The American journal of the medical sciences
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Previous studies have revealed the disadvantages of traditional methods for the diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusions (TPEs) and have created interest in exploring other effective biomarkers. Many studies have focused on the correlation between pulmonary diseases and serum creatinine (Cr), a representative biomarker of renal function, but little is known about the direct relationship between Cr and TPE. Our study aimed to explore whether Cr can act as a biomarker for the diagnosis of TPE and to evaluate the correlation between Cr and TPE. ⋯ Cr has the potential for the diagnosis of TPE to some extent though its accuracy is not as good as that of ADA. Further studies are necessary for Cr to be applied in clinical practice for the diagnosis of TPE.
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Observational Study
Tocilizumab in the Management of COVID-19: A Preliminary Report.
Pneumonia due to COVID-19 can lead to respiratory failure and death due to the development of the acute respiratory distress syndrome. Tocilizumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting the interleukin-6 receptor, is being administered off-label to some patients with COVID-19, and although early small studies suggested a benefit, there are no conclusive data proving its usefulness. ⋯ Our retrospective analysis revealed an association between Tocilizumab administration and increased mortality, ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, and length of stay in subjects with COVID-19. Prospective trials are needed to evaluate the true effect of Tocilizumab in this condition.
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Hospital professionals must attend to patients' satisfaction with care. Along with technical quality of care, patients' personal characteristics may affect that satisfaction, but standard demographics research often overlooks cultural links. ⋯ These findings suggest a novel perspective: a unique inpatient culture, largely unaffected by ethnic group or gender. Patients interpret their hospital experience through that culture. Hospital professionals might respond with both universal measures (addressing patients' fears, dissatisfactions, and distrust) and targeted ones (explicitly asking EA and AA men about dissatisfactions, and AA and EA women about distrust). Such culturally grounded measures may help maintain or increase inpatients' satisfaction.
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Disparity exists between men and women physicians. We aimed to examine changes in gender disparity in the medical profession over the last two decades. The study reviewed publications on gender differences and the measures which have been implemented or suggested to rectify these disparities. ⋯ Although substantial research exists on this topic, there remains significant room for improvement to achieve gender equality. Institutions and individuals should implement interventions to rectify this disparity .
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The metabolically unhealthy normal weight (MUN) and metabolically healthy obese (MHO) phenotypes are abnormal metabolic states. The purpose of this study was to report the frequency of the strictly defined MHO and MUN phenotypes and the association between metabolic phenotype and 10-year Framingham cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk score using a sample taken from the 2015-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. ⋯ Metabolically unhealthy phenotypes had higher CVD risk, while the MHO phenotype was not at any greater risk than the metabolically healthy normal weight.