Articles: disease.
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Periodontitis and diabetic nephropathy are significant public health concerns globally and are closely related with each other. This study aimed to identify potential crosstalk genes, pathways, and mechanisms associated with the interaction between periodontitis and diabetic nephropathy. Expression profiles of periodontitis and diabetic nephropathy were retrieved from the Gene expression omnibus gene expression omnibus database, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened, followed by identification of co-expressed differential genes. ⋯ This bioinformatic analysis revealed potential crosstalk genes between periodontitis and diabetic nephropathy. The identified key genes participate in signaling pathways, including cytokine signaling and chemokine signaling transduction, which might collectively influence these 2 diseases. These genes may serve as potential biomarkers guiding future research in this field.
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Sarcopenia is characterized by a loss of muscle mass and strength and is associated with a high risk of cardiovascular events and increased mortality. Pulse pressure (PP) serves as a marker for changes in heart structure and function, as well as arterial stiffness. A high PP also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality. ⋯ The high-PP group had a higher prevalence of low muscle mass than the control group in all models. A high PP is significantly associated with a higher prevalence of low muscle mass. Therefore, PP monitoring may help identify individuals at risk of sarcopenia and guide interventions to improve health outcomes.
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Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is one of the most common metabolic diseases and is often associated with cervical radiculoplexus neuropathies. Magnetic resonance imaging is the modality of choice for evaluating the brachial plexus, however, the use of ultrasound for its evaluation has increased and has been shown to be an additional reliable method. We aimed to compare the cross-sectional areas of the C5, C6, and C7 nerve roots of the brachial plexus, at the interscalene groove, in asymptomatic patients with T2D to that of an asymptomatic control cohort without T2D. ⋯ The cross-sectional areas of C6 and C7 were significantly smaller in the T2D cohort. Additionally, HbA1c, and FBG levels as well as the duration of T2D were negatively correlated with the C5, C6, and C7 cross-sectional areas. Our study demonstrated smaller brachial plexus nerve root cross-sectional areas in asymptomatic patients with T2D which negatively correlated with HbA1c, and FBG levels as well as the duration of T2D.
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With the emergence of Omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, Taiwan has encountered the greatest coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic since 2022 spring. We analyzed the characteristics, vaccinations, and outcomes of hospitalized COVID-19 patients quarantined in a dedicated ward. This retrospective study enrolled hospitalized COVID-19 patients in the dedicated wards of a district hospital in southern Taiwan from May 2022 to July 2022. ⋯ Age, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score were recognized as strong prognostic indicators for mortality in multivariable analysis. Vaccination demonstrated significant lower odds of death among relatively young populations in subgroup analysis. COVID-19 vaccination had significant efficacy in hospitalized COVID-19 patients in the relatively young group, and the effect may decline among individuals with advanced age and multiple comorbidities.
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Hematological malignancies have always been a challenge for scientists because there is a constant need to better define these entities. Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are clonal hematopoietic disorders characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis. Cytogenetics and molecular findings are a prerequisite for these syndromes as they confirm the clonal nature of the disease. However, MDS is often linked to autoimmunity and inflammation as part of its pathogenesis. Recently, VEXAS syndrome (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) linked these two in a single mutation, suggesting that the heterogeneity among hematological malignancies often demands a more personalized medicine by tailoring medical treatment to the individual characteristics of each patient. ⋯ VEXAS syndrome as a newly identified entity might be often underestimated since its clinical presentation is notably diverse.