Pak J Med Sci
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Liver and intestines are anatomically and physiologically linked. Zonulin is a protein modulating intercellular tight junctions and regulating intestinal permeability. Copeptin was studied as a marker of systemic circulation disorders in research about vasopressin and was associated with liver disease prognosis. Serum zonulin and copeptin levels were measured in patients with diagnosis of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) with the aim of easing antiviral treatment management in clinical applications and to investigate the association with normal population and viral load. ⋯ The negative correlation between serum zonulin and copeptin with HBV-DNA load revealed in our study shows they may be used to monitor treatment. Zonulin and copeptin assays provide the possibility of developing new approaches to CHB diagnosis and monitoring.
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Thrombocytopenia is a frequent finding in intensive care unit especially among adults and medical ICU patients. Thrombocytopenia is defined as a platelet count less than 100×109/l in ICU setting. Platelets are made in the bone marrow from megakaryocytes. ⋯ In such cases, the time course of changes in platelet count is also pivotal. The dynamics of platelet count decrease vary considerably between different ICU patient populations including trauma, major surgery and minor surgery/medical conditions. There are strong evidences available that delay in platelet count restoration in ICU patients is an indicator of a bad outcome.
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The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of fasting during Ramadan on plasma adiponectin and TNF-α levels. ⋯ The study reports of noticeable changes with Ramadan fasting resulting increase of plasma adiponectin and decrease of TNF-α levels as well as body weight. The study strongly suggests further investigations on larger sample sizes with possible association of dietary restrictions and weight loss on mechanism of enhanced adiponectin and reduced TNF-α in obese and overweight persons who fast on Ramadan pattern.
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To evaluate the depression and anxiety status and related risk factors in patients with lumbar disc herniation, and help spine surgeons better identify those patients who need psychological care. ⋯ Psychological intervention is critical for patients with lumbar disc herniation, especially for those female patients with severe pain and longer disease duration.
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Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCD) remains a rare and important cause of coronary artery disease (CAD). The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical and angiographic features in SCD and to evaluate the treatment and long-term prognosis of this condition in China. ⋯ In China, SCD was usually associated with atherosclerosis and predominantly affected male population. SCD often affected RCA and caused a short dissection. In-hospital mortality rate was low regardless of therapeutic strategy. However, a significantly better long-term prognosis was observed in the revascularization compared with conservative therapy.