Int J Med Sci
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The downregulation of WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX), a tumor suppressor gene, is associated with the tumorigenesis and poor prognosis of various cancers. In this study, we investigated the associations between the polymorphisms of WWOX, clinicopathologic features of prostate cancer (PCa), and risk of postoperative biochemical recurrence (BCR). We evaluated the effects of five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of WWOX on the clinicopathologic features of 578 patients with PCa. ⋯ Furthermore, patients with at least one polymorphic "T" allele in WWOX rs11545028 had an elevated (1.504-fold) risk of PCa with seminal vesicle invasion. In patients with postoperative BCR, the risks of an advanced Gleason grade and clinical metastasis were 3.317- and 5.259-fold higher in patients carrying at least one "G" allele in WWOX rs3764340 than in other patients. Our findings indicate the WWOX SNPs are significantly associated with highly aggressive pathologic features of PCa and an elevated risk of post-RP biochemical recurrence.
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Introduction: Dysphagia-associated pneumonia is a critical health issue especially in the elders and stroke patients which carries a poorer prognosis. Therefore, we aim to identify methods with the potentials to predict subsequent pneumonia in dysphagia patients, which will be of great value in the prevention and early management of pneumonia. Methods: One-hundred dysphagia patients were enrolled and measurements including Dysphagia Severity Scale (DSS), Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), Ohkuma Questionnaire, and Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10) were assessed by either videofluoroscopy (VF), videoendoscopy (VE), or the study nurse. ⋯ Conclusions: Dysphagia severity evaluated by VE-DSS, VE-FOIS, VF-FOIS, Ohkuma Questionnaire, and EAT-10 is not associated with subsequent pneumonia. Only VF-DSS is associated with both short-term and long-term subsequent pneumonia. In patients with dysphagia, VF-DSS is predictive of subsequent pneumonia.
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An elevated white blood cell (WBC) count has been linked to incident diabetes. WBC count has been positively associated with body mass index (BMI), and elevated BMI has been reported to be a strong predictor of future diabetes. Hence, the association of increased WBC count with the subsequent development of diabetes may be mediated by increased BMI. ⋯ After further adjustment for BMI, this association was attenuated (p = 0.050). In conclusion, our results showed that BMI had a significant impact on the relationship between increased WBC count and new-onset diabetes in all study participants, and BMI also attenuated the association in those with a normal WBC count. Hence, the association between increased WBC count and the future development of diabetes may be mediated by BMI.
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Background: Endothelial Activation and Stress Index (EASIX) is a reliable alternative biomarker of endothelial dysfunction. Because endothelial activation is involved in sepsis pathophysiology, we aimed to investigate the association between EASIX and prognosis in septic patients. Methods: Data were extracted from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC) IV database. ⋯ Kaplan-Meier curves showed that patients with higher EASIX had lower 28-day and 90-day survival rates. A linear relationship was found between log2-EASIX and 28-day and 90-day mortality. Conclusion: High EASIX was significantly associated with an increased risk of 28-day and 90-day all-cause mortality in patients with sepsis.
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Aberrant expression of UNC13C (Unc-13 Homolog C) has been observed during the progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma. However, the expression pattern and clinical relevance of UNC13C in Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain to be elucidated. The purpose of this study is to examine UNC13C expression in HCC and explore its role in clinicopathological factor or prognosis in HCC. ⋯ Cox regression analysis identified UNC13C as an independent prognostic indicator for HCC patients. UNC13C might be a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in HCC. Further studies with larger sample sets are needed to understand the clinical implications of UNC13C in hepatocellular carcinoma.