Libyan Journal of Medicine最新文献

This study aimed to assess the kinetics of antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2, following natural infection in a cohort of employees of the Institut Pasteur de Tunis (IPT) and to assess the risk of reinfection over a 12-months follow-up period. A prospective study was conducted among an open cohort of IPT employees with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection that were recruited between September 2020 and March 2021. Sera samples were taken at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after confirmation of COVID-19 infection and tested for SARS-CoV-2-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to the spike (S-RBD) protein (IgG anti-S-RBD) and for neutralizing antibodies. Participants who had an initial decline of IgG anti-S-RBD and neutralizing antibodies followed by a subsequent rise in antibody titers as well as those who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR after at least 60 days of follow up were considered as reinfected. In total, 137 individuals were included with a mean age of 44.7 ± 12.3 years and a sex-ratio (Male/Female) of 0.33. Nearly all participants (92.7%) were symptomatic, and 2.2% required hospitalization. Among the 70 participants with three or more prospective blood samples, 32.8% were reinfected among whom 11 (47.8%) reported COVID-19 like symptoms. Up to 12 months of follow up, 100% and 42.9% of participants had detectable IgG anti-S-RBD and neutralizing antibodies, respectively. This study showed that humoral immune response following COVID-19 infection may persist up to 12 months after infection despite the potential risk for reinfection that is mainly explained by the emergence of new variants.

To determine the molecular basis, genotype - phenotype relationship, and genetic origin of Hemoglobin (Hb) Hekinan associated with several forms of α-thalassemia and other hemoglobinopathies for a better understanding of its diverse clinical phenotypes. Seventeen participants with suspected abnormal Hb were studied. Hb analysis was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE). Mutational and α-haplotypic and structural analyses were conducted, and the effects of mutations on globin-chain stability were determined. All participants harbored Hb Hekinan II (HBA1:c.84 G>T) co-inherited with another α-globin gene anomaly. Three novel genotypes, (αα^Hekinan/α^CSα), (αα^Hekinan/α^CSα,β^A/β^E), and (αα^Hekinan/α^CSα,β^E/β^E), were characterized. Despite being co-inherited with both α- and β-Hb variants Hb Hekinan II led to minimal changes in erythrocyte parameters, suggesting a non-pathological nature. HPLC but not CE revealed a distinct small shoulder-like Hb pattern. Thai Hb Hekinan II was strongly associated with haplotype [+ - S + - - -] and the possibility of four different haplotypes, while two Burmese Hb Hekinan II were associated with haplotypes [± - S + - + -] and [± - S + - - -]. The novel genotypes identified provide a fresh perspective on Hb Hekinan II diversity. HPLC has superior identification capabilities for samples of Hb Hekinan II co-inherited with α-thalassemia. Thai and Burmese Hb Hekinan II have diverse origins.

Introduction: Biomarkers that could reliably anticipate the effectiveness of antihistamines and omalizumab in treating chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) have not been conclusively identified. Our objective was to examine how eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP), tryptase, D-dimer, and total Immunoglobulin E (IgE) impact the response to antihistamine and omalizumab treatments in individuals with CSU.

Methods: In this cross-sectional retrospective study, CSU patients that had undergone treatment with either antihistamines or omalizumab for a minimum of 12 weeks between 2015 and 2021 at an Allergy and Immunology Department were analyzed. Several demographic and laboratory parameters including eosinophil counts, mean platelet volüme (MPV), sedimentation, C-reactive protein (CRP), antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and Anti-thyroperoxidase (Anti-TPO) and total IgE, tryptase, ECP and D-dimer were retrived from patient files. The association of these biomarkers with Urticaria Control Test (UCT) and the effect of these biomarkers on treatment response were evaluated. Treatment response was assessed using the UCT, with a score of UCT ≥ 12 indicating a responder and UCT < 12 indicating a non responder.

Results: The patients in the omalizumab group were older, had a longer disease duration and had worse urticaria control (lower baseline UCT scores). 421 patients were treated with antihistamines and 88 patients were treated with omalizumab. ECP was found to be inversely correlated with baseline UCT (p < 0.001 r=-0.268). ECP and D-dimer levels of non-responder patients in the antihistamine group were significantly higher than in responder patients (ECP: 49 ng/mL vs 28.1 ng/mL, p < 0.001) (D-dimer: 0.60 mg/L vs 0.30 mg/L, p < 0.001), while there were no significant difference in terms of tryptase and total IgE. These four biomarkers were similar, in omalizumab responders and non responders.

Conclusion: In this study with CSU, we looked at predictors of responses to treatments. ECP can serve as a marker of poor urticaria control and may predict antihistamine refractoriness along with D-dimer.

Background: Telemedicine became a fundamental part of healthcare provision during COVID-19 pandemic. An evaluation of telemedicine-associated satisfaction helps the service develop more viable applications. This review evaluated the satisfaction of healthcare users and providers and their willingness to use this modality in future.Methods: The study was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. A search on empirical articles published between March 2020 and December 2022 was performed on 'PubMed' and 'Scopus' databases. Findings that reported on satisfaction of patients, families and caregivers as well as clinicians were extracted and analysed. Quality of included studies was assessed. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, the review included 27 eligible studies.Results: Data was found from a variety of emergency and non-emergency departments of primary, secondary, and specialised healthcare. Almost all studies were undertaken within the NHS. There were many tools that measured satisfaction. Satisfaction was high among recipients of healthcare, scoring 9-10 on a scale of 0-10 or ranging from 73.3% to 100%. Convenience was rated high in every specialty examined. Satisfaction of clinicians was high throughout the specialities despite connection failure and concerns about confidentiality of information. Nonetheless, studies reported perception of increased barriers to accessing care and inequalities for vulnerable patients especially in older people. In general, willingness to use telemedicine in future was high in the recipients as well as the providers of healthcare.Conclusion: COVID-19 pandemic has transformed healthcare in the UK and promoted a revolution in telemedicine applications. Satisfaction was high among both recipient and provider of healthcare. Telemedicine managed to provide a continued care throughout the pandemic while maintaining social distance. The current review presented commendable evidence to encourage different specialities to engage in telemedicine application.

The study aimed to radiographically assess the characteristics of pulp stones (PS) and pulp canal obliteration (PCO) in teeth and examined their associations with various dental parameters such as caries, restorations, periodontal status, and age. This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University between September 2022, and May 2023, involved 101 patients exhibiting 402 teeth with PS or PCO. Data were collected from periapical and bitewing radiographs, and analyzed by two calibrated dentists. Multiple dental parameters were assessed, including caries level, presence and level of restorations, periodontal condition, and age of the patient. The study population consisted of 62 females and 39 males, with an age range of 18-65 years. Inter- and intra-examiner reliability were high (Kappa = 0.88 and 0.98 respectively). PS were more commonly found in molars (81.2%), while PCO were presented in only 115 teeth (23%). Age significantly affected the type of calcification (p < 0.001), with PS more common in the 20-30 age group and PCO more common in individuals over 40. Presence of caries was significantly associated with the type of calcification (p = 0.013), but restoration was not. The majority of teeth with PS (76%) or PCO (93%) had healthy periodontium. Around 40% of teeth with PCO showed signs of periapical changes, a finding significantly different from those with PS (p < 0.001). Pulp calcifications were significantly associated with various dental parameters, including caries presence, age, and periodontal status. The findings provide crucial insights into the epidemiology and aetiology of pulp calcifications.

Breast cancer (BC) is a leading cause of cancer deaths in Libyan women. BRCA1 variants differ globally due to the diversity of genetic makeup and populations history. Their distribution, prevalence, and significance in Libyans remain largely unexplored. This study investigated the characteristics and distribution of BRCA1 variants in exons 5, 11, and 20 in Libyan families with BC. Thirty-six BC patients at ≤ 45 years, between 46-50 years and with a family history of breast, ovarian, pancreatic or prostate cancer in close relatives, or with triple-negative BC, were selected from 33 unrelated families during 2018-2020 at the National Cancer Institute, Sabratha, Libya. From these 33 families, 20 women (18 BC patients and two unaffected) were screened for BRCA1 exons 5, 11 and 20 using Sanger sequencing. All families completed an epidemiology and family history questionnaire. Twenty-seven variants (26 in exon 11 and 1 in exon 20, minor allele frequency of < 0.01) were detected in 10 of 18 unrelated families (55.6%.) Among the 27 variants, 26 (96%) were heterozygous. A frameshift pathogenic variant, c.2643del, and one novel variant c.1366A>G were identified. Furthermore, seven variants with unknown clinical significance were detected: c.1158T>A, c.1346C>G, c.1174C>G, c.3630 G>T, c.3599A>T, and c.3400 G>C in exon 11, and c.5244T>A in exon 20. Six variants with conflicting pathogenicity interpretations, c. 3460T>A, c. 3572 G>A, c. 3700 G>C, c. 1246C>G, c. 1344C>G, and c. 1054 G>A, were also identified. Twelve benign/likely benign variants were identified. Rare BRCA1 variants that have not been reported in North Africa were found in Libyan patients. These findings provide preliminary insights into the BRCA1 variants that could contribute to hereditary BC risk in Libyans. Further functional, computational, and population analyses are essential to determine their significance and potential impact on BC risk, which could ultimately lead to more personalized management strategies.

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) significantly improves cardiovascular outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). International guidelines vary in the minimum recommended frequency of supervised exercise from 1 to 3 sessions per week. This is the first study in the Middle East and North African regions assessing the impact of 2 versus 3 days/week of supervised exercise on peak exercise capacity in patients with CAD. Single-center retrospective cohort study involving 362 patients enrolled in the only CR center in the State of Qatar. Only high-quality data was included by strict evaluation of compliance to the exercise intervention. Fifty patients who underwent a symptom-limited exercise test before and after CR were included (31 patients on 2 days/week, 19 on 3 days/week). No significant differences were observed in baseline characteristics between groups. Exercise intervention differed significantly between groups in exercise training frequency (2 days/week: 1.97 ± 0.2 vs. 3 days/week: 2.7 ± 0.3; p < 0.00). Peak exercise capacity as peak metabolic equivalents of task (MET) significantly increased in both groups (2 days/week: Pre 8.3 ± 2.4 vs. Post 9.4 ± 2.9, p-value 0.00; 3 days/week: Pre 7.4 ± 1.6 vs. Post 8.4 ± 2.0, p-value 0.00). No significant difference was observed between groups for change in Peak Exercise Capacity (2 days/week 1.1 ± 1.1 vs. 3 days/week 1.0 ± 0.9, p = 0.87). When the total number of exercise sessions is equal, supervised exercise frequencies of 2 and 3 days/week may significantly and equally improve peak exercise capacity in patients with CAD.