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American Journal of Clinical Dermatology Oct 2019Eruptive melanocytic nevi (EMN) is a phenomenon characterized by the sudden onset of nevi. Our objective was to compile all published reports of EMN to identify possible... (Review)
Review
Eruptive melanocytic nevi (EMN) is a phenomenon characterized by the sudden onset of nevi. Our objective was to compile all published reports of EMN to identify possible precipitating factors and to evaluate the clinical appearance and course. We conducted a systematic bibliographic search and selected 93 articles, representing 179 patients with EMN. The suspected causes were skin and other diseases (50%); immunosuppressive agents, chemotherapy or melanotan (41%); and miscellaneous, including idiopathic (9%). The clinical manifestations could largely be divided into two categories: EMN associated with skin diseases were frequently few in number (fewer than ten nevi), large, and localized to the site of previous skin disease, whereas those due to other causes presented most often with multiple small widespread nevi. In general, EMN seem to persist unchanged after their appearance, but development over several years or fading has also been reported. Overall, 16% of the cases had at least one histologically confirmed dysplastic nevus. Five cases of associated melanoma were reported. We conclude that the clinical appearance of EMN may differ according to the suggested triggering factor. Based on the clinical distinction, we propose a new subclassification of EMN: (1) widespread eruptive nevi (WEN), with numerous small nevi, triggered by, for example, drugs and internal diseases, and (2) Köbner-like eruptive nevi, often with big and few nevi, associated with skin diseases and most often localized at the site of previous skin disease/trauma. The nature of the data precluded assessment of risk of malignant transformation.
Topics: Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Nevus, Pigmented; Peptides, Cyclic; Precipitating Factors; Risk Assessment; Skin Neoplasms; alpha-MSH
PubMed: 31119650
DOI: 10.1007/s40257-019-00444-8 -
Australian Prescriber Aug 2021Insomnia can have significant health and economic impacts. In contrast, sleep disturbance is common but does not usually affect daytime activity Short-term approaches... (Review)
Review
Insomnia can have significant health and economic impacts. In contrast, sleep disturbance is common but does not usually affect daytime activity Short-term approaches for acute insomnia are often appropriate. These include dealing with precipitating factors such as stress Chronic insomnia has a high relapse and recurrence rate. It is best managed with cognitive behavioural therapy which includes sleep hygiene, stimulus control and sleep restriction In primary care, brief behavioural therapy for insomnia is an accessible and effective management strategy. If there is no response, referral should be considered Adjuvant use of drugs in insomnia may be appropriate in some cases. Prescription should be for a limited duration.
PubMed: 34421177
DOI: 10.18773/austprescr.2021.027 -
Cureus Oct 2023Propofol-related infusion syndrome (PRIS) is a rare, yet life-threatening sequelae to prolonged administration of the anesthetic propofol in mechanically intubated... (Review)
Review
Propofol-related infusion syndrome (PRIS) is a rare, yet life-threatening sequelae to prolonged administration of the anesthetic propofol in mechanically intubated patients. The condition is characterized by progressive multi-system organ failure and eventual mortality; of note, the predominant characteristics of PRIS involve but are not limited to cardiovascular impairment and collapse, metabolic and lactic acidosis, rhabdomyolysis, hyperkalemia, and acute renal failure. While potent or extended doses of propofol have been found to be the primary precipitating factor of this condition, others such as age, critical illness, steroid therapy, and hyperlipidemia have been discovered to play a role as well. This bibliometric analysis was done to reflect the current relevance and understanding of PRIS in recent literature. The SCOPUS database was utilized to conduct a search for articles with keywords "propofol infusion syndrome" and "propofol syndrome" from February 24, 2001, until April 16, 2023, with parameters for article title, citation number, citation per year, author, institution, publishing journal, and country of origin. PRIS was first defined in 1990, just a year after its approval by the Food and Drug Administration for use as a sedative-hypnotic. Since then, interest in PRIS slowly rose up to 13 publications per year in 2013. Seven papers on the topic were published in six in , and four in . The most common institutions were Mayo Clinic, Northeastern University, and Tufts Medical Center. To our knowledge, this is the first bibliometric analysis to evaluate the most influential publications about PRIS. A majority of the research is case-based, possibly owing to the rarity of the condition. Our research suggests that confounding factors outside the precipitating dosage of propofol may be implicated in the onset and progression of PRIS. This study could therefore bring renewed interest to the topic and lead to additional research focused on fully understanding the pathophysiology of PRIS in order to promote the development of novel diagnostics and treatment.
PubMed: 37927719
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.46497 -
Rheumatology (Oxford, England) Feb 2024Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) is a severe condition with high mortality. Since its description in 1992, an important effort has been made to improve and... (Review)
Review
Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) is a severe condition with high mortality. Since its description in 1992, an important effort has been made to improve and disseminate knowledge on CAPS. Most of our current knowledge comes from the studies performed using the CAPS Registry, a database created in 2000 to gather as many cases as possible in order to better define this disease. It has demonstrated that this condition has multiple faces and is often triggered by a precipitating factor that leads to a thrombotic microangiopathy and cytokine storm involving almost any organ of the body. Analysis of the CAPS Registry has also shown that patients receiving anticoagulation, glucocorticoids and plasma exchange and/or IVIG have a better prognosis. However, there are still many unresolved questions. In this review we summarize what is known and what is still a matter of research in this condition.
Topics: Humans; Antiphospholipid Syndrome; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; Plasma Exchange; Plasmapheresis; Prognosis; Catastrophic Illness
PubMed: 38320593
DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead556 -
Biochemical Society Transactions Aug 2020Osteoporosis (OP) is a bone metabolic disease, is characterized by degeneration of bone structure and decreased bone mass. It happens in more than 1/3 women and 1/5 men... (Review)
Review
Osteoporosis (OP) is a bone metabolic disease, is characterized by degeneration of bone structure and decreased bone mass. It happens in more than 1/3 women and 1/5 men of over than 50 years old, which affects the health and lives of people. The main mechanism of OP is mainly that the dynamic balance between the bone formation and resorption is broken, so that bone resorption is more than bone formation. It is prone to result in bone metabolism disorder. There are many precipitating factor such as elder age, low hormone level, genetic factors and bad hobbies. At the same time, the occurrence of the OP and its complications has different degrees of impact on people's quality of life. Based on the current understanding of the OP, we summarized the etiology, current clinical drugs and potential targeting therapy for OP. Although the research have made many progress in explore what is the novel mechanism and how to improve the effect, there are still many problems in the treatment method that limit its application prospects and need to be solved. In this review, we mainly focus on the mechanism of OP and related research on the targeted treatment of OP. Hopefully, our summary will provide a reference to develop some novel strategies for the target therapy of OP.
Topics: Aged; Biological Products; Bone Development; Bone Resorption; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Osteoporosis
PubMed: 32627832
DOI: 10.1042/BST20200005 -
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine 2023Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) accounts for 1%-4% of cases of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). SCAD is caused by separation occurring within or between any... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) accounts for 1%-4% of cases of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). SCAD is caused by separation occurring within or between any of the three tunics of the coronary artery wall. This leads to intramural hematoma and/or formation of false lumen in the artery, which leads to ischemic changes or infarction of the myocardium. The incidence of SCAD is higher in women than in men, with a ratio of approximately 9:1. It is estimated that SCAD is responsible for 35% of ACS cases in women under the age of 60. The high frequency is particularly observed during pregnancy and in the peripartum period (first week). Traditional risk factors are rare in patients with SCAD, except for hypertension. Patients diagnosed with SCAD have different combinations of risk factors compared with patients who have atherosclerotic changes in their coronary arteries. We presented the most common so-called "non-traditional" risk factors associated with SCAD patients.
RISK FACTORS AND PRECIPITATING DISORDERS WHICH ARE ASSOCIATED WITH SCAD
In the literature, there are few diseases frequently associated with SCAD, and they are identified as predisposing factors. The predominant cause is fibromuscular dysplasia, followed by inherited connective tissue disorders, systemic inflammatory diseases, pregnancy, use of sex hormones or steroids, use of cocaine or amphetamines, thyroid disorders, migraine, and tinnitus. In recent years, the genetic predisposition for SCAD is also recognized as a predisposing factor. The precipitating factors are also different in women (emotional stress) compared with those in men (physical stress). Women experiencing SCAD frequently describe symptoms of anxiety and depression. These conditions could increase shear stress on the arterial wall and dissection of the coronary artery wall. Despite the advancement of SCAD, we can find significant differences in the clinical presentation between women and men.
CONCLUSION
When evaluating patients with chest pain or other ACS symptoms who have a low cardiovascular risk, particularly female patients, it is important to consider the possibility of ACS due to SCAD, particularly in conditions often associated with SCAD. This will increase the recognition of SCAD and the timely treatment of affected patients.
PubMed: 38169687
DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1273301 -
Acute and Critical Care Aug 2022Neuroinflammation causing disruption of the blood-brain barrier and immune cell extravasation into the brain parenchyma may cause delirium; however, knowledge of the...
BACKGROUND
Neuroinflammation causing disruption of the blood-brain barrier and immune cell extravasation into the brain parenchyma may cause delirium; however, knowledge of the exact pathophysiologic mechanism remains incomplete. The purpose of our study was to determine whether cytokine profiles differ depending on whether delirium occurs in the setting of sepsis, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), or recent surgery.
METHODS
This prospective observational cohort study involved 119 critically ill patients admitted to a multidisciplinary intensive care unit (ICU) during 2019 and 2020. Delirium was identified using the validated confusion assessment method for the ICU. Multiple delirium risk factors were collected daily including clinical characteristics, hospital course, lab values, vital signs, surgical exposure, drug exposure, and COVID-19 characteristics. Serums samples were collected within 12 hours of ICU admission and cytokine levels were measured.
RESULTS
The following proinflammatory cytokines were elevated in our delirium population: tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-18, C-C motif ligand (CCL) 2, CCL3, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL)1, CXCL10, IL-8, IL-1 receptor antagonist, and IL-10. Analysis of relative cytokine levels in those patients that developed delirium in the setting of sepsis, COVID-19, and recent surgery showed elevations of CCL2, CXCL10, and TNF-α in both the sepsis and COVID-19 group in comparison to the postsurgical population. In the postsurgical group, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor was elevated and CXCL10 was decreased relative to the opposing groups.
CONCLUSIONS
We identify several cytokines and precipitating factors known to be associated with delirium. However, our study suggests that the cytokine profile associated with delirium is variable and contingent upon delirium precipitating factors.
PubMed: 35791660
DOI: 10.4266/acc.2021.01508 -
Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine Nov 2019This review provides a contemporary review of sleep apnea with emphasis on definitions, epidemiology, and consequences. (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
This review provides a contemporary review of sleep apnea with emphasis on definitions, epidemiology, and consequences.
RECENT FINDINGS
Amyloid β-42 is one of the main peptides forming amyloid plaques in the brains of Alzheimer patients. Poorer sleep quality and shorter sleep duration have been associated with a higher amyloid burden. Decreased sleep time in the elderly is a precipitating factor in amyloid retention. Studies have shown that the dysregulation of the homeostatic balance of the major inhibitory and excitatory amino acid neurotransmitter systems of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate play a role in sleep disordered breathing (SDB).
SUMMARY
Untreated sleep disordered breathing (obstructive sleep apnea and/or central sleep apnea) are an important cause of medical mortality and morbidity. OSA is characterized by recurrent episodes of partial or complete collapse of the upper airway during sleep followed by hypoxia and sympathetic activation. Apneic events are terminated by arousal, followed by increases in pulse and blood pressure, and re-oxygenation and the release of inflammatory factors. Individuals with OSA have an increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation. Hypoxemia and poor sleep quality because of OSA increase the risk of cognitive decline in the elderly.
Topics: Aged; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cognitive Dysfunction; Humans; Risk Factors; Sleep; Sleep Apnea Syndromes
PubMed: 31589188
DOI: 10.1097/MCP.0000000000000623 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2022Most liver diseases, including acute liver injury, drug-induced liver injury, viral hepatitis, metabolic liver diseases, and end-stage liver diseases, are strongly... (Review)
Review
Most liver diseases, including acute liver injury, drug-induced liver injury, viral hepatitis, metabolic liver diseases, and end-stage liver diseases, are strongly linked with hormonal influences. Thus, delineating the clinical manifestation and underlying mechanisms of the "sexual dimorphism" is critical for providing hints for the prevention, management, and treatment of those diseases. Whether the sex hormones (androgen, estrogen, and progesterone) and sex-related hormones (gonadotrophin-releasing hormone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and prolactin) play protective or toxic roles in the liver depends on the biological sex, disease stage, precipitating factor, and even the psychiatric status. Lifestyle factors, such as obesity, alcohol drinking, and smoking, also drastically affect the involving mechanisms of those hormones in liver diseases. Hormones deliver their hepatic regulatory signals primarily classical and non-classical receptors in different liver cell types. Exogenous sex/sex-related hormone therapy may serve as a novel strategy for metabolic liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. However, the undesired hormone-induced liver injury should be carefully studied in pre-clinical models and monitored in clinical applications. This issue is particularly important for menopause females with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and transgender populations who want to receive gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT). In conclusion, basic and clinical studies are warranted to depict the detailed hepatoprotective and hepatotoxic mechanisms of sex/sex-related hormones in liver disease. Prolactin holds a promising perspective in treating metabolic and advanced liver diseases.
Topics: Female; Follicle Stimulating Hormone; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Humans; Liver Neoplasms; Luteinizing Hormone; Prolactin
PubMed: 35860276
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.939631