Journal of investigative medicine : the official publication of the American Federation for Clinical Research
-
Point-of-care tools to assess advanced liver fibrosis, including the NFS, BARD, FIB-4, and APRI, are of major interest due to their noninvasive nature. However, these tools have not been investigated extensively in the Latina population. Given that the highest rate of NAFLD in Latinos and the most severe presentation of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is more common in women, we hypothesize that ethnicity may play a role in predicting liver fibrosis, particularly in women. ⋯ Some clinical variables were associated with fibrosis but not univocally in each tool. We did not find differences in the outcome of the four models when holding all other factors and examining ethnicity alone between Latina and White women. Although we did not include data on liver histology, this is the first study examining the role of ethnicity in predicting the severity of fibrosis using established noninvasive scores and documenting no association between Latina ethnicity and the severity of fibrosis in women with NAFLD.
-
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is one of the most common hematological cancers in the United States. The mortality rate of NHL in the United States is the sixth highest among all cancers. Our cross-sectional study aims to examine the trends and disparity in NHL mortality. ⋯ Whites recorded the highest AAMR (8.43 per 100,000 individuals), followed by Hispanics (6.32 per 100,000 individuals), Blacks (5.71 per 100,000 individuals), American Indians (5.31 per 100,000 individuals), and Asians (5.10 per 100,000 individuals). Those who lived in the Midwest and the rural areas had the highest AAMR at 8.60 and 8.35 per 100,000 individuals respectively. Despite the declining NHL mortality rate, this study calls for targeted intervention to improve outcomes for susceptible individuals affected by NHL.
-
Increasing evidence suggests that endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) and neuroinflammation are involved in the complex pathological process of traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the pathological mechanisms of their interactions in TBI remain incompletely elucidated. Therefore, investigating and ameliorating neuroinflammation and ER stress post-TBI may represent effective strategies for treating secondary brain injury. ⋯ Changes in microglial/macrophage M1/M2 polarization were observed. Additionally, the PERK activator CCT020312 intervention eliminated the impact of AS-IV on post-TBI inflammation and ER stress-related proteins p-PERK, p-eIF2a, and ATF4. These results indicate that AS-IV alleviates neuroinflammation and brain damage post-TBI through the PERK pathway, offering new directions and theoretical insights for TBI treatment.
-
Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) is a well-established technique for assessing lesions near the central airway. While EBUS is typically used via the airway, the esophageal approach known as endoscopic ultrasound with bronchoscope-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-B-FNA) has gained popularity for evaluating previously inaccessible lesions. This study aimed to assess the safety and diagnostic contribution of EUS-B-FNA in elderly patients. ⋯ No significant complications occurred. EUS-B-FNA is a safe and effective diagnostic method in elderly patients, offering an alternative when the transbronchial approach is not feasible. This underscores the importance of bronchoscopists' training in the transesophageal approach via EBUS scope.
-
Advances in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment, including combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), have transformed HIV into a chronic condition. Kidney diseases cause morbidity and mortality in patients living with HIV (PLWH), though cART has permitted kidney transplants with acceptable post-transplant graft and patient survival. Risk of allograft rejection remains high, which may be related to interactions between cART, specifically protease inhibitors (PI), and immunosuppressants prescribed post-transplant. ⋯ Two studies found significant patient survival benefit to non-PI-based therapy. For each outcome measure, remaining data suggested improved outcomes with non-PI-based therapies without achieving statistical significance. The results demonstrate superior outcomes in PLWH taking non-PI-based cART, though the paucity of significant results suggests that PLWH who require PI-based cART for virological control may continue their regimen safely post-kidney transplant.