Journal of investigative medicine : the official publication of the American Federation for Clinical Research
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Integrating hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelets (HALP) scores can simultaneously reflect systemic inflammation and nutritional status. Some evidence suggests its prognostic value in certain malignancies, however, the impact of HALP on individuals with osteoarthritis (OA) who are middle-aged and older remains unknown. This retrospective cohort study included 3566 individuals from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2018. ⋯ The categorical analysis indicated that the lowest quartile of HALP score was related to higher all-cause mortality by using the highest quartile of HALP score as a reference (HR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.18-1.81). The association between HALP score with lowest quartile and all-cause mortality remained significant across different subgroups. This study suggested that HALP score was linked with all-cause mortality among middle-aged and older individuals diagnosed with OA, thereby indicating its potential as a reliable prognostic indicator for this patient population.
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As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic persists, the exploration of adjunct therapies to mitigate disease severity remains a priority. Statins, known for their pleiotropic effects, have been under investigation for their potential role in managing COVID-19 complications. The study was conducted in a single referral hospital and adhered to Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials guidelines. ⋯ Symptom scales, as assessed by the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion and Leicester Cough Questionnaire, showed significant improvement in the rosuvastatin group compared to controls. Our study provides insights into the short-term efficacy of moderate-intensity rosuvastatin in COVID-19 patients. Further research is warranted to elucidate the long-term effects and optimal dosing of statins in COVID-19 management.
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Prostate cancer screening has presented a challenge to clinicians. Although the implementation of screening tests such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and digital rectal exam (DRE) has had a significant impact on prostate-cancer-specific mortality, these traditional screening tests have a relatively poor positive predictive value of clinically significant prostate cancer (CSPC), leading to unnecessary biopsies and treatment with a host of potential complications. Fortunately, much research has been done to optimize prostate cancer screening. This includes the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial, which underwent a secondary analysis to identify an association between PSA level and CSPC, and the IP1-PROSTAGRAM Tri.
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Increasing evidence suggests that endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) and neuroinflammation are involved in the complex pathological process of traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the pathological mechanisms of their interactions in TBI remain incompletely elucidated. Therefore, investigating and ameliorating neuroinflammation and ER stress post-TBI may represent effective strategies for treating secondary brain injury. ⋯ Changes in microglial/macrophage M1/M2 polarization were observed. Additionally, the PERK activator CCT020312 intervention eliminated the impact of AS-IV on post-TBI inflammation and ER stress-related proteins p-PERK, p-eIF2a, and ATF4. These results indicate that AS-IV alleviates neuroinflammation and brain damage post-TBI through the PERK pathway, offering new directions and theoretical insights for TBI treatment.
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Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is an infiltrative restrictive cardiomyopathy caused by the deposition of amyloid fibrils in the myocardium. It manifests in two primary subtypes: transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR) and immunoglobulin light chain cardiac amyloidosis (AL). ATTR is further classified into wild-type and hereditary based on transthyretin gene mutation. ⋯ Noninvasive diagnostic tools such as electrocardiography, echocardiography, and cardiac magnetic resonance can raise suspicion for CA; bone scintigraphy can non-invasively confirm ATTR, while AL necessitates histological confirmation. The severity of ATTR and AL can be assessed through serum biomarker-based staging. Treatment approaches differ, ranging from silencing or stabilizing transthyretin and degrading amyloid fibrils in ATTR to employing anti-plasma cell therapies and autologous stem cell transplantation in AL.