European review for medical and pharmacological sciences最新文献

Objective: Cardiovascular events prognosis based on CYP2C19 gene polymorphisms had many applications in clinical practice. Assessed characteristics and predictive performance of cardiovascular events in acute coronary syndrome patients with CYP2C19 gene polymorphisms.

Patients and methods: The patients were analyzed for CYP2C19 gene polymorphisms by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR worked with primers around the mutant, as well as two fluorescent probes, one specific for the normal allele and the other for the mutant allele, and cardiovascular events were followed at 3 months and 6 months.

Results: Patients with CYP2C19 gene polymorphism accounted for 48.6% of which CYP2C19 *1/*2 genotype had the highest proportion (31.7%). The normal metabolizer phenotype was the majority (51.4%), and the *1 allele proportion accounted for the most (72.2%). Patients with type 2 diabetes (HR: 3.082, 95% CI: 1.652-5.747, p < 0.001) and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (HR: 2.874, 95% CI: 1.528-5.404, p = 0.001) were independent prognostic factors for cardiovascular events at 90 days. Type 2 diabetes was an independent prognostic factor for cardiovascular events at 180 days (HR: 3.714, 95% CI: 1.557-8.862, p = 0.003). The CYP2C19 gene polymorphism was an independent prognostic factor of cardiovascular events at 90 days (HR: 1.965, 95% CI: 1.012-3.814, p = 0.046). However, at 180 days of analysis, the association between the CYP2C19 gene polymorphism was not significant (HR: 2.234, 95% CI: 0.862-5.789, p = 0.098).

Conclusions: CYP2C19 gene polymorphism was an independent prognostic factor of cardiovascular events 90 days after acute coronary syndrome.

Objective: Pregnancy is a natural physiological process, but certain conditions can increase the risk, leading to high-risk pregnancy. Several risk factors may cause high-risk pregnancy. The leading ones are chronic diseases, anemia, multiple pregnancies, premature rupture of membrane, preeclampsia, obesity, frequent pregnancy, and advanced maternal age.

Patients and methods: A total of 7,230 women with high-risk pregnancies followed up by the Unit of Women's and Reproductive Health of the Directorate of Public Health Services, Kayseri Provincial Directorate of Health between 2016 and 2020 were included in the study. Demographic data, pregnancy outcomes, and risk factors were recorded. The mean age was 27.62±6.55 years. The mean number of pregnancy follow-ups was 3.69±1.36. The mean number of follow-ups for Turkish pregnant women was 3.73±1.34 while it was 1.93±1.1 for foreign pregnant women. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the effect of risk factors on pregnancy outcomes.

Results: Pregnancies that did not result in live birth were associated with preeclampsia (OR=12.677), hypertension (HT) (OR=2.079), and cardiovascular disorders (OR=2.277). It was revealed that the number of follow-ups for high-risk pregnancies was low.

Conclusions: In conclusion, we believe that increasing monitoring of high-risk pregnancies and developing follow-up models by health authorities will improve the quality of monitoring for high-risk pregnancies.

Objective: The immune system of the body mistakenly targets its own joints in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic autoimmune disease that causes pain, inflammation, and damage. The complexity of RA often requires the simultaneous use of several different management strategies. This study examines the potential enhancement of conventional RA treatments, specifically conventional Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (cDMARDs), by the addition of formic acid, a naturally occurring substance that may possess anti-inflammatory properties.

Patients and methods: A total of 90 children diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis were examined at our hospital from 2020 to 2022. We segregated them into two cohorts, each consisting of 45 children. One cohort was administered conventional rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatments, referred to as cDMARDs, which specifically included methotrexate and leflunomide. The other group was administered the standard treatments in addition to a low dosage of a specialized medication known as all-trans retinoic acid. We conducted follow-up assessments on the children at 6 months and 1-year post-treatment. We sought to evaluate the efficacy of the treatments by assessing the subjective reports of the children and their physicians, analyzing the outcomes of medical examinations, and examining diagnostic images, such as X-rays. Furthermore, we took measures to ensure the safety of the treatments.

Results: Among the cohort exclusively administered cDMARDs, approximately 26.7% exhibited significant improvement, 24.4% demonstrated moderate improvement, and 6.7% displayed minor improvement after a duration of 6 months. Approximately 57.8% of the children in this group experienced positive outcomes as a result of the treatment. The group that received retinoic acid also demonstrated superior outcomes. Approximately one-third (33.3%) of the participants demonstrated significant improvement, while another one-third showed moderate improvement. Additionally, 11.1% of the participants displayed minor improvement after a period of six months. Upon comparing the two groups, it was observed that the group receiving retinoic acid demonstrated a significantly superior outcome (p<0.05).

Conclusions: Overall, the incorporation of all-trans retinoic acid alongside conventional treatments for children with RA appears to enhance their efficacy.

Background: According to the literature, the brachial plexus presents a high rate of anatomical variations in the human neural system. The musculocutaneous nerve, a vital component of the brachial plexus, exhibits significant anatomical variations that hold clinical relevance across multiple medical disciplines. This case report, with a comprehensive review, explores the different variations in the course, branching patterns, and clinical implications of the musculocutaneous nerve. Understanding these variations is essential for surgeons, radiologists, and clinicians to enhance surgical precision, improve diagnostic accuracy, and reduce the risk of iatrogenic complications.

Case report: During an anatomical dissection we observed a very rare anatomical variation of the musculocutaneous nerve. Based on this discovery, we performed research in the literature with the aim of finding if this variation has been previously described. Firstly, we identified various classifications of anatomical variations of communicating branches between the musculocutaneous and median nerves, and then we observed that these variations corresponded to various rates of frequency. Our finding is a rare undescribed anatomical variant within the variants classified as Type II according to Le Minor, which is observed in 6.8-10.7% of cases.

Conclusions: The peculiar position of anatomical variations and anastomosis has clinical and functional relevance. Healthcare professionals must be aware of these variations to minimize surgical complications, accurately diagnose neurovascular pathologies, and optimize patient management. Further research into the genetic and embryological underpinnings of these variations may provide additional insights into this intriguing aspect of human anatomy.

Objective: The advancement of telecommunication technology and devices promptly transformed mobile phones into indispensable objects in our day-to-day lives, but their biological effects remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the potential histopathological changes induced by mobile phone radiation in the parotid gland and the nearby tissues.

Materials and methods: Thirty female Rattus Norvegicus rats were divided into three groups: group 1 (exposed for 30 days), group 2 (exposed for 60 days), and control group (non-exposed). Each subject was exposed to mobile phone radiation in the form of a phone call for two hours every day for their subsequent exposure time. The exposure was always directed towards the same side of the face throughout the whole exposure period. At the end of the exposure period, a comprehensive examination was conducted, including inspection of the orofacial structures, tissue sections of the parotid glands, overlying skin, oral mucosa, and cervical lymph nodes, as well as obtaining smears from the oral cavity. To highlight the presence of micronuclei within the exfoliated squamous cells of the oral epithelium, Feulgen stain was performed.

Results: The results showed a significant activation of the fibroblasts in the parotid gland septa, in both exposed experimental groups, compared to the control group. We also detected significant cervical lymph node reactive changes, hyperkeratosis of the oral epithelium, and activated fibroblasts in the dermis and oral mucosa lamina propria in both experimental groups. Dermal fibrosis and lamina propria fibrosis were significantly increased in the second experimental group, compared to the control group. Moreover, vascular congestion in the parotid gland, dermal, and lamina propria fibrosis were significantly increased in the second study group compared to the first one.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that exposure to mobile phone radiation may lead to pathological changes in the parotid gland and nearby tissues of experimental rats.

The article "MicroRNA-613 attenuates the proliferation, migration and invasion of Wilms' tumor via targeting FRS2" by H.-F. Wang, Y.-Y. Zhang, H.-W. Zhuang, M. Xu, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2017; 21 (15): 3360-3369 - PMID: 28829507 has been retracted by the Editor in Chief. Following some concerns raised on PubPeer (link: https://pubpeer.com/publications/19E8759FF9D86F9AB839B4FCE08C62), the Editor in Chief has started an investigation to assess the validity of the results as well as possible figure manipulation. The authors have been informed about the journal's investigation but remained unresponsive and have not provided the study's raw data. The journal's investigation identified numerous duplications within Figure 2, as well as duplications between Figure 2 and figures from previously published articles (https://doi.org/10.1111/cas.12656, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biochi.2019.03.011). Duplications were also found within Figure 3 and between Figure 3 and previously published articles (doi: 10.12659/msm.921288, doi: 10.12659/msm.903462). Consequently, the Editor in Chief mistrusts the results presented and has decided to retract the article. This article has been retracted. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/13201.

Objective: Acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) is a significant complication of ulcerative colitis, affecting roughly 25% of patients and increasing the risk of colectomy and hospital mortality. While intravenous steroids are a primary treatment, only 67% of patients respond, necessitating rescue therapy for non-responders. Data on ASUC in the Vietnamese population are scarce. This study aims to provide insights into the clinical characteristics and short-term outcomes of Vietnamese patients with ASUC.

Patients and methods: We conducted a prospective case series on ASUC patients admitted to the University Medical Center in Ho Chi Minh City from January 2021 to June 2023. Steroid response was assessed using the Travis Oxford criteria. We evaluated clinical features, in-hospital steroid response rates, endoscopic remission, and colectomy rates 12 months post-hospitalization.

Results: Seventeen patients with a median age of 42 years (70.6% male) were included. The median time from symptom onset to diagnosis was six weeks, and 47.1% had a history of ulcerative colitis. Median CRP value was 75.8 mg/L, and 76.5% had fecal calprotectin concentrations above 800 µg/g. All patients had a Mayo endoscopic subscore of ≥2, with 12.5% showing deep ulcers. Eleven patients (64.7%) responded to in-hospital steroid treatment, while 6 (35.3%) required rescue therapy with infliximab or tofacitinib. After one year, 10 of 11 (90.1%) achieved mucosal healing, and no patients underwent colectomy.

Conclusions: Corticosteroids remain the cornerstone for initial ASUC therapy, though many patients do not respond. Anti-TNF agents and tofacitinib show potential benefits for those unresponsive to steroids. This study highlights the effectiveness of corticosteroids and biologics in managing ASUC in Vietnam.

Correction to: Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2021; 25 (18): 5801-5806-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202109_26798-PMID: 34604971 published online on September 30, 2021. The methodology section of this research article incorrectly stated that the lexi-interact checker program is freely accessible. The study was conducted at Uludağ University using university-access computers. As a result, the lexi-interact program, provided through UpToDate and accessed via the university's subscription service, was mistakenly described as a free resource. Therefore, the sentence "pDDIs, defined using the lexi-interact (a free online interaction checker, provided from UpToDate, 2020, https://www.uptodate.com/drug-interactions), were classified based on the significance of the interaction level (minor, moderate, major)" has been corrected as follows: - pDDIs, defined using the lexi-interact (an online interaction checker, provided from UpToDate, 2020, https://www.uptodate.com/drug-interactions), were classified based on the significance of the interaction level (minor, moderate, major). There are amendments to this paper. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/26798.

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the expression pattern of long pentraxin 3 (PTX3) mRNA in cumulus cells (CCs) isolated from metaphase II oocytes of women with unilateral endometrioma undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation using a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist (GnRHa) protocol.

Patients and methods: A total of 60 CC samples, 30 from the affected ovary and 30 from the contralateral ovary, were collected from 12 patients with unilateral endometrioma who underwent flexible GnRHa protocol with recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin (rhCG) trigger. Thirty CC samples collected from the left ovary of 12 women with male factor infertility were used as external controls. Long PTX3 mRNA expression in each group was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Relative gene expression (fold-change) was calculated according to the 2-ΔΔCt equation. Fertilization rates after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) were recorded for each group.

Results: CC-PTX3 mRNA expression in the unilateral endometrioma group was significantly lower than the mRNA expression of the disease-free ovary (0.90±0.01 vs. 0.25±0.02, p<0.01). CC-PTX3 mRNA expression of MII oocytes of the disease-free ovary was found to be similar to the control group (1.02±0.03 vs. 0.90±0.01, p=0.107). A significant 3.6-fold downregulation was observed in the CC-PTX3 mRNA expression of the endometrioma group compared to the CC-PTX3 mRNA expression in the contralateral ovary. CC-PTX3 mRNA expression in the endometrioma group was downregulated 4.08-fold compared to the CC-PTX3 mRNA expression of the control group (1.02±0.03 vs. 0.25±0.02, p<0.001). The cumulus morphologies of the endometrioma group with low CC-PTX3 expression and the groups with normal CC-PTX3 levels were similar. Fertilization rates of the endometrioma group were similar to the contralateral ovary and control groups.

Conclusions: Unilateral endometrioma reduces CC-PTX3 expression but does not affect disease-free ovaries. The GnRHa protocol improved the fertilization rates, suggesting that failed CC-PTX3 expression is an in vivo pathology.

The article "The inhibitory effect of miR-375 targeting sp1 in colorectal cancer cell proliferation" by X.-H. Liu, J. Wang, Y.-H. Dong, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2018; 22 (2): 405-411 - PMID: 29424897 has been retracted by the Editor in Chief. Following some concerns raised on PubPeer (link: https://pubpeer.com/publications/DF4072237DD0F624A7AE9B34B4EB6D), the Editor in Chief has started an investigation to assess the validity of the results as well as possible figure manipulation. Initially, the authors asked to retract this manuscript, but were not available for further comments during the investigation; therefore, raw data were not provided. The journal's investigation revealed Figure duplication within Figure 1 and between Figure 1 and Figure 2. Consequently, the Editor in Chief mistrusts the results presented and has decided to retract the article. This article has been retracted. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/14188.