Annals of medicine
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Background and aim: Since the relation between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and atherosclerosis has been evidenced, we aimed to analyze whether there is a relationship between the patient's H. pylori infection and age, gender, BMI, blood lipids, and carotid plaque formation. Methods: 810 patients from January 2016 to December 2019 were enrolled in this study, and divided the subjects into H. pylori (+) group and H. pylori (-) group based on the results of UBT. To analyze whether H. pylori infection is related to gender, age, BMI, blood lipids, and neck vascular plaque formation. ⋯ The multi-variant analysis showed that patients with H. pylori infection are prone to have higher BMI, triglycerides, and neck vascular plaque formation over 1.4-times higher in non-infected individuals. KEY MESSAGESH. pylori infection is an independent risk factor for higher BMI, triglyceride, and neck vascular plaque formation. H. pylori can accelerate vascular plaque formation through increasing BMI and triglyceride.
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To provide the reference biometric measurements of the normal foetal brain by prenatal MRI and describe the distribution of measurements in the foetuses with ventricular septal defect (VSD). ⋯ We have presented reference linear biometry of the foetal brain by prenatal MRI from 18 to 37 gestational weeks, which could help us to interpret and monitor the brain development for foetuses with VSD and other congenital heart diseases.Key messages:We have presented reference linear biometry of the foetal brain by prenatal MRI from 18 to 37 gestational weeks in multiple statistical methods: mean and standard deviation; 95% predicted confidence intervals and the 3rd, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, 97th centiles.Our data showed that the involvement of the brain in VSD may be not globally, but regionally, and the cerebellum may be more possible to be involved.We speculated that the earlier the VSD diagnosed the worse the brain involved, which might suggest a poor outcome and necessary follow-up.
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Biomarkers of oxidative stress (OS) have been poorly explored in fungal peritonitis (FP). Potassium is a regulator of pro-oxidants and antioxidants. Albumin and vitamin B12 (B12) are vital antioxidant agents in the circulatory system. This study aimed to investigate the antioxidative role of serum potassium, albumin and B12 in FP. ⋯ These findings suggest lower serum potassium, albumin and B12 as potential oxidative stress markers of FP and raise the hypothesis that an increased level of OS could contribute to FP.KEY MESSAGESFP remains a serious complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD), with higher morbidity (1-23.8%) and mortality (2-25%), and oxidative stress plays a role in it.Our study suggested serum potassium, albumin and vitamin B12 as potential oxidative stress markers of fungal peritonitis.
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To date, there is no final FDA-approved treatment for COVID-19. There are thousands of studies published on the available treatments for COVID-19 virus in the past year. Therefore, it is crucial to synthesize and summarize the evidence from published studies on the safety and efficacy of experimental treatments of COVID-19. ⋯ Corticosteroids, Convalescent plasma transfusion, and anticoagulant therapies provide a better prognosis. Remedsivir, Tocilizumab, Immunoglobulin, Mesenchymal stem cell transplantation showed effective treatment results, but further confirmatory studies are needed. In conclusion, Favipiravir and Remedsivir might be promising drugs in the treatment of COVID-19 patients. .
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Background: Exosomes-encapsulated microRNAs (miRNAs) have been established to be implicated in the pathogenesis of different diseases. Nevertheless, circulating exosomal miRNAs of thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) remains poorly understood. This study aimed to explore the effects of exosomal miRNAs associated with TAO on human vascular smooth muscle cells (HVSMCs). ⋯ Additionally, the expressions of VCAM1 and IGF1R were down-regulated by exosomes and miR-223-5p mimics, and were abrogated by miR-223-5p inhibitor. Dual-luciferase report showed that VCAM1 was the target of miR-223-5p. Conclusions: Our findings imply that circulating exosomal miR-223-5p may play an essential role in the pathogenesis of TAO, and provide a basis for miR-6515-5p/VCAM1 as novel therapeutic targets and pathways for TAO treatment.