The American journal of the medical sciences
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A decade ago, hepcidin, an antimicrobial peptide with iron-regulatory properties, was discovered and proposed as playing a significant role in the pathogenesis of anemia of chronic disease. Subsequent studies have demonstrated that hepcidin is the keystone of the linked systems of iron balance and iron transport in health and in disease. The definition of the role of hepcidin and its regulation has permitted the mechanisms of disorders of iron homeostasis to be understood at a molecular level. Future studies may identify roles for hepcidin or hepcidin-related molecules in diagnosis and therapy.
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Review Meta Analysis
Efficacy and safety of mTOR inhibitor therapy in patients with early-stage autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
The objective of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to present a profound review and an objective appraisal of the efficacy and safety of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor therapy in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). ⋯ Based on the current limited clinical trials, this study suggests that short-duration mTOR inhibitor therapy is relatively safe to slow down the increase in kidney volume in patients with early-stage ADPKD, but it has limited impact on slowing down the decrease in GFR.
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Anion gap metabolic acidosis (AGMA) is commonly encountered in medical practice. Acetaminophen-induced AGMA is, however, not widely recognized. ⋯ Recognition of this entity facilitated timely diagnosis and effective treatment. Given acetaminophen is commonly used over the counter medication, increased recognition of this adverse effect is of important clinical significance.
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Pleural effusions in ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, whether transudative or exudative, can occur in up to 30% of cases. This disorder is always reversible but may have various clinical presentations and degrees of severity. Although assessing for risk factors to predict clinical severity is helpful, it is rare for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome to present as a massive pleural effusion requiring emergent intervention. In this study, such a case is reported.