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Ear, Nose, & Throat Journal Jun 2024Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is a complex disease associated with the interaction of multiple factors. Furthermore, indicators of liver function represent the body's...
Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is a complex disease associated with the interaction of multiple factors. Furthermore, indicators of liver function represent the body's metabolic, immune, and repair abilities. This study investigated correlations between liver function and ARHL. A total of 107 patients with ARHL and 107 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were included. Linear correlations, logistic regression, and receiving operator characteristic curves were used to assess the associations between liver function and ARHL. Serum prealbumin (PAB) levels were significantly lower in the ARHL group compared to the control group. Logistic regression analysis indicated that low PAB levels may be an independent risk factor for ARHL. The ARHL was divided into 2 groups according to the degree of hearing loss (moderately severe-to-profound and mild-to-moderate); the median ages in the 2 groups were 70.48 and 66.85 years, respectively, with the difference being significant. Age was an independent risk factor for moderately severe-to-profound ARHL, as shown by the logistic regression analysis. Lower PAB levels in patients with ARHL suggested that PAB may be a risk factor for ARHL. Furthermore, higher age in patients with ARHL was associated with a greater degree of hearing loss.
PubMed: 38907584
DOI: 10.1177/01455613241254241 -
Alternative Therapies in Health and... Jun 2024This study aims to investigate the impact of cohort management on illness perception, fear of disease progression, nutritional status, and quality of life among patients...
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to investigate the impact of cohort management on illness perception, fear of disease progression, nutritional status, and quality of life among patients with lymphoma.
METHODS
A total of 128 cases of lymphoma patients admitted to Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, between April 2020 and November 2021 were included as research participants. The patients were randomly assigned to two groups: a 64-member control group and a 64-member observation group. The observation group received group management, while the control group received standard nursing care. Before and after the intervention, assessments were conducted to evaluate disease perception, fear of disease progression, nutritional status, and quality of life, with comparisons made between the two groups.
RESULTS
No clinically significant differences (P > .05) were observed between the two groups regarding gender, age, chemotherapy cycles, clinical stage, disease type, or other general characteristics. Disease awareness showed no significant disparity between groups pre-intervention (P > .05), but post-intervention, the observation group exhibited marked improvement (P < .05). Initially, fear of disease progression did not differ significantly between groups (P > .05), but post-intervention, the observation group demonstrated lower scores in total fear of disease progression, social, family, and physical health domains compared to the control group (P < .05). While nutritional status comparisons initially resulted in no significant differences (P > .05), levels of serum albumin, prealbumin, hemoglobin, lymphocytes, and ferritin were notably higher in the observation group post-intervention (P < .05). Quality of life assessments showed no significant disparity pre-intervention (P > .05); however, post-intervention, the observation group experienced significantly reduced dyspnea, insomnia, and appetite loss (P < .05).
CONCLUSION
Participation in cohort management interventions benefits lymphoma patients by enhancing emotional coping and improving nutritional health and quality of life.
PubMed: 38904630
DOI: No ID Found -
Artificial Organs Jun 2024Ventricular assist devices (VADs) are used to bridge pediatric patients to heart transplantation. Paracorporeal VADs require the placement of cannulas, which can create...
BACKGROUND
Ventricular assist devices (VADs) are used to bridge pediatric patients to heart transplantation. Paracorporeal VADs require the placement of cannulas, which can create an environment for infections. We examined cannula infections in pediatric VAD patients and the role of nutritional status.
METHODS
This retrospective study (2005-2021) included patients <20 years old on VAD support using Berlin Heart EXCOR® cannulas. Cannula infections were defined by a positive culture and need for antibiotic therapy. Malnutrition was defined using the American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition guidelines as well as the Michigan MTool.
RESULTS
There were 76 patients with a median age at implant of 0.9 years (IQR 0.4, 3.6), 50% male, with 73.7% having non-congenital heart disease. More than one-quarter (26.3%) of patients developed a cannula infection. Higher pre-implant weight (OR = 1.93, p = 0.05), creatinine (OR = 1.02, p = 0.044), and pre-albumin (OR = 15.79, p = 0.025), as well as duration of VAD support (OR = 1.01; p = 0.003) were associated with increased odds of developing a cannula infection. There was no difference in the malnutrition parameters between those with and without an infection.
CONCLUSIONS
Further exploration in a larger cohort is needed to see whether these associations remain and if the incorporation of objective measures of nutritional status at the time of infection are predictive.
PubMed: 38884381
DOI: 10.1111/aor.14810 -
The Journal of the Association of... Apr 2024Protein-energy wasting (PEW) affects about 50-75% of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), particularly those who are on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). This study...
BACKGROUND
Protein-energy wasting (PEW) affects about 50-75% of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), particularly those who are on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). This study evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of an oral nutritional supplement in Indian patients receiving MHD.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This was a 3-month, prospective, open-label, and single-centered study. Eligible participants supplemented their regular diet with one sachet (40 gm) of oral nutritional supplement powder twice daily for 90 days. The study efficacy endpoints were mean change in acute phase proteins (albumin and prealbumin), anthropometric measurements [weight, body mass index (BMI), and triceps skin fold thickness], handgrip strength, hemoglobin, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), potassium, and phosphorus levels, malnutrition score (MS)-modified subjective global assessment (modified SGA), malnutrition inflammation score (MIS), and nutritional status.
RESULTS
The study population comprised 36 (42.9%) men and 48 (57.1%) women with a mean age of 54.85 ± 15.50 years. A paired sample -test was used to compare the baseline with end-of-study values for continuous variables. Serum albumin, prealbumin, hemoglobin, and phosphorus levels remained stable throughout the study period. The mean change in weight, BMI, triceps skin fold thickness, handgrip strength, and TIBC for the overall study population was 1.11 kg (1.82%, < 0.0001), 0.46 kg/m (1.98%, < 0.0001), 3.47 mm (30.78%, < 0.0001), 6.05 kg (44.98%, < 0.0001) and 11.80 µg/dL (6.06%, < 0.0001), respectively. At the end of the study period, there was a significant ( < 0.0001) improvement in the SGA and MIS scores. Further, there was a significant improvement in nutritional status as demonstrated by the overall intake of calories ( < 0.001), proteins ( < 0.0001), carbohydrates ( = 0.003, and fats ( < 0.0001).
CONCLUSION
Protein-energy malnutrition is a strong predictor of morbidity, mortality, and poor outcomes in CKD patients. A scientifically designed formula in accordance with KDOQI standards was able to improve the nutritional status, overall body composition, sarcopenia, and quality of life in CKD patients on MHD.
Topics: Humans; Renal Dialysis; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Dietary Supplements; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Prospective Studies; India; Nutritional Status; Protein-Energy Malnutrition; Adult; Aged; Hand Strength; Administration, Oral; Body Mass Index
PubMed: 38881082
DOI: 10.59556/japi.72.0512 -
Clinical Radiology May 2024This study aimed to predict the expression of programmed death-1 (PD-1) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using intratumoral and peritumoral computed tomography (CT)...
AIMS
This study aimed to predict the expression of programmed death-1 (PD-1) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using intratumoral and peritumoral computed tomography (CT) radiomics nomogram.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Two hundred patients pathologically diagnosed with NSCLC from two hospitals were retrospectively analyzed. Of these, 159 NSCLC patients from our hospital were randomly divided into a training cohort (n=96) and an internal validation cohort (n=63) at a ratio of 6:4, while 41 NSCLC patients from another medical institution served as the external validation cohort. The radiomic features of the gross tumor volume (GTV) and peritumoral volume (PTV) were extracted from the CT images. Optimal radiomics features were selected using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis. Finally, a CT radiomics nomogram of clinically independent predictors combined with the best rad-score was constructed.
RESULTS
Compared with the 'GTV' and 'PTV' radiomics models, the combined 'GTV + PTV' radiomics model showed better predictive performance, and its area under the curve (AUC) values in the training, internal validation, and external validation cohorts were 0.90 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.83-0.97), 0.85 (95% CI: 0.74-0.96) and 0.78 (95% CI: 0.63-0.92). The nomogram constructed by the rad-score of the 'GTV + PTV' radiomics model combined with clinical independent predictors (prealbumin and monocyte) had the best performance, with AUC values in each cohort being 0.92 (95% CI: 0.85-0.98), 0.88 (95% CI: 0.78-0.97), and 0.80 (95% CI: 0.66-0.94), respectively.
CONCLUSION
The intratumoral and peritumoral CT radiomics nomogram may facilitate individualized prediction of PD-1 expression status in patients with NSCLC.
PubMed: 38876960
DOI: 10.1016/j.crad.2024.05.008 -
Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine :... Jun 2024The white stork () is a ciconiiform species widely represented in zoological institutions. Plasma protein electrophoresis is widely used in avian patients for assessment...
The white stork () is a ciconiiform species widely represented in zoological institutions. Plasma protein electrophoresis is widely used in avian patients for assessment of inflammatory conditions, but reference intervals for this testing modality are lacking for the white stork. The two main electrophoretic methods are agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE) and capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). This study assessed fresh plasma samples of healthy adult white storks ( = 30). Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate agreement between AGE and CZE. Typical electrophoretic fractions were obtained from both methods (prealbumin, albumin, α, α, β, γ, and γ). The AGE and CZE methods were not equivalent for determining major electrophoretic fractions (except β-globulins) and albumin:globulin ratio on plasma samples. An additional prealbumin fraction was seen with CZE. Reference intervals were established for each method as the smallest group was 27 individuals for a given value; most values had normal distribution, and robust or parametric methods were used on the data.
Topics: Animals; Reference Values; Birds; Blood Proteins; Electrophoresis, Capillary; Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; Female; Blood Protein Electrophoresis; Male
PubMed: 38875190
DOI: 10.1638/2022-0101 -
BMC Pulmonary Medicine Jun 2024We aimed to determine whether systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) combined with prealbumin can provide better predictive power for postoperative pneumonia in...
BACKGROUND
We aimed to determine whether systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) combined with prealbumin can provide better predictive power for postoperative pneumonia in patients undergoing lung resection surgery.
METHODS
We identified eligible patients undergoing lung resection surgery at the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from March 2021 to March 2022. Demographic characteristics, clinical data, and laboratory information were collected and reviewed from the electronic medical records of the patients. To test the effect of the combined detection of SII and prealbumin, we made an equation using logistic regression analysis. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was plotted to evaluate the predictive powers, sensitivity, and specificity of prealbumin, SII, and SII combined with prealbumin. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to determine the clinical validity and net benefit of different methods of detection.
RESULTS
Totally 386 eligible patients were included with a median age of 62.0 years (IQR: 55.0, 68.0), and 57 (14.8%) patients presented with postoperative pneumonia within 7 days after surgery. The multivariate regression analysis showed that preoperative SII as continuous variable was associated with an increased risk of postoperative pneumonia (OR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.19-2.83, P = 0.011), whereas the prealbumin as continuous variable remained as an independent protective predictor of postoperative pneumonia in the adjusted analysis (OR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.37-0.89, P = 0.023). Compared to SII or prealbumin, the combined detection of preoperative SII and prealbumin showed a higher predictive power with area under curve of 0.79 (95% CI: 0.71-0.86, P < 0.05 for all). Additionally, DCA indicated that the combined detection was superior over preoperative SII or prealbumin alone in clinical validity and net benefit.
CONCLUSION
Both preoperative SII and prealbumin are independent influencing factors for postoperative pneumonia after lung resection surgery. The combined detection of preoperative SII and prealbumin can significantly improve prediction capability to identify potential postoperative pneumonia-susceptible patients, facilitating early interventions to improve postoperative quality of life for surgical lung resection patients.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Pneumonia; Postoperative Complications; Aged; Prealbumin; Retrospective Studies; Pneumonectomy; Predictive Value of Tests; ROC Curve; Logistic Models; Inflammation
PubMed: 38862955
DOI: 10.1186/s12890-024-03086-7 -
Head & Neck Jun 2024Head and neck osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the midface requiring free flap (FF) reconstruction is uncommon. This multi-institutional study was designed to review outcomes...
BACKGROUND
Head and neck osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the midface requiring free flap (FF) reconstruction is uncommon. This multi-institutional study was designed to review outcomes for this rare patient population.
METHODS
Retrospective multi-institutional review of FF reconstruction for midface ORN (2005-2022; n = 54).
RESULTS
The FF survival rate was 87% (n = 54). Patients were less likely to be tolerating a regular diet at 3 months postoperative if they had a preoperative history of prior head and surgery (80% vs. 95%; p = 0.02), a pathologic fracture (50% vs. 90%; p = 0.04), exposed bone intraorally (43% vs. 94%; p = 0.002), or a fistula (67% vs. 96%; p = 0.03). Mean albumin was higher in patients whose FF survived (3.6 ± 0.5 vs. 2.7 ± 1.4; p = 0.03). Patients with low prealbumin were more likely to undergo a hematoma evacuation (27% vs. 0%; p = 0.02).
CONCLUSION
In this series of midface ORN requiring FF reconstruction preoperative nutritional status impacted postoperative complications. Preoperative occurrence of a fistula, pathologic fracture, and intraoral bone exposure correlated with decreased tolerance of a regular diet following reconstruction.
PubMed: 38845552
DOI: 10.1002/hed.27824 -
Heart Failure Clinics Jul 2024Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is a relatively prevalent cause of morbidity and mortality. Over the recent years, development of disease-modifying... (Review)
Review
Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is a relatively prevalent cause of morbidity and mortality. Over the recent years, development of disease-modifying treatments has enabled stabilization of the circulating transthyretin tetramer and suppression of its hepatic production, resulting in a remarkable improvement in survival of patients with ATTR-CM. Second-generation drugs for silencing are currently under investigation in randomized clinical trials. In vivo gene editing of transthyretin has been achieving unanticipated suppression of hepatic production in ATTR-CM. Trials of antibodies inducing the active removal of transthyretin amyloid deposits in the heart are ongoing, and evidence has gathered for exceptional spontaneous regression of ATTR-CM.
Topics: Humans; Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial; Cardiomyopathies; Benzoxazoles; Prealbumin
PubMed: 38844305
DOI: 10.1016/j.hfc.2024.03.005 -
Heart Failure Clinics Jul 2024Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is caused by the myocardial extracellular deposition of amyloid fibrils formed from the dissociation of TTR tetramer into... (Review)
Review
Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is caused by the myocardial extracellular deposition of amyloid fibrils formed from the dissociation of TTR tetramer into monomers. The rate-limiting step in TTR amyloidogenesis is the dissociation of the TTR tetramer into monomers: Tafamidis is an effective TTR-stabilizer in its native homotetrameric structure. Tafamidis is a safe and effective drug in reducing symptoms, hospitalization and mortality in accurately selected patients affected by hereditary and wild-type transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy.
Topics: Humans; Benzoxazoles; Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial; Cardiomyopathies; Prealbumin
PubMed: 38844304
DOI: 10.1016/j.hfc.2024.03.007