Medical principles and practice : international journal of the Kuwait University, Health Science Centre
-
To evaluate the characteristics of hospital discharge diagnoses of influenza measured by using specific International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9 CM) codes. ⋯ In Sicily, more than one quarter of all hospital admissions with an ICD-9 CM code for influenza were observed in the months with a negligible circulation of influenza viruses. Our findings show that several hospital discharge records included ICD-9 CM codes for influenza with low levels of sensitivity, specificity and/or appropriateness for clinical information and support the need for improving medical education on the epidemiology and hospital management of influenza cases.
-
To study degrees of chronic kidney disease (CKD) using creatinine clearance in adult Nigerian patients with sickle-cell disease (SCD). ⋯ In this study, the adult subjects with SCD had various degrees of CKD. Adequate follow-up and active intervention are advocated to delay the onset of end-stage nephropathy.
-
Maintaining cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) levels within healthy limits is critical for decreasing the risk of heart disease. Dyslipidemia refers to the abnormal levels of lipids in the blood, including low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), also known as good cholesterol, high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), also known as bad cholesterol, and/or high TG levels that contribute to the development and progression of atherosclerosis. In this article we reviewed some of the current therapeutic targets for the treatment of dyslipidemia, with a primary focus on endothelial lipase and lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase for raising HDL-C, and the proprotein convertase subtilisin-like kexin type 9 (PCSK9), microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, and the messenger RNA of apolipoprotein B for lowering LDL-C. ⋯ These are its mutated dimer (apoAI-Milano), a complex with phospholipids, and a mimetic peptide. Atherosclerosis, mainly because of dyslipidemia, is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease. Regarding the title of this article, the 'good' refers to HDL-C, the 'bad' refers to LDL-C, and the 'ugly' refers to atherosclerosis.
-
To determine the role of lymph node metastases (ypN) and perineural invasion (PNI) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). ⋯ The presence of either PNI or ypN was a significant prognostic factor for predicting poor survival rates in LARC patients, especially those with a coexistence of both factors. Accordingly, we recommend an intensive follow-up and therapeutic programs for LARC patients with simultaneous PNI+ and ypN+.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of high-frequency bio-oxidative ozone therapy in temporomandibular disorder-related pain.
It was the aim of this study to compare the efficacy of ozone therapy and drug treatment in patients with painful temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder (TMD). ⋯ This study showed that bio-oxidative therapy was a more effective treatment than medication therapy for relieving TMJ pain.