The American journal of the medical sciences
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Review Case Reports
Abnormally short erythrocyte lifespan in three patients with primary myelofibrosis despite successful control of splenomegaly.
Splenectomy is an elective operation for refractory anemia in patients with primary myelofibrosis (PMF). We found that 3/3 patients with PMF in our department continued to have very shortened erythrocyte (RBC) lifespans (35 days, 66 days, and 37 days, respectively) after treatment-alleviated splenomegaly. These outcomes suggest that intravascular hemolysis predominantly independent of hypersplenism may underlie, at least to some extent, peripheral hemolysis in patients with PMF. More cases studies are needed to elucidate the role of splenomegaly in PMF-associated anemia.
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Meta Analysis
The Association of "Loss of Smell" to COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Nnalysis.
The presence of olfactory dysfunction or "loss of smell" has been reported as an atypical symptom in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the available literature to evaluate the prevalence of "loss of smell" in COVID-19 as well as its utility for prognosticating the disease severity. ⋯ Olfactory dysfunction or "loss of smell" is a prevalent symptom in COVID-19 patients. Moreover, COVID-19 patients with "loss of smell" appear to have a milder course of the disease.
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Multicenter Study
Associations Between Education Level and In-hospital Treatment and Outcomes Among Acute Coronary Syndrome in China.
Previous studies have shown an inverse relationship between education and clinical outcomes in coronary heart disease. Whether a similar association exists in patients presenting with suspected acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in China is unknown. ⋯ In China, less educated patients with ACS were less likely to receive appropriate coronary angiography and reperfusion therapy. Less educated patients were at higher risk for adverse clinical events; however this was explained by differences in baseline characteristics.
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Review
Association Between the Anti-Aging Gene Klotho and Selected Rheumatologic Autoimmune Diseases.
Klotho long recognized for its role in anti-aging, is potentially implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and systemic sclerosis. Aging of the immune system coincides with the inability of the body to recognize self-antigens, which often leads to autoimmune responses. The role of Klotho in these autoimmune diseases should be of high interest; however, few articles have been published exploring the role of Klotho in the pathogenesis, organ involvement, or clinical manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and systemic sclerosis. Herein, we discuss information gathered from peer-reviewed publications to describe the emerging role of Kl in these select rheumatologic autoimmune diseases.