Awareness of Radiologists and Radiographers toward Patient Care in the Interventional Radiology Department

Background: The hospitals and health care centres are organized around the patient, a model in which healthcare providers partner with patients and families to identify and satisfy patients’ needs and preferences. Providers respect patients’ values and preferences, address their emotional and social needs, and involve them and their families in decision making. According to the best of our knowledge, there is no evidence to prove, radiologists and radiographers are aware enough about the patient safety, care, and code of conduct with their patients in the interventional radiology department. Objective: This article aims to measure the awareness of radiologists and radiographers toward care and safety in an interventional radiology department. Material and Method: This study was carried in period from 15 February to 20 April 2022. One hundred sixty-four radiographers and radiologists participating in this study completed the questionnaire, which equals a response rate of approximately 82%. The questionnaire was fully completed by almost all responders;only a few of them gave partial answers. Results: The first question for radiographers and radiologists was “the sufficient awareness about the patient safety and care during the interventional radiology procedure. Also, the majority of the radiographers and radiologists are providing the patients with sufficient information when he/she ask for help or queries. A large number of radiographers and radiologists were participating in this study explaining the procedures to patients before starting the examinations in a structured way. Finally, the result shows both radiographers and radiologists respect the patient’s rights, privacy, and dignity and also kept the radiation protection during the interventional radiology procedures. Conclusion: This article summarizes the key categories of awareness of patient care issues in the provision of interventional radiology services, from the joint perspectives of radiographers and radiologists, and provides references for further reading in all major relevant areas.

Relevant detection indicator of prethrombotic state in patients with primary hypertension

BACKGROUND Hypertension is a common chronic disease that affects many people worldwide.Only a few reports related to the exploration of relevant indicators of the prethrombotic state in patients with primary hypertension(PH)in clinical settings were available.AIM To detect prethrombotic state-related indicators in patients with PH and analyze their differences in different patient populations to provide a laboratory basis for the clinical prevention and control of hypertensive thrombotic diseases.METHODS The general data of patients with PH who attended the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine,The First Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi Medical College,from January 2022 to December 2022 were collected retrospectively.The patients were divided into three groups of 40 patients each according to the Grade of PH:Grade 1,Grade 2,and Grade 3 hypertension experimental group.The baseline data of 40 volunteers,who underwent physical examination in our hospital but were not diagnosed with PH during the same period,were included in the control group.The relevant indicators of prethrombotic state of the participants were compared,and mainly included inflammation-related indicators,hemorheology-related indicators,and coagulation function related indicators.The relationship between the aforementioned indicators and the progression of PH was analyzed.RESULTS No significant differences were observed in age,sex,diabetes mellitus,smoking history,drinking history,body mass index,New York Heart Association functional classification,or the course of hypertension among the four groups(P>0.05).The expressions of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP),thrombomodulin(TM),hematocrit(Hct),erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),P-selectin on platelet surface(CD62P),and fibrinogen(FIB)in the control group were<Grade 1 hypertension group<Grade 2 hypertension group<Grade 3 hypertension group,and the expressions of platelet(PLT),activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT),prothrombin(PT),and plasma thrombin time(TT)in the control group was>Grade 1 hypertension group>Grade 2 hypertension group>Grade 3 hypertension group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The results of the multivariate logistic regression model showed that the expression of hs-CRP,TM,Hct,ESR,CD62P,PLT,APTT,PT,TT,and FIB in the included participants was related to the progression of PH.Among these,high expression of hs-CRP,TM,Hct,ESR,CD62P,APTT,PT,and TT,and low expression of PLT and FIB were risk factors for PH(OR>1,P<0.05).The results of the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the area under the curve of hs-CRP,TM,ESR,CD62P,APTT,PT,TT,and FIB for the prediction of PH were>0.80,and the prediction value was ideal.Linear correlation analysis with bivariate Spearman showed that hs-CRP,TM,Hct,ESR,CD62P,APTT,PT,and TT were positively correlated with each other(r>0,P<0.05);PLT and FIB were negatively correlated with hs-CRP,TM,Hct,ESR,CD62P,APTT,PT,and TT(r<0,P<0.05);and PLT and FIB were positively correlated(r>0,P<0.05).Linear correlation analysis using bivariate Spearman showed that hs-CRP,TM,Hct,ESR,CD62P,and FIB were positively correlated with each other(r>0,P<0.05),whereas PLT,APTT,PT,and TT were negatively correlated with hs-CRP,TM,Hct,ESR,CD62P,and FIB(r<0,P<0.05).There was a positive correlation between PLT,APTT,PT,and TT(r>0,P<0.05).CONCLUSION The relevant indicators of the prethrombotic state in patients with PH,such as hs-CRP,TM,Hct,ESR,CD62P,PLT,APTT,PT,TT,and FIB,showed differences.High expression of hs-CRP,TM,Hct,ESR,CD62P,and FIB,and low expression of PLT,APTT,PT,and TT are the keys to the occurrence,progression,and thrombotic state of PH.Based on the above serum indicators’expression in patients,targeted interventions can be administered to patients with abnormal expression levels to control the progression of their disease and reduce the risk of developing a prethrombotic state.

Prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among Healthcare Workers Following COVID-19 Pandemic in Jazan Region, KSA

Background: COVID-19 was declared a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization in 2020. Many pieces of research have been published on the virus’s pattern and transmission routes, and a few studies have been published on its psychological repercussions for the general public and health care workers in particular. We aimed in this study to figure out the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of health care workers in the Jazan region and compare it to non-health care workers. Results: There were 221 participants in this study conducted in the Jazan region KSA, during the first part of 2022. 117 participants were non-HCWs (Health Care Workers) and 104 participants were HCWs. 31.7% of HCWs had high score of PTSD symptoms which may suppress their immunity, PTSD was a clinical concern in 12.5%, 6.7% had probable PTSD, and 49% had no PTSD. The average PTSD score in HCWs was 26.14. In contrast, the great majority of non-HCWs (69.2%) had no PTSD;PTSD was a clinical concern in 16.2%, 11.1% had a score indicating PTSD had the potential for immunosuppression, and 3.4% had probable PTSD. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic did not affect just those who were infected with the virus, nor was it restricted to the mental health of those afflicted;rather, the influence expanded until it reached the general public and, in particular, those who had contact with patients, such as health care workers. As a result, mental health investigation, follow-up, and therapy are required to preserve the mental health of health care workers as well as the general population.

Potential mechanisms of hepatitis B virus induced liver injury

Chronic active hepatitis(CAH) is acknowledged as an imperative risk factor for the development of liver injury and hepatocellular carcinoma.The histological end points of CAH are chronic inflammation,fibrosis and cirrhosis which are coupled with increased DNA synthesis in cirrhotic vs healthy normal livers.The potential mechanism involved in CAH includes a combination of processes leading to liver cell necrosis,inflammation and cytokine production and liver scaring(fibrosis).The severity of liver damage is regulated by Hepatitis B virus genotypes and viral components.The viral and cellular factors that contribute to liver injury are discussed in this article.Liver injury caused by the viral infection affects many cellular processes such as cell signaling,apoptosis,transcription,DNA repair which in turn induce radical effects on cell survival,growth,transformation and maintenance.The consequence of such perturbations is resulted in the alteration of bile secretion,gluconeogenesis,glycolysis,detoxification and metabolism of carbohydrates,proteins,fat and balance of nutrients.The identification and elucidation of the molecular pathways perturbed by the viral proteins are important in order to design effective strategy to minimize and/or restore the hepatocytes injury.

Role of mycorrhiza to reduce heavy metal stress

Plants have a system of antioxidant enzymes, which helps to alleviate the effects of various types of stresses. Heavy metals like Cadmium and lead are tolerable for plants to certain extent. The antioxidant enzymes do not function properly at higher concentrations of Cadmium, lead and some other heavy metals. The activities of antioxidant enzymes are reduced due to reactive oxygen species produced as a result of heavy metal stress. The catalase activity was directly inhibited by O2- (Kono and Fridovich, 1982). These ROS are O2-, H2O2, and -OH which can react with many other biomolecules. Several metallic ions are produced by radical displacement reactions. These metallic ions inhibit the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Hence, enzymic antioxidant defense system of plants is affected and adversely inhibits plant growth and productivity. Mycorrhizal fungi are important in phytostabilization of toxic heavy metals. Plants having mycorrhizal association accumulate metallic pollutants by storing these heavy metals in Vesicles as well as in fungal hyphae in their roots, hence these metallic pollutants are immobilized and do not inhibit the growth and uptake of phosphorus and some other micronutrients. Mycorrhizal fungi also release various organic acids which increase the solubilisation of insoluble phosphate compounds present in soil. The unavailable forms of phosphorus are converted into available forms as a result of organic acids produced by fungi. AM fungi release glomalins that are certain metal sorble glycoproteins which increase the immobilization of toxic metals. Another protein is metallothionine released by certain AM fungi, which also reduces the heavy metal toxicity in soil. Mycorrhizal fungi also induce resistance in plants against pathogens, drought and salinity stress. Investigation on heavy metal stress resistant genes in mycorrhizal plants can be very helpful for phytoremediation. This review focuses on the use of AM fungi for phytoremediation.

Hepatitis B virus,HBx mutants and their role in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is one of the leading causes of death induced by cancer in the modern world and majority of the cases are related to chronic hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection.HBV-encoded X protein(HBx)is known to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of viral induced HCC.HBx is a multifunctional protein of17 kDa which modulates several cellular processes by direct or indirect interaction with a repertoire of host factors resulting in HCC.HBX might interfere with several cellular processes such as oxidative stress,DNA repair,signal transduction,transcription,protein degradation,cell cycle progression and apoptosis.A number of reports have indicated that HBx is one of the most common viral ORFs that is often integrated into the host genome and its sequence variants play a crucial role in HCC.By mutational or deletion analysis it was shown that carboxy terminal of HBx has a likely role in protein-protein interactions,transcriptional transactivation,DNA repair,cell,signaling and pathogenesis of HCC.The accumulated evidence thus far suggests that it is difficult to understand the mechanistic nature of HBx associated HCC,and HBx mediated transcriptional transactivation and signaling pathways may be a major determinant.This article addresses the role of HBx in the development of HCC with particular emphasis on HBx mutants and their putative targets.

Maternally-preset program of apoptosis and caspases involved in execution of the apoptosis at midblastula transition (MBT) but not before in <i>Xenopus laevis</i>embryogenesis

To study gene control mechanisms in Xenopus embryos, we analyzed polyamines, cloned SAMDC (S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase), a key enzyme of polyamine metabolism, and microinjected its mRNA into Xenopus fertilized eggs. The microinjection induced a large increase in SAMDC activity, exhaustion of the substrate SAM (S-adenosylmethionine), and execution of apoptosis at the stage called midblastula transition (MBT). By tracing GFP (green fluorescence protein)-marked apoptotic cells, we reached a conclusion that the apoptosis provides pre-blastula embryos with a fail-safe mechanism of early development. We analyzed caspase mRNAs and found that caspase-9 and -3 mRNAs are maternal mRNA and activation of caspase-9 is one of the key steps for the execution of the apoptosis. We also found that over- expression of caspase-8, and in addition p53, a tumor suppressor protein, also induces apoptosis at MBT, just like the overexpression of SAMDC and caspase-9 does. The apoptosis induced by p53 was suppressed by Xdm-2, a negative regulator of p53, and by a peptide inhibitor and a dominant-negative type mutant of caspase-9, but not by those of caspase-8. By contrast, apoptosis induced by SAMDC was suppressed by peptide inhibitors and dominant-negative mutants of both caspase-9 and caspase-8, but not by Xdm-2. Unlike caspase-9 mRNA, caspase-8 mRNA was not a maternal mRNA, but newly expressed during cleavage stage (pre-MBT stage) only in embryos overexpressed with SAMDC. In SAMDC-induced apoptotic embryos activities to process procaspase-8 and procaspase-9 appeared, whereas in p53-induced apoptotic embryos only activity to process procaspase-9 appeared. Thus, Xenopus embryos have at least two pathways to execute the maternal program of apoptosis: One induced by SAMDC overexpression through activation of caspase-9 and do novo expression of caspase-8 gene, and the other induced by p53 overexpression through activation of caspase-9 but not caspase-8. In Xenopus embryos, it has long been believed that zygotic genes are silent until MBT, but results obtained with caspase-8 may provide a novel example of gene expression before MBT.

Bacteriophages in <i>Escherichia coli</i>antimicrobial resistance

The continuous battle between humans and the multitude of pathogenic microorganisms in the environment has sought relief in the form of antimicrobials. But the counter attack by pathogenic organisms in the form of multidrug resistance, acquired by various mechanisms such as transformation, transposition, conjugation and transduction is a major reason for concern. Bacteriophages have contributed in a significant way to dissemination of genes encoding antimicrobial resistance, heavy metal resistance and virulence factors through the phenomenon of transduction. This review aims at compiling information about the different mechanisms by which bacteriophages aid in transferring genes involved in antimicrobial resistance to Escherischia coli in various environments.

Assessment of Endemic Goiter of Children in Eastern Sudan (Kassala State) Using Ultrasonography and ELISA

Thyroid gland is one of most important endocrine glands in the body. It plays vital role in growth control and its measurements tends to change in respect to age, sex, weight and ethnic group of the individual. This study aimed to assess endemic goiter and to estimate the measurement of normal thyroid gland dimensions and thyroid hormones level in school-aged children using Ultrasonography and ELISA Technique in Eastern Sudan (Kassala state). A total of 100 subjects is 6 - 18 years (43 males, 57 females), and mean of age (9.73 ± 2.54 years). This study was done in the period from April 2016 to February 2017. All the subject undergone thyroid ultrasound and thyroid hormone level test. Subjects with history of goiter were excluded from the study, by thyroid dimension (length, height and diameter). Thyroid volume was estimated using ellipsoid formula and thyroid hormones (TSH, T3 and T4) using Toso full automation. The study revealed that 12 subjects of the study (12%) with goiter, 7 female (7%) and 5 males (5%) with age ranged 6 - 11 years with increase in TSH and T3 and decrease in T4 level. The mean of thyroid volumes for normal subject and subject of goiter are 4.93 ± 0.63, 5.4 ± 1.4 mL, respectively, and TSH, T3, T4 (1.8 ± 0.97, 2.4 ± 0.86 UIu/nL), (3.61 ± 0.32, 3.8 ± 0.55 Pg/Nl), (1.35 ± 1.23 ng/DI level respectively). It concluded that there was positive correlations between the age and the thyroid volume (p = 0.65). It increases with increase of the age. The Rt lobe is larger than the Lt lobe;the thyroid volume is higher in male than female, and this study found the TSH and T3 decreased with ages while T4 increased with ages in normal subject;TSH and T3 level increased and T4 level decreased in goiter children.

Rare Primary Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma of a Male Breast

Background: Breast lymphomas are typical extranodal types of lymphoma, also known as Extranodal-lymphoma (ENL), which occur extremely infrequently, aggregating into a very small proportion of malignant breast tumors. The rarity of breast lymphomas is attributed to the scant lymphoid tissue content of the chest wall. Aims of Study: This case report is aimed at providing an up-to-date review of the literature on breast lymphomas for clinicians to, therefore, consider the possibility of this disease entity while treating a breast mass. Case Presentation: A case was reported of a 52-year man with chief mammary non-Hodgkin breast ENL when fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was not leading to a firm conclusion or result. Following an incisional biopsy, he was found to have a primary breast lymphoma. Later, the patient was diagnosed with the diffuse large B-cell type of lymphoma also known as non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL). He had a complete reduction and disappearances of all the signs and symptoms of the disease after a course of neoadjuvant chemotherapy: Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Vincristine and Prednisolone (CHOP). CONCLUSION: Based on the above case presentation, it is vital for health care professionals and oncologists to recognize the disease by assessing the breast mass accurately with more entities so that proper diagnosis via core biopsy (incisional biopsy) can eliminate the PBL before further treatment is required.

Dynamic of HIV-1 Strains Isolated from Newly Diagnosed Antiretroviral Drug Naive Turkish Patients

OBJECTIVE:Human Immunodeficiency Virus(HIV)infection is still global health issue,and lack of vaccine furthers the devastating effect.The treatment regimen is challenged by the development of resistance,thus increase the mutation and dissemination of resistance genes across the globe.This work aims to assess the nature of HIV-1 subtypes and mutations from HIV-1 positive patients who are drug-inexperienced.METHODS:The analysis of 103 new positive cases of HIV-1 involved in the study.Drug-resistant mutations,HIV-1 subtypes and circulating recombinant forms(CRFs)were assessed as per World Health Organization(2009)list of monitoring drugresistant mutation.RESULTS:The results revealed that subtype B was dominant 58(56.3%),compared to non-subtype B 34(33%)and CRF 11(10.7%).The occurrence of HIV-1 drug resistance for Nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors(NRTIs),Non-nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors(NNRTIs),and Protease inhibitors(PIs)were 7.8%(8/103),22.3%(23/103)and 1%(1/103)respectively and the patients had the following primary antiretroviral drug resistance mutations to NRTI,3A62V(2.9%),2 M41L(1.9%),1 F77L(1%),1 K70KR(1%),and 1 T215S(1%).In the NNRTI,13 E138A(12.6%),3 E138G(2.9%),3 K103N(2.9%),2V179D(1.9),1 K103KN(1%)and 1K103T(1%)mutations were found.While in the PI drug,1 L24LI(1%)drug resistance mutations were found.CONCLUSION:Primary drug-resistant mutations in antiretroviral therapy(ART)naive subjects were found and the information in turn will contribute to the global data collection and treatment plan of HIV-1 patients.

Mesenchymal stromal cell biotherapy for Parkinson’s disease premotor symptoms

Parkinson’s disease(PD)is a neurodegenerative disorder with motor deficits due to nigrostriatal dopamine depletion and with the non-motor/premotor symptoms(NMS)such as anxiety,cognitive dysfunction,depression,hyposmia,and sleep disorders.NMS is presented in at least one-fifth of the patients with PD.With the histological information being investigated,stem cells are shown to provide neurotrophic supports and cellular replacement in the damaging brain areas under PD conditions.Pathological change of progressive PD includes degeneration and loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of the midbrain.The current stem cell beneficial effect addresses dopamine boost for the striatal neurons and gliovascular mechanisms as competing for validated PD drug targets.In addition,there are clinical interventions for improving the patient’s NMS and targeting their autonomic dysfunction,dementia,mood disorders,or sleep problems.In our and many others’research using brain injury models,multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells demonstrate an additional and unique ability to alleviate depressive-like behaviors,independent of an accelerated motor recovery.Intranasal delivery of the stem cells is discussed for it is extensively tested in rodent animal models of neurological and psychiatric disorders.In this review,we attempt to discuss the repairing potentials of transplanted cells into parkinsonism pathological regions of motor deficits and focus on preventive and treatment effects.From new approaches in the PD biological therapy,it is believed that it can as well benefit patients against PD-NMS.

A simple,water-soluble,Fe^(3+)-selective fluorescent probe and its application in bioimaging

A simple, water-soluble, Fe3＋-selective fluorescent probe, derived from rhodamine B, was synthesized and characterized. The probe exhibits a fluorescence response toward Fe3＋ with acceptable sensitivity and selectivity and even facilitates visual or naked-eye detection of Fe3＋. The experiment results show that the response of the probe to Fe3＋ is pH-independent over a wide range of 4.0-10.0. In addition, fluorescence microscopic imaging experiments have proven that the probe is cell permeable and can be used for monitoring intracellular Fe3＋ in living cells.

A novel and effective hyperthermia method for Schistosomiasis japonica prevention and treatment

The emerging resistance to schistosoma has been paid much attention and is in urgent need for a novel strategy to control the prevalent parasitic zoonosis. In this study, the efficiency of hyperthermia therapy was investigated by the skin hyperthermia device. The survival rate of cercariae decreased from 68.15 %(37 °C, 5 min) to 0(49 °C, 10 min) with the thermal dosages increased, which proved the preventing effect of hyperthermia therapy(P \ 0.05). Therapeutic effects were assessed in Schistosoma japonicum-infected BALB/c mice. When the cercarial contact region of the skin was treated at 45–49 °C for5 min within 8 h of infection, worm reduction rate(WRR)reached 74 %–83 %(P \ 0.01). The sensitivity of adultschistosoma to heat was also investigated using microwave intraperitoneal hyperthermia(thermal dosages 42–43 °C,20 min). The WRR, hepatic shift rates and egg reduction rates were 23.7 %, 40 % and 30 %, respectively, comparing with 80.2 %, 59.6 % and 53.9 % of praziquantel(PZQ)-treated group. Encouraging results have been obtained that hyperthermia can effectively kill schistosomula, especially with the appearance of cercarial dermatitis, while PZQ lacks efficacy against the cercariae. Thus,hyperthermia therapy would show significant benefit in preventing and treatment of schistosoma, especially in the early stage.