The Tohoku journal of experimental medicine
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Tohoku J. Exp. Med. · Jul 2022
The Role of Procalcitonin in Predicting Necessity of Antivenom Administration and Clinical Severity in Snake Bites.
One of the most important steps for preventing deaths due to snake bites is to administer snake antivenom to the eligible patients in a swift manner. In our study, we aimed to investigate whether procalcitonin is useful for predicting the clinical severity and the necessity of antivenom therapy at the early stages in patients presenting with snake bite. A total of 78 patients over the age of 18 who applied to the emergency department within the first 24 hours were included in this retrospective cross-sectional study. ⋯ There was a statistically significant difference between procalcitonin levels of patients in respect to their grade (P < 0.001). Sensitivity and specificity of procalcitonin levels of 13.45 and above were 100% and 100% respectively, both for the need of antivenom administration and for the blister formation in the patients. According to our study, we believe that elevated procalcitonin levels should alert the clinicians for possible blister formation, higher clinical severity, and increased requirement for antivenom administration.
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Tohoku J. Exp. Med. · Jul 2022
Leucine-Rich Alpha-2 Glycoprotein in Monitoring Disease Activity and Intestinal Stenosis in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Leucine-rich alpha-2 glycoprotein (LRG) is a novel biomarker for monitoring disease activity in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of this study was to evaluate its utility in monitoring disease activity. In this retrospective study based on case records between August 2020 and July 2021 at our two centers, we examined the correlation between serum levels of LRG and C-reactive protein (CRP) with disease activity in IBD patients. ⋯ In CD patients with normal CRP, serum LRG level was significantly higher in those with mucosal inflammation than in those with mucosal healing (16.4 vs. 10.7 μg/ mL). Stenosis was associated with serum LRG levels in CD group using multiple regression analysis. Therefore, LRG is a useful biomarker for monitoring disease activity and mucosal inflammation, and indicates the status of intestinal stenosis in IBD patients.
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Tohoku J. Exp. Med. · Jul 2022
Clinical and Laboratory Differences Between Delta and UK Variants of SARS-CoV-2: B.1.617.2 and B.1.1.7.
At the end of 2019, the world met with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which will affect all humanity. Later in the course, the genetic variants of SARS-CoV-2 have emerged, bringing new questions and concerns. This study investigated differences between patients infected with the B.1.1.7 (UK variant) and the B.1.617.2 (Delta variant) regarding patient complaints, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and stay time, intubation, severe disease, mortality rates, and laboratory parameters. ⋯ In conclusion, patients infected with B.1.617.2 had a higher risk of intubation, ACS, and mortality rates. Cough and fever were more common in B.1.1.7 infected group, whereas tiredness was more frequent in B.1.617.2 infected group. Vaccination with at least one dose of Pfizer-BioNTech or CoronaVac is independently associated with a decreased mortality risk caused by two variants (Odds Ratio 0.4).
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Tohoku J. Exp. Med. · Jul 2022
Epifriedelinol Ameliorates DMBA-induced Breast Cancer in Albino Rats by Regulating the PI3K/AKT Pathway.
We evaluated the protective effect of epifriedelinol against breast cancer and postulated an underlying mechanism. Breast cancer was induced by a single dose of 50 mg/kg 7,12-Dimethylbenanthracene (DMBA), and rats were treated with 100 or 200 mg/kg (i.p.) epifriedelinol for 4 weeks. We then evaluated the effect of epifriedelinol on tumor growth, oxidative stress and serum inflammatory cytokine levels in DMBA-induced breast cancer. ⋯ Protein levels of PI3K, AKT and mTOR and mRNA levels of PI3K, AKT, Map3k1, Erbb2 and Pdk1 were decreased in the mammary tissue of epifriedelinol-treated rats with DMBA-induced breast cancer. Apoptosis was significantly induced in the epifriedelinol-treated group compared to the negative control group. In conclusion, epifriedelinol ameliorates DMBA-induced breast cancer by regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway.
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Tohoku J. Exp. Med. · Jul 2022
The Mental Health of Long-Term Evacuees outside Fukushima Prefecture after the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Ten years after the Great East Japan Earthquake, thousands of residents of Fukushima Prefecture were still living as evacuees. Among them, unignorable numbers of people were living outside of the prefecture. A survey was conducted with evacuees to Ibaraki, the neighboring prefecture of Fukushima, to investigate their medium- to long-term mental care needs. ⋯ Of the participants, 16.5% had a high risk for major depressive disorder, 39.0% exhibited a high risk for PTSD, and 19.7% indicated suicidal ideation. "Own injuries and illnesses" and "Worries about the hometown" were risk factors for major depressive disorder, PTSD, and suicidal ideation. "Not receiving compensation for damages" was a risk factor common to major depressive disorder and suicidal ideation. There is a high possibility that many people who have evacuated to other prefectures might still be suffering from psychological symptoms after the disaster. Worries about their hometowns were highly related to their mental disorders.