Annals of medicine
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Chromogranin A (CGA), a stress marker released with catecholamines by the adrenal medulla, has never been associated with acute inflammation in critically ill patients. ⋯ Patients with CGA concentration superior to 71 microg/L have a significantly shorter survival. A Cox model confirmed that CGA and SAPS were independent predictors of outcome.
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Preptin is a novel hormone that is co-secreted with insulin and amylin from the pancreatic beta-cells. Preptin increases glucose-mediated insulin secretion, while the binding of endogenous preptin by antipreptin antibodies decreases glucose-mediated insulin secretion. Thus, it appears to act as a physiological amplifier of glucose-mediated insulin secretion. Aim. In this study, we investigate whether plasma preptin levels are different in non-diabetic subjects and patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). ⋯ The present work suggests a potential role of preptin in the pathogenesis of T2DM.
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Bleeding is a serious adverse drug reaction associated with warfarin therapy, often induced by interacting co-medication. ⋯ We conclude that co-medication in warfarin-treated in-patients is common and should be carefully evaluated to decrease the bleeding risk associated with warfarin therapy.
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The lack of physical activity and the adoption of poor nutritional habits is the major cause of the obesity epidemic that is currently sweeping the world. The expansion of adipose tissue mass, especially of the visceral adipose tissue depot, is observed in the vast majority of individuals carrying the clinical features of the metabolic syndrome, an important (and reversible) risk factor of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. ⋯ However, an elevated waist circumference might also be the result of an increased 'cardioprotective' subcutaneous adipose tissue mass. We have proposed that the measurement of plasma triglycerides along with waist circumference, the so-called 'hypertriglyceridemic waist' might better quantify visceral obesity and its health hazards than waist circumference alone. "Hypertriglyceridemic waist" is thought to represent an altered, dysfunctional, and highly lipolytic adipose tissue that is a major culprit abnormality behind the metabolic syndrome and associated cardiometabolic risk, independently from classical cardiovascular disease risk factors such as age, sex, and plasma low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels.
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Cutaneous drug reactions are the most common type of adverse drug reaction. These reactions, ranging from simple pruritic eruptions to potentially life-threatening events, are a significant cause of iatrogenic morbidity and mortality. ⋯ Nevertheless, despite being a problem that is global in scope, government and health care agencies worldwide have yet to find a consensus on either diagnostic criteria or therapy for this disorder. Here, we provide the internist and emergency room physician with a brief review the SJS literature and summarize the latest recommended interventions with the hope of improving early recognition of this disease and prevention of permanent sequelae and mortality that frequently complicate SJS.