Search Results (634)

Handball is a demanding sport with risk of overuse injuries. We aimed to compare scapular motion, the external/internal rotator strength ratio, and shoulder rotator range of motion of handball athletes with and without a history of overuse injury. Cross-sectional data were collected from male handball athletes. The results showed no differences between groups, except for dyskinesia in final assessment position and external rotation range of motion. Scapular dyskinesis prevalence was high in both groups. These findings emphasize the importance of identifying and addressing these risk factors in injury prevention and rehabilitation programs for handball athletes. Full article

Cancer prognostics using tumour transcriptomics is a promising precision medicine approach for helping decisions during cancer treatment. However, currently used cancer prognostic biomarkers still have low predictive power. This work tested the potential of applying machine learning (ML) algorithms for generating patients’ survival prognostics on lung, breast, and kidney tumour transcriptomics datasets. We evaluated the performance of models generated by ML and reported their optimal sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and computed ROC-AUC. The results support the potential for applying auto ML approaches for the future development of cancer prognostics tools based on transcriptomics data. Full article

Palatal Rugae (PR) are disproportionate bilateral protuberances of connective tissue found on each side of the medpalatine raphe posterior to the incisive papilla. The aim of this study was to investigate the pattern and sexual dimorphism of PR. The prevalence and pattern of PR of 120 Portuguese individuals attending the Orthodontic Clinic of Egas Moniz were categorized. The sample comprised 44.2% males and 55.8% females with similar PR frequencies among sex and age. The total number PR was 624. Straight and wavy PR morphologies were the most frequently observed. There was no sexual dimorphism related to the PR pattern. Full article

Anterior open bite malocclusion, defined as a lack of vertical overlap or contact between the maxillary and mandibular incisors, has a multifactorial etiology. A 17-year-old female patient came to the Egas Moniz University Clinic complaining of anterior open bite. The patient had posterior crossbite on the left side, second premolar agenesis, the presence of a primary molar, and a thumb-sucking habit. This case report describes a nonsurgical orthodontic treatment of an anterior open bite, applying a fixed appliance and bonded acrylic expander. Full article

Halitosis is an unpleasant breath odor that interferes with self-confidence and with people’s professional and social lives. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the impact of tongue coating on intra-oral halitosis in patients with periodontitis. The Winkel Tongue Coating Index (WTCI) score was found to be positively and significantly correlated with VSC values (rho = 0.473, p < 0.001). WTCI may be associated with levels of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) when other causes of extra-oral halitosis are excluded. Full article

This is a summary of initiatives to engage and educate the general public and healthcare professionals about antimicrobial use, stewardship and resistance, as covered in the 2021–2022 English Surveillance Programme for Antimicrobial Utilisation and Resistance (ESPAUR) Report. Activities led by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and collaborating organisations are highlighted. Full article

Since 2020, the Catania-Messina-Enna Cancer Registry (CR) has operated a transformational and incremental program while also applying a Lean Six Sigma methodology (LSS) to optimize the processes and reduce waste. Each project aimed to raise the performance of the CR while also providing the opportunity for human resources to express their talent. In this context, a machine learning project was developed to reduce the time spent on raw free-text histopathological reports that contain relevant information for cancer evaluation. The ability to extract meaningful information from histopathology reports is really important because reports provide crucial insights into the morphology and topography of cancer, enabling operators to validate oncology cases with the utmost diagnostic precision. However, the CR faced a significant challenge due to the extensive volume of written natural language reports, where only a small fraction contains pertinent information for cancer evaluation. In this paper, we describe how we applied the LSS method, the observed difficulties, and the benefits achieved by adopting a machine learning algorithm as a strategic solution in the Improve phase. Full article

Aim: In the present study, we performed an in silico study on the triterpenoid compounds from the mangrove plant as potential COVID-19 main protease (Mpro) inhibitors, which can be used as a potential medicine target. Methods: In this study we performed molecular docking using AutoDock software. Results: The binding energies obtained through the docking of 6LU7 with beta-amyrin, betulin, germanicol, taraxerol, lupeol, lupane, simiarenol, tirucallol, ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, and alpha-amyrin were -8.37, −8.73, −8.06, −7.71, −8.32, −8.49, −8.16, −8.99, −9.24, −8.87, and −8.89 kcal/mol, respectively. Further, these results were also confirmed with drug-likeness properties by using Swiss ADME software. Conclusion: This study showed that triterpenoid compounds seemed to have the best potential to act as COVID-19 Mpro inhibitors, and that they contain a potential lead compound for the development of drugs, which can be used against SARS-CoV-2. Full article

In line with the United Nations’ (UN) sustainable development goal, value-based healthcare (VBHC) aims to deliver outcomes that truly matter to patients at a reasonable cost. A reimbursement system in VBHC encourages physicians to refrain from activities that do not contribute to achieving the goals and to meet the quality indicators (QI) This transforms person–physician relationships and restricts patients’ and physicians’ professional autonomy. Therefore, patients with limited capacity become especially vulnerable, lacking legal protection and dignity. Such practices do not comply with the principles and requirements set out in national and international legislation. The aim of this article is to explore if the legal framework and healthcare QI in Latvia correspond to the principles of patient-centered care and respect the physician’s professional autonomy as enshrined in the law. This research has been implemented by applying a literature review methodology for collecting and analyzing data from legal and medical research focused on the safety, quality of treatment, protection of persons with limited capacity, freedom from coercion; normative legal basis—law and regulations of the Republic of Latvia, case law and policy documents. Within this article, we can conclude, that the current QI do not represent the outcomes and the ability to reach the patient-centered goals, limit physician autonomy and place an excessive administrative burden, jeopardize the patient’s risk of unnecessary interventions. Therefore, patient-centered care standards, clear care goals, and novel QI must be developed. In order to implement international legal norms binding on Latvia, the clash of values between the physician’s right to fair pay and the prohibition of unnecessary medical intervention has to be eliminated. Full article

This study employs a survey to investigate the societal response to COVID-19 in Italy. Data were collected via snowball sampling during the period April 2020 to April 2021 using the ArcGIS Survey 123 survey instrument. The study collected and analyzed 64 responses to investigate various aspects related to COVID-19. The areas covered in the analysis include socioeconomics, changing symptoms, relocation, physical distancing, health, social behaviors (past and future), personal attitudes, perceptions of government/public response and efficacy, beliefs, travel habits, well-being, current event worries, pandemic challenges, depression, vaccine, public opinion, personality, public health measures, social media preference, and contact with others. The study’s results provide a snapshot of how people across Italy experienced the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and can help public health organizations, decision-makers, and the general public address policies related to symptoms, social distance, policy measures/regulations, and social behaviors during the different policy phases and wave measures related to COVID-19 effects. Full article

Uterine leiomyoma (UL) is the most common benign tumor causing considerable morbidity during the reproductive years in women with contributions from environmental and genetic factors. According to the GWAS studies, there are many genes and polymorphisms that are related with and are somehow responsible for the UL pathogenesis, but the biological mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the published GWAS studies of UL to recognize the significant functionality of TNRC6B polymorphism linked with UL. Six SNPs were selected based on the seven GWAS published on their association with UL by PubMed database. For their analyses, including their epigenetic effects, expression and splicing patterns, we used in silico approach and bioinformatics tools (HaploReg, GTEx-portal and Gene Ontology Resource). Based on HaploReg, several epigenetic effects regulating these SNPs were found as: rs12484776 (one motif changed, sixteen enhancers and four DNAs histone markers), rs4821939 (three motifs changed, eleven enhancers, four protein bounds and five DNAs histone markers), rs733381 (two motifs changed, eleven enhancers, one protein bound and two DNAs histone markers), rs12484951 (one motif changed histone markers), rs3830738 (five motifs changed histone markers) and rs17332320 (two motifs changed and two DNAs histone markers). Based on on GTEx, it was inferred that rs12484776, rs4821939, rs733381, rs3830738, rs12484951 and rs17332320 are associated with the expression of genes/in tissues as 4/4, 4/4, 4/4, 3/3, 4/4 and 2/2, respectively. These loci do not regulate the expression level of any genes in the UL pathophysiology important tissues, and are not associated with the alternative splicing traits (sQTL) of any gene in any tissue. Gene Ontology Resource indicated that no statistically significant biological pathways for genes associated with the studied polymorphisms have been identified. The in silico analysis of GWAS TNRC6B gene polymorphisms significant for fibroids have pronounced epigenetic effects and affect the expression of six genes (RP51042K10.10, FAM83F, TNRC6B, RP51042K10.13, SLC25A17 and XPNPEP3), which may be the basis of their involvement in the pathophysiology of fibroids. Full article

The biting behavior of farmed fish on nylon netting raises concerns for microplastic accumulation in caged fish with potential influences on human health via consumption. Indeed, the reason for net biting is due to biofouling on the mesh being a tasty food that attracts fish. Hence, it is highly possible that a certain amount of microplastics from the mesh is ingested by fish, which can eventually enter the digestive system of humans through consumption. Caged fish may further receive microplastics from terrestrial flows or marine currents or through the food chain in the oceans. Therefore, the level of microplastic contamination in caged fish has been investigated by drawing a comparison with natural populations of Turkish and Iranian waters, in order to reveal the risks of microplastic transmission from fish to humans. Analyses of water samples, sediments, diets, zooplankton and fish tissues have been conducted and the amounts of microplastics in diets were evaluated. The identification of polymeric materials in collected microplastics was performed by FT-IR spectrometer, and Raman spectrometry was employed to determine the shape, size and polymer type of microplastics. Based on the preliminary results, the impact of cage nets on microplastic accumulation in fish digestive system and the interaction with human health risks upon consumption of contaminated fish have been assessed. The findings in this study may help to establish safe food strategies for future generations, with a healthy material selection approach in sustainable cage aquaculture management. Full article

A cross-sectional baseline survey was conducted at Kibaha Town Council (KTC), Pwani Region (Tanzania), to assess the awareness and practices of smallholder dairy producers towards antimicrobial use (AMU), a major cause of foodborne antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in livestock production systems. The aim was to improve consumers’ confidence in the consumption of milk and other dairy products. Quantitative data were collected from a total of 30 randomly selected respondents from a sampling frame of households keeping dairy cattle in 3 administrative wards of Tumbi, Picha ya Ndege, and Maili Moja. A structured questionnaire was administered through face-to-face conversations between the interviewer and the interviewees. Six other respondents participated in the Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) for qualitative data collection. The quantitative data were analyzed using the statistical package for social science (SPSS, Version 16) and MS Office Excel 2010 for window packages. There were more male respondents (63.3%) than female respondents, whereas the level of education was primary for 46.7%, secondary for 33.3%, and tertiary level for the remaining 20%. About 76.6% of them were using antimicrobials to treat lactating dairy cows, mainly oxytetracycline (OTC 20%), penicillin, and Peni-Strep. Twice the number of males (53.3%) used antimicrobials compared to females (23.3%). Respondents with tertiary education rarely administered antimicrobials themselves. The common diseases being treated were diarrhea (46.7%), mastitis (43.3%), and respiratory diseases (36.7%). A proportion of milk from sick animals (those treated with antimicrobials) was fed to calves (33.3%), sold to milk collection centers (26.7%) where it goes through normal market channels, 26.7% fed to other animals while little is consumed by the family at home (6.7%). In conclusion, it should be noted that milk producers administer antimicrobials themselves even when the animals are being milked. This situation poses health challenges among milk consumers. We advise dairy producers to avoid unnecessary AMU. Full article

Depression is a serious psychological disorder with high prevalence rates, especially among university students. Serum proteins related to the immune system and oxygen and lipid transfer could have contributing roles in the development of depression and could act as biomarkers for depression. Currently, there is a lack of accurate biological methods that can be used to diagnose depression. Biomarkers could be an inexpensive and convenient way to predict depression and understand its pathophysiology. This study aimed to screen the serum proteome profile of a depressed student for the identification of potential depression biomarkers. A Malaysian private university student who was recruited from the pre-test study (n = 10) was further analyzed for serum proteome due to the fact that he was depressed, with scores of 15 out of 27 on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). After depleting the high-abundance proteins from the serum sample, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was performed to identify the expressed proteins. A total of 224 proteins were identified. Globins, globulins, apolipoproteins and glycoproteins were most commonly detected. Here, we show the potential biomarkers that can be used to identify depression vulnerable individuals. These findings may be relevant to the development of new diagnostic and treatment strategies. However, further studies with larger sample sizes and healthy controls are needed to confirm the role of these candidate biomarkers for the prediction and diagnosis of depression. Full article

The paper examined legal impediments to sustainable health in Nigeria due to the impact of climate change (CC) exacerbated by coronavirus (COVID-19). COVID-19 has presented the world with a crisis greatly accentuated by the urgency with which we need to fight the CC debacle, making the need for sustainable development (SD) more obviously acute than ever and requiring a response rooted in the principles of SD. On 29 September 2020, a total of 1 million COVID-19 deaths had occurred worldwide, while in Africa, there were about 35,954 cumulative fatalities. In Nigeria, the situation was similar. This paper found that despite the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic, health is still a low priority in Nigeria; 4.526 percent of the country’s budget was appropriated to the health sector in 2021 and 4.3 percent in 2022, contrary to the 2001 Abuja Declaration by African leaders and the 15 percent value stipulated by the WHO. The challenge is that Nigeria’s efforts in attaining sustainable health and eradication of COVID-19 are arbitrary and have been hampered by the absence of tested laws on CC andCOVID-19, thereby resulting in avoidable fatalities. Using analytical research methodology and drawing from global best practices to achieve sustainable health, this paper recommended the incorporation of legal and institutional frameworks to combat COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. Full article