Clinics
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Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography, the aspartate aminotransferase-to-alanine aminotransferase ratio (AAR), aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), and the fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index are widely used to assess liver fibrosis. However, efficacies of these methods in the evaluation of hepatic functional reserve remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the relationship between ARFI elastography combined with either AAR, APRI, or FIB-4 index and Child-Pugh (CP) class for the evaluation of hepatic functional reserve in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB)-related cirrhosis. ⋯ The ARFI value has a strong correlation with the CP class. Therefore, ARFI elastography complements CP class in the assessment of the hepatic functional reserve in patients with CHB-related cirrhosis.
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To evaluate the acute effects of a session of water-based aerobic exercise on the blood lipid levels of women with dyslipidemia and to compare these results according to their training status. ⋯ A single water-based aerobic exercise session is sufficient and effective to beneficially modify the lipid profile of women with dyslipidemia, regardless of their training status.
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Human immunodeficiency virus-positive (HIV+) individuals can experience a decrease in antioxidants. Such deficiency can make inner ear cells and synapses more vulnerable to oxidative stress, resulting in auditory alterations, even in the presence of normal thresholds. This study aims to compare the audiological findings of HIV+ patients (with and without exposure to anti-retroviral treatment) to those of healthy individuals. ⋯ Normal-hearing HIV+ individuals (with and without exposure to HAART) presented with poor performance in the audiological procedures, suggesting the presence of auditory alterations even in the presence of normal-hearing thresholds.