Medicine
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Albumin had been found to be a marker of inflammation. The purpose of our study was to investigate the relationship between albumin and C-reactive protein (CRP) in 3579 participants aged 60 to 80 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). In order to evaluate the association between albumin and CRP, We downloaded the analyzed data (2015-2018) from the NHANES in the United States, and the age of study population was limited to 60 to 80 years (n = 4051). ⋯ Besides, CRP level decreased faster with increasing albumin level in other race and participants with smoking. Considering this association, hypoalbuminemia could provide a potential predictive biomarker for inflammation. Therefore, studying the relationship between albumin and CRP can provide a screening tool for inflammation to guide therapeutic intervention and avoid excessive correction of patients with inflammation.
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The clinical features and prognosis of breast cancer can vary widely, depending on the molecular subtype. Luminal B breast cancers are usually either estrogen receptor-positive and/or progesterone receptor-positive with high proliferation of Ki67 index, or HER2 positive (HER2+). The authors compared the clinicopathologic factors and survival rates of different subtypes of luminal B breast cancer according to HER2 status. ⋯ While patients with HER2- luminal B breast cancer who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy had better prognoses, patients with HER2 + luminal B breast cancer who did not receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy had better prognoses. Luminal B breast cancers showed different clinical outcomes and survival rates according to HER2 gene overexpression type. Physicians should consider these results when they establish a treatment strategy.
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The association between vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) risk remains unestablished. We investigated the incidence of CKD in children with VUR in Taiwan and evaluated whether they had a higher risk of CKD than the general population. A nationwide population-based cohort study was conducted among children with VUR identified using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database from 2000 to 2013. ⋯ Incident cases of CKD were identified. After adjustment for potential confounders, the study cohort was independently associated with a higher risk of CKD (adjusted hazard ratio, 3.78; 95% confidence interval, 2.10-7.18). This population-based cohort study indicated that children with VUR have a higher risk of CKD than those without VUR.
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Surgical resection of esophageal cancer may result in benign anastomotic strictures, which are usually treated by balloon dilatation. Here we reported the long-term outcomes of large balloon dilatation for benign anastomotic strictures secondary to esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. From February 2011 to December 2016, 27 esophageal cancer patients underwent large balloon dilatation for benign strictures following surgical resection. ⋯ The median survival was 96.0 months. Large balloon dilatation can be a safe and feasible treatment for benign anastomic strictures following surgical resection of esophageal cancer, with a low perforation rate. However, further study compared with small balloon dilatation is warranted.
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Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent a significant global health problem. They account for nearly one third of deaths worldwide. With improvements in diagnostic modalities, their prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is rising. ⋯ Pulmonary hypertension (PH), cardiomyopathy and ischemic heart disease were also not uncommon. Abnormal echocardiographic findings are common in patients referred to our hospital for transthoracic echo. The commonest echocardiographic abnormalities were DD, Valvular heart disease (both rheumatic and calcific valves) and LVH.