questioning the factors that predispose to wart formation, hygiene behaviors, hand moisturizing habits, and hand washing obsession. The presence of warts, localization, number, and clinical type, presence of xerosis, and hand dermatitis were recorded. Data from the hand warts group were compared with control groups of healthy volunteers with plantar warts. Results: The total exposure time of the hands to water per day was significantly higher in hand warts group than in the plantar warts group and healthy ones (

Age, sex, and lung volume dependence of dissolved xenon-129 MRI gas exchange metrics.

To characterize the dependence of Xe-MRI gas transfer metrics upon age, sex, and lung volume in a group of healthy volunteers. Sixty-five subjects with no history of chronic lung disease were assessed with 129Xe-MRI using a four-echo 3D radial spectroscopic imaging sequence and a dose of xenon titrated according to subject height that was inhaled from a lung volume of functional residual capacity (FRC). Imaging was repeated in 34 subjects at total lung capacity (TLC). Regional maps of the fractions of dissolved xenon in red blood cells (RBC), membrane (M), and airspace (Gas) were acquired at an isotropic resolution of 2 cm, from which global averages of the ratios RBC:M, RBC:Gas, and M:Gas were computed. Data from 26 males and 36 females with a median age of 43 y (range: 20-69 y) were of sufficient quality to analyze. Age (p = 0.0006) and sex (p < 0.0001) were significant predictors for RBC:M, and a linear regression showed higher values and steeper decline in males: RBC:M(Males) = -0.00362 × Age + 0.60 (p = 0.01, R2 = 0.25); RBC:M(Females) = -0.00170 × Age + 0.44 (p = 0.02, R2 = 0.15). Similarly, age and sex were significant predictors for RBC:Gas but not for M:Gas. RBC:M, M:Gas and RBC:Gas were significantly lower at TLC than at FRC (plus inhaled volume), with an average 9%, 30% and 35% decrease, respectively. Expected age and sex dependence of pulmonary function concurs with 129Xe RBC:M imaging results, demonstrating that these variables must be considered when reporting Xe-MRI metrics. Xenon doses and breathing maneuvers should be controlled due to the strong dependence of Xe-MRI metrics upon lung volume.

Diagnostic Value of GSTP1, RASSF1, AND RASSF2 Methylation in Serum of Prostate Cancer Patients.

Considering the inadequacy of PSA measurement in the diagnosis of prostate cancer, it is aimed to establish a potential liquid biopsy diagnostic panel. 39 patients who underwent TRUS-biopsy and 15 healthy volunteers were included. Approximately 15 ml of venous blood samples taken from healthy volunteers and patients before biopsy were separated as plasma. Hypermethylation status of GSTP1 and RASSF1:RASSF2 genes was revealed in cfDNA materials collected from plasma samples. Correlation of this epigenetic change detected in PCa, BPH and healthy volunteer groups with pathology results was examined. Pathology reports of 39 patients included were 13 PCa, 3 ASAP, 3 HGPIN, and 20 BPH. In total, 3 of the patients with PCa had positive GSTP1, 4 had RASSF1 and 9 had positive RASSF2 methylation. It was seen that RASSF2 had the highest sensitivity (69%), specificity (39%) and NPV (80%), while RASSF1 had the highest PPV (30%). When the binary combinations of genes were examined it was observed that the GSTP1:RASSF1 combination had the highest sensitivity (46%), specificity (76%) and NPV (82%). When the methylation of all three genes was examined, it was observed that the sensitivity was quite low (8%), but the specificity (83%) increased significantly. Although we observed that the GSTP1 and RASSF1 methylation positivity rates that we examined in our study were higher in patients without prostate cancer, we found that the RASSF2 methylation rate was higher in patients with prostate cancer. randomized controlled studies are needed.

BIOCHEMICAL INDICATORS OF GASTRIC JUICE IN INCOMPETENCE OF THE PHYSIOLOGICAL GASTRIC CARDIA

Aim. This study aimed to evaluate the biochemical characteristics of gastric juice in cases incompetence of the physiological cardia (IPC) at the gastroesophageal junction. Methods. Gastric juice samples were collected from 42 patients diagnosed with hiatal hernia (HH) at the State Institution "Institute of Gastroenterology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine". Patients were classified into type I (sliding) HH (n=26) and type II (paraesophageal) HH (n=16), with a control group of healthy volunteers (n=9). Results. Analysis included pH, pepsin concentration, bile acids, total calcium and stable metabolites of nitric oxide (NOx). In type I HH, gastric juice showed increased pH (3.73±0.49) and elevated pepsin concentration (1.33±0.22 mg/ml) compared to controls (p&lt;0.01 and P&lt;0.05 respectively), indicating hypoacidity and hyperfunction of chief cells. Type II HH exhibited pH levels (2.34±0.72) similar to controls and no significant difference in pepsin concentration. NOx levels in type I HH were lower (P&lt;0.05) compared to controls, suggesting reduced NOergic system activity. Calcium concentration in gastric juice did not significantly differ between groups. Conclusions. These findings suggest that type I HH is associated with disturbances in gastric secretion regulation, possibly unrelated to duodenogastric reflux. Further investigation is warranted to elucidate the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.

Ultrasound Imaging in Football Players with Previous Multiple Ankle Sprains: Keeping a Close Eye on Superior Ankle Retinaculum.

The superior extensor ankle retinaculum (SEAR), a transversely fascial thickening positioned above the tibia-talar joint, serves as a crucial anatomical structure in ankle stability. The purpose of this study was to measure and compare by ultrasound (US) imaging the bilateral thickness and echogenicity of SEAR in football players with previous multiple ankle sprains (group 1) and healthy volunteers (group 2). A cross-sectional study was performed using ultrasound imaging to measure longitudinal and transversal axes using a new protocol in a sample of 50 subjects: 25 football players with previous multiple ankle sprains and 25 healthy subjects. The findings for SEAR thickness revealed statistically significant differences for both axes (p = 0.0011 and p = 0.0032) between the healthy side and the previously sprained side, and with the corresponding side of group 2 (p = 0.003 and p = 0.004). Moreover, in group 1, regarding the ROI echogenicity, a statistically significant difference was found between the sides (p = 0.0378). These findings suggest that the football players with previous ankle sprains showed a thicker and inhomogeneous SEAR on the sprain side, unveiling a remodeling of this structure compared to the other side and to the healthy volunteers. In these athletes, during US examination, one needs to keep "a US eye" on side-to-side SEAR comparisons.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging of the brain in patients with insomnia: a prospective study

INTRODUCTION: Insomnia is one of the most common sleep disorders, the interest of scientists in the occurrence and pathophysiology of insomnia is growing every year. In particular, the brain connectome and its changes in sleep disorders are being actively studied based on the data of resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging.OBJECTIVE: The study is to assess changes in brain connectomes in patients with chronic insomnia using functional magnetic resonance imaging.MATERIALS AND METHODS: 53 people took part in the study, of which 34 patients who applied for a somnologist’s appointment at the Almazov National Research Medical Center of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation were diagnosed with chronic insomnia, confirmed by polysomnography. All participants of the study had an MRI of the brain on tomographs with a magnetic field induction force of 3.0 Tl at two time points.Statistics: Statistical analysis of MRI data was performed using MathLab 2018a, CONN v1.7. Descriptive statistics, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov criterion were used to process the materials, depending on the characteristics of the data, the MannWhitney U-criterion and Pearson Chi-squared were used to analyze demographic data.RESULTS: The study, neuroimaging markers of insomnia were identified and changes in the functional networks of the brain were described in patients with insomnia and a group of healthy volunteers at different time points.DISCUSSION: The obtained functional data demonstrate ambiguous results. Both an increase and a decrease in the functional connectivity of the medial prefrontal cortex with the structures of the visual analyzer, an increase in functional connections with the temporal pole, in particular with the hippocampus, is determined, which indicates changes in the consolidation of visually encoded information. The relative limitation in this study can be considered the heterogeneity of the age composition of the group.CONCLUSSION: Resting state functional MRI of the brain is a key neuroimaging method in determining the functional connections of the brain in patients with sleep disorders, which allows us to establish a impairment of functional interaction between brain structures involved in the processes of falling asleep and maintaining sleep.

β-hydroxybutyrate exposure restores mitochondrial function in skeletal muscle satellite cells of critically ill patients

Background and AimDysfunction of skeletal muscle satellite cells might impair muscle regeneration and prolong ICU-acquired weakness, a condition associated with disability and delayed death. This study aimed to elucidate the distinct metabolic effects of critical illness and β-OHB on satellite cells isolated from these patients. MethodsSatellite cells were extracted from vastus lateralis muscle biopsies of patients with ICU-acquired weakness (n = 10) and control group of healthy volunteers or patients undergoing elective hip replacement surgery (n = 10). The cells were exposed to standard culture media supplemented with β-OH-butyrate to assess its influence on cell proliferation by ELISA, mitochondrial functions by extracellular flux analysis, electron transport chain complexes by high resolution respirometry, and ROS production by confocal microscopy. ResultsCritical illness led to a decline in maximal respiratory capacity, ATP production and glycolytic capacity and increased ROS production in ICU patients’ cells. Notably, the function of complex II was impaired due to critical illness but restored to normal levels upon exposure to β-OH-butyrate. While β-OH-butyrate significantly reduced ROS production in both control and ICU groups, it had no significant impact on global mitochondrial functions. ConclusionCritical illness induces measurable bioenergetic dysfunction of skeletal muscle satellite cells. β-OH-butyrate displayed a potential in rectifying complex II dysfunction caused by critical illness and this warrants further exploration.

The comparison between opiate use disorder patients in the remission state with healthy volunteers regarding behavioral addictions

ABSTRACT Objective The present study aimed to compare the patients with opiate use disorder (OUD) and healthy volunteers with respect to behavioral addictions (gambling, excessive shopping, internet, and exercise). Methods Our study included 100 OUD patients in the remission state for at least one month who had been diagnosed according to DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and completed detoxification therapy and 100 healthy volunteers. Sociodemographic Data Form, South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), Compulsive Online Shopping Scale (COSS), Exercise Addiction Scale (EAS), and Internet Addiction Scale (IAS) were administered to all participants. Results Mean ages were 31.62 ± 6.48 and 31.67 ± 7.8 years in the OUD and healthy volunteer groups, respectively (p = NS). Male participants constituted 90% (n = 90) of both groups. Similar SOGS (p = NS), COSS (p = NS), and EAS (p = NS) scores were detected in both groups. IAS scores of healthy controls were found significantly higher than the OUD group (p < .001). Conclusion According to our study results, we can state that OUD patients in the remission state are similar with general population with respect to exercise, gambling, and shopping addictions whereas their risk for internet addiction is lower than the general population.

Evaluation of physical and mental components summary in patients with primary and secondary fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia (FM) is widespread and covers different age groups, most commonly occurring between 20 and 50 years. Patients with rheumatic diseases - osteoarthritis (OA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), have an accompanying / secondary FM. The presence of secondary fibromyalgia in SLE and OA has been investigated by various authors and is found in approximately 20% of these patients. The purpose of this clinical trial is to analyze correlations under clinical manifestations of primary vs. secondary FM. The present study is prospective and has been performed at the Clinic of Rheumatology of the University Hospital “St. Ivan Rilski” and “Focus 5” Center, Sofia for the period September 2013 - September 2017. Eighty three patients with primary FM, 39 patients with FM + OA, 23 patients with FM + SLE, 27 patients with SLE and 36 healthy subjects were included. The present study analyse the relationship of clinical manifestations and physical (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) in patients with primary and secondary fibromyalgia (FM) compared with a control group of healthy volunteers. The obtained results prove that development of pain in FM to related of concomitant clinical symptoms. Impact of FM on daily functioning and Von Zerssen depression score to determine the physical component summary. Impact of FM on daily functioning - social functioning and HADS score for depression to determine the mental component summary

A cross sectional study to assess the elevation in glucose regulated protein 78 levels in severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 infected patients and its correlation with metabolic conditions, severity, complications

Introduction and Aim: COVID-19 pandemic has posed an exceptional challenge worldwide. Research encompassing newer diagnostic tests, targeted therapy has become the need of the hour. The objective of this work is to evaluate the levels of Glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78) an Endoplasmic Reticulum stress (ERS) protein in Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus -2 (SARS -CoV-2) infected patients. Materials and Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional investigation at the hospital, with three distinct groups: SARS-CoV-2-positive patients with metabolic syndrome (Group A), SARS-CoV-2-positive patients without metabolic abnormalities (Group B), and healthy volunteers (Group C). Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was used to estimate the serum levels of GRP78. Results: Our results showed that serum GRP78 levels were elevated in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infections. Furthermore, it could be demonstrated that Group A had considerably higher serum GRP78 levels than Groups B and C suggesting an elevated GRP78 levels in COVID-19 patients with metabolic syndrome These findings highlight the clinical importance of GRP78 in COVID-19 and its utility as a marker for severity of the illness. Conclusion: This work compares the trend of serum GRP78 levels in SARS-CoV-2 patients with and without metabolic conditions as compared to the control group. This finding encourages more research on GRP78 to aid the development of targeted therapeutic and prophylactic interventions to combat COVID-19 infection.

Ultrasound assessment of blood flow in the median nerve in normal conditions and in carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common compressive neuropathy of the upper extremity, which manifests with painful paresthesia in the fingers and impaired hand function. The ultrasound method is successfully used to diagnose this disease. The ultrasound criterion for carpal tunnel syndrome is swelling of the median ner ve, which is a manifestation of poor circulation in the nerve. The study involved 29 people (56 limbs), divided into 2 groups: group 1 — healthy volunteers (14 people, image processing. In group 1, the intraneural type of blood flow was found in 75 % of cases, paraneural — in 3.6 %, and the blood flow was not determined in 21.4 %. In group 2, in 78.6 % of cases there was an intraneural type of blood flow, in 7.1 % — paraneural, and in 14.3 % the blood flow was not determined. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups. In the group of the patients, the area averaged at 15,350 px2, which is statistically significantly higher than the area of the median ner ve in the group of the volunteers, where this figure averaged at 6,665 px2. The average cross-sectional area of the visualized vessels of the median nerve in the group of the patients was 226 px 2, and in the group of healthy volunteers — 101.025 px2. The blood flow area in the patients was statistically significantly higher than in the volunteers, and the blood flow velocity was 5 cm/sec on average, which is statistically significantly higher than in the control group, where this figure averaged at 3 cm/sec. The type of blood supply to the median nerve does not affect the development of carpal tunnel syndrome and does not determine its origin. Analysis of blood flow velocity may be an important predictor of treatment success in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Technical note: Minimizing CIED artifacts on a 0.35 T MRI-Linac using deep learning.

Artifacts from implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are a challenge to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided radiotherapy (MRgRT). This study tested an unsupervised generative adversarial network to mitigate ICD artifacts in balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) cine MRIs and improve image quality and tracking performance for MRgRT. Fourteen healthy volunteers (Group A) were scanned on a 0.35 T MRI-Linac with and without an MR conditional ICD taped to their left pectoral to simulate an implanted ICD. bSSFP MRI data from 12 of the volunteers were used to train a CycleGAN model to reduce ICD artifacts. The data from the remaining two volunteers were used for testing. In addition, the dataset was reorganized three times using a Leave-One-Out scheme. Tracking metrics [Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), target registration error (TRE), and 95 percentile Hausdorff distance (95% HD)] were evaluated for whole-heart contours. Image quality metrics [normalized root mean square error (nRMSE), peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), and multiscale structural similarity (MS-SSIM) scores] were evaluated. The technique was also tested qualitatively on three additional ICD datasets (Group B) including a patient with an implanted ICD. For the whole-heart contour with CycleGAN reconstruction: 1) Mean DSC rose from 0.910 to 0.935; 2) Mean TRE dropped from 4.488 to 2.877mm; and 3) Mean 95% HD dropped from 10.236 to 7.700mm. For the whole-body slice with CycleGAN reconstruction: 1) Mean nRMSE dropped from 0.644 to 0.420; 2) Mean MS-SSIM rose from 0.779 to 0.819; and 3) Mean PSNR rose from 18.744 to 22.368. The three Group B datasets evaluated qualitatively displayed a reduction in ICD artifacts in the heart. CycleGAN-generated reconstructions significantly improved both tracking and image quality metrics when used to mitigate artifacts from ICDs.