Medicina
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According to Fick's principle, the total uptake of (or release of) a substance by tissues is the product of blood flow and the difference between the arterial and the venous concentration of the substance. Therefore, the mixed or central venous minus arterial CO2 content difference depends on cardiac output (CO). Assuming a linear relationship between CO2 content and partial pressure, central or mixed venous minus arterial PCO2 differences (Pcv-aCO2 and Pmv-aCO2) are directly related to CO. ⋯ In this review, we analyze the physiologic determinants of Pcv-aCO2 and Pcv-aCO2/Ca-cvO2 and their potential usefulness and limitations for the monitoring of critically ill patients. We discuss compelling evidence showing that they are misleading surrogates for tissue perfusion and oxygenation, mainly because they are systemic variables that fail to track regional changes. In addition, they are strongly dependent on changes in the CO2Hb dissociation curve, regardless of changes in systemic and microvascular perfusion and oxygenation.
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Background and objectives: Cartilage surgery constitutes a standard intervention in foot and ankle procedures. Currently, there is a lack of epidemiological data on its frequency, age distribution, and surgical options for cartilage surgery. This study aimed to investigate the current landscape of cartilage surgery in Germany and identify the most common procedures from an epidemiological standpoint. ⋯ Regenerative procedures, particularly in the ankle, significantly increased over time. Conclusions: Cartilage surgery of the foot and ankle was common, with two primary age groups predominantly affected. Notably, recent years have witnessed a considerable rise in cartilage regenerative procedures.
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Background and Objectives: Metabolic syndrome is a growing health concern globally, and its prevalence continues to increase. This study investigated whether a marine healing program could improve metabolic syndrome indicators and mental health in adults with a metabolic syndrome and those at risk of developing it. Materials and Methods: This study enrolled 30 participants who were assigned to either the experimental or control groups. ⋯ Pre-post comparisons between the experimental group and the control group showed that the experimental group had significantly decreased by 1.05 kg in body weight, whereas the control group increased by 0.29 kg in body weight. In addition, HDL-C decreased by 0.91 mg/dL in the control group and increased by 3.7 mg/dL in the experimental group. Conclusions: Overall, these results suggest that marine healing programs could improve metabolic syndrome indicators such as body weight and HDL-C better than the control treatment.
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Background and Objectives: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) presently remains a difficult disease to manage. Antimicrobial and defense proteins are important factors that could help characterize the role of microorganisms in CRSwNP pathogenesis, as the concept of microbial dysbiosis in CRS is still being considered. Our aim is to investigate the complex appearance, relative distribution and interlinks of human β defensin 2 (HBD-2), human β defensin 3 (HBD-3), human β defensin 4 (HBD-4), and cathelicidin LL 37 (LL 37) in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP)-affected human nasal mucosa. ⋯ Conclusions: Decreased HBD-2, HBD-3 and LL 37 concentrations in the epithelium suggest a dysfunction of the epithelial barrier in patients with nasal polyps. Decreased subepithelial connective tissue HBD-2 suggests different responses to nasal microbiota in patients with primary nasal polyps compared to recurrent nasal polyps. Increased HBD-3 in subepithelial connective tissue suggests a possible role of this antimicrobial peptide in the pathogenesis of primary nasal polyps.
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Recent studies have highlighted the necessity to thoroughly evaluate medicinal plants due to their therapeutic potential. The current study delves into the phytochemical profile, antioxidant capacity, and hepatoprotective effect of Andrographis paniculata. The investigation specifically targets its effectiveness in mitigating liver dysfunction induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in Wistar albino rats, aiming to uncover its promising role as a natural remedy for liver-related ailments. ⋯ Lipid peroxidation levels in carbon tetrachloride-treated animals showed a substantial (p < 0.05) rise when compared to untreated animals, while the lipid peroxidation levels were considerably (p < 0.05) reduced after treatment with ethanol extract at 300 mg/kg b.w. Liver biochemical catalase activities were significantly reduced in the carbon tetrachloride-treated animals. The results of this study conclusively demonstrate that A. paniculata extracts are a rich source of phytochemicals and possess significant antioxidant, free radical scavenging, and hepatoprotective properties.