Journal of the Chinese Medical Association : JCMA
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Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia due to defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Chronic hyperglycemia induces reactive oxygen species and increases oxidative stress. Human serum paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) is an enzyme synthesized in the liver, and it is an antioxidant enzyme with a beneficial role in fighting oxidative stress. The objective of the study was to compare PON-1 activity in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and nondiabetics, as well as to find the association between PON-1 activity and different insulin resistance (IR) models in diabetics. ⋯ It can be concluded from our study that PON-1 activity is elevated in T2DM patients, which can be a beneficial marker.
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This study investigates the association between daily sitting time and subclinical atherosclerosis by using coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). ⋯ Longer sitting time was linked to the severity of subclinical atherosclerosis and the presence of high-risk vulnerable plaque in the general population.
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Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) was a disease predominantly affecting young females about 40 years ago; however, it has been increasingly diagnosed in elderly individuals. Few studies have investigated the features of elderly patients with PAH. This review provides an overview of the characteristics of elderly patients with PAH compared to young patients. ⋯ Moreover, it was noted that elderly patients underwent combination drug regimens less frequently and exhibited poorer treatment responses than young patients. Finally, it was found that elderly PAH patients experienced poorer survival than young patients. The differences among five survival prediction models and their applicability in predicting the prognosis of PAH patients are discussed.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A prospective, randomized study assessing different modalities for flushing totally implanted vascular access device in children with malignancy.
The totally implanted vascular access device (TIVAD) is commonly used in patients with malignant tumors requiring chemotherapy or long-term intravenous infusion and those with difficulty placing peripheral venous catheters. It could also be used to draw blood in pediatric patients. Thus, how to maintain the patency and longevity of TIVAD is always emphasized. ⋯ In this study, the risk of TIVAD catheter occlusion was only related to puncture frequency regardless of the heparin flush composition or patient characteristics. A high puncture frequency of TIVAD during the 3.5-year study period significantly increased the risk of catheter occlusion. Besides, flushing and locking solutions for TIVAD using heparin at 10 U/mL was effective as using heparin at 100 U/mL regardless of the flushing volume of 10, 20, or 30 mL.