{"title":"Primary umbilical endometriosis: clinical aspects and long-term follow-up of five cases.","authors":"MengHui Li, KunNing Zhang, ChongDong Liu","doi":"10.1177/03000605251317815","DOIUrl":"10.1177/03000605251317815","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Umbilical endometriosis (UE) is a rare condition. We have documented the clinical characteristics, management strategies, and follow-up results for five cases treated at our hospital between 1998 and 2020, with patients aged between 31 and 44 years. Patients typically presented with umbilical swelling. In all cases, surgical removal was effective and no complications were reported. Two patients had concurrent ovarian endometriosis and one adenomyosis. No umbilical recurrence was recorded during follow-up. We believe that these findings offer valuable insights for the management of this patient population. Clinical management strategies for this disease should be tailored to each patient and carried out collaboratively by both general and gynaecological physicians.</p>","PeriodicalId":16129,"journal":{"name":"Journal of International Medical Research","volume":"53 2","pages":"3000605251317815"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11800267/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143255833","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Causal relationship between circulating inflammatory cytokines and the risk of hernia: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study.","authors":"Yaqin Qi, Changjiu Li, Xingyue Gao, Fangjie Zhang","doi":"10.1177/03000605251315923","DOIUrl":"10.1177/03000605251315923","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Observational studies suggest a link between hernia and inflammatory cytokines, but randomized trials are limited by ethical and cost constraints. In this study, we used bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate the causal relationship between inflammatory cytokines and five types of hernia, aiming to inform preventive and therapeutic strategies.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We selected 41 inflammatory factors and five types of hernia as instrumental variables, using data from the IEU Open GWAS database including individuals of European descent. The primary analysis used the inverse variance weighted method with false discovery rate (FDR) adjustment. Additional MR methods and sensitivity analyses ensured robustness. Reverse MR was used to assess potential reverse causality.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>After FDR adjustment, stem cell growth factor beta (SCGFb) was causally associated with diaphragmatic hernia (odds ratio = 0.884, 95% confidence interval: 0.819-0.955). Reverse MR indicated that diaphragmatic hernia may increase interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP10) and monokine induced by interferon-gamma (MIG), and ventral hernia may elevate macrophage inflammatory protein-1b (MIP1b). Sensitivity analyses confirmed robustness.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>SCGFb may protect against diaphragmatic hernia, and IP10, MIG, and MIP1b are involved in hernia development, suggesting the therapeutic potential of targeting these cytokines. Further studies are needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":16129,"journal":{"name":"Journal of International Medical Research","volume":"53 2","pages":"3000605251315923"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11831628/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143433327","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Changyun Zhao, Wenchao Mao, Feifei Ye, Kailun Cai, Shijin Gong, Cong Ye, Yihua Yu
{"title":"Relationship between plasma polymyxin B concentrations and acute kidney injury in critically ill elderly patients: Findings from a prospective study.","authors":"Changyun Zhao, Wenchao Mao, Feifei Ye, Kailun Cai, Shijin Gong, Cong Ye, Yihua Yu","doi":"10.1177/03000605251320733","DOIUrl":"10.1177/03000605251320733","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between the plasma polymyxin B concentration and renal function in elderly patients.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This prospective, case-control, observational study included elderly patients who received polymyxin B therapy and were divided into an acute kidney injury (AKI) group and a non-AKI group based on their renal function. We monitored the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of polymyxin B, including the minimum plasma concentration (C<sub>min</sub>), mean blood drug concentration at steady state (C<sub>ss,avg</sub>), and area under the concentration-time curve across 24 h at steady state (AUC<sub>ss,24h</sub>) in both study groups. The plasma polymyxin concentration was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The loading doses, C<sub>min</sub>, C<sub>ss,avg</sub>, and AUC<sub>ss,24h</sub> were significantly higher in the AKI group than in the non-AKI group (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the optimal cutoff values for predicting AKI were 2.94 mg/L for C<sub>min</sub>, 4.14 mg/L for C<sub>ss,avg</sub>, and 99.35 mg·h/L for AUC<sub>ss,24h</sub>, with corresponding sensitivities and specificities ranging from 78.57% to 82.14%.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Monitoring plasma polymyxin B concentrations is essential in elderly patients. Keeping the C<sub>min</sub> below 2.94 mg/L, the C<sub>ss,avg</sub> below 4.14 mg/L, and the AUC<sub>ss,24h</sub> below 99.35 mg h/L may help prevent AKI in this population.</p>","PeriodicalId":16129,"journal":{"name":"Journal of International Medical Research","volume":"53 2","pages":"3000605251320733"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11831629/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143433329","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The dose-response relationship and gender differences of serum uric acid with total cholesterol: a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Leilei Guo, Lina Cai, Li Hu, Yueshan Zhou","doi":"10.1177/03000605251318203","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/03000605251318203","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To explore the dose-response relationship and gender differences between serum uric acid (SUA) and total cholesterol (TC) in Chinese individuals.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional study included secondary data of Chinese adults, collected between 2010 and 2018. The exposure variable was SUA, the outcome variable was TC, and participants were split into five quantiles by SUA levels (Q1 [men, ≤283; women, ≤223] to Q5 [men, ≥416; women, ≥332]). Covariates included age, gender, laboratory and examination information. Multivariable linear regression and subgroup analysis were performed to examine the independent association between SUA and TC. Smooth curve fitting and threshold effect analysis was employed to assess potential non-linear relationships. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to validate the robustness of the findings.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The analysis included 6119 participants, of whom, 4078 (66.6%) were female, with a mean age of 63.7 years. After adjusting for potential confounders, SUA showed a significant association with TC in both men (β = 0.09; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.05, 0.14) and women (β = 0.13; 95% CI 0.10, 0.17). The Q5 group exhibited higher TC levels than the Q1 group in both men (β = 0.26; 95% CI 0.16, 0.37) and women (β = 0.25, 95% CI 0.17, 0.32). In women, there was an inverted L-shaped relationship between SUA and TC with an inflection point at 359.962 μmol/L, whereas a linear relationship was exhibited in men. Subgroup analysis showed no significant interactions in men. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the findings.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Significant sex differences and dose-response relationships exist between SUA and TC in the Chinese population. The study may provide new insights into cholesterol management.</p>","PeriodicalId":16129,"journal":{"name":"Journal of International Medical Research","volume":"53 2","pages":"3000605251318203"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143408707","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Cardiac computed tomography for cardiac masses: a necessity or a luxury?","authors":"Imane Joudar, Siham Nasri, Imane Kamaoui, Imane Skiker","doi":"10.1177/03000605241306604","DOIUrl":"10.1177/03000605241306604","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cardiac masses present a considerable diagnostic challenge because of their diverse causes and potential clinical implications. Traditional imaging methods, such as transthoracic echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography, are crucial for initial assessments owing to their accessibility, but they have a major limitation represented by inter-operator variability. Therefore, cardiac computed tomography (CT) has become an indispensable adjunct, providing detailed anatomical information and tissue characterization. This review examines the prevalence, categorization and diagnostic benefits of cardiac CT in the evaluation of cardiac masses. The high-resolution imaging and multiplanar features of cardiac CT allow in-depth assessment of the structure, location and enhancement patterns of masses, helping to distinguish benign from malignant masses and guide clinical decision-making. Specific imaging features of benign and malignant tumors, as well as non-neoplastic masses, are discussed, highlighting the role of CT in overall cardiac assessment. This article highlights the importance of CT in surgical preparation, risk assessment and ongoing monitoring, and highlights its effect on improving patients' outcomes. With continued advances in CT technology, the integration of this modality into routine clinical practice should improve the accuracy of diagnosis and management of cardiac masses, strengthening the essential role of cardiac CT as a vital component of contemporary cardiovascular imaging.</p>","PeriodicalId":16129,"journal":{"name":"Journal of International Medical Research","volume":"53 2","pages":"3000605241306604"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11815798/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143390961","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Spatial clusters and temporal trends of cutaneous malignant melanoma mortality in Spain.","authors":"Lucía Cayuela, José-Juan Pereyra-Rodriguez, Juan-Carlos Hernández-Rodríguez, Aurelio Cayuela","doi":"10.1177/03000605251319609","DOIUrl":"10.1177/03000605251319609","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To analyse time trends in mortality due to cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) in Spain between 1980 and 2020, and to identify possible spatial clusters of provinces with an excess risk of CMM mortality during the period 2011-2020.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Joinpoint regression models were used to assess temporal trends in data from the Spanish National Institute of Statistics. Crude rates, standardized mortality ratio (SMR), smoothed relative risk (RR), and posterior probabilities (PP) of RR >1 during the period 2011-2020 were calculated. The Global Moran I index was used to assess global spatial autocorrelation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Two time-periods were detected in women: a significant increase during 1980-1994 (annual percent change [APC], 6.5% per year) and rate stabilization during 1994-2020 (nonsignificant APC, -0.17%). A similar pattern was observed in men, with three periods comprising a significant increase during 1980-1985 (APC, 16.59%), a slowing of the increase during 1985-1998 (APC, 4.40%), and stabilization during 1998-2020 (nonsignificant APC, 0.37%). Spatial analysis showed greater spatial heterogeneity with an east-north pattern in men compared with the pattern in women, which tended to be concentrated in north-western areas.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Mortality rates associated with CMM in Spain have remained stable in recent years. There were provincial clusters that exhibited an excess risk of mortality from CMM, with different patterns according to sex.</p>","PeriodicalId":16129,"journal":{"name":"Journal of International Medical Research","volume":"53 2","pages":"3000605251319609"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11831644/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143433330","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Linezolid and serotonin syndrome.","authors":"Haytham A Wali","doi":"10.1177/03000605251315355","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/03000605251315355","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Linezolid, a synthetic oxazolidinone antibiotic, is used to treat gram-positive bacterial infections, including methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>. Despite its efficacy, linezolid can cause serotonin syndrome, a potentially fatal condition associated with excessive serotonin activity in the brain. This narrative review examined the pharmacological mechanisms of this interaction, particularly linezolid's mild monoamine oxidase-inhibitory activity, which can trigger serotonin syndrome in combination with serotonergic drugs. Serotonin syndrome causes cognitive, autonomic, and somatic symptoms ranging from mild (tremors, diarrhea) to severe (hyperthermia, seizures, multiorgan failure). The Hunter Serotonin Toxicity Criteria have superior sensitivity and specificity over the Sternbach Criteria for diagnosis. Clinical evidence indicates that although the incidence of linezolid-induced serotonin syndrome is low, the risk justifies careful monitoring and risk assessment. This review emphasizes enhanced pharmacovigilance and standardized reporting criteria to better capture and analyze data on linezolid-induced serotonin syndrome. Assessments of the pharmacological mechanisms, large-scale clinical trials, and cohort studies are essential to elucidate risk factors and outcomes. Developing comprehensive clinical guidelines and education programs for healthcare providers is crucial to improve linezolid's safety profile. Exploring pharmacogenomic approaches and alternative therapies with lower serotonin syndrome risks is recommended to enhance patient outcomes while maintaining linezolid's efficacy in treating severe bacterial infections.</p>","PeriodicalId":16129,"journal":{"name":"Journal of International Medical Research","volume":"53 2","pages":"3000605251315355"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143391048","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Analysis of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), ACE2, and their genetic polymorphisms in patients with acute aortic dissection and coronary heart disease.","authors":"Yang Li, Zongwei Xiao","doi":"10.1177/03000605251322355","DOIUrl":"10.1177/03000605251322355","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This study aimed to elucidate the distinctions between the expression levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and ACE2, as well as their genetic polymorphisms, in patients with acute aortic dissection (AD) and coronary heart disease (CHD).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cohort of 86 patients was enrolled, comprising 34 individuals with acute AD (encompassing Stanford types A and B), 18 with ascending aortic aneurysm, 21 with CHD, and 13 healthy controls. Aortic tissue samples were procured from 44 patients during surgical interventions.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Statistically significant differences were observed in ACE and ACE2 expression levels among the ascending aortic aneurysm, CHD, and control groups (<i>p</i> < 0.05). However, the expression of ACE messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) in the aortic wall was significantly higher in the AD group than in the ascending aortic aneurysm and CHD groups (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Additionally, the expression of ACE2 mRNA and the ACE/ACE2 ratio in the aortic wall were significantly different in the AD group compared with the ascending aortic aneurysm and CHD groups (<i>p</i> < 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Plasma ACE levels, and the gene expressions of ACE and ACE2, are markedly reduced in patients with acute AD. The observed imbalance in ACE and ACE2 expressions may play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of AD.</p>","PeriodicalId":16129,"journal":{"name":"Journal of International Medical Research","volume":"53 2","pages":"3000605251322355"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11869269/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143523414","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Vladimir Knezevic, Dragana Ratkovic, Zeljko Zivanovic, Masa Comic, Jelena Knezevic, Olga Ivetic, Radosav Radosavkic
{"title":"Depressive symptoms delayed but subsequently led to the diagnosis of transthyretin amyloidosis: a case report.","authors":"Vladimir Knezevic, Dragana Ratkovic, Zeljko Zivanovic, Masa Comic, Jelena Knezevic, Olga Ivetic, Radosav Radosavkic","doi":"10.1177/03000605251318000","DOIUrl":"10.1177/03000605251318000","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Transthyretin amyloidosis is a rare disorder caused by the accumulation of misfolded transthyretin amyloid in organs. The symptoms can include neuropathy, cardiomyopathy, nephropathy, depression and cognitive decline. Because of the non-specificity of symptoms, it usually takes considerable time to diagnose, which delays specific therapy and leads to a worse prognosis. Our case highlights the psychological symptoms of this disorder that initially delayed diagnosis, and later helped to reach the correct diagnosis. We report the case of a man who presented with weakness of limbs, dizziness, vomiting, social withdrawal, loss of interest, reduced energy and difficulty concentrating. Different specialist evaluations failed to identify a cause, and the symptoms were attributed to depressive disorder. After psychiatric hospitalization to rule out depression as a possible cause, the patient was transferred to an internal medicine clinic where additional diagnostics led to a transthyretin amyloidosis diagnosis. Early-stage transthyretin amyloidosis is difficult to diagnose owing to its non-specific symptoms, but timely treatment is necessary to improve the disease course and outcome. With reference to this case, we emphasize that psychological symptoms in somatic illnesses can both delay and facilitate diagnosis of underlying disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":16129,"journal":{"name":"Journal of International Medical Research","volume":"53 2","pages":"3000605251318000"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11840840/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143458268","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hui-Fang Chang, Nuerdong Maimaitiaili, Jun-Feng Huo, Zhu-Lei Sun
{"title":"Clinical and pathological characteristics of pulmonary meningioma: a case report and literature review.","authors":"Hui-Fang Chang, Nuerdong Maimaitiaili, Jun-Feng Huo, Zhu-Lei Sun","doi":"10.1177/03000605241293675","DOIUrl":"10.1177/03000605241293675","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This case report aimed to examine the clinical pathological characteristics, immunohistochemical phenotype, and differential diagnosis of primary pulmonary meningioma (PM), which is a rare tumor. A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data, imaging manifestations, histological features, immunohistochemical results, and <i>in situ</i> hybridization results of a 60-year-old male patient who underwent surgical resection and was diagnosed with PM by pathology. Additionally, the relevant literature was reviewed. Multiple nodules were detected in the right lung of the patient during a re-examination because of a novel coronavirus infection but there were no obvious clinical symptoms. Imaging revealed well-defined masses in the upper, middle, and lower lobes of the right lung, and the masses were surgically removed. Microscopy showed that the boundary between the tumor and surrounding lung tissue was clear, and consisted of spindle cells and epithelioid cells. The final diagnosis was multiple grade II meningiomas of the right lung. No postoperative radiotherapy or chemotherapy was performed. There was no recurrence or metastasis during a 6-month follow-up. Pulmonary metastatic meningioma is rare, while primary PM is even rarer. Surgical resection is the preferred treatment method for PM, with a generally good prognosis, but a few malignant manifestations may require close follow-up.</p>","PeriodicalId":16129,"journal":{"name":"Journal of International Medical Research","volume":"53 2","pages":"3000605241293675"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11843672/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143468312","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}