Medicina
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Acute Effect of Whole-Body Vibration on Trunk Endurance and Balance in Obese Female Students: Randomized Controlled Trial.
Background and Objectives: Compared to other subjects, obese people have inferior trunk muscle endurance and balance. A modern method of neuro-muscular training called whole body vibration (WBV) may improve trunk muscle endurance and balance. This study evaluates the impact of a 4-week WBV program on trunk endurance and balance in obese female students. ⋯ Moreover, Group A showed significantly lower dynamic balance (p < 0.001) than Group B. Conclusions: WBV has a short-term effect on trunk endurance and balance in obese female students. WBV can be added to the rehabilitation program for obese subjects with deficits in trunk endurance and balance.
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Background and Objectives: Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) are prevalent among the elderly, often leading to significant pain, morbidity, and mortality. Effective management of underlying osteoporosis is essential to prevent subsequent fractures. This study aimed to compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes of teriparatide and denosumab treatments in patients with OVCFs to determine their relative effectiveness in improving patient outcomes. ⋯ Despite concerns about denosumab's potential to hinder fracture healing, our study found no significant differences between the two treatments. These findings support the use of denosumab for early treatment of OVCFs to prevent subsequent fractures without compromising fracture healing. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these results.
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Observational Study
Interleukin-6 (-174G/C), Interleukin-1β (-511 C/T), and Apolipoprotein B-100 (2488 C/T) Gene Polymorphism in Pre-Eclampsia.
Background and objectives: Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-specific condition characterized by significant health risks for pregnant women worldwide due to its status as a multi-organ disorder. High blood pressure (hypertension) with or without proteinuria is usually considered an initial clinical sign of PE. The pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia is highly complex and likely involves multiple factors, including poorly developed uterine spiral arterioles, immunological issues, placental ischemia or infarction, and genetic abnormalities. ⋯ The analysis using the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and chi-square test showed an association between the IL-6-174 G/C polymorphism and the severity of pre-eclampsia. Conclusions: The polymorphisms of the IL-6, IL-1β, and Apo B-100 genes revealed different alleles. The IL-6 gene alone was found to be in disequilibrium according to the Hardy-Weinberg equation, indicating a potential link to the severity of pre-eclampsia in the population studied.
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Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) prevalence in Eastern Europe is increasing. The 30-day readmission rate is a crucial quality metric in healthcare, reflecting the effectiveness of initial treatment and the continuity of care post-discharge; however, such parameters are rarely analyzed. The aim of this study was to explore the trends in 30-day readmissions among patients with inflammatory bowel disease in Latvia between 2014 and 2020. ⋯ The increasing trend is statistically significant over the period 2014-2018 (p < 0.05); however, the trend interrupts in 2020, which can be associated with the COVID-19 global pandemic and the related changes in admission flows where the gastroenterology capacity was reallocated to accommodate increasing numbers of COVID-19 patients. More studies are needed to evaluate the long-term impact of COVID-19 pandemic and 30-day readmissions. No significant dynamics were observed in the mean total hospitalization costs over the 2014-2020 period.
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Background and Objectives: Gingival retraction is a critical pre-impression procedure in fixed prosthodontics, crucial for exposing tooth margins and ensuring accurate impressions for restorations like crowns and bridges. This study aimed to evaluate the absorptive capacity of different gingival retraction cords. Materials and Methods: Ninety samples each of Ultrapak (Ultradent, South Jordan, UT, USA) #00, braided cord, coreless thread, and monofilament thread (totaling 270 samples) were immersed in 0.9% NaCl, 10% aluminum chloride, and 12.7% ferrous sulfate solutions for 120, 300, and 1200 s. ⋯ Ultrapak demonstrated the highest absorption, followed by the coreless cotton thread, while the monofilament thread absorbed the least, especially at 1200 s. Conclusions: These findings indicate that Ultrapak's superior absorption could enhance moisture control during procedures, highlighting the importance of selecting an appropriate retraction cord for optimal clinical outcomes. Further research is needed to confirm these findings in a clinical setting.