Int J Med Sci
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Creatine metabolism and safety profiles after six-week oral guanidinoacetic acid administration in healthy humans.
Guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) is a natural precursor of creatine, yet the potential use of GAA as a nutritional additive for restoring creatine availability in humans has been limited by unclear efficacy and safety after exogenous GAA administration. The present study evaluated the effects of orally administered GAA on serum and urinary GAA, creatine and creatinine concentration, and on the occurrence of adverse events in healthy humans. ⋯ Exogenous GAA is metabolized to creatine, resulting in a significant increase of fasting serum creatine after intervention. GAA had an acceptable side-effects profile with a low incidence of biochemical abnormalities.
-
The -159C/T polymorphism in the CD14 gene has been implicated in susceptibility to tuberculosis, but the results were inconclusive. The present meta-analysis aimed to perform a comprehensive assessment of the literature on the possible association between the -159C/T polymorphism and tuberculosis risk. ⋯ This meta-analysis suggests that the -159C/T polymorphism in the CD14 gene contributes to tuberculosis susceptibility. To further investigate gene-gene and gene-environment interactions between this polymorphism and tuberculosis risk, more studies are needed.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
The effect of intraoperative use of high-dose remifentanil on postoperative insulin resistance and muscle protein catabolism: a randomized controlled study.
We investigated the effect of the intraoperative use of a high dose remifentanil on insulin resistance and muscle protein catabolism. ⋯ Use of high-dose remifentanil as intraoperative analgesia during elective gastrectomy reduced postoperative insulin resistance, although it did not reduce postoperative muscle protein catabolism.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Procalcitonin-guided antibiotic use in acute exacerbations of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
To assess the clinical value of procalcitonin to guide antibiotic therapy in acute exacerbations of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. ⋯ Procalcitonin-guided antibiotic therapy of patients with acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis may result in reduced exposure to antibiotics without adversely affecting patient outcomes.
-
Meta Analysis
Association between HLA-B*46 allele and Graves disease in Asian populations: a meta-analysis.
Graves' disease (GD) is a leading cause of hyperthyroidism, which affects 1.0-1.6% of the general population. Previous studies reported a higher GD prevalence in Asian populations compared to Caucasian populations. The etiology of GD involves complex interactions between predisposing genes and environmental triggers. ⋯ However, there were some limitations to the current meta-analysis, such as heterogeneity (P(heterogeneity )< 0.01 and I(2 )= 68.0%) or the different typing methods (serological and genotyping methods). The meta-analysis indicated that the HLA-B*46 allele is a risk factor for GD in Asian populations. Future studies on the role of the HLA-B*46 allele in GD should consider complications such as periodic paralysis, ophthalmopathy and recurrence.