Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and red blood cell indices association in pediatrics patients with fever and cough: A cross-sectional study.

Background and Aims: The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is an essential inflammatory marker in treating some patients, particularly children. The level of ESR can be affected by red blood cell (RBC) indices, and not considering this can complicate the interpretation of ESR and the treatment and follow-up of patients. The study aimed to assess the association between ESR and RBC indices in children hospitalized with fever and cough in the pediatric ward of Imam Khomeini Hospital, Jiroft, in 2023. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to measure the association between ESR and RBC indices in children hospitalized with fever and cough in the pediatric ward of Imam Khomeini Hospital, Jiroft, in 2023. A total of 156 patients participated in the study. SPSS software was used for statistical analysis. Results: The mean age of participants was 27.26 ± 3.14 months. The results showed that there is a significant negative correlation between ESR and RBC, r = -0.282 (p < 0.001), and ESR and hematocrit (HCT), r = -0.215 (p = 0.007). Also, the results demonstrated that there is a significant positive correlation between ESR and mean corpuscular volume (MCV), r = 0.159 (p = 0.048), ESR and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), r = 0.214 (p = 0.007), and ESR and mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), r = 0.209 (p = 0.009). There was a negative correlation between ESR and hemoglobin (Hb), r = -0.98 (p = 0.225), but this correlation was insignificant. Conclusion: This study showed an association between ESR and RBC indices in hospitalized children with complaints of fever and cough. So, it is necessary that physicians and treatment staff pay attention to the RBC indices while interpreting and following up the results of ESR to complete the treatment process of patients.

Indications, success, and adverse event rates of pediatric endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: To improve knowledge on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in children, we aimed to study the proportion of indications, success rate and complication of ERCP. METHODS: We performed a systematic search of all articles published up to December 2022 in the following databases: Cochrane Library, PubMed (MEDLINE) and Scopus. The meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was determined by the I2 statistics and the Cochrane Q test. The included data were analyzed to identify the proportion of indications, success rate and complications of ERCP in children. RESULTS: Based on data from 52 studies with a total of 5624 participants, the most common indications for ERCP in children were biliary [48% (95% CI: 0.40 - 0.57; I2 = 98.17%, P < 0.001)] and both biliary and pancreatic [41% (95% CI: 0.33 - 0.49; I2 = 98.27%, P < 0.001)]. The success rate of ERCP was 95% (95% CI: 0.94 - 0.96; I2 = 82.53%, P < 0.001) with the overall complication rate of 7% (95% CI: 0.05 - 0.09; I2 = 82.06%, P < 0.001). The pooled estimate for the incidence of post ERCP pancreatitis was 4% (95% CI: 0.03 - 0.06; I2 = 85.46%, P < 0.001) and the bleeding was 0% (95% CI: 0.0 - 0.0; I2 = 28.21%, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: ERCP appears to be performed safely in children with a similar success rate as in the adult population.

Nonlinear dielectric spectroscopy biosensor for SARS-CoV-2 detection.

The coronavirus disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has affected people worldwide for more than two years. Here we present a new diagnostic method based on nonlinear dielectric spectroscopy to detect the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in swab samples. A known current is injected into the virus sample suspension, and the biomarker is the third harmonic detected in the power spectrum of the recorded signal. Computational modeling of harmonic production supports the hypothesis of ion channels (the E-protein) with nonlinear current-voltage characteristics being present on the virus envelope as a possible origin of harmonics. The developed system is able to distinguish between positive and negative samples with 5-10 dBc (decibels relative to the carrier) higher third harmonic ratios in positive samples, in agreement with the computational estimation. Our early results demonstrate that this method can detect the virus in solution. This is the first time harmonic signatures are used to detect SARS-CoV-2 in swab samples.

Neuroscience-Informed Psychoeducation for Recovery: A Program to Promote Metacognition in People With Substance Use Disorders.

INTRODUCTION: A brief neuroscience-informed psychoeducation program (Neuroscience-Informed Psychoeducation for Recovery [NIPER]) was developed to promote awareness (metacognition) in the main cognitive domains affected by drug and alcohol use to increase willingness to invest time and effort in the brain and cognition recovery process. The primary aim of this pilot study was to determine the feasibility and acceptability of the NIPER program and its potential effectiveness in increasing metacognition, psychological wellbeing, and willingness for the brain and cognition recovery programs among patients with Substance Use Disorders (SUDs). METHODS: A total of 56 patients with SUDs were recruited from four outpatient treatment centers in Tehran City, Iran. They participated in four 90-min weekly sessions delivered adjunct to their routine treatment. The program's effectiveness was measured in terms of metacognition and psychological wellbeing at baseline and the end of the program. The rate of adherence and participation and willingness to continue with brain and cognition recovery programs were measured as feasibility outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 51 participants completed the study. Compared to the baseline assessments, patients reported more problems in dimensions of attention, memory, inhibitory control, decision making, motor/speech, interoception, insight, and a higher level of psychological wellbeing (t=4.66; P<0.001). In terms of feasibility outcomes, the adherence and participation rates were found above 85%. Most participants expressed their high willingness to continue the brain and cognition recovery programs (86.2%) and would introduce NIPER to their peers (98%). CONCLUSION: Considering the pilot results in terms of feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of NIPER in the clinical context of addiction treatment, we think that NIPER is a potentially beneficial intervention to be offered to people with SUD. It would increase their awareness and engage them in the brain and cognition recovery process. However, the clinical efficacy of the intervention should be tested in future randomized clinical trials.

The effect of microwave/laboratory light source postcuring technique and wet-aging on microhardness of composite resin.

BACKGROUND: Although composite restorations are really valuable for esthetic zones, they have shown less longevity rather than amalgam restorations. Since it may be related to the method used for curing the composite, postcuring could increase the degree of conversion and result in more long-lasting composite restorations. This study was planned to evaluate the effect of two different postcuring techniques on microhardness of indirect composite resin after wet-aging and comparing them with the direct type. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, 99 composite disk-shaped (6.5 × 2.5 mm) specimens of composite (Gradia GC, Japan) were prepared in split mold. The indirect composite specimens were postcured by laboratory light source (Labolite LV-III GC Corp, Japan) or microwave unit (MC 2002 JR, LG, Korea). Then, the aging procedure was done for 24 h, 30 and 180 days in distilled water. The Vicker's Hardness test (VHN) on surface of specmens was measured by Wolpert microhardness tester and the data were analyzed by the two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's post hoc tests. (P ≤ 0.05). RESULTS: The statistical analysis revealed that surface microhardness of postcured composite by microwave and laboratory light source was more than that of direct composite (P = 0.0001) and postcuring by microwave was more effective than postcuring by laboratory light source (P = 0.004). The 30 days stored composite demonstrated significant decrease of VHN compared with the 24-h stored samples (P = 0.0001), with a more significant VHN decrease after 180 days of aging (P = 0.045). CONCLUSION: Postcuring increased the surface microhardness and aging reduced the surface microhardness of indirect composite.