Archives of Medical Science最新文献

Introduction: The present study concerns a connection of the Q192RPON1 polymorphism with atherosclerosis requiring percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in the Polish population.

Methods: A total of 282 individuals who underwent coronary angiography took part in this study. The polymorphism was determined with the PCR-RFLP method.

Results: The odds ratio for atherosclerosis in carriers of the 192RR genotype was 2.50 (p = 0.002). The median HDL-C concentration was significantly lower in the study group than the control group (p = 0.02).

Conclusions: The presence of the 192RR genotype and 192R allele are indicative of at least a two-fold increased risk of atherosclerosis requiring PCI or CABG in the Polish population.

Introduction: The study aimed to evaluate, for the first time, the diagnostic value of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) small nucleolar RNA host gene 8 (SNHG8) in sepsis and its molecular mechanisms in sepsis-induced inflammation and cardiac dysfunction.

Material and methods: A total of 126 sepsis patients and 81 healthy controls were enrolled. Serum SNHG8 levels were assessed by RT-qPCR. Levels of pro-inflammatory factors were examined via ELISA. The ROC curve was employed to assess the diagnostic significance of SNHG8. Cardiomyocytes were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to simulate sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction in vitro. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were measured through CCK-8 and flow cytometry. Dual luciferase reporter gene assay and RIP assay were conducted to verify the target relationship between SNHG8 and miR-34b-5p.

Results: SNHG8 was reduced in sepsis patients (p < 0.05) and negatively correlated with procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, and pro-inflammatory factors (p < 0.05). SNHG8 had outstanding performance in distinguishing sepsis patients from healthy individuals with the AUC of 0.878. Among septic patients, those with cardiac dysfunction had significantly downregulated SNHG8 levels (p < 0.05). For septic patients, SNHG8 was found to be an independent predictor for the occurrence of cardiac dysfunction (HR = 5.466, 95% CI = 2.230-13.397, p < 0.001). Elevated SNHG8 reversed LPS-induced cell apoptosis, and attenuated the over-secretion of inflammatory factors. miR-34b-5p was significantly upregulated in septic patients and negatively correlated with SNHG8, indicating that it acted as a sponge for SNHG8.

Conclusions: Reduced SNHG8 is a potential diagnostic biomarker for sepsis. It is involved in sepsis-induced inflammatory response and cardiac dysfunction through sponging miR-34b-5p.

Introduction: The systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), based on peripheral lymphocyte, neutrophil, and platelet counts, has recently been investigated as a prognostic marker in several tumors. However, the SII has rarely been reported in skin cancers. In this study, we aimed to assess the association between SII values and the risk of occurrence of skin cancers.

Material and methods: This cross-sectional study was based on National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2010 to 2018 and involved 32,012 participants. The SII was calculated as the platelet count × neutrophil count/lymphocyte count. A weighted multivariate logistic analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between SII values and the occurrence of skin cancers. In addition, a subgroup analysis and a sensitivity analysis were conducted to identify underlying moderators and the stability of the relationship, respectively.

Results: Compared with participants in the lowest quartile of SII values, the odds ratios for non-melanoma skin cancer were 1.650 (95% CI: 1.158-2.352) for participants in the quartile with the highest SII values after multivariate adjustments. In subgroup analyses, we found significant interactions between log-transformed SII values and age (p < 0.001 for interaction), race (p < 0.001 for interaction), education level (p < 0.001 for interaction), marital status (p < 0.001 for interaction), and annual household incomes (p < 0.001 for interaction) in the association with non-melanoma skin cancer.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest a positive association between high SII values and skin cancers in the U.S. population. Age, levels of education, marital status, and annual household incomes affect the positive association between high SII values and non-melanoma skin cancers.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to determine predictors of sexual activity and function in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Material and methods: A total of 134 MS patients were included in the study. Sexual activity and function were assessed by the Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (CSFQ). Symptoms of sexual dysfunction related to multiple sclerosis (the Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire-19; MSISQ-19), disability status in multiple sclerosis (the Expanded Disability Status Scale; EDSS), gender and age were also taken into account.

Results: This analysis indicated that all predictors (gender, age, EDSS score, and all three MSISQ-19 subscales) were significantly associated with the explained variable (sexual activity and function) in the expected direction. Finally, hierarchical regression showed that significant predictors of sexual activity and function were: (a) male gender, (b) age (negative relationship), and (c) primary sexual dysfunction symptoms (negative relationship).

Conclusions: Sexual activity and function can be predicted by using the MSISQ-19, which makes it a useful tool for communication between clinicians and patients.

Introduction: This prospective study aimed to evaluate the functional status and risk factors in patients undergoing lung resection.

Methods: Functional status defined by the parameters of spirometry (VC, FVC, FEV₁, FEV₁/FVC) and whole-body plethysmography (TLC) examination was assessed before lung resection, at hospital discharge, 3 weeks after surgery, and 3 months after surgery.

Results: The sample comprised 24 participants who were observed from 5/2021 to 10/2022. The functional status worsened significantly after the surgery, but the lung function values improved over time.

Conclusions: Lung functions dropped sharply after the surgery but improved over time.

Introduction: This study will explore the correlation of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-α (PPAR-α) regulation of metabolic remodelling in the myocardial fibrosis of atrial fibrillation (AF) in rheumatic heart disease.

Material and methods: The left atrial appendage tissues were evaluated by Masson staining for fibrosis degree, and Western Blot was used to detect the expression of proteins related to glucose metabolism disorder, lipid metabolism abnormality, and mitochondrial dysfunction. The myocardial fibroblasts were established by stimulation with ANG II, and the PPAR-α agonist GW7647 was administered. The changes of phenotype transformation of myocardial fibroblasts were detected by cellular immunofluorescence, the secretion level of supernatant collagen was detected by ELISA. Finally, the correlation between PPAR-α protein expression and myocardial fibrosis was analysed and a conclusion was drawn.

Results: Masson staining showed that the degree of myocardial fibrosis in patients with AF was significantly increased; WB analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences in protein expression related to glucose metabolism disorder, lipid metabolism abnormality, and mitochondrial dysfunction. There was a correlation between PPAR-α protein expression and myocardial fibrosis (r = -0.5322, p < 0.0001). After stimulation with PPAR-α agonist GW7647, the phenotypic differentiation of myocardial fibro-blasts into myofibroblasts was inhibited. The protein expression related to mitochondrial dysfunction was statistically different.

Conclusions: This study found that there is a negative correlation between the expression of PPAR-α protein and myocardial fibrosis in rheumatic heart disease AF, which plays a protective role. PPAR-α may participate in the pathogenesis of myocardial fibrosis in rheumatic heart disease AF by regulating glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and mitochondrial function.