Diseases (Basel, Switzerland)最新文献

{"title":"Hypertensive Emergency and Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Associated with Cocaine Use: A Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenge.","authors":"Elena Jiménez Mayor, José C De La Flor, André Rocha Rodrigues, Celia Rodríguez Tudero, Rocío Zamora González-Mariño, Jacqueline Apaza, Esperanza Moral Berrio, Javier Deira Lorenzo","doi":"10.3390/diseases13050153","DOIUrl":"10.3390/diseases13050153","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a rare form of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) characterized by complement dysregulation. Cocaine use has been reported to be a potential trigger of TMA; however, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly elucidated. Proposed hypotheses include direct endothelial injury, activation of the complement cascade, and the unmasking of whether HUS is genetic or acquired.</p><p><strong>Case report: </strong>We report the case of a 47-year-old man who presented with hypertensive emergency and acute kidney injury following intranasal cocaine use. The laboratory findings were consistent with microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA), thrombocytopenia, and markedly elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. Renal biopsy (RB) revealed classic features of TMA, including glomerular capillary thrombosis, fibrinoid necrosis, and acute tubular injury. Complement studies demonstrated reduced levels of Factor I, indicative of complement dysregulation. The patient was treated with therapeutic plasma exchange and four weekly doses of eculizumab, resulting in hematologic remission and significant improvement in renal function, without the need for dialysis. Genetic testing for known atypical HUS-associated mutations was negative; therefore, maintenance therapy with eculizumab was discontinued without clinical relapses.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>This case underscores cocaine as a rare but important precipitating factor for atypical HUS in predisposed individuals. Early diagnosis, RB, and complement evaluation were essential in determining the etiology and guiding targeted therapy. Complement inhibition with eculizumab was effective in halting disease progression and preventing long-term renal damage.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This case highlights the relevance of considering cocaine use as a potential trigger of complement-mediated TMA. Early identification of aHUS features and prompt initiation of complement inhibition therapy may be critical to preventing irreversible kidney injury.</p>","PeriodicalId":72832,"journal":{"name":"Diseases (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12110287/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144152805","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Inverse Association of Mediterranean Diet with Emotional Eating: A Cross-Sectional Study in Greek Adults.","authors":"Maria Mentzelou, Sousana K Papadopoulou, Aikaterini Louka, Georgia-Eirini Deligiannidou, Evmorfia Psara, Constantinos Giaginis","doi":"10.3390/diseases13050151","DOIUrl":"10.3390/diseases13050151","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/objectives: </strong>Emotional eating (EE) is the tendency to overeat in response to negative emotions. Food consumption is influenced by both personal and environmental factors. Emotions are personal factors that can affect food consumption. The objective of this study is to assess the association between Mediterranean diet (MD), a dietary pattern promoting mental health, and emotional eating via the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TEFQ).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This is a cross-sectional survey including 328 adults aged 18-75 years. Appropriate questionnaires were applied for evaluating adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet score) and types of feeding and the expression of emotional food consumption (TFEQ).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A mean MedDiet score equal to 30.97 ± 4.93 and a total TFEQ score equal to 45.40 ± 6.31 were noted. MedDiet score was significantly inversely associated with TFEQ total score (r = 0.23, <i>p</i> = 0.026) as well as with TFEQ emotional score (r = 0.37, <i>p</i> < 0.0001). Fruits and vegetables consumption was positively associated with TFEQ emotional score (r = 0.25, <i>p</i> = 0.014, and r = 0.20, <i>p</i> = 0.049, respectively).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In order to produce data showing improvements in eating behavior, our findings have highlighted the significance of conducting large, prospective, well-designed, randomized, interventional clinical studies to confirm the inverse association of MD with EE. The interpretation of the results is complicated due to cross-sectional design, the social desirability bias and the self-report nature of both dietary and emotional assessments.</p>","PeriodicalId":72832,"journal":{"name":"Diseases (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12110536/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144152961","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Risk of Insulin Resistance: Comparison of the Commerce vs. Industry Sector and Associated Variables.","authors":"María Pilar Fernández-Figares Vicioso, Pere Riutord Sbert, Ángel Arturo López-González, José Ignacio Ramírez-Manent, José Luis Del Barrio Fernández, María Teófila Vicente Herrero","doi":"10.3390/diseases13050150","DOIUrl":"10.3390/diseases13050150","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Insulin resistance (IR) is a key metabolic alteration that precedes type 2 diabetes and is closely linked to obesity and lifestyle factors. Occupational context may influence IR risk through variations in physical activity, diet, and socioeconomic determinants.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To compare the risk of insulin resistance between workers in the commerce and industry sectors and identify associated sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, in order to improve their occupational health.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 56,856 Spanish workers, assessing four IR-related indices: Triglyceride-Glucose Index (TyG), TyG-BMI (Triglyceride-Glucose Body Mass Index), Metabolic Score for Insulin Resistance (METS-IR), and the Single-Point Insulin Sensitivity Estimator (SPISE-IR). The analysis was stratified by sex and sector (commerce vs. industry) and included assessments of age, education level, physical activity, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and smoking status. Multinomial logistic regressions were performed to determine the factors associated with high IR scores.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Across all IR indicators, industry workers-particularly men-presented higher mean values and greater prevalence of high-risk scores compared to those in commerce. Women showed lower values overall but also reflected sector-based differences. In both sexes, non-physical activity, non-adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and smoking were consistently associated with higher IR risk. Males exhibited significantly higher odds of elevated TyG (OR = 2.59, 95% CI: 2.41-2.78), while physical inactivity and poor diet emerged as the most powerful modifiable predictors across all scales (e.g., OR = 10.45 for TyG, OR = 12.33 for TyG-BMI). Industry sector was independently associated with higher odds of insulin resistance compared to commerce.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Insulin resistance is more prevalent among industrial workers, especially men and those with unhealthy lifestyles. Occupational health strategies should target sector-specific risk profiles, emphasizing physical activity and dietary interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":72832,"journal":{"name":"Diseases (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12110397/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144152936","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Trends and Outcomes of TAVR: An Analysis Using the National Inpatient Sample and Readmissions Database.","authors":"Vivek Joseph Varughese, Vignesh Krishnan Nagesh, Hadrian Hoang-Vu Tran, Olivia Yessin, Harsh Jha, Ashley Mason, Audrey Thu, Simcha Weissman, Adam Atoot","doi":"10.3390/diseases13050149","DOIUrl":"10.3390/diseases13050149","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background</b>: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become the preferred treatment for severe aortic stenosis in high- and intermediate-risk patients, with expanding indications for lower-risk populations. However, post-procedural complications, such as stroke, conduction disturbances, and heart failure readmissions, remain concerns. The aim of our study is to analyze the national trends in TAVR procedures, in-hospital outcomes, major readmission causes, and the association of risk factors for readmissions following TAVR. <b>Methods</b>: We analyzed NIS data (2018-2022) to assess TAVR utilization trends, patient demographics, and in-hospital outcomes. The NRD (2021-2022) was used to evaluate 60-day readmission rates for stroke, complete heart block, and heart failure. Multivariate regression models were employed to identify risk factors having significant association with major readmission causes. <b>Results</b>: TAVR utilization increased from 10,788 cases in 2018 to 17,784 in 2022, with a concurrent decrease in in-hospital mortality (1.33% to 0.90%) and length of stay (3.88 to 2.97 days). Of 123,376 TAVR index admissions in 2021, 28,654 patients had 66,100 readmission events (53.57%) in the 60 days following discharge. Heart failure (17,566 cases, 26.57% of readmissions) was the most common readmission cause, followed by complete heart block (1760 cases, 2.66% of readmissions) and stroke (284 cases, 0.42% of readmissions). Predictors of post-TAVR stroke included uncontrolled hypertension (OR 2.29, <i>p</i> < 0.001) and chronic heart failure (OR 2.73, <i>p</i> < 0.001). Left bundle branch block (LBBB) was strongly associated with complete heart block (OR 12.89, <i>p</i> < 0.001) and heart failure readmissions (OR 7.65, <i>p</i> < 0.001). <b>Conclusions</b>: TAVR utilization has increased with improving perioperative outcomes, but post-TAVR readmissions remain significant, particularly for heart failure, stroke, and conduction disturbances. Pre-procedural uncontrolled hypertension, hyperlipidemia, congestive heart failure, and atrial fibrillation were risk factors with significant association with stroke in the 60 days following TAVR. The presence of documented pre-procedural LBB, RBB, as well as BFB were risk factors with significant association with complete heart block following TAVR placements. Pre-procedural LBB, RBB, BFB, and atrial fibrillation were risk factors having significant association with heart failure readmissions in the 60 days following TAVR.</p>","PeriodicalId":72832,"journal":{"name":"Diseases (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12110121/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144153000","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Examining Romosozumab Adherence and Side Effects in Osteoporotic Patients After Surgical Fracture Fixation: A Comparative, Descriptive, and Hypothesis-Generating Study with Non-Fractured Controls.","authors":"Amarildo Smakaj, Umberto Tarantino, Riccardo Iundusi, Angela Chiavoghilefu, Lorenzo Abbondante, Chiara Salvati, Chiara Greggi, Elena Gasbarra","doi":"10.3390/diseases13050148","DOIUrl":"10.3390/diseases13050148","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The study aims to evaluate adherence to Romosozumab treatment in osteoporotic patients after surgical fracture fixation and compare side effects with non-fractured controls on the same therapy.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective case-control study was conducted at the Orthopaedic Department of Policlinico Universitario di Roma \"Tor Vergata\", following the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. It included postmenopausal women aged over 60, with the case group receiving Romosozumab after fracture fixation, and the control group consisting of women on Romosozumab therapy without fracture fixation. Exclusion criteria included psychiatric conditions, contraindications to Romosozumab, high-energy trauma, or other bone metabolism disorders. Data on fractures, surgeries, FRAX (Fracture Risk Assessment Tool) scores, BMD (Bone Mineral Densit) values, and follow-up details were collected. Side effects, including nasopharyngitis and severe events like hypocalcemia, stroke, and myocardial infarction, were recorded. Adherence was assessed via pharmacy records and patient interviews during routine clinical follow-up visits. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, and chi-square tests.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study included 25 patients, with 12 in the surgical group and 13 in the conservative treatment group. The surgical group had a mean age of 67.3 years and a follow-up of 374 days, while the conservative group had a mean age of 76.4 years and a follow-up of 287 days. The surgical group underwent various fracture treatments, including femoral, humeral, and distal radius fractures, while the conservative group was treated with immobilization. There were no significant differences in FRAX scores or BMD values between the two groups. Vitamin D levels increased significantly in both groups after supplementation, but parathyroid hormone levels showed no difference. No new fractures occurred, and surgical patients had no delayed union or nonunion, though two had superficial wound infections.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Both groups adhered well to Romosozumab therapy, with no severe side effects; minor side effects included myalgia in the surgical group and shoulder arthralgia in the conservative group. Romosozumab is well-tolerated and adherent in osteoporotic patients after osteosynthesis surgery, with adverse events similar to non-fractured individuals. While the study design is appropriate, multicenter trials would improve the sample size and allow for subgroup analysis based on fracture type and demographics.</p>","PeriodicalId":72832,"journal":{"name":"Diseases (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12110741/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144152801","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Long-Term Trends in Respiratory Syncytial Virus A Infections (2007-2024) in Korea.","authors":"Jeong Su Han, Sung Hun Jang, Jae-Sik Jeon, Jae Kyung Kim","doi":"10.3390/diseases13050147","DOIUrl":"10.3390/diseases13050147","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/objectives: </strong>Respiratory syncytial virus A (RSV A) is the leading cause of respiratory infections, particularly in vulnerable populations. This study aimed to investigate the long-term epidemiological trends of RSV A infection in the Republic of Korea over an 18-year period (2007-2024), with emphasis on age, sex, and seasonal differences.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 23,284 nasopharyngeal swab specimens were analyzed by multiplex real-time PCR. Statistical comparisons were performed using the chi-square test.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The RSV A-positivity rate was highest in 2007 (19.7%) and lowest in 2021 (0.1%) (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Infants (0 years) exhibited the highest infection rate (18.5%, 95% CI: 17.3-19.6), whereas adults aged 20-64 years and older adults showed significantly lower rates (0.7% and 0.9%, respectively). Seasonal peaks occurred in winter (15.3%) and autumn (14.7%), indicating earlier onset of RSV A circulation. No significant difference was found between sexes (<i>p</i> = 0.196).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study provides the first long-term retrospective analysis of RSV A trends in the Republic of Korea and reveals a shift toward an earlier seasonal onset. These findings support the need for earlier preventive strategies and optimized vaccination timing, particularly for high-risk groups, such as infants. These findings underscore the importance of seasonal variation and the potential influence of environmental factors, such as ambient temperature, relative humidity, and geographic latitude, on RSV A transmission patterns in Korea, although these variables were not directly analyzed in the present study and warrant further investigation.</p>","PeriodicalId":72832,"journal":{"name":"Diseases (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12110253/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144152770","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bacterial Superinfections After SARS-CoV-2 Pneumonia: Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns, Impact on Inflammatory Profiles, Severity Scores, and Clinical Outcomes.","authors":"Petrinela Daliu, Iulia Bogdan, Ovidiu Rosca, Alexandra Laura Aelenei, Ioan Sîrbu, Mihai Calin Bica, Monica Licker, Elena Hogea, Delia Muntean","doi":"10.3390/diseases13050145","DOIUrl":"10.3390/diseases13050145","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background and Objectives:</b> Secondary bacterial pneumonia can substantially worsen the clinical trajectory of patients hospitalized for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to characterize bacterial superinfections in COVID-19, including pathogen profiles, resistance patterns, inflammatory responses, severity scores, and ICU admission risk. <b>Methods:</b> In a retrospective cohort design, we reviewed 141 patients admitted to a single tertiary-care hospital between February 2021 and December 2024. A total of 58 patients had laboratory-confirmed bacterial superinfection by sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage, or blood cultures (superinfection group), whereas 83 had COVID-19 without any documented bacterial pathogens (COVID-only group). We collected detailed microbiological data from sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and blood cultures. Antibiotic sensitivity testing was performed using standard breakpoints for multidrug resistance (MDR). Inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and systemic immune-inflammation index) and the severity indices Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II, Confusion, Urea, Respiratory rate, Blood pressure (CURB), and National Early Warning Score (NEWS) were measured at admission. Primary outcomes included intensive care unit (ICU) admission, mechanical ventilation, and mortality. <b>Results:</b> Patients in the superinfection group showed significantly elevated inflammatory markers and severity scores compared to the COVID-only group (mean APACHE II of 17.2 vs. 13.8; <i>p</i> < 0.001). Pathogens most frequently isolated from sputum and BAL included <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> (27.6%) and <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> (20.7%). Multidrug-resistant strains were documented in 32.8% of isolates. The superinfection group had higher ICU admissions (37.9% vs. 19.3%; <i>p</i> = 0.01) and more frequent mechanical ventilation (25.9% vs. 9.6%; <i>p</i> = 0.01). Mortality trended higher among superinfected patients (15.5% vs. 7.2%; <i>p</i> = 0.09). A total of 34% of the cohort had prior antibiotic use, which independently predicted MDR (aOR 2.6, <i>p</i> = 0.01). The presence of MDR pathogens such as <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> (OR 2.8), <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> (OR 2.5), and <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (OR 2.1) significantly increases the risk of ICU admission. <b>Conclusions:</b> Bacterial superinfection exacerbates inflammation and worsens outcomes in COVID-19 patients, such as a higher risk of ICU admission.</p>","PeriodicalId":72832,"journal":{"name":"Diseases (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12109590/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144153087","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Prevalence of Emphysema in Patients Undergoing Lung Cancer Screening in a Middle-Income Country.","authors":"Marija Vukoja, Dragan Dragisic, Gordana Vujasinovic, Jelena Djekic Malbasa, Ilija Andrijevic, Goran Stojanovic, Ivan Kopitovic","doi":"10.3390/diseases13050146","DOIUrl":"10.3390/diseases13050146","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer are the leading causes of death globally, which share common risk factors such as age and smoking exposure. In high-income countries, low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) lung cancer screening programs have decreased lung cancer mortality and facilitated the detection of emphysema, a key radiological indicator of COPD. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of emphysema during a pilot LDCT screening program for lung cancer in a middle-income country with a high smoking prevalence. <b>Methods:</b> A secondary analysis of the Lung Cancer Screening Database of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Serbia, from 20 September 2020 to 30 May 2022. Persons aged 50-74 years, with a smoking history of ≥30 pack-years/or ≥20 pack-years with additional risks (chronic lung disease, prior pneumonia, malignancy other than lung cancer, family history of lung cancer, and professional exposure to carcinogens) were offered LDCT. <b>Results:</b> Of 1288 participants, mean age of 62.1 ± 6.7 years and 535 males (41.5%), 386 (30.0%) had emphysema. The majority of patients with emphysema (301/386, 78.0%) had no prior history of chronic lung diseases. Compared to the patients without emphysema, the patients with emphysema reported more shortness of breath (140/386, 36.3% vs. 276/902, 30.6%, <i>p</i> = 0.046), chronic cough (117/386, 30.3% vs. 209/902, 23.17% <i>p</i> = 0.007), purulent sputum expectoration (70/386, 18.1% vs. 95/902, 10.53%, <i>p</i> < 0.001), and weight loss (45/386, 11.7% vs. 63/902, 7.0%, <i>p</i> = 0.005). The patients with emphysema had more exposure to smoking (pack/years, 43.8 ± 18.8 vs. 39.3 ± 18.1, <i>p</i> < 0.001) and higher prevalence of solid or semisolid lung nodules (141/386, 36.5% vs. 278/902 30.8%, <i>p</i> = 0.04). <b>Conclusions:</b> Almost one-third of the patients who underwent the LDCT screening program in a middle-income country had emphysema that was commonly undiagnosed despite being associated with a significant symptom burden. Spirometry screening should be considered in high-risk populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":72832,"journal":{"name":"Diseases (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12110275/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144152992","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Post-Liver Transplant Kidney Dysfunction: Incidence of Acute Kidney Injury and Chronic Kidney Disease and Risk Factors Related to Chronic Kidney Disease Development.","authors":"Ana Flavia Moura, José A Moura-Neto, Beatriz de Melo Ribeiro, Paula Ribeiro Oliveira, Arthur Guimarães de Freitas, Alessandra Lima Costa, Daniela Moura-Landim, Liana Codes, Paulo Lisboa Bittencourt, Constança Margarida Sampaio Cruz","doi":"10.3390/diseases13050144","DOIUrl":"10.3390/diseases13050144","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Introduction:</b> Acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are common complications following liver transplantation (LT), significantly impacting graft and patient survival. AKI affects more than 50% of LT recipients, with a subset requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT), while CKD develops in up to 60% of cases, increasing long-term morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to determine the incidence of AKI and CKD post-LT and to identify risk factors associated with CKD development. <b>Methods:</b> All adult cirrhotic patients without concurrent CKD submitted to LT between January 2001 and December 2017 at the main transplant center in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, with more than 6-month survival were included in the study. AKI was defined by KDIGO criteria within the first 7 days post-LT. CKD was diagnosed in the presence of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m² and/or proteinuria ≥ 200 mg/g 1 and 5 years after LT. Clinical and biochemical parameters were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression to identify independent predictors of CKD. <b>Results:</b> A total of 177 LT recipients (72.9% male; mean age 53.6 ± 12.6 years) were studied. AKI occurred in 51.4% of them in the first 7 days after LT, and 10 (11%) required RRT. CKD was diagnosed in 30% of LT recipients at 1 year and in 42.9% at 5 years. The majority displayed CKD stage G3 (72.4% at 5 years). Multivariate analysis identified pre-LT serum creatinine (OR 7.74, 95% CI 1.99-30.02) and AKI within 7 days after LT (OR 2.72, 95% CI 1.22-6.06) as independent predictors of CKD development. <b>Conclusions:</b> AKI is highly prevalent in the early post-LT period and is a major determinant of CKD progression. Pre-LT renal function and perioperative AKI were significantly associated with worse long-term nephrological outcomes. Optimized perioperative management and renal monitoring strategies are crucial to minimize progression to end-stage kidney disease in LT recipients.</p>","PeriodicalId":72832,"journal":{"name":"Diseases (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12109809/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144152915","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Anticancer Mechanisms of Ginsenoside Compound K: A Review.","authors":"Yu-Po Lee, Hui-Ting Chan, Tzu-Hsuan Li, Lichieh Julie Chu, Sheau-Long Lee, Yu-Quan Chang, Robert Yl Wang","doi":"10.3390/diseases13050143","DOIUrl":"10.3390/diseases13050143","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cancer, also known as malignant tumors, is formed due to abnormal mutations and the proliferation of human cells. Cancer cells not only demonstrate accelerated proliferation but also show robust invasive and metastatic potential, disseminating from a primary affected region of the body to multiple areas and potentially culminating in organ dysfunction or failure, thereby jeopardizing the individual's life. The rapid growth of the biopharmaceutical market has given rise to numerous novel medicines, thereby precipitating a paradigm shift in contemporary drug development methodologies. This modification is focused on identifying methodologies that can effectively target cancerous cells while minimizing damage to normal cells. There is an increasing societal movement that supports the utilization of natural ingredients derived from plants. In recent years, traditional herbal medicine has experienced a surge in popularity within the global cancer market. In comparison with the use of more toxic chemotherapy methods, there has been an increasing focus on advanced therapies that exhibit reduced side effects. Ginsenoside compound K (CK) is derived from the natural components in ginseng through biotransformation. The utilization of CK in cancer research is a practice engaged in by numerous scientists. The underlying rationale is that CK exhibits a multitude of effects within the realm of cancer research, including but not limited to the mitigation of inflammation, the suppression of cancerous cell proliferation, and the safeguarding of cardiovascular, hepatic, and renal functions. This review methodically identifies and organizes CK-related journals according to the following key points of cancer treatment: the effects on cancer cells themselves, angiogenesis inhibition, modulation of immune response to identify cancer cells, and inflammation regulation. The intricate interplay between ginsenoside CK and cells is elucidated through a graphical representation. The present review focuses on the results of CK in in vitro tests. It is our hope that the present article will aid future studies on the results of CK in vivo tests, clarify the correlation between cellular mechanisms in vivo and in vitro tests, and assist in the development of drugs.</p>","PeriodicalId":72832,"journal":{"name":"Diseases (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12110123/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144153086","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}