Endocan as a biomarker for acute respiratory distress syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background and Aims: Endocan is a marker of endothelial damage. Data regarding the association of this proteoglycan and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is discrepant. Hence, this study sought to investigate the possible correlation between serum/plasma endocan concentration and ARDS. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of international online databases was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase, and Web of Science were searched in March 2023, with the leading search terms being "ARDS" OR "respiratory distress" AND "endocan" and other associated terms. Studies that measured endocan levels in patients with ARDS and compared it with non-ARDS controls or within different severities of ARDS were included. We performed a random-effect meta-analysis for pooling the differences using standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: We included 14 studies involving 1,058 patients. Those developing ARDS had significantly higher levels of endocan compared to those without ARDS (SMD: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.10-0.84, p = 0.01). Our meta-analysis of three studies found that endocan levels in ARDS nonsurvivors were significantly higher than in survivors (SMD: 0.31, 95% CI: 0.02-0.60, p = 0.03). Three studies investigated endocan levels in different severities of ARDS. Only one of these studies reported significantly higher endocan levels in patients with worsening acute respiratory failure at Day 15. The other two reported no significant association between ARDS severity and circulating endocan levels. Conclusion: Blood endocan levels were significantly higher in patients with ARDS than those without. Additionally, among patients with ARDS, blood endocan values were significantly elevated in nonsurvivors compared to survivors. These findings could help researchers design future studies and solidify these findings and finally, clinicians to take advantage of measuring endocan in clinical settings for assessment of patients with ARDS.

Incidence Trends of Vulvar Cancer in the United States: A 20-Year Population-Based Study.

BACKGROUND: Despite being uncommon, vulvar cancer is a serious health concern with a 5-year relative survival rate of 71%. AIMS: The objective was to investigate the incidence rates of this disease across different racial, ethnic, and histological subgroups in the United States, as well as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on this cancer. METHODS: We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) 22 database. The International Classification of Diseases for Oncology Version 3 topologic code C51 was assigned for vulvar cancer. Average annual percent change (AAPC) and the pairwise comparison with the parallelism and coincidence were reported. Counts and age-adjusted incidence rates per 100 000 individuals with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported. RESULTS: The age-adjusted incidence rate of vulvar cancer was 2.40 (95% CI, 2.38-2.43) over the period 2000-2019, with an AAPC of 0.80 (95% CI, 0.63-0.99). By race/ethnicity, only non-Hispanic Whites had an increasing trend over 2000-2019 (AAPC: 1.30; 95% CI, 1.07-1.54). The highest age-adjusted incidence rate of vulvar cancer in the United States was for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). There was a significant decrease in the age-standardized incidence rate of vulvar cancer in all races/ethnicities in all age groups (AAPC: -10.15; 95% CI, -15.35 to -4.94) over 2019-2020. Also, the incidence rates and incident numbers of vulvar cancer increased with aging and peaked at the 85+ age group. CONCLUSION: There was an increase in the incidence rate of vulvar cancer in all races, with a significantly increased trend in non-Hispanic White women from 2000 to 2019. SCC displayed the highest incidence rate among vulvar cancer histological types. It is recommended to conduct further research to identify the relevant risk factors of vulvar cancer in the United States.

Prevalence and associated factors of mild cognitive impairment among middle-aged and older adults: Results of the first phase of Ardakan Cohort Study on Aging.

Background and Aims: Data on mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in low- to middle-income countries are still being determined, despite the fact that most future older adults are expected to reside in these regions. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of MCI in Iran. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 4938 community-dwelling subjects aged 50 years or above in the first wave of the Ardakan Cohort Study on Aging. MCI was evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMTS) in literate and illiterate individuals. The relationship between factors associated with the odds of MCI was assessed through logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of MCI among all participants, the literates and illiterates, was 15.8%, 6.3%, and 36.4%, respectively. It was found that failure to accomplish any of the MMSE or AMTS items was significantly related to MCI (p < 0.001). Age ([odds ratio (OR): 1.05; p < 0.001 in the literates], [OR: 1.06; p < 0.001 in the illiterates]), sex (OR: 0.13; p < 0.001 in the illiterates), history of stroke ([OR: 2.86; p = 0.006 in the literates], [OR: 2.04; p = 0.045 in the illiterates]), and depression ([OR: 1.87; p < 0.001 in the literates], [OR: 1.41; p = 0.008 in the illiterates]) were significantly associated with MCI. Conclusion: This study highlights the significant associations between age, education, depression, stroke, and MCI in Iranian participants. These findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions in low-literacy populations, mental health screening, and stroke prevention strategies to mitigate the burden of MCI and enhance cognitive health.

Incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) and outcomes in COVID-19 patients with and without antiviral medications: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury is a complication of COVID-19 and is associated with severity. Despite no specific antiviral treatment strategy, lopinavir/ritonavir and remdesivir have been used. Data on the association between AKI and receiving antiviral agents with outcomes in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 is scarce. We aimed to determine the incidence of AKI and its outcomes in COVID-19 patients with and without antiviral medications. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study on hospitalized adult patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection in a tertiary center. The primary endpoint was determining mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and length of hospitalization affected by AKI development using antiviral agents. The logistic regression method was used to explore the predictive effects of AKI and antiviral therapy on composite outcomes (i.e., mortality, ICU admission, and prolonged hospitalization) in four defined groups by AKI development/not and utilizing antivirals/not. We used IBM SPSS version 24.0 software for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Out of 833 COVID-19 patients who were included, 75 patients were treated with antiviral agents and developed AKI. There was a significant difference in the occurrence of AKI and using antiviral medications (p = 0.001). Also, the group using antiviral agents and the development of AKI had the highest rate of preexisting hypertension (p = 0.002). Of note, the group of patients who used antiviral agents and also developed AKI had the most remarkable association with our composite outcome (p<0.0001), especially ICU admission (OR = 15.22; 95% CI: 8.06-27.32). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of AKI among COVID-19 patients treated with antiviral agents is linked to increased severity and mortality. Therefore, it is imperative to explore preventive measures for AKI development in patients receiving antiviral therapy. Larger-scale randomized controlled trials may be warranted to provide a more comprehensive understanding of these associations.

Burkitt lymphoma presenting as cecum mass and spontaneous tumor lysis syndrome with hypercalcemia.

Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) could be primarily presented with various symptoms. We reported a woman with abdominal pain and mass who later developed spontaneous TLS with hypercalcemia, and was diagnosed with BL. Clinicians should suspect BL in case of any abdominal mass, especially with an aggressive course, to avoid further complications.

Takotsubo syndrome and COVID-19: A systematic review.

Background and Aims: Takotsubo syndrome (TTS), also known as stress cardiomyopathy, is characterized by acute and transient left ventricular dysfunction and has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Herein, we aim to review studies on TTS that were associated with COVID-19 infection, vaccine, and other COVID-19-related etiologies including psychosocial stressors. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus up to May 12, 2022. We included case reports, case series, and original articles that reported at least one TTS case associated with COVID-19, or TTS cases after receiving COVID-19 vaccines, or TTS cases secondary to psychological stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The quality assessment was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist. Results: Sixty-seven articles including 102 cases were included. Hypertension was the most frequently accompanying comorbidity (N = 67 [65.6%]) and the mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 36.5%. Among COVID-19 patients, the in-hospital mortality rate was 33.3%. On the other hand, only one COVID-19-negative individual expired (2.3%). The most common presenting clinical symptom was dyspnea in 42 (73.6%) patients. the mean time interval from the first symptom to admission was 7.2 days. The most common chest imaging finding was ground-glass opacity which was reported in 14 (31.1%) participants. The most common abnormalities were T-wave inversion in 35 (43.2%) and ST-segment elevation in 30 (37%). Brain natriuretic peptide and troponin were elevated in 94.7% and 95.9% of participants, respectively. Conclusion: The TTS in patients with COVID-19 is almost rare, whereas it could lead to a great mortality and morbidity. An individual with COVID-19, especially an elderly woman, presented with dyspnea in addition to a rise in brain natriuretic peptide and troponin should be evaluated for TTS.

Different incidences of acute kidney injury (AKI) and outcomes in COVID-19 patients with and without non-azithromycin antibiotics: A retrospective study.

In late December 2019, an outbreak of a novel coronavirus which caused coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was initiated. Acute kidney injury (AKI) was associated with higher severity and mortality of COVID-19. We aimed to evaluate the effects of comorbidities and medications in addition to determining the association between AKI, antibiotics against coinfections (AAC) and outcomes of patients. We conducted a retrospective study on adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in a tertiary center. Our primary outcomes were the incidence rate of AKI based on comorbidities and medications. The secondary outcome was to determine mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and prolonged hospitalization by AKI and AAC. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression method was used to explore predictive effects of AKI and AAC on outcomes. Out of 854 included participants, 118 patients developed AKI in whom, 57 used AAC and 61 did not. Hypertension and diabetes were the most common comorbidities in patients developed AKI. AAC, lopinavir/ritonavir, ribavirin, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers, and corticosteroids had significant higher rate of administration in patients developed AKI. AAC were associated with higher deaths (odds ratio [OR] = 5.13; 95% confidence interval (CI): 3-8.78) and ICU admission (OR = 5.87; 95%CI: 2.81-12.27), while AKI had higher OR for prolonged hospitalization (3.37; 95%CI: 1.76-6.45). Both AKI and AAC are associated with poor prognosis of COVID-19. Defining strict criteria regarding indications and types of antibiotics would help overcoming concomitant infections and minimizing related adverse events.