Int J Med Sci
-
Metabolic syndrome (Mets) is reportedly associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the relationship between abdominal circumference (AC) and decline in FEV(1) has not been elucidated. We aimed to investigate this relationship among male current smokers. ⋯ This retrospective analysis suggested that measuring AC may be useful for discriminating male smokers who show a decline in FEV(1).
-
Current guidelines recommend α1-adrenoreceptor blockers (A1Bs) for treating lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia, but their adverse effects can be problematic. In this study, reports submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) between 1997 and 2011 were reviewed to assess the safety profiles of A1Bs. ⋯ Tamsulosin-associated EjD, which was found in clinical studies, was reproduced in this analysis with markedly higher signal scores, and these results strongly suggest the necessity of well-organized clinical studies on A1B-associated adverse events.
-
The -159C/T polymorphism in the CD14 gene has been implicated in susceptibility to tuberculosis, but the results were inconclusive. The present meta-analysis aimed to perform a comprehensive assessment of the literature on the possible association between the -159C/T polymorphism and tuberculosis risk. ⋯ This meta-analysis suggests that the -159C/T polymorphism in the CD14 gene contributes to tuberculosis susceptibility. To further investigate gene-gene and gene-environment interactions between this polymorphism and tuberculosis risk, more studies are needed.
-
To investigate the significance of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in cardiovascular and metabolic risk stratification among diabetes and non-diabetes in southern Chinese. ⋯ Subjects with HbA1c ≥ 6.5% have more unfavorable cardiovascular and metabolic risk profile than those with HbA1c < 6.5%, especially in OGTT-negative population. More attention should be paid to this subgroup in clinical practice.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
The importance of needle echogenity in ultrasound guided axillary brachial plexus block: a randomized controlled clinical study.
In this study we aimed to compare the echogenic needles and the nerve stimulation addition to non-echogenic needles in ultrasound guided axillary brachial plexus block for upper extremity surgery. ⋯ We conclude that ultrasound guided axillary block may be performed successfully using both echogenic needles and nerve stimulation assisted non-echogenic needles.