Archives of Medical Science最新文献

Introduction: The aim of the study was to evaluate chemerin levels as a potentially useful marker in diagnosing early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as well as in HCC staging.

Material and methods: The cohort comprised 76 patients: 45 people with cirrhosis and HCC (including 13 with a single HCC lesion in the liver and 32 with metastatic lesions/spread of HCC in the liver) and 21 people with isolated cirrhosis. The control group included 10 clinically healthy people.

Results: The degree of liver failure in the whole cohort was assessed using the Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score (class A - 34, class B - 28, class C - 4) and using the MELD score (≤ 12 points - 45 and > 12 points - 21 people). Serum chemerin level in patients with liver cirrhosis only was 53.30 ng/ml, in patients with a single HCC lesion 77.01 ng/ml, and in patients with disseminated HCC 83.58 ng/ml. In the control group, the chemerin level was 82.20 μg/ml. When patients with cirrhosis and with/without HCC were divided according to their CTP scores, the level of chemerin was as follows: class A - 83.90 μg/ml, class B - 61 μg/ml, class C - 30.10 μg/ml. For MELD scores ≤ and > 12 it was 75 μg/ml and 58 μg/ml, respectively. For BCLC staging the results were as follows: A - 20.10 μg/ml, B - 20.20 μg/ml, C -19.44 μg/ml.

Conclusions: Chemerin increases with the number of neoplastic lesions and decreases with the progression of liver failure as assessed using the CTP score.

Introduction: We aimed to explore the prognostic value of the aspartate aminotransferase to alanine aminotransferase (AST/ALT) ratio in non-surgical patients with type 2 diabetes hospitalized for heart failure.

Material and methods: Using a large electronic medical record-based cohort of diabetes in China (WECODe), we gathered data on non-surgical hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes and heart failure from 2011 to 2019. Baseline AST/ALT ratio was calculated. The primary outcomes were all-cause death within 30 days after discharge, composite cardiac events, major acute kidney injury, and major systemic infection. A multivariable Cox proportional regression model was utilized to evaluate the association between the AST/ALT ratio and outcomes.

Results: This retrospective cohort included 8,073 patients (39.4% women) with type 2 diabetes hospitalized for heart failure. The median age was 71 years. Higher AST/ALT ratio was associated with higher risks of poor endpoints (with per standard deviation increment in AST/ALT ratio, for death within 30 days after discharge: adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 1.35, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21 to 1.50; for composite cardiac events: HR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.06 to 1.31). Compared to patients in the lowest quartile for the AST/ALT ratio, those in the highest quartile have elevated risk of death within 30 days after discharge and major systemic infection (HRs [95% CIs] 1.61 [1.18 to 2.19] and 1.28 [1.06 to 1.56], respectively). Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the findings.

Conclusions: Type 2 diabetes patients hospitalized for heart failure with the AST/ALT ratio in the highest quartile face a poor short-term prognosis.

Introduction: Over the past 50 years, the rise in obesity has prompted a search for new treatments. Intragastric injections of botulinum toxin A (BT-A), a safer alternative to surgery, show promise in reducing weight and caloric intake by inducing early satiety. This study examines their efficacy for weight loss.

Material and methods: From 2021 to 2023, we conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent intragastric BT-A injections in a general surgery endoscopy unit. The inclusion criteria were being aged 18-65 and having a body mass index (BMI) over 25 kg/m². Patients with specific medical conditions or incomplete records were excluded. We monitored patient weight and BMI values before the procedure and at monthly intervals, with further assessments conducted in the sixth month, including appetite and patient satisfaction.

Results: Our study on 67 patients, predominantly female (82.1%), aged 35.5 ±9.0 years with a mean BMI of 33.5 ±3.3 kg/m², examined BT-A injections' effectiveness. 58.2% received injections in both gastric antrum and fundus regions, showing greater weight loss (mean: 10.7 ±7.0 kg) than those treated in the antrum alone. Side effects occurred in 16.4%, with various symptoms. High dietary compliance (80.6%) correlated with weight loss, especially among those reporting intense satiety. Patient satisfaction positively correlated with weight loss, highlighting treatment efficacy and patient response to dual-region injections.

Conclusions: Our study suggested that intragastric BT-A injections in the antrum and fundus are effective and safe for satiety and weight loss, with few side effects. Individual responses vary, and diet adherence is crucial. More studies are needed to assess the treatment's efficacy in obesity.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to observe the effect of Sanguiin on cerebral edema and behavior in a rat cerebral hemorrhage model.

Methods: A rat collagenase-induced cerebral hemorrhage model was established to detect the effects of drugs on brain edema.

Results: Through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analysis and brain weight content (BWC) determination, it was found that Sanguiin could significantly reduce the brain swelling index and BWC of the affected hemisphere after cerebral hemorrhage.

Conclusions: Sanguiin can significantly improve the neurological deficits in rats with cerebral hemorrhage, and down-regulate the expression of MMP-9 after cerebral hemorrhage, suggesting that Sanguiin has a certain protective effect on the blood-brain barrier after cerebral hemorrhage.

Introduction: Trace mineral micronutrients are essential for periodontal health, and unbalanced levels of trace minerals are related to chronic periodontitis, including copper. We attempted to explore the relationship between cuproptosis and periodontitis.

Methods: Bulk RNA-seq and single-cell RNA sequencing data were used to analyze expression of cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) in periodontitis. A mouse periodontitis model was established to verify the expression of key genes.

Results: Cuproptosis-related genes were differentially expressed in periodontitis. RT-PCR results confirmed the alteration of five key genes in the mouse model.

Conclusions: Cuproptosis is an important player in the pathophysiological process of periodontitis.

Introduction: The association of air pollution with bone mineral density (BMD) has attracted increasing attention. However, establishing a causal relationship remains uncertain.

Methods: We conducted a Mendelian randomization (MR) study employing PM_2.5, PM_2.5-10, PM₁₀, nitrogen dioxide, and nitrogen oxides as exposures and BMD as the outcome to explore the causality between air pollution and the occurrence of decreased BMD.

Results: By employing the IVW method, we identified a negative causality between air pollution (PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and nitrogen oxides) and BMD.

Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that PM_2.5, PM₁₀ and nitrogen oxides exposure may contribute to decreased BMD.