Medicine
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Observational Study
Association between PPP2CA polymorphisms and clinical features in southwest Chinese systemic lupus erythematosus patients.
Increasing evidence supports the involvement of a catalytic subunit (PP2Ac) of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) in the mechanisms of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study was conducted to explore the association single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of PPP2CA with SLE susceptibility, serum cytokines levels, and clinical features in a Chinese Han population. A case-control association study was carried out in 1509 Chinese Han subjects (730 SLE patients and 779 healthy individuals). ⋯ Specifically, carriage of the rs10491322 G* allele led to a higher prevalence of arthritis in SLE patients (P = .01). This study demonstrated an association of PPP2CA (rs10491322 and rs7704116) with SLE susceptibility in a Chinese Han population. Furthermore, the minor allele of PPP2CA rs10491322 as a risk factor was correlated with immunologic disorders for SLE.
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Streptococcus viridans, a heterogeneous group of alpha-hemolytic streptococci, is part of the normal flora of the mouth, usually responsible for dental caries (Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguinis), and pericoronitis, as well as for subacute infective endocarditis. They are responsible for 40-60% of the endocarditis cases occurring on the normal valves, especially in male patients and over 45 years of age. A change in the bacterial flora of the oral cavity is taking part after orthodontic fixed appliances are introduced into the oral cavity, change that is associated with an increased concentration of the acidogenic bacteria. Bacteraemia is the consequence of oral cavity infections, the association of infective endocarditis with fixed orthodontic appliance, as it has been described by us for the first time, caused by Abiotrophia defectiva. ⋯ Endocarditis with oral streptococci associated with fixed orthodontic appliance seems to be not so unlikely even in young or without previous cardiac pathology patients, requiring attention in identifying possible pre-existing cardiac conditions like mitral valve prolapse with clinical and echographic monitoring of such cases. Educating and motivating the patient to observe the oral hygiene represent key steps for an optimal oral health during orthodontic treatment. Mechanical tooth cleaning helps maintaining a good oral hygiene during fixed orthodontics and decreasing the oral health risks.
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Observational Study
Survival rate variation among different types of hospitalized traumatic cardiac arrest: A retrospective and nationwide study.
Studies regarding the prognostic factors for survival conditions and the proportions of survival to discharge among different types of hospitalized traumatic cardiac arrest (TCA) during the period of postresuscitation are limited. This nationwide study was designed to determine certain parameters and clarify the effect of various injuries on the survival of hospitalized TCA patients to discharge. Data were retrieved from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) from 2007 to 2013 in Taiwan. ⋯ The presence of ventricular fibrillation rhythm on admission increased the odds of survival to discharge. In the phase of postcardiac arrest care, the number of intensive care unit beds and transfer to another hospital were positively correlated with survival. Those events attributed to traffic accidents have a much worse influence on the main outcome.
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This study retrospectively evaluated the effectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese medicine Shenqilixin Formula (SQLXF) as an adjunctive intervention for treating patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). This retrospective study included 135 patients with CHF. They were allocated to a treatment group or a control group according to the different treatments they received. ⋯ Compared to subjects in the control group, patients in the treatment group revealed greater effectiveness in cardiac function, measured by LVEF (P < .05), CO (P < .05), and ECO (P < .05), and motor function, measured by the 6MWT scale (P < .05). Moreover, no significant differences of AEs were found between the 2 groups. SQLXF as an adjunctive therapy to routine treatment may help to improve both cardiac and motor function in patients with CHF.
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To evaluate the effect of the social support on adherence of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) of people living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (PLWHA). Participants of PLWHA at Beijing, China were intervened by 1-year social support program intervention. ⋯ Multifactor linear regression showed that the medication adherence score was influenced by the insurance status, the residential status, and the difference in the social support utilization score (β = -0.14, 0.17, 0.16, all P < .05). Social support and care-giving can exert some influence and facilitate PLWHAs adherence of HAART.