High Prevalence Research Articles

Prevalence and molecular analysis of some important viruses in honey bee colonies in Türkiye: the status of multiple infections.

In this study, seven bee viruses of significant importance for bee health in Türkiye were investigated using one-step RT-PCR. For this purpose, larvae from 1183 hives and adult bees from 1196 hives were sampled from 400 apiaries in 40 provinces. The prevalence of viral infections in hives was as follows: acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV), 6.4%; black queen cell virus (BQCV), 77%; chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV), 3.2%; deformed wing virus (DWV), 63.8%; Israel acute bee paralysis virus (IAPV), 7%; Kashmir bee virus (KBV), 2.7%; sacbrood virus (SBV), 49.7%. Moreover, 50 different combinations of viral infections were identified in the hives. While dual infections (36.1%) were the most common in hives, triple infections with BQCV, DWV, and SBV were found to have the highest prevalence (22.1%). At least one viral infection was detected in all of the apiaries tested. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the isolates from this study generally exhibited the highest similarity to previously reported Turkish isolates. When similarity ratios and the locations and types of amino acid mutations were analyzed, it was observed that the isolates from our study exhibited high similarity to isolates from various countries, including China, the United Kingdom, Syria, and Germany.

Prevalence of Dental Abnormalities, Soft Tissue Pathologies and Occlusion Disorders in Patients with High BMI: A Cross-sectional Study.

The relationship between body mass index (BMI) and oral disorders remains unclear. This study examined the prevalence and types of dental abnormalities and oral mucosal lesions among female students with obesity attending a Taif University sports centre. This non-interventional cross-sectional study enrolled female students with high BMI from a university sports facility using a convivence sampling method. The participants were divided into three BMI groups. Data were collected using an interview and by clinical oral examination. Prevalence and oral disorder types and possible mechanisms linking BMI and dental development were evaluated. Ultimately, 86 female students with obesity were analysed. The mean BMI was 42.8 kg/m2, indicating high obesity levels. A weak although statistically significant correlation was observed between age and BMI (r=0.27), indicating that older students had higher BMI. A statistically significant association was observed between BMI and dental abnormalities (p0.05). The dental abnormality prevalence increased with BMI, ranging from 37.5% to 40.7% in the ≤40 and >45 kg/m2 groups, respectively. Most participants (66.3%) had oral mucosal lesions, with the highest prevalence among participants in the 40-45 kg/m2 group (71.4%). A statistically significant relationship was observed between BMI and dental abnormalities; obesity may negatively affect oral health.

Serologically Confirmed Human Leptospirosis in Colombia, 2015-2020.

Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection transmitted through contact with infected animals or contaminated water sources, imposes a substantial health burden in Colombia. Since 2007, the National Institute of Health (INS) has mandated the notification and confirmation of all suspected leptospirosis cases. This passive surveillance program employs the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) on serum samples to ascertain confirmed cases of leptospirosis infection. However, the absence of a robust surveillance system has hindered our comprehensive understanding of the morbidity, mortality, geographical distribution, species/serovars, and strains responsible for severe disease. Our study aimed to provide an epidemiological overview of MAT-confirmed human leptospirosis cases reported over 6 years (2015-2020) in Colombia. In addition, we offer insights into the status of leptospirosis in the country, focusing on risk factors and proposing potential improvements for diagnosis and disease management. During the 6-year surveillance period, the laboratory at the INS received 3,535 serum samples from suspected human leptospirosis cases, with 880 (25%) confirmed through MAT. The incidence of leptospirosis was calculated at 1.9 cases per 100,000 people, with a higher prevalence among men (82.1%). Furthermore, 54 (6.1%) deaths were confirmed as leptospirosis, and cases were documented across nearly all regions of Colombia. Our findings emphasize the urgent need to strengthen leptospirosis laboratory surveillance, implement effective prevention measures, and enhance diagnostic capabilities in Colombia. The analysis conducted in this study provides the groundwork for estimating the impact of leptospirosis and raises awareness of its significance in public health.

Clinicopathologic findings and causes of mortality in 100 pet rabbits from the Canary Islands, Spain, 2011-2022.

The European domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus) is commonly kept as a pet, with increasing popularity among pet owners. Despite the increasing body of information on lagomorph medicine and pathology, comprehensive published compilations of causes of mortality in pet rabbits are limited. We analyzed health disorders, pathology findings, and most probable causes of death in 100 pet rabbits submitted to the Anatomopathological Diagnostic Service of the Veterinary School of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain, from 2011 to 2022. We reviewed clinical data and gross and histopathologic findings to classify the various disorders into infectious (n = 39), noninfectious (n = 45), and idiopathic conditions (n = 16). Within infectious disease processes, Encephalitozoon cuniculi infection (n = 14) and rabbit hemorrhagic viral disease (n = 14) had the highest prevalence. Regarding the noninfectious conditions, perioperative mortality (n = 10), gastrointestinal syndrome (n = 7), and trauma (n = 6) were the most common clinicopathologic entities observed.

Detecting Gaps in Knowledge: The Case of the Anisakis in Northwestern Spain

In the marine environment, fish parasites are present in most seafood species. The most common are nematodes of the genus Anisakis, which can parasitize human tissues, causing anisakiasis and allergies—in some cases with a strong reaction, such as anaphylactic shock. This happens when people ingest live or dead larvae present in the muscles or viscera of a wide range of fish and cephalopods. Consumer education has been positioned as one of the most effective alternatives for its prevention. This study, carried out in Asturias (northwest Spain), sought to identify the seafood products that present the greatest risk of anisakiasis for consumers, taking into account their consumption, the prevalence of Anisakis, and consumer knowledge about this parasitosis. In the results, hake (Merluccius merluccius) and cod (Gadus morhua), frequently consumed in the region and with high parasite prevalence, do not pose a great risk because they are consumed when well cooked. Instead, sardine (Sardina pilchardus), highly consumed and less parasitized, and anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus), highly parasitized and less consumed, would exhibit a medium risk. Young participants know more about the risks of anisakiasis from raw seafood. The gaps detected in the knowledge about the ability of temperature treatments to eliminate parasites, especially in allergic people, must be addressed for better prevention. We suggest campaigns adapted to the population sectors.

Congestion/decongestion in heart failure: what does it mean, how do we assess it, and what are we missing?-is there utility in measuring volume?

Clinical congestion remains a major cause of hospitalization and re-hospitalizations in patients with chronic heart failure (HF). Despite the high prevalence of this issue and clinical concern in HF practice, there is limited understanding of the complex pathophysiology relating to the "congestion" of congestive HF. There is no unifying definition or clear consensus on what is meant or implied by the term "congestion." Further, the discordance in study findings relating congestion to physical signs and symptoms of HF, cardiac hemodynamics, or metrics of weight change or fluid loss with diuretic therapy has not added clarity. In this review, these factors will be discussed to add perspective to this issue and consider the factors driving "congestion." There remains a need to better understand the roles of fluid retention promoting intravascular and interstitial compartment expansions, blood volume redistribution from venous reservoirs, altered venous structure and capacity, elevated cardiac filling pressure hemodynamics, and heterogeneous intravascular volume profiles (plasma volume and red blood cell mass) with a goal to help demystify "congestion" in HF. Further, this includes highlighting the importance of recognizing that congestion is not the result of a single pathway but a complex of responses some of which produce symptoms while others do not; yet, we confine these varied responses to the single and somewhat vague term "congestion."

Anisometropia and its correction in children in northwest China: A study based on autorefraction data.

To investigate the prevalence and correction of anisometropia among primary school children in northwestern China. A cross-sectional school-based study was conducted in Shaanxi Province. Visual acuity (VA) and autorefraction without cycloplegia were assessed in all participants, and some received axial length (AL) measurements. Anisometropia was categorised based on spherical equivalent (SE), cylindrical (CYL), and AL. The prevalence of anisometropia and refractive correction across different ages and sexes, and correlations between ocular parameters, were analysed. The study included 29 153 children aged 6-12 (mean age 9.52 ± 1.73 years) for VA and autorefraction measurements, and 1176 children for AL measurements. The prevalence of myopia (SE ≤ -0.50 D), hyperopia (SE ≥ +0.50 D), and anisometropia (interocular SE difference ≥1.00 D) was 65.26%, 15.09%, and 16.50%, respectively. Anisometropia severity, based on SE (χ2 = 443.758, p < 0.001), CYL (χ2 = 41.669, p < 0.001), and AL (χ2 = 95.505, p < 0.001), increased with age, with no significant differences between sexes. Interocular SE difference correlated with interocular spherical power (r = 0.806, p < 0.001), CYL (r = 0.21, p < 0.001), and AL (r = 0.365, p < 0.001). Additionally, interocular CYL difference was positively correlated with interocular AL difference (r = 0.16, p < 0.001). Despite the high prevalence of anisometropia, less than 30% of affected children received refractive correction. Anisometropia of SE, CYL, and AL increased progressively with age. Despite the elevated prevalence of anisometropia, the utilisation of refractive correction remained strikingly low.

Antimicrobial Resistance and Genomic Characterization of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli Isolated from Retail Chickens in Beijing, China

Objective Campylobacter species are the main causes of foodborne illness worldwide, posing significant threats to public health. This study aimed to investigate the antibiotic resistance and genomic characterization of C. jejuni/C.coli from retail chickens in Beijing. Methods Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted on 126 C. jejuni/C. coli isolated from retail chickens in Beijing, following CLSI protocols. Whole genomes of all isolates were sequenced using the Illumina platform. Results More C. coli (83.82%) showed multi-drug resistance than C. jejuni (8.62%). Genomic analysis demonstrated 42 sequence types (STs) and 12 clonal complexes (CCs), from which CC828 and CC52 were dominant. cdtA, cdtB and cdtC encoding cytotoxic protein were present spontaneously in most C. jejuni but not found in any C. coli isolates. The abundances of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence genes (VGs) in C. jejuni and C. coli were significantly different, with ARGs numbered in C. coli and VGs in C. jejuni. Conclusions High prevalence of multi-drug resistance C. coli and C. jejuni isolated from Beijing chickens were challenging clinical antibiotic usages in the treatment of Campylobacter infection. The surveillance of particular C. jejuni and C. coli STs correlated with higher resistance and virulence needs to be strengthened in the future.

Safety and clinical activity of JNJ-78306358, a human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) x CD3 bispecific antibody, for the treatment of advanced stage solid tumors

BackgroundJNJ-78306358 is a bispecific antibody that redirects T cells to kill human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G)-expressing tumor cells. This dose escalation study evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and preliminary antitumor activity of JNJ-78306358 in patients with advanced solid tumors.MethodsAdult patients with metastatic/unresectable solid tumors with high prevalence of HLA-G expression were enrolled. Dose escalation was initiated with once-weekly subcutaneous administration with step-up dosing to mitigate cytokine release syndrome (CRS).ResultsOverall, 39 heavily pretreated patients (colorectal cancer: n = 23, ovarian cancer: n = 10, and renal cell carcinoma: n = 6) were dosed in 7 cohorts. Most patients (94.9%) experienced ≥ 1 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs); 87.2% had ≥ 1 related TEAEs. About half of the patients (48.7%) experienced CRS, which were grade 1/2. Nine patients (23.1%) received tocilizumab for CRS. No grade 3 CRS was observed. Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) of increased transaminases, pneumonitis and recurrent CRS requiring a dose reduction were reported in 4 patients, coinciding with CRS. No treatment-related deaths reported. No objective responses were noted, but 2 patients had stable disease > 40 weeks. JNJ-78306358 stimulated peripheral T cell activation and cytokine release. Anti-drug antibodies were observed in 45% of evaluable patients with impact on exposure. Approximately half of archival tumor samples (48%) had expression of HLA-G by immunohistochemistry.ConclusionJNJ-78306358 showed pharmacodynamic effects with induction of cytokines and T cell activation. JNJ-78306358 was associated with CRS-related toxicities including increased transaminases and pneumonitis which limited its dose escalation to potentially efficacious levels.Trial registration number ClinicalTrials.gov (No. NCT04991740).

The prevalence of pain catastrophising in nulliparous women in Nepal; the importance for childbirth.

In Lower-Middle-Income-Countries women are encouraged to present at a birthing facility for skilled care, but attending early can be associated with additional harm. Women admitted in latent labour are more likely to receive a cascade of unnecessary interventions compared with those attending a birthing facility during active labour. One reason that women present early is pain, with higher rates of admission among those who pain catastrophise. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of pain catastrophising in nulliparous women in Nepal and to identify predictors for pain catastrophising. A cross sectional study was conducted using a semi-structured survey. The survey was completed by 170 women (18-32 years) in one higher education institution in Kathmandu. The survey included the pain catastrophising scale (PCS), current and previous pain and information about period pain, sociodemographic variables of age, ethnicity, and religion. The prevalence of pain catastrophising reported at a cut off score of PCS≥20 was 55.9% and at a cut off score of PCS≥30 was 17.1%. All women with a PCS ≥30 reported having painful periods. Those with a PCS≥20 were four times [95%CI 1.93-8.42] more likely to report painful periods affecting their daily activities (p<0.001) and those with PCS≥30 three times [95%CI1.10-10.53] more likely (p<0.05). In both cases ethnicity and age were not associated. Women with higher PCS were less likely to take pain medication. A high prevalence of pain catastrophising was reported. It is important to understand how women's previous negative experiences of pain and pain catastrophising are perceived and if they are contributing to the rise in obstetric intervention, particularly caesarean births, in Nepal. We recommend repeating this study with a larger sample representing a more diverse population.

Anxiety disorders in the elderly: the effect of child maltreatment

Introduction: Anxiety disorders in the elderly, when analyzed in light of the effects of childhood maltreatment, are notable not only for the high prevalence of these disorders in this age group, but also for the growing evidence that traumatic childhood experiences may play a significant role in its late development. Objective: To evaluate the influence of the occurrence and characteristics of child abuse and the clinical manifestation of anxiety disorders in the elderly. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study, carried out with elderly people from socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods in Porto Alegre, Brazil (n = 274), who responded to the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview 5.0 (MINI). more. Results: The development of anxiety disorder in the elderly was associated with several factors, reflecting a complex interaction between past experiences and present conditions. Among these factors, it was possible to deduce that the presence of child abuse, psychiatric comorbidities, disadvantaged financial conditions and low levels of education stood out. Conclusion: It is concluded that these findings support the hypothesis that child maltreatment is associated with anxiety disorders in the elderly and with specific levels of financial and educational conditions. Although they suggest that improving maladaptive social conditions in childhood could prevent anxiety disorders in the elderly.

Filicide in Africa: a systematic review

BackgroundFilicide, the act of a parent or parental figure killing their child, has been reported in various African countries. However, there is a lack of comprehensive reviews on the prevalence and associated factors of filicide across the African continent, which is characterized by diverse cultural beliefs and practices. This review aims to examine the prevalence and risk factors of filicide in Africa.MethodsThis review included studies on filicide in Africa, identified through searches in various databases (PubMed, Scopus, Africa Journal Online, and Google Scholar) using relevant keywords. The Mendeley reference manager was used to organize all identified articles and remove duplicate entries. A two-round screening process was conducted by two independent reviewers, with the final set of articles selected through mutual agreement. The quality of the studies was then assessed.ResultsOut of the 107 retrieved articles, only 15 were included in the review. These studies revealed diverse prevalence rates: 3.7% of total homicides, 1.38% of deaths from family violence, and 13.02% for autopsied children. Various potential risk factors for filicide were identified, including unwanted pregnancies, marital conflicts, family disputes and violence, low socio-economic status, mental health issues in perpetrators, and mental, physical, or neurological vulnerabilities in victims. Cultural beliefs were also recognized as contributing factors to filicide.ConclusionFilicide is a complex and multi-dimensional issue influenced by various individual, familial, and societal factors. The review highlighted a high prevalence of filicide in Africa, shaped by these diverse factors.

Efficiency of EMB Medium Combined with MALDI-TOF in Isolating and Identifying Coliform Lactose Fermenters and Non-Lactose Fermenters from Wastewater

In Côte d'Ivoire, the sewer network is largely underdeveloped, resulting in the absence or incompleteness of sanitation infrastructure in many urban and rural areas. This lack of infrastructure leads to untreated wastewater being frequently discharged into rivers and other sources of drinking water. The contamination of water sources by untreated wastewater spreads waterborne diseases, which particularly affect children and vulnerable populations. Coliforms, as key indicators of the microbiological quality of water, play a crucial role in assessing health risks. The presence and diversity of these coliforms can provide insights into the extent of water contamination and the potential health risks to the population. This study focuses on the diversity of lactose-fermenting and non-lactose-fermenting coliforms in the wastewater of Abidjan. The objective is to use MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry for the rapid and accurate identification of these coliforms, thereby providing a detailed understanding of the microbiological quality of wastewater. The study aims to identify the predominant coliform species present in the wastewater and assess their potential impact on public health. Out of 80 wastewater samples collected from various locations in Abidjan, a preponderance of lactose-fermenting coliforms was found. The most frequently identified species were Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli. The results showed that these species were present in significantly higher numbers compared to non-lactose-fermenting coliforms. The use of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry allowed for rapid and precise identification of the coliforms, facilitating a comprehensive analysis of the microbiological quality of the wastewater. These findings underscore the urgent need for improved wastewater management strategies in Abidjan and similar urban settings in Côte d'Ivoire. The high prevalence of lactose-fermenting coliforms, particularly Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli, in untreated wastewater poses significant public health risks. Effective wastewater treatment and management are essential to protect public health, reduce the spread of waterborne diseases, and limit the development of antimicrobial resistance. Implementing such measures will require coordinated efforts from local authorities, public health officials, and the community to ensure safe and sustainable water practices.

Osteoporosis as the Female-Specific Risk Factor for Dynapenia in Elderly Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Aims: Dynapenia is a noteworthy health issue contributing to increased risk of falling, but its co-occurrence with osteoporosis in elderly individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has not been well explored. Therefore, this study aimed to establish the association between osteoporosis and dynapenia, focusing on T2DM females due to their high prevalence of osteoporosis and fragility. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study to recruit a total of 103 T2DM patients (43 males and 60 females), aged between 50 and 80 years with median 68.0 years. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and dominant hand grip strength measurements were performed to define body composition, osteoporosis, and dynapenia in a sex-specific manner. Results: Higher prevalence of dynapenia and dyna-osteoporosis was observed in female T2DM patients with a significantly positive correlation between osteoporosis and dynapenia even after adjustment of body mass index (BMI). By performing a multivariate logistic regression analysis, both BMI and osteoporosis were identified as risk predictors for the development of dynapenia in female T2DM patients with odds ratios (95% CIs) of 1.234 (1.029–1.480) and 4.883 (1.352–17.630), respectively. Conclusions: Our results point out there is high, female-specific co-occurrence of osteoporosis and dynapenia in T2DM patients. Moreover, having osteoporosis and increased BMI might boost the risk of dynapenia in elderly females with T2DM.

Evaluation of variants in the ENTPD1 and ENTPD2 genes in athletic horses with exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage

BackgroundExercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) in athletic horses is characterized by the presence of blood from the lungs in the tracheobronchial tree after intense exercise. Despite the high prevalence of EIPH in horses, the primary aetiology remains unknown. Variants in the genes encoding CD39 and CD39L1 (ENTPD1 and ENTPD2, respectively) were previously reported as potential genetic causes involved in EIPH pathogenesis. However, the role of these variants in haemostatic functions is unknown.ResultsTo investigate the association between EIPH and missense variants in the ENTPD1 (rs1152296272, rs68621348, and rs68621347) and ENTPD2 genes (rs782872967), 76 Thoroughbred horses diagnosed with EIPH and 56 without clinical signs of EIPH (control group) by trachea-bronchial endoscopy were genotyped. The rs1152296272 and rs68621347 variants were linked, which explained why the same results were found in all horses. Approximately 96% and 95% of the EIPH and control horses, respectively, carried at least one nonreference allele for these variants. In contrast, 100% of the control horses and 96% of the EIPH horses were homozygous for the reference allele for the rs68621348 variant. In the EIPH group, 1.5% of the horses were homozygotes and 24% were heterozygous for the nonreference allele of the rs782872967 variant. In the control group, the nonreference allele of this variant was observed only in heterozygotes (16%). There were no significant differences between groups for any of the variants.ConclusionsThe variants previously described in the genes encoding the CD39 and CD39L1 enzymes were highly present in the studied population. However, no association was found between the occurrence of EIPH and the presence of these variants in Thoroughbred horses in this study.

Pulse Oximetry Accuracy in Children with Dark Skin Tones: Relevance to Acute Lower Respiratory Infection Care in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI) are the leading post-neonatal cause of death in children under 5 years old. There is a high prevalence of pediatric ALRI-related hypoxemia in low- and middle-income countries. The WHO defines clinically meaningful hypoxemia in children as a SpO2 (peripheral oxygen saturation) <90%. Multiple studies put this convention into question and found SpO2 of 90% to 92% to be associated with child ALRI mortality. An evolving body of evidence suggests that pulse oximeters systematically overestimate oxygen saturation in individuals with dark skin tones. We conducted a narrative review of pediatric studies evaluating pulse oximeter accuracy in children without COVID-19. Four studies, one prospective, examined pulse oximeter accuracy in children of varying ages with dark skin tones. All studies had limitations that affect their generalizability. There is evidence that certain pulse oximeters may overestimate oxygen saturation in children with dark skin tones. Further prospective research is urgently needed to identify affected populations and clinical implications. Despite recognized challenges, we strongly urge continued and expanded use of pulse oximetry as its use will save lives.

Impact of Death Anxiety on Psychological Well-Being and Successful Aging of Older Adults With Chronic Illness.

Comorbidities due to aging and the COVID-19 pandemic together are expected to cause death anxiety among older adults. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of death anxiety and its impact on psychological well-being and successful aging of older adults with chronic illness. A cross-sectional correlational survey was conducted on 79 older adults with chronic illness, drawn with a stratified random sampling method. Self-report measures were used to assess death anxiety, psychological well-being, and successful aging. A high prevalence of death anxiety was reported among older adults. Psychological well-being and successful aging in these older adults were significantly and negatively associated with death anxiety. Further, death anxiety showed substantial predictive valence for psychological well-being and successful aging of older adults with chronic illness. Findings strongly advocate and call for timely intervention programs for chronically ill older adults to reduce their death anxiety for enhanced psychological well-being and promote successful aging.

Prevalence of pre-eclampsia in women in the Middle East: a scoping review

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are the second most common cause of maternal deaths worldwide. Metabolic syndrome is recognized as one of the risk factors for pre-eclampsia. A recent study revealed a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), particularly amongst Emirati women compared with global estimates. This finding raises the possibility that the prevalence of pre-eclampsia in the region may also be higher as research is increasingly demonstrating an association between pre-eclampsia and metabolic syndrome. We therefore conducted this scoping review of the literature to investigate the nature and extent of studies evaluating the prevalence of pre-eclampsia within the Middle East region to enable subsequent comparison of these findings with the global burden of pre-eclampsia, objectively identify gaps in the literature and inform the design of future studies to address these gaps. PubMed and Scopus were used to extract studies published over the last 20 years (2003–2023). The search terms used included (“Pre-eclampsia” AND “Prevalence”) OR (“Hypertension in pregnancy” AND “Prevalence”) OR (“Pregnancy” AND “Pre-eclampsia”) OR (“Pre-eclampsia” AND “Epidemiology”). We limited our studies to those from the Middle East (ME). A total of 556 relevant articles were identified following which 11 were shortlisted for review. There were four studies from Iran, two from Saudi Arabia, two from Qatar, one from Jordan, and one from Bahrain. The remaining study included 29 countries from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East of which data from Jordan, Lebanon, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and Qatar were included. There were four retrospective, two cross-sectional, and two cohort studies, one prospective study, one meta-analysis, and one descriptive-analytical study. The prevalence of pre-eclampsia in the studies ranged from 0.17 to 5%. We did not find any study investigating the prevalence of pre-eclampsia in the United Arab Emirates. Based on our findings, we conclude that there is a significant scarcity of research in this area, especially within the Middle East, and notably an absence of studies specifically pertaining to the UAE. Consequently, we assert that there is a pressing requirement for additional research to evaluate the prevalence of pre-eclampsia in the region.

Pseudobulbar Affect in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with a high prevalence of emotional disorders affecting the health-related quality of life of patients and their families. Pseudobulbar affect (PBA), also referred to as pathological laughing and crying, is an under-recognized and under-treated co-morbidity. We conducted a systematic literature review of 16 studies to determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of PBA in patients with MS of all ages. Based on conservative figures available from 8/16 studies, the prevalence of PBA in the context of MS was found to range between 2% and 10% (median 10%), with higher percentages in the female population. Possible reasons for the observed variability in the prevalence data include heterogeneity of the diagnostic methodologies and common presence of confounding factors, such as co-morbid affective disorders. The clinical presentation was found to be comparable to that of PBA in the context of other neurological disorders, as it reflected the location of underlying lesions (especially in the brainstem) rather than the associated pathology. Clinicians should be prompted to consider PBA in the differential diagnosis of emotional disorders in the context of MS by using both clinical criteria and psychometric instruments. Further studies should be conducted to develop standardized diagnostic protocols and to optimize therapeutic approaches for the clinical management of this patient population.

DNA repair efficiency in young hypertensive: Is lifestyle a prooxidant factor?

Background: High prevalence of hypertension (HTN) is of major concern among the middle-aged population of Kerala. Understudied in the context of HTN is oxidative damage to DNA, which is caused by free radical assaults. The modern lifestyle associated with an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise plays a key role in oxidative stress induction. Aims and Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the significance of oxidative stress and the effectiveness of DNA repair mechanisms in young hypertensives along with how it correlates with aspects of lifestyle. Materials and Methods: This prospective case–control study enrolled clinically proven hypertensive patients referred from the outpatient department of Hridayalaya, Institute of Preventive Cardiology, Thiruvananthapuram, to Genetika, a research center for Cytogenetic Studies in South Kerala. Hypertensive patients (n=180) within the age group of 18–39 were compared with matched healthy controls (n=140). Associated lifestyle factors were determined. Results: In comparison to controls, cases had noticeably higher mean levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and mean break per cell (P&lt;0.05). There was a difference that was statistically significant (P&lt;0.05) between the patients and controls in terms of diet, exercise, physical activity, obesity, mental stress, alcohol, and tobacco use. On comparing MDA and mean break per cell values with lifestyle factors, a statistically significant difference was detected (P&lt;0.05). Observed a significant positive correlation of break per cell value with MDA (P&lt;0.05). Conclusion: The current study demonstrated increased DNA damage and decreased DNA repair efficiency in young hypertensive and was strongly associated with lifestyle factors. Appropriate measures such as regular BP checkups, regular exercises, and abstinence from alcohol and smoking are to be taken for the prevention and control of HTN.