International journal of clinical practice
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Jan 2022
Biomarkers for Predicting the Occurrence and Progression of Atrial Fibrillation: Soluble Suppression of Tumorigenicity 2 Protein and Tissue Inhibitor of Matrix Metalloproteinase-1.
Soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 protein (sST2) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 are involved in multiple pathogenic pathways, including cardiac remodeling, which is the main pathology of atrial fibrillation (AF). This study aims to investigate the previously unexplored relationship between the serum levels of sST2, TIMP-1, and AF. ⋯ In this cohort study, sST2 and TIMP-1 were associated with AF progression, independent of clinical characteristics and biomarkers. Soluble ST2 and TIMP-1 combined with age, elevated N-terminal-pro hormone BNP(NT-BNP), and an enlarged left atrium were able to demonstrate the progression of AF reliably.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Jan 2022
A Longitudinal Study of Stress in New Nurses in their First Year of Employment.
This study aimed to analyze changes in occupational stress in new nurses during the first year of employment. ⋯ New nurses had higher overall occupational stress during their first year of employment under different stressors. Therefore, nursing managers should actively focus on stress factors of new nurses and provide targeted interventions to help them during their training period.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Jan 2022
Observational StudyUltrasound Versus Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Evaluation of Shoulder Pain in End Stage Renal Disease Patients on Chronic Hemodialysis.
Musculoskeletal pain is common in hemodialysis (HD) patients and may be related to articular or periarticular amyloid deposition. The shoulder is one of the most common afflicted joints, but not all causes of shoulder pain are detectable on radiography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is not always available. The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) to properly detect shoulder disorders in HD patients by identifying US abnormalities in the shoulder and comparing them to those identified on MRI, with MRI serving as the gold standard test. ⋯ Shoulder problems are common in HD patients, even in people who do not have obvious shoulder complaints. MSUS is a valuable imaging technique that assists in the diagnosis of HD patients who report shoulder pain.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Jan 2022
Genetic Diversity, Carbapenem Resistance Genes, and Biofilm Formation in UPEC Isolated from Patients with Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection in North of Iran.
Infections due to carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are associated in patients with urinary catheters alarming rate of emergency status. The aim of this study is to investigate the molecular causes of carbapenem resistance among UPEC as well as antimicrobial resistance trends. Additionally, the potential of isolates to produce biofilms, in addition to their clonal and genetic diversity, was investigated. Material and Methods. A cross-sectional study was accomplished on a collection of 76 non-duplicate UPEC isolates obtained from CAUTIs from May 2021 to September 2021. The modified carbapenem inactivation method (mCIM) and EDTA-modified carbapenem inactivation method (eCIM) test was performed for the detection of carbapenemase and metallo-beta-lactamase activity. Also, the presence of carbapenemase genes was determined using PCR assays. In 96-well microtiter plates, biofilm development was evaluated. ERIC-PCR was used to investigate the clonal and genetic variety of isolates. ⋯ The high prevalence of MDR and carbapenemase-producing isolates among the UPEC strain in this investigation is concerning. Moreover, the bla NDM was the most frequent cause of producing metallo-beta-lactamase and carbapenemase. Also, analysis revealed a partial genetic similarity among the studied isolates, indicating that the same UPEC clones may have spread to other hospital units.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Jan 2022
Eosinophil Levels, Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio, and Platelet-Lymphocyte Ratio in the Cytokine Storm Period of Patients with COVID-19.
In the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, elevated inflammatory cytokine levels, particularly interleukin-6 (IL-6), were detected in patients with cytokine storm (CS). ⋯ In the light of the obtained results, COVID-19 patients with a decrease in lymphocyte levels and an increase in NLR and D-dimer levels and a history of CAD and DM have a higher risk of cytokine storm and mortality.