The American journal of the medical sciences
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To investigate the association between obesity and blood lead level (BLL) in the general population after controlled for menopause, blood pressure, calcium, and smoking; we assessed the relationship between BMI, WC (Waist Circumference), and blood lead levels in the non-smoking middle-aged subjects without hypertension among 2018 KNHANES. All data were recategorized into S1 (BMI<25 kg/m2 & WC<90 cm), S2 (intermediate), and S3 (BMI>25 kg/m2 & WC>90 cm). We made the log transformation of blood lead levels to bring them closer to a normal distribution. ⋯ Blood lead levels might increase oxidative stress on triglycerides and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol; consequently, lead exposure might form peroxynitrite, a reactive oxygen substrate (ROS) susceptible to destroying lipids. Consequently, obesity was significantly correlated with logarithmic blood lead levels irrespective of sociodemographic, energy, working, and cardiometabolic factors in the non-smoking middle-aged population without hypertension. Further controlled clinical trials would be considered.
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As a life-threatening complication in patients undergoing surgery, acute kidney injury (AKI) is strongly associated with a worse prognosis. Urinary dickkopf-related protein 3 (DKK3) has been identified as a biomarker for predicting postoperative AKI in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. ⋯ Urinary DKK3/creatinine was independently associated with postoperative AKI for patients in the ICU after noncardiac surgery. The nomogram constructed based on uDKK3/uCr, preoperative eGFR, cystatin C, and SOFA score showed a higher accuracy in predicting postoperative AKI.
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Clinicians frequently evaluate patients who present with dyspnea. This term describes uncomfortable breathing during physical activity, and the intensity or degree of dyspnea can vary in an individual depending on circumstances and between individuals. ⋯ This hypothesis suggests that prior experiences with dyspnea during physical activity or a respiratory disorder provide the background that is used to interpret current symptoms. This review outlines problems associated with the use of the term "dyspnea" and briefly describes how the Bayesian brain hypothesis might help clinicians understand this symptom better.
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Retrospective study to examine the outcomes of acute kidney injury requiring dialysis (AKI-D) patients that received outpatient hemodialysis as part of continued AKI-D care and explore factors associated with recovery of kidney function and discontinuation of dialysis. ⋯ 39 % of patients with AKI-D recovered kidney function within 180 days of outpatient HD start. The median time to recovery was 31 days. Younger age, higher e-GFR at time of hospital admission, and absence of hypertension were predictors of kidney recovery. Patients who recover kidney function experienced episodes of intradialytic hypotension less frequently.