Rev Invest Clin
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Recent investigations highlight the importance of the gut microbiota and bacteria-derived metabolites as key components in obesity and metabolic health. The microbiota-gut-brain axis presents promising targets for future obesity treatments and prevention. ⋯ Therefore, we sought to examine current evidence on the effect of lifestyle, dietary, pharmacological, and surgical interventions on the microbiota-gut-brain axis. In addition, this review highlights potential next steps in research toward characterizing the role of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in metabolic health, along with possible interventions to address obesity.
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Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease with a wide range of clinical presentations. Lupus nephritis (LN) is a frequent complication of SLE, representing a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in these patients. In addition, LN diagnosis remains suboptimal in most clinical contexts. ⋯ Consequently, there are different areas for improvement in the field of LN, such as the search for novel non-invasive clinical biomarkers with an adequate correlation between clinical manifestations and actual histological damage. Although urine component-related studies are promising, the more robust blood/serum biomarkers may still be helpful in developing point-of-care systems that can be adapted to most clinical scenarios. Therefore, this brief review aims to highlight and summarize some of the most recently reported non-classical serum/blood potential LN biomarkers. (Rev Invest Clin. 2022;74(5):227-31).
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Prognostic factors in previously healthy young patients with COVID-19 remained understudied. ⋯ In young and non-comorbid COVID-19 patients, male sex, higher levels of D-dimer, and low SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR Ct-value on an initial nasopharyngeal swab were independently associated with increased in-hospital mortality or need for IMV. (Rev Invest Clin. 2022;74(5):268-75).
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Observational Study
Acute Kidney Injury in Critical Care COVID-19 Patients on Invasive Mechanical Ventilation: The Potential Preventive Role of Dexamethasone.
A high incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) has been reported in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in critical care units and those undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). The introduction of dexamethasone (DXM) as treatment for severe COVID-19 has improved mortality, but its effects in other organs remain under study. ⋯ The incidence of AKI is high in COVID-19 patients under IMV. DXM treatment is associated with a lower incidence of AKI and a lower mortality in the group with severe AKI.
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Review
Determinants of Clinical Behavior and Prognosis in Cushing's Disease: A Quest for Useful Biomarkers.
Cushing's disease (CD) is the most common cause of endogenous hypercortisolemia. The clinical management of this condition is complex and entails multiple therapeutic strategies, treatment of chronic comorbidities, and lifelong surveillance for recurrences and complications. ⋯ Only a handful of them, however, have been sufficiently validated for their application in the routine care of patients with CD. This review summarizes the current status of the established and potential biomarkers of CD, bases for their use, proposed and/or established utility, as well as advantages and barriers for their implementation in the clinic. (Rev Invest Clin. 2022;74(5):244-57).