The relationship between cardiological parameters and PCR in patients with coronavirus infection: A cross-sectional study

Cardiovascular injuries induced by SARS CoV-2 have been reported repeatedly in various studies. Therefore, it is necessary to understand cardiac complications at a low cost, quickly. This study aimed to determine the relationship between cardiological parameters and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in patients with coronavirus infection. : Patients who were admitted to the emergency department due to the ongoing pandemic, all patients with similar symptoms to coronavirus disease 2019 infection were initially admitted to the respiratory emergency room and underwent subsequent evaluations to confirm or rule out SARS-COV2 infection symptoms were assessed for eligibility. Patient were categorized into 2 groups 1. Positive PCR and negative PCR groups. Binary logistic regression was performed to assess the effect of several factors on the likelihood of developing positive troponin, reduced ejection fraction (EF), and Positive brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). Among 195 patients included, 115 (58.9%) had positive PCR. Patient in the positive PCR and negative PCR were 58.04 ± 18.03 and 59.19 ± 15.38 years of age, respectively. Patients in the “positive PCR” were significantly less likely to have chronic kidney disease (6.69% vs 17.5%, P value: .022), consume calcium channel blockers (6.69% vs 18.75%, P value:0.012). At the univariable level, positive PCR was significantly associated with fewer odds for positive BNP (OR:0.46, P = .019); nevertheless, the association was no longer significant after adjusting for confounders (adjusted OR:0.56, P = .158). Unadjusted positive PCR results were not found to have a significant association with positive troponin or reduced EF. Likewise, multivariable regression revealed no association between positive PCR and positive troponin (aOR:1.28, P = .529) and reduced EF (aOR:0.65, P = .369). PCR positivity did not result in positive troponin and BNP and did not appear to decrease EF. In other words, serial troponin and BNP checks and initial echocardiography in coronavirus disease 2019 respiratory emergencies do not make significant differences in diagnostic and therapeutic management and inpatient outcomes of patients with positive or negative PCR and are not specific findings. Evidence suggests some coronavirus-induced cardiac complications will be manifested in the long term.     

Vitamin D status in preschool children in Algeria

It is well established today that an optimal vitamin D intake plays a crucial role in the constitution of optimal osseous mass during childhood, and hence in the prevention of the osteoporosis in adults. The prevalence of the vitamin D deficiency is increasing globally and Algeria is no exception in this regard. Our study is the first to be carried out with healthy children of preschool age in North Africa.AimsThe study aimed to evaluate the vitamin D status of a pediatric population, during all four seasons of the year, living in the north of Algeria, as well as to estimate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, identifying the potential risk factors.Material and methodsThis was an analytic and cross-sectional study carried out between March 2014 and March 2016 with healthy preschool infants from an urban environment in the town of Hussein Dey. A total of 1016 infants aged 9–72 months were included during this period. The consensual threshold value was 20 ng/mL.ResultsThe sex ratio was of 1.47 (535 boys/481 girls) and the average age of the children was 36.5 ± 1.79 months. The daily average calcium ratio was 395 ± 23 mg/with food contributions in vitamin D at an estimated average of 164 UI/day (4.1 μg/day). The average concentration of the total 25-OHD for all four seasons of the year was 18.6 ± 10.4 ng/mL with an average rate of parathyroid hormone (PTH) of 30.9 ± 14.6 pg/mL. There was a highly significant inverse correlation between the serum level of vitamin D and PTH (r = ?0.57; P = 0.0001), the point of inflection was situated at 34.1 ng/mL. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency follows a seasonal variation that is statistically significant (P = 0.0001), and the prevalence is higher during the autumn–winter period. The risk factors identified by multiple logistic regression were autumn–winter season (OR: 7; 95% CI: 3–11; P = 0.001), age less than 24 months (OR: 3.8; 95% CI: 3.4–4.4; P = 0.0001), high body mass index (OR: 2; 95% CI: 1.2–3.2; P = 0.3), darker skin pigmentation (OR: 2.8; 95% CI: 2.2–5.2; P = 0.001), duration of sunlight exposure less than 15 min (OR: 6.1; 95% CI: 3.6–10.2; P = 0.0001), low socioeconomic status (OR: 3.9; 95% CI: 1.5–4.3; P = 0.01), calcium intake lower than 500 mg/day (OR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.8–6; P = 0.001), and a weekly dietary intake of vitamin D lower than 200 UI (OR: 2.6; 95% CI: 1.6–4.2; P = 0.02).DiscussionNo studies have been conducted in north Africa or Algeria concerning healthy preschool children; however, this population has a rapid growth rate and deserves special attention. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the children of this study was higher than that reported in studies of children of the same age living in Europe or America, despite the fact that Algeria is closer to the equator (36° latitude north).ConclusionThe changes experienced by Algerian society and the shorter exposure of the population to the sun call for more efforts regarding the detection and treatment of vitamin D deficiency, as well as an update of the vitamin D supplementation schedule.     

Fragmented QRS complex is an independent predictor of plaque burden in patients at intermediate risk of coronary artery disease

ObjectiveWe aimed to evaluate the relationship between fragmented QRS complex and plaque burden in patients presented with typical chest pain and deemed to have intermediate pretest probability of CAD using coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA).MethodsWe studied electrocardiograms (ECGs) obtained from 172 subjects (47.5 ± 9.5 years, 125 were men) presented with chest pain and had intermediate pretest probability for CAD. The presence was found and evaluation of CAD was performed with CCTA.ResultsSeventy four (43%) of the study cohort had CCTA-documented CAD. Meanwhile the frequency of fQRS in our cohort was (57%). 70 (71.4%) patients with fQRS had CAD compared with only 4 (5.4%) patients without fQRS (p < 0.001). The number of leads with fQRs was correlated with the calcium score (p < 0.005), segment stenosis score, segment involvement score, total plaque score (TPS), and E/e ratio (p < 0.001, for all). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that fQRS was a strong independent predictor for CAD (or = 2.15, p < 0.001). ROC analysis showed that the number of leads ≥3 was the optimal number for predicting CAD (AUC = 0.89, sensitivity 88%, and specificity 83%, p < 0.001).ConclusionFragmented QRS was seen more often in patients with high plaque burden. We suggest that fQRS might provide a useful noninvasive prognosticator for subjects with intermediate pretest probability of CAD for further investigation.     

Use of intravenous abciximab as adjunctive therapy for carotid angioplasty and stent placement

The benefit of intravenous abciximab as an adjunctive to percutaneous coronary intervention has been demonstrated in large-scale randomized studies. The role of intravenous abciximab is being defined in carotid angioplasty and stent placement as the procedure is gaining popularity for the treatment of high-grade carotid stenosis in patients considered high-risk for carotid endarterectomy. This paper summarizes the pathophysiological basis and the available data for the use of abciximab as an adjunct to carotid artery stenting. (Int J Cardiovasc Intervent 2003; 5: 61-66)     

Mild hypothermia does not affect liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in mice

Background: The use of mild hypothermia has been suggested to be therapeutically useful in treating acute liver failure. It is not known if hypothermia influences liver regeneration. Aim: To assess the effect of hypothermia on liver regeneration in mice. Methods: After partial (70%) hepatectomy (PHx), C57BL6/J mice were randomly assigned to either a hypothermic group or a normothermic group. Controlled mild hypothermia was maintained for up to 3 h after surgery. In addition, assessment of liver mass restitution was examined by studying the induction of key cell cycle proteins (cyclin A, D1 and E) and hepatocyte proliferation [assessment of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) protein expression] by Western blotting and DNA synthesis by measuring 5‐bromo‐2‐deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation by immunohistochemical techniques 45 h after PHx. Results: Partial hepatectomy induced a vigorous proliferative response in the remnant livers of both groups of mice (normothermic and hypothermic groups), as evidenced by the induction of key cyclins, PCNA and incorporation of BrdU after PHx. The liver/body weight ratio and both cyclin and PCNA protein expression as well as BrdU incorporation did not differ between the regenerating livers of hypothermic and normothermic groups. Conclusion: Mild hypothermia does not influence liver regeneration in mice.     

Dry Needling in myofascial tracks in Non-Relaxing Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: A case study

Objective

The aim of this case report is to describe the use of Dry Needling (DN) in myofascial tracks related to the pelvic floor (PF) in the management of a male with Non-Relaxing Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (NRPFD).

Improving the Corrosion Resistance of Wrought ZM21 Magnesium Alloys by Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation and Powder Coating

Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO) was applied to extruded ZM21 Mg alloys to improve their corrosion resistance in a chloride-containing environment. PEO was carried out in DC mode and voltage control in a fluoride-free electrolyte. Potentiodynamic polarization tests in 3.5 wt.% NaCl aqueous solution and neutral salt spray (NSS) tests were carried out. Microstructural and profilometric characterization, as well as NSS tests were performed in different conditions: (i) bare ZM21, (ii) PEO-treated ZM21, (iii) powder-coated ZM21 (without PEO interlayer), and (iv) PEO-treated ZM21 with powder coating top layer (carboxyl-functionalized polyester resin). The PEO + powder coating double layer was identified as the best-performing corrosion protection.     

Single leg landing kinematics in volleyball athletes: A comparison between athletes with and without active extension low back pain

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to compare kinematics of the lower extremity and lumbar spine during a single leg landing task between female volleyball athletes with and without persistent low back pain (LBP).MethodsIn this cross sectional study, 36 volunteer female volleyball athletes with (n = 18) and without (n = 18) LBP were recruited. Two specifically trained physical therapists selected only athletes with a specific movement-based subgroup of LBP for inclusion. Three dimensional kinematic and ground reaction force data were recorded for each athlete across three single leg landing trials by utilizing a Vicon 6-camera motion capture system and one in-floor embedded Kistler force plate, respectively. Independent t-tests compared data between the two groups.ResultsLumbar lordosis when standing (p = 0.046) as well as on initial contact (p = 0.025) and at the time which the maximal vertical ground reaction force occurred (p = 0.020) were significantly greater in the LBP group. There were no other significant differences.ConclusionsThe tendency for this specific subgroup of athletes to consistently adopt more extended lumbar postures in both static and dynamic tasks may be worth considering by those involved in coaching, performance optimizing and injury prevention.