Medical principles and practice : international journal of the Kuwait University, Health Science Centre
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Observational Study
The association between changes in low parathyroid hormone levels and cardiac function decline in maintenance hemodialysis patients :A prospective observational study.
The aim of this study was to investigate a possible association between changes in low parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels and cardiac function decline in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. ⋯ Persistently low PTH levels and changes in the PTH level from high/normal to low were associated with cardiac function decline in MHD patients. Moreover, a PTH level change from high/normal to low showed a stronger correlation with cardiac function decline.
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Interleukin (IL)-38 is a newly discovered member of the IL-1 cytokine family with a proposed anti-inflammatory profile. We studied the probable role of this cytokine in the pathogenesis of two autoimmune diseases: multiple sclerosis (MS) and systemic sclerosis (SSc). ⋯ The higher serum levels of IL-38 in new or recently untreated cases of MS and SSc patients than in treated patients and healthy controls suggest the possible role of this cytokine in the development of these diseases or as part of a feedback loop to attenuate the inflammatory conditions in early stages of these diseases.
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It is not known whether patients' ratings of the quality of healthcare services they receive truly correlate with the quality of care from their providers. Understanding this association can potentiate improvement in healthcare delivery. We evaluated the association between patients' ratings of the quality of healthcare services received and uptake of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. ⋯ Our study suggests that patients who reported receiving lower quality of healthcare services were less likely to have undergone and be compliant with CRC screening recommendations. It is important to pay close attention to patient feedback surveys in order to improve healthcare delivery.
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The objectives were to prepare, characterize, and evaluate different ibuprofen (IBU) nanosuspensions. ⋯ IBU/PP/TW nanosuspension showed enhanced in vitro and in vivo performance as compared to the marketed product. Nanosuspensions prepared by the ultrahigh-pressure homogenization technique can be used as a good formulation strategy to enhance the rate and extent of absorption of poorly soluble drugs.
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Review Meta Analysis
Coffee Consumption and Cancer Risk; An Assessment of the Health Implications Based on Recent Knowledge.
A significant number of studies suggest that coffee consumption reduces cancer risk. This beneficial effect is usually ascribed to the presence of polyphenolic antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, including caffeine, cafestol, kahweol, and chlorogenic acids. To summarize recent literature on this subject, we performed a bibliographic search in PubMed and Embase over the period January 2005 to December 2020 to identify cohort studies and meta-analysis (with data collection ensuring quality of selected reports) that could provide quantitative data on the relationship between coffee consumption and common cancers. ⋯ Therefore, this overview does not provide broad-based conclusions. Important uncertainties include general study design, inhomogeneous patient sampling, different statistical analysis (deliberate), misreporting of socioeconomic status, education, coffee-brewing methods, consumption of caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee, smoking habits, and alcohol intake. Clearly, more epidemiologic research needs to be conducted before solid science-based recommendations can be made with regard to coffee consumption.