Exploration of medicine最新文献

{"title":"Serum levels of ceruloplasmin and magnesium in polycystic ovarian syndrome: a cross sectional study","authors":"P. Misra, Rahul Gopinath, N. Naredi, S. M. Kandi, Shyam Raj, Y. Vashum","doi":"10.37349/emed.2023.00140","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37349/emed.2023.00140","url":null,"abstract":"Aim: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine condition, affecting 5–7% of reproductive-age women worldwide. It is associated with low-grade chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome. Studies have shown ceruloplasmin (Cp) as an independent risk factor for metabolic syndrome and magnesium (Mg), which is required for proper glucose utilization. This study aimed to compare the serum Mg and Cp in PCOS and healthy women and correlate their levels with changes in biochemical, hormonal, and gynaecological aspects of PCOS.\u0000Methods: The study comprised 98 women diagnosed with PCOS using the Rotterdam criteria and 75 age-matched healthy control subjects. The level of serum Cp and Mg were determined using Somani Ambade colorimetric method and methylthymol blue method respectively.\u0000Results: Serum Cp was higher and Mg levels were lower significantly in PCOS patients in comparison with controls. Mg was inversely correlated with fasting blood glucose and directly correlated with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Cp was inversely correlated with prolactin and thyroid-stimulating hormone. Multiple regression analysis revealed that Cp correlates with both the level of luteinizing hormone (LH) and LH/FSH ratio, whereas serum Mg did not have a significant correlation with any of the clinical variables. Logistic regression analysis revealed elevated Cp, antral follicle count (AFC), body mass index (BMI), weight, and irregular menses increase the risk of developing PCOS, whereas Mg was not a risk factor. However, high LH and LH/FSH ratios were risk factors for hypomagnesemia. In conclusion, serum Cp levels in PCOS may be evaluated as an additional risk factor in association with AFC, BMI, weight, and irregular menses.\u0000Conclusions: Mg deficiency and high Cp play an important etiological role in PCOS pathogenesis. Thus, research evaluating dietary interventions and supplementation is warranted.","PeriodicalId":72999,"journal":{"name":"Exploration of medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46671097","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Can we estimate the causal effects of diet and sedentary behavior on schoolchildren’s overweight/obesity from observational studies?","authors":"E. Kupek","doi":"10.37349/emed.2023.00139","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37349/emed.2023.00139","url":null,"abstract":"Aim: To investigate the causal impact of diet and sedentary behavior on Brazilian schoolchildren’s overweight/obesity using the data from observational studies.\u0000Methods: Annual cross-sectional nutritional surveys over the 2013–2015 period, with 26,712 children old 7–12 years in Florianópolis, Brazil, provided the data for this analysis. The surveys applied an online previous-day recall questionnaire on food intake and physical/sedentary activities. Outcome measures were overweight/obesity, whereas exposure variables were daily frequencies of consuming sugary drinks and ultra-processed foods, the total number of dietary items consumed and the total number of sedentary activities per day, and consuming breakfast, mid-morning snacks, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner, and evening snack. Control variables included child age, sex, family income, school shift, survey year, day of the week the questionnaire refers to, metabolic equivalents (METs) of physical activities (PAs), and the quality of dietary and PA reports. Causal effects were estimated by augmented inverse probability weighting.\u0000Results: Daily consumption of sugary drinks, eating ten or more foods, and engaging in three or more sedentary behaviors per day significantly increased the odds ratios (ORs) of being overweight/obese in the range of 3–24% compared to the reference, with 95% confidence intervals in the range of 1–32%. Among 19 ORs with P-value ≤ 0.05, only 3 exceeded 10%.\u0000Conclusions: Under certain conditions, not uncommon in large-scale monitoring and surveillance studies, it is possible to evaluate the causal effects of diet and sedentary activities on overweight/obesity. Daily consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, eating ten or more foods, skipping breakfast, and engaging in three or more sedentary behaviors per day significantly increased the odds of being overweight/obese.","PeriodicalId":72999,"journal":{"name":"Exploration of medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47838412","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cannabis use in cancer patients: acute and sustained associations with pain, cognition, and quality of life","authors":"G. Giordano, R. Martin-Willett, Laurel P. Gibson, D. Camidge, D. Bowles, K. Hutchison, A. Bryan","doi":"10.37349/emed.2023.00138","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37349/emed.2023.00138","url":null,"abstract":"Aim: Given the myriad of negative sequalae associated with cancer and its treatment, the palliative use of cannabis by cancer patients is increasingly of special interest. This research sought to explore associations of acute and sustained use of legal market edible cannabis products on pain, cognition, and quality of life in a group of cancer patients.\u0000Methods: In this observational study, cancer patients completed a baseline appointment, a two-week ad libitum cannabis use period, and an acute administration appointment that included assessments before cannabis use, one-hour post-use, and two-hour post-use. Participants completed self-report questionnaires related to the primary outcomes and the Stroop task as a measure of objective cognitive function.\u0000Results: Twenty-five participants [mean (standard deviation, SD) age = 54.3 years (15.6); 13 females (52.0%)] completed all study appointments and were included in the analysis. Sustained cannabis use was associated with improvements in pain intensity, pain interference, sleep quality, subjective cognitive function, and reaction times in the Stroop task, but no change in general quality of life was observed. High levels of cannabidiol (CBD) use during the two-week ad libitum use period was associated with steeper improvements in pain intensity and sleep quality. Participants reported improvements in pain intensity and increased feelings of subjective high after acute use. High levels of ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) use during the acute administration appointment was associated with steeper increases in feelings of subjective high. Improvements in pain were associated with improvements in subjective cognitive function.\u0000Conclusions: This observational study is among the first of its kind to examine associations between legal market, palliative cannabis use, and subjective and objective outcomes among cancer patients. These early findings concerning pain intensity, sleep quality, and cognitive function can help to inform future, fully powered studies of this important topic (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03617692).","PeriodicalId":72999,"journal":{"name":"Exploration of medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43655058","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Abnormal glucose tolerance in children: oral glucose tolerance test is fit-for-purpose","authors":"V. Law, Jack Hong Ming Young, Hak Yung Ng, Louis Tsz Wang Chan","doi":"10.37349/emed.2023.00136","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37349/emed.2023.00136","url":null,"abstract":"Aim: Childhood obesity is accompanied by an increased prevalence of abnormal glucose tolerance (AGT) including the prediabetes states. This study aims to investigate and evaluate the use of oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) for detecting AGT among overweight and obese children.\u0000Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 895 overweight and obese Chinese children (6–18 years) with obesity assessment and analysis of demographic, anthropometric, and biochemical parameters data between January 2006 and December 2015 at Tseung Kwan O Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.\u0000Results: The proportion of males and older age group was 63.7% and 55.9%, respectively. Girls were more in older age groups (62.7% vs. 52.0%, P = 0.002). AGT occurred in 17.1% of the cohort [impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) was the most frequent morbidity (11.3%)]. After regression analysis, female sex, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglyceride (TG), older age group, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) ≥ 4.1 were significantly associated with AGT.\u0000Conclusions: AGT is common in overweight and obese Chinese children. Girls, older age, higher LDL, TG and HOMA-IR ≥ 4.1 showed significant association with AGT. OGTT is essential and fit-for-purpose to detect AGT in overweight and obese children.","PeriodicalId":72999,"journal":{"name":"Exploration of medicine","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41352393","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Forward head posture and neck disability: what is the effect on lung function?","authors":"G. Annarumma, Alessandro Spinelli, Alessandro Serio, Tammaro Di Fraia, Carlo Maria Gallinoro, Lucrezia Caoduro, D. Tarantino, A. Demeco, Erica Keeling, S. Palermi, A. Biffi, F. Sirico","doi":"10.37349/emed.2023.00134","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37349/emed.2023.00134","url":null,"abstract":"Aim: Forward head posture (FHP) is a very common pathological neck posture among people who frequently use multimedia devices, and it could be related to some musculoskeletal disorders. However, its role in influencing lung function and its relationship with neck disability are still debated in the literature. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of FHP on respiratory function, and to explore a possible relationship between FHP and neck discomfort.\u0000Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 83 subjects (35.7 ± 8.4 years aged), enrolled at the Ferrari corporate wellness program “Formula Benessere”. Craniovertebral angle (CVA) was measured with a digital goniometer to assess head posture: FHP was defined with a CVA < 50° in an upright position. Spirometry was conducted according to European Respiratory Society/American Thoracic Society (ERS/ATS) criteria. Finally, subjects enrolled were evaluated through a self-administered neck disability index (NDI) questionnaire.\u0000Results: Among the 60 participants with agreement about the CVA measurements, 45 had FHP (11 females and 34 males) with lower CVA values. No significant differences were found in spirometric parameters between subjects with FHP (n = 45) and subjects without FHP (n = 15). Furthermore, the two groups did not differ either in NDI scores (P = 0.148).\u0000Conclusions: There is no clear relationship between FHP and respiratory function indices. Moreover, no differences have been found in NDI values between subjects with FHP and subjects without FHP. Respiratory rehabilitation strategies should be focused on other parameters than FHP itself.","PeriodicalId":72999,"journal":{"name":"Exploration of medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42963127","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mechanistic approaching study in COVID-19 patients treated with high doses of vitamin D","authors":"Mauro G. Silva, F. Inserra, J. Mariani, Laura Antonietti, M. Núñez, C. Tajer, L. Ferder, P. Inserra, F. Ross, Milagro Sánchez Cunto, Magalí Bertelli, G. de Larrañaga, Eliana M Cela, D. Maglio, M. Gironacci, W. Manucha","doi":"10.37349/emed.2023.00137","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37349/emed.2023.00137","url":null,"abstract":"Aim: To evaluate angiotensin II (Ang II) and Ang-(1-7) levels and the cytokine profile in patients hospitalized with mild coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and contrast them with patients with identical clinical conditions but treated with high doses of vitamin D (vitD).\u0000Methods: From the 218 patients recruited (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04411446), 16 participated in this sub-study and were randomized to a single oral dose of 500,000 IU vitD (n = 10) or placebo (n = 6). Plasmatic Ang II and Ang-(1-7) levels were determined by radioimmunoassay and interleukins (ILs) 1, 6, 8, and 10 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay before and after treatment. Parallel, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OH vitD) concentrations as vitD status was measured by a chemiluminescence immunoassay.\u0000Results: A trend towards an increase in Ang-(1-7) and a decrease in Ang II levels were observed in placebo- and vitD-treated COVID-19 patients compared to baseline values. There was no difference in Ang II and Ang-(1-7) levels between placebo- and vitD-treated COVID-19 patients. Similar results were obtained with ILs profile. COVID-19 patients showed an increase in the protective component of the RAS which was not improved by vitD treatment.\u0000Conclusions: VitD did not improve RAS disbalance in COVID-19. Notwithstanding, the authors visualize that acute treatment with high doses of vitD may show a trend to a decline in inflammatory ILs and an increase in protective markers. Finally, the authors would like to highlight the limitations of this preliminary study, namely the small number of patients and the use of a large single bolus dose of vitD rather than lower daily doses for extended periods with prolonged follow-up times. All these factors need special consideration in the designs of new vitD supplementation trials. All these factors need special consideration in the designs of new vitD supplementation trials (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04411446).","PeriodicalId":72999,"journal":{"name":"Exploration of medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46927450","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development of solid lipid nanoparticle gel for transdermal delivery system of chaulmoogra oil","authors":"R. Parveen, Monalisha Samal, Nafis, H. Mukhtar, Sayeed Ahmad","doi":"10.37349/emed.2023.00132","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37349/emed.2023.00132","url":null,"abstract":"Aim: The main objective of the study was to formulate, evaluate and perform an optimization study of chaulmoogra oil-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) based gel.\u0000Methods: The study involves isolation, identification, and quantification of hydnocarpic acid (HA), using high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) and characterization using ultraviolet (UV), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and mass spectroscopy (MS), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Different concentration of assorted solid lipids and surfactants was used for the preparation of SLN gel with the improved transdermal application. Size distribution, entrapping efficiency, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and percent yield were tested for the prepared SLN and the characterization of SLN gel was evaluated on the basis of in vitro diffusion study, stability studies, homogeneity, and skin irritancy test.\u0000Results: The amount of HA quantified in the oil sample was found to be 54.84% w/w. The percent yield and entrapment efficiency (EE) of HA SLNs were 96.176 ± 1.338% and 90.2 ± 0.5% respectively. The in vitro percent cumulative drug release was 80.89% for the developed SLN, the homogeneity test showed no grittiness, and the prepared gel was found to be effective as it shows no signs of erythema post-treatment of 10 days. The in vitro dissolution studies showed better results for SLN gel when compared to SLN suspension.\u0000Conclusions: The nano-gel could be a better option for the topical delivery of herbal drugs with improved bioavailability providing several benefits over conventional formulation.","PeriodicalId":72999,"journal":{"name":"Exploration of medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41424770","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Immunomodulation strategies against COVID-19 evidence: key nutrients and dietary approaches","authors":"Lindsey B. Cundra, Manasa Vallabhaneni, Michael Saadeh, Kevin V. Houston, B. Yoo, Steve M. D’Souza, David A. Johnsonv","doi":"10.37349/emed.2023.00133","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37349/emed.2023.00133","url":null,"abstract":"The novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has created a major public health crisis. Various dietary factors may enhance immunological activity against COVID-19 and serve as a method to combat severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The dietary factors that are responsible for boosting immunity may provide a therapeutic advantage in patients with COVID-19. Investigators have demonstrated that vitamins B6, B12, C, D, E, and K, and trace elements like zinc, copper, selenium, and iron may serve as important tools for immunomodulation. Herein this is a review the peer-reviewed literature pertaining to dietary immunomodulation strategies against COVID-19. This review is intended to better define the evidence that dietary modifications and supplementation could positively influence the proinflammatory state in patients with COVID-19 and improve clinical outcomes. With appropriate insight, therapeutic interventions are discussed and directed to potentially modulate host immunity to mitigate the disease mechanisms of COVID-19.","PeriodicalId":72999,"journal":{"name":"Exploration of medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48296301","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Gastrointestinal microbiome and coronavirus disease: evidence of a bidirectional association","authors":"Kevin V. Houston, Ankit Patel, Michael Saadeh, Alejandra Vargas, Ana Rosa Vilela Sangay","doi":"10.37349/emed.2023.00130","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37349/emed.2023.00130","url":null,"abstract":"The gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome remains an emerging topic of study and the characterization and impact on human health and disease continue to be an area of great interest. Similarly, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted the healthcare system with active disease, lasting effects, and complications with the full impact yet to be determined. The most current evidence of the interaction between COVID-19 and the GI microbiome is reviewed, with a focus on key mediators and the microbiome changes associated with acute disease and post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS).","PeriodicalId":72999,"journal":{"name":"Exploration of medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47329016","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Low copy repeats in the genome: from neglected to respected","authors":"Lisanne Vervoort, J. Vermeesch","doi":"10.37349/emed.2023.00131","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37349/emed.2023.00131","url":null,"abstract":"DNA paralogs that have a length of at least 1 kilobase (kb) and are duplicated with a sequence identity of over 90% are classified as low copy repeats (LCRs) or segmental duplications (SDs). They constitute 6.6% of the genome and are clustering in specific genomic loci. Due to the high sequence homology between these duplicated regions, they can misalign during meiosis resulting in non-allelic homologous recombination (NAHR) and leading to structural variation such as deletions, duplications, inversions, and translocations. When such rearrangements result in a clinical phenotype, they are categorized as a genomic disorder. The presence of multiple copies of larger genomic segments offers opportunities for evolution. First, the creation of new genes in the human lineage will lead to human-specific traits and adaptation. Second, LCR variation between human populations can give rise to phenotypic variability. Hence, the rearrangement predisposition associated with LCRs should be interpreted in the context of the evolutionary advantages.","PeriodicalId":72999,"journal":{"name":"Exploration of medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43656486","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}