Annals of medicine
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Introduction: Several neurodegenerative conditions are associated with a common histopathology within neurons of the central nervous system, consisting of the deposition of cytoplasmic inclusions of TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43). Such inclusions have variably been described as morphologically and molecularly ordered aggregates having amyloid properties, as filaments without the cross-β-structure and dye binding specific for amyloid, or as amorphous aggregates with no defined structure and fibrillar morphology. Aims and Methods: Here we have expressed human full-length TDP-43 in neuroblastoma x spinal cord 34 (NSC-34) cells to investigate the morphological, structural, and tinctorial properties of TDP-43 inclusions in situ. ⋯ It cannot be excluded that filaments emerge on the long time scale from such inclusions, but the high propensity of the protein to form initially other types of inclusions appear to be an essential characteristic of TDP-43 proteinopathies. KEY MESSAGESCytoplasmic inclusions of TDP-43 formed in NSC-34 cells do not stain with amyloid-diagnostic dyes, are not enriched with cross-β structure, and do not show a fibrillar morphology. TDP-43 assemblies formed in vitro from pure TDP-43 do not have any hallmarks of amyloid.
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Hantavirus infection is the main cause of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), which is common in Asia and Europe. There is a considerable risk of morbidity and mortality from the uncommon Hantavirus complication known as acute pancreatitis (AP). ⋯ Our findings indicate that HFRS patients with a history of consuming alcohol, a high lym%, intense proteinuria, high levels of FDPs, and a low level of D-dimer might be more prone to the development of AP.KEY MESSAGESThis is the first report employing Logistic regression analysis methods for exploring the risk factors for HFRS complicated with AP in China.Many factors (most are laboratory parameters) were significantly associated with HFRS complicated with AP.We found that HFRS patients with a history of consuming alcohol, a high lym%, intense proteinuria, high levels of FDPs, and a low level of D-dimer might be more prone to the development of AP.
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The study aims to determine whether body mass index (BMI), metabolic syndrome (MS) or its individual components (primary hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemias) are risk factors for common urological diseases. ⋯ MS and its individual components were significant risk factors for common urological conditions. Hence holistic approaches with lifestyle modification might prevent common urological disease.Key messagesOverall, metabolic syndrome is the strongest risk factor for all the analysed urological diseases.Abnormally high body mass index can be a risk or protective factor depending on the threshold and urological disease that are being evaluated.Metabolic syndrome and increased BMI should be considered important factors associated to the prevalence of common urological diseases.
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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.