Journal of clinical medicine research最新文献

Background: The high prevalence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors among the patients without cardiovascular disease (CVD) allows us to predict an increase in cardiovascular morbidity rate in the future. Arterial stiffness is one of the most important predictors and pathogenetic mechanisms of CVD development. The aim of our study was to evaluate the predictive differences of age-related and age-independent (universal) cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) reference values for detecting increased arterial stiffness in individuals without CVD.

Methods: The study included 600 patients (43% men and 57% women, mean age 36.0 ± 18.3 years). All the patients underwent anthropometric measurements with obesity markers evaluation, assessment of arterial stiffness by sphygmomanometry. To create predictive models, we used universal and age-related CAVI thresholds: ≥ 9.0 (CAVI^{≥ 9}) and CAVI^Age according to the "Consensus of Russian experts on the evaluation of arterial stiffness in clinical practice".

Results: In the < 50 years group, both the CAVI^Age and CAVI^{≥ 9} models were significant (CAVI^Age: b = 4.8, standard error b (st.err.b) = 0.27, P < 0.001; CAVI^{≥ 9}: b = 3.2, st.err.b = 1.6, P < 0.001). The CAVI^Age model demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity (> 70%) compared to the CAVI^{≥ 9} model (sensitivity 62%, specificity 58%). In the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the CAVI^Age model had a significantly higher area under the ROC curve (AUC) = 0.802 than the CAVI^{≥ 9} model: AUC = 0.674. In the ≥ 50 years group, both models were significant: CAVI^Age (b = 2.6, st.err.b = 1.13, P < 0.001) and CAVI^{≥ 9} (b = 5.3, st.err.b = 0.94, P < 0.001). Both models demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity (> 70%). When ROC curves were analyzed for the CAVI^Age model, the AUC value of 0.675 was significantly lower when compared to the CAVI^{≥ 9} model (AUC = 0.787, P = 0.031).

Conclusions: In the < 50 years group, the model based on age-specific CAVI thresholds has the higher predictive value, sensitivity, and specificity for identifying individuals with increased arterial stiffness. In contrast, in the ≥ 50 years group, a predictive model using a universal threshold value of CAVI^{≥ 9} has advantages.

The goal of combination therapy for moderate-to-severe lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH) is to ease both the dynamic and static symptoms by using agents that have complementary mechanisms of action. Similar to prescribing other drugs, LUTS/BPH combination therapy has been affected by multiple factors. Previous qualitative research discussed the individual perspectives that influenced combination therapy administration. Yet, until recently, there has been limited interest in clinical reasons that physicians have to consider before prescribing LUTS/BPH combination treatment. This systematic review aimed to identify the clinical considerations that influence the decision to prescribe combination therapy of tamsulosin 0.4 mg + dutasteride 0.5 mg for Asian men with LUTS/BPH. This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A systematic search was performed in databases Medline, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, and Embase from inception until January 2024 using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms and keywords with truncation for alternative acronyms. A citation search was performed to gather works of literature on LUTS/BPH combination treatment in addition to the "PICO" framework for search terms. Five English-language primary randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in the narrative analysis using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) checklist after critical appraisal. Several dosages of tamsulosin (0.2 mg and 0.4 mg) have been administered in LUTS/BPH combination treatment over the last few decades despite 0.2 mg tamsulosin being standardized as an effective regime in Asian countries. A remarkable correlation between prostate volume (PV) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was found in Asian men, which requires higher PSA secretion to enlarge each prostate unit and causes an increased risk of moderate-to-severe LUTS. Additionally, BPH baseline variables may lead to a different response to combination therapy, especially the PV and PSA differences. In conclusion, compared with Caucasian men, a significantly higher risk of moderate-to-severe LUTS was found in Asian men. Initiation of combination therapy, especially dutasteride, depends on a larger PV (≥ 30 mL); it is possible, therefore, that earlier PV and PSA examinations and baseline variables assessments ought to be performed by physicians before the combination therapy prescription. Alternative treatment options may be considered for a patient who prefers an active pattern of sexual activity during their BPH combined pharmacotherapy. These clinical considerations may influence the prescription of tamsulosin 0.4 mg + dutasteride 0.5 mg combination therapy for Asian men with moderate-to-severe LUTS/BPH. This study was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42024575528).

The aim of the present study was to report the remodeling of the basement membrane through physiological stimulus during the treatment of fibrosis in a lower limb with lymphedema. A clinical trial was conducted involving the evaluation of the basement membrane in skin biopsies before and after treatment for clinical stage II lower limb lymphedema using the Godoy method for the reversal of lymphedema and skin fibrosis. The samples were stained with Gomori's reticulin stain and evaluated using Weibel's multipoint morphometric method at the Godoy Clinic. Prior to treatment for lymphedema, rupture and important discontinuity of the basement membrane was found. After treatment, structural continuity and thickness had returned to the regions of previous rupture. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05, paired t-test). The present study reports that physiological stimuli targeting the lymphatic system led to the clinical reversal of fibrosis, as well as stimulate the synthesis of extracellular matrix proteins and the reconstruction of the basal lamina of the skin.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) has three clinicopathological features, namely, necrotizing granulomatosis of the upper respiratory tract and lungs, focal segmental necrotizing glomerulonephritis of the kidney, and necrotizing vasculitis of small vessels throughout the body. A 92-year-old man with clinically diagnosed probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) exhibited subacute deterioration in cognitive function. On admission, he was diagnosed with acute renal failure with an elevated creatinine level (5.48 mg/dL) as well as severe disturbance of consciousness. Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs) directed against proteinase 3 (PR3-ANCA) were highly positive with ≥ 350 U/mL. The patient was diagnosed with GPA and was managed with steroid pulse therapy. However, he died without any improvement in renal function. As a result of the autopsy, the patient was diagnosed with definite AD, and his impaired consciousness was found not to be caused by central nervous system involvement due to GPA. As necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis was observed, the cause of the acute progressive renal failure was found to be PR3-ANCA-positive GPA. The autopsy revealed no GPA-related lesions in other parts of the body aside from the kidneys. It is rare to encounter cases of PR3-ANCA-positive GPA with renal-limited vasculitis and acute renal failure as the initial manifestation, as in the present case. Making an accurate clinical diagnosis of older patients suffering from various diseases in multiple organs is challenging. Although autopsy has the limitation of a terminal image, it is extremely useful in elucidating the pathophysiology of the older patient in this case.

Thalassemia encompasses a group of inherited hemoglobin disorders characterized by reduced or absent production of the α- or β-globin chains, leading to anemia and other complications. Current management relies on lifelong blood transfusions and iron chelation, which is burdensome for patients. This review summarizes the emerging therapeutic potential of modulating microRNAs (miRNAs) to treat thalassemia. MiRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression through sequence-specific binding to messenger RNAs (mRNAs). While they commonly repress gene expression by binding to the 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) of target mRNAs, miRNAs can also interact with 5'UTRs and gene promoters to activate gene expression. Many miRNAs are now recognized as critical regulators of erythropoiesis and are abnormally expressed in β-thalassemia. Therapeutically restoring levels of deficient miRNAs or inhibiting overexpression through miRNA mimics or inhibitors (antagomir), respectively, has shown preclinical efficacy in ameliorating thalassemic phenotypes. The miR-144/451 cluster is especially compelling for targeted upregulation to reactivate fetal hemoglobin synthesis. Advances in delivery systems are addressing previous challenges in stability and targeting of miRNA-based drugs. While still early, gene therapy studies suggest combinatorial approaches with miRNA modulation may provide synergistic benefits. Several key considerations remain including enhancing delivery, minimizing off-target effects, and demonstrating long-term safety and efficacy. While no miRNA therapies have yet progressed to clinical testing for thalassemia specifically, important lessons are being learned through clinical trials for other diseases and conditions, such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and viral. If limitations can be overcome through multi-disciplinary collaboration, miRNAs hold great promise to expand and transform treatment options for thalassemia in the future by precisely targeting pathogenic molecular networks. Ongoing innovations, such as advancements in miRNA delivery systems, improved targeting mechanisms, and enhanced understanding of miRNA biology, continue to drive progress in this emerging field towards realizing the clinical potential of miRNA-based medicines for thalassemia patients.

The management of heart failure (HF) in patients with type 2 diabetes has significantly evolved with the introduction of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. This article aims to consolidate existing knowledge on the efficacy of these inhibitors in managing HF in this patient population. Major medical databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, were reviewed, prioritizing research from the last decade. The results of this review highlight the mechanisms of action of SGLT2 inhibitors, their clinical benefits, challenges in patient management, and outcomes associated with their use. These medications were found to not only improve glycemic control but also offer significant cardiovascular and renal benefits, reducing cardiovascular mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events. However, challenges and knowledge gaps persist, particularly regarding long-term effects and safety in diverse populations. The conclusions of this review underscore the importance of updating clinical guidelines to incorporate these findings and propose the need for future research to address existing gaps and optimize the use of SGLT2 inhibitors in clinical practice.

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is a significant concern in patients undergoing emergency surgery, particularly in those with underlying comorbidities. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of comorbidities, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity, pulmonary disease, cardiac disease, liver disease, and renal disease, on the incidence of SSI in patients undergoing emergency surgery.

Methods: We performed a systematic literature search across electronic databases including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, ProQuest, and Google Scholar to identify studies examining the effect of comorbidities on the incidence of SSI in patients undergoing emergency surgery. To determine the effect size, pooled odds ratios (ORs) were calculated. Statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3 software.

Results: Thirteen studies involving 8,952 patients undergoing emergency surgery were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled analysis showed that the following comorbidities significantly increased the risk of SSI following emergency surgery: diabetes mellitus (OR = 2.22; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.52 - 3.25; P < 0.0001), obesity (OR = 1.43; 95% CI = 1.19 - 1.72; P = 0.0001), and liver disease (OR = 1.66; 95% CI = 1.37 - 2.00; P < 0.00001). However, hypertension, pulmonary disease, cardiac disease, and renal disease showed no significant association with SSI.

Conclusions: In patients undergoing emergency surgery, the presence of comorbidities including diabetes mellitus, obesity, and liver disease increases the incidence of developing SSI.

Background: Cesarean sections (C-section) often require blood transfusions in cases of severe bleeding, particularly challenging in Rh-negative pregnancies due to the scarcity of Rh-negative donors, with only approximately 0.3% of the population in Thailand. Autologous blood donation, where individuals donate their own blood before surgery, offers a promising solution. Our study focused on preparing preoperative autologous blood donations (PAD) for Rh-negative pregnancies.

Methods: We conducted blood screening on 7,182 pregnancies at Takuapa Hospital from October 2013 to September 2018, identifying 21 Rh-negative pregnant women. We established criteria based on hemoglobin (Hb) levels, which are crucial for autologous blood preparation (Hb at 11.0 g/dL, and hematocrit (Hct) above 33%). Blood samples were collected twice during pregnancy, at 36 and 37 weeks, with the second collection 1 week before the C-section. Pregnancies testing positive for infectious markers were excluded following standard blood donation guidelines. Twelve pregnant women testing negative for infectious markers were enrolled.

Results: The demographic data showed 12 subjects aged 17 to 41 years, with an average of 27.83. Initial blood tests indicated Hb and Hct levels of 12.5 g/dL, and 36.4%, slightly decreasing to 12.2 g/dL and 35.8% in the second collection. On the day of the cesarean, levels further declined to 11.6 g/dL and 34.4%, respectively, within normal ranges. At discharge, the Hct measured 34.8%. Maternal and infant health post-C-section were good, with baby weights ranging from 2,640 to 4,080 g. None of the 12 cases required autologous blood transfusion, validating the safety of standard autologous blood preparation practices.

Conclusions: This study highlights the safety of autologous blood donation for pregnant women with rare blood types, which was achieved through effective planning and collaboration among hospital departments. These findings can serve as a model for other hospitals and significantly reduce the burden of searching for Rh-negative donors.

Background: Different variants of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of angiotensinogen (AGT), angiotensin-converting enzyme type 1 (ACE1), and angiotensin II receptors type 1 (AGTR1) and 2 (AGTR2) genes determine different susceptibility to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and hypertension, which can be considered as risk factors for fatal outcomes among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. The objective of our study was to assess the relation between the frequency of SNPs of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) components, and the severity of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.

Methods: The cross-sectional study included 100 patients with a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 admitted to the hospital. Criteria for severe COVID-19 included respiratory rate (RR) > 30/min, blood oxygen saturation (SpO₂) ≤ 93%, signs of unstable hemodynamics with systolic blood pressure (SBP) < 90 and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) < 60 mm Hg. All patients were identified with alleles and genotypes of the polymorphic markers rs4762 of the AGT gene, rs1799752 of the ACE1 gene, rs5186 of the AGTR1 gene and rs1403543 of the AGTR2 gene using the polymerase chain reaction method in human DNA preparations on real-time CFX96C1000 Touch, Bio-Rad equipment (Syntol, Russia). Statistical analysis was performed in R v.4.2.

Results: Patients were divided into groups with severe (n = 44) and moderate COVID-19 (n = 56). For ACE1 rs1799752, a significant deviation from the population distribution was detected in both studied subgroups. A higher frequency of the C allele SNP rs5186 AGTR1 gene was detected in the group with severe disease. More frequent A/A genotype of SNP rs1403543 AGTR2 was detected among females with severe COVID-19. Haplotype analysis revealed more common DCG haplotype among patients with severe COVID-19. The odds ratio for severe COVID-19 in the presence of the DCG haplotype was 3.996 (95% confidential interval: 1.080 -14.791, P < 0.05).

Conclusions: Our data suggest that the SNP genes of the RAS components, may allow to identify groups of patients predisposed to a more severe course of COVID-19.