Annals of medicine
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Background: Saliva represents a promising non-invasive source of novel biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis cancer. This meta-analysis evaluates the diagnostic value of salivary biomarkers for detection of malignant non-oral tumours to better define the value of saliva as an alternative liquid biopsy. Materials and methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis. ⋯ Key messagesThis meta-analysis evaluates the diagnostic value of salivary biomarkers for detection of malignant non-oral tumours to better define the role of saliva as an alternative liquid biopsy. Salivary biomarkers showed 85% accuracy for cancer distant to the oral cavity. Saliva represents a promising non-invasive source of novel biomarkers in cancer.
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Background: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients are widely treated with long-term beta-blocker therapy after cardiac event. Especially for low-risk patients, the benefits of beta-blockers on survival and the optimal therapy duration remain unclear. We investigated the effect of adherence to beta-blockers on long-term survival of ACS patients. ⋯ Key messagesAdherence to secondary prevention medications diminishes drastically over the years after an ACS event. Non-adherence to β-blockers is associated with increased long-term mortality of ACS patients, and the effect on survival extends beyond the first year after an ACS event. Our follow-up was exceptionally lengthy with median follow-up period of 8.6 years.
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Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is the most common subepidermal autoimmune blistering disease. It usually affects people older than 70 years of age. The two main autoantigens are BP180 and BP230, both of which are components of hemidesmosomes. ⋯ Key MessagesBullous Pemphigoid Disease Area Index (BPDAI) is a scoring system which can reflect the extent of clinical involvement of BP patients. The titres of IgE autoantibodies and IgG autoantibodies against the NC16A domain of BP180 are closely correlated with the activity and severity of BP. Many inflammatory cells and molecules, such as eosinophils and interleukins, can also reflect the activity and severity of BP.
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Background: This study aims to compare the effectiveness of inhaled prostacyclin or its analoguesversus nitric oxide (NO) in treating pulmonary hypertension (PH) after cardiac or pulmonary surgery remains unclear. Methods: PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases were searched for literature published prior to December 2019 using the following keywords: inhaled, nitric oxide, prostacyclin, iloprost, treprostinil, epoprostenol, Tyvaso, flolan, and pulmonary hypertension. Randomized controlled trials and multiple-armed prospective studies that evaluated inhaled NO versus prostacyclin (or analogues) in patients for perioperative and/or postoperative PH after either cardiac or pulmonary surgery were included. ⋯ Key messagesThis study compared the efficacy of inhaled prostacyclin or its analogues versus inhaled NO to treat PH after surgery. The two types of agent exhibited similar efficacy in managing MPAP, PVR, heart rate, and cardiac output was observed. Inhaled prostacyclin may serve as an alternative treatment option for PH after cardiac or pulmonary surgery.