We read with interest the article by Xing Wang,which was published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Hepatology 2023;15:1294-1306.This article focuses particularly on the prevalence and trends in the etiolog...We read with interest the article by Xing Wang,which was published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Hepatology 2023;15:1294-1306.This article focuses particularly on the prevalence and trends in the etiology of liver cirrhosis(LC),prognosis for patients suffering from cirrhosis-related complications and hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),and management strategies.The etiology of cirrhosis varies according to geographical,economic,and population factors.Viral hepatitis is the dominant cause in China.Vaccination and effective treatment have reduced the number of people with viral hepatitis,but the overall number is still large.Patients with viral hepatitis who progress over time to LC and HCC remain an important population to manage.The increased incidence of metabolic syndrome and alcohol consumption is likely to lead to a potential exponential increase in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease(MASLD)-associated LC and alcoholic liver disease in the future.Investigating the evolution of the etiology of LC is important for guiding the direction of future research and policy development.These changing trends indicate a need for greater emphasis on tackling obesity and diabetes,and implementing more effective measures to regulate alcohol consumption in order to reduce the occurrence of MASLD.In an effort to help cope with these changing trends,the authors further proposed countermeasures for healthcare authorities doctors,and patients.展开更多
Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a condition characterized by the gradual narrowing and blockage of blood vessels in the brain, specifically those in the circle of Willis and the arteries that supply it. This results in redu...Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a condition characterized by the gradual narrowing and blockage of blood vessels in the brain, specifically those in the circle of Willis and the arteries that supply it. This results in reduced blood flow and oxygen to the brain, leading to progressive symptoms and potential complications. The underlying pathophysiological mechanism remains elucidated. However, recent studies have highlighted numerous etiologic factors: abnormal immune complex responses, susceptibility genes, branched-chain amino acids, antibodies, heritable diseases, and acquired diseases, which may be the great potential triggers for the development of moyamoya disease. Its clinical presentation has varying degrees from transient asymptomatic events to significant neurological deficits. Moyamoya disease (MMD) shows different patterns in children and adults. Children with MMD are more susceptible to ischemic events due to decreased blood flow to the brain. Conversely, adults with MMD are more prone to hemorrhagic events involving brain bleeding. Children with MMD may experience a range of symptoms including motor impairments, sensory issues, seizures, headaches, dizziness, cognitive delays, or ongoing neurological problems. Although adults may present with similar clinical symptoms as children, they are more prone to experiencing sudden onset intraventricular, subarachnoid, or intracerebral hemorrhages. One of the challenges in moyamoya disease is the potential for misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis, particularly when physicians fail to consider MMD as a possible cause in stroke patients. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of recent global studies on the pathophysiology of MMD, along with advancements in its management. Additionally, the review will delve into various surgical treatment options for MMD, as well as its rare occurrence alongside atrioventricular malformations. Exciting prospects include the use of autologous bone marrow transplant and the potential role of Connexin 43 protein treatment in the development of moyamoya disease.展开更多
Traditional Chinese Medicine has played an important role in the prevention and treatment of the Corona Virus Disease 2019 epidemic.But in views of different TCM scholars there are different opinions about disease nam...Traditional Chinese Medicine has played an important role in the prevention and treatment of the Corona Virus Disease 2019 epidemic.But in views of different TCM scholars there are different opinions about disease name,characteristic of etiology,law of pathogenesis about this epidemic.Based on related literatures,this article overviews of the characteristics of TCM etiology,law of pathogenesis and methods of syndrome differentiation,hoping to find research method that fit in with TCM clinical practice.Prerequisite of treatment is identifying the cause.The clinical manifestations of patients are important to TCM,and the etiological attributes can be inferred from the clinical manifestations.SARS-CoV-2 belongs to exogenous etiological factors,but there are different opinions about its characteristics of six pathogenic factors.Cold,Dampness,Warm,Dry,Toxin,Summer-heat,Wind,are all involved.Thus,different understanding of the pathogenesis and the law of transmission is caused.Such as cold and dampness hurt Yang,furthermore,consumed of Qi;dampness and toxin infected from external environment,turbid dampness produced inside the body;dryness affecting lungs and consume of Yin;warm-heat-turbid-toxin affected lungs,stomach and intestine;and then produced phlegm stagnation or blood stasis,furthermore consumed Qi and Yin.Based on those differences,methods of syndrome differentiation in treatment of COVID-19 are diverse,which contain pattern differentiation of zang-fu organs,pattern differentiation of Wei-defence,Qi,Ying nutrients and blood;pattern differentiation by the eight principles,and pattern differentiation of six meridians.Because of SARS-CoV-2 can spread to the whole country or even the whole world in a short period of time,its pathogenic nature should be roughly the same.So studying the treatment of COVID-19 based on clinical cases,refining the similarities and differences in the clinical presentation of patients with different subtypes during the epidemic,clarification of the etiologic attribution and evolutionary patterns of disease mechanisms,developing a comprehensive understanding of COVID-19 in Chinese medicine is needed.Furthermore,getting a full understanding of COVID-19,and providing reference for the prevention and treatment of unknown infectious diseases.展开更多
BACKGROUND Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is one of the common diseases of newborns that typically presents with yellow staining of skin,resulting in sequelaes such as hearing loss,motor and intellectual development diso...BACKGROUND Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is one of the common diseases of newborns that typically presents with yellow staining of skin,resulting in sequelaes such as hearing loss,motor and intellectual development disorders,and even death.The pathogenic factors of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia are complex.Different cases of hyperbilirubinemia may have a single or mixed etiology.AIM To explore the etiological characteristics of severe hyperbilirubinemia in term newborns of eastern Guangdong of China.METHODS Term newborns with severe hyperbilirubinemia in one hospital from January 2012 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.The etiology was determined according to the laboratory results and clinical manifestations.RESULTS Among 1602 term newborns with hyperbilirubinemia in eastern Guangdong of China,32.20%(580/1602)was severe hyperbilirubinemia.Among the causes of severe hyperbilirubinemia,neonatal hemolysis accounted for 15.17%,breast milk jaundice accounted for 12.09%,infection accounted for 10.17%,glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase(G6PD)deficiency accounted for 9.14%,and the coexistence of multiple etiologies accounted for 6.55%,unknown etiology accounted for 41.72%.ABO hemolysis and G6PD deficiency were the most common causes in the 20 cases with bilirubin encephalopathy.94 severe hyperbilirubinemia newborns were tested for uridine diphosphate glucuronosyl transferase 1A1(UGT1A1)*6 variant(rs4148323,c.211G>A,p.Arg71Gly),9 cases were 211 G to A homozygous variant,37 cases were 211 G to A heterozygous variant,and 48 cases were wild genotypes.CONCLUSION The main cause for severe hyperbilirubinemia and bilirubin encephalopathy in eastern Guangdong of China were the hemolytic disease of the newborns,G6PD deficiency and infection.UGT1A1 gene variant was also a high-risk factor for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.Targeted prevention and treatment according to the etiology may reduce the occurrence of bilirubin encephalopathy and kernicterus.展开更多
BACKGROUND Whether clinical outcomes of acute cholangitis(AC)vary by etiology is unclear.AIM To compare outcomes in AC caused by malignant biliary obstruction(MBO)and common bile duct stones(CBDS).METHODS This retrosp...BACKGROUND Whether clinical outcomes of acute cholangitis(AC)vary by etiology is unclear.AIM To compare outcomes in AC caused by malignant biliary obstruction(MBO)and common bile duct stones(CBDS).METHODS This retrospective study included 516 patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP)due to AC caused by MBO(MBO group,n=56)and CBDS(CBDS group,n=460).Clinical and laboratory parameters were compared between the groups.Propensity score matching(PSM)created 55 matched pairs.Confounders used in the PSM analysis were age,sex,time to ERCP,and technical success of ERCP.The primary outcome comparison was 30-d mortality.The secondary outcome comparisons were intensive care unit(ICU)admission rate,length of hospital stay(LOHS),and 30-d readmission rate.RESULTS Compared with the CBDS group,the MBO group had significantly lower body temperature,percentage of abnormal white blood cell counts,and serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase,alanine aminotransferase,and creatinine.Body temperature,percent abnormal white blood cell count,and serum aspartate aminotransferase levels remained significantly lower in the MBO group in the PSM analysis.Platelet count,prothrombin time/international normalized ratio,and serum levels of alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin were significantly higher in the MBO group.The MBO group had a significantly higher percentage of severe AC(33.9%vs 22.0%,P=0.045)and received ERCP later(median,92.5 h vs 47.4 h,P<0.001).However,the two differences were not found in the PSM analysis.The 30-d mortality(5.4%vs 0.7%,P=0.019),ICU admission rates(12.5%vs 4.8%,P=0.028),30-d readmission rates(23.2%vs 8.0%,P<0.001),and LOHS(median,16.5 d vs 7.0 d,P<0.001)were significantly higher or longer in the MBO group.However,only LOHS remained significant in the PSM analysis.Multivariate analysis revealed that time to ERCP and multiple organ dysfunction were independent factors associated with 30-d mortality.CONCLUSION MBO patients underwent ERCP later and thus had a worse prognosis than CBDS patients.Therefore,clinicians should remain vigilant in MBO patients with clinically suspected AC,and perform ERCP for biliary drainage as soon as possible.展开更多
Objective To investigate the etiology,clinical characteristics,diagnosis,and treatment strategies and efficacy of pulsatile tinnitus(PT)caused by vascular anatomy abnormality.Methods The clinical data of 45 patients w...Objective To investigate the etiology,clinical characteristics,diagnosis,and treatment strategies and efficacy of pulsatile tinnitus(PT)caused by vascular anatomy abnormality.Methods The clinical data of 45 patients with PT in our hospital from 2012 to 2019 were collected and retrospectively analyzed.Results All 45 patients had vascular anatomical abnormalities.The patients were divided into 10 categories according to the different locations of vascular abnormalities:sigmoid sinus diverticulum(SSD),sigmoid sinus wall dehiscence(SSWD),SSWD with high jugular bulb,pure dilated mastoid emissary vein,aberrant internal carotid artery(ICA)in the middle ear,transverse-sigmoid sinus(TSS)transition stenosis,TSS transition stenosis with SSD,persistent occipital sinus stenosis,petrous segment stenosis of ICA,and dural arteriovenous fistula.All patients complained of PT synchronous with heartbeat rhythm.Endovascular interventional therapy and extravascular open surgery were used according to the location of the vascular lesions.Tinnitus disappeared in 41 patients,was significantly relieved in 3 patients,and was unchanged in 1 patient postoperatively.Except for one patient with transient headache postoperatively,no obvious complications occurred.Conclusion PT caused by vascular anatomy abnormalities can be identified by detailed medical history and physical and imaging examination.PT can be relieved or even completely alleviated after appropriate surgical treatments.展开更多
BACKGROUND As a result of improved and novel treatment strategies,the spectrum of patients with cardiovascular disease is consistently changing.Overall,those patients are typically older and characterized by increased...BACKGROUND As a result of improved and novel treatment strategies,the spectrum of patients with cardiovascular disease is consistently changing.Overall,those patients are typically older and characterized by increased burden with comorbidities.Limited data on the prognostic impact of age in cardiogenic shock(CS)is available.Therefore,this study investigates the prognostic impact of age in patients with CS.METHODS From 2019 to 2021,consecutive patients with CS of any cause were included.The prognostic value of age(i.e.,60-80 years and>80 years)was investigated for 30-day all-cause mortality.Spearman’s correlations,Kaplan-Meier analyses,as well as multivariable Cox proportional regression analyses were performed for statistics.Subsequent risk assessment was performed based on the presence or absence of CS related to acute myocardial infarction(AMI).RESULTS 223 CS patients were included with a median age of 77 years(interquartile range:69-82 years).No significant difference in 30-day all-cause mortality was observed for both age-groups(54.6%vs.63.4%,log-rank P=0.169;HR=1.273,95%CI:0.886-1.831,P=0.192).In contrast,when analyzing subgroups stratified by CS-etiology,AMI-related CS patients of the group>80 years showed an increased risk of 30-day all-cause mortality(78.1%vs.60.0%,log-rank P=0.032;HR=1.635,95%CI:1.000-2.673,P=0.050),which was still evident after multivariable adjustment(HR=2.072,95%CI:1.174-3.656,P=0.012).CONCLUSIONS Age was not associated with 30-day all-cause mortality in patients with CS of mixed etiology.However,increasing age was shown to be a significant predictor of increased mortality-risk in the subgroup of patients presenting with AMI-CS.展开更多
Chemical ocular injury is one of the common ophthalmologic emergencies that can cause vision loss and serious complications.Despite all protective measures,it continues to be a serious public health problem,especially...Chemical ocular injury is one of the common ophthalmologic emergencies that can cause vision loss and serious complications.Despite all protective measures,it continues to be a serious public health problem,especially in young male patients.Although it is known that injuries occur most frequently in the workplace and in young male patients,there is a variable frequency and distribution in different regions around the world.In addition,with the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic,there are changing trends in ocular chemical injuries.This review aims to specify an update on the epidemiological and etiological features of ocular chemical injuries.展开更多
BACKGROUND Acute liver injury(ALI)refers to inflammation of the hepatic parenchyma without hepatic encephalopathy that lasts less than 6 mo.When the etiology is unknown,Acute Hepatitis of Unknown Origin(AHUO)can prese...BACKGROUND Acute liver injury(ALI)refers to inflammation of the hepatic parenchyma without hepatic encephalopathy that lasts less than 6 mo.When the etiology is unknown,Acute Hepatitis of Unknown Origin(AHUO)can present as a diagnostic and treatment challenge.AHUO in the adult population is unusual and poorly documented.It has an incidence between 11%and 75%.Currently,no treatment guidelines exist.With no identified cause,treatment is often blind,and the wrong treatment plan may have unintended consequences.CASE SUMMARY We present the case of a 58-year-old woman who presented to the emergency room for elevated liver function tests(LFTs).Her symptoms started 10 d prior to admission and included nausea,vomiting,jaundice,decreased appetite,weight loss of 10 lbs,and dark urine.She denied drinking alcohol or taking any hepatotoxic agents,including acetaminophen,statins,vitamins,or supplements.She was admitted to the hospital,and an etiologic work-up was carried out.Her initial bloodwork revealed elevated liver enzymes(alanine aminotransferase 2500 U/L,aspartate aminotransferase 3159 U/L,and alkaline phosphatase 714 U/L)and elevated total bilirubin of 6.4 mg/dL.She tested negative for common infectious etiologies such as hepatotropic viruses A,B,C,and E.Further infective work-up revealed negative serology for cytomegalovirus,Epstein-Barr virus,herpes simplex virus 1&2,and human immunodeficiency virus.Her autoanti-body test results were negative,including anti-smooth muscle antibody,anti-mitochondrial antibody,and anti-liver kidney microsome 1 antibody.Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography ruled out biliary causes of elevated LFTs,and her core liver biopsy proved inconclusive.Over the course of her hospital stay,the patient's LFTs improved with supportive care and without steroids.CONCLUSION Idiopathic hepatitis makes treatment challenging.It can leave patients feeling confused and unfulfilled.Thus,educating the patient thoroughly for shared decision-making and management becomes essential.展开更多
Background: Maxillofacial injury may vary from simple soft tissue lacerations to complex fractures of the orofacial region. Soft tissue injuries, whether isolated or in combination with other injuries, form part of th...Background: Maxillofacial injury may vary from simple soft tissue lacerations to complex fractures of the orofacial region. Soft tissue injuries, whether isolated or in combination with other injuries, form part of the frequent traumatic craniofacial injuries seen at the emergency department. The force of impact and the injury type is directly related to the severity of the injury sustained. This study aimed to analyze the etiological factors, prevalence, and management of oral and maxillofacial soft tissue injuries at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. Methods: This was a prospective study that involved children presenting with oral and maxillofacial injuries at the Accident and Emergency Department and the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery unit of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi between the period of April to October 2020 (6 months). Patient selection was by convenience sampling targeting all children with injuries who met the inclusion criteria. Inclusion criteria were children below the age of 18 years whose parents or caregivers consent to participation. Children with maxillofacial injuries as a result of burns were excluded from the study. Results: During the study period a total of 134 children were reviewed with oral and maxillofacial injuries at KATH. Of these, 107 (78.9%) were recorded cases of orofacial soft tissue injuries. There were 63 (58.9%) males and 44 (41.1%) females and the male-to-female ratio was 1.5:1. The age range of patients studied was 8 months – 17 years, with mean age ± SD being 9.5 ± 5.3 years. Road Traffic Crash (50.5%) was the most common etiology of which Motor cycle crash constituted 24.3% and Pedestrian knockdown was 19.6%. Falls (42.1%) were the next most common etiology. The lips (19.8%) and the forehead (18.5%) were the most frequently injured sites on the face whiles the tongue (3.3%) had the most injuries intraorally. Laceration (45.7%) was the most frequent injury reviewed, followed by abrasions (35.8%). Most of the soft tissue injuries underwent primary closure (56.3%). A complication rate of 21.2% was recorded in this study and hypertrophic scarring (11.3%) was the most observed.展开更多
Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is a complex and heterogeneous disorder with multiple etiologies. Genetic factors are thought to play an important role in the etiology of RSA. With recent advances in genetic test...Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is a complex and heterogeneous disorder with multiple etiologies. Genetic factors are thought to play an important role in the etiology of RSA. With recent advances in genetic testing technologies, there has been an increasing interest in using these tools to diagnose the etiology of RSA. This review discusses the different types of genetic testing methods, such as karyotyping, chromosomal microarray analysis, next-generation sequencing, and their applications in the diagnosis of the etiology RSA. The use of genetic testing in the diagnosis of RSA has the potential to improve the accuracy of diagnosis and the understanding of the underlying mechanisms of the disorder, which could lead to better management and treatment of affected individuals.展开更多
Liver fibrosis is a reversible wound-healing process aimed at maintaining organ integrity, and presents as the critical pre-stage of liver cirrhosis, which will eventually progress to hepatocellular carcinoma in the a...Liver fibrosis is a reversible wound-healing process aimed at maintaining organ integrity, and presents as the critical pre-stage of liver cirrhosis, which will eventually progress to hepatocellular carcinoma in the absence of liver transplantation. Fibrosis generally results from chronic hepatic injury caused by various factors, mainly viral infection, schistosomiasis, and alcoholism; however, the exact pathological mechanisms are still unknown. Although numerous drugs have been shown to have antifibrotic activity in vitro and in animal models, none of these drugs have been shown to be efficacious in the clinic. Importantly, hepatic stellate cells(HSCs) play a key role in the initiation, progression, and regression of liver fibrosis by secreting fibrogenic factors that encourage portal fibrocytes, fibroblasts, and bone marrow-derived myofibroblasts to produce collagen and thereby propagate fibrosis. These cells are subject to intricate cross-talk with adjacent cells, resulting in scarring and subsequent liver damage. Thus, an understanding of the molecular mechanisms of liver fibrosis and their relationships with HSCs is essential for the discovery of new therapeutic targets. This comprehensive review outlines the role of HSCs in liver fibrosis and details novel strategies to suppress HSC activity, thereby providing new insights into potential treatments for liver fibrosis.展开更多
Esophageal cancer is one of the most fatal diseases worldwide mainly because of its rapid progression and poor prognosis.Although the incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma has markedly risen in North America and Euro...Esophageal cancer is one of the most fatal diseases worldwide mainly because of its rapid progression and poor prognosis.Although the incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma has markedly risen in North America and Europe in the past several decades, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is still the predominant subtype of esophageal cancer, especially in China. It accounts for more than 90% of all esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cases in China. Geographical differentiation is one of the most distinctive characteristics of esophageal cancer. The progression, risk factors, and prognosis of these two subtypes of esophageal cancer differ. This study reviews the epidemiology, etiology, and prevention of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in China, thereby providing systematic references for policy-makers who will decide on issues of esophageal cancer prevention and control.展开更多
INTRODUCTIONStomach carcinoma is still the leading cause of cancer deathin China and the second one in the world.Its possiblecauses include:A)chemical factors such as intragastricformation of N-nitroso compounds(NOC)a...INTRODUCTIONStomach carcinoma is still the leading cause of cancer deathin China and the second one in the world.Its possiblecauses include:A)chemical factors such as intragastricformation of N-nitroso compounds(NOC)and high saltintake;B)biological factors such as infection展开更多
INTRODUCTIONChina is a country with a high incidence of liver cancer insome areas.Liver cancer has a wide distribution andthreatens human health seriously.A rough estimationshows that out of a population of 1.2×1...INTRODUCTIONChina is a country with a high incidence of liver cancer insome areas.Liver cancer has a wide distribution andthreatens human health seriously.A rough estimationshows that out of a population of 1.2×10~8 in liver展开更多
Objective This study was conducted to investigate the viral and bacterial etiology and epidemiology of patients with acute febrile respiratory syndrome(AFRS) in Qinghai using a commercial routine multiplex-ligation-nu...Objective This study was conducted to investigate the viral and bacterial etiology and epidemiology of patients with acute febrile respiratory syndrome(AFRS) in Qinghai using a commercial routine multiplex-ligation-nucleic acid amplification test(NAT)-based assay. Methods A total of 445 nasopharyngeal swabs specimens from patients with AFRS were analyzed using the RespiFinderSmart22 kit(PathoFinder BV, Netherlands) and the LightCycler 480 real-time PCR system. Results Among the 225(225/445, 51%) positive specimens, 329 positive pathogens were detected, including 298(90.58%) viruses and 31(9%) bacteria. The most commonly detected pathogens were influenza virus(IFV;37.39%;123/329), adenovirus(AdV;17.02%;56/329), human coronaviruses(HCoVs;10.94%;36/329), rhinovirus/enterovirus(RV/EV;10.03%;33/329), parainfluenza viruses(PIVs;8.51%;28/329), and Mycoplasma pneumoniae(M. pneu;8.51%;28/329), respectively. Among the co-infected cases(17.53%;78/445), IFV/AdV and IFV/M. pneu were the most common co-infections. Most of the respiratory viruses were detected in summer and fall. Conclusion In our study, IFV-A was the most common respiratory pathogen among 22 detected pathogens, followed by AdV, HCoV, RV/EV, PIV, and M. pneu. Bacteria appeared less frequently than viruses, and co-infection was the most common phenomenon among viral pathogens. Pathogens were distributed among different age groups and respiratory viruses were generally active in July, September, and November. Enhanced surveillance and early detection can be useful in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of AFRS, as well as for guiding the development of appropriate public health strategies.展开更多
Microscopic colitis is a common cause of chronic,nonbloody diarrhea. Microscopic colitis is more common in women than men and usually affects patients in their sixth and seventh decade. This article reviews the etiolo...Microscopic colitis is a common cause of chronic,nonbloody diarrhea. Microscopic colitis is more common in women than men and usually affects patients in their sixth and seventh decade. This article reviews the etiology and medical management of microscopic colitis. The etiology of microscopic colitis is unknown, but it is associated with autoimmune disorders, such as celiac disease, polyarthritis, and thyroid disorders. Smoking has been identified as a risk factor of mi-croscopic colitis. Exposure to medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, proton pump inhibitors, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, is suspected to play a role in microscopic colitis, although their direct causal relationship has not been proven. Multiple medications, including corticosteroids, anti-diarrheals, cholestyramine, bismuth, 5-aminosalicylates, and immunomodulators, have been used to treat microscopic colitis with variable response rates. Budesonide is effective in inducing and maintaining clinical remission but relapse rate is as high as 82% when budesonide is discontinued. There is limited data on management of steroid-dependent microscopic colitis or refractory microscopic colitis. Immunomodulators seem to have low response rate 0%-56% for patients with refractory microscopic colitis. Response rate 66%-100% was observed for use of anti-tumor necrosis factor(TNF) therapy for refractory microscopic colitis. Anti-TNF and diverting ileostomy may be an option in severe or refractory microscopic colitis.展开更多
Pulmonary vein stenosis(PVS) is rare condition characterized by a challenging diagnosis and unfavorable prognosis at advance stages. At present, injury from radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation has become t...Pulmonary vein stenosis(PVS) is rare condition characterized by a challenging diagnosis and unfavorable prognosis at advance stages. At present, injury from radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation has become the main cause of the disease. PVS is characterized by a progressive lumen size reduction of one or more pulmonary veins that, when hemodynamically significant, may raise lobar capillary pressure leading to signs and symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough, and hemoptysis. Image techniques(transesophageal echocardiography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance and perfusion imaging) are essential to reach a final diagnosis and decide an appropriate therapy. In this regard, series from referral centers have shown that surgical and transcatheter interventions may improve prognosis. The purpose of this article is to review the etiology, assessment and management of PVS.展开更多
AIM To investigate any changing trends in the etiologies of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) in Argentina during the last years. METHODS A longitudinal cohort study was conducted by 14 regional hospitals starting in 2009...AIM To investigate any changing trends in the etiologies of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) in Argentina during the last years. METHODS A longitudinal cohort study was conducted by 14 regional hospitals starting in 2009 through 2016. All adult patients with newly diagnosed HCC either with pathology or imaging criteria were included. Patients were classified as presenting non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) either by histology or clinically, provided that all other etiologies of liver disease were ruled out, fatty liver was present on abdominal ultrasound and alcohol consumption was excluded. Complete follow-up was assessed in all included subjects since the date of HCC diagnosis until death or last medical visit.RESULTS A total of 708 consecutive adults with HCC were included. Six out of 14 hospitals were liver transplant centers(n = 484). The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 27.7%. Overall, HCV was the main cause of liver disease related with HCC(37%) including cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients, followed by alcoholic liver disease 20.8%, NAFLD 11.4%, cryptogenic 9.6%, HBV 5.4% infection, cholestatic disease and autoimmune hepatitis 2.2%, and other causes 9.9%. A 6-fold increase in the percentage corresponding to NAFLDHCC was detected when the starting year, i.e., 2009 was compared to the last one, i.e., 2015(4.3% vs 25.6%; P < 0.0001). Accordingly, a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus was present in NAFLD-HCC group 61.7% when compared to other than NAFLD-HCC 23.3%(P < 0.0001). Lower median AFP values at HCC diagnosis were observed between NAFLD-HCC and non-NAFLD groups(6.6 ng/m L vs 26 ng/m L; P = 0.02). Neither NAFLD nor other HCC etiologies were associated with higher mortality.CONCLUSION The growing incidence of NAFLD-HCC documented in the United States and Europe is also observed in Argentina, a confirmation with important Public Health implications.展开更多
INTRODUCTIONIt has now been almost 20 years since the initialdescriptions of a heretofore unrecognized disorderafflicting homosexual men and manifesting asPneumocystis carinii pneumonia and Kaposi’ssarcoma.With the i...INTRODUCTIONIt has now been almost 20 years since the initialdescriptions of a heretofore unrecognized disorderafflicting homosexual men and manifesting asPneumocystis carinii pneumonia and Kaposi’ssarcoma.With the identification of the humanimmunodeficiency virus(HIV) as the etiology ofthis syndrome,there has been exponential growth inour understanding of this devastating展开更多
基金Supported by Anhui Provincial Natural Science Foundation,No.2108085MH298University Scientific Research Project of Anhui Provincial Education Department,No.KJ2021A0323+1 种基金Fund of Anhui Medical University,No.2021xkj196Clinical Medicine Project of Anhui Medical University,No.2021LCXK027.
文摘We read with interest the article by Xing Wang,which was published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Hepatology 2023;15:1294-1306.This article focuses particularly on the prevalence and trends in the etiology of liver cirrhosis(LC),prognosis for patients suffering from cirrhosis-related complications and hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),and management strategies.The etiology of cirrhosis varies according to geographical,economic,and population factors.Viral hepatitis is the dominant cause in China.Vaccination and effective treatment have reduced the number of people with viral hepatitis,but the overall number is still large.Patients with viral hepatitis who progress over time to LC and HCC remain an important population to manage.The increased incidence of metabolic syndrome and alcohol consumption is likely to lead to a potential exponential increase in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease(MASLD)-associated LC and alcoholic liver disease in the future.Investigating the evolution of the etiology of LC is important for guiding the direction of future research and policy development.These changing trends indicate a need for greater emphasis on tackling obesity and diabetes,and implementing more effective measures to regulate alcohol consumption in order to reduce the occurrence of MASLD.In an effort to help cope with these changing trends,the authors further proposed countermeasures for healthcare authorities doctors,and patients.
文摘Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a condition characterized by the gradual narrowing and blockage of blood vessels in the brain, specifically those in the circle of Willis and the arteries that supply it. This results in reduced blood flow and oxygen to the brain, leading to progressive symptoms and potential complications. The underlying pathophysiological mechanism remains elucidated. However, recent studies have highlighted numerous etiologic factors: abnormal immune complex responses, susceptibility genes, branched-chain amino acids, antibodies, heritable diseases, and acquired diseases, which may be the great potential triggers for the development of moyamoya disease. Its clinical presentation has varying degrees from transient asymptomatic events to significant neurological deficits. Moyamoya disease (MMD) shows different patterns in children and adults. Children with MMD are more susceptible to ischemic events due to decreased blood flow to the brain. Conversely, adults with MMD are more prone to hemorrhagic events involving brain bleeding. Children with MMD may experience a range of symptoms including motor impairments, sensory issues, seizures, headaches, dizziness, cognitive delays, or ongoing neurological problems. Although adults may present with similar clinical symptoms as children, they are more prone to experiencing sudden onset intraventricular, subarachnoid, or intracerebral hemorrhages. One of the challenges in moyamoya disease is the potential for misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis, particularly when physicians fail to consider MMD as a possible cause in stroke patients. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of recent global studies on the pathophysiology of MMD, along with advancements in its management. Additionally, the review will delve into various surgical treatment options for MMD, as well as its rare occurrence alongside atrioventricular malformations. Exciting prospects include the use of autologous bone marrow transplant and the potential role of Connexin 43 protein treatment in the development of moyamoya disease.
基金This work was supported by China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences’Science and technology innovation project(CI2021B001)-Innovation team of Basic Theories of Chinese MedicineChina Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences’Youth Science and Technology Talent Project(Inheritance)(ZZ13-YQ-112)+2 种基金Shanxi Province Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Project(2022ZYYC280)Shanxi province Basic Research Program(202303021212235)Fundamental Research Funds for the Central public welfare research institutes(YZ-202034).
文摘Traditional Chinese Medicine has played an important role in the prevention and treatment of the Corona Virus Disease 2019 epidemic.But in views of different TCM scholars there are different opinions about disease name,characteristic of etiology,law of pathogenesis about this epidemic.Based on related literatures,this article overviews of the characteristics of TCM etiology,law of pathogenesis and methods of syndrome differentiation,hoping to find research method that fit in with TCM clinical practice.Prerequisite of treatment is identifying the cause.The clinical manifestations of patients are important to TCM,and the etiological attributes can be inferred from the clinical manifestations.SARS-CoV-2 belongs to exogenous etiological factors,but there are different opinions about its characteristics of six pathogenic factors.Cold,Dampness,Warm,Dry,Toxin,Summer-heat,Wind,are all involved.Thus,different understanding of the pathogenesis and the law of transmission is caused.Such as cold and dampness hurt Yang,furthermore,consumed of Qi;dampness and toxin infected from external environment,turbid dampness produced inside the body;dryness affecting lungs and consume of Yin;warm-heat-turbid-toxin affected lungs,stomach and intestine;and then produced phlegm stagnation or blood stasis,furthermore consumed Qi and Yin.Based on those differences,methods of syndrome differentiation in treatment of COVID-19 are diverse,which contain pattern differentiation of zang-fu organs,pattern differentiation of Wei-defence,Qi,Ying nutrients and blood;pattern differentiation by the eight principles,and pattern differentiation of six meridians.Because of SARS-CoV-2 can spread to the whole country or even the whole world in a short period of time,its pathogenic nature should be roughly the same.So studying the treatment of COVID-19 based on clinical cases,refining the similarities and differences in the clinical presentation of patients with different subtypes during the epidemic,clarification of the etiologic attribution and evolutionary patterns of disease mechanisms,developing a comprehensive understanding of COVID-19 in Chinese medicine is needed.Furthermore,getting a full understanding of COVID-19,and providing reference for the prevention and treatment of unknown infectious diseases.
基金Supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province,No.2016A030307035Special Research Plan 2019 of Chaozhou,No.2020xg01High-Level Development Plan of People’s Hospital of Yangjiang,No.G2020007.
文摘BACKGROUND Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is one of the common diseases of newborns that typically presents with yellow staining of skin,resulting in sequelaes such as hearing loss,motor and intellectual development disorders,and even death.The pathogenic factors of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia are complex.Different cases of hyperbilirubinemia may have a single or mixed etiology.AIM To explore the etiological characteristics of severe hyperbilirubinemia in term newborns of eastern Guangdong of China.METHODS Term newborns with severe hyperbilirubinemia in one hospital from January 2012 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.The etiology was determined according to the laboratory results and clinical manifestations.RESULTS Among 1602 term newborns with hyperbilirubinemia in eastern Guangdong of China,32.20%(580/1602)was severe hyperbilirubinemia.Among the causes of severe hyperbilirubinemia,neonatal hemolysis accounted for 15.17%,breast milk jaundice accounted for 12.09%,infection accounted for 10.17%,glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase(G6PD)deficiency accounted for 9.14%,and the coexistence of multiple etiologies accounted for 6.55%,unknown etiology accounted for 41.72%.ABO hemolysis and G6PD deficiency were the most common causes in the 20 cases with bilirubin encephalopathy.94 severe hyperbilirubinemia newborns were tested for uridine diphosphate glucuronosyl transferase 1A1(UGT1A1)*6 variant(rs4148323,c.211G>A,p.Arg71Gly),9 cases were 211 G to A homozygous variant,37 cases were 211 G to A heterozygous variant,and 48 cases were wild genotypes.CONCLUSION The main cause for severe hyperbilirubinemia and bilirubin encephalopathy in eastern Guangdong of China were the hemolytic disease of the newborns,G6PD deficiency and infection.UGT1A1 gene variant was also a high-risk factor for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.Targeted prevention and treatment according to the etiology may reduce the occurrence of bilirubin encephalopathy and kernicterus.
基金This study was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital(IRB No.202201601B0).
文摘BACKGROUND Whether clinical outcomes of acute cholangitis(AC)vary by etiology is unclear.AIM To compare outcomes in AC caused by malignant biliary obstruction(MBO)and common bile duct stones(CBDS).METHODS This retrospective study included 516 patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP)due to AC caused by MBO(MBO group,n=56)and CBDS(CBDS group,n=460).Clinical and laboratory parameters were compared between the groups.Propensity score matching(PSM)created 55 matched pairs.Confounders used in the PSM analysis were age,sex,time to ERCP,and technical success of ERCP.The primary outcome comparison was 30-d mortality.The secondary outcome comparisons were intensive care unit(ICU)admission rate,length of hospital stay(LOHS),and 30-d readmission rate.RESULTS Compared with the CBDS group,the MBO group had significantly lower body temperature,percentage of abnormal white blood cell counts,and serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase,alanine aminotransferase,and creatinine.Body temperature,percent abnormal white blood cell count,and serum aspartate aminotransferase levels remained significantly lower in the MBO group in the PSM analysis.Platelet count,prothrombin time/international normalized ratio,and serum levels of alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin were significantly higher in the MBO group.The MBO group had a significantly higher percentage of severe AC(33.9%vs 22.0%,P=0.045)and received ERCP later(median,92.5 h vs 47.4 h,P<0.001).However,the two differences were not found in the PSM analysis.The 30-d mortality(5.4%vs 0.7%,P=0.019),ICU admission rates(12.5%vs 4.8%,P=0.028),30-d readmission rates(23.2%vs 8.0%,P<0.001),and LOHS(median,16.5 d vs 7.0 d,P<0.001)were significantly higher or longer in the MBO group.However,only LOHS remained significant in the PSM analysis.Multivariate analysis revealed that time to ERCP and multiple organ dysfunction were independent factors associated with 30-d mortality.CONCLUSION MBO patients underwent ERCP later and thus had a worse prognosis than CBDS patients.Therefore,clinicians should remain vigilant in MBO patients with clinically suspected AC,and perform ERCP for biliary drainage as soon as possible.
基金supported by the Medical Science and Technology Project of Zhejiang Province(No.2019KY584)Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Project of Zhejiang Province(No.2023ZL648).
文摘Objective To investigate the etiology,clinical characteristics,diagnosis,and treatment strategies and efficacy of pulsatile tinnitus(PT)caused by vascular anatomy abnormality.Methods The clinical data of 45 patients with PT in our hospital from 2012 to 2019 were collected and retrospectively analyzed.Results All 45 patients had vascular anatomical abnormalities.The patients were divided into 10 categories according to the different locations of vascular abnormalities:sigmoid sinus diverticulum(SSD),sigmoid sinus wall dehiscence(SSWD),SSWD with high jugular bulb,pure dilated mastoid emissary vein,aberrant internal carotid artery(ICA)in the middle ear,transverse-sigmoid sinus(TSS)transition stenosis,TSS transition stenosis with SSD,persistent occipital sinus stenosis,petrous segment stenosis of ICA,and dural arteriovenous fistula.All patients complained of PT synchronous with heartbeat rhythm.Endovascular interventional therapy and extravascular open surgery were used according to the location of the vascular lesions.Tinnitus disappeared in 41 patients,was significantly relieved in 3 patients,and was unchanged in 1 patient postoperatively.Except for one patient with transient headache postoperatively,no obvious complications occurred.Conclusion PT caused by vascular anatomy abnormalities can be identified by detailed medical history and physical and imaging examination.PT can be relieved or even completely alleviated after appropriate surgical treatments.
文摘BACKGROUND As a result of improved and novel treatment strategies,the spectrum of patients with cardiovascular disease is consistently changing.Overall,those patients are typically older and characterized by increased burden with comorbidities.Limited data on the prognostic impact of age in cardiogenic shock(CS)is available.Therefore,this study investigates the prognostic impact of age in patients with CS.METHODS From 2019 to 2021,consecutive patients with CS of any cause were included.The prognostic value of age(i.e.,60-80 years and>80 years)was investigated for 30-day all-cause mortality.Spearman’s correlations,Kaplan-Meier analyses,as well as multivariable Cox proportional regression analyses were performed for statistics.Subsequent risk assessment was performed based on the presence or absence of CS related to acute myocardial infarction(AMI).RESULTS 223 CS patients were included with a median age of 77 years(interquartile range:69-82 years).No significant difference in 30-day all-cause mortality was observed for both age-groups(54.6%vs.63.4%,log-rank P=0.169;HR=1.273,95%CI:0.886-1.831,P=0.192).In contrast,when analyzing subgroups stratified by CS-etiology,AMI-related CS patients of the group>80 years showed an increased risk of 30-day all-cause mortality(78.1%vs.60.0%,log-rank P=0.032;HR=1.635,95%CI:1.000-2.673,P=0.050),which was still evident after multivariable adjustment(HR=2.072,95%CI:1.174-3.656,P=0.012).CONCLUSIONS Age was not associated with 30-day all-cause mortality in patients with CS of mixed etiology.However,increasing age was shown to be a significant predictor of increased mortality-risk in the subgroup of patients presenting with AMI-CS.
文摘Chemical ocular injury is one of the common ophthalmologic emergencies that can cause vision loss and serious complications.Despite all protective measures,it continues to be a serious public health problem,especially in young male patients.Although it is known that injuries occur most frequently in the workplace and in young male patients,there is a variable frequency and distribution in different regions around the world.In addition,with the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic,there are changing trends in ocular chemical injuries.This review aims to specify an update on the epidemiological and etiological features of ocular chemical injuries.
文摘BACKGROUND Acute liver injury(ALI)refers to inflammation of the hepatic parenchyma without hepatic encephalopathy that lasts less than 6 mo.When the etiology is unknown,Acute Hepatitis of Unknown Origin(AHUO)can present as a diagnostic and treatment challenge.AHUO in the adult population is unusual and poorly documented.It has an incidence between 11%and 75%.Currently,no treatment guidelines exist.With no identified cause,treatment is often blind,and the wrong treatment plan may have unintended consequences.CASE SUMMARY We present the case of a 58-year-old woman who presented to the emergency room for elevated liver function tests(LFTs).Her symptoms started 10 d prior to admission and included nausea,vomiting,jaundice,decreased appetite,weight loss of 10 lbs,and dark urine.She denied drinking alcohol or taking any hepatotoxic agents,including acetaminophen,statins,vitamins,or supplements.She was admitted to the hospital,and an etiologic work-up was carried out.Her initial bloodwork revealed elevated liver enzymes(alanine aminotransferase 2500 U/L,aspartate aminotransferase 3159 U/L,and alkaline phosphatase 714 U/L)and elevated total bilirubin of 6.4 mg/dL.She tested negative for common infectious etiologies such as hepatotropic viruses A,B,C,and E.Further infective work-up revealed negative serology for cytomegalovirus,Epstein-Barr virus,herpes simplex virus 1&2,and human immunodeficiency virus.Her autoanti-body test results were negative,including anti-smooth muscle antibody,anti-mitochondrial antibody,and anti-liver kidney microsome 1 antibody.Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography ruled out biliary causes of elevated LFTs,and her core liver biopsy proved inconclusive.Over the course of her hospital stay,the patient's LFTs improved with supportive care and without steroids.CONCLUSION Idiopathic hepatitis makes treatment challenging.It can leave patients feeling confused and unfulfilled.Thus,educating the patient thoroughly for shared decision-making and management becomes essential.
文摘Background: Maxillofacial injury may vary from simple soft tissue lacerations to complex fractures of the orofacial region. Soft tissue injuries, whether isolated or in combination with other injuries, form part of the frequent traumatic craniofacial injuries seen at the emergency department. The force of impact and the injury type is directly related to the severity of the injury sustained. This study aimed to analyze the etiological factors, prevalence, and management of oral and maxillofacial soft tissue injuries at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. Methods: This was a prospective study that involved children presenting with oral and maxillofacial injuries at the Accident and Emergency Department and the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery unit of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi between the period of April to October 2020 (6 months). Patient selection was by convenience sampling targeting all children with injuries who met the inclusion criteria. Inclusion criteria were children below the age of 18 years whose parents or caregivers consent to participation. Children with maxillofacial injuries as a result of burns were excluded from the study. Results: During the study period a total of 134 children were reviewed with oral and maxillofacial injuries at KATH. Of these, 107 (78.9%) were recorded cases of orofacial soft tissue injuries. There were 63 (58.9%) males and 44 (41.1%) females and the male-to-female ratio was 1.5:1. The age range of patients studied was 8 months – 17 years, with mean age ± SD being 9.5 ± 5.3 years. Road Traffic Crash (50.5%) was the most common etiology of which Motor cycle crash constituted 24.3% and Pedestrian knockdown was 19.6%. Falls (42.1%) were the next most common etiology. The lips (19.8%) and the forehead (18.5%) were the most frequently injured sites on the face whiles the tongue (3.3%) had the most injuries intraorally. Laceration (45.7%) was the most frequent injury reviewed, followed by abrasions (35.8%). Most of the soft tissue injuries underwent primary closure (56.3%). A complication rate of 21.2% was recorded in this study and hypertrophic scarring (11.3%) was the most observed.
文摘Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is a complex and heterogeneous disorder with multiple etiologies. Genetic factors are thought to play an important role in the etiology of RSA. With recent advances in genetic testing technologies, there has been an increasing interest in using these tools to diagnose the etiology of RSA. This review discusses the different types of genetic testing methods, such as karyotyping, chromosomal microarray analysis, next-generation sequencing, and their applications in the diagnosis of the etiology RSA. The use of genetic testing in the diagnosis of RSA has the potential to improve the accuracy of diagnosis and the understanding of the underlying mechanisms of the disorder, which could lead to better management and treatment of affected individuals.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81300251
文摘Liver fibrosis is a reversible wound-healing process aimed at maintaining organ integrity, and presents as the critical pre-stage of liver cirrhosis, which will eventually progress to hepatocellular carcinoma in the absence of liver transplantation. Fibrosis generally results from chronic hepatic injury caused by various factors, mainly viral infection, schistosomiasis, and alcoholism; however, the exact pathological mechanisms are still unknown. Although numerous drugs have been shown to have antifibrotic activity in vitro and in animal models, none of these drugs have been shown to be efficacious in the clinic. Importantly, hepatic stellate cells(HSCs) play a key role in the initiation, progression, and regression of liver fibrosis by secreting fibrogenic factors that encourage portal fibrocytes, fibroblasts, and bone marrow-derived myofibroblasts to produce collagen and thereby propagate fibrosis. These cells are subject to intricate cross-talk with adjacent cells, resulting in scarring and subsequent liver damage. Thus, an understanding of the molecular mechanisms of liver fibrosis and their relationships with HSCs is essential for the discovery of new therapeutic targets. This comprehensive review outlines the role of HSCs in liver fibrosis and details novel strategies to suppress HSC activity, thereby providing new insights into potential treatments for liver fibrosis.
文摘Esophageal cancer is one of the most fatal diseases worldwide mainly because of its rapid progression and poor prognosis.Although the incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma has markedly risen in North America and Europe in the past several decades, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is still the predominant subtype of esophageal cancer, especially in China. It accounts for more than 90% of all esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cases in China. Geographical differentiation is one of the most distinctive characteristics of esophageal cancer. The progression, risk factors, and prognosis of these two subtypes of esophageal cancer differ. This study reviews the epidemiology, etiology, and prevention of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in China, thereby providing systematic references for policy-makers who will decide on issues of esophageal cancer prevention and control.
文摘INTRODUCTIONStomach carcinoma is still the leading cause of cancer deathin China and the second one in the world.Its possiblecauses include:A)chemical factors such as intragastricformation of N-nitroso compounds(NOC)and high saltintake;B)biological factors such as infection
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China,№48970193
文摘INTRODUCTIONChina is a country with a high incidence of liver cancer insome areas.Liver cancer has a wide distribution andthreatens human health seriously.A rough estimationshows that out of a population of 1.2×10~8 in liver
基金supported by State Major Project of Infections Disease Control and Prevention of China [2017ZX10104001-002-003 and 2014ZX10004001-002]the National Key Research and Development Program of China [2016YFD0500301 and 2016YFC1200200]
文摘Objective This study was conducted to investigate the viral and bacterial etiology and epidemiology of patients with acute febrile respiratory syndrome(AFRS) in Qinghai using a commercial routine multiplex-ligation-nucleic acid amplification test(NAT)-based assay. Methods A total of 445 nasopharyngeal swabs specimens from patients with AFRS were analyzed using the RespiFinderSmart22 kit(PathoFinder BV, Netherlands) and the LightCycler 480 real-time PCR system. Results Among the 225(225/445, 51%) positive specimens, 329 positive pathogens were detected, including 298(90.58%) viruses and 31(9%) bacteria. The most commonly detected pathogens were influenza virus(IFV;37.39%;123/329), adenovirus(AdV;17.02%;56/329), human coronaviruses(HCoVs;10.94%;36/329), rhinovirus/enterovirus(RV/EV;10.03%;33/329), parainfluenza viruses(PIVs;8.51%;28/329), and Mycoplasma pneumoniae(M. pneu;8.51%;28/329), respectively. Among the co-infected cases(17.53%;78/445), IFV/AdV and IFV/M. pneu were the most common co-infections. Most of the respiratory viruses were detected in summer and fall. Conclusion In our study, IFV-A was the most common respiratory pathogen among 22 detected pathogens, followed by AdV, HCoV, RV/EV, PIV, and M. pneu. Bacteria appeared less frequently than viruses, and co-infection was the most common phenomenon among viral pathogens. Pathogens were distributed among different age groups and respiratory viruses were generally active in July, September, and November. Enhanced surveillance and early detection can be useful in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of AFRS, as well as for guiding the development of appropriate public health strategies.
文摘Microscopic colitis is a common cause of chronic,nonbloody diarrhea. Microscopic colitis is more common in women than men and usually affects patients in their sixth and seventh decade. This article reviews the etiology and medical management of microscopic colitis. The etiology of microscopic colitis is unknown, but it is associated with autoimmune disorders, such as celiac disease, polyarthritis, and thyroid disorders. Smoking has been identified as a risk factor of mi-croscopic colitis. Exposure to medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, proton pump inhibitors, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, is suspected to play a role in microscopic colitis, although their direct causal relationship has not been proven. Multiple medications, including corticosteroids, anti-diarrheals, cholestyramine, bismuth, 5-aminosalicylates, and immunomodulators, have been used to treat microscopic colitis with variable response rates. Budesonide is effective in inducing and maintaining clinical remission but relapse rate is as high as 82% when budesonide is discontinued. There is limited data on management of steroid-dependent microscopic colitis or refractory microscopic colitis. Immunomodulators seem to have low response rate 0%-56% for patients with refractory microscopic colitis. Response rate 66%-100% was observed for use of anti-tumor necrosis factor(TNF) therapy for refractory microscopic colitis. Anti-TNF and diverting ileostomy may be an option in severe or refractory microscopic colitis.
文摘Pulmonary vein stenosis(PVS) is rare condition characterized by a challenging diagnosis and unfavorable prognosis at advance stages. At present, injury from radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation has become the main cause of the disease. PVS is characterized by a progressive lumen size reduction of one or more pulmonary veins that, when hemodynamically significant, may raise lobar capillary pressure leading to signs and symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough, and hemoptysis. Image techniques(transesophageal echocardiography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance and perfusion imaging) are essential to reach a final diagnosis and decide an appropriate therapy. In this regard, series from referral centers have shown that surgical and transcatheter interventions may improve prognosis. The purpose of this article is to review the etiology, assessment and management of PVS.
文摘AIM To investigate any changing trends in the etiologies of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) in Argentina during the last years. METHODS A longitudinal cohort study was conducted by 14 regional hospitals starting in 2009 through 2016. All adult patients with newly diagnosed HCC either with pathology or imaging criteria were included. Patients were classified as presenting non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) either by histology or clinically, provided that all other etiologies of liver disease were ruled out, fatty liver was present on abdominal ultrasound and alcohol consumption was excluded. Complete follow-up was assessed in all included subjects since the date of HCC diagnosis until death or last medical visit.RESULTS A total of 708 consecutive adults with HCC were included. Six out of 14 hospitals were liver transplant centers(n = 484). The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 27.7%. Overall, HCV was the main cause of liver disease related with HCC(37%) including cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients, followed by alcoholic liver disease 20.8%, NAFLD 11.4%, cryptogenic 9.6%, HBV 5.4% infection, cholestatic disease and autoimmune hepatitis 2.2%, and other causes 9.9%. A 6-fold increase in the percentage corresponding to NAFLDHCC was detected when the starting year, i.e., 2009 was compared to the last one, i.e., 2015(4.3% vs 25.6%; P < 0.0001). Accordingly, a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus was present in NAFLD-HCC group 61.7% when compared to other than NAFLD-HCC 23.3%(P < 0.0001). Lower median AFP values at HCC diagnosis were observed between NAFLD-HCC and non-NAFLD groups(6.6 ng/m L vs 26 ng/m L; P = 0.02). Neither NAFLD nor other HCC etiologies were associated with higher mortality.CONCLUSION The growing incidence of NAFLD-HCC documented in the United States and Europe is also observed in Argentina, a confirmation with important Public Health implications.
文摘INTRODUCTIONIt has now been almost 20 years since the initialdescriptions of a heretofore unrecognized disorderafflicting homosexual men and manifesting asPneumocystis carinii pneumonia and Kaposi’ssarcoma.With the identification of the humanimmunodeficiency virus(HIV) as the etiology ofthis syndrome,there has been exponential growth inour understanding of this devastating
