Postgraduate medical journal
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The microbes in the gut are crucial for maintaining the body's immune system and overall gut health. However, it is not fully understood how an unstable gut environment can lead to more severe cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The gut microbiota also plays a role in the gut-brain axis and interacts with the central nervous system through metabolic and neuroendocrine pathways. ⋯ In this context, we discuss how dysbiosis could contribute to comorbidities that increase susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2. Probiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation have successfully treated infectious and non-infectious inflammatory-related diseases, the most common comorbidities. These treatments could be adjuvant therapies for COVID-19 infection by restoring gut homeostasis and balancing the gut microbiota.
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To explore the relationship between liver fat content (LFC) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and determine the new threshold of LFC to diagnose NAFLD. ⋯ The relationship between LFC and NAFLD was sigmoidal, with an inflection point of 4.5%.
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Association between amiodarone use and risk of cataract: a population-based active-comparator study.
Despite previous concerns about ocular side effects related to amiodarone, the relationship between amiodarone and cataract remains uncertain. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the potential association between amiodarone use and the subsequent risk of cataract, taking into account potential confounders. ⋯ The study found no increased risk of cataract with amiodarone, one of the most frequently used antiarrhythmic medications, compared to the use of propafenone. Future research is recommended to explore potential mechanisms and their implications for clinical practice.
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To construct a clinical noncontrastive computed tomography (NCCT) deep learning joint model for predicting early hematoma expansion (HE) after cerebral hemorrhage (sICH) and evaluate its predictive performance. ⋯ The combined clinical imaging deep learning model has a high predictive effect for early HE in sICH patients, which is helpful for clinical individualized assessment of the risk of early HE in sICH patients.
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This study sought to investigate the causal effects of circulating C-reactive protein (CRP) level on risk of asthma and its subtypes by two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. ⋯ The present study suggested that higher CRP might genetically predict an increased risk of developing asthma and obesity-related asthma, without causality with allergic asthma.