Nirvana.13

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has emphasized the necessity for scalable diagnostic workflows using locally produced reagents and basic laboratory equipment with minimal dependence on global supply chains. We introduce an open-source automated platform for high-throughput RNA extraction and pathogen diagnosis, which uses reagents almost entirely produced in-house. This platform integrates our methods for self-manufacturing magnetic nanoparticles and qRT-PCR reagents-both of which have received regulatory approval for clinical use-with an in-house, open-source robotic extraction protocol...

A spinal cord injury (SCI) is damage to any part of the spinal cord, caused by traumatic or non-traumatic events. Clinically, SCI is associated with partial or complete loss of motor, sensory, and autonomic functions below the site of injury. However, cognitive alterations in specific domains can also occur. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of semi-immersive virtual reality (VR) cognitive training (using the BTS Nirvana, Italy) in promoting global functional recovery in patients with SCI. Forty-two SCI patients were included in this retrospective case-control study, and the analysis was carried out using an electronic data retrieval system...

BACKGROUND: In China, many ornamental plants associated with Buddhist figures, including the Sakyamuni, Bodhisattva, and Arhat, were grown and worshiped because of their cultural and religious significance. However, the systematic collation and ethnobotanical information about these culturally important plants have yet to be fully understood. METHODS: Online information was collected from 93 e-commercial platforms for ornamental plants all over China. Field sampling was conducted in 16 ornamental markets and 163 Buddhist temples using key informant interviews and participatory observation with traders, tourists, and local disciples...

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that non-critically ill COVID-19 patients co-infected with other respiratory viruses have poor clinical outcomes. However, limited studies focused on this co-infections in critically ill patients. This study aims to evaluate the clinical outcomes of critically ill patients infected with COVID-19 and co-infected by other respiratory viruses. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted for all adult patients with COVID-19 who were hospitalized in the ICUs between March, 2020 and July, 2021...

Introduction: BRCA1 and BRCA2 germline pathogenic variants (GPVs) account for most of the 5-10% of breast cancer (BC) that is attributable to inherited genetic variants. BRCA1 GPVs are associated with the triple negative subtype, whereas BRCA2 GPVs are likely to result in higher grade, estrogen-receptor positive BCs. The contribution of other genes of high and moderate risk for BC has not been well defined and risk estimates to specific BC subtypes is lacking, especially for an admixed population like Brazilian...

Objectives: The objective of the study was to longitudinally assess the outcomes and correlates of suicidal ideation and behavior (SIB) among heroin users who attended inpatient detoxification and psychosocial rehabilitation. SIB was assessed in 300 heroin users upon entry into inpatient detoxification (baseline) as well as 3-months (t1) ( n = 252; 84%) and 9-months (t2) ( n = 225; 75%) post treatment. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the demographic, clinical and treatment related factors that increased the risk for a high SIB score...

BACKGROUND: Many health benefits of bariatric surgery are known and well-studied, but there is scarce data on the benefits of bariatric surgery on the thyroid function. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to make a meta-analysis regarding the impact of bariatric surgery on thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, levothyroxine dose, and the status of subclinical hypothyroidism. SETTING: Systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched up to December 2020 for relevant clinical studies...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Optimal treatment of extremity soft tissue sarcomas (ESTS) is controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate neoadjuvant chemotherapy (ChT) plus concomitant hypofractionated RT (hypo-RT) in local and distant disease relapse. Here we report safety, feasibility and early outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, single arm study with a goal accrual of 70 patients. Between 2015 and 2018, 18 patients with histologically confirmed nonmetastatic ESTS were assigned to receive doxorubicin and ifosfamide for three neoadjuvant cycles, concomitant with hypo-RT (25 Gy in 5 fractions) followed by surgery...

BACKGROUND: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) and immunotherapy improved survival in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Disparities in treatment access are present in healthcare systems globally. The aim of this study was to analyze survival outcomes of mRCC patients treated with first-line TKIs in the public (PHS) and private (PrS) health system in a Brazilian Cancer Center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records from all mRCC patients treated with first-line TKIs from 2007-2018 were reviewed retrospectively...

Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is an extremely rare, aggressive sarcoma affecting adolescents and young adults with male predominance. Generally, it originates from the serosal surface of the abdominal cavity. The hallmark characteristic of DSRCT is the EWSR1-WT1 gene fusion. This translocation up-regulates the expression of PDGFRα, VEGF and other proteins related to tumor and vascular cell proliferation. Current management of DSRCT includes a combination of chemotherapy, radiation and aggressive cytoreductive surgery plus intra-peritoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy (HIPEC)...

BACKGROUND: Secure forensic mental health services treat patients with high rates of treatment-resistant psychoses. High rates of obesity and medical comorbidities are common. Population-based studies have identified high-risk groups in the event of SARS-CoV-2 infection, including those with problems such as obesity, lung disease and immune-compromising conditions. Structured assessment tools exist to ascertain the risk of adverse outcome in the event of SARS-CoV-2 infection. AIMS: To assess risk of adverse outcome in the event of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a complete population of forensic psychiatry patients using structured assessment tools...

In this study, anti-proliferative effects of twenty-seven indeno[1,2-b]quinoxalin-11-one derivatives were investigated in three human cancer cell lines, namely: the colon cancer cell line HCT-116, the liver cancer cell line HepG-2, and the breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Among them, 5, 6, 13, 14a, b and 15d-f derivatives displayed excellent anti-proliferative activities against the three tested cell lines compared to the reference standard Imatinib. Therefore, they were selected for further studies. First, to ensure the safety of our hits, investigation of the IC50 values on normal human cells (WI-38) was executed indicating that, they are highly selective (IC50  > 107 μM) in their cytotoxic effect...

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare cryopreserved arterial allograft (CAA) to heparin-bonded prosthesis (HBP) in infragenicular bypasses for patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). METHODS: This retrospective study took place in 2 university hospitals and included 41 consecutive patients treated for CLTI. In the absence of a suitable saphenous vein, an infragenicular bypass was performed using either CAA (24 cases) or HBP (17 cases)...

PURPOSE: Coconut water has long been touted for its medicinal qualities including natural hydration. We sought to determine whether its consumption would induce changes to urinary lithogenic factors beyond changes in urine volume. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After Institutional Review Board approval, volunteers with no prior history of nephrolithiasis were recruited. Each participant was randomized initially to either the coconut water or the water phase of the study...

3,5-Diamino-4-(3-trifluoromethylphenyldiazenyl)-1H-pyrazole was used as a starting scaffold for the synthesis of new pyrazole-based heterocycles to study their effects on the proliferation of three human cancer cell lines; human liver carcinoma cell line (HepG-2), colon cancer cell line (HCT-116) and human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) using MTT assay. The synthesized compounds were characterized on the basis of IR, 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR, mass spectral data and elemental analysis results. Cytotoxicity assay results revealed that some of the compounds showed potent growth inhibition against all the cell lines tested, with IC50 values in the range of 0...

PURPOSE: BRCA1 germline mutation is closely associated with triple-negative breast cancer. BRCA deficiency leads to impaired DNA repair and tumor development, and understanding this deficiency, in both hereditary and sporadic scenarios, is of great clinical and biological interest. Here, we investigated germline or somatic events that might lead to BRCA1 impairment in triple-negative breast cancer. We also analyzed the clinical implications associated with BRCA deficiency. METHODS: Next-generation sequencing for the BRCA1/2 genes and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for the BRCA1 gene were performed for mutation screening...

BACKGROUND: Multi-drug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae has been considered as a serious global threat. This study was done to investigate carbapenemase producing genomes among K. pneumoniae isolates in Isfahan, Central Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional study from 2011 to 2012, 29 carbapenem resistant (according to disc diffusion method) carbapenemase producing (according to modified Hodge test) K. pneumoniae strains were collected from Intensive Care Unit (ICUs) of Al-Zahra referral Hospital...

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to document the burden and treatment patterns associated with invasive fungal infections (IFIs) due to Candida and Aspergillus species in Saudi Arabia and Lebanon. METHODS: A retrospective chart review study was conducted using data recorded from 2011 to 2012 from hospitals in Saudi Arabia and Lebanon. Patients were included if they had been discharged with a diagnosis of IFI due to Candida or Aspergillus , which was culture proven or suspected based on clinical criteria...

BACKGROUND: Identify in advance responder patients to chemotherapy in metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) would allow prompt interruption of ineffective therapies in non-responder patients. Hence, predictive markers are sought in numerous trials to detect responder patients, including tumor shrinkage measured by imaging methods. Usually, Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) is used to evaluate tumor response in metastatic CRC, but these criteria are questionable with use of biological agents associated to chemotherapy...

OBJECTIVES: To describe real-world treatment patterns and health care resource use and to estimate opportunities for early-switch (ES) from intravenous (IV) to oral (PO) antibiotics and early-discharge (ED) for patients hospitalized in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) complicated skin and soft tissue infections. METHODS: This retrospective observational medical chart review study enrolled physicians from four UAE sites to collect data for 24 patients with documented MRSA complicated skin and soft tissue infections, hospitalized between July 2010 and June 2011, and discharged alive by July 2011...