Serum interleukin-23 levels: relation to depression,anxiety, and disease activity in psoriatic arthritis patients

Clinical Rheumatology - Assessment of serum levels of IL-23 in PsA patients and its correlation with depression, anxiety, and disease activity. Eighty psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients and eighty...     

A randomized single-blind trial of whole versus split-dose polyethylene glycol-electrolyte solution for colonoscopy preparation

BACKGROUND: Colonoscopy preparation regimens are often poorly tolerated because they require use of large-volume bowel preparation solution and diet restrictions for adequate cleansing. This study evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of a split-dose polyethylene glycol-electrolyte solution plus bisacodyl and a regular diet. METHODS: A total of 187 patients (104 men, 83 women; age range 18-91 years) were randomly assigned to receive either 3 L of polyethylene glycol-electrolyte solution (n = 96; Group A) with a liquid diet on the day before colonoscopy, or 2 L of polyethylene glycol-electrolyte solution, one tablet of bisacodyl, and a minimally restricted diet on the day before colonoscopy, and then 1 L of the same solution on the day of colonoscopy (n = 91; Group B). Acceptability, adverse events, and willingness to retake the preparation were assessed by questionnaire. The quality of the preparation was graded by an endoscopist, blinded to the type of preparation, by using a previously described scale (excellent to poor). RESULTS: There were 96 patients in Group A and 91 in Group B. Colon cleansing was significantly better in Group B with regard to the overall quality of the preparation (p lt; 0.05). Compliance was significantly higher in Group B as evidenced by the lower number of patients who discontinued the preparation (4 vs. 15; p = 0.02) because of side effects such as nausea or vomiting. The degree of discomfort, adverse events, and willingness to retake the preparation were not significantly different between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Colonic preparation with split-dose polyethylene glycol-electrolyte provided better quality colon cleansing and higher compliance, with less dietary restrictions, than preparation with whole-dose polyethylene glycol-electrolyte.     

A Review on Joint Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Plaque Area Measurement in Ultrasound for Cardiovascular/Stroke Risk Monitoring: Artificial Intelligence Framework

Journal of Digital Imaging - Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the top ten leading causes of death worldwide. Atherosclerosis disease in the arteries is the main cause of the CVD, leading to...     

The safety of hand‐assisted laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy: The Ohio State University experience with 1500 cases

Hand‐assisted laparoscopic donor (HALD) nephrectomy has been performed at our institution since December 1999. Through May 2014, a total of 1500 HALD procedures have been performed. We have evaluated the outcomes of HALD. The HALD procedure consists of a hand‐port incision as well as two 12‐mm ports. Mean donor age was 40.8 ± 10.8 yr, BMI was 27.9 ± 5.0, there were 541 males, 1271 Caucasians, and the left kidney was removed in 1236 patients. All procedures were successfully completed. Four donors (0.27%) were converted to an open technique due to bleeding. Four donors required blood transfusions. 53 donors (3.5%) were readmitted in the first month post‐donation; almost half were due to gastrointestinal complaints. Six donors required reoperation; three for SBO and three for wound dehiscence. 27 patients (1.8%) developed incisional hernias. Seven donors (0.47%) developed bowel obstruction. All donors recovered well with a mean hospital stay after donation of 2.1 ± 0.3 d. All except one kidney were successfully implanted. Twenty‐one recipients (1.4%) experienced DGF. Ureter complications occurred in 17 (1.1%) recipients. Early graft loss occurred in 13 patients (0.9%). In conclusion, HALD is a safe procedure for the donor with good recipient outcomes.     

Aerobic and anaerobic exercise training in obese adults

[Purpose] Obesity is a global health problem and is associated with a multitude of complications. This study was designed to determine changes in cardiopulmonary functions after aerobic and anaerobic exercise training in obese subjects. [Subjects and Methods] Forty obese subjects, whose ages ranged between 18 and 25 years, were divided into 2 equal groups: group A received aerobic exercise training in addition to dietary measures, and group B received anaerobic exercise training for 3 months in addition to dietary measures. Measurements of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, maximum voluntary ventilation, maximal oxygen consumption, and body mass index were obtained for both groups before and after the exercise program. [Results] The mean body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and maximal oxygen consumption decreased significantly, whereas the mean maximum voluntary ventilation increased significantly after treatment in group A. The mean maximum voluntary ventilation also increased significantly after treatment in group B. There were significant differences between the mean levels of the investigated parameters in groups A and B after treatment. [Conclusion] Aerobic exercise reduces weight and improves cardiopulmonary fitness in obese subjects better than anaerobic exercise.Key words: Obesity, Aerobic, Anaerobic