A perception-based study to explore COVID-19 pandemic stress and its factors in Bangladesh

Background and aimsWorldwide the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated sufferings of mental health and behaviour attitudes of people. Many countries, including Bangladesh, reported suicide as extreme consequences of the psychological burden influenced by COVID-19. The present study explores human stress and its factor influenced by COVID-19 in Bangladesh, which significantly affect the quality of life.MethodsAn online-based questionnaire survey was conducted among 651 adult Bangladeshi populations by capturing socio-demographic information, possible human stress, and consequences of the pandemic. A set of statistical tools such as Pearson's Correlation Matrix (PCM), T-test, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) were applied to identify the relationship between different factors and influential factors increasing human stress.ResultsMore than 83% of the participants are facing COVID-19 related mental stress, which results in short temper, sleep disorder, and family chaos. PCA and HCA outcomes indicated a significant relationship between the respondents' opinions and human stress factors, which harmonized with the country's existing scenario. PCM results enlighten the relationship between human stress factors and found financial hardship, cutting back daily spending, and food crisis are interconnected together causes stress. Also, hampering students' formal education and future career plans significantly contribute to mental stress.ConclusionBased on the above findings, it's crucial to introduce a time-oriented strategy and implement precaution monitoring plans for Bangladesh. The rescue plan will help people to manage the pandemic and improve mental health to fight against psychological challenges related to COVID-19 and future pandemics.     

An overview of existing mesothelioma registries worldwide,and the need for a US Registry

The association between asbestos exposure, mainly in occupational settings, and malignant mesothelioma has been well established; this has prompted several countries to establish mesothelioma epidemiologic surveillance programs often at the request of national agencies. This review compares currently existing mesothelioma registries worldwide to develop a concept model for a US real-time case capture mesothelioma registry. Five countries were identified with a mesothelioma specific registry, including Italy, France, UK, Australia, and South Korea. All, except the UK, used interviews to collect exposure data. Linkage with the national death index was available or was in future plans for all registries. The registries have limited information on treatment, quality of life, and other patient-centered outcomes such as symptoms and pain management. To thoroughly collect exposure data, “real-time” enrollment is preferable; to maximize the capture of mesothelioma cases, optimal coverage, and a simplified consent process are needed.     

Reliability of Sonoelastography in Ductal Carcinoma

The objective of the study was to evaluate the reliability of sonoelastography in ductal carcinoma in patients in primary and secondary health care settings. Google Scholar, PubMed, Medline, Medscape, Wikipedia and NCBI were searched in January 2018 for all original research and review articles to identify relevant studies. Two reviewers selected the articles independently for based on the title and abstract. The selection criteria were sonoelastography accuracy for diagnosing ductal carcinoma as index text, B-mode sonography, and micropure imaging; surgery and histologic findings were used as reference text; and benign and malignant breast abnormalities and ductal carcinoma were used as target conditions. Two reviewers extracted the data on selected study characteristics, and the results were used to construct the tables and figures. Fifteen studies on ductal carcinoma were found. The overall sensitivity of sonoelastography in diagnosing ductal carcinoma was 85.7%, and the specificity, 79.8%. On the basis of the literature review, it was concluded that sonoelastography has high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing ductal carcinoma.     

Assessment of heavy metals by ICP-OES and their impact on insulin stimulating hormone and carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes

Arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) have recently emerged as major health concerns owing to their strong association with diabetes mellitus (DM). We aimed to investigate the heavy metals exposure towards incidence of DM at various enzymatic and hormonal levels. Additionally, association of As and Cd with Zinc (Zn, essential metal) was also evaluated. Spot urine samples were collected to assess As, Cd and Zn through ICP-OES. Serum was analyzed by assay method for fasting blood glucose, liver and renal function biomarkers. ELISA was performed to investigate the impact of heavy metals on HbA1c, α-amylase, DPP-IV, IGF-1, leptin, GSH, MDA, SOD, HDL, FFA, TG and interleukin (IL)-6. Association of heavy metals with DM was measured by odds ratio (OR) and level of significance was assessed by Chi-squared test. Unpaired student's t-test was used to compare DM-associated risk factors in heavy metals-exposed and unexposed participants. As and Cd were detectable in 75.4% and 83% participants with mean concentration of 75.5 ppb and 54.5 ppb, respectively. For As exposure, OR in the third quartile was maximum ie 1.34 (95% CI, 0.80 to 2.23), however the result was not statistically significant (P > .05). For Cd exposure, OR in the fourth quartile was considerably high, 1.62 (95% CI, 1.00 to 2.61), with a significant probability value (P < .05). Urinary Cd was negatively associated with Zn. As and Cd exposure increases the incidence of DM in the general population. Impaired hormonal and enzymatic levels in diabetic and non-diabetic exposed participants reflect the multiple organ damage by heavy metal exposure.     

Mucinous adenocarcinoma arising from chronic perianal fistula

Perianal mucinous adenocarcinoma is a rare tumour which may be associated with long‐standing chronic perianal sepsis. Early diagnosis is challenging and is based on a high index of clinical suspicion and specific histological features. Definitive treatment is surgical, in the form of an abdomino‐perineal resection. We hereby describe a case of a perianal mucinous adenocarcinoma arising from long‐standing recurrent perianal fistula and complement this with a brief review of the literature pertaining in particular to the management of this condition.     

A Prospective Randomized Trial of Steroid-Free Maintenance Regimens in Kidney Transplant Recipients—An Interim Analysis

We compared three maintenance immunosuppressive regimens in a rapid discontinuation of prednisone protocol. From March 1, 2001, through December 31, 2003, 239 first and second kidney transplant recipients (166 LD; 73 DD) were randomized. All recipients were treated with Thymoglobulin; all received steroids intraoperatively and for 5 days postoperatively. Randomization was to cyclosporine-mycophenolate mofetil (n = 85); high-level tacrolimus (TAC) (8-12 ng/mL)-low-level sirolimus (SRL) (3-7 ng/mL) (n = 72); or low-level TAC (3-7 ng/mL)-high-level SRL (8-12 ng/mL) (n = 82). We found no difference at 24 months between groups in patient, graft, death-censored graft, or acute rejection-free graft survival, or in kidney function. Wound complications were more common in SRL-treated recipients (p = 0.02); we found no other differences between groups in complication rates. Our data suggest that excellent patient and graft survival and low rejection rates can be obtained using a variety of maintenance protocols without prednisone.     

Detecting pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcus in children with obsessive-compulsive disorder and tics.

BACKGROUND: A subgroup of children with obsessive-compulsive and tic disorders are proposed to have an infectious trigger. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between group A streptococcal titers and symptom fluctuations in children with a clinical course resembling that described for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcus. METHODS: Twenty-five children with obsessive-compulsive disorder and/or tic disorder were evaluated for neuropsychiatric severity and group A streptococcal antibody titers (streptolysin O, deoxyribonuclease B, and carbohydrate A) at 6-week intervals for > or = six consecutive evaluations (total visits=277). RESULTS: Children with large symptom fluctuations (n=15) were compared with children without dramatic fluctuations (n=10). Co-movements of obsessive-compulsive/tic severity and group A streptococcal antibodies were assessed. In subjects with large symptom changes, positive correlations were found between streptococcal titers and obsessive-compulsive severity rating changes (p=.0130). These subjects were also more likely to have elevated group A streptococcal titers during the majority of observations (p=.001). Tic symptom exacerbations occurred more often in the fall/winter months than spring/summer months (p=.03). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with marked obsessive-compulsive/tic symptom changes may be characterized by streptococcal titer elevations and exhibit evidence of seasonal tic exacerbations.