Medicina
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Background and Objectives: obesity and blood pressure disorders are one of the main risk factors for antenatal, intra, postpartum, and neonatal complications. In preeclampsia (PE), the placental hypoxia leads to vascular endothelium dysfunction, cell necrosis, and apoptosis. This condition is associated with the release of free fetal DNA (cffDNA) circulating in plasma. ⋯ Apelin was higher in the PE group with cffDNA (p = 0.006) compared to other groups. The same results were also observed in the subgroup with obesity. Conclusion: in preeclamptic women, obesity seems to act as an additive factor of placental damage by means of the dysregulation of hypotensive mechanisms.
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Background and Objectives: Living arrangement is a crucial factor for older adults' health. It is even more critical for Chinese older adults due to the tradition of filial piety. With the aging of China's population, the prevalence of cognitive impairment among older adults has increased. ⋯ Results: Older adults who transitioned to living alone had lower risk of cognitive impairment (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.52, 0.83; p < 0.01), compared with those who continued to live with other household members. Moving into an institution was also not associated with cognitive impairment. Conclusions: With older adults' transition to living alone, public health practitioners or social workers might educate them on the benefits of such a living arrangement for cognitive function.
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Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common complication among patients suffering from malignancies, leading to an increased mortality rate. Novel randomized trials have added valuable information regarding cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) management using direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). The aim of this study is to present an overview of the current literature and recommendations in CAT treatment. ⋯ Real-world data are in accordance with these RCT findings, while in the currently available recommendations, DOACs are suggested as a reliable alternative to LMWH during the initial, long-term, and extended phase of treatment. Data retrieved from the current literature, including RCTs and "real-world" studies, aim to clarify the role of DOACs in CAT management, by highlighting their benefits and remarking upon the potential adverse outcomes. Current recommendations suggest the use of DOACs in well-selected patients with an increasing level of evidence through years.
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Background and objectives: There have been many reports of mental health in the pandemic period. The research conducted so far has indicated an increase in the severity of anxiety and aggression and an escalation of alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the severity of anxiety, the amount of alcohol consumed and the severity of aggression. ⋯ Those relationships turned out to be gender specific. The increased anxiety intensity affected the pattern of alcohol consumption and the severity of aggression. Conclusions: Psychotherapeutic and psychoeducational interactions and some elements of psychiatric treatment should aim at reducing the severity of anxiety in society, and thus minimizing the health and social consequences-aggressive behaviour and excessive alcohol consumption.
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Background and objectives: There is still an uncertainty regarding the clinical symptomatology and the diagnostic criteria in terms of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), as different diagnostic criteria exist. Our aim is to identify the core symptoms of ME/CFS in the outpatient setting in Riga; to distinguish symptoms in patients with ME/CFS and those with symptoms of fatigue; and to investigate patient thoughts on the onset, symptoms, treatment and effect of ME/CFS. Materials and methods: Total of 65 Caucasian patients from an ambulatory care setting were included in the study. ⋯ Fatigue, myalgia, arthralgia and sleep disturbances tend to be more prevalent in the ME/CFS patients compared to the non-ME/CFS patients. VAS score has a tendency to decrease with age and duration of fatigue. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the most commonly used pharmacological drug class that reduces ME/CFS symptoms.