Health Science Reports最新文献

Background and aims: Intestinal parasitic infection is a common disease that causes significant morbidity and mortality in developing countries, including Ethiopia. The burden of intestinal parasites is worse in schoolchildren, which leads to absenteeism from school, lower cognitive ability, affects academic performance, and causes malnutrition and anemia. While many studies have been reported, there is a paucity of published data in Debre Markos. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of intestinal parasites and associated factors among public primary second-cycle schoolchildren in Debre Markos Town, Northwest Ethiopia.

Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among three selected public primary second-cycle schools in Debre Markos town from May 1 to 30, 2022. Study participants were selected by using random and systematic sampling techniques with proportional allocation to each grade. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires. A single stool specimen was collected from the study participants and processed using direct wet mount and formol ether concentration technique. Binary logistic regression models were applied to assess the association between independent and outcome variables at a 95% confidence level.

Results: A total of 343 students were included in the study. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 12% (41/343) with a predominance of hookworms (5.2%, 18/343), followed by Ascaris lumbricoides 2.3% (8/343), Entamoeba histolytica/dispar 1.2% (4/343), Hymenolepis nana 0.9% (3/343), Strongyloides stercoralis 0.9% (3/343), Giardia lamblia 0.9% (3/343), and Trichuris trichiura 0.6% (2/343). The habit of open-field defecation (AOR, 95% CI; 2.43 [1.16-5.09]), not using soap to wash hands (AOR, 95% CI; 2.93 [1.33-6.42]), and not wearing closed shoes (AOR, 95% CI; 3.12 [1.19-8.23]) were factors significantly associated with the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection.

Conclusion: The prevalence of intestinal parasites was comparatively low in the study area. Open-field defecation, not using soap to wash hands, and not wearing closed shoes were identified as independent predictors.

Background and aims: Benign lesions, inflammation, cysts and pseudocysts, as well as neoplasms of the exocrine and endocrine parts of the pancreas can be easily identified using cytological methods. The sensitivity and specificity can be increased with the help of additional examination methods. The sensitivity of intraoperative rapid cytology reaches about 99%. In the literature, the sensitivity reaches an average of about 85% for biopsies. The method is easy to use, has very low complication rates (1%-2%) and is safe for the patient.

Methods: 1290 cytological samples from pancreatic lesions were processed in the institute of pathology at Hannover Medical School (MHH), as cytological smears and stained with Giemsa and PAS stains as conventional methods. They were compared with the histological specimens that were processed at the same institute. Immunocytochemistry and molecularpathology have been processed only in selected cases. In general, it is routine in the university that the patients give their written consent to participate in clinical studies. The local ethics committee has stated that there is no need for approval due to the retrospective nature of the study.

Results: In this work, we detected 20.077% malignant lesions, 63.333% benign findings and inflammation, 7.441% pseudocysts and cysts. About 9.147% samples were unrepresentative due to insufficient number of cells.

Conclusion: This work will highlight the importance of fine aspiration cytology (FNAC) of suspicious pancreatic lesions, its possibilities and limitations in routine diagnostics with discussing the differential diagnoses, pointing to its great value and safety for patients. FNAC is the gold standard, its power is strongly associated with high specificity and sensitivity in the diagnosis of pancreatic lesions, and is very useful in the differential diagnosis between malignant and inflammatory lesions in pancreas.

Background and aims: This study aimed to compare neurological soft signs (NSSs) in type 1 bipolar disorder (BD), bipolar spectrum (BS) patients, and their unaffected first-degree relatives.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study involved participants referred to the Psychiatric Department of Imam Hossein Hospital. Five groups (n = 25): patients with type 1 BD, patients with BS, unaffected first-degree relatives of the two groups, and a control group were evaluated using the Neurological Evaluation Scale (NES).

Results: The analysis revealed that patients with bipolar I disorder had the highest NES scores, with significant group differences (F(4.120) = 10.36, p < 0.001). The Bonferroni correction identified bipolar I patients as the primary source of this difference, while other groups did not significantly differ. ANCOVA showed that age (F(1.123) = 3.92, p = 0.052) and gender (F(1.123) = 0.1, p = 0.75) had no significant influence on NES scores. However, all four NES subsets significantly contributed to the overall score, except for the sensory subset. Differences were significant between bipolar I patients and most other groups, except the BS group, which showed no significant differences from the rest. No correlation was found with age, gender, or age of disease onset.

Conclusion: The higher NSS severity in type I BD compared to BS and control groups highlights its potential link to the genetic and neurodevelopmental differences in BD type I. Further research is recommended.

Background and aim: The high rate of tumor growth results in an increased need for amino acids. As solute carriers (SLC) transporters are capable of transporting different amino acids, cancer may develop as a result of these transporters' over-expression due to their complex formation with other biological molecules. Therefore, this review investigated the role of SLC transporters in the progression of cancer.

Methods: We retrieved data from Google Scholar, Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE regarding the influence of human SLCs on the development of cancer. Articles published in English before August 2024 were included in the study.

Results: The overexpression of SLCs is strongly related to tumor cell proliferation and angiogenesis in a number of cancer types including thyroid, pancreatic, lung, hepatocellular, and colon cancers. They are crucial for the stimulation of several biological signaling pathways, particularly mTOR kinase activity, which starts a signaling cascade, protein synthesis, cell growth, and proliferation, and inhibits apoptosis of cancerous cells. Furthermore, they contribute to the activation of PI3K/AKT signaling, which has an impact on the growth, invasion, and death of cancer cells. Thus, SLC transporters become a potential therapeutic target that plays a crucial role in drug resistance, tumor microenvironment regulation, and modulation of immune response.

Conclusion: The review recognized the crucial role of SLC transporters in different types of cancer progression. Therefore, to confirm our findings, a case-control study is required to investigate the role of amino acid transporters in cancer development.

Background and aims: The role of the healthcare system in the provision, maintenance, and promotion of public health is associated with handling healthcare complaints. This notion as the principle of accountability requires the authorities' attention. This study aimed to develop the Healthcare Complaints Analysis Tool (HCAT) in Iran.

Methods: Following a comprehensive review of the country and field studies conducted in the Medical System Organization and Universities of Medical Sciences, the features of patients' complaints were extracted from medical centers and hospitals. Then, experts who were experienced in health and medical areas localized HCAT through translation and re-translation process using the Delphi technique. Finally, the healthcare complaints were classified according to the localized HCAT components.

Result: Using HCAT showed that in Iran's healthcare system, complaints were related to relative frequency and percentage of all types of complaints. However, there is a lack of a mechanized registration system, investigation, analysis, and classification of healthcare complaints.

Conclusions: Providing medical centers with such a system by the ministry of health and mandatory reporting of complaints may lead to coding complaints, measure the severity of complaints, service monitoring and organizational learning.

Background and aims: Mounting evidence have implicated that rs1801131 and rs1801133, located in the Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, may emerge as novel biomarkers for coronary artery disease (CAD). The Synergy between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery (SYNTAX) score is also an appropriate predictor for revascularization strategy in patients with complex CAD. The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between rs1801131 and rs1801133 with the severity of coronary lesions in patients with ST‑Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) and Non‑ST‑Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI) based on the SYNTAX score.

Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 96 patients diagnosed with STEMI and NSTEMI from Razi University Hospital between April and September 2019. Ninety-six patients were diagnosed with STEMI (N = 43) and NSTEMI (N = 53) were recruited from South Khorasan, Iran. The angiographical characteristics of CAD were defined by the SYNTAX score. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood and genotyped for rs1801131 and rs1801133 using the TaqMan real-time PCR method.

Results: The results of the one-way analysis of variance indicated that there is no association between rs1801131 and rs1801133 with the severity of coronary lesions in patients with STEMI (p = 0.44) and NSTEMI (p = 0.91). However, the two-way analysis of variance comparison and post-hoc test demonstrated that rs1801133 in the presence of rs1801131 is correlated with the SYNTAX score in NSTEMI (p = 0.03) and total patients (p = 0.03).

Conclusion: In conclusion, our study reveals a significant association between the MTHFR polymorphism rs1801133 and CAD severity, particularly in NSTEMI patients. While rs1801131 showed no correlation, rs1801133 may serve as a valuable genetic biomarker for assessing CAD severity. Further research with larger populations is needed to confirm these findings.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the impact of comorbidity with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) on the survival rates and incidence of liver cancer in patients with alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD).

Methods: Patients with ARLD and those with ARLD co-morbid with CHB were included in this study and designated as the ARLD group and the ARLD + HBV group, respectively. Propensity score matching (PSM) was then employed to compare survival rates and liver cancer development between these two groups.

Results: Among the 404 patients, 254 were in the ARLD group and 150 in the ARLD + HBV group. After propensity score matching, each group comprised 67 patients. Initially, the ARLD + HBV group exhibited lower 5-year survival rates compared to the ARLD group (51.3% vs. 70.1%, p < 0.001). However, PSM mitigated this difference, with survival rates now comparable (61.2% vs. 60.9%, p = 0.390). Notably, the ARLD + HBV group showed a higher incidence of liver-specific mortality after matching (32.6% vs. 6.2%, p = 0.018). Furthermore, although a higher proportion of patients in the ARLD + HBV group developed liver cancer post-matching, the difference was not statistically significant compared to the ARLD group (15.7% vs. 9.8%, p = 0.170).

Conclusion: Co-morbidity with CHB in ARLD patients elevates the risk of liver-related mortality.

Purpose: Faculty wellbeing impacts student learning and is a priority among medical schools, especially as a counterbalance to growing burnout. Previous researchers found differences in burnout by sex and race among clinicians, but not for faculty with disabilities. Accordingly, the purpose was to test the association between faculty's wellbeing, burnout, and control over workload and investigate differences in wellbeing attributed to department type and ability status.

Method: The authors developed and administered a comprehensive wellbeing survey to University of Minnesota Medical School faculty, of whom 703 provided complete responses. The authors conducted two-way ANOVA followed by a post hoc analysis to test for differences in faculty wellbeing domains due to department type (basic sciences, nonsurgical, surgical, and two large departments of Medicine and Pediatrics) and disability status (yes, no). The authors also fitted a two-way ordinal model since burnout frequency and control over workload were assessed by one ordinal item each.

Results: Wellbeing domains were positively correlated with control over workload but negatively associated with burnout. Faculty with disabilities reported less support from their work environment and meeting of their basic needs. Department type had a statistically significant impact on faculty's sense of basic needs, respect, and contribution. Multiple comparisons revealed faculty in basic sciences departments had higher scores within basic needs compared to the departments of Medicine, Pediatrics, and surgical departments, who reported lower levels of respect as well. Results revealed department type and disability status affected the frequency of burnout, as faculty in basic sciences departments reported lower levels of burnout compared to other departments.

Conclusions: Results support disaggregating wellbeing by department and ability status for targeted interventions due to differences- notably among faculty with disabilities and surgical departments- in their assessment of basic needs, work environment, respect, and contribution. Results suggest revisiting interventions in these domains to account for lower reported wellbeing.

Background and aims: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and satisfaction rates of three different lateral matricectomy methods for treating ingrown toenails: 90% phenol, 100% trichloroacetic acid (TCA), and radiofrequency (RF) ablation. Our objective was to identify which method offers superior outcomes regarding postoperative pain, healing time, aesthetic results, and complication rates.

Methods: Conducted between August 2022 and June 2023, the study included 12 eligible patients divided into three groups: Group 1 underwent lateral matricectomy with 90% phenol, Group 2 with 100% TCA, and Group 3 with RF treatment. Preoperative assessments were conducted, and patients were followed up on the day after surgery and at Weeks 1, 2, and 3, as well as at Months 1, 2, 6, and 9 postoperatively (totaling nine assessments). Pain levels were measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), while wound discharge and bleeding were rated on specified scales.

Results: Mean pre- and postoperative (second day) pain scores were 6.0 ± 3.3 and 0.75 ± 0.67 for Group 1, 6.25 ± 4.92 and 1.75 ± 0.58 for Group 2, and 6.25 ± 2.25 and 3.50 ± 0.50 for Group 3, with significant differences observed. RF treatment showed higher moderate postoperative pain compared to mild pain in the phenol and TCA groups. Average healing time was 22.75 ± 3.50 days (phenol), 40 ± 12.91 days (TCA), and 26.25 ± 6.70 days (RF), with phenol demonstrating faster healing, although differences were statistically insignificant. The median aesthetic outcomes favored phenol with a score of 5.0.

Conclusion: Lateral matricectomy with 90% phenol, 100% TCA, and RF all provide unique advantages for ingrown toenail treatment. Phenol exhibited high success rates, minimal complications, faster healing, and excellent aesthetic outcomes.

Trial registration: IRCT, IRCT20220228054152N1. Registered 03 January 2023, https://www.irct.behdasht.gov.ir/trial/65907.

Introduction: The aim of our prospective blinded clinical study was to examine a possible improvement and acceleration of epithelialization by treatment with low-energy extracorporeal shock waves on skin graft donor and recipient sites in patients with chronic wounds. In addition, several secondary parameters were investigated to evaluate the compatibility of the therapeutic method, its influence on infection occurrence and bacterial colonization.

Materials and methods: A total of 35 patients were included in the study. Of these, 25 participants were assigned to the verum-placebo group and 10 to the sham treatment group. The study of the sham control group was done to exclude a possible "remote effect" of the placebo area. Depending on the group, the wound areas were treated with low-frequency shock waves, placebo, or sham. The examinations were performed immediately on Day 0 after surgical treatment and on Days 5, 7, 9, and 12 after surgery. To record long-term results, an additional evaluation of the wound situation was performed on Day 90.

Results: Epithelialization was statistically significantly accelerated by shock wave application at both skin graft recipient sites and donor sites (0.86 vs. 0.92, p < 0.05). Furthermore, the risk of wound infection was significantly reduced by using extracorporeal shock waves. Serious side effects were not reported.

Conclusion: A repeated application of ESWT followed by standardized wound care was shown to significantly accelerate the time to re-epithelialization at the skin graft donor and recipient site compared with re-epithelialization time in patients of the sham/placebo group.