Panminerva medica
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As the Coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) pandemic is going through its second year, the world is counting more than 4.9 million lives lost. Many repurposed immunomodulatory drugs have been tried and failed to treat COVID-19. The only successful treatments that improve survival are systemic corticosteroids and tocilizumab, by targeting the systemic inflammatory cascade. ⋯ We also discuss safety issues as well as therapeutic considerations and clinical implications of the use of ICS in COVID-19. Four randomized controlled trials (RCT) with more than 3000 participants suggest that ICS may lead to earlier clinical improvement and lower rate of hospitalization in patients with mild COVID-19, while 9 ongoing RCTs are anticipated to provide more evidence for the use of ICS in COVID-19. Recent evidence has shown promise that ICS could provide tangible benefits to patients suffering from COVID-19.
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The aim of this study is to explore the effect of micro ribonucleic acid (miR)-181a on the radiosensitivity of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its potential mechanism of action. ⋯ MiR-181a reduces the radiosensitivity of NSCLC via inhibiting PTEN expression.
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Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and andrological diseases share common risk factors and common patho-physiological mechanism. In this brief review we describe the relation between metabolic syndrome and male sexual disorders, and we explore the available evidence of the pathophysiological mechanisms correlating these conditions. The aim of this study was to describe the relation between metabolic syndrome and andrological diseases. ⋯ Strong associations are seen between male sexual dysfunction and central obesity, poor glycemic control, hyperlipidemia, as well as hypertension. The constellation of risk factors leading to metabolic syndrome are linked to male sexual dysfunction and are largely modifiable. Therefore, effective interventions targeting the underlying pathophysiology have the potential to greatly impact and improve patient sexual function and, ultimately, quality of life.
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Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a widely diffused dysmetabolism, well known to be associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. However, a growing burden of evidence links MetS with several malignancies, potentially influencing the onset, progression, and therapeutic response. ⋯ We found that the current evidence on the subject is heterogeneous and inconsistent, making it difficult to draw definitive conclusions. Furthermore, since MetS would be a modifiable oncological risk factor, more high-quality data is needed for tailored treatment of bladder cancer.
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Historically, urologists regarded prostate enlargement as the sole cause for male bladder problems. Over time, subdivision of symptoms into storage, voiding and post-voiding symptoms raised awareness of the urinary tract fine-tuning associated with urine storage and voiding, and led to the umbrella term lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), which respects bladder and prostate function. While research goes on, it seems as if the more we know about urine storage and voiding, the more complicated it gets: different mechanism can mimic the same symptoms. Clinically, it remains ever the more challenging to understand the pathophysiological context of each patient. Metabolic syndrome (MetS), too, is an umbrella term. Metabolic changes caused by MetS pathophysiologically start with visceral adiposity. It leads to different changes in the signaling pathway including cytokines, elevated transmitters of inflammation, higher levels of free fatty acids (FFA), and adipokines, resulting in vasoconstriction, insulin resistance, impaired glucose uptake and high insulin secretion. Furthermore, MetS is thought to be associated with nephrolithiasis, BPH, LUTS, erectile dysfunction (ED), and infertility. This review aims at synthesizing interactions and consequences of LUTS with MetS. ⋯ Inflammation links both umbrella terms, LUTS and MetS. Understanding the exact role of the different elements will not only help to better understand both findings, but also lead to more efficacious treatment, and hopefully, in the future, personalized medicine, by understanding each individual's driving mechanism for LUTS. Reducing inflammation is likely to help patients with MetS and LUTS; further research could therefore focus on how to manage inflammation.