Medicine
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Previous studies have investigated heavy metal exposure could increase the occurrence of congenital heart defects (CHDs). However, there are limited data regarding the relationship between exposure to nickel and CHDs occurrence in offspring. The aim of this study was to analyze the association between nickel exposure in mothers and the risk of CHDs in offspring. ⋯ The finding suggested that the occurrence of CHDs may be associated with nickel exposure.
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This study aims to investigate the possible association between Interleukin-31 (IL-31) gene polymorphisms and cryptorchidism risk. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms of IL-31, rs7977932 (C/G) and rs4758680 (C/A), were selected to be investigated in this study. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism methods were used to discriminate the selected single nucleotide polymorphisms of IL-31 gene. ⋯ Compared with CC genotype in dominant model, notable decreased frequencies of A carriers (CA/AA genotypes) were observed in cryptorchidism patients (P = . 03, OR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.35-0.96). Results demonstrated that IL-31 gene polymorphisms were associated with the genetic susceptibility to cryptorchidism in a Chinese population. Compared with CC genotype, the A carriers (CA/AA genotypes) of rs4758680 were protect factors in cryptorchidism susceptibility.
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Hypertension, including secondary and essential hypertension (EH) variants, is a multifactorial disease, affecting more than one billion people worldwide. Secondary hypertension results from mutations in the putative gene KLHL3 (Kelch-like protein 3); however, it has not been reported whether the KLHL3 gene polymorphisms are associated with EH. Here, we investigated the association between KLHL3 (rs2301708 and rs7444370) polymorphisms and EH in the Chinese Han population. ⋯ The distribution of functional rs2301708 and rs7444370 polymorphisms within the KLHL3 gene was assessed through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction-fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). There was no significant difference in allelic and genotypic frequencies of KLHL3 rs2301708 between the EH and normotensive groups; however, the rs7444370 T allele and CT genotype in females was significantly associated with a protective effect against EH (P = .001, P = .002; P = .019, P = .052), and the haplotype CT of rs2301708 and rs7444370 among females in the EH group was less than in the normotensive group (P = .000; P = .007). The KLHL3 rs7444370 variant could be a protective factor in the pathogenesis of females' EH.
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Over the last few decades, the concepts of minimally invasive surgery and enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols have been introduced into the field of total joint arthroplasty (TJA), and tranexamic acid (TXA) has been widely used in TJA. Modern-day surgical techniques and perioperative care pathways of TJA have experienced unexpected improvements. Recently, the necessity of the practice of ordering routine postoperative laboratory tests for patients undergoing primary TJA has been challenged, especially in the context of implementation of ERAS protocols in TJA. These studies have consistently suggested that routine postoperative laboratory tests are not necessary in modern-day primary, unilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA), and laboratory tests after surgery should only be obtained for patients with risk factors. However, it remains unclear whether routine postoperative laboratory tests after THA and TKA remains justified in the Chinese patient population. Therefore, we developed this study to address this issue. ⋯ Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.chictr.org.cn): ChiCTR1900020690.
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Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia worldwide. Oral anticoagulation is an effective strategy for primary and secondary prevention of stroke in patients with AF. Warfarin is an oral anticoagulant widely prescribed and, despite its benefits, the achievement of the goals of drug therapy depends on patient involvement, among other factors. Educational interventions can contribute for effectiveness and safety of oral anticoagulation therapy. We sought to describe the protocol of a clinical trial designed to evaluate the effect of a patient-centered educational strategy focused on low-income patients with AF and poor anticoagulation control. ⋯ The proposed study aims to investigate whether an innovative educational approach to deliver care to a low-income population on warfarin improves anticoagulation control. Once our hypothesis is confirmed, our findings are expected to help improving anticoagulation control, knowledge on warfarin therapy and adherence to drug therapy. Thus, we believe our results may contribute to improve oral anticoagulation effectiveness in a low-income population.