The American journal of the medical sciences
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Air trapping because of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) leads to a reduction in inspiratory capacity/total lung capacity (IC/TLC) ratio. We hypothesize that COPD patients with a low IC/TLC ratio suffer more frequent COPD exacerbations. ⋯ COPD patients in the low group experienced significantly more unscheduled office visits because of exacerbations, suggesting they need early identification and closely monitored therapy.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
High prevalence and diversity of kidney dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease: the BARI 2D baseline data.
We describe baseline renal function and albumin excretion rate in patients enrolled in Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation 2 Diabetes, a randomized clinical trial comparing the impact of revascularization and medical therapy with medical therapy alone and deferred or no revascularization and the impact of glycemic control with either insulin-providing or insulin-sensitizing drugs, on 5-year mortality. ⋯ Kidney dysfunction is common in older patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease; Albuminuria was present in 33%. Reduced eGFR was present in 21%, and half the patients with reduced eGFR had no evidence of albuminuria.
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A 27-year-old male patient was admitted for renal colic. In the radiographic findings of his kidney-ureter-bladder, a 6-cm-long sewing needle was detected in the right upper abdominal region. The needle displayed a direction toward the diaphragm, and the center of the needle had a radiolucent discontinuity. ⋯ No complication was observed during the 6-year follow-up. Foreign bodies in the liver are generally recommended to be removed. This case is the first one in the literature with a needle in the liver remaining for 6 years without a change of location or causing a complication.
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Comparative Study
Expression and functional research of TLR4 in human colon carcinoma.
To verify whether human colon carcinoma cells can express Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and investigate the biological function of TLR4 on human colon carcinoma cells. ⋯ TLR4 is expressed on human colon carcinoma cells and functionally active. It may play important roles in promoting immune escape of human colon carcinoma cells by inducing immunosuppressive factors and apoptosis resistance.