Background: Single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) is widely accepted in clinical practice with its less invasion, cosmetic effectiveness, and quick recovery. Purpose: Our purpose was to assess feasibility and clinical advantage of umbilical single incision laparoscopic appendectomy compared with conventional laparoscopy. Materials: From January 2016 to November 2019, we treated 215 patients admitted with acute appendicitis in Pyongyang University of Medicine Hospital; 82 patients received with umbilical single incision laparoscopic appendectomy (study group) and 133 patients with three port laparoscopic appendectomy (control group). All patients received pain killer (NSAID) every 12 hours postoperatively. Patients were started with a clear liquid diet within 24 hours and advanced to regular diet as tolerated. Clinical outcomes: Primary outcomes were intra-operative bleeding, operation time, conversion rate to open surgery, postoperative pain, pain-loss time, frequency of pain killer, and the incidence of peritoneal drain in 12 hours. Secondary outcomes were hospital stay, cosmetic satisfaction, the incidence of postoperative complications (para-appendicitis, peri appendiceal abscess, hernia), recovery time to normal activities. Results: There were no significant differences in intra-operative bleeding, conversion rate to open surgery and the incidence of peritoneal drain between study and control group. (p>0.05). In study group, postoperative pain, pain-loss time, and frequency of pain killer in 12 hours were significantly decreased compared to control group (p 0.05). Conclusion: Umbilical single incision laparoscopic appendectomy is less invasive approach with higher cosmetic effectiveness. It is also associated with a shorter length of stay and a shorter return to normal activities.
The yellow sand is one of the phenomena of natural disasters often occurring in spring. In order to find out the influence on the eyes of the experimental animals by the yellow sand and its pathological histological findings, we went ahead with the research works. We used the yellow sand dust and non-yellow sand dust collected with the method of inhalation for the study materials and 100 rabbits breeded in the experimental animal farm of the Pyongyang Medical College for the subjects of the research works. The research method is to observe the influence by the yellow sand on the normal conjunctiva and cornea of the eyes of the rabbits, and on the damaged conjunctiva and cornea and to extract the eyeballs for the tissue samples in 24hrs after inserting 8.5mg of the yellow sand and non-yellow sand respectively in the experimental team and the contrast team and observe them with the method of the optical microscope. In conclusion, we proved that the yellow sand caused the conjunctivitis and keratitis in the eyes of the experimental animals and made clear the pathological histological findings of the conjunctivitis by the yellow sand. The pathological histological findings of the conjunctivitis by the yellow sand showed the significant inflammation cell infiltration with the main stress on the leucocyte and histocyte infiltration and edema and erosion. Keywords: Air environment, disaster, experimental animal, eye, yellow Cite this Article Sun-Ok O, Kang-Chol Ryu, Kyong-Se Jong. The Influence of the Yellow Sand on the Eyes of Experimental Animal. Research & Reviews: Journal of Medical Science and Technology . 2020; 9(2): 36–40p.
[b]BACKGROUND[/b] This study aimed to investigate the effect of whole body vibration (WBV) with load stimulation (WBVLS) on body composition, postural balance, leg strength, and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women. [b]MATERIAL AND METHODS[/b] Thirty-four postmenopausal women participated in the study and were randomly divided into a WBVLS group (n=13), a WBV group (n=13), and a control group (n=11). The WBVLS group performed WBV with loaded stimulation for 10–15 minutes per set, 5 times a week, for 12 weeks. The WBV group performed WBV exercises, whereas, the control group received no treatment. Outcome measures included body composition, knee extension strength, postural balance, and BMD of lumbar spine and femoral neck. [b]RESULTS[/b] Body composition, postural balance, and BMD of the lumbar spine showed significant improvements in the WBVLS group ([i]P[/i]<0.05). Leg strength showed significant improvement in the WBVLS and WBV groups ([i]P[/i]<0.05) as compared to baseline, but not in the control group. [b]CONCLUSIONS[/b] WBVLS for postmenopausal women may be beneficial for improving body composition, postural balance, leg strength, and BMD. This study provides effective WBV exercise guidelines for postmenopausal women.
[b]BACKGROUND[/b] Thyroid hormones and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide play critical roles in cardiac function, and the direct relationship between thyroid hormone and blood pressure is well documented. This study was designed to evaluate the ability of thyroid hormones and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide to predict the risk of heart failure among hypertensive patients in Nigeria. [b]MATERIAL AND METHODS[/b] A cross-sectional study was conducted on 212 volunteers (120 age- and sex-matched subjects with hypertension, 53 normotensive subjects as controls, and 39 subjects with heart failure). Blood samples were collected from all subjects after an overnight rest and samples were assayed for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), free triiodothyronine (FT3), tetraiodothyronine (T4), free tetraiodothyronine (FT4), and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). [b]RESULTS[/b] T3, FT3, and NT-proBNP were significantly higher in the hypertensive group than in controls (p<0.001, p=0.020, and p<0.001, respectively). There was a positive and significant association between T3 and T4 (r=0.477, p<0.001), T3, and FT4 (r=0.185, p=0.043). There was a positive but insignificant association between T3 and NT-proBNP (r=0.078, p=0.393). Logistic regression analysis of these hormones predicted risk of heart failure: TSH (odds ratio 2.2611 p=0.0023), FT3 (odds ratio 1.1782 p=0.0014), FT4 (odds ratio 0.3608 p=0.0014) T4 (odds ratio 1.0750 p=0.0209), and NT-proBNP (odds ratio 1.0033 p<0.001). [b]CONCLUSIONS[/b] Slight and unnoticed changes in thyroid hormones and elevated N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in the hypertensive group may expose them to further cardiovascular complications.
[b]BACKGROUND[/b] The aims of the study were to assess whether a pliable paste consisting of microporous bioresorbable polylactide (PLA) beads and autogenous peripheral blood used to fill vacant areas in the tunnels drilled in the proximal tibial metaphysis of the rabbits promotes tendon healing. [b]MATERIAL AND METHODS[/b] Sixteen rabbits were divided into 4 groups. The animals were either implanted with a tendon graft and the bone tunnel was augmented with the pliable paste consisting of PLA beads and blood (PLA-blood paste) or implanted with a tendon graft without the PLA-blood paste. [b]RESULTS[/b] At 6 and 12 weeks after implantation, the PLA-blood paste had increased the amount of bone deposition. The new bone mainly formed in the areas where the PLA-blood paste was in direct contact with both the bone in the tunnel wall and the outer surface of the tendon. [b]CONCLUSIONS[/b] The PLA paste facilitated the formation of new bone in a rabbit model.
[b]ABSTRACT[/b] Ambitious efforts to characterize disease have been made worldwide, mainly in cancer, with initiatives such as the Cancer Genome Atlas. Many of these cost-intensive studies use cutting-edge technologies to delve deeply into the intrinsic genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic, etc, (ie, omics) type of data to better explain the phenotype. But while more data is being stored, the complexity of cancer seems to challenge even more our ability to understand its nature and thus to uncover useful bio-physiological information. We strongly believe that data analytics, as well as our understanding of ‘normal’ cases, are still in their infancy, opening great opportunities in translational cancer research to pursue precision medicine through Big Omics Data analytics.
[b]BACKGROUND[/b] Fibrinolysis still remains an unexplored area in patients with morbid obesity. The aim of this study was to explore the fibrinolytic process in the blood of patients with morbid obesity who underwent bariatric surgery. [b]MATERIAL AND METHODS[/b] The study involved 38 patients with morbid obesity who underwent bariatric surgery. All patients had undergone LAGB (Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding). The control group consisted of 20 healthy volunteers. The following parameters were measured: plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 antigen (PAI-1-Ag), tissue plasminogen activator antigen (t-PA-Ag), D-dimer, and plasminogen and α2-antiplasmin (α2-AP). [b]RESULTS[/b] Before the operation, significantly higher levels of t-PA-Ag and PAI-1-Ag and higher α2-AP activity were observed. Plasminogen and D-dimers were similar as in the controls. Postoperatively, significantly increased D-dimers with decrease of α2-antiplasmin was observed. t-PA: Ag, PAI-1: Ag, and plasminogen did not differ significantly in comparison with before. The operation was successful in reducing BMI, which was significantly reduced by an average of about 5–10 kg within 1 month after surgery (p<0.0001). [b]CONCLUSIONS[/b] The reduction of body weight coincided with increased levels of D-dimer and decreased α2-antiplasmin activity, showing activation of fibrinolysis in blood plasma of patients with morbid obesity. The preoperatively higher α2-antiplasmin activity in comparison with controls is difficult to explain, but as an acute-phase protein, it can reflect the chronic inflammatory process in morbid obesity.
[b]BACKGROUND[/b] Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus have higher risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Still, there remain some gaps in our understanding of the mechanisms and impact that some risk factors have on the development of cardiovascular disease in these patients. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between conventional risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD), as well as current use of therapeutic agents and cardiovascular events in diabetic patients. [b]MATERIAL AND METHODS[/b] This cross-sectional study included 315 patients with diabetes type 2 (154 males and 161 females, average age 64.94±13.85 years) distributed in 2 groups according to the presence of CAD. Clinically relevant data were collected from patients’ histories. Total serum cholesterol and triglycerides were determined by the enzymatic methods. HDL cholesterol was determined directly by enzymatic method and HbA1c by the Turbidimetric Inhibition Immunoassay (TINIA) method. [b]RESULTS[/b] Patients with CAD were significantly older (p<0.01) and less physically active (p<0.01). Female patients more often had angina pectoris (p=0.005), while males more often (p=0.002) had history of myocardial infarction. Hypertension, heart failure, peripheral arterial occlusive disease, and previous cerebrovascular insult were associated with higher prevalence of CAD (p<0.01). Patients with CAD had significantly higher HDL (p<0.05) and triglyceride (p<0.05) blood levels. Patients treated with insulin, statins, ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, or diuretics significantly more often had CAD (p<0.01). [b]CONCLUSIONS[/b] We confirmed some previously known associations between conventional risk and protective factors for CAD in diabetic patients, but also raised questions concerning the cardioprotective effect of statins.
[b]BACKGROUND[/b] This study aimed to observe the dynamic changes in cardiac function indexes in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). [b]MATERIAL AND METHODS[/b] A total of 54 patients with stable COPD were divided into four groups with the grading criteria of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) according to their pulmonary function test results. Ten healthy people were enrolled in the normal control group. Echocardiography was performed in all groups; changes of biventricular function and pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) were analyzed in the group of GOLD I–IV patients, as well as groups based on FEV1 more or less than 50%. A prediction model using pulmonary function test indexes to predict cardiac function was established. [b]RESULTS[/b] PAP was progressively increased by the GOLD grade, notable increases were shown in the GOLD III ([i]p[/i]=0.011) and the GOLD IV group ([i]p[/i]=0.005). The right ventricular function indexes, right ventricular Tei index (RVTei), and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), as well as the left ventricular function indexes, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), early and late wave of mitral valve flow (E/A), and left ventricular Tei index (LVTei) were affected synchronously with stable COPD severity ([i]p[/i]<0.05, [i]p[/i]<0.01). Inspiratory capacity/total lung capacity (IC/TLC) and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) were related to the RVTei. [b]CONCLUSIONS[/b] PAP and cardiac function indexes are synchronously changed with the degree of stable COPD. Pulmonary function test has potential value to indicate the cardiac dysfunction of stable COPD patients.
[b]BACKGROUND[/b] Chagas disease (ChD) has become a global health problem with more than eight million people infected worldwide. Its asymptomatic form (ACD) is still a challenge for clinicians since patients are rarely detected at this stage and evolve undiagnosed to severe determined forms of the disease, thus becoming a source of non-vectorial transmission. We have developed a non-invasive methodology to detect ACD individuals from healthy ones through surface ECG records. [b]MATERIAL AND METHODS[/b] We studied 135 high-resolution ECG records (19 non-Chagasic, 39 ACD and 77 with other ChD classification) by means of a new non-invasive index called the “very-low-frequency correlation index”, VLFCI. It is obtained from frequency domain analysis of RR and QRS complex duration time series. Using the VLFCI, a discriminant rule for ACD subjects prediction was developed, tested, and evaluated over all ChD subjects. [b]RESULTS[/b] Significant differences ([i]p[/i]<0.05) were found between Chagasic and healthy groups when comparing VLFCI data. All ChD groups obtained greater median VLFCI values than the control. The VLFCI-based discriminant rule achieved 69% sensitivity, 63% specificity, and a 79% positive predictive value when testing non-Chagasic subjects against those with ACD. Moreover, a 70% classification rate was achieved when validating the discriminant rule over the entire Chagasic dataset. [b]CONCLUSIONS[/b] To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work in which ACD subjects were identified using surface ECG. The method allowed non-invasive ACD prediction and could potentially be implemented in low-cost portable devices for massive ChD screening.
[b]ABSTRACT[/b] Evidence from both animal experiments and clinical studies have shown an increased vulnerability of diabetic hearts to myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MI/RI), but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Mitophagy, an important mitochondrial quality control mechanism to clear damaged mitochondria, is mediated by a pathway consisting of PTEN-induced putative protein kinase 1 (PINK1) and the E3 ubiquitin ligase parkin in mammals. Diminished mitophagy due to PINK1 deficiency induces apoptosis and promotes cell death. Our preliminary data showed that PINK1 was down-regulated in H9C2 cardiomyoblasts stimulated by high glucose and high fat. Therefore, we hypothesize that the expression of PINK1 may be reduced in diabetic hearts, which leads to impaired mitophagy and consequently increased myocardium vulnerability to MI/RI.
[b]BACKGROUND[/b] Twenty-four-hour urine potassium (24-HUK) is a traditionally-used index to examine whether hypokalemia is due to renal potassium (K) loss in its differential diagnosis, but its accuracy is often compromised due to interference factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the spot urine K-creatinine (Cr) ratio (SU(K/Cr)) can be used as a substitute for 24-HUK. [b]MATERIAL AND METHODS[/b] Seventy hypokalemic patients who submitted both 24-hour and spot urine samples for clinical tests were recruited. Among them, 40 patients were found to have hypokalemia due to renal K loss. Thirty subjects were diagnosed with extra-renal hypokalemia. Thirty subjects with normal serum K levels were enrolled as controls. Before K supplement treatment in hypokalemia patients, spot urine samples were collected. A 24-hour urine sample and serum sample were also collected on the same day. [b]RESULTS[/b] Both SU(K/Cr) and 24-HUK were significantly different between the patients with renal and extra-renal K loss (Non-renal group) ([i]P[/i]=0.005 and [i]P[/i]<0.001). Moreover, there were significant positive correlations between 24-HUK and SU(K/Cr) in the renal group (Renal group) ([i]r[/i]=0.84, [i]P[/i]=0.001) and non-renal group ([i]r[/i]=0.42, [i]P[/i]=0.02), as well as the controls with normal serum K (Control group) ([i]r[/i]=0.59, [i]P[/i]=0.001). Furthermore, through ROC curve analysis, 3.35 mmol/mmol was found to be the optimum cutoff value of SU(K/Cr) for renal K loss. [b]CONCLUSIONS[/b] SU(K/Cr) may be a valuable marker to distinguish between renal and extra-renal K loss. Studies with larger sample sizes are needed to further confirm a specific cutoff value of SU(K/Cr).
[b]BACKGROUND[/b] Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare neoplasms accounting for 5% of all sarcomas, but they are the most common mesenchymal tumors within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. GISTs occur throughout the GI tract, with the stomach being the most frequent site of origin. [b]MATERIAL AND METHODS[/b] Herein, we describe 5 cases of GISTs diagnosed during donor procurement. Frozen sections of the tumors were highly suspicious for GISTs, and mitotic count evaluation was also performed. However, the definitive diagnosis and risk assessment required immunohistochemical staining for CD117 and DOG-1, together with the mitotic count performed on permanent sections. [b]RESULTS[/b] From our 5 donors, 2 kidneys and 1 liver were transplanted with no evidence of donor-transmitted neoplasia after 18 and 46 months, respectively. [b]CONCLUSIONS[/b] We describe 5 cases of GISTs with no risk of progressive disease. In accordance with the latest guidelines of the European Committee on Organ Transplantation, only donors with small gastric GIST were accepted for liver and renal transplant.
[b]BACKGROUND[/b] Atherosclerosis is a systemic disease with focal rupture of vulnerable plaque and is responsible for major clinical events. Vascular smooth muscle cells play key roles in the progression of atherosclerosis. Pollen Typhae flavone is a traditional Chinese herb and had been used to treat many diseases. However, effects of pollen Typhae flavonoids on atherosclerosis are unclear. In this study, ApoE–/– mice were fed with high-fat chow to build an atherosclerosis model. [b]MATERIAL AND METHODS[/b] Different doses of pollen Typhae flavone treatments were used to investigate the effects of pollen Typhae flavonoids on atherosclerosis. [b]RESULTS[/b] Results showed that medium-dose and high-dose pollen Typhae flavonoids reduced atherosclerosis lesion area in ApoE–/– mice. Pollen Typhae flavonoids also significantly altered plasma lipid levels, including total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, and homocysteine. Furthermore, medium-dose and high-dose pollen Typhae flavonoid relieved endoplasmic reticulum stress and lessened inflammation and apoptosis in vulnerable plaque. [b]CONCLUSIONS[/b] Pollen Typhae flavonoids are effective in alleviating atherosclerosis by relieving endoplasmic reticulum stress-initiated apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells.
[b]ABSTRACT[/b] The principal goal of biomechanical finite element analysis (FEA) modeling research is to represent the geometry of a study in as real a form as possible. However, this type of simulation is not easy, considering the complexity of the human body and all the biological factors involved; therefore, it is common to use a discretization of the FEA model. The development of this discretization includes establishment of the main parameters and assumptions from research studies to simplify the task, and thus requiring lower computing time. For example, some researchers have suggested the use of loads for "falling on an outstretch arm", to simplify the load estimation in the study of a shoulder even when the existing compilation of data presents different load values according a specific activity. A similar issue involves studies that propose a single element to represent cortical and trabecular bones with constant Young´s modulus. These approaches could obtain results overly conservatives because the mechanical properties of the bone are attributed to the density that changes along it. Therefore, this type of information needs to be analyzed carefully in order to best represent the scenario that the investigator wants to study. We performed a non-systematic literature review. This article describes the considerations of FEA studies with a focus on solid mechanics of proximal humeral fractures with locking plates. The use of parameters and assumptions found in our literature review provide overly conservative results. However, these results might be acceptable when the study is focused on making comparisons between plates or other clinical devices used in bone fractures.
Fil: Gonzalez Montoro, Aldana Maria. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Facultad de Matematica, Astronomia y Fisica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Cordoba. Centro de Investigacion y Estudios de Matematica. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Centro de Investigacion y Estudios de Matematica; Argentina
[b]ABSTRACT[/b] Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been tested for treatment of various neurological and psychiatric disorders for over 25 years. So far, it is approved as a treatment of drug-resistant epileptic seizures. Proven effectiveness and long clinical experience of VNS brought attention of many researchers into other potential applications. Among the most promising directions are areas of cognitive disorders and memory processing. Vagus nerve stimulation can be performed directly via surgically implanted stimulator (invasive VNS) or non-invasively via a clip attached to the auricular concha (transcutaneous VNS through the auricular branch of the vagal nerve). The aim of our review was to present the published evidence regarding the impact of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) on cognition, in particular on the processes of memory formation. Performing a meta-analysis is not a subject of this paper. Most of the data were obtained from patients receiving VNS due to epilepsy. However, studies on healthy individuals and animals were also analyzed. Studies show that vagal stimulation has a positive effect on enhancement of memory processes. The underlying mechanism for the memory-enhancing effect of VNS remains uncertain and requires further investigations. Based on many observations and studies on patients undergoing this procedure, we conclude that vagus nerve stimulation is a promising therapeutic option for many cognitive disorders.
