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Objective To investigate the difference of the disease progression in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with different muscle mass levels and the influence of related factors on the disease progression. Methods A total of 308 newly diagnosed patients with COPD from February 2021 to February 2022 were selected for this study. All patients were below moderate COPD. The patients were divided into two groups according to their muscle mass levels: sarcopenia group (98 cases) and control group (210 cases). The diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia were based on sarcopenia diagnostic thresholds: RSMI 2 in men and 2 for women. All subjects were followed up for 4 months to observe the progress of the patient's condition. The correlation between the muscle mass level and pulmonary function level, as well as the results of 6-minute walking test and CAT score was evaluated, and the influence of muscle mass level on the patient's disease progress was analyzed. At the same time, the potential influence of related factors (body fat rate, vitamin D level, etc.) on the condition of patients with different muscle mass levels was discussed. SPSS 19.0 software was used to perform statistical analysis. Results Under the same treatment intervention, the baseline and follow-up lung function improvement levels of patients in the sarcopenia group were lower than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). At the same time, the baseline and follow-up 6-minute walk test results of the patients in the sarcopenia group were also worse than those of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Further correlation analysis was carried out between the patient's muscle mass level and the post-treatment pulmonary function indicators and 6MWD test level. The results showed that the muscle mass level was positively correlated with several pulmonary function indicators (FEV1, FEV1% predict) and 6MWD (both P<0.05). Considering the possible influence of other factors on the control and progress of the patient's condition, the present study used follow-up CAT score results to distinguish the prognosis of the patient's condition improvement, and used improvement and non-improvement as dependent variables to analyze the influence of various potential influencing factors. The results of regression model analysis showed that lower baseline muscle mass, women, lower body fat percentage, and lower vitamin D level were the main risk factors. Conclusion Under the same treatment condition, COPD patients with different muscle mass levels improve more slowly when complicated with sarcopenia and have poor prognosis. Women, lower body fat percentage and lower vitamin D level are potential risk factors for poor prognosis.
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Objective:To investigate the risk factors of early neurological deterioration (END) in patients with minor ischemic stroke caused by large vessel occlusion (LVO) and the impact of rescue endovascular thromboectomy (REVT) on clinical outcomes of patients with END at discharge.Methods:Consecutive patients with acute minor ischemic stroke caused by LVO within 24 h of onset in the Third Affiliated Hospital, Soochow University from January 2021 to March 2023 were retrospectively enrolled. Minor ischemic stroke was defined as baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score ≤5 at admission. END was defined as an increase of ≥4 in the NIHSS score within 24 h after the best medical management. The modified Rankin Scale was used to evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients with END at discharge. 0-2 was defined as a good outcome. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent risk factors for END and the impact of REVT on clinical outcomes in patients with END. Results:A total of 75 patients with minor ischemic stroke caused by LVO were included, of which 31 (41.3%) developed END and 13 (41.9%) underwent REVT after END. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that internal carotid artery occlusion was an independent risk factor for END (odds ratio 4.304, 95% confidence interval 1.213-15.270; P=0.024), and REVT was an independent protective factor for good outcomes in patients with END (odds ratio 0.068, 95% confidence interval 0.006-0.774; P=0.030). Conclusions:The incidence of END is higher in patients with minor ischemic stroke caused by LVO, and internal carotid artery occlusion is an independent risk factor for the occurrence of END. Providing REVT after END may improve the clinical outcomes of patients with END at discharge.
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Objective:To investigate the effectiveness and safety of endovascular therapy for acute progressive stroke caused by large vessel occlusion (LVO).Methods:Patients with progressive stroke caused by LVO admitted to the Department of Neurology, Yueyang Central Hospital from January 2019 to February 2022 were retrospective included. Patients with an Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) or posterior circulation ASPECTS (pc-ASPECTS) ≥6 after progression were selected for endovascular therapy, including mechanical thromboectomy, thrombus aspiration, balloon angioplasty, stenting, or a combination of the above methods. Patients in the time window (anterior circulation within 12 h and posterior circulation within 24 h) and outside the time window (anterior circulation >12 h, posterior circulation >24 h) as well as those in the anterior and posterior circulation were compared.Results:A total of 20 patients with progressive stroke caused by LVO received endovascular treatment were included. There were 17 males and 3 females, aged 59.45±12.06 years. Three patients (15%) developed asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and 12 (60%) had a good outcome 3 months after procedure. There were no statistically significant differences in the rate of successful vascular recanalization, incidence of intracranial hemorrhage, and the rate of poor outcomes between patients within and outside the time window and between the patients with anterior and posterior circulation.Conclusion:Endovascular therapy may be safe and effective for patients with progressive stroke caused by LVO with ASPECTS or pc-ASPECTS scores ≥6.
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Objective:To investigate the predictive value of monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR) for early neurological deterioration (END) and hemorrhagic transformation (HT) after intravenous thrombolysis in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).Methods:Patients with AIS received IVT in Hefei Second People's Hospital from May 2020 to January 2022 were retrospectively enrolled. Blood collection was completed and MHR was calculated before intravenous thrombolysis. END was defined as an increase of ≥2 from the baseline in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score or ≥1 from the baseline in motor function score at any time within 7 d after admission. HT was defined as intracranial hemorrhage newly found by CT/MRI within 24 h after intravenous thrombolysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent predictors of END and HT, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the predictive value of MHR for END and HT. Results:A total of 186 patients with AIS treated with IVT were included, of which 50 (26.9%) had END and 31 (16.7%) had HT. The median MHR was 0.43. The MHR in the END group was significantly higher than that in the non-END group (0.49 vs. 0.40; P=0.008), and the MHR in the HT group was significantly higher than that in the non-HT group (0.52 vs. 0.40; P=0.013). All patients were divided into 4 groups (MHR1, MHR2, MHR3 and MHR4) according to the MHR quartile from low to high. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for confounding factors, taking MHR1 as a reference, MHR3 (odds ratio [ OR] 6.317, 95% confidence interval [ CI] 1.465-27.237; P=0.013) and MHR4 ( OR 8.064, 95% CI 1.910-34.051; P=0.005) were the significant independent predictors of END; Taking MHR1 as a reference, MHR4 ( OR 5.147, 95% CI 1.194-22.182; P=0.028) was the significant independent predictor of HT. The ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve of MHR for predicting END was 0.628 (95% CI 0.554-0.698; P=0.008). When the optimal MHR cutoff value was 0.41, its sensitivity and specificity for predicting END was 74.0% and 53.7% respectively. The area under the curve of MHR for predicting HT was 0.642 (95% CI 0.569-0.711; P=0.013). When the best cutoff value was 0.44, the sensitivity and specificity of MHR for predicting HT were 77.4% and 58.1% respectively. Conclusion:Higher MHR is a risk factor for END and HT after intravenous thrombolysis in patients with AIS, but the predictive value of MHR for END and HT is limited.
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ObjectivesBased on the changes of lung lesions in patients with COVID-19 at different stages， a nomogram model describing CT image features was established by radiomics method to explore its efficacy in predicting the progression of the disease. MethodsThis retrospective study enrolled 136 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia who received at least two CTs including three cohorts （training cohort and validation cohort 1 and 2）. Patients in the training cohort were divided into three groups according to time between onset of fever symptoms and the first CT. The clinical manifestations and CT features of each group were analyzed and compared. A nomogram to predict disease progression was constructed according to the CT features of the patients， and its performance was evaluated. ResultsThe training cohort consisted of 41 patients.A nomogram was generated to predict disease progression based on three CT features： irregular strip shadow， air bronchial sign， and the proportion of lesions with irregular shape ≥50%. AUC（95%CI）=0.906（0.817，0.995）.The C index of the training cohort was 0.906， and the C index of the internal verification was 0.892. AUC（95%CI）of the validation cohort 1 （34 cases） =0.889（0.793，0.984）；AUC（95%CI）of the validation cohort 2 （61 cases）=0.876（0.706，1.000）.The calibration curves show that the predicted values of the nomogram are in good agreement with the observed values. ConclusionThe nomogram model based on CT radiomics can predict the outcome of lung lesions in patients with high sensitivity and specificity.According to the changes of CT image characteristics of patients with COVID-19， lung lesions will be improved when the proportion of irregular cable shadow， air bronchogram and irregular lesions is greater than 50%.
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OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of adipocytes in the bone marrow microenvironment of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) on the pathogenesis of MM.@*METHODS@#Bone marrow adipocytes (BMA) in bone marrow smears of health donors (HD) and newly diagnosed MM (ND-MM) patients were evaluated with oil red O staining. The mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) from HD and ND-MM patients were isolated, and in vitro co-culture assay was used to explore the effects of MM cells on the adipogenic differentiation of MSC and the role of BMA in the survival and drug resistance of MM cells. The expression of adipogenic/osteogenic differentiation-related genes PPAR-γ, DLK1, DGAT1, FABP4, FASN and ALP both in MSC and MSC-derived adipocytes was determined with real-time quantitative PCR. The Western blot was employed to detect the expression levels of IL-6, IL-10, SDF-1α, TNF-α and IGF-1 in the supernatant with or without PPAR-γ inhibitor.@*RESULTS@#The results of oil red O staining of bone marrow smears showed that BMA increased significantly in patients of ND-MM compared with the normal control group, and the BMA content was related to the disease status. The content of BMA decreased in the patients with effective chemotherapy. MM cells up-regulated the expression of MSC adipogenic differentiation-related genes PPAR-γ, DLK1, DGAT1, FABP4 and FASN, but the expression of osteogenic differentiation-related gene ALP was significantly down-regulated. This means that the direct consequence of the interaction between MM cells and MSC in the bone marrow microenvironment is to promote the differentiation of MSC into adipocytes at the expense of osteoblasts, and the cytokines detected in supernatant changed. PPAR-γ inhibitor G3335 could partially reverse the release of cytokines by BMA. Those results confirmed that BMA regulated the release of cytokines via PPAR-γ signal, and PPAR-γ inhibitor G3335 could distort PPAR-γ mediated BMA maturation and cytokines release. The increased BMA and related cytokines effectively promoted the proliferation, migration and drug resistance of MM cells.@*CONCLUSION@#The BMA and its associated cytokines are the promoting factors in the survival, proliferation and migration of MM cells. BMA can protect MM cells from drug-induced apoptosis and plays an important role in MM treatment failure and disease progression.
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Humans , Osteogenesis/genetics , Bone Marrow/metabolism , Multiple Myeloma/metabolism , Drug Resistance, Neoplasm , Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors/pharmacology , Cell Differentiation , Adipogenesis , Cytokines/metabolism , Adipocytes/metabolism , Bone Marrow Cells/metabolism , Cells, Cultured , PPAR gamma/pharmacology , Tumor MicroenvironmentABSTRACT
Mitogen-activated protein kinase-8-interacting protein 2 (MAPK8IP2) is a scaffold protein that modulates MAPK signal cascades. Although MAPK pathways were heavily implicated in prostate cancer progression, the regulation of MAPK8IP2 expression in prostate cancer is not yet reported. We assessed MAPK8IP2 gene expression in prostate cancer related to disease progression and patient survival outcomes. MAPK8IP2 expression was analyzed using multiple genome-wide gene expression datasets derived from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) RNA-sequence project and complementary DNA (cDNA) microarrays. Multivariable Cox regressions and log-rank tests were used to analyze the overall survival outcome and progression-free interval. MAPK8IP2 protein expression was evaluated using the immunohistochemistry approach. The quantitative PCR and Western blot methods analyzed androgen-stimulated MAPK8IP2 expression in LNCaP cells. In primary prostate cancer tissues, MAPK8IP2 mRNA expression levels were significantly higher than those in the case-matched benign prostatic tissues. Increased MAPK8IP2 expression was strongly correlated with late tumor stages, lymph node invasion, residual tumors after surgery, higher Gleason scores, and preoperational serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. MAPK8IP2 upregulation was significantly associated with worse overall survival outcomes and progression-free intervals. In castration-resistant prostate cancers, MAPK8IP2 expression strongly correlated with androgen receptor (AR) signaling activity. In cell culture-based experiments, MAPK8IP2 expression was stimulated by androgens in AR-positive prostate cancer cells. However, MAPK8IP2 expression was blocked by AR antagonists only in androgen-sensitive LNCaP but not castration-resistant C4-2B and 22RV1 cells. These results indicate that MAPK8IP2 is a robust prognostic factor and therapeutic biomarker for prostate cancer. The potential role of MAPK8IP2 in the castration-resistant progression is under further investigation.
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Male , Humans , Androgens/therapeutic use , Receptors, Androgen/genetics , Prognosis , Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 8/therapeutic use , Cell Line, Tumor , Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology , Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant/drug therapy , Gene Expression Regulation, NeoplasticABSTRACT
Objective: To analyze the clinical presentation and progression risk factors of patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) in China. Methods: We retrospectively assessed the clinical features and disease progression of 1 037 patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance between January 2004 and January 2022 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Results: A total of 1 037 patients were recruited in the study, including 636 males (63.6%) , with a median age of 58 (18-94) years. The median concentration of serum monoclonal protein was 2.7 (0-29.4) g/L. The monoclonal immunoglobulin type was IgG in 380 patients (59.7%) , IgA in 143 patients (22.5%) , IgM in 103 patients (16.2%) , IgD in 4 patients (0.6%) , and light chain in 6 patients (0.9%) . 171 patients (31.9%) had an abnormal serum-free light chain ratio (sFLCr) . According to the Mayo Clinic model for risk of progression, the proportion of patients in the low-risk, medium-low-risk, medium-high risk, and high-risk groups were 254 (59.5%) , 126 (29.5%) , 43 (10.1%) , and 4 (0.9%) , respectively. With a median follow-up of 47 (1-204) months, 34 of 795 patients (4.3%) had disease progression, and 22 (2.8%) died. The overall progression rate was 1.06 (0.99-1.13) /100 person-years. Patients with non-IgM MGUS have a markedly higher disease progression rate per 100 person-years than IgM-MGUS (2.87/100 person-years vs 0.99/100 person-years, P=0.002) . The disease progression rate per 100 person-years in non-IgM-MGUS patients of Mayo classification low-risk, medium-low risk and medium-high risk groups were 0.32 (0.25-0.39) /100 person-years, 1.82 (1.55-2.09) /100 person-years, and2.71 (1.93-3.49) /100 person-years, which had statistically difference (P=0.005) . Conclusion: In comparison to non-IgM-MGUS, IgM-MGUS has a greater risk of disease progression. The Mayo Clinic progression risk model applies to non-IgM-MGUS patients in China.
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Male , Humans , Middle Aged , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , Immunoglobulin Light Chains , Disease ProgressionABSTRACT
Introduction: Chronic migraine is a debilitating condition that affects a significant portion of the population. Accurate diagnosis and treatment of chronic migraine remain a challenge due to the lack of objective biomarkers. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a neuropeptide involved in the pathophysiology of migraine and has been proposed as a potential biomarker for migraine. Methods: We measured CGRP levels in peripheral blood samples collected from 142 participants with chronic or episodic migraine and 24 healthy controls during ictal periods, i.e., outside migraine attacks. We compared CGRP levels between the three groups and assessed the correlation between CGRP levels and clinical features of chronic migraine. Conclusion: Our study provides evidence that CGRP levels in peripheral blood during ictal periods may serve as a potential biomarker for chronic migraine. Further studies are needed to validate these findings and to explore the clinical utility of CGRP as a biomarker for chronic migraine.
Introdução: A enxaqueca crônica é uma condição debilitante que afeta uma parcela significativa da população. O diagnóstico preciso e o tratamento da enxaqueca crónica continuam a ser um desafio devido à falta de biomarcadores objetivos. O peptídeo relacionado ao gene da calcitonina (CGRP) é um neuropeptídeo envolvido na fisiopatologia da enxaqueca e foi proposto como um potencial biomarcador para enxaqueca. Métodos: Medimos os níveis de CGRP em amostras de sangue periférico coletadas de 142 participantes com enxaqueca crônica ou episódica e 24 controles saudáveis ââdurante períodos ictais, ou seja, fora das crises de enxaqueca. Comparamos os níveis de CGRP entre os três grupos e avaliamos a correlação entre os níveis de CGRP e as características clínicas da enxaqueca crônica. Conclusão: Nosso estudo fornece evidências de que os níveis de CGRP no sangue periférico durante os períodos ictais podem servir como um potencial biomarcador para enxaqueca crônica. Mais estudos são necessários para validar estes resultados e explorar a utilidade clínica do CGRP como biomarcador para enxaqueca crónica.
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BackgroundQuality of life， as a major criterion for judging the clinical outcome of ovarian cancer patients， can be affected by adverse psychological symptoms of patients. Meanwhile， fear of disease progression， as a frequent psychological symptom among cancer survivors， is significantly influenced by metacognition， while there is a paucity of research into the specific correlation among the three in patients with ovarian cancer. ObjectiveTo explore the correlation among fear of disease progression， metacognition and quality of life in patients with ovarian cancer， and to test the role of fear of disease progression in the relationship between metacognition and quality of life， so as to provide references for improving the quality of life in patients with ovarian cancer. MethodsA total of 135 patients with ovarian cancer hospitalized in Cangzhou People's Hospital of Hebei Province from January 2019 to December 2022 were selected. All subjects were requested to complete the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Ovarian Cancer （FACT-O）， Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form （FoP-Q-SF） and Metacognition Questionnaire （MCQ） to assess their quality of life， fear of disease progression and metacognitive level. Pearson correlation analysis was adopted to examine the correlation among the above scales. Process v3.5 macro program was utilized to determine the mediating effect of fear of disease progression on the relationship between metacognition and quality of life， and nonparametric Bootstrap with bias-correction was used to test the mediating effect. ResultsA total of 122 patients （90.37%） with ovarian cancer completed the effective questionnaire survey. Patients scored （90.52±17.13） on FACT-O， （68.52±16.31） on MCQ， and （37.72±8.91） on FoP-Q-SF. Pearson correlation analysis denoted that FoP-Q-SF score was negatively correlated with FACT-O score （r=-0.412， P<0.05） and positively correlated with MCQ score （r=0.241， P<0.05）， and MCQ score was negatively correlated with FACT-O score （r=-0.453， P<0.05）. Analysis demonstrated that the total effect of metacognition on quality of life was -0.298 （95% CI： -0.402~-0.186）. The direct effect of metacognition on quality of life was -0.219 （95% CI： -0.504~-0.277）， accounting for 73.49% of the total effect， and the indirect effect of metacognition on quality of life via fear of disease progression was -0.079 （95% CI： -0.162~-0.037）， accounting for 26.51% of the total effect. ConclusionQuality of life is reduced in patients with ovarian cancer， and fear of disease progression plays a partial mediating role in the relationship between metacognition and quality of life.
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Objective:To identify the prevalence of pulmonary micro nodule (PMN) in osteosarcoma, investigate radiologic features of progressive PMN, and provide evidence for early diagnosis of pulmonary metastasis of osteosarcoma.Methods:Electronic articles published in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library databases between January 1, 2000, and September 1, 2022, were searched and critically evaluated. The authors independently reviewed the abstracts and extracted data on the prevalence of PMN in osteosarcoma and radiologic features of progressive PMN. Seven high quality studies were finally included in the meta-analysis with evidence level III.Results:The pooled prevalence of PMN in osteosarcoma was 36.0%, 95% CI (14.6%, 57.3%). The pooled progressive rate of PMN was 52.5%, 95% CI (37.7%, 67.2%). As for a specific PMN, it was more likely to progress which had a larger Dmax, HR=2.40, 95% CI (1.06, 5.42), P=0.035. No significant difference was found in number, component, and border. Conclusion:PMN is quite common in patients with osteosarcoma. About half of the patients suffered the progression of PMN, and it is related to several risk factors.
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Objective:To investigate the value of red cell distribution width (RDW), procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), mean platelet volume (MPV)/platelet count (PLT) in predicting the prognosis of patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).Methods:The clinical data of 137 patients with AECOPD admitted to the Department of Laboratory Medicine of Haiyang People's Hospital from March 2020 to March 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. According to their prognosis, these patients were divided into the survival group ( n = 99) and the death group ( n = 38). RDW, MPV, and PLT were measured using a blood cell analyzer (mindray ABC5390) in all patients. PCT and CRP levels were measured using the ETHealthcare instrument in all patients. RDW, PCT, CRP, and MPV/PLT were compared between the two groups. The value of RDW, PCT, CRP and MPV/PLT in predicting the prognosis of patients with AECOPD was analyzed using receiver operating characteristic curves. Results:The length of hospital stay and hospitalization expenses in the survival group were (10.75 ± 2.51) days and (1.49 ± 0.46) ten thousand yuan, respectively, which were significantly shorter and lower than (12.81 ± 3.36) days and (2.18 ± 0.57) ten thousand yuan in the death group ( t = 6.11, 14.45, both P < 0.05). The level of PLT in the survival group was significantly higher than that in the death group [(214.01± 63.97) × 10 9/L vs. (189.04 ± 61.75) × 10 9/L, t = 2.07, P < 0.05]. RDW, PCT, CRP, MPV, and MPV/PLT in the survival group were (13.18 ± 2.30)%, (4.30 ± 1.82) ng/L, (31.06 ± 10.38) mg/L, (11.39 ± 2.16) fL, and (0.05 ± 0.01), respectively, which were significantly lower than (16.65 ± 1.78)%, (9.55 ± 2.11) ng/L, (68.21 ± 20.94) mg/L, (12.28 ± 2.09) fL, (0.06 ± 0.02) in the death group ( t = 8.38, 14.45, 13.82, 2.18, 3.88, all P < 0.05). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis results showed that the area under the curves depicting the value of RDW, PCT, CRP, MPV/PLT and their combination in predicting AECOPD was 0.831, 0.978, 0.966, 0.713, 0.988, with the predictive sensitivity of 62.6%, 89.9%, 91.9%, 59.6%, 98.0%, respectively, and the predictive specificity of 97.4%, 97.4%, 100.0%, 65.8%, 92.1%, respectively. Conclusion:Combined detection of RDW, PCT, CRP and MPV/PLT has a high value for the prediction of AECOPD. Corresponding indicators should be selected according to the actual situation of patients to guide clinical diagnosis and treatment.
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Background: Dengue fever is an acute febrile illness, ranging from asymptomatic to severe state in connection with hosts immune response. Several biochemical markers such as decreased platelet count, prolonged prothrombin duration, and increased hematocrit level have been recommended to evaluate disease severity. Due to lack of their clinical relevance, evaluation of serum ferritin is distinguishing feature to predict the disease severity at the early stage of infection. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the levels of serum ferritin as an early predictor of infection severity in children with dengue fever. Materials and Methods: Seventy-four patients diagnosed with dengue fever by non-structural protein 1 antigen positive and ?12 years of age were recruited. Hematological investigation such as platelet count, C-reactive protein (CRP), complete blood picture, liver function tests, renal function tests, and serum ferritin was assessed. Cases were monitored for disease progression status and platelet count too. Categorical variables were assessed by Chi-square test and descriptive statistics were used to represent demographic data. Results: The mean differences of the levels of platelet count, CRP, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein were statistically significant among severe and non-severe dengue cases. Serum ferritin levels in children with severe dengue fever showed 876.42 ng/ml, 1048.94 ng/ml and 1573.20 ng/ml on 3rd, 4th, and 5th day, respectively. Whereas, cases with non-severe dengue showed 431.12 ng/ml, 612.20 ng/ml, and 698.41 ng/ml on 3rd, 4th, and 5th day, respectively. Conclusion: Serum ferritin levels were significantly increased with severity dengue fever on 3rd, 4th, and 5th day of infection. Thus, serum ferritin is an efficient biomarker in estimating the dengue fever severity and progression at early stage of infection in children.
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Objective. The present study aims to evaluate the conditions associated with the progression of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and patients' dysfunctions. Methods. We perform aretrospective longitudinal analytical observational study in 46 patients with MS from a polyclinic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We used the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) to rank the pa-tients according to their disability and establish a correlation with risk factors, treatment, and time of disease. Results. Of 46 patients, 69.6% were female, and 67.4% were white. Patients with fewer functional systems affected at the beginning of the disease had a longer time for disease progression, according to EDSS. Low-efficacy drugs led to a high rate of discon-tinuation of the treatment. Patients who used a continuous treatment took longer to reach higher EDSS values than those who discontinued treatment. Conclusion. Despite the control of MS with high-effective drugs, there is still some disability for the patient. The factors that influenced the progression of the disability were: multiple symptoms at the beginning of the disease, more than 30 years old at the beginning of the MS, delay in diagnosis and initiation of treatment, among others. (AU)
Objetivo. O presente estudo tem como objetivo avaliar as condições associadas à progressão de doença e disfunções dos pacientes com Esclerose Múltipla (EM). Métodos. Estudo observacional analítico longitudinal retrospectivo com 46 pacientes com EM de uma policlínica do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Foi utilizada a Escala de Incapacidade Funcional Expan-dida (EDSS) para classificar os pacientes de acordo com a incapacidade e estabelecer correlação com fatores de risco, tratamento e tempo de doença. Resultados. Dos 46 pacientes, 69,6% eram do sexo feminino e 67,4% eram brancos. Pacientes com menos sistemas funcionais afetados no início da EM levaram maior tempo para progressão da doença. Medicamentos de baixa eficácia foram associados a uma alta taxa de descontinuação do tratamento. Pacientes em trata-mento contínuo levaram maior tempo para atingir valores mais altos de EDSS comparado com pacientes que descon-tinuaram o tratamento. Conclusão. Apesar do controle da EM com medicamentos de alta eficácia, os pacientes ainda apresentam alguma incapacidade. Os fatores que influenciaram a progressão da incapacidade foram: múltiplos sintomas no início da doença, mais de 30 anos no início da EM, atraso no diagnóstico e início do tratamento, entre outros. (AU)
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Humans , Male , Female , Therapeutics , Disabled Persons , Disease Progression , Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting/therapyABSTRACT
SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the impact of tumor necrosis in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer on patients' recurrence and progression rates and survival outcomes. METHODS: This study was conducted retrospectively in a single tertiary center in Turkey. Medical records of patients who underwent transurethral resection of the bladder tumor between January 2016 and January 2021 were reviewed. Patients with pTa and pT1 non-muscle invasive bladder cancer who had undergone complete resection were included in our study. All pathological specimens were reevaluated for the presence of tumor necrosis. RESULTS: A total of 287 patients (244 males and 43 females) were included in our study. Of them, 33 (11.5%) patients had tumor necrosis. The rates of multiple and large tumors (>3 cm) were higher in patients with tumor necrosis (p=0.002 and p<0.001, respectively). Tumor necrosis was associated with higher rates of pT1 diseases (p<0.001), high-grade tumors (p<0.001), and the presence of lymphovascular invasion (p=0.007). The mean recurrence-free survival of patients with tumor necrosis was 42.3 (4.6) months, and the recurrence-free survival of patients without tumor necrosis was 43.5 (1.8) months (p=0.720). The mean progression-free survival of patients with tumor necrosis was 43.1 (4.6) months, and the progression-free survival of patients without tumor necrosis was 58.4 (0.9) months. In log-rank analysis, there was a statistically significant difference between patients with and without tumor necrosis in terms of progression-free survival (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: In this study, we demonstrated that patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer and tumor necrosis in pathological specimens have shorter progression-free survival and more adverse pathological features.
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ABSTRACT Dysphagia is described as a highly relevant comorbidity of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, there is a scarcity of studies aiming at the characteristics and progression of dysphagia. Objective: The objective of this study was to identify the specific characteristics, progression, and prevalence of dysphagia in AD. Methods: Publications were searched in the PubMed (MEDLINE), EBSCO, ScienceDirect, and BASE databases. Critical appraisal and evidence-level analysis were conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute and Effective Public Health Practice Project's (EPHPP) tools. Results: A total of 26 studies were reviewed. Symptoms begin in the early stage of AD, as oral phase impairments, and progress to pharyngeal symptoms and swallowing apraxia in the later stages of AD. Dysphagia progresses, as AD, along a continuum, with severity depending on individual variability. There were no studies found on prevalence. Conclusions: Dysphagia is a complex and important comorbidity in AD that impacts the quality of life. No recent publications on prevalence may imply that is not being coded as a potential cause for pneumonia deaths in AD.
RESUMO A disfagia é uma comorbidade relevante da doença de Alzheimer (DA). No entanto, existem poucos estudos sobre as suas características e progressão. Objetivo: Identificar as características específicas, a progressão e a prevalência da disfagia na DA. Métodos: Pesquisa conduzida nas bases PubMed (Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online — MEDLINE), EBSCO, ScienceDirect e BASE. Avaliação crítica e análise do nível de evidência foram conduzidas usando as ferramentas do Joanna Briggs Institute e do Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP). Resultados: Incluíram-se 26 estudos. Os sintomas iniciam-se no estádio inicial da DA, como alterações de fase oral, progredindo para alterações faríngeas e apraxia de deglutição no estádio grave. A disfagia progride, como a DA, num continuum, com a gravidade dependendo da variabilidade individual. Não foram encontrados estudos de prevalência. Conclusões: A disfagia é uma comorbidade complexa e importante que tem impacto na qualidade de vida. A escassez de publicações atuais de prevalência pode indicar que não é considerada como potencial causa de morte por pneumonia na DA.
Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease , Central Nervous System DiseasesABSTRACT
Abstract Introduction: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase enzyme activity may affect the vessel wall and have a role in development of aortic aneurysms. EPCs originate from hematopoietic stem cells and can be enumerated from peripheral blood samples by flow cytometry. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relation of EPC number and NADPH oxidase enzyme activity in the development of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA). Methods: Patients with TAA (n=30) and healthy individuals without TAA (control, n=10) were included in our study. Characterization and enumeration of EPC from peripheral blood samples were performed by flow cytometry with panels including markers of EPCs (CD34/CD133/CD309/CD146/CD144). Additionally, NADPH oxidase enzyme activity (capacity) was also measured by the dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR 123) test. Results: The enumeration of EPC with CD34+/CD146+ marker showed that the number of mean EPC/106 cells was increased in the patient group (41.5/106 cells), but not in the control group (20.50/105 cells) (P<0.01). Additionally, patients with TAA presented significantly lower NADPH oxidase activity by DHR assay than healthy controls (mean stimulation index: 60.40± 7.86 and 75.10±5.21, respectively) (P<0.01). Conclusion: Our results showed that the number of EPCs is significantly higher in aortic aneurysm patients and may have a role in disease progression. The crosstalk between NADPH oxidase enzyme capacity and EPC number may be useful as a parameter to explain the clinical progression of TAA.
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ABSTRACT Introduction: The articular examination is an essential part of the physical examination of the patient with rheumatoid arthritis, since it gives information about the disease status at a given time and allows monitoring of its evolution over time. Despite the importance of the physical examination of the joints, it is noteworthy that there is no standardized technique. Methods: This paper aims to frame a discussion on whether standardization of the joint examination is justified, presenting arguments for and against. Results and discussion: The paper raises several arguments about diagnostic error as a scien-tific and ethical challenge in establishing the activity of rheumatoid arthritis. Conclusion: It is time to adopt a standardized physical joint examination technique that allows better assessment of the inflammatory activity status of the disease, avoids risks resultant from poor disease status classification, adheres to ethical principles and does not incur unnecessary expenses. Failure to do so would have scientific, economic, ethical, and public health implications.
R E S U M E N Introducción: El examen articular es una parte fundamental del examen físico del paciente con artritis reumatoide ya que permite obtener información sobre el estado de la enfermedad en un momento determinado, así como monitorizar su evolución en el tiempo. A pesar de la importancia del examen físico de las articulaciones, no existe una técnica estandarizada. Métodos: Este ensayo tiene como objetivo desarrollar una discusión sobre si la estandarización del examen conjunto está justificada, para lo cual se presentan argumentos a favor y en contra. Resultados y discusión: El ensayo plantea varios argumentos acerca del error diagnóstico como un desafío científico y ético cuando se trata de establecer la actividad de la artritis reumatoide. Conclusión: Es el momento de adoptar una técnica de exploración física conjunta y estandarizada, que permita una mejor valoración del estado de actividad inflamatoria de la artritis reumatoide, evite los riesgos derivados de una mala clasificación del estado de la enfermedad, respete los principios éticos y no incurra en gastos innecesarios. Dejar de hacerlo tendría implicaciones científicas, económicas, éticas y de salud pública.
Subject(s)
Humans , Arthritis, Rheumatoid , Musculoskeletal Diseases , Joint DiseasesABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Kidney transplantation (KT) is the renal replacement therapy (RRT) of choice for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, not every KT is successful and some patients persist on RRT. OBJECTIVE: To model a logistic regression with pre- and post-KT risk covariates capable of predicting secondary allograft dysfunction in need of RRT or reaching stage V of CKD until the first six months post-KT. METHODS: Cohort with KT recipients from Northeastern Brazil. Medical records of KT performed between 2011-2018 were analyzed. KT-recipients with insufficient data or who abandoned follow-up were excluded. The covariables analyzed were: demographic; infectious; pre- and post-KT comorbidities; panel reactive-antibodies; number of HLA mismatches; acute rejection episodes mediated by T-cell (ACR) or antibodies (AAR) six months after KT; and laboratory tests six months after KT. RESULTS: Covariates with higher risk for the analyzed outcomes six months after KT were: elderly KT recipients (OR:1.41; CI95%:1.01-1.99), time between onset of RRT and KT (ΔT-RRT&KT)>10years (OR:3.54; CI95%:1.27-9.87), diabetes mellitus (DM) pre-KT (OR:3.35; CI95%:1.51-7.46), pyelonephritis (OR:2.45; CI95%:1.24-4.84), polyomavirus nephropathy (OR:4.99; CI95%:1.87-13.3), AAS (OR:4.82; CI95%:1.35-17.2), 24h-proteinuria ≥300mg/24h (OR:5.05; CI95%:2.00-12.7) and serum calcium (Ca) <8.5mg/dL (OR:4.72; CI95%:2.00-11.1). The multivariate model presented an accuracy of 88.1% and the mean variance inflation factor is 1.81. CONCLUSION: Elderly-recipients, ΔT-RRT&KT>10 years, pre-KT DM, and post-KT aggressions until six months (pyelonephritis, polyomavirus nephropathy, ABMR, 24h-proteinuria≥300mg/24h, and Ca<8.5mg/dL) are associated with high predictive power for secondary allograft dysfunction in need of RRT or reaching CKD stage V until the first six months post-KT.
INTRODUÇÃO: Transplante renal (TR) é a terapia renal substitutiva (TRS) de escolha para pacientes com doença renal crônica (DRC). Entretanto, nem todo TR é bem-sucedido e alguns pacientes persistem em TRS. OBJETIVO: Modelar uma regressão logística com covariáveis de risco pré e pós-TR preditora da disfunção secundária do aloenxerto com necessidade de TRS ou alcance ao estágio V da DRC até os primeiros seis meses pós-TR. MÉTODOS: Coorte com receptores transplantados realizado em hospital no Nordeste brasileiro. Analisou-se registros médicos dos TR realizados entre 2011-2018. Receptores com dados insuficientes ou que abandonaram seguimento foram excluídos. Foram analisadas covariáveis: demográficas; infecciosas; comorbidades pré e pós-TR; painel de reatividade; incompatibilidades de HLA; episódios de rejeições agudas mediadas por células-T ou por anticorpos; exames laboratoriais seis meses pós-TR. RESULTADOS: Receptores idosos (OR:1,41; IC95%:1,01-1,99), tempo entre início da TRS e TR (∆T-TRS&TR)>10 anos (OR:3,54; IC95%:1,27-9,87), diabetes mellitus (DM) pré-TR (OR:3,35; IC95%:1,51-7,46), pielonefrite (OR:2,45; IC95%:1,24-4,84), nefropatia por poliomavírus (OR:4,99; IC95%:1,87-13,3), RAMA (OR:4,82; IC95%:1,35-17,2), proteinúria de 24h (Pt24h) ≥300mg/24h (OR:5,05; IC95%:2,00-12,7) e cálcio sérico (Ca)<8,5mg/dL (OR:4,72; IC95%:2,00-11,1) foram identificadas como covariáveis de maior risco para os desfechos analisados até seis meses pós-TR. O modelo multivariado apresentou acurácia de 88,1% e fator de inflação da variância médio de 1,81. CONCLUSÃO: Receptores idosos, ∆T-TRS&TR>10anos, DM pré-TR e agressões até seis meses pós-TR (pielonefrite, nefropatia por poliomavírus, RAMA, Pt24h≥300mg/24h e Ca<8,5mg/dL), apresentam alto poder preditivo para disfunção secundária do aloenxerto com necessidade de TRS ou alcance ao estágio V da DRC até os primeiros seis meses pós-TR.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Risk Factors , Kidney Transplantation , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic , Allografts , Proteinuria , Pyelonephritis , Logistic Models , Retrospective Studies , Renal Dialysis , Immunosuppression Therapy , BK Virus , Disease Progression , HypocalcemiaABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the chain mediating effects of anxiety/depression and metacognition between somatic symptoms and fear of disease progression (FoP) in gynecological tumor patients.Methods:A total of 208 gynecological tumor patients were investigated by general demographic data, fear of progression questionnaire-short form(FoP-Q-SF), hospital anxiety and depression scale(HADS), metacognition questionnaire(MCQ) and somatic symptom scale(SSS). SPSS 25.0 was used for Pearson correlation analysis. The significance of mediating effect was tested by deviation corrected nonparametric percentile Bootstrap method using SPSS macro program PROCESS.Results:The scores of FoP-Q-SF, depression, anxiety, MCQ and SSS were (32.41±10.43), (6.43±4.17), (7.51±4.10), (68.44±16.04), (20.58±15.70) respectively. 48.56% of gynecological tumor patients had dysfunctional fear of disease progression. Correlation analysis showed that FoP was significantly positively correlated with somatic symptoms ( r=0.394, P<0.01), anxiety ( r=0.640, P<0.01), depression ( r=0.533, P<0.01) and metacognition ( r=0.489, P<0.01). Mediating effect test showed that anxiety, depression and metacognition played a complete chain mediating role between somatic symptoms and FoP in gynecological tumor patients.The total effect of somatic symptoms on FoP was 0.320. Somatic symptoms indirectly affected FoP by influencing anxiety and metacognition, and the intermediary effect value was 0.242. Somatic symptoms indirectly affected FoP by influencing depression and metacognition, and the intermediary effect value was 0.212. Conclusion:Somatic symptoms can indirectly affect FoP through the chain mediation of anxiety/depression and metacognition.