Annals of medicine
-
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease characterized by dysregulation of fibroblast function, which often involves the lungs. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated with SSc (SSc-ILD) is a major cause of death among patients with SSc. Our study aimed to identify risk factors for mortality and compare the clinical characteristics of patients with SSc-ILD. ⋯ Approximately 10% of patients with SSc-ILD in the limited and extensive group showed progression. ILD was detected at a median of less than five years from the first visit; therefore, it is necessary to carefully monitor patients' symptoms and signs from an early stage. Long-term surveillance is also required.Key messagesPatients with systemic sclerosis-interstitial lung disease manifested a heterogeneous disease course.Approximately 10% of the patients in the limited group showed progression, which was similar to the proportion of patients in the extensive group.Interstitial lung disease was detected at a median of less than five years from the first visit.
-
Systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), a novel inflammatory indicator based on platelets, neutrophils and lymphocytes, has been shown to be associated with prognostic value in several solid tumors. However, its prognostic value in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has not been reported yet. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of SII in individuals with NAFLD. ⋯ Based on a study of US NAFLD patients, it was found that the baseline log2-SII is associated with all-cause mortality. Elevated SII is associated with poor survival among NAFLD patients.KEY MESSAGESUsing a large nationally representative survey of individuals among US adults, the study demonstrated that log2-SII was J-shaped and associated with all-cause death among individuals with NAFLD.Spline analyses demonstrated that the association between log2-SII and all-cause mortality was non-linear after adjusting for multiple potential confounders, and the threshold value was 8.8.Higher log2-SII associated with poor survival in NAFLD.
-
To explore the diagnostic value of circ-DENN domain containing 4 C (circDENND4C) in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and the corresponding mechanism. ⋯ Summarily, circDENND4C acts as a tumor inhibitor by downregulating miR-200b/c in EOC and could be a possible tumor marker for EOC diagnosis.KEY MESSAGEScircDENND4C expression was lowest while miR-200b/c was highest in EOC tissues or serums, followed by benign and normal tissues or serums.circDENND4C was involved in malignant progression of EOC, concretely, overexpression of circDENND4C suppressed EOC cell proliferation and stimulated apoptosis via downregulating miR-200b/c, and circDENND4C expression in both tissue and serum was closely related to FIGO and TNM stages and tumor size in EOC.Serum circDENND4C showed a higher specificity and accuracy than serum CA125 or HE4 in EOC diagnosis.HIGHLIGHTScircDENND4C expression was lowest while miR-200b/c was highest in EOC tissues, followed by benign and normal tissues.Serum circDENND4C was lowest while miR-200b/c was highest in EOC patients, followed by benign patients and healthy women.Overexpression of circDENND4C suppresses EOC cell proliferation and stimulates apoptosis via downregulating miR-200b/c.circDENND4C expression in both tissue and serum was closely related to FIGO and TNM stage and tumor size in EOC.Serum circDENND4C showed a higher specificity and accuracy than serum CA125 or HE4 in EOC diagnosis.
-
Pouchitis is the most common complication following restorative proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) for ulcerative colitis (UC). Fecal calprotectin (FC) is a noninvasive indicator of the intestinal inflammatory status. This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical value of the FC concentration for the diagnosis and risk assessment of pouchitis. ⋯ FC is a useful biomarker in patients with pouchitis. Patients are advised to regularly undergo FC measurement to monitor for pouchitis. An FC concentration in the range of 143.25-579.60 μg/g is predictive of a high risk for pouchitis, and further examination and preventive treatment are necessary in such patients.KEY MESSAGESFecal calprotectin can be used to quantify pouch inflammation.Fecal calprotectin can be used to predict a high risk of pouchitis.
-
Microscopy was used to characterize platelet-Plasmodium-infected erythrocyte interactions in patients infected with Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale or Plasmodium malariae, and to investigate the relationship between platelet-associated parasite killing and parasite clearance. ⋯ Platelet-parasitized erythrocytes cell-to-cell contacts initiated platelet-associated parasite killing and helped to limit Plasmodium infection in cases of human malaria. The weakening platelet-associated parasite killing effects could be counteracted by artemisinin combination therapy in patients with thrombocytopenia.