Treatment of patients with Covid-19 with a high dose of ulinastatin

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Treatment of patients with Covid-19 with a high dose of ulinastatin Via Experimental and therapeutic medicine Exp Ther Med. 2022 Feb;23(2):121. doi: 10.3892/etm.2021.11044. Epub 2021 Dec 7. ABSTRACT Currently, there are no specific therapeutic agents available for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). The present study aimed to assess the efficacy of high-dose ulinastatin for the treatment of patients with Covid-19. A total of 12 patients hospitalized with confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection were treated with a high dose of ulinastatin alongside standard care. Changes in clinical manifestations, laboratory examinations and chest images were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 10 patients with severe Covid-19 and two patients with moderate Covid-19 received ulinastatin treatment. The average age of the patients was 68.0±11.9 years (age range, 48-87 years). In total, nine of the 12 patients (75.0%) had one or more comorbidities. The most common symptoms on admission were fever (8/12, 66.7%), coug h (5/12, 41.7%) and dyspnea (5/12, 41.7%). The percentage of lymphocytes was decreased in 41.7% of patients (5/12) and 58.3% of patients (7/12) had elevated hypersensitive C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (mean, 49.70±77.70 mg/l). The white blood cell levels and the percentage of lymphocytes returned to normal in all of the patients, and CRP was significantly decreased and returned to normal in 83.3% of patients (10/12; mean, 6.87±6.63 mg/l) on day 7 after ulinastatin treatment. Clinical symptoms were relieved synchronously. The peripheral oxygen saturation improved and 66.7% of the patients (8/12) did not require further oxygen therapy 7 days after ulinastatin treatment. No patients required intensive care unit admission or mechanical ventilation. All patients revealed different degrees of absorption of pulmonary lesions after treatment. Compared with the standard care group, ulinastatin treatment significantly prevented illness deterioration. In conclusion, these preliminary data revealed that high-dose ulinastatin treatment was safe and exhibited a potential beneficial effect for patients with Covid-19. PMID:34970344 | PMC:PMC8713169 | DOI:10.3892/etm.2021.11044 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Role of heparinase in the gastrointestinal dysfunction of sepsis (Review)

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Role of heparinase in the gastrointestinal dysfunction of sepsis (Review) Via Experimental and therapeutic medicine Exp Ther Med. 2022 Feb;23(2):119. doi: 10.3892/etm.2021.11042. Epub 2021 Dec 6. ABSTRACT Heparinase (HPA) is a β-D glucuronidase that belongs to the endoglycosidase enzyme family, and plays an important role in numerous pathological and physiological processes, including inflammation, angiogenesis and tumor metastasis. When the expression of HPA is abnormally high, the side chain of heparin sulfate proteoglycans degrades, destroying the cell barrier and leading to the occurrence and development of inflammation, with systemic inflammation occurring in severe cases. Sepsis is a major cause of mortality in critically ill patients. In sepsis, the gastrointestinal tract is the first and most frequently involved target organ, which often leads to gastrointestinal dysfunction. HPA overexpression has been determined to accelerate sepsis progression and gastrointestinal dysfunction; thus, it was hypothesized that HPA may play an important role and may serve as an index for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal dysfunction in sepsis. HPA inhibitors may therefore become applicable as targeted drugs for the treatment of gastrointestinal dysfunction in patients with sepsis. The present review mainly discussed the role of HPA in gastrointestinal dysfunction of sepsis. PMID:34970342 | PMC:PMC8713170 | DOI:10.3892/e tm.2021.11042 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

CPNE3 interaction with RACK1 protects against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader CPNE3 interaction with RACK1 protects against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury Via Experimental and therapeutic medicine Exp Ther Med. 2022 Feb;23(2):128. doi: 10.3892/etm.2021.11051. Epub 2021 Dec 10. ABSTRACT Copine 3 (CPNE3) and receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1) have been determined to be risk factors for patients with acute myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). The present study aimed to evaluate the role of CPNE3 and its interaction with RACK1 in myocardial (I/R) injury. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and western blotting were performed to detect CPNE3 and RACK1 expression levels in H9c2 cells before and after the transfection of CPNE3 overexpression plasmid or small interfering RNA-RACK1. Cell viability was detected using a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, and immunoprecipitation assays were performed to determine the interaction between CPNE3 and RACK1. A commercial kit was used to examine lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. The expression levels of inflammatory cytokines were detected via RT-qPCR and western blotting. Cell ap optosis was assessed via TUNEL staining and western blotting. The results demonstrated that the expression levels of CPNE3 and RACK1 were decreased in hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced H9c2 cardiomyocytes, which was consistent with the expression levels observed in the myocardial I/R injury rat model. It was found that CPNE3 overexpression upregulated RACK1 expression, increased cell viability and suppressed the release of LDH in H/R-induced H9c2 cells. Furthermore, CPNE3 overexpression inhibited the release of inflammatory cytokines and decreased cell apoptosis in H/R-induced cardiomyocytes by activating RACK1 expression. The present study suggested that CPNE3 served an important role in preventing I/R injury by interacting with RACK1, providing novel insight into the prevention of myocardial I/R injury, as well as the treatment and care of patients with myocardial I/R. PMID:34970351 | PMC:PMC8713176 | DOI:10.3892/etm.2021.11051 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

VEGF mitigates bisphosphonate-induced apoptosis and differentiation inhibition of MC3T3-E1 cells

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader VEGF mitigates bisphosphonate-induced apoptosis and differentiation inhibition of MC3T3-E1 cells Via Experimental and therapeutic medicine Exp Ther Med. 2022 Feb;23(2):130. doi: 10.3892/etm.2021.11053. Epub 2021 Dec 10. ABSTRACT The present study aimed to investigate whether VEGF was involved in bisphosphonate (BP)-induced apoptosis and differentiation of osteoblasts. Murine MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts were stimulated with zoledronic acid (ZA) for 7 days. VEGF mRNA and protein expression levels were determined via reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blot analysis, respectively. Cell viability was evaluated using Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. In addition, the cell apoptotic rate and the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins were measured using a TUNEL staining kit and western blot analysis, respectively. To evaluate mineralization, cells were stained with alizarin red, while the secretion levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured using the corresponding assay kit. Finally, the expression levels of differentiation-related proteins and proteins of the Nod-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3)/caspase 1/gasdermin D (GSDMD) pyroptosis pathway were measured by western blot analysis. VEGF expression level was notably decreased in ZA-stimulated MC3T3-E1 cells. However, the viability of these cells was enhanced following VEGF addition. Furthermore, VEGF attenuated apoptosis, promoted mineralization and increased ALP activity in ZA-stimulated MC3T3-E1 cells. The ZA-mediated decrease in the protein expression of the osteogenic genes osteopontin, osteocalcin and runt-related transcription factor 2 was restored after MC3T3-E1 cell treatment with 10 ng/ml VEGF. The present study demonstrated that VEGF could attenuate BP-induced apoptosis and differentiation of MC3T3 cells by regulating the NLRP3/caspase 1/GSDMD pathway. PMID:34970353 | PMC:PMC8713161 | DOI:10.3892/etm.2021.11053 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Dispersed Bone Spicules as a Cause of Postoperative Headache after Retrosigmoid Vestibular Schwannoma Surgery: A Myth?

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Dispersed Bone Spicules as a Cause of Postoperative Headache after Retrosigmoid Vestibular Schwannoma Surgery: A Myth? Via Journal of Neurological Surgery Part B: Skull Base J Neurol Surg B Skull Base DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1741112 Objectives Dispersion of bone dust in the posterior fossa during retrosigmoid craniectomy for vestibular schwannoma (VS) resection could be a source of meningeal irritation and lead to development of persistent postoperative headaches (POH). We aim to determine risk factors, including whether the presence of bone spicules that influence POH after retrosigmoid VS resection. Design Present study is a retrospective case series. Setting The study was conducted at a tertiary skull-base referral center. Participants Adult patients undergoing VS resection via a retrosigmoid approach between November 2017 and February 2020 were included for this study. Main Outcome Measures Development of POH lasting ≥ 3 months is the primary outcome of this study. Results Of 64 patients undergoing surgery, 49 had complete data (mean age, 49 years; 53% female). Mean follow-up time was 2.4 years. At latest follow up, 16 (33%) had no headaches, 14 (29%) experienced headaches lasting <3 months, 19 (39%) reported POH lasting ≥3 months. Twenty-seven (55%) patients had posterior fossa bone spicules detectable on postoperative computed tomography (CT). Age, gender, body mass index, length of stay, tumor diameter, size of craniectomy, the presence of bone spicules, or the amount of posterior petrous temporal bone removed from drilling did not differ significantly between patients with POH and those without. On multivariate logistic regression, patients with POH were less likely to have preoperative brainstem compression by the tumor (odds ratio [OR] = 0.21, p = 0.028) and more likely to have higher opioid requirements during hospitalization (OR = 1.023, p = 0.045). Conclusion The presence of bone spicules in the posterior fossa on postoperative CT did not contribute to headaches following retrosigmoid craniectomy approach for VS resection. [...] Georg Thieme Verlag KG Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany Article in Thieme eJournals: Table of contents  |  Abstract  |  Full text View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Increased Incidence of Tapia's Syndrome Cases Since the COVID-19 Pandemic

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Increased Incidence of Tapia's Syndrome Cases Since the COVID-19 Pandemic Via ear nose throat Ear Nose Throat J. 2021 Dec 30:1455613211068570. doi: 10.1177/01455613211068570. Online ahead of print. NO ABSTRACT PMID:34969313 | DOI:10.1177/01455613211068570 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Restoration of Homeostasis in the Tracheal Mucosa After Thyroid Surgery in a Rat Model

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Restoration of Homeostasis in the Tracheal Mucosa After Thyroid Surgery in a Rat Model Via In vivo (Athens, Greece) In Vivo. 2022 Jan-Feb;36(1):161-169. doi: 10.21873/invivo.12687. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND/AIM: This study aimed to investigate the process of homeostatic restoration in the tracheal mucosa (TM) after thyroid surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-four rats were divided into normal controls (NC) and three experimental groups: (i) flap elevation (FE), (ii) thyroid exposure (TE), and (iii) thyroid isthmusectomy (TI). Expression of mRNA and proteins of key factors regulating homeostasis were evaluated in the TM obtained 3, 7, and 21 days after thyroid surgery. RESULTS: Increased mRNA expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) were observed 21 days after thyroid surgery in all experimental groups compared to that of NC group. CONCLUSION: Thyroid surgery leads to an actual increase of TGF-β1, HIF-1α, and MMP-9 expression in the TM. This increased expression of key regulators of homeostatic restoration in the TM lasts for a considerable period of time after surgery, especially if the extent of surgery increased. PMID:34972711 | DOI:10.21873/invivo.12687 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Surgical Techniques of Y-Sleeve Lobectomy in Patients With Primary Lung Cancer

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Surgical Techniques of Y-Sleeve Lobectomy in Patients With Primary Lung Cancer Via In vivo (Athens, Greece) In Vivo. 2022 Jan-Feb;36(1):350-354. doi: 10.21873/invivo.12709. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND/AIM: The directions of distal and proximal airway stumps were different in Y-sleeve lobectomy. This difference might make Y-sleeve lobectomy a difficult procedure. In this article, we present our surgical techniques and analyse short-term outcomes of Y-sleeve lobectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Right middle and lower, left lower, and left lower and lingular segment sleeve lobectomies are categorized in Y-sleeve lobectomy. We retrospectively investigated the clinical courses of 17 patients who underwent Y-sleeve lobectomy from January 2017 to December 2020. RESULTS: No treatment-related deaths occurred. One patient developed a bronchopleural fistula. Four patients developed pneumonia and were cured by repeated bronchoscopies and antibiotic therapy. Three patients had retention of pleural effusion, and two had prolonged air leakage. One patient had empyema after prolonged air leakage and was cured by thoracic drainage and antibiotic therapy. CONCLUSION: A major complication was observed only in one patient. Y-sleeve lobectomy is a reliable surgical method to avoid pneumonectomy. PMID:34972733 | DOI:10.21873/invivo.12709 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Intervention Strategies to Reduce Surgical Site Infection Rates in Patients Undergoing Rectal Cancer Surgery

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Intervention Strategies to Reduce Surgical Site Infection Rates in Patients Undergoing Rectal Cancer Surgery Via In vivo (Athens, Greece) In Vivo. 2022 Jan-Feb;36(1):439-445. doi: 10.21873/invivo.12722. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND/AIM: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of surgical site infection (SSI) prevention approaches in rectal cancer surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 1,408 patients who underwent elective rectal cancer surgery between 1995 and 2017 were reviewed. Patients were divided into three groups: control group (group A, n=245), SSI prevention intervention group (group B, n=516), and laparoscopic or robotic surgery group (group C, n=647). The groups were compared in terms of SSI and anastomotic leakage (AL) incidences, and risk factors for SSI were investigated. RESULTS: The overall SSI and AL rates were 19.4% and 3.6%, respectively. These rates were significantly lower in Group C (9.3%, 1.7%), compared to Groups A (40.0%, 6.1%) and B (22.5%, 3.5%). Abdominoperineal resection, open surgery, operation time, intraoperative bleeding, lac k of absorbable sutures, lack of mechanical bowel preparation, and lack of oral antibiotics were independently associated with SSI. CONCLUSION: SSI reduction after rectal cancer surgery was achieved through various intervention strategies. PMID:34972746 | DOI:10.21873/invivo.12722 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Usefulness Analysis of Fraction of Exhaled Nitric Oxide for the Differential Diagnosis of Acute Cough

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Usefulness Analysis of Fraction of Exhaled Nitric Oxide for the Differential Diagnosis of Acute Cough Via In vivo (Athens, Greece) In Vivo. 2022 Jan-Feb;36(1):446-449. doi: 10.21873/invivo.12723. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND/AIM: Measuring the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is useful in the diagnosis of asthma and cough variant asthma. The aim of this study was to clarify the significance of measuring the FeNO in the differential diagnosis of acute cough. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed 80 patients who visited the clinic with the chief complaint of acute cough having experienced an asthma-like episode from January 2014 to July 2015. RESULTS: Infectious cough alone was present in 21% of patients, while 30% had asthmatic cough alone and 49% had a combination of infectious and asthmatic cough. The values of FeNO in those with asthmatic cough (30.4±24.7 ppb) and asthmatic/infectious cough (33.2±17.4 ppb) were significantly higher than those with just infectious cough (13.7±3.2 ppb) (p=0.0089 and p<0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSION: FeNO measu rement is useful for distinguishing asthmatic diseases, even in the differential diagnosis of acute cough. PMID:34972747 | DOI:10.21873/invivo.12723 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Vesico-uterine Fistula Following C-section - A Case Report and Literature Review

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Vesico-uterine Fistula Following C-section - A Case Report and Literature Review Via In vivo (Athens, Greece) In Vivo. 2022 Jan-Feb;36(1):528-532. doi: 10.21873/invivo.12734. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND/AIM: Vesico-uterine fistulas represent a rare type of genito-urinary fistulas; however, due to the increasing incidence of Caesarean section (C-section) in the last decade, this abnormal communication between the urinary and genital tracts has been reported more often after such surgical procedures. The aim of the current article was to report the case of a 28-year-old patient who was submitted to surgery for a vesico-uterine fistula seven years after a C-section. CASE REPORT: The 28-year-old patient with a previous history of four vaginal deliveries and one C-section was self-presented to the Gynecology Department for cyclic hematuria and diagnosed with a vesico-uterine fistula after injecting methylene blue in the uterine cavity during hysteroscopy. The patient was further submitted to surgery, and a parcelar myometrectomy en bloc with parcelar cystectomy, cystography, and prophylactic salpingectomy was performed. The postoperative outcome was uneventful. CONCLUSION: Although vesico-uterine fistulas represent rare events, they should be considered, especially in young patients with a previous history of C-section. PMID:34972758 | DOI:10.21873/invivo.12734 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.