Medicine
-
Hyperkalemia (serum potassium [K+] ≥5.1) is life-threatening in patients diagnosed with end stage kidney disease (ESKD). Patiromer is approved for the treatment of hyperkalemia, although its role in hyperkalemic patients with ESKD is not well understood. This study describes real-world patiromer utilization in an ESKD population and its corresponding association with serum K+ level changes. ⋯ Average serum K+ concentrations during baseline and the 3 evaluation intervals during the 180-day follow-up were 5.91 mEq/L (5.85-5.97), 4.94 mEq/L (4.86-5.03), 4.89 mEq/L (4.8-4.98) and 4.88 mEq/L (4.8-4.96). Few patients remained persistent on their initial course of patiromer at the end of follow-up, but approximately 20% of patients initiated a second treatment episode after a 30-day gap in treatment during the 180-day follow-up period. Nonetheless, average serum K+ in ESKD patients were sustainably reduced by approximately 1 mEq/L during follow-up.
-
Mercury-free sphygmomanometers are gradually replacing the traditional sphygmomanometers in clinical settings and epidemiological surveys for measuring blood pressure (BP) due to mercury toxicity. No direct comparative studies have evaluated BP differences and statistical errors of automated oscillometric devices (ODs) against electronic auscultatory devices (ADs) for epidemiologic surveys. Herein, we evaluated the validity of ODs for the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) using the Universal Standard for BP device validation through a direct comparison with ADs as the reference standard. ⋯ OD-DBP was positively associated with DBP difference and negatively associated for DBP absolute error. ODs met the accuracy requirements of the Universal Standard criteria against ADs for SBP but not for DBP. Thus, the DBP values may be underestimated by ODs in the KNHANES.
-
We aimed to explore the clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic risk factors of cervical cancer in patients aged ≤35 years. A total of 256 cervical cancer patients treated at Anhui Medical University Affiliated Maternity and Child Health Hospital and The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from January 2016 to October 2018 were divided into ≤35-year-old (n = 136) and >35-year-old (n = 120) groups. Their clinicopathological characteristics and 3-year cumulative disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were compared. ⋯ Depth of cervical interstitial infiltration >4 mm, parametrial metastasis, lymph node metastasis, and vascular infiltration were independent risk factors for the prognosis of cervical cancer patients aged ≤35 years (P < .05). Cervical cancer aged ≤35 years have a worse postoperative prognosis than those aged >35 years, which is affected by the depth of cervical interstitial infiltration >4 mm, parametrial metastasis, lymph node metastasis, and vascular infiltration. Therefore, it is necessary to identify more effective treatment methods for young patients with cervical cancer to improve the therapeutic effect and reduce the risk of recurrence and metastasis.
-
The present study aimed to explore gut microbiota alterations and host cytokine responses in a population with elevated serum diamine oxidase (DAO) disorder. A total of 53 study participants were included in this study, segregated into 2 groups: subjects with high-level DAO (DAO-H, n = 22) subjects with normal DAO level (DAO-N, n = 31). We investigated the clinical and demographic parameters of study participants. ⋯ Furthermore, the cytokines were no related to the DAO level in both groups and exhibited no significant differences between DAO-H and DAO-N. This study adds a new dimension to our understanding of the DAO and gut microbiota, and revealed that an increase in the DAO level in the intestinal mucosa could alter the gut microbiota composition, which can cause gut-related complications. Research is needed to extensively evaluate downstream pathways and provide possible protective or treatment measures pertaining to relevant disorders.
-
To analyze the epidemiological distribution, clinical characteristics, and prognostic risk factors of patients having severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS). ⋯ The incidence population and seasonal distribution characteristics of patients with SFTS are obvious. The risk factors for poor prognosis of severe patients are old age, multiple basic medical histories, high viral load, a serious decrease of mean platelet count, and delay of treatment time.