Annals of medicine
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It has been discovered that a folate shortage may raise the risk of hepatic steatosis. We investigated the relationship between serum folate and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) among 3606 participants over from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). ⋯ According to our study, the majority of Americans, particularly men and whites, had a negative correlation between serum folate and CAP. Among white people, this connection followed an U-shaped pattern. These findings may provide guidance for monitoring serum folate level and controlling oral folate dosage in clinic, so as to prevent liver steatosis more effectively.Key MessagesThe size of the cohort in our study is large, and our findings come from a nationally representative database.Our study revealed a negative relationship between serum folate and CAP among most Americans, especially in male and whites, which may provide evidence for medications to treat hepatic steatosis.In whites, the association of serum folate with CAP was an U-shaped curve (inflection point: 34 ng/ml). This may provide guidance for monitoring serum folate level and controlling oral folate dosage in clinic, so as to prevent liver steatosis more effectively.
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Observational Study
Clinical utilization of multiple antibodies of Mycobacterium tuberculosis for serodiagnosis evaluation of tuberculosis: a retrospective observational cohort study.
We aimed to investigate clinical uncertainties by characterizing the accuracy and utility of commercially available antibodies of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the diagnostic assessment of suspected tuberculosis in high-burden countries. ⋯ Commercially available antibodies against to Mycobacterium tuberculosis do not have sufficient sensitivity for the diagnostic evaluation of active tuberculosis. However, antibody against Rv1636 and 16kD may have sufficiently high specificities, high positive likelihood ratios, and correspondingly high positive predictive values to facilitate the rule-in of active tuberculosis.
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Observational Study
Anterior segment inflammation and its association with dry eye parameters following myopic SMILE and FS-LASIK.
To evaluate dry eye and anterior segment inflammation after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK), and investigate their association. ⋯ Both SMILE and FS-LASIK induced elevated anterior chamber flare and dry eye. However, flare might not be considered a factor determining perioperative dry eye.Key MessagesDry eye disease is common after corneal refractive surgery. Signs and symptoms of dry eye disease persist longer after FS-LASIK compared with SMILE.Both FS-LASIK and SMILE transiently disrupted blood-aqueous barrier integrity, leading to anterior segment inflammation.Anterior chamber flare might not be considered a factor explaining perioperative dry eye, other biomarkers remain for future exploration.
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Type 2 diabetes is a major risk factor for atherosclerotic disease. It is well agreed that the reactivity of diabetic platelets is increased but how platelet reactivity regulates is unknown. In our laboratory, density separated platelets have been investigated extensively and high- and low-density platelets circulate in an activated state. The density distribution of circulating platelets is altered in diabetes type 2 as well. We hypothesize that such platelets modify whole blood (WB) in vitro α-thrombin-evoked (10 μM/mL) activity in type 2 diabetes. Thus, the study aims to identify features of circulating normal-sized density subpopulations affecting whole blood (WB) platelet reactivity in type 2 diabetes. ⋯ From the current descriptive work only involving type 2 diabetes, it is impossible to judge whether the findings are features of the disease or if they occur in healthy individuals as well. However, the study describes LAMP-1 expressing subpopulations of circulating normal-sized platelets that associate with WB α-thrombin (10 U/mL) responses in vitro. Increased proportions of such platelets induced lysosomal release and αIIbβ3 receptor activity, whereas lower proportions promoted WB agonist-induced procoagulant platelet creation. It is to hypothesize that the new described regulatory mechanism could in the future offer a possibility to influence platelet behavior in type 2 diabetes.Key messagesLysosomal exocytosis of circulating platelets influences reactivity, as determined by agonist-induced platelet reactions in vitroThus, the low release of lysosomes by normal-sized platelets in vivo increases agonist-evoked procoagulant platelet production.Higher lysosomal exocytosis of circulating normal-sized platelets promotes platelet aggregation and secretion.
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To evaluate diagnostic performance of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) for Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP), in comparison with polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Gomori methenamine silver (GMS) staining and serum 1,3-β-d-Glucan (BG) assay. ⋯ mNGS shows superiority over several common clinical methods in the diagnosis of suspected PCP. Serum BG in conjunction with mNGS further improved the diagnostic efficacy of mNGS.