Arch Med Sci
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We aimed to analyze the prevalence of unexplained anemia (UA) and assess its characteristics, potential causes and impact on survival in an elderly population. ⋯ The increasing incidence with age of UA in the elderly population, insufficient diagnosis and the higher mortality of patients with UA in comparison to the group without anemia indicate the need to develop recommendations for its management by primary care physicians.
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This study aimed to explore the effects of miR-345-5p on papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and uncover the possible mechanisms. ⋯ MiR-345-5p exhibited suppressive effects on PTC via targeting SETD7.
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No proven drug and no immunisation are yet available for COVID-19 disease. The SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro), a key coronavirus enzyme, which is a potential drug target, has been successfully crystallised. There is evidence suggesting that statins exert anti-viral activity and may block the infectivity of enveloped viruses. The aim of this study was to assess whether statins are potential COVID-19 Mpro inhibitors, using a molecular docking study. ⋯ These results indicate, based upon the binding energy of pitavastatin, rosuvastatin, lovastatin, and fluvastatin, that statins could be efficient SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors. This is supported by the fact that the effects of some statins, especially pitavastatin, have a binding energy that is even greater than that of protease or polymerase inhibitors. However, further research is necessary to investigate their potential use as drugs for COVID-19.
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Acute kidney injury (AKI) is an important independent predictor of mortality in cirrhotic patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). However, the definition of AKI in cirrhosis has been debated for many years. This study aims to compare the prediction accuracy of Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) and International Club of Ascites (ICA) criteria for hospital mortality in cirrhotic patients with SBP admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). ⋯ Both ICA and KDIGO criteria were good tools with excellent prediction performance for hospital mortality in cirrhotic patients with SBP admitted to the ICU.
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Outcomes of rectal cancer treatment depend on preoperative staging and the effectiveness of treatments. According to disease staging, different variants of combined therapy (surgery, chemo- and radiotherapy) are used. Available parameters such as overall survival rates and disease- free survival rates as well as the presence of recurrence are inaccurate and should be jointly considered. ⋯ In using a combined therapy, it is possible to optimise rectal cancer treatment outcomes. The OTO parameter is a useful tool for defining these results of cancer combination treatment.