The American journal of the medical sciences
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Multicenter Study
Higher Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration is Associated with Worse Prognosis of Hepatorenal Syndrome: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.
Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is a severe complication of decompensated cirrhosis with high mortality. However, few prognostic factors have been identified and studies are urgently needed to facilitate precise treatment. ⋯ Higher MCHC was associated with worse prognosis in HRS.
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Porphyrias are a group of rare diseases leading to dysregulation in heme biosynthesis and the accumulation of heme precursors, including porphyrinogens, which in their oxidized states [porphyrins] are reddish or purple. Acute hepatic porphyrias (AHP) comprise four diseases that cause acute debilitating neurovisceral attacks. Despite diagnostic advances, AHP is often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed due to a lack of disease awareness, low clinical suspicion, variable presentation, and nonspecific symptoms that mimic more common diseases. Delays in diagnosis and treatment increase the risk of serious acute and chronic complications. ⋯ The clinical features of AHP continue to be severe pain, especially pain in the abdomen. Other features that should raise suspicion are autonomic, peripheral, or central neuropathies, hyponatremia, and red-purple urine color.
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A 77-year-old woman presented with a 2-year history of denture sores at the left mandibular gingiva. She had no smoking history or alcohol use. Intraoral examination showed a cauliflower-like, 28 × 20 mm mass on the left mandibular gingiva without induration. ⋯ An incisional biopsy was performed, and she was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)(cT2N1M0, stage 2). She underwent segmental mandibulectomy, selective neck dissection, and immediate reconstruction under general anesthesia. At the 2 years follow-up, she remained free of disease.
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Screening of Biomarkers Involved in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and Regulation of Upstream miRNAs.
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the most common type of fatal interstitial lung disease and IPF patients usually have a poor prognosis. Biomarkers that can predict the occurrence, process and prognosis of IPF will be useful for its diagnosis and treatment. This study aimed to identify the potential biomarkers of IPF and analyze the regulation of upstream miRNAs. ⋯ CLDN18, COL6A3, MYRF, PRSS8, RRAS, and SBNO1 might be potential IPF biomarkers. However, the specific role of these genes and miRNA in IPF needs further experimental research.
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Benzodiazepines are the gold standard for alcohol withdrawal treatment but choice and dosing vary widely. In 2015, our institution implemented a Minnesota detoxification scale (MINDS) and single standardized high-dose diazepam based protocol for treatment of alcohol withdrawal to replace multiple Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol (CIWA) based protocols using lower dose benzodiazepines. We compared use of MINDS versus CIWA assessment protocols with high front loading diazepam treatment in care of patient experiencing alcohol withdrawal during hospitalization. ⋯ Higher dose front loading long acting benzodiazepine can be safely used with beneficial outcomes in hospitalized alcohol withdrawal patients.