Medical Science Monitor最新文献

BACKGROUND Providing pain relief for patients with neuropathic pain syndrome (NPS) is difficult, as sodium-channel blockers pose serious adverse events (AEs). Intravenous (i.v.) lidocaine infusion responses may identify patients likely to benefit from oral sodium channel blockers. We evaluated i.v. lidocaine responses to predict oral oxcarbazepine (OXC) efficacy in patients with NPS. MATERIAL AND METHODS This prospective cohort study administered one-time 3 mg/kg i.v. lidocaine infusion to patients with NPS. Numeric rating scale (NRS) pain scores and AEs were observed. Next, OXC 150 mg was prescribed; dosages were increased by 150 mg every 3 days until ≥50% pain reduction or the maximum tolerable dose or 1800 mg/day was reached. NRS, rescue drug requirements, and AEs were evaluated by phone at 1, 3, and 5 weeks and clinic visits at 2, 4, and 6 weeks. Depression, Anxiety & Stress Scales 21 (DASS-21), and EuroQol-Five Dimensions-Five Levels (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaires were assessed at baseline and in week 6. RESULTS Of 46 patients, 14 discontinued due to intolerable AEs, and 32 were in the final analysis. Average post-intervention NRS significantly decreased from 6.8±1.7 (baseline) to 3.8±2.0 (lidocaine) and 4.1±2.3 (OXC); P<0.001. Negative and positive predictive values for OXC efficacy were 76.2% (95% CI: 61.6-86.5%) and 54.5% (95% CI: 32-75.4%), respectively. Six weeks after OXC treatment, 20 and 11 patients achieved ≥30% pain reduction and ≥50% pain relief, respectively. EQ-5D-5L (P=0.018) and DASS-21 stress dimension (P<0.001) significantly improved. CONCLUSIONS Negative responses to i.v. lidocaine predicted a lack of oral OXC response. AEs of OXC may have obscured an analgesic effect.

The Editors of Medical Science Monitor wish to inform you that the above manuscript has been retracted from publication due to concerns with the credibility and originality of the study, the manuscript content, and the Figure images. Reference: Yihua Zhang, Yang Tan, Hao Wang, Minhui Xu, Lunshan Xu. Long Non-Coding RNA Plasmacytoma Variant Translocation 1 (PVT1) Enhances Proliferation, Migration, and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) of Pituitary Adenoma Cells by Activating ß-Catenin, c-Myc, and Cyclin D1 Expression. Med Sci Monit, 2019; 25: 7652-7659. DOI: 10.12659/MSM.917110.

Long COVID, or post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), also known as post-COVID-19 condition or post-COVID syndrome, can affect anyone infected with SARS-CoV-2, regardless of age or the severity of the initial symptoms of COVID-19. Long COVID/PASC is the continuation or development of new symptoms after three months from the initial SARS-CoV-2 infection, which lasts for at least two months and has no other identifiable cause. Long COVID/PASC occurs in 10-20% of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. The most common symptoms include fatigue, cognitive impairment (brain fog), and shortness of breath. However, more than 200 symptoms have been reported. No phenotypic or diagnostic biomarkers have been identified for developing long COVID/PASC, which is a multisystem disorder that can present with isolated or combined respiratory, hematological, immunological, cardiovascular, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. There is no cure. Therefore, individualized patient management requires a multidisciplinary clinical approach. Because millions of people have had and continue to have COVID-19, even in the era of vaccination and antiviral therapies, long COVID/PASC is now and will increasingly become a health and economic burden that the world must prepare for. Almost five years from the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, this article aims to review what is currently known about long COVID/PASC, the anticipated increasing global health burden, and why there is still an urgent need to identify diagnostic biomarkers and risk factors to improve prevention and treatment.

BACKGROUND The purpose of the study was to determine the level of antihemagglutinin antibodies in the serum of patients in the geriatric population in Doctor's Surgery NZOZ Nucleus Warsaw, Poland, during the epidemic season 2021/2022 using the hemagglutination inhibition assay (HAI), according to anti-influenza and anti-COVID-19 vaccination, age, and sex. MATERIAL AND METHODS Serum samples taken from 256 patients aged 65 to 99 years were examined for anti-hemagglutinin antibodies and protective levels of antibodies against antigens: A/Victoria/2570/2019 (H1N1)pdm09, A/Cambodia/e0826360/2020(H3N2), B/Washington/02/2019 (B/Victoria lineage), and B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage) of the quadrivalent influenza vaccine for epidemic season 2021/2022. RESULTS The highest protective level, ie, the percentage of people with antibody titers ≥40 was 87.5% and was recorded for subtype A/Cambodia/e0826360/2020(H3N2), the dominant type causing infections in the epidemic season 2021/2022 confirmed by molecular biology methods. Geometric mean titer (GMT) values and protective levels for B/Washington/02/2019 (B/Victoria lineage) antigen were higher for men than women (respectively 38.4 vs 67.6; P<0.001 and 58.0% vs 74.6%; P<0.001). The protective levels of antibodies among patients vaccinated vs unvaccinated against COVID-19 were higher for B/Washington/02/2019 (B/Victoria lineage) and B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage) antigens (64.2% vs 44.4%; P=0.023 and 78.6% vs 55.6%; P=0.004). GMT values for vaccinated against COVID-19 were also higher. There were no significant differences between younger (65-79 years) and older (≥80 years) seniors. CONCLUSIONS The analysis shows differences in the level of individual antibodies, GMT and the protective level depending on subtypes of influenza A or B virus, B/Victoria or B/Yamagata lineage, sex, and previous vaccination history against influenza and COVID-19.

The Editors of Medical Science Monitor wish to inform you that the above manuscript has been retracted from publication due to concerns with the credibility and originality of the study, the manuscript content, and the Figure images.Reference:Weihua Yu, Yunxia Wang, Lan Liu, Shuai Li, Kongxi Zhu. LOC101060264 Silencing Suppresses Invasion and Metastasis of Human Colon Cancer. Med Sci Monit, 2020; 26: e920270. DOI: 10.12659/MSM.920270.

BACKGROUND Surgical extraction of impacted mandibular third molars is the most commonly performed procedure in oral surgery; its associated complications include sensory nerve damage, swelling, and trismus. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of hyaluronic acid (HA) on healing of the socket following extraction of the lower impacted third molar tooth in 40 dental patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS This prospective, double-blind, randomized, controlled study was carried out on 40 adult healthy patients indicated for surgical removal of bilateral impacted mandibular third molars with equal surgical difficulty (moderate surgical difficulty according to the Koerner index. Patients with right mandibular third molars were included into the study (HA) group and those with left mandibular third molars were included into the control group. Surgical removal of impacted teeth was performed at different times for each patient for proper measurement of postoperative clinical variables, including pain, swelling, and mouth opening. RESULTS Postoperative pain evaluation results using the visual analog scale (VAS) showed reduced pain levels at all observation periods. Postoperative swelling peaked in intensity within 12-48 hours, resolving between the 5th and 7th days, and there was no significant difference in pre- and postoperative measurements of interincisal opening between both groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS We found that intra-socket application of hyaluronic acid after surgical extraction of impacted mandibular third molars promoted normal wound healing, and there was a clinical benefit of reduced postoperative pain and swelling.

Dermatomyositis (DM) is a complex and rare autoimmune disease characterized by muscle weakness and distinctive skin rashes. Its pathogenesis involves a combination of genetic susceptibility, environmental triggers, and immunological factors, with interferon pathways and specific gene upregulations playing crucial roles. Diagnosis is based on clinical presentation, laboratory findings, and imaging, with particular emphasis on myositis-specific antibodies and characteristic muscle and skin changes. The clinical heterogeneity of DM, including variants such as clinically amyopathic DM and DM-associated interstitial lung disease, necessitates a personalized diagnostic and therapeutic approach. Current pharmacological treatments for DM include glucocorticoids, which remain the first-line therapy despite their long-term adverse effects. Immunosuppressants, such as azathioprine, methotrexate, and mycophenolate mofetil, are commonly used in combination with glucocorticoids to enhance efficacy and reduce steroid dependence. Biologics, such as rituximab and intravenous immunoglobulin, have shown effectiveness in refractory cases. Emerging therapies, particularly Janus kinase inhibitors, offer promise for treatment-resistant DM, although they present significant safety concerns, including increased risks of infections and cardiovascular events. Despite significant advancements, managing DM remains challenging due to its rarity and variability. Future research should prioritize the development of precision medicine approaches tailored to individual genetic and pathological features. Additionally, integrated treatment strategies combining pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions are crucial to improving patient outcomes and quality of life. Understanding the etiology and pathogenesis of DM more deeply will be vital for developing more effective and targeted treatments, ultimately leading to better disease management and prognosis.

BACKGROUND Robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (RAPN) has been increasingly used for treating renal tumors due to its advantages over other approaches. However, RAPN can induce acute incisional, peritoneal, visceral, and referred pain. Therefore, acute pain control in robotic surgery is a concern. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of intrathecal morphine (ITM) for postoperative analgesia and recovery after RAPN. MATERIAL AND METHODS We retrospectively investigated consecutive patients who underwent RAPN at our institute between 2020 and 2021. Among the 272 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 135 patients were administered 200 µg of ITM preoperatively (ITM group), while 137 patients were not (control group). Postoperative pain assessments using the numeric rating scale (NRS), opioid requirements, and recovery profiles during the first postoperative 24 h were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS As the primary endpoint, the incidence of moderate-to-severe pain (24-h average NRS pain score ≥4) was significantly lower in the ITM group than in the control group (36.3% vs 61.3%, P<0.001). Pain scores and cumulative opioid requirements were also significantly lower in the ITM group for all assessments (P<0.001). Moreover, the ITM group had a higher score on the Quality of Recovery-15 questionnaire on the first postoperative day (129 vs 120, P=0.003) despite an increased rate of postoperative nausea/vomiting (27.4% vs 13.1%, P=0.003). CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that ITM provided superior pain control during the early period following RAPN, with reduced postoperative opioid requirements. Moreover, ITM improved patient satisfaction with recovery.

The modern pace of life, increased susceptibility to stressors, and easy access to psychoactive substances have contributed to the increase in the number of people addicted to alcohol. Alcoholism has serious and life-threatening consequences, one of which is brain damage causing morbid jealousy, otherwise known as Othello syndrome. The disease, currently classified as a subtype of delusional disorder, manifests itself in groundless and dangerous judgments about a partner's sexual infidelity. People with Othello syndrome constantly believe in their partner's infidelity despite inadequate evidence of it. Patients become aggressive toward their partners as well as themselves, which is why in a fit of anger they can commit murder or suicide. Othello syndrome can occur as a symptom of an underlying mental illness, but it is most often associated with brain damage caused by chronic alcohol use. Antipsychotic drugs and serotonin reuptake inhibitors are used in pharmacotherapy. Targeted treatment using the neuropeptide oxytocin, which modulates the transmitter systems responsible for disease symptoms, is also being considered. The use of oxytocin seems groundbreaking, but it remains at the research stage. The treatment of addictions and primary diseases, as well as long-term cognitive-analytic psychotherapy, also have a huge impact. Othello syndrome is a life-threatening disease with an insidious course and serious consequences. This article aims to review the manifestations of morbid jealousy, including delusional disorder, and the association with alcoholism.

BACKGROUND The advanced lung cancer inflammation index (ALI) is regarded as a potential indicator of systemic inflammation. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the prognostic role of the ALI in 96 patients with advanced small cell lung cancer (SCLC). MATERIAL AND METHODS This retrospective study included 96 patients who were diagnosed with extensive stage SCLC in a single institution between 2016 and 2022. The formula for ALI is body mass index (kg/m²)×serum albumin (g/dL)/neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio. Patients were divided into low inflammation (ALI ≥32.5) and high inflammation (ALI <32.5) groups. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional analysis were conducted to assess the association between the ALI and patient prognosis. RESULTS Median age was 61 (range: 41-82) years. Median follow-up was 9 months, and median overall survival (OS) was 10 months (95% CI: 7.75-12.45). A lower ALI score (ALI <32.5) was correlated with a poorer OS than was a higher ALI score (median OS 7 months for ALI <32.5 95% CI: 4.6-9.3 vs 15 months for ALI ≥32.5, 95% CI: 10.6-19.3, P<0.001). In the multivariate analysis, ALI score, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, brain metastasis, and bone metastasis were identified as independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS ALI score is a substantial predictor of survival in SCLC as in other types of cancer types. Patients with a low ALI score have poorer survival. Assessment of ALI can identify lung cancer patients at high risk of poor prognosis and can be a useful prognostic marker in clinical practice.