Medicine
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Observational Study
Correlational analysis of bone health status and vitamin D-related biomarkers in women working in agriculture.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of bone health in women working in agriculture and analyze the associations between bone health and various vitamin D-related biomarkers. This observational study enrolled women working in agriculture (n = 210) and control occupations (n = 180). The concentration of serum total 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] was measured using the Elecsys Vitamin D Total Kit, and serum vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. ⋯ Of the vitamin D-related biomarkers tested, bioavailable 25(OH)D and VDBP were associated with BMD. As bioavailable 25(OH)D levels are affected mainly by VDBP levels, VDBP may play a role in the lower femur neck BMD values observed in the agricultural group. Thus, the measurement of VDBP concentration might be considered a simple and non-invasive method for measuring bone health status.
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To determine whether exposure to antidepressants (ATDs) results in improved overall survival (OS) of patients with gastric cancer (GC) after surgery, we conducted a large cohort study and considered confounding factors that might affect the research outcomes. Patients who received a new diagnosis of GC and received surgery and chemotherapy between 1999 and 2008 were recruited and were classified into different groups based on the ATD level used. The association between the OS of patients with GC after surgery with different levels of ATD use, and the hazard ratio with comorbidities at different ATD use levels were compared. ⋯ Additionally, the effect of ATD use still exhibited a dose-dependent relationship in distinct stratifications for sex and age. The OS for patients with GC after surgery and chemotherapy improved with ATD use, and a dose-dependent relationship was discovered in this study. Further studies on the association between OS of GC and ATD use are required.
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Case Reports
Second branchial cleft cyst with snoring during sleep as initial symptom: A case report and literature review.
The second branchial cleft cyst lacks typical symptoms, and its clinical manifestations are complex and varied. Among them, the second branchial cleft cyst manifested by sleep snoring is relatively rare, and it can easily lead to missed diagnosis or misdiagnosis. This paper reports a case of a second branchial cleft abscess with snoring as the main manifestation. The branchial cleft cyst was removed using an endoscopic branchial cleft.
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Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare and sometimes fatal systolic heart failure that affects women during late pregnancy or the early postpartum period. Heart failure symptoms can mimic the physiological changes of normal pregnancy, and the diagnosis is based on echocardiography. ⋯ Prolonged tocolysis may contribute to cardiomyopathy and should be used with caution. PPCM management requires standard treatments for acute heart failure with modifications for fetal safety.
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Observational Study
Gut-flora metabolites is not associated with synchronous carotid artery plaque and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in asymptomatic adults: A STROBE-compliant article.
Synchronous non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and carotid artery plaque formation increase the risk of mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Metabolic status and host gut flora are associated with NAFLD and CVD, but the risk factors require further evaluation. To evaluate the risk factors associated with NAFLD and CVD, including gut-flora-related examinations. ⋯ Endotoxin and trimethylamine-N-oxide levels were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Host metabolic status, such as elevated BMI, TG, and systolic blood pressure, are associated with synchronous NAFLD and carotid artery plaque in asymptomatic adults. Aggressive TG control, blood pressure control, and weight reduction are indicated in patients with NAFLD.