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1.
Hepatol Int ; 2024 Sep 09.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39249647

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the impact of metabolic-associated diseases (MADs) on patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). METHODS: The study analyzed the clinical characteristics of 283 AIH patients who underwent liver biopsy between January 2016 and February 2022 in Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai, China. RESULTS: Among the identified AIH patients (n = 283), 87.3%, 23.0%, or 43.1% had MADs, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), or severe fibrosis, respectively. The proportion of diabetes mellitus (DM) was significantly higher in patients with severe liver fibrosis than in those with mild or moderate fibrosis in the AIH cohort (31.1% vs. 18.0%, p < 0.05). Fibrosis was also more severe in patients with NAFLD than in those without (53.8% vs. 39.9%, p < 0.05). Age, Plts, IgG and the presence with MADs were identified as independent predictors of the severity of inflammation in AIH patients. Moreover, severe liver fibrosis (stages 3 to 4) was independently associated with male (OR, 2.855; p = 0.025), γ-GT (OR, 0.997; p = 0.007), and combination with MADs (OR, 4.917; p = 0.006). Furthermore, combination with DM was also an independent predictor of severe liver fibrosis in AIH patients (OR, 2.445, p = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: Concurrent MADs, common in AIH patients, is an independent risk factor for severe fibrosis or inflammation; of note, combination with DM was also an independent predictor of severe liver fibrosis in AIH patients. While managing with AIH, routine assessment of co-existing MADs, especially DM, is also important.

2.
Front Immunol ; 15: 1431495, 2024.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39206201

RESUMEN

Gastrointestinal mucosal surface is frequently under challenge due to it's the large surface area and most common entry of microbes. IL-37, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, regulates local and systemic host immunity. H. pylori infection leads to the inhibition of IL-37 in the gastric mucosa, contributing to heightened mucosal inflammation and destruction, thereby facilitating increased proliferation of H. pylori. Food allergy, due to immune dysregulation, also contribute to GI injury. On the other hand, elevated levels of IL-37 observed in gastric cancer patients align with reduced host immunity at the cellular and humoral levels, indicating that IL-37 may contribute to the development of gastric cancer via suppressing pro-inflammatory responses. While IL-37 provides protection in an IBD animal model, the detection of highly produced IL-37 in IBD patients suggests a stage-dependent role, being protective in acute inflammation but potentially exacerbates the development of IBD in chronic conditions. Moreover, elevated colonic IL-37 in CRC correlates with overall survival time and disease time, indicating a protective role for IL-37 in CRC. The differential regulation and expression of IL-37 between upper- and lower-GI organs may be attributed to variations in the microbial flora. This information suggests that IL-37 could be a potential therapeutic agent, depending on the stage and location.


Asunto(s)
Enfermedades Gastrointestinales , Interleucina-1 , Humanos , Interleucina-1/metabolismo , Animales , Enfermedades Gastrointestinales/inmunología , Enfermedades Gastrointestinales/metabolismo , Infecciones por Helicobacter/inmunología , Infecciones por Helicobacter/metabolismo , Mucosa Gástrica/metabolismo , Mucosa Gástrica/inmunología , Mucosa Gástrica/microbiología , Helicobacter pylori/inmunología , Microbioma Gastrointestinal/inmunología
3.
Front Med (Lausanne) ; 11: 1418967, 2024.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39086957

RESUMEN

Aims: To evaluate the effects of acupuncture and/or nicotine patches on smoking cessation. Methods: Eighty-eight participants were randomly allocated into four groups: acupuncture combined with nicotine patch (ACNP), acupuncture combined with sham nicotine patch (ACSNP), sham acupuncture combined with nicotine patch (SACNP), and sham acupuncture combined with sham nicotine patch (SACSNP). The primary outcome was self-reported smoking abstinence verified with expiratory Carbon Monoxide (CO) after 8 weeks of treatment. The modified Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) score, Minnesota Nicotine Withdrawal Scale (MNWS), and the Brief Questionnaire of Smoking Urge (QSU-Brief) score were used as secondary indicators. SPSS 26.0 and Prism 9 software were used for statistical analyses. Results: Seventy-eight participants completed the study. There were no significant differences in patient characteristics at baseline across the four groups. At the end of treatment, there was a statistically significant difference (χ2 = 8.492, p = 0.037) in abstaining rates among the four groups. However, there were no significant differences in the reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked daily (p = 0.111), expiratory CO (p = 0.071), FTND score (p = 0.313), and MNWS score (p = 0.088) among the four groups. There was a statistically significant difference in QUS-Brief score changes among the four groups (p = 0.005). There was no statistically significant interaction between acupuncture and nicotine patch. Conclusion: Acupuncture combined with nicotine replacement patch therapy was more effective for smoking cessation than acupuncture alone or nicotine replacement patch alone. No adverse reactions were found in the acupuncture treatment process. Clinical trial registration: http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=61969, identifier ChiCTR2100042912.

4.
Front Oncol ; 14: 1365364, 2024.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38725622

RESUMEN

Background: The progress in Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and management has resulted in an unprecedented caseload for histopathological diagnosis. While artificial intelligence (AI) presents a potential solution, the predominant emphasis on slide-level aggregation performance without thorough verification of cancer in each location, impedes both explainability and transparency. Effectively addressing these challenges is crucial to ensuring the reliability and efficacy of AI in histology applications. Method: In this study, we created an innovative AI algorithm using transfer learning from a polyp segmentation model in endoscopy. The algorithm precisely localized CRC targets within 0.25 mm² grids from whole slide imaging (WSI). We assessed the CRC detection capabilities at this fine granularity and examined the influence of AI on the diagnostic behavior of pathologists. The evaluation utilized an extensive dataset comprising 858 consecutive patient cases with 1418 WSIs obtained from an external center. Results: Our results underscore a notable sensitivity of 90.25% and specificity of 96.60% at the grid level, accompanied by a commendable area under the curve (AUC) of 0.962. This translates to an impressive 99.39% sensitivity at the slide level, coupled with a negative likelihood ratio of <0.01, signifying the dependability of the AI system to preclude diagnostic considerations. The positive likelihood ratio of 26.54, surpassing 10 at the grid level, underscores the imperative for meticulous scrutiny of any AI-generated highlights. Consequently, all four participating pathologists demonstrated statistically significant diagnostic improvements with AI assistance. Conclusion: Our transfer learning approach has successfully yielded an algorithm that can be validated for CRC histological localizations in whole slide imaging. The outcome advocates for the integration of the AI system into histopathological diagnosis, serving either as a diagnostic exclusion application or a computer-aided detection (CADe) tool. This integration has the potential to alleviate the workload of pathologists and ultimately benefit patients.

5.
Front Immunol ; 15: 1384416, 2024.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38779687

RESUMEN

Introduction: Prostate Cancer (PCa) remains a significant concern in male cancer-related mortality. Tumour development is intricately regulated by the complex interactions between tumour cells and their microenvironment, making it essential to determine which is/are key factor(s) that influence the progression of PCa within the tumour microenvironment. Materials and methods: The current study utilised histopathology and immunohistochemistry to determine the expression of IL-38 in PCa and analysed the correlation between the expression level of IL-38 within PCa and clinical pathological characteristics. Results: There was a significant increase in IL-38 expression in PCa tissues compared to adjacent non-PCa tissues (P < 0.0001). In addition, IL-38 expression was significantly higher in tumour cells with a high proliferation index compared to those with a low value-added index. ROC curve analysis demonstrated that IL-38 has high specificity and sensitivity for the diagnosis of PCa (AUC=0.76). Moreover, we Probed the cellular source of IL-38 in prostate cancer tissue by immunofluorescence double staining. Additionally, within PCa, the expression of IL-38 was inversely correlated with the expression levels of CD8 and PD-1. Survival analysis revealed a significantly lower overall survival rate for PCa patients with high IL-38 expression (P=0.0069), and when IL-38 was co-expressed with CD8, the survival rate of the IL-38high/CD8low group was decreased significantly. Multivariate analysis indicated that the expression level of IL-38 and TNM staging were independent predictors of survival in PCa patients. Conclusion: These findings suggest that IL-38 plays a crucial role in the development of PCa, and the exploration of the correlation between IL-38 and various immune factors in the tumour microenvironment further reveals its mechanism of action, making it a potential target for immunotherapy in PCa.


Asunto(s)
Interleucinas , Neoplasias de la Próstata , Anciano , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Biomarcadores de Tumor , Interleucinas/metabolismo , Pronóstico , Receptor de Muerte Celular Programada 1/metabolismo , Receptor de Muerte Celular Programada 1/genética , Neoplasias de la Próstata/patología , Neoplasias de la Próstata/inmunología , Neoplasias de la Próstata/mortalidad , Neoplasias de la Próstata/metabolismo , Microambiente Tumoral/inmunología
6.
Trials ; 25(1): 299, 2024 May 02.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38698436

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate mindfulness-based intervention for hypertension with depression and/or anxiety. METHODS: 10-week mindfulness-based intervention, including health education for hypertension, exclusively for the control group, was administered to the intervention group to assist sixty hypertension patients with depression/anxiety. Among them, the intervention group comprised 8 men and 22 women, with a mean age of 60.02 years and a mean duration of hypertension of 6.29 years. The control group consisted of 14 men and 16 women with a mean age of 57.68 years and a mean duration of hypertension of 6.32 years. The severity of depressive and/or anxiety symptoms was assessed using the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7), along with blood pressure (BP) measurements taken twice daily. The study utilized a self-made self-efficacy scale and awareness of physical and mental health to evaluate mental health and state. RESULTS: The depression PHQ-9 or GAD-7 scores reduced by 21.1% or 17.8% in the mindfulness-based intervention group, compared to the control (Z = -2.040, P = 0.041) post 10-week period, suggesting significant reduction in anxiety/stress. These results were consistent with a reduction in systolic BP of 12.24 mm Hg (t = 6.041, P = 0.000). The self-efficacy score of the mindfulness intervention group significantly improved compared to the control (t = 7.818, P < 0.001), while the awareness of physical and mental health in the mindfulness intervention group significantly improved compared to the control (χ2 = 5.781, P = 0.016). CONCLUSION: Mindfulness-based, short-term focused interventions provide modest relief for depression and/or anxiety and are effective in lowering blood pressure and improving self-efficacy scores. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1900028258. Registered 16 December 2019, https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=43627 .


Asunto(s)
Ansiedad , Depresión , Hipertensión , Atención Plena , Humanos , Masculino , Atención Plena/métodos , Femenino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Hipertensión/terapia , Hipertensión/psicología , Depresión/terapia , Depresión/psicología , Ansiedad/terapia , Ansiedad/psicología , Anciano , Resultado del Tratamiento , Presión Sanguínea , Autoeficacia , Factores de Tiempo , Salud Mental
9.
Front Immunol ; 15: 1384548, 2024.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38533512

RESUMEN

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) presents a substantial challenge characterized by unacceptably high mortality and morbidity, primarily attributed to delayed diagnosis and reliance on palliative care. The immune response of the host plays a pivotal role in carcinogenesis, with IL-38 emerging as a potential protective factor in CRC. However, the precise involvement of IL-38 among various leucocytes, its interactions with PD-1/PD-L1, and its impact on metastasis require further elucidation. Results: Our investigation revealed a significant correlation between IL-38 expression and metastasis, particularly concerning survival and interactions among diverse leucocytes within draining lymph nodes. In the mesentery lymph nodes, we observed an inverse correlation between IL-38 expression and stages of lymph node invasions (TNM), invasion depth, distance, and differentiation. This aligns with an overall survival advantage associated with higher IL-38 expression in CRC patients' nodes compared to lower levels, as well as elevated IL-38 expression on CD4+ or CD8+ cells. Notably, a distinct subset of patients characterized by IL-38high/PD-1low expression exhibited superior survival outcomes compared to other combinations. Discussion: Our findings demonstrate that IL-38 expression in colorectal regional nodes from CRC patients is inversely correlated with PD-1/PD-L1 but positively correlated with infiltrating CD4+ or CD8+ lymphocytes. The combined assessment of IL-38 and PD-1 expression in colorectal regional nodes emerges as a promising biomarker for predicting the prognosis of CRC.


Asunto(s)
Antígeno B7-H1 , Neoplasias Colorrectales , Humanos , Antígeno B7-H1/metabolismo , Receptor de Muerte Celular Programada 1/metabolismo , Antígeno CTLA-4/metabolismo , Relevancia Clínica , Factores de Transcripción Forkhead/metabolismo , Ganglios Linfáticos , Interleucinas/metabolismo
10.
Front Immunol ; 15: 1322256, 2024.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38524127

RESUMEN

Introduction: Wound healing poses a clinical challenge in diabetes mellitus (DM) due to compromised host immunity. CD64, an IgG-binding Fcgr1 receptor, acts as a pro-inflammatory mediator. While its presence has been identified in various inflammatory diseases, its specific role in wound healing, especially in DM, remains unclear. Objectives: We aimed to investigate the involvement of CD64 in diabetic wound healing using a DM animal model with CD64 KO mice. Methods: First, we compared CD64 expression in chronic skin ulcers from human DM and non-DM skin. Then, we monitored wound healing in a DM mouse model over 10 days, with or without CD64 KO, using macroscopic and microscopic observations, as well as immunohistochemistry. Results: CD64 expression was significantly upregulated (1.25-fold) in chronic ulcerative skin from DM patients compared to non-DM individuals. Clinical observations were consistent with animal model findings, showing a significant delay in wound healing, particularly by day 7, in CD64 KO mice compared to WT mice. Additionally, infiltrating CD163+ M2 macrophages in the wounds of DM mice decreased significantly compared to non-DM mice over time. Delayed wound healing in DM CD64 KO mice correlated with the presence of inflammatory mediators. Conclusion: CD64 seems to play a crucial role in wound healing, especially in DM conditions, where it is associated with CD163+ M2 macrophage infiltration. These data suggest that CD64 relies on host immunity during the wound healing process. Such data may provide useful information for both basic scientists and clinicians to deal with diabetic chronic wound healing.


Asunto(s)
Diabetes Mellitus Experimental , Úlcera Cutánea , Cicatrización de Heridas , Animales , Ratones , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/metabolismo , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Macrófagos/metabolismo , Piel/metabolismo , Cicatrización de Heridas/genética
12.
Front Immunol ; 15: 1281121, 2024.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38312834

RESUMEN

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has garnered considerable attention due to its morbidity and mortality. Although the precise mechanisms underlying HCC tumorigenesis remain to be elucidated, evidence suggests that host immunity plays a pivotal role in its development. IL-36 and IL-37 are important immunoregulatory cytokines classified as pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory respectively. In the context of HCC, the downregulation of intrahepatic IL-36 is inversely correlated with cirrhosis, but positively correlated with 5-year survival rates, suggesting that IL-36 offers protection during HCC development. However, IL-36 may lose its hepatoprotective effects as the disease progresses to HCC in the context of dysregulated immunity in cirrhotic patients. Substantially increased circulating IL-36 in HCC patients is likely a systemic response to HCC stimulation, but is insufficient to suppress progression towards HCC. Intrahepatic IL-37 is suppressed in HCC patients, consistent with the inverse correlation between intrahepatic IL-37 and the level of AFP in HCC patients, suggesting IL-37 exerts hepatoprotection. There is no significant difference in IL-37 among differentiations of HCC or with respect to clinical BCLC stages or cirrhosis status in HCC patients. However, IL-37 protection is demonstrated in an IL-37 transfected HCC animal model, showing significantly reduced tumour size. IL-36/37 may inhibit HCC by enhancing M1 tumour-associated macrophages while not affecting M2 macrophages. The interplay between IL-36 (pro-inflammatory) and IL-37 (anti-inflammatory) is emerging as a crucial factor in host protection against the development of HCC. Further research is needed to investigate the complex mechanisms involved and the therapeutic potential of targeting these cytokines in HCC management.


Asunto(s)
Carcinoma Hepatocelular , Neoplasias Hepáticas , Animales , Humanos , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/patología , Neoplasias Hepáticas/patología , Citocinas/uso terapéutico , Cirrosis Hepática/tratamiento farmacológico , Antiinflamatorios/uso terapéutico
13.
BMJ Open ; 14(1): e080721, 2024 01 09.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38199633

RESUMEN

INTRODUCTION: Wearing masks has proven beneficial in preventing respiratory pathogen infections in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the impact of different mask types on physiological indicators and daily physical activity in COPD patients remains uncertain. This study aims to assess the immediate effects of various mask types on cardiopulmonary function indicators, subjective perceptions and the 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) in individuals with COPD. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This randomised controlled trial will enrol 129 stable COPD patients. Participants will be randomly divided into three groups: control, N95 mask and surgical mask groups. Each group will undergo both a 6-minute seated test and a 6-minute walk test (6MWT), without or with their respective masks. A 10-minute interval will be provided between the two phases. The primary indicators of the study include the 6MWD and blood oxygen saturation. Secondary outcomes encompass blood pressure, pulse rate, Borg score, Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) score and subjective perception score. Oxygen saturation, pulse rate and blood pressure will be recorded four times during the trial, while Borg and RPE scores will be compared before and after the 6MWT. Additionally, subjective perception scores will be collected after each mask-wearing stage. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study has received approval from the Ethics Committee of the Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine (approval number: 202335). We plan to disseminate research results through publication in a peer-reviewed journal or presentation at a conference. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR2300074554.


Asunto(s)
Comités de Ética , Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica , Humanos , Presión Sanguínea , Ejercicio Físico , Frecuencia Cardíaca , Ensayos Clínicos Controlados Aleatorios como Asunto
14.
Front Public Health ; 11: 1295464, 2023.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38026311

RESUMEN

Introduction: Healthcare workers risk of exposure to the influenza virus in their work, is a high-risk group for flu infections. Thus WHO recommends prioritizing flu vaccination for them-an approach adopted by >40 countries and/or regions worldwide. Methods: Cross-sectional studies on influenza vaccination rates among healthcare workers were collected from PubMed, EMBASE, CNKI, and CBM databases from inception to February 26, 2023. Influenza vaccination rates and relevant data for multiple logistic regression analysis, such as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), were extracted. Results: A total of 92 studies comprising 125 vaccination data points from 26 countries were included in the analysis. The meta-analysis revealed that the overall vaccination rate among healthcare workers was 41.7%. Further analysis indicated that the vaccination rate was 46.9% or 35.6% in low income or high income countries. Vaccination rates in the Americas, the Middle East, Oceania, Europe, Asia, and Africa were 67.1, 51.3, 48.7, 42.5, 28.5, and 6.5%, respectively. Influencing factors were age, length of service, education, department, occupation, awareness of the risk of influenza, and/or vaccines. Conclusion: The global influenza vaccination rate among healthcare workers is low, and comprehensive measures are needed to promote influenza vaccination among this population. Systematic review registration: www.inplysy.com, identifier: 202350051.


Asunto(s)
Vacunas contra la Influenza , Gripe Humana , Humanos , Gripe Humana/prevención & control , Gripe Humana/epidemiología , Estudios Transversales , Vacunación , Personal de Salud
15.
Cancer Manag Res ; 15: 895-904, 2023.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37663894

RESUMEN

Purpose: To investigate the role of IL-36 in the tumorigenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). IL-36 composed of a natural antagonist (IL-36Ra) and three agonists (IL-36α, -ß, -γ) that stimulate inflammation by binding to a common receptor consisting of IL-36R and IL-1RAcP. HCC is a common malignancy associated with high morbidity and mortality, often diagnosed at later stages. Although the exact role of IL-36α in HCC remains controversial, it is hypothesized that it may play a significant role in the development and progression of this cancer. Materials and Methods: In the current study, we measured both circulating and intrahepatic levels of IL-36α from HCC patients and healthy controls, using ELISA. The association between IL-36 and the differentiation of HCC was determined. Furthermore, the role IL-36 in both HCC and non-HCC cell lines was evaluated in vitro. Results: Circulating and intra-hepatic IL-36α was inversely correlated with differentiation of HCC, suggesting that IL-36α contribute to protection during the development of HCC. Based on bioinformatics, miR-27b-3p is closely related to downstream IL-36α. Thus, we determined miR-27b-3p expression in HCC tissues, showing upregulated miR-27b-3p was inversely correlated with IL-36α in HCC, perhaps via CXCL1 in HCC cells. It was confirmed that IL-36α inhibited HCC proliferation, viability and migration in vitro, consistent with reduced the expression of cytokines IL-1ß, IL-18, implying that IL-36α inhibited the possible involvement of pyroptosis. Conclusion: Our data suggests that IL-36α may be a potential therapeutic target and a prediction biomarker for the management of HCC.

16.
PLoS One ; 18(9): e0292388, 2023.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37768979

RESUMEN

INTRODUCTION: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common, irreversible but preventable disease characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms. The mortality rate of COPD is predicted to reach 5.4 million by the year 2060. Despite its heavy burden on healthcare expenditure worldwide, only 15% of cases are medically identified. The potential benefits of facemask-wearing for COPD patients remain a topic of debate. METHODS: We will conduct a systematic review of all randomized trials and non-randomized controlled trials to evaluate the impact of facemasks on COPD patients. Our review will be based on literature obtained through a comprehensive search strategy across multiple electronic databases, including the Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, the Chinese Biomedical Database (SinoMed), and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), with no restrictions on language or date of publication. Two independent researchers will extract and assess all relevant data using pre-designed data extraction forms. The included studies will be assessed using the Cochrane RoB2 tool and the suggested risk of bias criteria proposed by the Effective Practice and Organization of Care reviews group of the Cochrane collaboration. The quality of evidence will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. We will use Review Manager 5.4 software for statistical analysis. DISCUSSION: In the context of COVID-19, it is important for COPD patients to wear facemasks. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive and systematic assessment of the impact of facemasks on the physiology and activity of COPD patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration number CRD42022326265.


Asunto(s)
COVID-19 , Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica , Humanos , Máscaras , COVID-19/prevención & control , Revisiones Sistemáticas como Asunto , Equipo de Protección Personal , Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica/terapia , Metaanálisis como Asunto , Literatura de Revisión como Asunto
17.
PLoS One ; 18(6): e0286290, 2023.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37327232

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: To combat/control the COVID-19 pandemic, a complete lockdown was implemented in China for almost 6 months during 2020. PURPOSE: To determine the impact of a long-term lockdown on the academic performance of first-year nursing students via mandatory online learning, and to determine the benefits of online teaching. METHODS: The recruitment and academic performance of 1st-year nursing students were assessed between 2019 [prior to COVID-19, n = 195, (146 women)] and 2020 [during COVID-19, n = 180 (142 women)]. The independent sample t test or Mann-Whitney test was applied for a comparison between these two groups. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in student recruitment between 2019 and 2020. The overall performance of the first-year students improved in the Biochemistry, Immunopathology, Traditional Chinese Medicine Nursing and Combined Nursing courses via mandatory online teaching in 2020 compared with traditional teaching in 2019. CONCLUSION: Suspension of in-class learning but continuing education virtually online has occurred without negatively impacting academic performance, thus academic goals are more than achievable in a complete lockdown situation. This study offers firm evidence to forge a path for developments in teaching methods to better incorporate virtual learning and technology in order to adapt to fast-changing environments. However, the psychological/psychiatric and physical impact of the COVID-19 lockdown and the lack of face-to-face interaction on these students remains to be explored.


Asunto(s)
COVID-19 , Educación en Enfermería , Humanos , Femenino , Pandemias , Universidades , COVID-19/epidemiología , COVID-19/prevención & control , Control de Enfermedades Transmisibles
18.
Front Pharmacol ; 14: 1164309, 2023.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37168999

RESUMEN

Aim: To analyze the safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors in primary liver cancer patients and to identify the risk factors for immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Methods: The study enrolled 106 patients with primary liver cancer, including 81 with hepatocellular carcinoma and 25 with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. We analyzed the differences between groups in irAE occurrence, including those with and without targeted drugs and those who received interventional therapy. Results: The incidence of irAEs was 39%, with thyroid function, liver function, and skin events being the most common. There was no correlation among irAE incidence and the liver cancer type, stage, or severity; grade of Child-Pugh score; and Barcelona Clinical Liver Cancer classification. However, being overweight was a significant risk factor for irAEs, correlating with high body mass index. The combination of targeted drugs and/or transcatheter arterial chemoembolization therapy did not increase the incidence of irAEs. Conclusion: Being overweight is a potential risk factor for irAEs in primary liver cancer patients. However, there is no correlation between irAE incidence and the liver cancer type, stage, or severity or a combination of targeted drugs or transarterial chemoembolization therapy.

19.
Thyroid ; 33(7): 791-803, 2023 07.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37130043

RESUMEN

Background: Untreated adult hypothyroidism may be associated with cognitive and emotional impairment, but the precise underlying neuropathological mechanism is unknown. We investigated the brain morphological and functional abnormalities associated with cognition and emotion in hypothyroidism. Methods: This is a cross-sectional observational study. Forty-four newly diagnosed adult hypothyroid patients and 54 well-matched healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. All participants underwent three-dimensional T1-weighted imaging and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Morphological and seed-based functional connectivity (FC) analyses were performed to compare the intergroup differences. Neuropsychological tests, including the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Scale, 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-24), and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) were administered. Thyroid function test and blood lipid levels were measured. Correlations were computed between neuropsychological and biochemical measures with neuroimaging indices. Sensitive morphological or functional neuroimaging indicators were identified using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results: Compared with HCs, hypothyroid patients demonstrated lower total and subdomain scores on the MoCA and higher HAMD-24 and HAMA scores. Morphological analysis revealed the hypothyroid patients had significantly reduced gray matter (GM) volumes in the right superior frontal gyrus, superior temporal gyrus, left dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, and supplementary motor area as well as significantly increased GM volumes in the bilateral cerebellar Crus I and left precentral gyrus. Furthermore, seed-based FC analysis of hypothyroid patients showed increased FC between the right cerebellar Crus I and left precentral gyrus, triangular part of the inferior frontal gyrus, and angular gyrus of the inferior parietal lobe. The language scores of the MoCA were positively correlated with Jacobian values of the left supplementary motor area (r = 0.391, p = 0.046) and precentral gyrus (r = 0.401, p = 0.039). ROC analysis revealed FC value between cerebellar Crus I and angular gyrus could differentiate groups with relatively high accuracy (sensitivity: 75%, specificity: 77.8%, area under the curve: 0.794 [CI 0.701-0.888], p < 0.001). Conclusions: Untreated adult-onset hypothyroidism may be associated with impaired cognition and anxiety or depression. GM morphological alterations and FC of the cerebellum with subregions of the frontal and parietal lobes may represent key neuropathological mechanisms underlying the cognitive deterioration and mood dysregulation observed in hypothyroid adults. Clinical Trial Registration Number: chiCTR2000028966.


Asunto(s)
Sustancia Gris , Hipotiroidismo , Humanos , Adulto , Sustancia Gris/diagnóstico por imagen , Estudios Transversales , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética/métodos , Encéfalo/diagnóstico por imagen , Hipotiroidismo/diagnóstico por imagen
20.
PLoS One ; 18(4): e0282907, 2023.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37098014

RESUMEN

To control COVID-19 pandemic, complete lockdown was initiated in 2020. We investigated the impact of lockdown on tertiary-level academic performance, by comparing educational outcomes amongst first-year students during second semester of their medical course prior to and during lockdown. Evidence: The demographics, including educational outcomes of the two groups were not significantly different during semester one (prior to the lockdown). The academic performance amongst women was better than men prior to lockdown. However, the scores were improved significantly for both sexes during lockdown in 2020, following the complete online teaching, compared to that in 2019, showing no significant difference between men and women in 2020, for English and Chinese History. There were significant different scores between men and women in lab-based Histology Practice in 2019 (in-person tuition) and 2020 (online digital tuition), although only a significant improvement in women was observed between 2019 and 2020. Implication: the forced change to online delivery of the second semester of the first-year medical program in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic did not result in any decline in assessment outcomes in any of the subjects undertaken. We believe extensive online digital media should continue to be available to students in future.


Asunto(s)
COVID-19 , Masculino , Humanos , Femenino , COVID-19/epidemiología , COVID-19/prevención & control , Internet , Pandemias , Control de Enfermedades Transmisibles , Escolaridad
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