Although oxidative stress has been implicated in PE, findings on antioxidant and oxidative DNA damage markers remain inconsistent. This study aimed to assess the plasma levels of the antioxidant biomarkers sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), as well as the oxidative DNA damage marker 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and to evaluate their correlation with clinical parameters in cases of PE.

Serotonin syndrome (SS) is a life-threatening emergency that develops as a result of increased serotonin amount or activity in the synaptic cleft. The present study aimed to determine the clinical findings in serotonergic drug intoxications in children that may alert clinicians about the development of SS.

Sepsis is a major health concern with high mortality, which is associated with immunosuppression. CD28, a co-stimulatory molecule on T lymphocytes, promotes T cell proliferation, survival, and cytokine production. CD4CD28 T cells play an important role in immune activation and regulation. This study aimed to determine whether CD4CD28 T lymphocytes were associated with 28-day mortality in patients with sepsis.

To evaluate the predictive value of the platelet-albumin-bilirubin (PALBI) score for hepatic failure after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in patients with non-small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (tumor diameter > 5 cm).

Severe pneumonia is typically characterized by severe pulmonary inflammatory responses. This study evaluated the predictive value of D-dimer (DD) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for disease severity in children with severe pneumonia.

Post-operative care of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients is complex, posing significant learning demands on junior trainees. Mnemonics are widely used as learning aids in medical education. We hypothesized that a specialized mnemonic would be beneficial for HNC ward round (WR) education.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health concern strongly associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and high mortality rates. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) abnormalities, such as glomerular hyperfiltration (GHF) and selective glomerular hypofiltration syndrome (SHS), although not traditionally included in the CKD framework, share chronic inflammation as a pivotal mechanism driving systemic complications and CVD progression. In recent decades, GHF has gained substantial importance due to the high cardiovascular (CV) risk and mortality observed in populations within the highest tertiles of GFR, as determined by both estimation formulas (estimated GFR (eGFR)) and clearance (Cl) of exogenous substances. It is frequently observed in conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. This hyperfiltration state is linked to endothelial dysfunction and CKD progression, often presenting with albuminuria, an independent marker of oxidative stress and CVD. SHS, on the other hand, involves the selective hypofiltration of medium-sized molecules (e.g. cystatin C) (Cys C), leading to proteomic alterations and the retention of pro-inflammatory molecules. This dysregulation intensifies systemic inflammation, atherosclerosis, and endothelial dysfunction, emphasizing SHS's role in CVD pathogenesis. The accuracy of CKD diagnosis is challenged by variability in eGFR methods, with formulas based on Cys C and creatinine (Cr) providing superior predictive value as biomarkers of risk in CKD and for detecting GFR abnormalities like GHF and SHS. Early identification and targeted management of these classical and non-classical GFR alterations may reduce the CVD burden and improve outcomes, underscoring the need for consensus definitions and multidisciplinary approaches to expand the CKD paradigm.

The effects of estrogen on arrhythmias are controversial. While animal studies suggest complex effects, the hypothesis that higher estrogen levels increase women's arrhythmia susceptibility has not yet been fully validated in human studies.

Growth hormone (GH) reduces visceral adiposity, increases lean body mass, and improves the lipid profile in obese adults. However, high-dose GH regimens have been associated with frequent adverse effects. The efficacy and safety of low-dose GH treatment in obese individuals without GH deficiency remain unclear. This study aims to evaluate the effects of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) on body composition, lipid profile, glucose metabolism, and adverse events in this population.

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is the most common monogenic autoinflammatory disease for which colchicine is regularly used every day. Health literacy (HL) is the ability of individuals to acquire, understand and use health information. The aim of this study was to evaluate medication adherence and HL levels in adolescents with FMF and to investigate the impact of HL on colchicine adherence.

Persistent shoulder pain is often driven by inflammatory conditions, including tendinopathy, bursitis, and frozen shoulder. Treatment remains uncertain, but targeting underlying mechanisms like inflammation, metabolic factors, and nervous system disturbances may be more effective.

A new mobile application for video directly observed treatment (vDOT) was developed and implemented for tuberculosis (TB) patients in Turkey in 2023. This study evaluated its features and analyzed one-year user data.

Intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS) is a major cause of ischemic stroke. The longitudinal association of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) with ICAS is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association of cumulative eGFR burden with incident ICAS.

This research investigates the prevalence of thyroid nodules and their association with anxiety and depression disorders in Eastern China. It also investigates the potential factors influencing this relationship, focusing on demographics and thyroid function.

Arteriovenous graft (AVG) infection is a severe and potentially life-threatening complication that frequently leads to graft dysfunction in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). However, antimicrobial resistance are becoming increasingly common.This study investigated the efficacy of linezolid in treating graft infections and to compare the effectiveness and safety of linezolid against teicoplanin among MHD patients.

The relationship between lipid profile components and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has gained attention in general populations along with disease conditions; however, scant data is clarifying these connections in cirrhosis. We sought to identify which lipid profile component was associated with HRQoL in hospitalized cirrhotics and delineate the relationship by performing multiple linear regression and generalized additive model (GAM) analyses.

Non-dilated left ventricular cardiomyopathy (NDLVC) is a distinct entity characterized by impaired left ventricular ejection fraction despite normal chamber dimensions. While it may represent an earlier or less fibrotic stage of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy compared to dilated-cardiomyopathy (DCM), its clinical and structural characterization remains incomplete.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is an increasingly recognized disorder of immune hyperactivity that often leads to multiorgan failure and death. In adults, HLH is usually triggered by infection, malignancy, or an autoimmune/autoinflammatory disorder that precipitates a destructive cytokine storm. Treatment aims to deescalate the hyperimmunity by treating the triggers while interfering with the immune pathways that cause the morbidity. We summarize what is known about this devastating disorder while adding insights gleaned from our review of the literature coupled with our own experiences. For example, we recognized that 1) more than one trigger may coexist in the same patient, 2) there is a predilection for HLH in lymphoma patients, particularly in the presence of Epstein-Barr virus infection, 3) aspartate transaminase elevation exceeds that of alanine transaminase, and 4) encephalopathy is underrecognized. These and other observations may assist the readers in identifying HLH, distinguishing its clinical presentation from that of its triggers, and thoroughly assessing all possible triggers rather than anchoring on the first diagnosed.

Factors determining the prognosis of ischemic stroke include clinical, laboratory, and demographic variables, such as initial neurological status, brain imaging findings, blood glucose levels, inflammatory markers, and early treatment response. This study aimed to assess the prognostic value of the frontal QRS-T angle in predicting prognosis in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

This study investigates the relationships between melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) rs17782313 gene polymorphisms, low-fat diet, aerobic exercise, and the reduction in blood lipid levels in individuals with obesity.

Inflammation is recognized as an important component of atherosclerosis resulting in an increased risk of myocardial infarction and stroke. Studies, conducted as early as the 1960s, involving drugs targeting different pathways of inflammation linked to cardiovascular (CV) disease have produced inconsistent results. Drugs such as the statins with mechanisms of action beyond an anti-inflammatory effect have clear benefit in reducing CV risk. Other drugs such as the broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory agents (corticosteroids, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 inhibitors, methotrexate) have been found to have no benefit in reducing CV risk. More specific anti-inflammatory agents which target the NLRP3 inflammasome, interleukin (IL)-1β and/or IL-6, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein have been associated with therapeutic benefit. Despite favorable outcome data and FDA-approval for one of these agents (colchicine), a recent study has created uncertainty concerning the routine use of this agent for CV risk reduction. Multiple studies with a variety of anti-cytokine related agents are on-going in efforts to further reduce residual CV risk. Compared to other common CV risk factors such as hypertension and dyslipidemia, our understanding and management of inflammation is poorly understood. Due to the complexities of the inflammatory process, targeted approaches that can markedly reduce inflammatory markers are likely needed to demonstrate clinically relevant reductions in major adverse cardiovascular events.