Journal of internal medicine
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Splenectomy is commonly used to treat refractory immune-mediated cytopenia, but there are no established factors that are associated with response to the procedure. ⋯ Overall, the study demonstrates that splenectomy is an effective treatment option for immune-mediated cytopenias with a low complication rate.
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An increased dietary fructose intake has been shown to exert several detrimental metabolic effects and contribute to the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). An augmented intestinal abundance of the fructose carriers glucose transporter-5 (GLUT-5) and glucose transporter-2 (GLUT-2) has been found in subjects with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Herein, we investigated whether elevated intestinal levels of GLUT-5 and GLUT-2, resulting in a higher dietary fructose uptake, are associated with NAFLD and its severity. ⋯ Increased duodenal GLUT-5 levels are associated with NAFLD and liver fibrosis. Inhibition of intestinal GLUT-5-mediated fructose uptake may represent a strategy for prevention and treatment of NAFLD.
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Observational Study
HbA1c-dependent projection of long-term renal outcomes.
Diabetes mellitus is a major risk factor for the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD). There is limited data addressing the value of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) to predict renal outcomes independent of diabetes status. ⋯ HbA1c levels are a strong predictor for eGFR decline, irrespective of diabetes status or CKD stage, demonstrating a tight concentration-dependent relationship. This association becomes apparent in the prediabetic HbA1c range and remains constant over the entire HbA1c spectrum.
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Ferroptosis plays a key role in placental development and physiology, and abnormal ferroptosis has been implicated in trophoblast injury leading to preeclampsia (PE). We hypothesize that leukocytes isolated from PE exhibit increased ferroptosis and that extracellular vesicles contain long non-coding (lnc) RNA/mRNAs that modulate oxidative stress and iron toxicity in vascular endothelial cells. ⋯ Our findings suggest that maternal leukocytes in PE show decreased anti-ferroptotic activity that correlates with anti-inflammatory expression. Moreover, some of these changes in ferroptotic activity appear to precede the development of PE.
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Rapidly advancing evidence documents that a broad array of synthetic chemicals found ubiquitously in the environment contribute to disease and disability across the lifespan. Although the early literature focused on early life exposures, endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are now understood to contribute substantially to chronic disease in adulthood, especially metabolic, cardiovascular, and reproductive consequences as well as endocrine cancers. The contribution to mortality is substantial, with over 90,000 deaths annually and at least $39 billion/year in lost economic productivity in the United States (US) due to exposure to certain phthalates that are used as plasticizers in food packaging. ⋯ Though non-Hispanic Blacks and Mexican Americans comprise 12.6% and 13.5% of the US population, they bear 16.5% and 14.6% of the disease burden due to EDCs, respectively. Many of these exposures can be modified through safe and simple behavioral changes supported by proactive government action to both limit known hazardous exposures and to proactively screen new industrial chemicals prior to their use. Routine healthcare maintenance should include guidance to reduce EDC exposures, and a recent report by the Institute of Medicine suggests that testing be conducted, particularly in populations heavily exposed to perfluoroalkyl substances-chemicals used in nonstick coatings as well as oil- and water-resistant clothing.