Articles

Introduction: Twin pregnancy, compared to a singleton pregnancy, is associated with a higher risk of preterm birth and other neonatal complications. This study aimed to compare neonatal mortality rates and risk factors among births with the gestational age of 34 weeks - 37 weeks in twin and singleton pregnancies.Methods: The study design was cross-sectional and population-based. We extracted the data from the birth information registry in Iran. Mothers' and neonates' information was removed from the registry systems between 2018 and 2020. We used Statistical R software to compare neonatal mortality rate, demographic variables, and risk factors between two groups of twin and singleton neonates.Results: Out of 579,873 live births with a gestational age of 34 weeks - 37 weeks, 729 (1.4/1000) singleton and 54(0.77/1000) twins (one out of two) neonates died in the delivery room in the first hour of life. Of the neonates who left the delivery room alive, 3129 (4.9 per 1000) neonates had died (5.7/1000 singleton and 3.04/1000 twin). The neonatal mortality rate in hospitalized singleton neonates (1.85%) was higher than twin group (1.06%). After adjustment of other variables, the mortality rate in twin pregnancy was significantly lower than in singletons (p value < 1/1000), with an odds ratio of 0.47 (CI: 0.39 - 0.55). Antenatal corticosteroid treatment in the twin group was significantly higher than in singletons.Conclusion: Twin neonatal mortality rate was lower than singletons in the neonates with gestational age 34 weeks - 37 weeks. Clinicians could consider these results for delivery timing in uncomplicated twin pregnancies. Antenatal corticosteroid therapy can be considered to reduce the mortality rate of late preterm neonates in resource-limited countries.

An attempt was made in this study to measure the excitation functions of 169Tm(12C, 4n)177Re, 169Tm(12C, 5n)176Re, 169Tm(12C, αn)176Ta, 169Tm(12C, α2n)175Ta, 169Tm(12C, α3n) 174Ta, 169Tm(12C, α4n)173Ta and 169Tm(12C, 2α2n)171Lu reaction channels populated in the interaction of 12C projectile with 169Tm target were considered in order to investigate the mechanisms of complete and incomplete fusion reactions. The theoretically predicted excitation functions using the PACE4 code were compared with the previously measured excitation functions. For non α emitting channels cross-section values predicted by PACE4 in general were found to be in good agreement with the experimentally measured values. However, for α-emitting channels, the measured cross-section values were found to be higher than the values predicted by PACE4. The observed disagreement may be credited to projectile break-up in the vicinity of n-n interaction. 

The well-documented therapeutic potential of group singing for patients living with Alzheimer’s disease (PLAD) has been hindered by COVID-19 restrictions, exacerbating loneliness and cognitive decline among seniors in residential and long-term care centers (CHSLDs). Addressing this challenge, the multidisciplinary study aims to develop a patient-oriented virtual reality (XR) interaction system facilitating group singing for mental health support during confinement and enhancing the understanding of the links between Alzheimer’s disease, social interaction, and singing. The researchers also propose to establish an early AD detection system using voice, facial, and non-invasive biometric measurements and validate the efficacy of selected intervention practices. The methodology involves co-designing an intelligent environment with caregivers to support PLAD mental health through online group singing, addressing existing constraints in CHSLDs. The researchers will engage volunteers in remote singing interactions and validate the impact of voice stimulation for PLADs using a control group. The primary expected outcome is the development of an “Intelligent Learning Health Environment,” fostering interactions while adapting to individual PLAD situations and incrementally accumulating knowledge on AD signs. This environment will facilitate the transfer of knowledge and technologies to promote non-verbal interactions via singing, enabling intervention at the first symptoms. Additionally, the research will contribute to transforming CHSLDs’ living environments, informed by neuroscience insights, and potentially extend the “collaborative self-care” approach to support seniors in aging safely and healthily at home.

Urticaria corresponds to a papular edematous pruriginous fleeting rash on the skin whose cause is most often allergic (food, medicines, insect bites, etc.).Its management is often difficult because of its significant impact on quality of life. Its prevalence is estimated at 0.6% - 1.3% of the general population. Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae) or Hansen’s bacillus (BH). Considered as the great simulator leprosy can pose a diagnostic problem with many other dermatological pathologies. This is a 36-year-old patient with a history of chronic urticaria treated with Loratadine 10 mg who consulted the Bamako Dermatology Hospital for a large erythematous cupboard, oedematous fixed on the buttocks evolving for more than 3 days. The interrogation found the notion of pruritus, hives, and physical examination, showed large erythematous plaques, edematous very limited, dark red color, and slightly copper resembling the closet infiltrated by leprosy. The pruriginous nature of the lesions and the absence of other cardinal signs of leprosy allowed us to make the diagnosis of chronic urticaria.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is one of the most effective treatments for severe aortic valve stenosis (AVS). Different genres and generations of transcatheter heart valves (THVs) are accessible, offering operators an opportunity to choose a patient-tailored device. In this single-center study, we present the outcomes of Serbian patients treated with next-generation Myval THV for severe symptomatic AVS. Myval THV was implanted in all consecutive patients who underwent TAVI at the Dedinje Cardiovascular Institute of Belgrade, Serbia between October 2020 and September 2021. The primary endpoint was device success on day 30. Secondary endpoints included 30-day all-cause mortality, cardiovascular death, stroke, moderate/severe paravalvular leak (PVL), and new permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI). TAVI was performed as per the European Society of Cardiology guidelines. The study comprised thirteen patients, aged 72±13 years with mean EuroSCORE (7.17%) and Society of Thoracic Surgeons (2.72%,) scores who underwent TAVI successfully with 92.3% using the percutaneous approach. Myval THV intermediate and extra-large sizes were implanted in 46% and 15% of patients, respectively. This acute procedure success rate was 100%. The primary composite endpoint of early device success was achieved in all patients. None of the patients had clinically significant aortic regurgitation or moderate/severe PVL. No patient experienced stroke, contrast-induced acute kidney injury, device-related vascular complications, or a new PPI. The all-cause mortality rate at 30 days was 0%. Myval THV system demonstrated a favorable safety/efficacy profile within 30 days post-procedure at a single center in Serbia. This is the first report of my experience with Myval THV from Serbia.

In this article, an interesting phenomenon has described the geometries and vibrational frequency of the stable AuN clusters with N = 26 to 35. We have found nine out of ten clusters are having the very same C1 symmetry, except the cluster N = 33 (D2). The finite-differentiation method has been implemented within the density-functional tight-binding (DFTB) approach. The effects of the range of interatomic forces were calculated and the desired set of system eigenfrequencies (3N-6) are obtained by diagonalization of the symmetric positive semidefinite Hessian matrix. Mainly, we have observed the vibrational spectra and the range comes in between 2.04 and 347.32 cm−1 at ground state, ∆E = 0. Most significantly, all the clusters have revealed double-state degeneracy. The vibrational spectrum is strongly dependent upon the size, shape, and structure, at the same time, the stretching and the bending mode of the atoms with respect to the bond length plays a major role. We have compared some of our results, which have an excellent agreement, with the less availability of the experimental and the theoretical predictions.

Although intussusception occurs in children and adults with celiac disease, it is a relatively uncommon symptom. Even more rare is the occurrence of intussusception as the presenting symptom of the disease. In the two cases we report here, transient intussusception, occurring at three years of age, was the first and only physical sign of celiac disease, and lead to a timely diagnosis by immunoserology and histology, followed by implementation of a gluten-free diet before sequelae such as significant anemia or Failure to Thrive (FTT) developed. In both cases, neither immunoserological nor physical signs of disease were present at the follow-up examination after 6 months on a gluten-free diet. In addition, genetic screening of the patients’ families revealed HLA-DQ2 positivity in two cases, leading to the additional diagnosis of celiac disease in the pregnant mother of one of the patients.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the association between sleep quality, as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and laboratory findings in patients presenting with the complaint of leg pain due to varicose veins.Materials and Methods: A total of 160 patients with leg pain were included in this study. Sleep quality was assessed using the PSQI, and laboratory tests were conducted to evaluate ferritin, iron, vitamin B12, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and hemoglobin levels. Statistical analyses were performed using the independent t-test or Mann-Whitney U test for continuous variables and the chi-square test for categorical variables.Results: Patients with poor sleep quality had a significantly higher prevalence of leg pain complaints compared to those with good sleep quality (p < 0.001). Females were more likely to report poor sleep quality (p = 0.006). No significant associations were found between sleep quality and age, smoking status, alcohol use, or pack/year of smoking. Patients with poor sleep quality had significantly lower ferritin levels (p = 0.008), lower albumin levels (p = 0.031), and lower hemoglobin levels (p = 0.036) compared to patients with good sleep quality. However, no significant differences were observed in other laboratory parameters.Conclusion: The findings suggest a significant association between poor sleep quality and leg pain complaints in patients with varicose veins. Lower ferritin, albumin, and hemoglobin levels in patients with poor sleep quality may indicate potential underlying mechanisms linking sleep quality and leg pain. Addressing sleep quality issues in patients with leg pain could improve overall well-being and treatment outcomes.

Depression is a mental, psychiatric medical condition or disorder in which individuals manifest some clinical syndrome characterized by sadness, mood swings, societal withdrawal, lack of interest, family issues, and education problems which affect the daily student life in which the individual does not participate in daily activities. Sometimes individual commits suicide due to exam stress and that swings the mood upon the condition of the individual. The cost of brand-name medications prescribed in such circumstances exacerbates the disease burden and may even result in noncompliance with therapy. IDR (Indian Depository Receipt) was used to calculate the cost of various antidepressant drug brands. Using the percentage cost ratio, one can ascertain the price of each brand’s 10 tablets in INR (Indian Rupees), the cost ratio, and the percentage cost variance. The difference between the greatest and lowest prices of the same drug produced by Indian pharmaceutical industries was calculated. There is a greater price disparity between agents on the market. The greatest expense variance was found to be amitriptyline 25 mg (195%), fluoxetine 50 mg (95%), sertraline 50 mg (83%) and the lowest % cost variation was of fluvoxamine 20 mg (13.8 mg), duloxetine 20 mg (16%) and escitalopram 10 mg (38%). On the Indian market, the average price disparity between antidepressant medications of various brands is quite high. If a pricey brand is prescribed, patients will incur additional costs.

Cancer is a major public health issue and the main cause of death worldwide. Despite improvements in diagnostic techniques and treatment methods, cancer still seriously affects the quality of life of patients, which cause serious social and economic burdens. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify potential biomarkers to improve diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of cancer. BTG2 is a cell proliferation suppressor gene that serves as a tumor suppressor gene in the occurrence and development of various tumors. Many studies have shown that BTG2 can serve as a prognostic marker in various tumors. So, fully tap the potentials of BTG2 as a tumor prognostic marker will bring more possibilities to provide a new method or new diagnostic and therapeutic tool for treating cancer.