Arch Med Sci
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Polypharmacy is commonly defined as the simultaneous use of five or more medications; however, there is a lack of consensus regarding the most appropriate definition. It is a significant predictor of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of polypharmacy in the population of older adults attending primary care in Portugal and to identify associated sociodemographic and clinical factors. ⋯ Polypharmacy was a very common occurrence in Portugal. Future primary healthcare policies should address polypharmacy.
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Classical risk factors such as hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, pre-diabetes, diabetes and obesity can predict adverse cardiovascular events, but they are less prognostic in patients aged < 60 years. Polygenic risk scores (PRS) can be effective in predicting adverse coronary events in younger and middle-aged patients. Our main aim is to assess the utility of a new PRS created for the Polish population in predicting mortality during an 8-year follow-up in the nationwide LIPIDOGEN2015 population. ⋯ The developed PRS scale, combined with clinical covariates, will facilitate the creation of an algorithm to predict long-term mortality. This will enable us to stratify CVD risk more precisely, which may result in earlier implementation of lifestyle changes and dietary adjustments and potentially initiate earlier pharmacotherapy for at-risk individuals.
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Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-associated mortality globally. In particular, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) constitutes the largest percentage of all cases of lung cancer. In clinical practice, radioresistance contributes to poor responses to radiotherapy. Therefore, the demand remains to explore potential novel and effective mechanism underlying radioresistance to improve the efficacy of radiotherapy for NSCLC. ⋯ OMT suppressed the development of radioresistance in NSCLC cells by promoting radiosensitivity, through the reversal of EMT process by inhibiting the DcR3/AKT/GSK-3β pathway.
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Airway infections represent one of the most common causes of mortality worldwide. The authors sought to describe patients hospitalized for lung and mediastinum abscesses in Poland from 2009 to 2016. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first evaluation of the disease in Poland. ⋯ Presented recent data on lung and mediastinum abscesses in Poland may be helpful in comparative analyses among European countries.
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Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, autoimmune disease, often characterised by severe course and unclear etiopathogenesis. The reaction of protein glycoxidation, also known as glycation, may be linked to etiopathogenesis of SLE. Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) exhibit cytotoxic properties, affect cellular signalling, impair functions of extracellular proteins, and may act as neoepitopes. Glucosone (GS), glyoxal (GO), and methylglyoxal (MGO) are examples of α-dicarbonyl compounds (α-DCs) partaking in glycoxidation. The study aimed to evaluate concentrations of these three compounds in blood serum of SLE patients, and to compare the results with healthy individuals. ⋯ In women suffering from SLE the course of α-DCs metabolism is altered. SLE patients are characterised by low serum levels of α-DCs. We hypothesise that either hindered proteasomal degradation or fast consumption of α-DCs in oxidative conditions may cause the observed low concentration of these compounds.