The American journal of the medical sciences
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Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most frequent cancers in the world. In this study, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between tumor tissues and normal tissues were identified using the comprehensive analysis method in bioinformatics. ⋯ The present study identified hub genes and pathways in HCC that may be potential targets for diagnosis, treatment and prognostic prediction.
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Case Reports
An Unexpected Case of Lagochilascariasis: Interdisciplinary Management and Use of 12S and 18S rDNA Analysis.
A Mexican 24-year-old male patient was referred to our hospital due to increased left retroauricular volume with skin fistulisation, resembling an infection by the uncommon worm Lagochilascaris minor. The patient was submitted to lateral skull base surgery. No adult worms or eggs were observed during light and scanning electron microscopy analysis, as well as by histopathologic examination of the small piece of removed tissue, only L3 stage larvae of Lagochilascaris spp. were identified. ⋯ The molecular analysis identified the worm as L minor. According to previous reports, lagochilascariasis is a complicated infection that requires an interdisciplinary management by different clinical specialists. This is the first time that 12S and 18S rDNA genes are reported as molecular markers for diagnosis of L minor.
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The significance of effective renal perfusion is relatively underemphasized in the current literature. From a renal standpoint, besides optimizing cardiac output, renal perfusion should be maximized as well. ⋯ Therefore, to optimize nephron-protective therapies, nephrologists and intensive care physicians should be familiar with the concept of net renal perfusion pressure. This review appraises the background literature on renal perfusion pressure, including the initial animal data and historical human studies up to the most current developments in the field, exploring potential avenues to assess and improve renal blood supply.
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Comparative Study
Acarbose versus Repaglinide in Diabetes Treatment: A New Appraisal of Two Old Rivals.
Acarbose and repaglinide are two safe and effective antidiabetic agents that are especially in wide use in Asian and Middle Eastern countries. These two prandial agents share some outstanding qualities that their newer counterparts do not. While globally available in generic versions, both are oral and cheap. There is a paucity of data regarding their comparative efficacy. Herein, a head-to-head comparison of the efficacy of the two in treatment of postprandial hyperglycemia of newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetes was investigated. ⋯ Per protocol analysis, 67% of acarbose-treated patients versus 85% of repaglinide-treated patients achieved 2hPPG levels of <10 mmol/L (180 mg/dL) (P = 0.05). Treatment adherence rates were 52.4% and 72%, respectively (P < 0.02). Thirteen of the repaglinide-treated and 2 of acarbose-treated patients reported at least one episode of hypoglycemia (P < 0.03). Fasting plasma glucose, 2hPPG, glycated hemoglobin and basal insulin requirement decreased more significantly with repaglinde than acarbose (P, <0.05, <0.04, <0.04 and <0.03, respectively). Weight increased with repaglinide and decreased with acarbose (P = 0.03). There were no significant changes in LDL levels with either treatment (P = 0.58), but triglycerides decreased more significantly with acarbose treatment (P = 0.03) CONCLUSIONS: Significantly higher rates of treatment-adherence and at-target glycemic levels were seen with repaglinide treatment. Weight decreased with acarbose and increased with repaglinide treatment. Hypoglycemic episodes were much less frequent with acarbose treatment.