The utilization of small non-mammals in traumatic brain injury research: A systematic review

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide and has complicated underlying pathophysiology. Numerous TBI animal models have been developed over the past decade to effectively mimic the human TBI pathophysiology. These models are of mostly mammalian origin including rodents and non-human primates. However, the mammalian models demanded higher costs and have lower throughput often limiting the progress in TBI research. Thus, this systematic review aims to discuss the potential benefits of non-mammalian TBI models in terms of their face validity in resembling human TBI. Three databases were searched as follows: PubMed, Scopus, and Embase, for original articles relating to non-mammalian TBI models, published between January 2010 and December 2019. A total of 29 articles were selected based on PRISMA model for critical appraisal. Zebrafish, both larvae and adult, was found to be the most utilized non-mammalian TBI model in the current literature, followed by the fruit fly and roundworm. In conclusion, non-mammalian TBI models have advantages over mammalian models especially for rapid, cost-effective, and reproducible screening of effective treatment strategies and provide an opportunity to expedite the advancement of TBI research.     

Parenting Stress and Its Relationship to Child Health Care

This study examined the relationship between the level of parental stress (Parenting Stress lndex) experienced by mothers of children during their child s second vear of life and the frequency, and appropriateness of the health care they obtained for their child No systematic relationships were found between the amount or medical necessity of the pediatric health care obtained in relation to maternal stress for this largely middle class population Contrary to clinical folklore, these mothers were able to appropriately separate their decision making regarding seeking health care for their children from their stress level.     

Phrenic neuropathy in diabetic and prediabetic patients without neuromuscular complaint

Neuropathy, one of the major reasons of morbidity in diabetes mellitus (DM), is associated with prediabetic conditions as well as DM. The present study aims to compare phrenic and peripheral nerves in prediabetic, diabetic patients and healthy controls. A total of 37 diabetic, 40 prediabetic patients and 18 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. All subjects underwent conventional sensory and motor nerve conduction studies. Bilateral phrenic and peripheric nerve conduction studies were performed. In both right and left phrenic nerves, the amplitudes were lower in prediabetic and diabetic patients than control subjects, respectively (p: 0.005 and p: 0.001). Both of the phrenic nerve conductions were altered similarly. The results of our study demonstrate that phrenic nerves are affected like peripheric nerves in prediabetic and diabetic patients. We suggest reminding phrenic neuropathy in newly onset respiratory failure in diabetic and prediabetic patients.     

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Smartphone Addiction among Adolescents–A Nationwide Study in Malaysia

Smartphone ownership among adolescents is getting common in this decade especially in Malaysia; Adolescent are strongly devoted to their smartphone and this may lead to smartphone addiction. Studies have reported that smartphone addiction has become an emerging social and health problem especially among the youth in many countries however there is lack of study among adolescents in Malaysia. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and factors associated with smartphone addiction among adolescents in Malaysia. This was a cross-sectional study involving adolescents from 15 primary care clinics throughout the country. Respondents were assessed on their smartphone activities using the Malaysian short version of the Smartphone addiction scale (SAS-M-SV). Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the predictors of smartphone addiction among adolescents. The study was conducted among 921 adolescents with 49.6% male (n = 457). The mean age of adolescents was 16.4 ± 2.4 years. The ethnicity distribution were 74.6% Malay, 7.3% Chinese, 4.7% Indian and 13.4% other ethnicities. The prevalence of smartphone addiction was 37.1% (342/921); 37.4% in male and 36.9% in female. Based on multiple logistic regression analysis, longer duration of smartphone use per week was associated with higher odds of smartphone addiction among adolescent (odd ratio = 1.005%, 95% confidence interval = 1.000–1.009, p-value = 0.039). Smartphone addiction is present in nearly four in ten adolescents in Malaysia. Adolescents who spend longer duration in smartphone usage per week were associated with higher odds of having smartphone addiction. Parents should be more alert and vigilant about this finding. Hence, parents should limit their children from spending too much of time with smartphone in order to prevent their children from getting smartphone addiction.     

Evaluation of diffusion tensor imaging changes and neurocognitive effects of asymptomatic vitamin B12 deficiency

Vitamin B12 plays an important role in the mechanisms which are responsible for myelinization in the central nervous system. It can particularly lead to hematological and neuropsychiatric symptoms when serum levels fall due to insufficient intake with diet or absorption problems. The purpose of this study was to show the cognitive effects in vitamin B12 deficiency cases that have not reached clinical symptom level using neuropsychological tests, and to show possible cerebral neuronal damage using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) method. A total of 62 asymptomatic vitamin B12 deficiency patients and 40 healthy subjects were included in the study and both groups were subjected to Standardized Mini-Mental State Examination, Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, forward and backward digit span (WMS-R forward and backward), Visual Reproduction Subtest (WMS-III), Category Fluency Test, Trail Making (Trail A-B) (21) and Similarities (BENZ) tests. DTI examinations were performed on both groups. Patient group was determined to get lower scores in all neuropsychological tests compared to control group. In DTI examination, a significant decrease in FA values of bilateral hippocampus and a prominent increase in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were determined in the patient group compared to control group. In this study, it was determined that there was microstructural damage in the brain in the presence of vitamin B12 deficiency even in the asymptomatic period, and the patients revealed cognitive decline. In accordance with this result, early treatment of the easily diagnosed and treated vitamin B12 deficiency may prevent possible irreversible damage in the future.     

Altered serum levels of elements in acute leukemia cases in Turkey

Objective: The purpose of the study was to compare serum concentrations of some elements [zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), magnesium (Mg), lead (Pb), iron (Fe), cadmium (Cd) and cobalt (Co)] in acute leukemia patients with those of healthy subjects. Methods: The study group consisted of newly diagnosed acute leukemia patients and the controls were matched for socioeconomic stauts and eating habits. The elements levels in the patient group were measured before treatment with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The selection criteria for the patients and controls were the lack of recent blood transfusion history and taking any medication with mineral supplement. Results: The acute leukemia group composed of 42 patients and there were 40 persons in the control group. There was no difference between the age of the two groups (p=0.239). Serum levels of Zn, Mg and Mn were significantly lower with acute leukemia than in controls (p<0.001, p=0.011, p<0.001, respectively), while Cu, Pb and Cd were significantly elevated (p=0.003, p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively). There were no significant differences regarding Co and Fe (p=0.323 and p=0.508, respectively) Conclusion: In this study, we found levels of Zn, Mg and Mn to be lowered and of Cu, Pb and Cd to be elevated in patients with leukemia. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of these elements in pathogenesis of acute leukemia.     

Serum GDF‐15 level in Behçet's disease: relationships between disease activity and clinical parameters

Growth differentiation factor‐15 (GDF‐15), a member of the transforming growth factor‐β superfamily of cytokines, plays an important role in cell growth, signal transduction, and apoptosis regulation. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum GDF‐15 levels and their relationships with disease‐related variables in patients with Behçet's disease (BD). Forty‐six patients diagnosed with BD and 30 demographically matched healthy control subjects participated in the study. GDF‐15 levels were measured in blood samples from patients and controls. The Behçet's Disease Current Activity Form (BDCAF) was used to evaluate the disease activity of BD. There were no significant differences between the two groups in C‐reactive protein (CRP) level, mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), age, body mass index, and mean GDF‐15 levels (P > 0.05). Serum GDF‐15 levels were positively correlated with findings for peripheral arthritis and CRP, and with BDCAF erythema nodosum, BDCAF arthralgia, and BDCAF arthritis scores. Patients with BD were divided into two groups according to the presence of peripheral arthritis; nine subjects (20%) were positive for peripheral arthritis. Serum ESR, CRP, white blood cell counts, and GDF‐15 levels were significantly higher in the group that was positive for peripheral arthritis (P < 0.05). GDF‐15 may play a role in the progression and pathway of Behçet's joint involvement and erythema nodosum that is independent of classic inflammatory response measures.