The American journal of the medical sciences
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An air leak lasting more than 5-7 days (persistent air leak, PAL) can complicate up to 40% of patients with secondary spontaneous pneumothorax. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is the most common cause of secondary spontaneous pneumothorax, and early surgical intervention has been recommended for patients with PAL. Bullectomy or blebectomy with concomitant mechanical pleurodesis by medical thoracoscopy or video assisted thoracoscopic surgery is considered definitive therapy. ⋯ Post lung resection air leak can be pressure independent or pressure dependent (also known as drainage-related air leak). The distinction between these two entities is crucial as the management varies drastically. Pleural manometry may play an important role in the early diagnosis of pressure-dependent PAL preventing further unnecessary surgical procedures from being performed.
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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.