Arch Med Sci
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We provide here an overview on current worldwide epidemiology of pancreatic malignancies, obtained from Global Health Data Exchange (GHDx) and World Health Organization (WHO) repositories. ⋯ Although pancreatic cancer remains relatively infrequent, its clinical, societal and economic burden is noteworthy. Future projections suggest that its burden may double during the next 40 years.
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The purpose of this study was to introduce a measure of patient's burden based on Elixhauser's comorbidity index. The mentioned measure needed to be based solely on administrative data and be applicable to all specialisations of hospital treatment. Moreover, the intention was to validate the estimation power of the models based on the groups of hospitalisations which were similar with respect to the primary diagnosis. ⋯ Our results support the hypothesis that comorbidity properly describes mortality in homogeneous groups of patients. Our models could be condensed into one, uniform, single-number comorbidity scale that summarizes all of the patient's burden. It was found that the odds ratio of some variables differed between homogeneous groups.
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β-Asarone is a major component of Acorus tatarinowii Schott. It has pharmacological effects that include antihyperlipidemic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activity. In the present study, the effect of β-asarone on neurodegeneration induced by intrahippocampal administration of β-amyloid was investigated in adult male Wistar rats. ⋯ These results indicate that β-asarone is effective in providing protection against oxidative stress and neuronal damage induced by β-amyloid.
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In this study, the hypothesis that bone mineral density (BMD) of peri-, pre- and postmenopausal women is associated with the current level of habitual physical activity, as well as past physical activity, at the age of building peak bone mass, was tested. ⋯ Physical activity proved to be one of the most important factors determining the statistically significant correct mineralization of bone tissue of women.
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Methotrexate (MTX) causes hepatotoxicity by producing oxidative stress. Benfotiamine and irisin have protective effects against oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in irisin activity in the liver as a result of toxicity produced by MTX and the protective role of benfotiamine in the hepatotoxicity. ⋯ Our results showed that MTX caused an increase in the activity of irisin after producing toxicity in the liver. In addition, we found that benfotiamine was effective in preventing damage caused by MTX in the liver.