Arch Med Sci
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The association between mean platelet volume (MPV) to platelet count (PC) ratio and prognosis has been demonstrated in some diseases but not in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). In this study, we evaluated the ability of MPV to PC ratio (MPR) to predict short-term mortality in CAP patients. ⋯ Mean platelet volume to PC ratio was found to be positively correlated with short-term mortality. Our data indicate that MPR might be a significant predictive marker of the mortality in CAP. Further prospective studies are required to establish the exact role of MPR in CAP and other diseases.
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In senile osteoporosis countering the age-mediated bone loss, promotion of osteoblastogenesis and identification of responsible micro-RNA (miR) would be a successful strategy. ⋯ Inhibition of miR-22 may be a potential target for treating osteoporosis clinically. The findings hence suggest that inhibition of miR-22 may be an effective anabolic therapeutic approach in treating osteoporosis clinically.
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Changes in circulating CD34+CD45low stem cells (SC) and CD34+CD45low+KDR+ endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) may reflect pathological endothelial activation. Non-pulsatile/continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (CF-LVAD) can enhance this process. The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of 12-month CF-LVAD treatment on SC and EPC. ⋯ Changes in circulating SC and EPC may reflect pathological endothelial activation after CF-LVAD implantation.
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The aim of the study was to assess the clinico-pathological features and prognosis of mucinous adenocarcinoma (MAC) and signet-ring cell carcinoma (SRC) in young colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. ⋯ A greater proportion of young patients with MAC and SRC present with advanced disease. Young patients with SRC have poorer prognosis than MAC. Preoperative CEA levels and cycles of adjuvant CT are two independent predictors of overall survival for young CRC patients with MAC and SRC.
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Atrial fibrillation ablation can be associated with microembolism detected in the intracranial arteries and risk of neurological incidents. The aims of this study were to evaluate microembolic signals (MES) during pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and establish the potential significance of MES for damage of the brain in radiological investigation and neurological state. ⋯ The majority of cerebral microembolisms generated during PVI are gaseous in nature. The cerebral microembolisms associated with PVI probably result from the technical aspects of the procedure and do not cause either permanent brain damage in the radiological investigation or neurological deficit.