Internal medicine
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Shewanella bacteremia is an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Although hepatobiliary diseases have been proposed to be risk factors for various Shewanella infections, little is known about the features of Shewanella bacteremia in patients with hepatobiliary diseases. This study aims to characterize the presentation and risk factors of Shewanella bacteremia in patients with hepatobiliary diseases. ⋯ It is recommended that the possibility for Shewanella infection be considered in patients with bacteremia and also underlying hepatobiliary diseases, particularly if patients present with hepatobiliary infections, a history of seafood, or development of the disease during the summer.
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The aim of this study was to elucidate the efficacy of cyclophosphamide (CY) in Japanese patients with antineutrophil cystoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated microscopic polyangiitis (MPA). ⋯ We observed no increased efficacy of CY in ANCA-positive MPA in the Japanese patients, and hence, its efficacy may be limited in these patients.
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Meta Analysis
Meta-analysis of the ADH1B and ALDH2 polymorphisms and the risk of colorectal cancer in East Asians.
The aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) and alcohol dehydrogenase 1B (ADH1B) genes have been implicated in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the results are inconsistent. In this study, a meta-analysis was performed to assess the associations between the ALDH2 and ADH1B polymorphisms and the risk of CRC. ⋯ This meta-analysis demonstrated that the ALDH2 polymorphism, but not the ADH1B polymorphism, significantly increases the risk of CRC in East Asians.
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To investigate the risks and benefits of prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT: thienopyridine plus aspirin) following placement of drug-eluting stents (DES). The optimal duration of DAPT is not well established. ⋯ DAPT performed beyond 12 months is associated with increased an frequency of bleeding complications and does not prevent the incidence of MACE, including stent thrombosis, during five years of follow-up after sirolimus-eluting stent implantation. Conducting larger, randomized studies will therefore be needed to confirm this finding.
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Pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy (PTTM) is a unique, rare and fatal form of pulmonary arterial tumor embolism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and pathological and immunohistochemical findings of PTTM. ⋯ Clinicians should suspect PTTM in cancer patients who exhibit acute worsening respiratory insufficiency accompanied by a hypercoagulative state without embolism in major pulmonary arteries. The PTTM patients evaluated in our study had very poor prognoses. Vascular endothelial growth factor and tissue factor may play important roles in PTTM.