Int J Med Sci
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Descurainia sophia Webb ex Prantl has been used in traditional medicine globally. It has been shown that Descurainia sophia, together with many other bioactive compounds, can modulate the biological functions of various genes. We have viewed the clinical benefits and mechanisms of action of Descurainia sophia associated with its current uses and outlined potential further applications. ⋯ Further, Descurainia sophia has been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anthelmintic activities. The clinical studies did not indicate any significant adverse effects of Descurainia sophia, demonstrating that it is a safe and effective herbal medicine. However, more clinical studies demonstrating the therapeutic effects of Descurainia sophia are still warranted.
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Objective: The proportion of hepatitis e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients in China has increased rapidly. However, the response of these patients to peginterferon (peg-IFN) treatment is poor, and the antiviral treatment strategies are inconsistent. This study aimed to investigate the role of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in early prediction of response in HBeAg-negative CHB patients receiving peg-IFN α-2a. ⋯ The HBV DNA <2.0 log10IU/ml at week 24 (PPV = 96.9%, NPV = 66.7%, P = 0.018) was an independent predictor of HBV DNA undetectable at week 48. The HBsAg <800 IU/ml at baseline (PPV = 92.1%, NPV = 69.7%, P = 0.054) and HBsAg decline >5.00-fold at week 24 (PPV = 83.3%, NPV = 77.8%, P = 0.038) were independent predictors of HBsAg <100 IU/ml and HBV DNA undetectable at week 48. Conclusion: Early on-treatment quantification of HBV DNA and HBsAg in patients with HBeAg-negative CHB treated with peg-IFN α-2a may help identify those likely to be cured by this method and optimize therapy strategies.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison of volume-controlled, pressure-controlled, and pressure-controlled volume-guaranteed ventilation during robot-assisted laparoscopic gynecologic surgery in the Trendelenburg position.
Background: Pressure-controlled ventilation volume-guaranteed (PCV-VG) is being increasingly used for ventilation during general anesthesia. Carbon dioxide (CO2) pneumoperitoneum in the Trendelenburg position is routinely used during robot-assisted laparoscopic gynecologic surgery. Here, we hypothesized that PCV-VG would reduce peak inspiratory pressure (Ppeak), compared to volume-controlled ventilation (VCV) and pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV). ⋯ Mean inspiratory pressure (Pmean) was higher in the PCV and PCV-VG groups than in the VCV group (p<0.001). Dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn) was lower in the VCV group than in the PCV and PCV-VG groups (p=0.001). Conclusion: Compared to VCV, PCV and PCV-VG provided lower Ppeak, higher Pmean, and improved Cdyn, without significant differences in hemodynamic variables or arterial blood gas results during robot-assisted laparoscopic gynecologic surgery with Trendelenburg position.
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The scientific community continuously strives to get new disease models, to discover early markers or novel therapeutic approaches, improving the diagnosis and prognosis of several human pathologies. Parkinson's Disease (PD) is characterized by a long asymptomatic phase, characterized by a selective loss of dopaminergic neurons. Recently, the human Periapical Cyst-Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hPCy-MSCs) have been differentiated in functional dopaminergic neurons: such oral-derived MSCs and the hPCy-MSCs-derived exosomes may represent a strategic and useful in vitro study-model, as well as intriguing therapeutic carriers. ⋯ This review aims to describe the crosstalk among some aspects of circadian rhythm related to the onset of PD and the exosomes released by cells of PD patients. More in detail: the first part of this article will describe the main characteristics of circadian rhythm and the involvement of the exosomes found to be effective in the pathogenesis of PD. Finally, the authors will suggest how those exosomes derived from dopaminergic neurons, obtained by oral-derived stem cells (hPCy-MSCs) may represent a smart model for the in vitro research on PD, to find new biomarkers, to test new drugs or, fatally, to find new pathways applicable in future therapeutic approaches.
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Comparative Study
Fit factor of masks used by Physicians in Clinical Settings.
Background: Usually, physicians use filtering respirators in clinical settings to a lesser extent than other simpler surgical masks. The study aim was to determine the fit factor of surgical and other types masks commonly used in clinical settings compared with FFP3 filtering respirators. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out recruiting a total sample of 78 physicians. ⋯ Statistically significant differences (P<0.001) with an effect size from moderate to large (d=0.61-1.00) were shown for fit factors in the different exercises and total scores between surgical and other masks (3.2±5.0) and FFP3 filtering respirators (40.7±37.8). Generally, FFP3 filtering respirators showed a higher fit factor in the different exercises and total scores compared to the commonly used surgical and other types masks in clinical settings. Conclusions: Despite most physicians used surgical masks in clinical settings, filtering FFP3 masks showed a higher fit factor in the different exercises and total scores compared with the used surgical masks and filtering respirators such as FFP1, FFP2 and other types in clinical settings.