Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research
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BACKGROUND Previous research has demonstrated that the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway is commonly activated in multiple myeloma (MM) patients. However, the prognostic value of activation of the MEK/ERK signaling pathway in newly diagnosed patients with MM has not been reported. MATERIAL AND METHODS Expression levels of p-ERK1/2 protein in bone marrow biopsy specimens obtained from 60 newly diagnosed patients with MM were analyzed using immunohistochemistry, and classified into 3 groups: high p-ERK1/2 expression, low p-ERK1/2 expression, and negative group. ⋯ Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that in newly diagnosed patients with MM, high p-ERK1/2 expression was significantly associated with shorter OS and PFS. Additionally, in newly diagnosed patients with MM, serum Ca ≥2.75 mmol/l was significantly associated with shorter PFS, and serum β2-MG ≥5.5 μmol/l was significantly associated with shorter OS. CONCLUSIONS High p-ERK1/2 expression is an independent factor for poor prognosis in newly diagnosed patients with MM.
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BACKGROUND Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a postoperative complication after surgery and anesthesia. Whether ABO blood types are associated with POCD in elderly patients undergoing unilateral total hip arthroplasty surgery in China is unclear. MATERIAL AND METHODS Firstly, 142 elderly patients were divided into a POCD group and a non-POCD group according to the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores and ABO blood types were analyzed. ⋯ Secondly, compared with elderly patients with type A blood, those with type O had higher MMSE scores on the first day and the seventh day after surgery. Finally, the risk of developing POCD was significantly higher in patients with type A blood and on the first day and the seventh day after surgery the risk of developing POCD was significantly lower in patients with type O blood. CONCLUSIONS Elderly patients with type A blood have higher risk of developing early POCD and those with type O blood have less risk of developing early POCD.
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BACKGROUND Lupus nephritis (LN) is a major complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study tested miR-146a and its target gene TRAF6 expression in LN patients and discussed their relationship with LN. MATERIAL AND METHODS One hundred twenty-eight LN patients and 30 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. ⋯ CONCLUSIONS MiR-146a declined, while TRAF6 increased in LN patients compared with healthy controls. Their expression can be used to effectively differentiate LN and evaluate activity. MiR-146a reduction and TRAF6 upregulation increased the possibility of ESRD progress and recurrence within one year.
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BACKGROUND Dysnatremia is a risk factor for poor outcomes. We aimed to describe the prevalence and outcomes of various dysnatremia in hospitalized patients. High-risk patients must be identified to improve the prognosis of dysnatremia. ⋯ CONCLUSIONS Dysnatremia was independently associated with poor outcomes. Hospital-acquired and persistent hypernatremia were strong risk factors for hospital mortality. Effective prevention and proper correction of dysnatremia in high-risk patients may reduce the hospital mortality.
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BACKGROUND Hematoma expansion is associated with poor outcome in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) patients. The spot sign and the blend sign are reliable tools for predicting hematoma expansion in ICH patients. The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of the two signs in the prediction of hematoma expansion. ⋯ In contrast, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the blend sign were 42.86%, 88.51%, 54.55%, and 82.80%, respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) of the spot sign was 0.734, which was higher than that of the blend sign (0.657). CONCLUSIONS Both the spot sign and the blend sign seemed to be good predictors for hematoma expansion, and the spot sign appeared to have better predictive accuracy.