Medicina
-
Comparative Study
Comparison of Standard and Point-of-Care CD4+ T Lymphocyte Measurement Methods in HIV-1 Infected Turkish Patients.
Background and Objectives: CD4+ T lymphocytes are the primary targets of HIV infection. CD4+ T lymphocyte count is an indicator of immune competence. In this study, we aimed to compare standard flow cytometry and point-of-care (POC) CD4+ T lymphocyte in terms of cost, effectiveness, reliability, time, and the use of this method for disease. ⋯ Conclusions: In resource-limited countries, virological monitoring with HIV RNA cannot be performed at any time because it is expensive. However, CD4+ T lymphocyte count and percentage monitoring is important in predicting treatment success. POC results are in good consistency with the standard method, and it is also a test that can be used due to being cheap, easy, and quick.
-
Observational Study
Effects of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors on Body Composition and Fluid Status in Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Patients with Coronary Artery Disease and Heart Failure.
Background and Objectives: Sodium glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors have emerged as integral therapeutic tools in the management of patients with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome. In addition to their well-documented effects on lowering glucose levels and cardiovascular- and reno-protective actions, SGLT-2 inhibitors, through a reduction in body weight (BW), generate changes in the body composition and volume status that have not been clearly studied. Materials and Methods: This retrospective, observational longitudinal cohort, single-center study analyzed and compared body composition and fluid status measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) from weeks 0 to 12 after the initiation of the cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program for coronary artery disease and heart failure in 59 patients who started treatment with SGLT-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2iG) and 112 patients without SGLT-2 inhibitors (non-SGLT-2iG). ⋯ The bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) revealed a significant decrease in body fat mass (BFM) and visceral fat area, without a loss of lean body mass (LBM) or skeletal muscle mass in the SGLT-2iG. Conclusions: SGLT-2 inhibitors exert beneficial effects on body compartments and volume status. Although they induce modest weight loss, this appears to be mainly directed at ECW, BFM, and visceral fat, without a loss of LBM nor skeletal muscle mass, which could contribute to the observed CKM benefits.
-
Observational Study
Interaction Effects Between COVID-19 Outbreak and Fever on Mortality Among OHCA Patients Visiting Emergency Departments.
Background and Objectives: Fever in patients who have suffered an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) has been linked to poor clinical outcomes, as a fever can exacerbate neurological damage, increase metabolic demands, and trigger inflammatory responses. This study evaluates the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak and associated fevers on OHCA outcomes and examines how they can worsen patient prognosis. Materials and Methods: Our retrospective observational analysis used data from the National Emergency Department Information System (NEDIS), comprising adult OHCA patients at 402 EDs in Korea between 27 January and 31 December 2020 (COVID-19 pandemic period) and the corresponding period in 2019 (pre-COVID-19). ⋯ Results: During COVID-19, in-hospital mortality was higher among OHCA patients compared to the pre-pandemic period (adjusted OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.11-1.34), particularly among febrile patients (adjusted OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.24-1.59). Interaction analysis revealed that COVID-19 disproportionately increased mortality in febrile OHCA patients compared with non-febrile patients (difference-in-difference: 0.8%, 95% CI 0.2-1.5). Conclusions: Our study found that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased mortality among OHCA patients, with febrile patients experiencing disproportionately worse outcomes due to systemic delays and pandemic-related disruptions.
-
Background and Objectives: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is an important chronic liver disease with major health risks, especially in the presence of T2DM, but the pathophysiology of this condition is not fully understood. This study aimed to investigate the platelet hematometric indices in patients with T2DM and MASLD. Materials and Methods: Demographic and medical (including anthropometric) data were collected from 271 participants, from whom blood samples were also drawn in fasting conditions for complete blood count, liver and metabolic panel, ferritin, haptoglobin, creatinine, and fibrosis markers. ⋯ Patients with higher HOMA-IR had higher PDW and a lower platelet count and PTC. Conclusions: Male patients with T2DM and MASLD had lower platelet count and PTC and larger PDW. Higher insulin resistance was associated with lower platelet count and PTC and higher PDW.
-
Comparative Study
Comparison of the Effects of Perineural and Intraperitoneal Ozone Therapy on Nerve Healing in an Experimental Sciatic Nerve Injury Model.
Background and Objectives: The aim was to evaluate nerve healing using immunohistochemical, histological, and functional techniques and to compare the effects of two different therapeutic ozone application methods by perineural and intraperitoneal ozone treatment in rats with a crush injury model of sciatic nerve. Materials and Methods: Forty male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four subgroups of ten rats each: (1) Control group: The left sciatic nerve incised and closed without crush injury, no treatment; (2) Paralyzed group: Crush injury to the left sciatic nerve, no treatment; (3) Perineural ozone group: Crush injury to the left sciatic nerve, treated with perineural ozone therapy; (4) Intraperitoneal ozone group: Crush injury to the left sciatic nerve, treated with intraperitoneal ozone therapy. The treatments were administered for a 14-day period. ⋯ Conclusions: Both applications of ozone therapy accelerated the healing of nerve regeneration, reduced inflammation and apoptosis based on histopathological results, and enhanced nerve function in rats with sciatic nerve injury. Perineural ozone therapy has been demonstrated to be an efficacious alternative to systemic ozone treatments in the management of sciatic nerve injury. Further studies are needed to determine optimal ozone dosage and administration protocols for the treatment of nerve injury.