Ana-Maria Mihai, Laura Maria Ianculescu, Nicolae Suciu
Breast cancer remains a significant global health challenge, with high incidence and mortality rates. While mammography has contributed to declining mortality, its limitations in sensitivity and specificity for early detection, particularly in distinguishing between pure atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), highlight the need for more precise tools. Even with core needle biopsy (CNB), conclusive diagnoses often require surgical excision. This underscores the urgency for non-invasive biomarkers to improve early detection and differentiation, potentially reducing invasive procedures. Recent research has shifted focus from mRNA to microRNAs (miRNAs) as promising biomarkers for breast cancer screening. These small non-coding RNAs, which exhibit abnormal expression patterns in breast cancer patients' tissue and serum/plasma, play crucial roles in early breast cancer development by modulating proto-oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes at the post-transcriptional level. Notably, miRNAs such as miR-21, miR-155, and miR-200c are key regulators of cell proliferation and apoptosis, with the potential to distinguish between normal tissue and various stages of breast lesions, including ADH, DCIS, and IDC. Additionally, miRNAs in serum and plasma offer a non-invasive method to differentiate breast cancer stages. This review aims to consolidate current knowledge on early breast lesions and explore the potential of miRNAs as biomarkers for early breast cancer detection, which could enhance risk prediction and reduce reliance on invasive diagnostic procedures.
{"title":"MiRNAs as potential biomarkers in early breast cancer detection: a systematic review.","authors":"Ana-Maria Mihai, Laura Maria Ianculescu, Nicolae Suciu","doi":"10.25122/jml-2024-0322","DOIUrl":"10.25122/jml-2024-0322","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Breast cancer remains a significant global health challenge, with high incidence and mortality rates. While mammography has contributed to declining mortality, its limitations in sensitivity and specificity for early detection, particularly in distinguishing between pure atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), highlight the need for more precise tools. Even with core needle biopsy (CNB), conclusive diagnoses often require surgical excision. This underscores the urgency for non-invasive biomarkers to improve early detection and differentiation, potentially reducing invasive procedures. Recent research has shifted focus from mRNA to microRNAs (miRNAs) as promising biomarkers for breast cancer screening. These small non-coding RNAs, which exhibit abnormal expression patterns in breast cancer patients' tissue and serum/plasma, play crucial roles in early breast cancer development by modulating proto-oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes at the post-transcriptional level. Notably, miRNAs such as miR-21, miR-155, and miR-200c are key regulators of cell proliferation and apoptosis, with the potential to distinguish between normal tissue and various stages of breast lesions, including ADH, DCIS, and IDC. Additionally, miRNAs in serum and plasma offer a non-invasive method to differentiate breast cancer stages. This review aims to consolidate current knowledge on early breast lesions and explore the potential of miRNAs as biomarkers for early breast cancer detection, which could enhance risk prediction and reduce reliance on invasive diagnostic procedures.</p>","PeriodicalId":16386,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medicine and Life","volume":"17 6","pages":"549-554"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11407494/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142289315","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A thyroid nodule is managed according to the clinical context, ultrasound (US) findings, and fine needle aspiration (FNA) results. Most thyroid nodules are benign; however, nodule classification is crucial to avoid unnecessary thyroid surgery. We conducted this study to compare the findings of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) expressed using the Bethesda system with the features of thyroid US classified using the EU-TIRADS classification to assess the risk of malignancy. A descriptive and analytical study involving 99 patients with thyroid nodules followed up in the Department of Endocrinology-Diabetology and Nutrition. Data were collected from medical records and analyzed using SPSS software V21. FNA was performed on 121 nodules using the BETHESDA system. These nodules were classified as malignant, suspicious for follicular neoplasm, and suspicious for malignancy in 5.8%, 5%, and 1.7% of cases, respectively. As for the EU-TIRADS 2017 classification, 59.5% of benign nodules were classified as EU-TIRADS III, whereas 66.7% of malignant nodules were classified as EU-TIRADS V and significantly related to malignant prediction (P = 0.000). The size of nodules was significantly correlated to the risk of malignancy (P = 0.013). Seventy-five percent of nodules with central vascularity were malignant (P = 0.012). Irregularity of nodule contours was significantly associated with the risk of malignancy, as 30% of nodules with irregular contours were Bethesda VI (P = 0.003). Hypoechogenicity was found in 77.8% of malignant nodules (P = 0.004). Additionally, only 9.2% of the nodules were taller than wide, of which 37.5% were malignant (P = 0.012). For a safe management strategy, US-guided FNAC should be performed on each suspicious thyroid nodule, given the correlation between EU-TIRADS classification features and the risk of malignancy.
{"title":"Correlation between ultrasonographic and cytologic features of thyroid nodules: a single-center cross-sectional study.","authors":"Imane Ziani, Anouar Jamal, Imane Assarrar, Ikram Karabila, Siham Rouf, Hanane Latrech","doi":"10.25122/jml-2024-0038","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.25122/jml-2024-0038","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A thyroid nodule is managed according to the clinical context, ultrasound (US) findings, and fine needle aspiration (FNA) results. Most thyroid nodules are benign; however, nodule classification is crucial to avoid unnecessary thyroid surgery. We conducted this study to compare the findings of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) expressed using the Bethesda system with the features of thyroid US classified using the EU-TIRADS classification to assess the risk of malignancy. A descriptive and analytical study involving 99 patients with thyroid nodules followed up in the Department of Endocrinology-Diabetology and Nutrition. Data were collected from medical records and analyzed using SPSS software V21. FNA was performed on 121 nodules using the BETHESDA system. These nodules were classified as malignant, suspicious for follicular neoplasm, and suspicious for malignancy in 5.8%, 5%, and 1.7% of cases, respectively. As for the EU-TIRADS 2017 classification, 59.5% of benign nodules were classified as EU-TIRADS III, whereas 66.7% of malignant nodules were classified as EU-TIRADS V and significantly related to malignant prediction (<i>P</i> = 0.000). The size of nodules was significantly correlated to the risk of malignancy (<i>P</i> = 0.013). Seventy-five percent of nodules with central vascularity were malignant (<i>P</i> = 0.012). Irregularity of nodule contours was significantly associated with the risk of malignancy, as 30% of nodules with irregular contours were Bethesda VI (<i>P</i> = 0.003). Hypoechogenicity was found in 77.8% of malignant nodules (<i>P</i> = 0.004). Additionally, only 9.2% of the nodules were taller than wide, of which 37.5% were malignant (<i>P</i> = 0.012). For a safe management strategy, US-guided FNAC should be performed on each suspicious thyroid nodule, given the correlation between EU-TIRADS classification features and the risk of malignancy.</p>","PeriodicalId":16386,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medicine and Life","volume":"17 6","pages":"593-600"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11407492/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142289311","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Felix Mircea Popescu, Lidia Filip, Matei Popescu, Ioan Petre Florescu
Follicular unit hair extraction (FUE) is effective for hair restoration but is less successful on scarred tissue due to reduced vascularity and altered tissue architecture. Stem cell therapy can enhance tissue regeneration, possibly improving FUE outcomes on scarred tissue. This study investigated the impact of stem cell therapy prior to FUE on scarred tissue. Sixty patients with scalp scars from trauma or previous surgeries were divided into two groups. Group A (n = 30) received autologous stem cell therapy followed by FUE, while Group B (n = 30) underwent FUE without prior stem cell treatment. Autologous stem cells were harvested from patients' adipose tissue and injected into the scarred area four weeks before FUE. Outcomes were assessed at 3-, 6-, and 12-months post-transplantation, focusing on hair density, graft survival rate, and patient satisfaction. Histological examinations evaluated tissue regeneration. Group A showed significantly higher hair density (mean increase of 45%) and graft survival rates (87%) compared to Group B (mean increase of 25%, graft survival rate of 60%) at all follow-up points (P < 0.05). Histological analysis revealed enhanced neovascularization and reduced fibrosis in the stem cell-treated group, with 70% more new blood vessels and 50% less fibrotic tissue compared to the control group. Patient satisfaction scores were higher in Group A (average score of 8.5 out of 10) versus Group B (6.0), indicating better aesthetic outcomes and reduced scar visibility. Pre-treatment with autologous stem cell therapy significantly improved FUE effectiveness on scarred tissue, enhancing graft survival, hair density, and patient satisfaction. Further research is recommended to optimize this therapeutic strategy.
毛囊单位头发提取术(FUE)对头发修复很有效,但由于血管减少和组织结构改变,在疤痕组织上的成功率较低。干细胞疗法可促进组织再生,从而改善疤痕组织的FUE效果。本研究调查了干细胞疗法在FUE前对疤痕组织的影响。60名因外伤或既往手术留下头皮疤痕的患者被分为两组。A组(30人)接受自体干细胞治疗,然后进行FUE,B组(30人)接受FUE,事先不进行干细胞治疗。自体干细胞取自患者的脂肪组织,在FUE前四周注入瘢痕部位。移植后3个月、6个月和12个月对结果进行评估,重点是头发密度、移植成活率和患者满意度。组织学检查评估了组织再生情况。与 B 组(平均增加 25%,移植成活率为 60%)相比,A 组在所有随访点的毛发密度(平均增加 45%)和移植成活率(87%)都明显更高(P < 0.05)。组织学分析显示,干细胞治疗组的新生血管增加,纤维化减少,与对照组相比,新生血管增加70%,纤维化组织减少50%。A组(平均分为8.5分(满分10分))与B组(6.0分)相比,患者满意度评分更高,表明美学效果更好,疤痕可见度更低。用自体干细胞疗法进行预处理,可显著提高FUE对疤痕组织的疗效,提高移植物存活率、头发密度和患者满意度。建议进一步开展研究,优化这一治疗策略。
{"title":"Stem cell therapy prior to follicular unit hair transplantation on scarred tissue: a novel approach to a successful procedure.","authors":"Felix Mircea Popescu, Lidia Filip, Matei Popescu, Ioan Petre Florescu","doi":"10.25122/jml-2024-0303","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.25122/jml-2024-0303","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Follicular unit hair extraction (FUE) is effective for hair restoration but is less successful on scarred tissue due to reduced vascularity and altered tissue architecture. Stem cell therapy can enhance tissue regeneration, possibly improving FUE outcomes on scarred tissue. This study investigated the impact of stem cell therapy prior to FUE on scarred tissue. Sixty patients with scalp scars from trauma or previous surgeries were divided into two groups. Group A (<i>n</i> = 30) received autologous stem cell therapy followed by FUE, while Group B (<i>n</i> = 30) underwent FUE without prior stem cell treatment. Autologous stem cells were harvested from patients' adipose tissue and injected into the scarred area four weeks before FUE. Outcomes were assessed at 3-, 6-, and 12-months post-transplantation, focusing on hair density, graft survival rate, and patient satisfaction. Histological examinations evaluated tissue regeneration. Group A showed significantly higher hair density (mean increase of 45%) and graft survival rates (87%) compared to Group B (mean increase of 25%, graft survival rate of 60%) at all follow-up points (<i>P</i> < 0.05). Histological analysis revealed enhanced neovascularization and reduced fibrosis in the stem cell-treated group, with 70% more new blood vessels and 50% less fibrotic tissue compared to the control group. Patient satisfaction scores were higher in Group A (average score of 8.5 out of 10) versus Group B (6.0), indicating better aesthetic outcomes and reduced scar visibility. Pre-treatment with autologous stem cell therapy significantly improved FUE effectiveness on scarred tissue, enhancing graft survival, hair density, and patient satisfaction. Further research is recommended to optimize this therapeutic strategy.</p>","PeriodicalId":16386,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medicine and Life","volume":"17 6","pages":"582-587"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11407486/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142289319","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ahmed Bamaga, Osama Muthaffar, Anas Alyazidi, Sarah Bahowarth, Mohammed Shawli, Fahad Alotibi, Matar Alsehemi, Mohammad Almohammal, Adel Alawwadh, Njood Alghamdi
The mediator complex subunit 23 (MED23) gene encodes a protein that acts as a tail module mediator complex, a multi-subunit co-activator involved in several cellular activities. MED23 has been shown to have substantial roles in myogenesis and other molecular mechanisms. The functions of MED23 in the neurological system remain unclear and the clinical phenotype is not thoroughly described. Whole exome sequencing was used to identify a novel mutation in the MED23 gene. DNA capture probes using next-generation sequencing-based copy number variation analysis with Illumina array were performed. The clinical, demographic, neuroimaging, and electrophysiological data of the patients were collected, and similarly, the data of all reported cases in the literature were extracted to compare findings. Screening a total of 9,662 articles, we identified 22 main regulatory processes for the MED23 gene, including suppressive activity for carcinogenic processes. MED23 is also involved in the brain's neurogenesis and functions. The identified cases mainly presented with intellectual disability (87.5%) and developmental delay (50%). Seizures were present in only 18.75% of the patients. Slow backgrounds and spike and sharp-wave complexes were reported on the electroencephalogram (EEG) of a few patients and delayed myelination, thin corpus callosum, and pontine hypoplasia on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The MED23 gene regulates several processes in which its understanding promotes considerable therapeutic potential for patients. It is crucial to consider genetic and laboratory testing, particularly when encountering potential carriers. Intellectual disability and developmental delay are the most notable clinical signs with heterogeneous features on EEG and MRI.
{"title":"<i>MED23</i> pathogenic variant: genomic-phenotypic analysis.","authors":"Ahmed Bamaga, Osama Muthaffar, Anas Alyazidi, Sarah Bahowarth, Mohammed Shawli, Fahad Alotibi, Matar Alsehemi, Mohammad Almohammal, Adel Alawwadh, Njood Alghamdi","doi":"10.25122/jml-2024-0065","DOIUrl":"10.25122/jml-2024-0065","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The mediator complex subunit 23 (<i>MED23</i>) gene encodes a protein that acts as a tail module mediator complex, a multi-subunit co-activator involved in several cellular activities. <i>MED23</i> has been shown to have substantial roles in myogenesis and other molecular mechanisms. The functions of <i>MED23</i> in the neurological system remain unclear and the clinical phenotype is not thoroughly described. Whole exome sequencing was used to identify a novel mutation in the <i>MED23</i> gene. DNA capture probes using next-generation sequencing-based copy number variation analysis with Illumina array were performed. The clinical, demographic, neuroimaging, and electrophysiological data of the patients were collected, and similarly, the data of all reported cases in the literature were extracted to compare findings. Screening a total of 9,662 articles, we identified 22 main regulatory processes for the <i>MED23</i> gene, including suppressive activity for carcinogenic processes. <i>MED23</i> is also involved in the brain's neurogenesis and functions. The identified cases mainly presented with intellectual disability (87.5%) and developmental delay (50%). Seizures were present in only 18.75% of the patients. Slow backgrounds and spike and sharp-wave complexes were reported on the electroencephalogram (EEG) of a few patients and delayed myelination, thin corpus callosum, and pontine hypoplasia on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The <i>MED23</i> gene regulates several processes in which its understanding promotes considerable therapeutic potential for patients. It is crucial to consider genetic and laboratory testing, particularly when encountering potential carriers. Intellectual disability and developmental delay are the most notable clinical signs with heterogeneous features on EEG and MRI.</p>","PeriodicalId":16386,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medicine and Life","volume":"17 5","pages":"500-507"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11320618/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141982496","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a life-altering condition that severely impacts an individual's functional capabilities and has significant implications for both the individual and society. Large animal models are crucial for understanding the pathology and biomechanics of SCI. Dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) are promising models for SCI research due to their anatomical and histopathological similarities to humans. Balloon compression is an established method for inducing controlled SCI in canines. In this study, we optimized a balloon compression procedure for inducing SCI in dogs, aiming to develop a reliable model for future in vivo studies. Our methodology successfully induced total motoric loss in canines, observed for seven days, a critical period for therapeutic interventions. Histopathological examinations using Luxol fast blue (LFB) staining revealed total demyelination in intralesional samples, confirming the structural damage caused by balloon compression. We concluded that a balloon compression model at the T10-T11 vertebral level, with an inflated balloon volume of 1.0 ml, induced SCI while minimizing the risk of balloon rupture. Longer duration of compression ensures total paralysis in this model, providing a platform for testing therapeutic interventions during the acute phase of SCI. The canine model generated consistent data and facilitated straightforward observational findings.
{"title":"Balloon compression-induced spinal cord injury in canines: a large animal model for spinal cord injury research.","authors":"Yudha Mathan Sakti, Emir Riandika Samyudia, Deas Makalingga Emiri, Teguh Aryandono, Rahadyan Magetsari, Rusdy Ghazali Malueka, Ery Kus Dwianingsih","doi":"10.25122/jml-2023-0531","DOIUrl":"10.25122/jml-2023-0531","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a life-altering condition that severely impacts an individual's functional capabilities and has significant implications for both the individual and society. Large animal models are crucial for understanding the pathology and biomechanics of SCI. Dogs (<i>Canis lupus familiaris</i>) are promising models for SCI research due to their anatomical and histopathological similarities to humans. Balloon compression is an established method for inducing controlled SCI in canines. In this study, we optimized a balloon compression procedure for inducing SCI in dogs, aiming to develop a reliable model for future in vivo studies. Our methodology successfully induced total motoric loss in canines, observed for seven days, a critical period for therapeutic interventions. Histopathological examinations using Luxol fast blue (LFB) staining revealed total demyelination in intralesional samples, confirming the structural damage caused by balloon compression. We concluded that a balloon compression model at the T10-T11 vertebral level, with an inflated balloon volume of 1.0 ml, induced SCI while minimizing the risk of balloon rupture. Longer duration of compression ensures total paralysis in this model, providing a platform for testing therapeutic interventions during the acute phase of SCI. The canine model generated consistent data and facilitated straightforward observational findings.</p>","PeriodicalId":16386,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medicine and Life","volume":"17 5","pages":"508-522"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11320615/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141982526","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Chronic low back pain (LBP) is very common, resulting in functional deficits and significant socio-economic burden. Non-pharmacological treatments, such as physical-psychological therapy, are frequently utilized. Vojta therapy (VT) is a type of physical therapy that effectively enhances the automatic control of body posture. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of combining VT with the usual standard of care (USC) therapy on psychometric and functional parameters in patients with chronic LBP. A total of 148 patients diagnosed with chronic LBP were recruited and randomized into two groups: LBP-VT (n = 82) and LBP-USC (n = 66). Patients were assessed for demographic characteristics, comorbid conditions, clinical findings, health status, pain symptom scales, psychometric, and functional parameters. The LBP-VT group received VT in addition to USC and electrotherapy, while the LBP-USC group received only USC. Initial Hamilton Depression Scale assessments indicated moderate depression, which improved to mild depression post-treatment. The effect of the treatment on self-esteem was significant for the LBP-VT group and moderate for the LBP-USC group. Functional parameters improved in both groups, with the LBP-VT group having significantly better results. Combining VT with standard care, electrotherapy, and massage significantly improved posture, reduced depression associated with functional deficits, and enhanced self-esteem in patients with chronic LBP.
{"title":"Impact of Vojta therapy combined with standard care on psychometric and functional parameters in patients with chronic lower back pain: a randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Monica Elena Iosub, Sebastian Tirla, Liviu Lazar","doi":"10.25122/jml-2024-0024","DOIUrl":"10.25122/jml-2024-0024","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chronic low back pain (LBP) is very common, resulting in functional deficits and significant socio-economic burden. Non-pharmacological treatments, such as physical-psychological therapy, are frequently utilized. Vojta therapy (VT) is a type of physical therapy that effectively enhances the automatic control of body posture. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of combining VT with the usual standard of care (USC) therapy on psychometric and functional parameters in patients with chronic LBP. A total of 148 patients diagnosed with chronic LBP were recruited and randomized into two groups: LBP-VT (<i>n</i> = 82) and LBP-USC (<i>n</i> = 66). Patients were assessed for demographic characteristics, comorbid conditions, clinical findings, health status, pain symptom scales, psychometric, and functional parameters. The LBP-VT group received VT in addition to USC and electrotherapy, while the LBP-USC group received only USC. Initial Hamilton Depression Scale assessments indicated moderate depression, which improved to mild depression post-treatment. The effect of the treatment on self-esteem was significant for the LBP-VT group and moderate for the LBP-USC group. Functional parameters improved in both groups, with the LBP-VT group having significantly better results. Combining VT with standard care, electrotherapy, and massage significantly improved posture, reduced depression associated with functional deficits, and enhanced self-esteem in patients with chronic LBP.</p>","PeriodicalId":16386,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medicine and Life","volume":"17 5","pages":"478-485"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11320620/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141982528","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mohammed Attieh Alzahrani, Saeed Jarallah AlQahtani, Meshari Saad Alqahtani, Hatem Mostafa Asiri, Abdulaziz Mohammed Abudasir, Khalid Talab Alshahrani, Ahmed Saad Al Zomia
Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection presents a significant threat to global health with serious associated morbidities. This study aimed to assess awareness, attitudes, and practices related to HP in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) through a survey-based cross-sectional study involving 2,541 respondents. We used a structured online questionnaire to gather data on personal and sociodemographic characteristics, as well as HP-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices. The survey was distributed through various social media platforms. The results revealed that 59.4% of respondents demonstrated good knowledge about HP, with a mean knowledge score of 3.7 ± 1.0 out of 5. Knowledge gaps were particularly evident regarding the contagiousness and transmission modes of HP. The mean attitude score was 12.2 ± 2.2 out of a maximum score of 15. In total, 37.6% of respondents reported ever being tested for HP, with 54.2% testing positive. Among those treated for HP, only 79% received antibiotic therapy and 37.8% received acid-reducing medications. Knowledge levels were significantly higher among younger and highly educated respondents (P < 0.001), and respondents with higher knowledge scores also had higher attitude scores than those with lower knowledge scores (12.6 ± 2.0 vs. 11.6 ± 2.0, P < 0.001). Individuals who had undergone HP testing had significantly higher knowledge levels than those who did not (62.3 vs. 57.8, P = 0.024). These findings underscore the urgent need for raising the population's awareness regarding the risks, prevention, and management of HP infection through targeted educational strategies.
幽门螺杆菌(HP)感染对全球健康构成重大威胁,并带来严重的相关疾病。本研究旨在通过一项以调查为基础的横断面研究,评估沙特阿拉伯王国(KSA)对幽门螺杆菌感染的认识、态度和做法,共有 2,541 名受访者参与。我们使用结构化在线问卷收集有关个人和社会人口特征以及与 HP 相关的知识、态度和实践的数据。调查通过各种社交媒体平台发布。结果显示,59.4%的受访者对惠普有较好的了解,知识平均分为 3.7 ± 1.0(满分 5 分)。在 HP 的传染性和传播方式方面,知识差距尤为明显。在最高分 15 分中,态度的平均得分为 12.2 ± 2.2。共有 37.6% 的受访者表示曾接受过 HP 检测,其中 54.2% 的检测结果呈阳性。在接受过 HP 治疗的受访者中,只有 79% 接受了抗生素治疗,37.8% 接受了降酸药物治疗。年轻和受过高等教育的受访者的知识水平明显更高(P < 0.001),知识分数较高的受访者的态度分数也高于知识分数较低的受访者(12.6 ± 2.0 vs. 11.6 ± 2.0,P < 0.001)。接受过 HP 检测的人的知识水平明显高于未接受检测的人(62.3 对 57.8,P = 0.024)。这些发现突出表明,迫切需要通过有针对性的教育策略来提高人们对 HP 感染的风险、预防和管理的认识。
{"title":"Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of adults in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding <i>Helicobacter pylori</i>-induced gastric ulcers, cancers, and treatment.","authors":"Mohammed Attieh Alzahrani, Saeed Jarallah AlQahtani, Meshari Saad Alqahtani, Hatem Mostafa Asiri, Abdulaziz Mohammed Abudasir, Khalid Talab Alshahrani, Ahmed Saad Al Zomia","doi":"10.25122/jml-2023-0536","DOIUrl":"10.25122/jml-2023-0536","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Helicobacter pylori</i> (HP) infection presents a significant threat to global health with serious associated morbidities. This study aimed to assess awareness, attitudes, and practices related to HP in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) through a survey-based cross-sectional study involving 2,541 respondents. We used a structured online questionnaire to gather data on personal and sociodemographic characteristics, as well as HP-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices. The survey was distributed through various social media platforms. The results revealed that 59.4% of respondents demonstrated good knowledge about HP, with a mean knowledge score of 3.7 ± 1.0 out of 5. Knowledge gaps were particularly evident regarding the contagiousness and transmission modes of HP. The mean attitude score was 12.2 ± 2.2 out of a maximum score of 15. In total, 37.6% of respondents reported ever being tested for HP, with 54.2% testing positive. Among those treated for HP, only 79% received antibiotic therapy and 37.8% received acid-reducing medications. Knowledge levels were significantly higher among younger and highly educated respondents (<i>P</i> < 0.001), and respondents with higher knowledge scores also had higher attitude scores than those with lower knowledge scores (12.6 ± 2.0 vs. 11.6 ± 2.0, <i>P</i> < 0.001). Individuals who had undergone HP testing had significantly higher knowledge levels than those who did not (62.3 vs. 57.8, <i>P</i> = 0.024). These findings underscore the urgent need for raising the population's awareness regarding the risks, prevention, and management of HP infection through targeted educational strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":16386,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medicine and Life","volume":"17 5","pages":"523-529"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11320613/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141982529","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The 20<sup>th</sup> century: the dawn of modern neurotrauma treatment.","authors":"Stefana-Andrada Dobran, Dafin Fior Muresanu","doi":"10.25122/jml-2024-1008","DOIUrl":"10.25122/jml-2024-1008","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16386,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medicine and Life","volume":"17 5","pages":"459-461"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11320614/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141982530","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN), a severe facial pain condition, is often treated with microvascular decompression (MVD). While MVD is effective for arterial neurovascular compression, its efficacy in cases of venous compression and the intraoperative management of such cases remain areas of debate. This review aimed to analyze the intraoperative management strategies for offending veins during MVD and evaluate the outcomes of these procedures in cases of TN with purely venous compression. An extensive review of studies reporting on the intraoperative handling of veins and the surgical outcomes of MVD in purely venous compression cases was conducted. Fifteen full-text studies were included, encompassing a total of 600 patients. Notably, 82.33% of these patients achieved a Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) I pain score, with follow-up periods ranging from 3 months to 12 years. MVD is a viable and effective treatment option for TN in cases of venous compression, with a significant proportion of patients experiencing substantial pain relief.
{"title":"Trigeminal neuralgia caused by venous compression: a comprehensive literature review.","authors":"Abdallah Alzeeralhouseini, Galina Moisak, Ekaterina Labzina, Jamil Rzaev","doi":"10.25122/jml-2024-0040","DOIUrl":"10.25122/jml-2024-0040","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Trigeminal neuralgia (TN), a severe facial pain condition, is often treated with microvascular decompression (MVD). While MVD is effective for arterial neurovascular compression, its efficacy in cases of venous compression and the intraoperative management of such cases remain areas of debate. This review aimed to analyze the intraoperative management strategies for offending veins during MVD and evaluate the outcomes of these procedures in cases of TN with purely venous compression. An extensive review of studies reporting on the intraoperative handling of veins and the surgical outcomes of MVD in purely venous compression cases was conducted. Fifteen full-text studies were included, encompassing a total of 600 patients. Notably, 82.33% of these patients achieved a Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) I pain score, with follow-up periods ranging from 3 months to 12 years. MVD is a viable and effective treatment option for TN in cases of venous compression, with a significant proportion of patients experiencing substantial pain relief.</p>","PeriodicalId":16386,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medicine and Life","volume":"17 5","pages":"462-470"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11320616/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141982533","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Diabetes mellitus is a major public health concern, often leading to undiagnosed micro- and macrovascular complications, even in patients with controlled blood glucose levels. Recent evidence suggests that empagliflozin and metformin have renoprotective effects in addition to their hypoglycemic action. This study investigated the potential protective effect of empagliflozin and metformin on diabetic renal complications. Forty-two adult male Sprague Dawley rats were randomized into six groups: normal control, diabetic control, metformin (250 mg/kg), empagliflozin (10 mg/kg), and combination therapy groups. Type 2 diabetes was induced in rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg) following two weeks of 10% fructose solution in their drinking water. Blood glucose, creatinine, urea nitrogen, inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-α), and renal tissue caspase-3 were assessed after eight weeks. Blood glucose, urea, creatinine, serum IL-6, TNF-α, and tissue caspase-3 were significantly decreased in the treatment groups compared to the diabetic group. The histopathological findings revealed that treatment with empagliflozin and/or metformin improved the damage in the renal tissue caused by diabetes-induced nephropathy. Moreover, co-administration of empagliflozin and metformin resulted in even better outcomes. Our data revealed that empagliflozin and metformin could improve renal function and decrease inflammation and apoptosis in diabetic animals, delaying the progression of diabetic nephropathy. Combined treatment with metformin and empagliflozin proved to have an additive protective action on renal tissue.
{"title":"Empagliflozin alone and in combination with metformin mitigates diabetes-associated renal complications.","authors":"Zena Madhag, Zahraa Al-Isawi","doi":"10.25122/jml-2023-0301","DOIUrl":"10.25122/jml-2023-0301","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Diabetes mellitus is a major public health concern, often leading to undiagnosed micro- and macrovascular complications, even in patients with controlled blood glucose levels. Recent evidence suggests that empagliflozin and metformin have renoprotective effects in addition to their hypoglycemic action. This study investigated the potential protective effect of empagliflozin and metformin on diabetic renal complications. Forty-two adult male Sprague Dawley rats were randomized into six groups: normal control, diabetic control, metformin (250 mg/kg), empagliflozin (10 mg/kg), and combination therapy groups. Type 2 diabetes was induced in rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg) following two weeks of 10% fructose solution in their drinking water. Blood glucose, creatinine, urea nitrogen, inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-α), and renal tissue caspase-3 were assessed after eight weeks. Blood glucose, urea, creatinine, serum IL-6, TNF-α, and tissue caspase-3 were significantly decreased in the treatment groups compared to the diabetic group. The histopathological findings revealed that treatment with empagliflozin and/or metformin improved the damage in the renal tissue caused by diabetes-induced nephropathy. Moreover, co-administration of empagliflozin and metformin resulted in even better outcomes. Our data revealed that empagliflozin and metformin could improve renal function and decrease inflammation and apoptosis in diabetic animals, delaying the progression of diabetic nephropathy. Combined treatment with metformin and empagliflozin proved to have an additive protective action on renal tissue.</p>","PeriodicalId":16386,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medicine and Life","volume":"17 5","pages":"530-535"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11320611/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141982527","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}