HIT-6 and EQ-5D-5L in patients with migraine: assessment of common latent constructs and development of a mapping algorithm

The European Journal of Health Economics - The aims of this study were to assess whether there is a conceptual overlap between the questionnaires HIT-6 and EQ-5D and to develop a mapping algorithm...     

Vitrified Wharton’s jelly tissue as a biomaterial for multiple tissue engineering applications

Abstract

Wharton’s Jelly (WJ) tissue is a promising biomaterial, for tissue engineering applications. However, its preservation over a long period in order to be readily available needs further optimization. A possible solution could be the vitrification and storage of WJ tissue at low temperatures. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of low temperature in the WJ tissue, which was stored at ?196?°C, either with the vitrification or conventional cryopreservation methods. WJ tissues were isolated from human umbilical cords, cryopreserved with the above methods and remained for 1?year at ?196?°C. Histological analysis of tissue’s extracellular matrix (ECM), isolation, and characterization of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) were performed. Histological analysis revealed the presence of ECM components such as collagen, sulfated glycosaminoglycans (sGAGs), and the presence of cell nuclei only in vitrified samples. Furthermore, MSCs were isolated and expanded successfully from vitrified WJ tissues, whereas a few viable cells were obtained from conventionally cryopreserved tissues that were not further expanded. In conclusion, this study indicated the proper preservation of vitrified WJ tissues after 1?year of storage, which eventually could be used in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine approaches.     

Adapting in the COVID-19 Era

How to cite this article: Papathanakos G, Andrianopoulos I, Papathanasiou A, Lepida D, Koulouras V. Adapting in the COVID-19 Era. Indian J Crit Care Med 2020;24(12):1286–1287.     

Natural history of descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms

ObjectivesElucidating critical aortic diameters at which natural complications (rupture, dissection, and death) occur is of paramount importance to guide timely surgical intervention. Natural history knowledge for descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms is sparse. Our small early studies recommended repairing descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms before a critical diameter of 7.0 cm. We focus exclusively on a large number of descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms followed over time, enabling a more detailed analysis with greater granularity across aortic sizes.MethodsAortic diameters and long-term complications of 907 patients with descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms were reviewed. Growth rates (instrumental variables approach), yearly complication rates, 5-year event-free survival (Kaplan–Meier), and risk of complications as a function of aortic height index (aortic diameter [centimeters]/height [meters]) (competing-risks regression) were calculated.ResultsEstimated mean growth rate of descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms was 0.19 cm/year, increasing with increasing aortic size. Median size at acute type B dissection was 4.1 cm. Some 80% of dissections occurred below 5 cm, whereas 93% of ruptures occurred above 5 cm. Descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm diameter 6 cm or greater was associated with a 19% yearly rate of rupture, dissection, or death. Five-year complication-free survival progressively decreased with increasing aortic height index. Hazard of complications showed a 6-fold increase at an aortic height index of 4.2 or greater compared with an aortic height index of 3.0 to 3.5 (P < .05). The probability of fatal complications (aortic rupture or death) increased sharply at 2 hinge points: 6.0 and 6.5 cm.ConclusionsAcute type B dissections occur frequently at small aortic sizes; thus, prophylactic size-based surgery may not afford a means for dissection protection. However, fatal complications increase dramatically at 6.0 cm, suggesting that preemptive intervention before that criterion can save lives.     

Real-time polymerase chain reaction quantification of Epstein--Barr virus in chronic periodontitis patients

BACKGROUND: Although herpes viruses have been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic and aggressive periodontitis, few data in the literature refer to quantification of these viruses in periodontal sites, especially in relation to serological findings. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to compare Epstein--Barr virus (EBV) DNA load in subgingival specimens from chronic periodontitis patients and in periodontally healthy subjects, in relation to serologic testing of IgM and IgG antibodies to EBV. METHODS: A total of 22 chronic periodontitis patients and 13 controls participated in the present study. Seventy-nine subgingival specimens (one pooled, one from a deep and one from a shallow site), sampled with paper points, were analysed with real-time polymerase chain reaction for EBV. Subjects were also examined for anti-EBV IgG and IgM levels in serum, using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: One subject was seronegative for EBV. Three subjects (one patient and two controls) displayed anti-EBV IgM. Their data were excluded from further analysis. All three displayed EBV in their subgingival samples. Nine out of the remaining 20 chronic periodontitis patients and 10 out of 11 controls did not display EBV subgingivally. A statistically significant difference in viral load was observed between pooled and shallow-pocket samples from periodontitis patients but not between samples from deep and shallow pockets (Kruskall--Wallis anova, Dunn's multiple comparisons test). CONCLUSIONS: Data from the present study do not strongly support the pathogenetic significance of EBV in chronic periodontitis lesions. The data do, however, suggest that parallel serological assessments provide a useful insight into the association of viruses with periodontal disease.     

Patterns of cell death and cell cycle profiles of cultured WEHI 13 var fibroblasts exposed to eluates of composite resins used for direct and indirect restorations

Previous studies have shown that in vitro exposure to single compounds released from composite resins may induce cell death. In the present study the effects of eluates from commercially available composite resins used for direct or indirect restorations were evaluated on the cell cycle progression and type of cell death of cultured WEHI 13 var fibroblasts. Cells exposed to eluates of the materials were assessed for cytotoxicity by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay for cell death, for cell cycle profiles by flow cytometry, for caspase-3 biochemically and by immunocytochemistry, and for morphological changes by fluorescence microscopy with acridine orange. The direct composite resin eluates induced extensive apoptosis, followed by secondary necrosis. This was accompanied by cell enlargement, micromultinucleation, chromatin disintegration, cell cycle arrest at different phases, and caspase-3 activation. The composites for indirect restorations were much less cytotoxic at all biological end-points investigated. The findings suggest that composite resins used for direct and indirect dental restorations differ in their cytotoxic potential and their ability to affect basic cellular functions. This underlines the impact of improved polymerization with respect to their biologic behavior.     

Large olfactory neuroblastoma (esthesioneuroblastoma) surgically treated with an Altemir technique modification: a case report

Introduction

Olfactory neuroblastomas are rare malignant tumors that usually occur in the upper nasal cavity. The purpose of this paper is to present a case of a large olfactory neuroblastoma filling the entire nasal cavity, treated with an Altemir technique modification.

Methods

A 39-year-old woman presented with a large tumor of the nasal cavity. After the laboratory examinations, the tumor was classified as a Kadish stage A olfactory neuroblastoma. The selected treatment was the surgical excision after an Altemir technique modification combined with midfacial degloving and additional radiotherapy.

Results

Histopathology revealed a Hyams grade III olfactory neuroblastoma completely removed. Although the patient refused the additional radiotherapy, 18 months postoperatively, there were no signs of recurrence, and the patient shows big improvement on her sense of smell.

Conclusions

Large olfactory neuroblastomas filling the entire nasal cavity extending back to the postnasal space can be completely removed using a transfacial approach as the Altemir technique modification is.     

How trust affects performance of interprofessional health-care teams.

ABSTRACT

Interprofessional teamwork in health-care settings is considered a valuable means of enhancing patient management. Literature has highlighted the importance of trust in building effective health-care teams. The present study aimed to investigate and further understand the perceptions of health-care professionals regarding trust and performance within their working team, as well as to assess the association between them and team performance. “TRUST” questionnaire, a valid instrument for measuring the relationship of trust and team performance was distributed to the members of the perioperative teams located in two different hospitals (a University and a General Hospital) in Greece. Two multivariate linear regression models were developed to reveal the significant predictors of high performance per hospital. Among the major findings revealed were 1) trust and performance were closely related 2) slight yet significant variations were observed between the University and the General Hospital and 3) trust level, years of previous experience and number of team members were among the key predictors of effective team performance. This study conveys new knowledge on trust and performance within health-care settings with limited resources and is expected to guide future interventions aiming to enhance team performance.