Inflammasome links traumatic brain injury, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and Alzheimer's disease

Traumatic brain injury, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and Alzheimer's disease are three distinct neurological disorders that share common pathophysiological mechanisms involving neuroinflammation. One sequela of neuroinflammation includes the pathologic hyperphosphorylation of tau protein, an endogenous microtubule-associated protein that protects the integrity of neuronal cytoskeletons. Tau hyperphosphorylation results in protein misfolding and subsequent accumulation of tau tangles forming neurotoxic aggregates. These misfolded proteins are characteristic of traumatic brain injury, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and Alzheimer's disease and can lead to downstream neuroinflammatory processes, including assembly and activation of the inflammasome complex. Inflammasomes refer to a family of multimeric protein units that, upon activation, release a cascade of signaling molecules resulting in caspase-induced cell death and inflammation mediated by the release of interleukin-1β cytokine. One specific inflammasome, the NOD-like receptor protein 3, has been proposed to be a key regulator of tau phosphorylation where it has been shown that prolonged NOD-like receptor protein 3 activation acts as a causal factor in pathological tau accumulation and spreading. This review begins by describing the epidemiology and pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and Alzheimer's disease. Next, we highlight neuroinflammation as an overriding theme and discuss the role of the NOD-like receptor protein 3 inflammasome in the formation of tau deposits and how such tauopathic entities spread throughout the brain. We then propose a novel framework linking traumatic brain injury, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and Alzheimer's disease as inflammasomedependent pathologies that exist along a temporal continuum. Finally, we discuss potential therapeutic targets that may intercept this pathway and ultimately minimize long-term neurological decline.

Intravenous iron in chronic kidney disease without anaemia but iron deficiency:A scoping review

Iron deficiency(ID)is a prevalent complication of chronic kidney disease(CKD),often managed reactively when associated with anaemia.This scoping review evaluates the evidence supporting intravenous(IV)iron therapy in non-anaemic individuals with CKD and ID,focusing on safety,efficacy,and emerging therapeutic implications.Current diagnostic markers,including serum ferritin,transferrin saturation,and reticulocyte haemoglobin content,are reviewed alongside their limitations in the context of inflammation and variability.The pathophysiology of ID in CKD is explored,highlighting the roles of hepcidin,hypoxia-inducible factor pathways,and uraemic toxins.Comparative studies reveal that IV iron offers a more rapid correction of iron stores,improved com-pliance,and fewer gastrointestinal side effects compared to oral iron.Evidence from trials such as“iron and heart”and“iron and muscle”suggests potential benefits of IV iron on functional capacity and fatigue,though findings were sta-tistically non-significant.Insights from heart failure trials support the safety and efficacy of IV iron in improving quality of life and reducing hospitalizations,with newer formulations like ferric derisomaltose demonstrating favourable safety profiles.This review underscores the need for standardized screening protocols for ID in CKD,even in the absence of anaemia,to facilitate earlier intervention.Future research should prioritise robust outcome measures,larger sample sizes,and person-specific treatment strategies to optimise dosing and administration frequency.Tailored approaches to IV iron therapy have the potential to significantly improve functional outcomes,quality of life,and long-term health in people with CKD.

Optimizing chronic kidney disease management:The potential of a multi-strain probiotic formulation

Chronic kidney disease(CKD),which represents a significant global health concern,is characterized by a gradual decline in kidney function,leading to complications such as electrolyte imbalance,cardiovascular disease,and immune dysfunction.Standard CKD management includes dietary modifications,ketoana-logues supplementation,blood pressure and blood glucose control,hydration maintenance,and treatment of the underlying causes.Emerging evidence has indicated a significant role of the gut microbiota in CKD,and that dysbiosis of the gut microbiota contributes to the progression of CKD towards end-stage renal disease.Probiotics and prebiotics have recently garnered attention owing to their potential to enhance gastrointestinal health and well-being by restoring the balance of the gut microbiota.Specific probiotic strains,including Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium,promote beneficial bacterial growth,suppress harmful bacteria,and exert anti-inflammatory,antihypertensive,and antidiabetic effects.The combination of Streptococcus thermophilus,Lactobacillus acidophilus,Bifidobacterium longum,and Bacillus coagulans has demonstrated potential as a therapeutic formulation for CKD management in various studies,highlighting its promise in treating CKD;however,supporting evidence remains limited,making it crucial to conduct further investigations to determine the specific effects of different probiotic formulations on outcomes in patients with CKD.

Small bites,big impact:The importance of evening snacks in patients with advanced chronic liver disease

People with advanced chronic liver disease(ACLD)have an enhanced risk of malnutrition,which has multifactorial etiology and is mainly linked to a reduced energy and protein intake;malnutrition is critical for patients with cirrhosis since it is often associated with sarcopenia,a skeletal muscle depletion with a loss of muscle mass and function.Late-evening snacks have been extensively studied,and guidelines are recommended to counteract the effects of prolonged fasting at night in patients with ACLD.However,it has not been fully explored whether late evening snacking is clarified as a milestone to address the nutritional needs of people with ACLD or whether it has a potential role in improving body compo-sition.In this randomised control trial,Yu et al demonstrated that long-term nocturnal snacks have the potential to significantly improve body composition by body fat mass,visceral fat area and body cell mass in patients with ACLD.While the improvement in skeletal muscle mass was minor,the promising results in other compositions provide hope for future research and patient care.

Transition from acute kidney injury to chronic kidney disease in liver cirrhosis patients:Current perspective

In liver cirrhosis patients,acute kidney injury(AKI)is a common and severe complication associated with significant morbidity and mortality,often leading to chronic kidney disease(CKD).This progression reflects a complex interplay of renal and hepatic pathophysiology,with AKI acting as an initiator through maladaptive repair mechanisms.These mechanisms—such as tubular cell cycle arrest,inflammatory cascades,and fibrotic processes—are exacerbated by the hemodynamic and neurohormonal disturbances characteristic of cirrhosis.Following AKI episodes,persistent kidney dysfunction or acute kidney disease(AKD)often serves as a bridge to CKD.AKD represents a critical phase in renal deterioration,characterized by prolonged kidney injury that does not fully meet CKD criteria but exceeds the temporal scope of AKI.The progression from AKD to CKD is further influenced by recurrent AKI episodes,impaired renal autoregu-lation,and systemic comorbidities such as diabetes and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease,which compound kidney damage.The clinical management of AKI and CKD in cirrhotic patients requires a multidimensional approach that includes early identification of kidney injury,the application of novel biomarkers,and precision interventions.Recent evidence underscores the inadequacy of traditional biomarkers in predicting the AKI-to-CKD progression,necessitating novel biomarkers for early detection and intervention.

Safety and efficacy of sodium bicarbonate for treating metabolic acidosis in chronic kidney disease:A systematic review and metaanalysis

BACKGROUND Kidney dysfunction and reduced filtration capacity due to chronic kidney disease(CKD)lead to a shift in the body's acid-base balance,ultimately causing metabolic acidosis(MA).Sodium bicarbonate has been used as a supplement to alleviate the symptoms and reverse the acidosis,and it may even slow the progression of CKD.However,its safety profile and overall effectiveness are uncertain.AIM To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials assessing sodium bicarbonate's safety and efficacy for treating CKD-induced MA.METHODS Medline,Scopus,EMBASE,and Cochrane Central were systematically searched from inception until May 2024 to select all relevant randomized control trials(RCTs)and non-RCT(NRCTs)evaluating the effectiveness of sodium bicarbonate in correcting MA in end-stage renal disease patients.In addition,ClinicalTrials.gov,Medrxiv.org,and Google Scholar were searched for other literature.A random-effects meta-analysis was performed to derive mean differences(MD)and risk ratios(RR)with their 95%CI for continuous and dichotomous outcomes respectively.RESULTS Following a systematic search of the databases,20 RCTs and 2 and NRCTs comprising 2932 patients were included in our study.The results revealed that sodium bicarbonate significantly increased serum bicarbonate in CKD patients(MD:2.59,95%CI:0.95-4.22;P=0.02;I2=95%).However,there was a non-significant increase in estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)in patients on sodium bicarbonate therapy(MD:0.93,95%CI:-1.88-3.75;P=0.52;I2=93%).Upon assessment of the safety profile of sodium bicarbonate,no significant association was found in the outcomes of death/prolonged hospitalization(RR:1.05,95%CI:0.84-1.32;P=0.66;I2=0%),or gastrointestinal disorders(RR:1.64,95%CI:0.35-7.66;P=0.53;I2=76%),or worsening edema(RR:1.26,95%CI:0.94-1.68;P=0.12;I2=37%)when compared to control.CONCLUSION Sodium bicarbonate therapy may halt worsening kidney function by correcting serum bicarbonate levels and treating MA.Although sodium bicarbonate does not significantly improve the eGFR,it may potentially prevent CKD progression while maintaining an overall favorable safety profile.

Determinants of generalized anxiety and construction of a predictive model in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)frequently experience exacerbations requiring multiple hospitalizations over prolonged disease courses,which predispose them to generalized anxiety disorder(GAD).This comorbidity exacerbates breathing difficulties,activity limitations,and social isolation.While previous studies predominantly employed the GAD 7-item scale for screening,this approach is somewhat subjective.The current literature on predictive models for GAD risk in patients with COPD is limited.AIM To construct and validate a GAD risk prediction model to aid healthcare professionals in preventing the onset of GAD.METHODS This retrospective analysis encompassed patients with COPD treated at our institution from July 2021 to February 2024.The patients were categorized into a modeling(MO)group and a validation(VA)group in a 7:3 ratio on the basis of the occurrence of GAD.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were utilized to construct the risk prediction model,which was visualized using forest plots.The model’s performance was evaluated using Hosmer-Lemeshow(H-L)goodness-of-fit test and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis.RESULTS A total of 271 subjects were included,with 190 in the MO group and 81 in the VA group.GAD was identified in 67 patients with COPD,resulting in a prevalence rate of 24.72%(67/271),with 49 cases(18.08%)in the MO group and 18 cases(22.22%)in the VA group.Significant differences were observed between patients with and without GAD in terms of educational level,average household income,smoking history,smoking index,number of exacerbations in the past year,cardiovascular comorbidities,disease knowledge,and personality traits(P<0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that lower education levels,household income<3000 China yuan,smoking history,smoking index≥400 cigarettes/year,≥two exacerbations in the past year,cardiovascular comorbidities,complete lack of disease information,and introverted personality were significant risk factors for GAD in the MO group(P<0.05).ROC analysis indicated that the area under the curve for predicting GAD in the MO and VA groups was 0.978 and 0.960.The H-L test yieldedχ^(2) values of 6.511 and 5.179,with P=0.275 and 0.274.Calibration curves demonstrated good agreement between predicted and actual GAD occurrence risks.CONCLUSION The developed predictive model includes eight independent risk factors:Educational level,household income,smoking history,smoking index,number of exacerbations in the past year,presence of cardiovascular comorbidities,level of disease knowledge,and personality traits.This model effectively predicts the onset of GAD in patients with COPD,enabling early identification of high-risk individuals and providing a basis for early preventive interventions by nursing staff.

Prevalence and clinical characteristics of chronic kidney disease among patients with newly diagnosed ketosis-onset diabetes

BACKGROUND The prevalence and clinical characteristics of chronic kidney disease(CKD)among patients with ketosis-onset diabetes(also known as ketosis-prone diabetes)remain unclear.Furthermore,the classification of ketosis-onset diabetes remains controversial and requires further investigation.AIM To investigate the prevalence and clinical features of CKD in patients with newly diagnosed ketosis-onset diabetes.METHODS This real-world study included 217 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus(T1DM),698 with ketosis-onset diabetes,and 993 with non-ketotic T2DM.The prevalence and clinical characteristics of CKD were compared among the three groups.Risk factors associated with CKD were evaluated using binary logistic regression for each group.RESULTS After adjusting for age and sex,the prevalence of CKD among patients with ketosis-onset diabetes(17.8%)was significantly higher than that in those with T1DM(8.3%,P=0.007),but was not statistically different compared to those with non-ketotic T2DM(21.7%,P=0.214).Furthermore,some risk factors for CKD,including age,and serum uric acid and C-reactive protein levels,in patients with ketosis-onset diabetes were similar to those with T2DM,but significantly different from those with T1DM.CONCLUSION The prevalence,clinical characteristics,and risk factors for CKD among patients with ketosis-onset diabetes were more similar to those with non-ketotic T2DM but considerably different from those with T1DM.These findings further support the classification of ketosis-onset diabetes as a subtype of T2DM rather than idiopathic T1DM.

Observation on the Effect of Non-Invasive Ventilator Combined with Conventional Therapy in the Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Complicated with Respiratory Failure

Objective:To explore the clinical effect of a non-invasive ventilator combined with conventional therapy in the treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)combined with respiratory failure.Methods:68 patients with COPD combined with respiratory failure treated in our hospital from September 2021 to October 2023 were selected as the research subjects.Using the random number table method,they were divided into a control group and an experimental group of 34 cases each.The control group received conventional symptomatic treatment,and the experimental group received non-invasive ventilator treatment based on the control group.The clinical effects,blood gas indicators(partial pressure of carbon dioxide(PaCO_(2)),partial pressure of oxygen(PaO_(2)),arterial oxygen saturation(SaO_(2))),lung function(forced expiratory volume in 1 second(FEV1),forced vital capacity(FVC),6 min walking distance),complications,and inflammatory factor levels(c-reactive protein(CRP),interleukin-6(IL-6),neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR))of the two groups of patients were observed.Results:(1)The clinical efficacy of the patients in the experimental group(33/97.06%)was more significant as compared with the control group(25/73.53%)(P<0.05);(2)After treatment,the clinical efficacy of the two groups of patients in terms of FEV1,FEV1/FVC,6-minute walking distance,PaO_(2)and SaO_(2)all increased in the experimental group as compared to that of the control group(P<0.05);(3)After treatment,the PaCO_(2),CRP,IL-6,and NLR of the two groups of patients decreased,and the decrease in the experimental group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05);(4)The patients’complication rate in the experimental group(2/5.88%)was lower as compared to that of the control group(9/26.46%)(P<0.05).Conclusion:Non-invasive ventilators combined with conventional therapy achieved good clinical results in treating patients with COPD and respiratory failure.

Clinical Study on Respiratory Medicine Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Combined with Respiratory Failure

Objective:To explore the respiratory medicine treatment methods for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)combined with respiratory failure.Methods:70 cases of COPD patients with combined respiratory failure admitted to our hospital from January 2021 to January 2023 were selected as the study subjects,and randomly divided into the control group and the experimental group,each with 35 cases.The control group received only conventional treatment,and the experimental group received non-invasive positive pressure ventilation,and the treatment effects and changes in the levels of IL-18,hs-CRP,and CES2 inflammatory factors were observed and evaluated in the two groups.Results:There was no significant difference between the general data of the two groups(P>0.05);after treatment,the total effective rate of clinical efficacy of the observation group(91.43%)was significantly higher than that of the control group(71.43%),and the difference showed a significant correlation(P<0.05);after treatment,the level of inflammatory factor of the observation group was significantly reduced compared with that of the control group,and the difference showed a highly significant correlation(P<0.001).Conclusion:The non-invasive positive pressure ventilation treatment program significantly improves the therapeutic effect,effectively controls the level of inflammatory factors,and improves the health status of patients when dealing with patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease accompanied by respiratory failure,showing a good clinical application prospect.

Analysis of the Effect of Respiratory Rehabilitation Nursing on the Quality of Life of Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Objective:To understand the impact of respiratory rehabilitation nursing on the quality of life of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD),and to provide a theoretical basis for better clinical implementation of this nursing measure.Methods:68 COPD patients admitted from September 2022 to July 2023 were selected to determine the type of COPD(mild,moderate,severe)based on clinical manifestations and laboratory test results,and were divided into a study group(42 cases)and a control group(26 cases),with the control group adopting the conventional treatment plan,and the patients in the study group receiving individualized respiratory rehabilitation nursing care.The patients’respiratory function and quality of life after treatment are observed.Results:The total score of the study group(65.71±12.02)was significantly higher than that of the control group(52.73±11.54),and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05);in terms of pulmonary function,the results of pulmonary function tests of the two groups of patients were in the normal range after treatment,and the study group was slightly better than that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05);the score of the study group in terms of exercise endurance was significantly higher than that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:Respiratory rehabilitation nursing can effectively improve the quality of life of COPD patients,and is worthy of popularization and application.

Relevance of Household Chemical Usage to Respiratory Diseases in Older Adults in China

Objective This study investigated the association between household chemical use and respiratory disease(RD)in older Chinese adults.Methods The data were from the 2018 China Longitudinal Health and Longevity Survey(CLHLS)database,which included 12,866 participants aged≥65 years.The prevalence of RD was based on self-reported medical history,and patients were divided into diseased and non-diseased groups.The frequency of household chemical usage was divided into four categories,and a total score for eight household chemical usage categories was constructed.Binary logistic regression was used to determine the relationship between the frequency of household chemical use and RD,and a restricted cubic spline was used to determine the dose-response association.Result After adjusting for all covariates,regular use of repellents[odds ratios(OR)=1.28,95%CI 1.06-1.55]and oil removers(OR=1.28,95%CI 1.03-1.58)were associated with RD.There was a dose-response association between the total score of household chemicals usage and RD risk(P non-linearity>0.05,P for trend<0.01).Using patients with the total score below 9 as a reference,the OR for patients with the total score ranging from 25 to 32 is 2.33(95%CI 1.25-4.09).Conclusion Regular use of repellents and oil removers increased the risk of RD,and the dose-dependent relationship was also observed.

Association of physical activity with risk of chronic kidney disease in China:A population-based cohort study

Background:Information on the association between physical activity(PA)and the risk of chronic kidney disease(CKD)is limited.We aimed to explore the associations of total,domain-specific,and intensity-specific PA with CKD and its subtypes in China.Methods:The study included 475,376 adults from the China Kadoorie Biobank aged 30-79 years during 2004-2008 at baseline.An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect the information about PA,which was quantified as metabolic equivalent of task hours per day(MET-h/day)and categorized into 4 groups based on quartiles.Cox regression was used to analyze the association between PA and CKD risk.Results:During a median follow-up of 12.1 years,5415 incident CKD cases were documented,including 1159 incident diabetic kidney disease(DKD)cases and 362 incident hypertensive nephropathy(HTN)cases.Total PA was inversely associated with CKD risk,with an adjusted hazard ratio(HR,95%confidence interval(95%CI))of 0.83(0.75-0.92)for incident CKD in the highest quartile of total PA as compared with participants in the lowest quartile.Similar results were observed for risk of DKD and HTN,and the corresponding HRs(95%CIs)were 0.75(0.58-0.97)for DKD risk and 0.56(0.37-0.85)for HTN risk.Increased nonoccupational PA,low-intensity PA,and moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA were significantly associated with a decreased risk of CKD,with HRs(95%CIs)of 0.80(0.73-0.88),0.85(0.77-0.94),and 0.85(0.76-0.95)in the highest quartile,respectively.Conclusion:PA,including nonoccupational PA,low-intensity PA,and moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA,was inversely associated with the risk of CKD,including DKD,HTN,and other CKD,and such associations were dose dependent.

Meta-analysis of the association between chronic periodontitis and chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND Many scholars have performed several clinical studies have investigated the association between chronic periodontitis(CP)and chronic kidney disease(CKD).However,there are still differences between these research results,and there is no unified conclusion.Therefore,a systematic review is required to understand this issue fully.AIM To explore the correlation between CP and CKD.METHODS Literature on the correlation between CP and CKD,as well as the clinical attachment level(CAL)and pocket probing depth(PPD)of CKD and non-CKD,were retrieved from PubMed,Embase,the Cochrane Library,and Web of Science repositories until January 2024.After the effective data were extracted,data processing and statistics were performed using Stata 12.0.RESULTS Of the 22 studies,13 were related to CP and CKD,and 9 reported CAL and PPD in patients with CKD and healthy controls.Meta-analysis of the correlation between CP and CKD revealed that CKD probability in people with CP was 1.54 times that of healthy individuals[relative risk=1.54,95%confidence interval(CI):1.40-1.70],and CP incidence in patients with CKD was 1.98 times that of healthy individuals[overall risk(OR)=1.98,95%CI:1.53-2.57].Meta-analysis of CAL and PPD evaluations between CKD patients and healthy individuals showed that CAL and PPD levels were higher in CKD patients[standard mean difference(SMD)of CAL=0.65,95%CI:0.29-1.01;SMD of PPD=0.33,95%CI:0.02-0.63].CONCLUSION A bidirectional association exists between CP and CKD.CKD risk is increased in CP patients and vice versa.Periodontal tissue or tooth loss risks increase over time in CKD patients.

Risk factors for cognitive impairment in patients with chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND Chronic kidney disease(CKD)patients have been found to be at risk of concurrent cognitive dysfunction in previous studies,which has now become an important public health issue of widespread concern.AIM To investigate the risk factors for concurrent cognitive dysfunction in patients with CKD.METHODS This is a prospective cohort study conducted among patients with CKD between October 2021 and March 2023.A questionnaire was formulated by literature review and expert consultation and included questions about age,sex,education level,per capita monthly household income,marital status,living condition,payment method,and hypertension.RESULTS Logistic regression analysis showed that patients aged 60-79 years[odds ratio(OR)=1.561,P=0.015]and≥80 years(OR=1.760,P=0.013),participants with middle to high school education(OR=0.820,P=0.027),divorced or widowed individuals(OR=1.37,P=0.032),self-funded patients(OR=2.368,P=0.008),and patients with hypertension(OR=2.011,P=0.041)had a higher risk of cognitive impairment.The risk of cognitive impairment was lower for those with a college degree(OR=0.435,P=0.034)and married individuals.CONCLUSION The risk factors affecting cognitive dysfunction are age,60-79 years and≥80 years;education,primary school education or less;marital status,divorced or widowed;payment method,selffunded;hypertension;and CKD.

Study on the impact of comprehensive geriatric assessment on anxiety and depression in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

BACKGROUND Psychological factors such as anxiety and depression will not only aggravate the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)patients and reduce the quality of life of patients,but also affect the treatment effect and long-term prognosis.Therefore,it is of great significance to explore the clinical application of senile comprehensive assessment in the treatment of COPD and its influence on psychological factors such as anxiety and depression.AIM To explore the clinical application of comprehensive geriatric assessment in COPD care and its impact on anxiety and depression in elderly patents.METHODS In this retrospective study,60 patients with COPD who were hospitalized in our hospital from 2019 to 2020 were randomly divided into two groups with 30 patients in each group.The control group was given routine nursing,and the observation group was given comprehensive assessment.Clinical symptoms,quality of life[COPD assessment test(CAT)score],anxiety and depression Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale(HAMA)and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale(HAMD)were compared between the two groups.RESULTS CAT scores in the observation group decreased from an average of 24.5 points at admission to an average of 18.3 points at discharge,and in the control group from an average of 24.7 points at admission to an average of 18.3 points at discharge.The average score was 22.1(P<0.05).In the observation group,HAMA scores decreased from 14.2 points at admission to 8.6 points at discharge,and HAMD scores decreased from 13.8 points at admission to 7.4 points at discharge.The mean HAMD scores in the control group decreased from an average of 14.5 at admission to an average of 12.3 at discharge,and from an average of 14.1 at admission to an average of 11.8 at discharge.CONCLUSION The application of comprehensive geriatric assessment in COPD care has a significant effect on improving patients'clinical symptoms and quality of life,and can effectively reduce patients'anxiety and depression.

Effects of acetylcysteine on micro-inflammation and pulmonary ventilation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation

BACKGROUND Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD)is a serious complication of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,often characterized by increased morbidity and mortality.In traditional Chinese medicine,AECOPD is linked to phlegm-heat and blood-stasis,presenting symptoms like thick sputum,fever,and chest pain.It has been shown that acetylcysteine inhalation in conjunction with conventional therapy significantly reduced inflammatory markers and improved lung function parameters in patients with AECOPD,suggesting that acetylcysteine may be an important adjunctive therapy for patients with phlegm-heat-blood stasis type AECOPD.AIM To investigate the effect of acetylcysteine on microinflammation and lung ventilation in patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis-type AECOPD.METHODS One hundred patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis-type AECOPD were randomly assigned to two groups.The treatment group received acetylcysteine inhalation(10%solution,5 mL,twice daily)along with conventional therapy,whereas the control group received only conventional therapy.The treatment duration was 14 d.Inflammatory markers(C-reactive protein,interleukin-6,and tumor necrosis factor-alpha)in the serum and sputum as well as lung function parameters(forced expiratory volume in one second,forced vital capacity,and peak expiratory flow)were assessed pre-and post-treatment.Acetylcysteine inhalation led to significant reductions in inflammatory markers and improvements in lung function parameters compared to those in the control group(P<0.05).This suggests that acetylcysteine could serve as an effective adjunct therapy for patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis-type AECOPD.RESULTS Acetylcysteine inhalation significantly reduced inflammatory markers in the serum and sputum and improved lung ventilation function parameters in patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis type AECOPD compared with the control group.These differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The study concluded that acetylcysteine inhalation had a positive effect on microinflammation and lung ventilation function in patients with this type of AECOPD,suggesting its potential as an adjuvant therapy for such cases.CONCLUSION Acetylcysteine inhalation demonstrated significant improvements in reducing inflammatory markers in the serum and sputum,as well as enhancing lung ventilation function parameters in patients with phlegm-heat and bloodstasis type AECOPD.These findings suggest that acetylcysteine could serve as a valuable adjuvant therapy for individuals with this specific type of AECOPD,offering benefits for managing microinflammation and optimizing lung function.

Predictive value of diaphragm ultrasound for mechanical ventilation outcome in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD)is often combined with respiratory failure,which increases the patient's morbidity and mortality.Diaphragm ultrasound(DUS)has developed rapidly in the field of critical care in recent years.Studies with DUS monitoring diaphragm-related rapid shallow breathing index have demonstrated important results in guiding intensive care unit patients out of the ventilator.Early prediction of the indications for withdrawal of non-invasive ventilator and early evaluation of patients to avoid or reduce disease progression are very important.AIM To explore the predictive value of DUS indexes for non-invasive ventilation outcome in patients with AECOPD.METHODS Ninety-four patients with AECOPD who received mechanical ventilation in our hospital from January 2022 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed,and they were divided into a successful ventilation group(68 cases)and a failed ventilation group(26 cases)according to the outcome of ventilation.The clinical data of patients with successful and failed noninvasive ventilation were compared,and the independent predictors of noninvasive ventilation outcomes in AECOPD patients were identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis.RESULTS There were no significant differences in gender,age,body mass index,complications,systolic pressure,heart rate,mean arterial pressure,respiratory rate,oxygen saturation,partial pressure of oxygen,oxygenation index,or time of inspiration between patients with successful and failed mechanical ventilation(P>0.05).The patients with successful noninvasive ventilation had shorter hospital stays and lower partial pressure of carbon dioxide(PaCO_(2))than those with failed treatment,while potential of hydrogen(pH),diaphragm thickening fraction(DTF),diaphragm activity,and diaphragm movement time were significantly higher than those with failed treatment(P<0.05).pH[odds ratio(OR)=0.005,P<0.05],PaCO_(2)(OR=0.430,P<0.05),and DTF(OR=0.570,P<0.05)were identified to be independent factors influencing the outcome of mechanical ventilation in AECOPD patients.CONCLUSION The DUS index DTF can better predict the outcome of non-invasive ventilation in AECOPD patients.

Gastrointestinal disease in end-stage renal disease

When kidney function declines to a point where it can no longer maintain life and requires renal replacement therapy(i.e.renal transplant or dialysis),it is called end-stage renal disease(ESRD).Patients with ESRD often experience a range of gastrointestinal(GI)symptoms,with prevalence rates reported as high as 77%-79%.These symptoms and pathologies arise from various factors,including electrolyte imbalance,fluid imbalance,toxin buildup,uremia,medications,dietary and lifestyle restrictions,and the effects of dialysis.GI diseases in patients with renal failure can be further categorized into upper GI,small bowel,and lower GI issues.Common conditions include gastroesophageal reflux disease,nausea and vomiting,dysmotility within the esophagus and stomach,upper GI bleeding,peptic ulcer bleeding,angioectasia,irritable bowel syndrome,mesen-teric ischemia,angiodysplasia,diverticular disease,constipation,pancreatitis,and diseases associated with peritoneal dialysis peritonitis and peritoneal stenosis.This review assesses the existing literature on the different GI diseases among individuals with ESRD,shedding light on their pathophysiology and prevalence.

Longitudinal assessment of measured and estimated glomerular filtration-rate in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease:Real practice experience

BACKGROUND Equations for estimation glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)have been associated with poor clinical performance and their clinical accuracy and reliability have been called into question.AIM To assess the longitudinal changes in measured glomerular filtration rate(mGFR)in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease(ADPKD).METHODS Analysis of an ambispective data base conducted on consecutive patients diagnosed with ADPKD.The mGFR was assessed by iohexol clearance;while eGFR was calculated by three different formulas:(1)The chronic kidney disease epidemiology collaboration(CKD-EPI);(2)Modification of diet in renal disease(MDRD);and(3)The 24-hour urine creatinine clearance(CrCl).The primary end-points were the mean change in mGFR between the baseline and final visit,as well as the comparison of the mean change in mGFR with the change estimated by the different formulas.RESULTS Thirty-seven patients were included in the study.As compared to baseline,month-6 mGFR was significantly decrease by-4.4 mL/minute±10.3 mL/minute(P=0.0132).However,the CKD-EPI,MDRD,and CrCl formulas underestimated this change by 48.3%,89.0%,and 45.8%respectively,though none of these differences reached statistical significance(P=0.3647;P=0.0505;and P=0.736,respectively).The discrepancies between measured and estimated glomerular filtration rate values,as evaluated by CKD-EPI(r=0.29,P=0.086);MDRD(r=0.19,P=0.272);and CrCl(r=0.09,P=0.683),were not correlated with baseline mGFR values.CONCLUSION This study indicated that eGFR inaccurately reflects the decline in mGFR and cannot reliably track changes over time.This poses significant challenges for clinical decision-making,particularly in treatment strategies.