The American journal of the medical sciences
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The central venous-to-arterial carbon dioxide difference (Pcv-aCO2) is a biomarker for tissue perfusion, but the diagnostic value of Pcv-aCO2 in bacteria bloodstream infections (BSI) caused by gram-negative (GN) bacteria remains unclear. This study evaluated the expression levels and diagnostic value of Pcv-aCO2 and procalcitonin (PCT) in the early stages of GN bacteria BSI. ⋯ Pcv-aCO2 and PCT have similar and high diagnostic value for the early diagnosis of BSI caused by GN bacteria.
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Vitamin K antagonists (VKA) are the most widely used anticoagulants for the prevention of thrombotic events. Several renal adverse effects have been associated with the use of VKA. The main aim of our study was to explore the association between international normalized ratio (INR) levels and microscopic hematuria in patients with VKA. ⋯ INR overdose was significantly associated with the presence of microscopic hematuria. RAS blockade is an independent protective factor for the presence of microscopic hematuria in anticoagulated patients.
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WWC1 is known to be involved in the development of cancer. Therefore, it is critical to study the molecular mechanisms and cellular roles of WWC1 in cancer therapy. ⋯ Collectively, these findings reveal a novel mechanism by which miR-138-5p negatively regulates WWC1 in Pca.
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Streptococcus pneumoniae is a recognized etiology of invasive infections including parapneumonic empyema, and its resistance to antibiotics is evolving worldwide, raising concerns of encountering untreatable strains. This study measured the serotype distribution, antimicrobial susceptibility and biological cost incurred by resistance of pneumococci from pleural samples. ⋯ The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine PCV13 serotypes still circulate in the community. The data indicate that resistance to certain antimicrobials incurs an apparent fitness cost in pneumococci which may limit the dissemination of such strains while low fitness cost, seen in case of resistance to macrolides, may contribute to the spread of resistant clones.