Arch Med Sci
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Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is made up of a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particle and a specific apolipoprotein(a). The blood concentration of Lp(a) is approximately 90% genetically determined, and the main genetic factor determining Lp(a) levels is the size of the apo(a) isoform, which is determined by the number of KIV2 domain repeats. The size of the apo(a) isoform is inversely proportional to the blood concentration of Lp(a). ⋯ Determination of Lp(a) concentrations is not easy due to, among other things, the different sizes of the apo(a) isoforms; however, the currently available certified tests make it possible to distinguish between people with low and high cardiovascular risk with a high degree of precision. In 2022, the first guidelines for the management of patients with elevated lipoprotein(a) levels were published by the European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) and the American Heart Association (AHA). The first Polish guidelines are the result of the work of experts from the two scientific societies and their aim is to provide clear, practical recommendations for the determination and management of elevated Lp(a) levels.
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Gastric cancer remains the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in Europe, while the proportion of adenocarcinomas of the esophagogastric junction has risen by more than one third over recent years. In 2018, 14,700 new cases of gastric cancer were estimated in Germany, while the 5-year relative survival rate is reported to be 33% for women and 30% for men; in the USA almost the same rate was reported, with 31% 5-year survival. ⋯ Increased survival with low complication rates were achieved after individualized and multimodal treatment concepts combined with consistently applied extended lymphadenectomy.
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With the increasing application of rituximab (RTB) in hematological diseases and autoimmune diseases (AIDs), we have gradually increased our awareness of the adverse reaction of rituximab-associated neutropenia (RAN), but little is known about its true incidence rate, susceptibility risk factors and exact pathogenesis. At present, research groups have conducted a large number of studies on different populations. The team found that age (> 60), advanced disease, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and combined cyclophosphamide therapy were independent risk factors for RAN. ⋯ Several hypotheses have been put forward to solve this question, including the production of anti-neutrophil antibodies after RTB, the generation disorder and neutrophil maturation stagnation caused by abnormal B-cell reconstruction, and the amplification of T-large granular lymphocyte population that may induce neutrophil apoptosis. However, there are still many unsolved problems in all aspects of RAN. This article is an update of the incidence rate, risk factors and mechanisms of RAN.
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Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) has become a common option for the treatment of prostate cancer. The aim of our study was to examine whether LRP performed within 12 weeks of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is associated with surgical difficulty or outcomes. ⋯ Our results showed that performing LRP within 12 weeks after TURP does not adversely influence surgical difficulty or outcomes.
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MicroRNA-133a-3p (miR-133a-3p) is a potential gene regulator having an important role in the process of inflammation and lung injury. The present work studied the role of miR-133a-3p in sepsis-mediated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and the mechanism involved. ⋯ Down-regulation of miR-133a-3p may exert a protective effect on lung tissue against sepsis-mediated ARDS by up-regulating the levels of SIRT1 via suppressing the inflammatory response and inhibiting the cellular apoptosis in lung tissues.