Medicina
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Optical mapping is recognized as a promising tool for the registration of electrical activity in the heart. Most cardiac optical mapping experiments are performed in ex vivo isolated heart models. However, the electrophysiological properties of the heart are highly influenced by the autonomic nervous system as well as humoral regulation; therefore, in vivo investigations of heart activity in large animals are definitely preferred. ⋯ In this brief review, we analyse and compare the results of recent studies and discuss their translational potential for in situ cardiac optical mapping applications in large animals. We focus on the modes of blood circulation that are employed, the use of different voltage-sensitive dyes and their loading procedures, and ways of eliminating contraction artefacts. Finally, we evaluate the possible scenarios for optical mapping (OM) application in large animals in situ and infer which scenario is optimal.
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Endothelial dysfunction has been proposed to be an underlying mechanism of the pronounced cardiovascular morbidity in end-stage liver disease (ESLD), but clinical evidence is still limited. In this study, we investigated the association of circulating levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and nitric oxide (NO) with estimated cardiovascular risk in patients with ESLD awaiting liver transplantation. ⋯ These results suggest a remarkable contribution of the deranged arginine/NO pathway to cardiovascular risk in patients with end-stage liver disease.
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Background and objectives: We aimed to evaluate the correlation between periodontal disease (PD) and following ocular diseases via the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Subjects were regarded as having PD according to the diagnostic codes. ⋯ In the multivariable analysis, significantly higher rates of infectious keratitis (aHR: 1.094, 95% CI: 1.030-1.161), uveitis (aHR: 1.144, 95% CI: 1.074-1.218) and infectious scleritis (aHR: 1.270, 95% CI: 1.114-1.449) were found in the study group. Concerning the PD interval, infectious keratitis (aHR: 1.159, 95% CI: 1.041-1.291) and infectious scleritis (aHR: 1.345, 95% CI: 1.055-1.714) would significantly occur in PD patients with an interval shorter than two years, individuals with a PD interval that ranged from two to five years were under a higher risk of developing uveitis (aHR: 1.184, 95% CI: 1.065-1.315) and infectious scleritis (aHR: 1.386, 95% CI: 1.125-1.708), and the rate of uveitis (aHR: 1.149, 95% CI: 1.038-1.272) was significantly higher if PD persisted more than five years. Conclusions: The presence of PD was moderately associated with the risk of developing infectious keratitis, uveitis and infectious scleritis.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Usefulness of Antioxidants as Adjuvant Therapy for Septic Shock: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
Background and objectives: Oxidative stress (OS) participates in the pathophysiology of septic shock, which leads to multiple organ failure (MOF), ischemia-reperfusion injury, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Therefore, antioxidants have been proposed as therapy. Here, we evaluated the effect of antioxidant treatments in patients with septic shock with MOF and determined levels OS before and after treatment. ⋯ Procalcitonin levels were reduced by Vit E (p = 0.04), NAC (p = 0.001), and MT (p = 0.04). Lipid-peroxidation was reduced in patients that received MT (p = 0.04). Conclusions: In conclusion, antioxidant therapy associated with standard therapy reduces MOF, OS, and inflammation in patients with septic shock.
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Background and objectives: Cancer-associated carbohydrate antigen 50 (CA50) is a marker for detection of gastrointestinal cancers, especially of pancreatic and colon cancer. In this study, the power of CA50 as a diagnostic and prognostic marker was evaluated in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA). Materials and Methods: Serum CA50 levels of iCCA patients and non-cholangiocarcinoma controls (non-CCA, including healthy persons and patients with benign biliary diseases and other gastrointestinal cancers) were measured using MAGLUMI®800 CLIA analyzer. ⋯ In addition, a higher level of CA50 was associated with poor clinical outcome and shorter survival in iCCA patients. Multivariate survival analysis by Cox regression model revealed the potential of CA50 as an independent poor prognostic indicator for iCCA, regardless of the age, sex, histological types, or tumor stages. Conclusions: CA50 can be a diagnostic and poor prognostic marker candidate for iCCA.