scholarly journals The role of endothelin-1 and its autoantibodies in the pathogenesisof atopic dermatitis: a case-control study

2021 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-40
Author(s):  
Irina V. Kibalina ◽  
Namzhil N. Tsybikov
Keyword(s):  
Atopic Dermatitis ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Statistical Processing ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Inflammatory Reactions ◽  
Endothelin 1 ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
High Level

Background. Atopic dermatitis is a chronic multifactorial dermatosis with a complex pathophysiological basis. One of the poorly studied links in the pathogenesis of the disease is endothelin-1. Its main biological effects include pronounced vasoconstriction of blood vessels. Aim. To study the role of endothelin-1 and its autoantibodies in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. Materials and methods. The study included 40 patients with common and limited forms of atopic dermatitis in the period of exacerbation and remission. The concentration of endothelin-1 and autoantibodies to it in the blood serum was determined by the ELISA method. Statistical processing of the obtained data was performed using Statistica 6.0. Statistical significance was determined at p 0.05. Results. High concentrations of endothelin-1 and autoantibodies to it were determined during the exacerbation of the disease. When the clinical picture was resolved; the concentration of endothelin-1 and autoantibodies to it significantly decreased; but remained higher than the control group. Based on the data obtained; it can be assumed that an increase in the concentration of endothelin-1 may be a marker of white dermographism and a regulator of the microcirculation process in the skin. Conclusions. A high level of endothelin-1 contributes to the development of inflammatory reactions in the skin; white dermographism and itching. Endothelin-1 receptors may be potential aim for targeted therapy of atopic dermatitis.

Comparing Midterm Outcomes of High-Level Athletes Versus Nonathletes Undergoing Primary Hip Arthroscopy: A Propensity-Matched Comparison With Minimum 5-Year Follow-up

2021 ◽  
pp. 036354652110417
Author(s):  
Andrew E. Jimenez ◽  
Peter F. Monahan ◽  
David R. Maldonado ◽  
Benjamin R. Saks ◽  
Hari K. Ankem ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hip Arthroscopy ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Arthroscopic Surgery ◽  
Harris Hip Score ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
High Level

Background: High-level athletes (HLAs) have been shown to have better short-term outcomes than nonathletes (NAs) after hip arthroscopy. Purpose: (1) To report midterm outcomes of HLAs after primary hip arthroscopy and (2) to compare their results with a propensity-matched cohort of NA patients. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Data were prospectively collected and retrospectively reviewed between February 2008 and November 2015 for HLAs (professional, college, or high school) who underwent primary hip arthroscopy in the setting of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS). HLAs were included if they had preoperative, minimum 2-year, and minimum 5-year follow-up data for the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), Non-Arthritic Hip Score (NAHS), and Hip Outcome Score Sports-Specific Subscale (HOS-SSS). Radiographic and intraoperative findings, surgical procedures, patient-reported outcomes (PROs), patient acceptable symptomatic state (PASS), minimal clinically important difference (MCID), and return to sport were reported. The HLA study group was propensity-matched to a control group of NA patients for comparison. Results: A total 65 HLA patients (67 hips) were included in the final analysis with mean follow-up time of 74.6 ± 16.7 months. HLAs showed significant improvement in all PROs recorded, achieved high rates of MCID and PASS for mHHS (74.6% and 79.4%, respectively) and HOS-SSS (67.7% and 66.1%, respectively), and returned to sport at high rates (80.4%). When compared with the propensity-matched NA control group, HLAs reported higher baseline but comparable postoperative scores for the mHHS and NAHS. HLA patients achieved MCID and PASS for mHHS at similar rates as NA patients, but the HLA patients achieved PASS for HOS-SSS at higher rates that trended toward statistical significance (66.1% vs 48.4%; P = .07). NA patients underwent revision arthroscopic surgery at similar rates as HLA patients (14.9% vs 9.0%, respectively; P = .424). Conclusion: Primary hip arthroscopy results in favorable midterm outcomes in HLAs. When compared with a propensity-matched NA control group, HLAs demonstrated a tendency toward higher rates of achieving PASS for HOS-SSS but similar arthroscopic revision rates at minimum 5-year follow-up.

Homeopathy: statistical significance versus the sample size in experiments with Toxoplasma gondii

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (36) ◽  
pp. 115-118
Author(s):  
Érika Cristina Ferreira ◽  
Paula Fernanda Massini ◽  
Caroline Felicio Braga ◽  
Ricardo Nascimento Drozino ◽  
Neide Martins Moreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Rare Event ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Bootstrap Analysis ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The World

Introduction: Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis that represents a serious public health problem, caused by Toxoplasma gondii, which affects 20-90% of the world human population [1,2]. It is a serious problem especially when considering the congenital transmission due to congenital sequels. Treatment with highly diluted substances is one of the alternative/complementary medicines most employed in the world [3,4]. The current ethical rules regarding the number of animals used in animal experimental protocols with the use of more conservative statistical methods [5] can not enhance the biological effects of highly diluted substances observed by the experience of the researcher. Aim: To evaluate the minimum number of animals per group to achieve a significant difference among the groups of animals treated with biotherapic T. gondii and infected with the protozoan regarding the number of cysts observed in the brain. Material and methods: A blind randomized controlled trial was performed using eleven Swiss male mice, aged 57 days, divided into two groups: BIOT-200DH - treated with biotherapic (n=6) and CONTROL - treated with hydroalcoholic solution 7% (n=7).The animals of the group BIOT-200DH were treated for 3 consecutive days in a single dose 0.1ml/dose/day. The animals of BIOT – 200DH group were orally infected with 20 cysts of ME49-T. gondii. The animals of the control group were treated with cereal alcohol 7% (n=7) for 3 consecutive days and then were infected with 20 cysts of ME49 -T. gondii orally. The biotherapic 200DH T. gondii was prepared with homogenized mouse brain, with 20 cysts of T. gondii / 100μL according to the Brazilian Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia [6] in laminar flow. After 60 days post-infection the animals were killed in a chamber saturated with halothane, the brains were homogenized and resuspended in 1 ml of saline solution. Cysts were counted in 25 ml of this suspension, covered with a 24x24 mm coverglass, examined in its full length. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee for animal experimentation of the UEM - Protocol 036/2009. The data were compared using the tests Mann Whitney and Bootstrap [7] with the statistical software BioStat 5.0. Results and discussion: There was no significant difference when analyzed with the Mann-Whitney, even multiplying the "n" ten times (p=0.0618). The number of cysts observed in BIOT 200DH group was 4.5 ± 3.3 and 12.8 ± 9.7 in the CONTROL group. Table 1 shows the results obtained using the bootstrap analysis for each data changed from 2n until 2n+5, and their respective p-values. With the inclusion of more elements in the different groups, tested one by one, randomly, increasing gradually the samples, we observed the sample size needed to statistically confirm the results seen experimentally. Using 17 mice in group BIOT 200DH and 19 in the CONTROL group we have already observed statistical significance. This result suggests that experiments involving highly diluted substances and infection of mice with T. gondii should work with experimental groups with 17 animals at least. Despite the current and relevant ethical discussions about the number of animals used for experimental procedures the number of animals involved in each experiment must meet the characteristics of each item to be studied. In the case of experiments involving highly diluted substances, experimental animal models are still rudimentary and the biological effects observed appear to be also individualized, as described in literature for homeopathy [8]. The fact that the statistical significance was achieved by increasing the sample observed in this trial, tell us about a rare event, with a strong individual behavior, difficult to demonstrate in a result set, treated simply with a comparison of means or medians. Conclusion: Bootstrap seems to be an interesting methodology for the analysis of data obtained from experiments with highly diluted substances. Experiments involving highly diluted substances and infection of mice with T. gondii should be better work with experimental groups using 17 animals at least.

scholarly journals Role of insulin during the development of oligofructose (OF)-induced equine laminitis

2015 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 303-309
Author(s):  
Renli Jiang ◽  
Li Gao ◽  
Guanying Wang ◽  
Xinran Li ◽  
Yue Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Glucose Oxidase ◽  
Negative Correlation ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Endothelin 1 ◽  
Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate ◽  
And Control ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Horses (n = 20) were divided into 2 groups: oligofructose (OF)-induced equine laminitis group (group OF; n = 11) which received 10 g/kg b.w. of OF dissolved in 4 L water via nasogastric intubation, and control group (NS; n = 9) which received 4 L of saline. Blood was collected at 4 h intervals over 72 h study period and analysed by ELISA, kinetic limulus amoebocyte lysate assay, and glucose-oxidase methods. The level of insulin changed significantly in horses which received OF (P < 0.01); there was a significant negative correlation between the level of adiponectin and insulin over time. The results suggested that insulin may play an important role in the development of OF-induced equine laminitis by altering the level of endothelin-1 and nitric oxide.

scholarly journals The protective role of CsNPs and CurNPs against DNA damage, oxidative stress, and histopathological and immunohistochemical alterations induced by hydroxyapatite nanoparticles in male rat kidney

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 741-753 ◽  
Author(s):  
Israa F. Mosa ◽  
Mokhtar I. Yousef ◽  
Maher Kamel ◽  
Osama F. Mosa ◽  
Yasser Helmy
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Antioxidant Enzymes ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Nuclear Antigen ◽  
Male Rat ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Renal Tubules ◽  
Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles

Abstract Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HAP-NPs) are an inorganic component of natural bone and are mainly used in the tissue engineering field due to their bioactivity, osteoconductivity, biocompatibility, non-inflammatory, and non-toxicity properties. However, the current toxicity data for HAP-NPs regarding human health are limited, and only a few results from basic studies have been published. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the beneficial role of chitosan nanoparticles (CsNPs) and curcumin nanoparticles (CurNPs) in alleviating nephrotoxicity induced by HAP-NPs in male rats. The results showed that HAP-NPs caused a reduction in antioxidant enzymes and induced lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide production and DNA oxidation. Moreover, HAP-NP administration was associated with intense histologic changes in kidney architecture and immunoreactivity to proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). However, the presence of CsNPs and/or CurNPs along with HAP-NPs reduced the levels of oxidative stress through improving the activities of antioxidant enzymes. Also, the rats administered the nanoparticles showed a moderate improvement in glomerular damage which matched that of the control group and showed mild positive reactions to PCNA–ir in glomeruli and renal tubules in the cortical and medullary portions. These novel insights confirm that the presence of chitosan and curcumin in nanoforms has powerful biological effects with enhanced bioactivity and bioavailability phenomena compared to their microphase counterparts. Also, they were able to ameliorate the nephrotoxicity induced by HAP-NPs.

scholarly journals The role of fluoride on eruption of mandibular molar of albino rats

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1752-1761
Author(s):  
Omowumi M. Femi-Akinlosotu ◽  
Olakayode O. Ogundoyin ◽  
Morenike A. Akintola
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Fluoride Concentration ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Albino Rats ◽  
P Value ◽  
Mandibular Molar ◽  
Systemic Factors ◽  
Hematoxylin And Eosin ◽  
High Concentrations

Eruption of the tooth is a complex and highly regulated process which can be influenced by genetic, environmental and systemic factors. Fluoride is found naturally in water as well as in foods and dental products. The first mandibular molar is the first molar to erupt and it is essential for  mastication of food. We studied the effect of fluoride on the eruption of the first mandibular molar in albino rats. Fluoride at different  concentrations was added to the water of pregnant albino rats while sterile water without fluoride was given to the control pregnant dams. The pregnant dams were allowed to deliver, and the heads of their pups carefully decapitated, and mandibles dissected out on days 10, 12, 15 and 18 for assessment of eruption pattern of the first molar while also measuring the mandibular length and breadth. The mandibles were then processed for hematoxylin and eosin staining. On gross examination, some of the teeth developed intraosseously while others were located mucosally, pre-occlusally or occlusally. There was significant reduction in both the birth weight and mandibular length as the fluoride concentration increased compared to the control but a significant increment in the mandibular breadth between the experimental groups in comparison with the control group on day 15 (p value <0.05). These findings suggest that high concentrations of fluoride could delay mandibular molars’ eruption and also cause low birth weight. Key Words: fluoride, mandibular molar, tooth eruption

scholarly journals TheCCR5Δ32Polymorphism in Brazilian Patients with Sickle Cell Disease

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana Pezzute Lopes ◽  
Magnun Nueldo Nunes Santos ◽  
Eliel Wagner Faber ◽  
Marcos André Cavalcanti Bezerra ◽  
Betânia Lucena Domingues Hatzlhofer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sickle Cell Disease ◽  
Sickle Cell ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Population Sample ◽  
Selective Advantage ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cell Disease ◽  
Specific Pcr

Background. Previous studies on the role of inflammation in the pathophysiology of sickle cell disease (SCD) suggested that theCCR5Δ32allele, which is responsible for the production of truncated C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5), could confer a selective advantage on patients with SCD because it leads to a less efficient Th1 response. We determined the frequency of theCCR5Δ32polymorphism in 795 Afro-Brazilian SCD patients followed up at the Pernambuco Hematology and Hemotherapy Center, in Northeastern Brazil, divided into a pediatric group (3 months–17 years,n=483) and an adult group (18–70 years,n=312). The adult patients were also compared to a healthy control group (blood donors, 18–61 years,n=247).Methods. TheCCR5/CCR5Δ32polymorphism was determined by allele-specific PCR.Results. No homozygous patient for theCCR5Δ32allele was detected. The frequency of heterozygotes in the study population (patients and controls) was 5.8%, in the total SCD patients 5.1%, in the children 5.4%, in the adults with SCD 4.8%, and in the adult controls 8.1%. These differences did not reach statistical significance.Conclusions. Our findings failed to demonstrate an important role of theCCR5Δ32allele in the population sample studied here.

scholarly journals THE STATE OF THE OPTICAL DENSITY OF THE ALVEOLAR PROCESS OF THE JAWS OF RATS IN SUPRAOCCLUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS OF INDIVIDUAL TEETH IN THE AGE ASPECT

2021 ◽  
Vol 74 (8) ◽  
pp. 1800-1803
Author(s):  
Yurii V. Lakhtin ◽  
Serhii M. Zviahin ◽  
Lidia M. Karpez
Keyword(s):  
Optical Density ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Statistical Processing ◽  
The State ◽  
Wilcoxon Test ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Alveolar Process ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Experimental Group

The aim of the study was to conduct a comparative assessment of the optical density of bone tissue of the alveolar process of the jaws of rats in supraocclusive relationships of individual teeth in the age aspect. Materials and methods: The study was performed on 60 white laboratory rats. Rats were divided into control (30 individuals) and experimental (30 individuals) groups. According to the age of rats each group was divided into 3 subgroups (10 animals): young, mature and senile. In the experimental group, the state of supraocclusion was modeled by increasing the height of the lower right second molars placing a seal 1 mm high. Experimental animals were removed from the experiment on the 15th day through decapitation. The lower jaws were skeletonized, jaw blocks were sawn in the molar area. Bone mineral density was determined using optical densitometry. The statistical processing defined the average (M) and its error (m). The statistical significance of the difference in two independent groups was performed according to nonparametric criteria (Mann-Whitney U-test and W-Wilcoxon test). Statistical processing was conducted with the help of integrated package of statistical program AtteStat 12.0.5 for MS Excel. Differences at p≤ 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Statistical discrepancy is present in rats of mature and senile age, as well as between the indicators of all rats of the control and experimental groups (≤0.05). No significant difference was observed in young rats, but the indicators of the experimental group were 3.82% worse than in the control group. In senile rats, the density of the alveolar process decreased by 26.6%, in adult rats by 17.5%. Conclusions: The presence of supraocclusive relationships of individual teeth causes a decrease in bone density of the alveolar process of the jaws in rats. The greatest loss of density among age groups in elderly rats.

scholarly journals Forensic implications of rape

2006 ◽  
Vol 59 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 567-571 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milan Novakovic
Keyword(s):  
Bosnia And Herzegovina ◽  
Criminal Law ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Sexual Assaults ◽  
Physical Strength ◽  
Young Males ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
High Level ◽  
And Behavior

Introduction. Rape is a sexual act of violence in which physical strength is used. Criminal law imposes strict punishments for such crimes as rape. Psycho-pathologically, rape is among the gravest of crimes, often associated with extremely deviated behavior. This article deals with the forensic aspects of sexual violence in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the period from 2000-2004. We report about sexual assaults, personality of delinquents, motives and consequences of rape. Material and Methods. Two groups of violent offenders were compared in the study: perpetrators of rape (N=90), and perpetrators of other criminal offences (N=90-recidivists). The control group included young males (N=90). Results. The results of the study show a high level of violence in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The rape rate equals the level of homicide in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Rape offenders are mostly people with personal disorders (70%), but they also present with other illnesses and behavior disorders. Conclusion. The significance of rape as a violent crime has not been sufficiently studied. High incidence of violence and rape in Bosnia and Herzegovina is extremely disturbing. The most disturbing aspect is the increase of violence and failure to take certain measures. The role of psychiatry is to provide penal education, treatment and programs for elimination of consequences of rape. .

Financial Planning for Retirement: Age-Related Differences Among Spanish Workers

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 550-566 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Jiménez ◽  
Rita Chiesa ◽  
Gabriela Topa
Keyword(s):  
Financial Planning ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Integrated Model ◽  
Retirement Age ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Performance Map ◽  
High Level ◽  
Moderator Role

This article tests an integrated model of financial planning for retirement (FPR), with 948 Spanish workers aged between 30 and 63. Overall, the three model dimensions—capacity, willingness, and opportunities to plan and save—show a significant association with financial planning for retirement. The moderator role of age in the relationships between antecedents and financial planning was tested. Consistent with our hypothesis, younger participants showed a greater level of FPR if they were characterized by a high level of education. The interaction between both age and psychological preparation for retirement and retirement goals clarity failed to reach statistical significance. We discuss how financial planning effectiveness could be increased based on the results of importance-performance map analyses.

scholarly journals Clinical and immunological features of opisthorchiasis

2021 ◽  
Vol 102 (5) ◽  
pp. 626-635
Author(s):  
A U Sabitov ◽  
D A Soldatov ◽  
Yu B Khamanova
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Immune Complexes ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Rank Correlation ◽  
Statistical Processing ◽  
Circulating Immune Complexes ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cytotoxic Lymphocytes ◽  
Spearman’S Rank Correlation ◽  
Diagnostic Center

Aim. To assess the clinical and immunological features in patients with chronic opisthorchiasis, depending on the duration of the infection. Methods. The first group consisted of 19 patients with the duration of the infection up to 1 year, the second group consisted of 21 patients with the duration of the infection between 1 and 5 years, the third group was formed of 23 patients with the duration of the disease more than 5 years, the control group 20 healthy individuals. Immunological research was carried out at the Clinical Diagnostic Center. Statistical processing was performed using Microsoft Excel 2010 and Statistica 6.0 software. The statistical significance of differences was determined by using the MannWhitney test (U-test) at the level of significance of p 0.05. The correlations were assessed by calculating Spearman's rank correlation coefficients.Results Clinical features of chronic opisthorchiasis were revealed in the disease duration groups of up to 1 year, from 1 year to 5 years, more than 5 years: the subclinical course was most common in the group of up to 1 year; cholangiohepatitis prevailed in the group of between 1 to 5 years, allergic skin syndrome, cholangiocholecystitis and pancreatitis dominated in the group of more than 5 years. The immune response in chronic opisthorchiasis was characterized by: up to 1 year lymphocytosis, increased levels of immunoglobulins M (IgM) and circulating immune complexes (CIC), a decrease in the number of T-lymphocytes (CD3+), as well as an increase in bactericidal activity of leukocytes (BAL); between 1 and 5 years monocytosis, increased levels of immunoglobulins M, immunoglobulins G and circulating immune complexes, a decrease in T-cytotoxic lymphocytes (CD8+) and nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT test), as well as an increase in NK cells and phagocytic activity of monocytes, more than 5 years eosinophilia. Conclusion. Common features of rearrangement of the immune system in opisthorchiasis: inflammatory changes in the hemogram, activation of humoral immunity with parallel suppression of the cellular component of the immune system, and increased phagocytosis.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document