Articles: disease.
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Observational Study
Evaluation of the usefulness of red blood cell distribution width in critically ill pediatric patients.
Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a component of routine complete blood count, which reflects variability in the size of circulating erythrocytes. Recently, there have been many reports about RDW as a strong prognostic marker in various disease conditions in the adult population. However, only a few studies have been performed in children. ⋯ In conclusion, higher RDW value was significantly associated with worse clinical parameters including PICU mortality. RDW was an independent risk factor of PICU mortality and the addition of RDW significantly improved the performance of PELOD-2 score in predicting PICU mortality. Thus, RDW could be a promising prognostic factor with advantages of simple and easy measurement in critically ill pediatric patients.
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Observational Study
Validating candidate biomarkers for different stages of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common chronic condition caused by the accumulation of fat in the liver. NAFLD may range from simple steatosis to advanced cirrhosis, and affects more than 1 billion people around the world. To date, there has been no effective treatment for NAFLD. ⋯ However, other studies that had linked PNPLA3 to fibrosis in advanced NAFLD supported our current finding of high PNPLA3 protein in patients with fibrosis. Additionally, our results support COL1A1 protein as a potential biomarker for the fibrosis stage of NAFLD, and indicate its use in the screening of patients with NAFLD. Further studies are required to validate the use of COL1A1 as a biomarker for advanced NAFLD in a larger cohort.
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Case Reports
Clinical analysis of reversible splenial lesion syndrome in Chinese adults: A retrospective study of 11 cases.
Reversible splenial lesion syndrome (RESLES) is a clinico-radiological entity that defines a reversible lesion in the splenium of the corpus callosum (SCC) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The clinical and radiological characteristics of RESLES are poorly defined and most RESLES literature is in the form of case reports. We reviewed the clinical and radiological data from 11 RESLES patients in order to more clearly describe the characteristics of this disorder in adults. ⋯ When we encounter clinical manifestations such as headache accompanied with mental symptoms, disturbance of consciousness or epilepsy, and brain MRI finds lesions of the corpus callosum, we should consider whether it is RESLES. In order to find out the possible cause of the disease, we should carefully inquire about the history of the disease, complete etiology examination, and CSF tests. Of course, it is one of the necessary conditions for the diagnosis that the lesions in the corpus callosum are obviously relieved or disappeared.
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Observational Study
Using bioinformatics approach identifies key genes and pathways in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic and irreversible respiratory disease with a high incidence worldwide and no specific treatment. Currently, the etiology and pathogenesis of this disease remain largely unknown. In main purpose of this study, bioinformatics analysis was used to uncover key genes and pathways related to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). ⋯ Analyzing the PPI network modules with close interaction, the 3 key modules in the whole PPI network were screened out. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways enriched for the module containing DEGs contained the viral protein interaction with cytokine and the cytokine receptor, the TNF signaling pathway, and the chemokine signaling pathway. The identified key genes and pathways may play an important role in the occurrence and development of IPF, and may be expected to be biomarkers or therapeutic targets for the diagnosis of IPF.
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Sweet syndrome (SS) is an idiopathic autoimmune disease which has been associated with various extracutaneous manifestations. Otologic symptoms secondary to SS are characterized by bilateral, progressive, sensorineural hearing loss, which requires auditory rehabilitation with, for example, cochlear implantation. ⋯ This case emphasizes the point that early diagnosis and timely treatment are essential for hearing recovery in patients with SS who have otologic symptoms.