Ozone therapy in oxidative stress disorders and evaluation of C-reactive proteins [abstract]

It is well recognized that oxidative stress and oxidative damage to DNA, RNA, protein and cell membranes is responsible for early ageing and lifestyle disorders. In various pathological conditions the main problem is related to a rapid increase in the cellular ROS concentration that exceeds the capacity of the cell to eliminate them. ROS derived from the ozone therapy can exert its protective effects by means of an oxidative preconditioning, stimulating and/or preserving the endogenous antioxidant systems. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the ozone effects, in a preliminary clinical treatment in the oxidative stress disorders. We enrolled 12 patients having type2 diabetes who were prone for cardiovascular risk disorders. Ozone treatment improved glycemic control and prevented oxidative stress associated to diabetes mellitus and its complications. This was also correlated with lab testing of HbA1c and C-reactive protein levels before and after Ozone treatment of 20 rectal insufflation 20 sessions (with an ozone dose of 9000mcg, ozone concentration: 30 mcg/ml) and 10 Major Auto heamotherapy (with an ozone dose of 2000mcg, with Ozone concentration: 20mcg/ml) with Rectal twice a week and M-AHT once a week. C-reactive protein (CRP) predicts cardiovascular outcome. Oxidative stress is considered to be involved in endothelial alteration. CRP is used mainly as a marker of inflammation. Apart from liver failure, there are few known factors that interfere with CRP production. CRP levels are associated not only with clinical cardiovascular risk factors but also with oxidative stress. There are significant interrelationships among inflammation, oxidative stress, and traditional cardiovascular risk. Inflammation and oxidative stress play a key role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. We examined the interrelationships among C-reactive protein (CRP), oxidative stress, and traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Ozone treatment significantly improved the antioxidant status of patients reducing biomarkers of protein and lipid oxidation, enhancing total intracellular antioxidant status. Improvement of blood circulation and oxygen delivery to ischemic and neoplastic tissues. Improvement of the general metabolism.Correcting the chronic oxidative stress by upregulating the antioxidant system. Induce a mild activation of the immune system and Procure a state of well-being in patients by activating the neuro-endocrine system. Conclusion. Ozone therapy given systemically improved patient's C-reactive protein from range of 20-34 mg/dL to the range of 4-5 mg/dL. General wellbeing was enhanced with better controlled blood sugar levels. These results may be preliminary but shows the efficacy of ozone therapy in oxidative stress disorders and inflammation markers

Discovering Body Positivity & Self-Image (Gender Equality Coalition of Ontario)

Body image refers to the way we perceive our bodies, and it can positively or negatively impact physical and mental health (Alleva et al., 2015). Unfortunately, negative body image is becoming more common with some studies finding that 65% of young people are dissatisfied with their bodies (Linardon et al., 2021). This can lead to a variety of psychological and behavioral problems and disorders such as body dysmorphia or eating disorders (Alleva et al., 2015). However, many of these consequences associated with negative body image can be circumvented by learning to foster positive body images through building self-esteem (Jessie’s Legacy, 2017). In partnership with the Gender Equality Coalition of Ontario, we have developed a two-part Discovering Body Positivity and Self-Image workshop that will be offered to the London community online in a mentor-mentee setting. The goal is to enable people of different ages, races, and genders to identify negative self-concepts about their body image and learn strategies to promote a positive body image as well as coping mechanisms for resilience

A study of prevalence of lower genital tract infections in HIV positive females - a cross sectional study

Background: The aim and objectives of the study was to determine the prevalence of lower genital tract infection (LGTI) with Candida spp, Trichomonas vaginalis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, and bacterial vaginosis among symptomatic and asymptomatic women HIV seropositive females and control group attending gynec clinic.Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study stratified by reported symptoms of vaginal discharge was carried out at STD Clinic, Zenana Hospital with approval from Hospital Ethics Committee and informed written consent from patients. 50 HIV seropositive women and 50 control patients were included in the study. All the patients under study were subjected to Grams staining of the vaginal smear, Pap smear and Colposcopy. HPV DNA testing was done in all HIV positive patients in control group only patients showing dyskaryotic changes on cytology were subjected to colposcopy. All HIV seropositive women were subjected to additional tests of CD 4 and CD 8 cell counts. Results: Prevalence of lower genital tract infections was high in HIV positive women (36%) as compared to HIV negative group (24%). Prevalence was significantly higher in HIV positive patients with CD 4 cell count less than 200 per microlitre that is 77.77 % with P value (0.007) which is highly significant statistically. More prevalence of Herpes (38%) Candidiasis (28%), Trichomoniasis (28%), followed by HPV (22%) and Chlamydia (8%). In control group, bacterial vaginosis is most common with co-infection with trichomoniasis.Conclusions: In lower genital tract infections, vaginal eco-system is altered. It increases risk of infection by opportunistic pathogens when the host defences became impaired. HIV positive females showed more prevalence of Herpes (38%) Candidiasis (28%), Trichomoniasis (28%), followed by HPV (22%) and Chlamydia (8%). In control group patients with bacterial vaginosis was most common along with co-infection with trichomoniasis. HIV positive females have more dyskaryotic changes on colposcopy especially in patients with HPV positive. So HPV test should be mandatory in HIV patients to diagnose Carcinoma cervix at its initial stages

Management Of Bilateral Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis With Micrognathia And Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome Using Interpositional Arthroplasty And Distraction Osteogenesis – A Case Report

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) Ankylosis posses many problems like inability to open the mouth, poor oral hygiene, difficulty in eating proper food, unaesthetic appearance due to growth retardation and in severe cases difficulty in breathing specially during night depending on the time of occurance of injury. If the TMJ Ankylosis occurs the early stage of life it affects both the form and function of the patient. One of the most common treatments used to treat temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis is interpositional arthroplasty (IPA). When patients come with severe mandibular dysplasia either orthognathic surgery or distraction osteogenesis (DO) can be considered. Simultaneous IPA with DO has been used by many surgeons correct TMJ ankylosis associated with facial asymmetry/micrognathia as as it enables them to simultaneously reconstruct the neocondyle and correct facial malformations eliminating the need for second surgery. Here we have narrated a case of an young male patient suffering from bilateral TMJ Ankylosis with micrognathia treated by simultaneous IPA and DO and regular follow up was done.   &nbsp

HAPLOIDENTICAL TRANSPLANT WITH POST-TRANSPLANT CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE FOR ACUTE MYELOID LEUKAEMIA AND MYELODYSPLASTIC SYNDROMES PATIENTS: THE ROLE OF PREVIOUS LINES OF THERAPY.

Background: Allogeneic haematopoietic stem-cell transplant is a potentially curative option for high-risk acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients. Post-transplant cyclophosphamide administration allows for selection of haploidentical donors in patients who are eligible for the procedure, but do not have a fully matched donor, since it can overcome the HLA barrier. There is still an active debate on whether intensification of the conditioning regimen is necessary with haploidentical donors when peripheral blood stem cells are used as the source of the graft.   Herein we report our decennial experience of haploidentical stem-cell transplant using peripheral blood stem cells at King’s College Hospital. Objectives: The primary objective was to evaluate overall survival (OS) for patients with less than two previous lines of therapy. Secondary objectives were total OS, OS according to cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation, incidence of transplant-related mortality (TRM), graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and GVHD-relapse-free survival (GRFS). Results: One-year and three-year total OS were 62% and 43%, respectively, with a median OS of 22 months. One-year and three-year OS for patients with ≤2 and in patients with >2 previous lines of therapy were 72% and 55%, and 60% and 22%, respectively (p-value=0.04). The median OS in patients with >2 previous lines of therapy and ≤2 lines of therapy was 16 and 49 months, respectively. Cumulative incidence (CI) of relapse was 25% with a median time to relapse of 5 months (range 1 – 38 months). Conclusions: Haploidentical haematopoietic stem-cell transplant is potentially curative in chemo-sensitive AML and MDS and offers a high rate of prolonged remission. Our cohort further confirms the role of consolidative haploidentical transplant in patients in complete remission and highlights that patients with heavily pre-treated disease may not benefit from this strategy.

A View from the Past Into our Collective Future: The Oncofertility Consortium Vision Statement

Today, male and female adult and pediatric cancer patients, individuals transitioning between gender identities, and other individuals facing health extending but fertility limiting treatments can look forward to a fertile future. This is, in part, due to the work of members associated with the Oncofertility Consortium. The Oncofertility Consortium is an international, interdisciplinary initiative originally designed to explore the urgent unmet need associated with the reproductive future of cancer survivors. As the strategies for fertility management were invented, developed or applied, the individuals for who the program offered hope, similarly expanded. As a community of practice, Consortium participants share information in an open and rapid manner to addresses the complex health care and quality-of-life issues of cancer, transgender and other patients. To ensure that the organization remains contemporary to the needs of the community, the field designed a fully inclusive mechanism for strategic planning and here present the findings of this process. This interprofessional network of medical specialists, scientists, and scholars in the law, medical ethics, religious studies and other disciplines associated with human interventions, explore the relationships between health, disease, survivorship, treatment, gender and reproductive longevity. The goals are to continually integrate the best science in the service of the needs of patients and build a community of care that is ready for the challenges of the field in the future

Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker initiation on organ support-free days in patients hospitalized with COVID-19

IMPORTANCE Overactivation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may contribute to poor clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Objective To determine whether angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) initiation improves outcomes in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS In an ongoing, adaptive platform randomized clinical trial, 721 critically ill and 58 non–critically ill hospitalized adults were randomized to receive an RAS inhibitor or control between March 16, 2021, and February 25, 2022, at 69 sites in 7 countries (final follow-up on June 1, 2022). INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomized to receive open-label initiation of an ACE inhibitor (n = 257), ARB (n = 248), ARB in combination with DMX-200 (a chemokine receptor-2 inhibitor; n = 10), or no RAS inhibitor (control; n = 264) for up to 10 days. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was organ support–free days, a composite of hospital survival and days alive without cardiovascular or respiratory organ support through 21 days. The primary analysis was a bayesian cumulative logistic model. Odds ratios (ORs) greater than 1 represent improved outcomes. RESULTS On February 25, 2022, enrollment was discontinued due to safety concerns. Among 679 critically ill patients with available primary outcome data, the median age was 56 years and 239 participants (35.2%) were women. Median (IQR) organ support–free days among critically ill patients was 10 (–1 to 16) in the ACE inhibitor group (n = 231), 8 (–1 to 17) in the ARB group (n = 217), and 12 (0 to 17) in the control group (n = 231) (median adjusted odds ratios of 0.77 [95% bayesian credible interval, 0.58-1.06] for improvement for ACE inhibitor and 0.76 [95% credible interval, 0.56-1.05] for ARB compared with control). The posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitors and ARBs worsened organ support–free days compared with control were 94.9% and 95.4%, respectively. Hospital survival occurred in 166 of 231 critically ill participants (71.9%) in the ACE inhibitor group, 152 of 217 (70.0%) in the ARB group, and 182 of 231 (78.8%) in the control group (posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitor and ARB worsened hospital survival compared with control were 95.3% and 98.1%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this trial, among critically ill adults with COVID-19, initiation of an ACE inhibitor or ARB did not improve, and likely worsened, clinical outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT0273570

A symmetry preserving singular value decomposition

This thesis concentrates on the development, analysis, implementation, and application of a symmetry preserving singular value decomposition (SPSVD). This new factorization enhances the singular value decomposition (SVD)---a powerful method for calculating a low rank approximation to a large data set---by producing the best symmetric low rank approximation to a matrix with respect to the Frobenius norm and matrix-2 norm. Calculating an SPSVD is a two-step process. In the first step, a matrix representation for the symmetry of a given data set must be determined. This process is presented as a novel iterative reweighting method: a scheme which is rapidly convergent in practice and seems to be extremely effective in ignoring outliers of the data. In the second step, the best approximation that maintains the symmetry calculated from the first step is computed. This approximation is designated the SPSVD of the data set. In many situations, the SPSVD needs efficient updating. For instance, if new data is given, then the symmetry of the set may change and an alternative matrix representation has to be formed. A modification in the matrix representation also alters the SPSVD. Therefore, proficient methods to address each of these issues are developed in this thesis. This thesis applies the SPSVD to molecular dynamic (MD) simulations of proteins and to face analysis. Symmetric motions of a molecule may be lost when the SVD is applied to MD trajectories of proteins. This loss is corrected by implementing the SPSVD to create major modes of motion that best describe the symmetric movements of the protein. Moreover, the SPSVD may reduce the noise that often occurs on the side chains of molecules. In face analysis, the SVD is regularly used for compression. Because faces are nearly symmetric, applying the SPSVD to faces creates a more efficient compression. This efficiency is a result of having to store only half the picture for the SPSVD. Therefore, it is apparent that the SPSVD is an effective method for calculating a symmetric low rank approximation for a set of data