Functional and psychosocial impact of COVID-19 pandemic on rheumatic patients’ quality of life in Saudi Arabia

Quality of Life Research - The COVID-19 pandemic might add to the stressors experienced by people living with rheumatic diseases. This study aimed to examine rheumatic patients’ functional...     

Treatment of multiple adjacent RT 1 gingival recessions with the modified coronally advanced tunnel (MCAT) technique and a collagen matrix or palatal connective tissue graft: 9-year results of a split-mouth randomized clinical trial

Clinical Oral Investigations - To evaluate t he long-term outcomes following treatment of RT 1 multiple adjacent gingival recessions (MAGR) using the modified coronally advanced tunnel (MCAT) with...     

桦木酸对大鼠肺纤维化模型肺组织的影响＊

目的 探讨桦木酸对大鼠肺纤维化模型肺组织中NF-κB、β-arrestin2表达的影响。方法 15只SPF级雄性SD大鼠分为对照组、模型组、桦木酸组，每组5只。对照组予以单次气管内注射1 mL·kg^-1 0.9%生理盐水，模型组和桦木酸组予单次气管内快速注射5 mg·kg^-1博来霉素建立大鼠肺纤维化模型。造模1天后，对照组及模型组给予10 mL·kg^-1 1%可溶性淀粉溶液，桦木酸组给予50 mg·kg^-1的桦木酸悬浮液，持续21天。HE、Masson染色方法观察肺组织病理改变。酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）检测肺组织匀浆IL-6的水平。免疫组化法检测肺组织中NF-κB、β-arrestin2、IκBα的表达。结果 与对照组相比，模型组肺组织匀浆中IL-6水平升高，NF-κB、β-arrestin2、IκBα蛋白表达均上调（P<0.05）。与模型组相比，桦木酸组肺组织匀浆中IL-6水平降低，肺组织中NF-κB、β-arrestin2、IκBα蛋白表达均下调（P<0.05）。结论 桦木酸可减轻肺部炎症、减慢肺纤维化的发生发展，可能与下调肺组织中NF-κB、β-arrestin2有关。     

Effect of iron deficiency without anaemia on days alive and out of hospital in patients undergoing valvular heart surgery

Comprehensive evidence regarding the treatment of non-anaemic iron deficiency in patients undergoing valvular heart surgery is lacking. This study aimed to investigate the association between non-anaemic iron deficiency and postoperative outcomes in these patients. We retrospectively analysed 321 patients of which 180 (56%) had iron deficiency (defined as serum ferritin < 100 ng.ml^-1 or < 300 ng.ml^-1 with transferrin saturation < 20%). While the iron-deficient group had lower pre-operative haemoglobin levels than the non-iron deficient group (median (IQR [range]) 134 (127–141 [120–172]) g.l^-1, 143 (133–150 [120–179]) g.l^-1, p = 0.001), there was no between-group difference in allogeneic red blood cell transfusion. Median (IQR [range]) days alive and out of hospital at postoperative day 90 was 1 day shorter in the iron-deficient group (80 (77–82 [9–85]) days vs. 81 (79–83 [0–85]) days, p = 0.026). In multivariable analysis, only cardiopulmonary bypass duration (p = 0.032) and intra-operative allogeneic red blood cell transfusion (p = 0.011) were significantly associated with reduced days alive and out of hospital at postoperative day 90. Iron deficiency did not exert any adverse influence on secondary outcomes except length of hospital stay. Our findings indicate that non-anaemic iron deficiency alone is not associated with adverse effects in patients undergoing valvular heart surgery when it does not translate into an increased risk of allogeneic transfusion.     

Quantitative Assessment and Predicting the Effects of Soil Pollutants on Herbaceous Biomass Production in Reserved Forests

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences - Heavy metal concentrations in surface soils of Reserved Forests (RFs) have a significant impact on...