Articles

Background and aim: Cirrhosis leads to sarcopenia and to life-threatening complications in decompensated stages. The objective of this study is to show the impact of the loss of muscle mass and function on hepatic decompensations. Methods: Our study compares a group of cirrhotic patients with controls matched with the same sex and age. A questionnaire was created to collect demographic, anthropometric, and cirrhosis characteristics. Several CT scan sections were analyzed and the average measurements have been grouped into tertiles to estimate the impact on cirrhotic complications.Results: Our study included 33 controls and 33 cirrhotic patients of which 59.4% had NASH. Anthropometric characteristics were similar in cirrhotics men and women. Grip strength was significantly lower in cirrhotic men. Using the skeletal muscle index we found 39.39% of cirrhotic patients were sarcopenic mostly men 84.61%. In Cirrhotic men, the density of the psoas and paravertebral muscles was lower than in controls. In women psoas and paravertebral muscle areas were comparable and the total muscle surface in cirrhotic patients was higher. There was a negative correlation between this surface and the density of the psoas (r = -0.293 p = 0.017) indicating the presence of myosteatosis in women. Analysing tertile groups showed a significantly higher incidence of complications related to liver disease and liver failure in patients with the psoas and paravertebral muscle density in the lowest tertile and in the frail population according to the frailty index.Conclusion: Cirrhotic patients have myosteatosis and sarcopenia associated with a higher incidence of complications related to hepatic failure.

Introduction: Treatment failure and claims against physicians may have many negative consequences. Orthopedic surgeons have always been among the most used specialists. Therefore, the investigation of causes and the process of these claims can help reduce the negative effects of medical malpractice on physicians and society.Materials and methods: This retrospective study investigated all medical orthopedic negligence cases in Sari, Iran, from March 2015 to March 2020. Data were collected using a researcher-made checklist and analyzed in SPSS software (V-21).Results: Out of 57 finalized cases investigated in this study, surgeons were found liable in 23 (40%) cases. The mean ± SD age of patients was 41 ± 19.3. Moreover, the level of education had a positive correlation with the surgeon’s liability. The most common cause of complaint was reduced Range of motion (ROM) and the most common type of complained surgery was “open reduction & internal fixation” (ORIF). None of the surgeons were found liable due to surgical site infection or device failure. The mean ± SD time for the file processing was 11.1 ± 10.1 months. The mean indemnity payment was 320 million Iranian Rials (9.7% of indemnity for death in Iran).Conclusion: The most effective way to reduce medical complaint cases is to increase the knowledge and skill levels of physicians. The lack of a blinded arbitration system in both organizations could lead to bias in the case assessment process. Moreover, considering the long processing time of the claims, it is recommended that new technologies should be used to reduce the time and increase the accuracy of the final verdict. The absence of a ‘no-fault’ compensation program is a significant flaw in Iran violating patients’ rights. Also, more studies are needed to evaluate justice and equality in Iranian medical commissions.

Background: In hemodialysis patients, fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) has reportedly been associated with the development of cardiovascular complications and a high risk of mortality. Our objective here was to study the cleavage characteristics of FGF23 in hemodialysis patients. Methods: This study design is a cross-sectional observational investigation of three facilities without intervention. To assess FGF23 concentrations, we obtained plasma samples from 97 hemodialysis patients before the hemodialysis session and from 16 healthy volunteers. We measured the FGF23 C-terminal fragment and intact FGF23 concentrations by using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Serum levels of the FGF23 C-terminal fragment were 189 ± 121 ng/mL in healthy volunteers and 306 ± 206 ng/mL in hemodialysis patients. The ratios of intact FGF23 to total FGF23 were 0.03 ± 0.03 in healthy volunteers and 0.44 ± 0.28 in hemodialysis patients. The ratios were positively correlated with levels of inorganic phosphate in hemodialysis patients (p < 0.001, r = 0.52). Conclusion: We measured actual levels of the serum FGF23 C-terminal fragment in hemodialysis patients by using a new commercial kit for the first time. The ratio of intact FGF23 to total FGF23 was lower in healthy controls than the ratio in hemodialysis patients. The cleavage percentage of FGF23 was considerably higher in both groups of subjects than previously thought. We suggest that hyperphosphatemia in hemodialysis patients was associated with impaired cleavage of FGF23.

Forensic odontology’s evolution from manual to digital methods signifies a pivotal transition. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) further this transformation by merging the physical and digital realms. This brief communication explores how AR and VR can enhance forensic odontology, offering precision, interactivity, and advanced analysis. It delves into the current landscape and envisions future possibilities, emphasizing their role in shaping precise and collaborative forensic practices. Additionally, challenges and considerations for implementing AR and VR in this field are discussed.

Introduction: Neuromuscular training (NT) involves a series of functionally focused exercises that address aspects such as postural stability, sensory perception, and muscle strengthening. These exercises are incorporated as an integral part of a currently used training protocol. Objective: To review the main effects of NT on injury prevention in soccer players and its impact on related physical performance. Methods: Review of the literature describing different studies on NT in soccer. The following databases were used to search and retrieve the scientific articles: PubMed, Scopus, and Ebsco. Combinations of the following keywords were used to perform the search (“neuromuscular training” OR “proprioceptive training” OR “sensorimotor training”) AND (“soccer” OR “football” OR “soccer players” OR “football players”). Results: A positive trend is observed in NT for the prevention of knee and ankle injuries, in addition to improving muscle strength and motor skills such as agility and coordination. Conclusion: This review managed to identify that NT is effective in reducing the risk of injury in soccer players; however, the literature has mainly addressed lower extremity injuries. Therefore, it may be necessary for future investigations to focus on the upper extremity and trunk. Likewise, it was determined that NT has a potential impact on improving physical performance, with the variables of strength, power, speed, agility, and balance being the most studied.

The radiographic method of control is implemented by a set of control tools in the form of gamma flaw detectors, which are distinguished by: mobility, reliability, radiation safety, adaptability to a wide climatic range, ease of operation, and the ability to control products with small and large radiation thicknesses. The paper describes portable gamma flaw detectors manufactured by JSC NIITFA: Gammarid 2010R, UNIGAM R, Stapel-5 Se75 Ir192, Stapel-5 Se75W, gamma flaw detector γ-RID-75/80R and stationary gamma flaw detectors RID K-100 and RID K-400. Also paper describes a brief technology for the production of ionizing radiation sources Ir-192 with activity of 120 Curie, a technology for rolling the source holder with Ir-192 source and completing the Ir-192 source with a portable gamma flaw detector Gammarid-192/120M in the INP AS.

Vasculitis is a group of rare but potentially serious disorders characterized by inflammation of blood vessels. This condition can affect blood vessels of all sizes, ranging from small capillaries to larger arteries. 

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) disease is characterized by degeneration of motor neurons and elevation of brain oxidative stress. Previous studies demonstrated the neuroprotective effects of Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) from oxidative stress. We showed that increasing TERT expression in the brain of the Tg hSOD1G93A mouse ALS model attenuated the disease pathology and increased the survival of motor neurons exposed to oxidative stress. How TERT increased the survival of motor neurons exposed to oxidative stress is not yet clear. Here we investigated the consequence of TERT depletion in motor neuron cells under normal and oxidative stress conditions and in mouse brains of TERT knockout mice, on the expression and activity of SOD1 and catalase enzymes. Depletion of mouse TERT caused mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired catalase and SOD1 activity. Compensation with hTERT restored the activity of SOD1. SOD1 expression increased in the brain of TERT KO and in ALS mice and decreased in the brain of WT mice treated with telomerase-increasing compounds. We suggest that the ability of TERT to protect neurons from oxidative stress affects the expression and activity of SOD1, in a TERT-dependent manner, and supports the notion of TERT as a therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases like ALS.

Purpose: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a real public health problem due to its severity and gravity. In a 2013 meta-analysis, Susantitaphong, et al. estimated the incidence of AKI worldwide at between 10% and 20%. In the latter study, no African studies were included, given the lack of data in the literature. Our objective was to identify the clinical and paraclinical epidemiological characteristics of patients with AKI.Patients and methods: We conducted a retrospective study including patients who had AKI with recovery of normal renal function hospitalized in a nephrology service between 2002 and 2015.Results: Our population consisted of 107 men and 107 women with a median age of 61 years (IQR 43-73.25) of which 42.1% were multitargeted. Functional AKI represented the predominant mechanism of AKI retained in our study with a rate of 53.2% with dehydration as the main etiology for 108 patients (50.46%). Organic cause was retained in 38.8% of patients, with acute tubular necrosis (ATN) as the most frequent etiology (37.35%). Kidney disease improving global outcomes (KDIGO) stage 3 was the stage retained for 115 patients included in our series, 31 of whom required extra renal purification. During their hospitalization, 78.5% of the patients presented a persistent AKI (duration of the episode > 7 days). A glomerular filtration rate (GFR) lower than 60 ml/min/1.73 m² at discharge was found in 119 patients and 10 patients had a GFR higher than 90 ml/min/1.73 m². After 3 months from discharge, 77.5% of patients had a GFR between 60 and 90 ml/min/1.73 m².Conclusion: Our results give us an idea of the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients who have had acute renal failure with recovery of normal renal function and enable us to better recognize patients at risk in order to avoid such complications. AKI remains a major issue and knowing its epidemiological and clinical characteristics will allow its prevention.

Background: Postdated pregnancy is one of the most common obstetric problems associated with increased maternal morbidity, prenatal morbidity, and mortality. Pregnancy at 37-40 weeks of gestation is called the term from the last menstrual period. If the pregnancy exceeds 40 weeks, it is called a postdated pregnancy, but when pregnancy is prolonged beyond 42 weeks, it is called post-maturity or post-term pregnancy. Objective: This study aimed to determine the adverse effects of postdate pregnancy on mothers and fetuses.Methodology: This was a descriptive, prospective, cross-sectional, hospital-based study conducted at Omdurman Maternity Hospital from January 2018 to June 2018.An interview questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were collected by trained doctors in the labor room. One hundred and thirty-eight (138) postdated pregnant women were included in this study after obtaining informed consent through a structured questionnaire. Demographic and clinical data concerning personal history, booking status, mode of delivery, maternal complications, and fetal complications were recorded.Results: During the study period, 2751 women delivered, of which 138 were postdated deliveries, with a prevalence of 5%. Most women's age range was 31-34 years 48.6%). Their education level was mostly secondary school (42%). Primigravida 65%), booked were 75.4%. Previous history of postdate pregnancy was 34.1%, normal vaginal delivery was 79 .7%, cesarean section was 14.5%, and instrumental delivery 5.8%. Cesarean section indications were cervical dystocia (14.4%), cephalopelvic disproportion (9.5%), meconium-stained liquor with fetal distress (33.3%), pathological cardiotocography (CTC) (19%), and failure to progress (23.8%).Maternal complications included post-partum hemorrhage (PPH) (7.2%), perineal tears (.7%, cervical tears (1.4%), and postpartum infections (1.4%). Fetal complications were 14.5%, Shoulder Dystocia 2.9%, asphyxia (6.5%), and meconium aspiration (5.1%). The mean APGAR score was 1.1667, less than three in only 3.6%, and > 7 in 86.9%.Neonatal death was 3%. Approximately 18 neonates were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive care unit (NICU) and only five of them were admitted for more than one week.Conclusion: Postdate pregnancy prevalence in this study was 5%, which was associated with maternal risk of cesarean section delivery, instrumental delivery, postpartum hemorrhage, and postnatal infection.