Current medical research and opinion
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In recent years, the importance of holistic care in individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been emphasized, and therefore a measurement tool that evaluates biopsychosocial impact is needed. This study was conducted to determine the validity, reliability, and responsiveness of the Cognitive Exercise Therapy Approach-Biopsychosocial Questionnaire (BETY-BQ) in individuals with SLE. ⋯ BETY-BQ which was found as a valid, reliable, and responsive scale in individuals with SLE, was presented to healthcare professionals for use in clinical and research studies as a scale that can be preferred in the evaluation of biopsychosocial status of individuals with SLE.
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The occurrence of bacteremia is critically important for the survival of cancer patients. Therefore, our study aims to evaluate the efficacy of procalcitonin (PCT) and the procalcitonin to albumin ratio (PAR) in predicting bacteremia among this population. ⋯ This study is the first in the literature to suggest that PAR and PCT are valuable biomarkers for diagnosing bacteremia in cancer patients. The identified cut-off values offer practical thresholds for bacteremia diagnosis.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Efficacy and safety of mixture of ivy leaf extract and coptidis rhizome in the treatment of acute bronchitis: multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, active-controlled, parallel, therapeutic confirmatory clinical trial.
Acute bronchitis is the most common respiratory disease. Mixture of Ivy Leaf Extract and Coptidis rhizome syrup has shown good treatment efficacy against chronic bronchitis and acute respiratory infections. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Mixture of Ivy Leaf Extract and Coptidis rhizome compared with those of Pelargonium sidoides extract, for the treatment of acute bronchitis. ⋯ Mixture of Ivy Leaf Extract and Coptidis rhizome syrup is as effective and safe as P. sidoides in controlling symptoms of acute bronchitis.
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Hepatorenal Syndrome is a critical complication of liver failure, mainly in cirrhotic patients and rarely in patients with acute liver disease. It is a complex spectrum of conditions that leads to renal dysfunction in the liver cirrhosis population; the pathophysiology is characterized by a specific triad: circulatory dysfunction, nitric oxide (NO) dysfunction and systemic inflammation but a specific kidney damage has never been demonstrated, in a clinicopathological study, kidney biopsies of patients with cirrhosis showed a wide spectrum of kidney damage. In addition, the absence of significant hematuria or proteinuria does not exclude renal damage. ⋯ The widespread adoption of albumin and vasopressors has increased Hepatorenal syndrome-acute kidney injury reversal and may increase overall survival, as previously shown. Further research is needed to define whether the subclassification of patients may allow to find a personalized strategy to treat Hepatorenal Syndrome and to define the role of new molecules and extracorporeal treatment may allow better outcomes with a reduction in treatment-related adverse effects. This review aims to examine both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment of hepatorenal syndrome, with a particular focus on managing adverse events caused by treatment.
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Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a perplexed condition addressing endocrinal, cardiometabolic and gynaecological issues. It affects women of adolescent age and is drastically increasing in the Indo-Asian ethnicity over the recent years. According to Rotterdam criteria, PCOS is characterized by clinical or biochemical excess androgen and polycystic ovarian morphology; however, it has been established in the recent years that PCOS exacerbates to further serious metabolic conditions on the long term. ⋯ Therefore, the article focuses on a potent alpha glucosidase inhibitor, acarbose which suppresses the post meal glucose and insulin by delaying the absorption of complex carbs. It exhibits cardio-metabolic and hormonal benefits and is well tolerable in the south asian population. This review highlights the safety, effectiveness of acarbose in ameliorating the long-term complications of PCOS.