Annals of medicine
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Chronic mountain sickness (CMS) is a condition characterized by excessive erythrocytosis in response to chronic hypobaric hypoxia. CMS frequently triggers cardiorespiratory diseases such as pulmonary hypertension and right or left heart failure. Ambient hypoxia might be further amplified night-time by intermittent hypoxia related to sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) so that sleep disturbance may be an important feature of CMS. Our aim was to characterize in a cross-sectional study nocturnal hypoxaemia, SDB, blood pressure (BP), arterial stiffness and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in highlanders living at extreme altitude. ⋯ Lower nocturnal SpO2 and higher nocturnal BP variability are associated with CMS severity in individuals living permanently at high altitude. The role of lower SpO2 and higher nocturnal BP variability in the cardiovascular progression of CMS and in the overall prognosis of the disease need to be evaluated in further studies.
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There is a lack of effective treatment to improve the prognosis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1)-targeted immunotherapy has shown promising results in a variety of malignant tumours. However, in patients with advanced ICC, the safety and efficacy of anti-PD-1 agents remain unclear. ⋯ PD-1-targeted immunotherapy showed promising efficacy and safety in advanced ICC patients.Key messagesPD-1-targeted immunotherapy is a safe and effective treatment for advanced ICC patients.This study provides therapeutic strategy for advanced ICC patients.
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Despite abundant evidence linking dyslipidaemia to an increased risk of hyperuricaemia, the exact association between each component of dyslipidaemia and hyperuricaemia remains controversial. Thus, the objective of this research was to examine the correlation between dyslipidaemia and its components, as well as hyperuricaemia in Chinese people over the age of 60. ⋯ Dyslipidaemia and its two distinct types, high TG and low HDL-C, increased hyperuricaemia incidence in this prospective cohort. Further research should be undertaken to investigate the possible reverse causality between different components of dyslipidaemia and hyperuricaemia.
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Medical professionalism reflects the commitment of physicians to their patients, society, themselves, and the profession. The study examined residents' attitudes towards professionalism and how these attitudes vary among the different demographic groups, namely gender, specialty, and year of residency. ⋯ No significant differences were observed in the overall attitude towards professionalism among the residents regarding their year of residency, gender, and specialty. The low altruism score and absence of improvement of the total score regarding the residents' increasing experience in the profession are concerns that need remedial action. Therefore, we suggest that future research look for possible explanations by using multi-institutional surveys that explore not only the residents' attitudes, but also the trainers' attitudes and practice, work situations, the hidden curriculum, and culture. Key messagesAttitudes towards professionalism among different demographic groups of residents do not show similar variations as has been reported in the literature, albeit in different sociocultural contexts.The low altruism score and absence of improvement of the total score as the residents gained more experience in the profession are concerns that need remedial action.A longitudinal study involving more than one institution for both residents and their faculty members to compare faculty scores with those of residents, while controlling for specialty and gender, may help elucidate the factors affecting attitudes towards professionalism and suggest possible means of addressing unfavourable attitudes.
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Observational Study
Is there a diurnal variation of COVID-19 patients warranting presentation to the health centre? A chronobiological observational cross-sectional study.
The circadian clock regulates the function of the immune system, the replication of viruses, and the magnitude of infections. The aim of this study was to analyse whether hospital attendance in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients presents a diurnal variation. ⋯ COVID-19 infection affected the circadian rhythms of the host through disrupting the circadian rhythms of core temperature and innate immunity mediators. Old patients attend the health care centre earlier compared to younger ones. However, CT during polymerase chain reaction-test was unaffected by the TOD, which limits the conclusion that COVID-19 viral infection exhibits diurnal variation.