Higher urea-to-albumin ratio is associated with mortality risk in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the ability of the urea-to-albumin ratio (UAR) to predict mortality in critically ill coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.

Methods: This retrospective study included adult patients admitted with COVID-19 at two intensive care units (ICUs) at the University Hospital. Serum urea and albumin concentrations at ICU admission were used to calculate the UAR.

Beans comsumption can contribute to the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the major cause of global mortality, accounting for 31% of deaths worldwide. Healthy eating habits based on the consumption of bioactive molecules present in plant-based diets can contribute to the prevention of CVD. In this context, the consumption of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Comparison between FRAIL Scale and Clinical Frailty Scale in predicting hospitalization in hemodialysis patients.

Background: To assess the prevalence of frailty by the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) and the 5-item FRAIL scale and their association with hospitalization in hemodialysis (HD) patients.

Methods: This was a prospective observational study. We included patients of both genders ≥ 18 years old in HD treatment for at least 3 months.

Circulating miRNAs are associated with frailty and ST-elevation myocardial infarction pathways.

Background: Frailty and ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) share similar molecular pathways. Specific biomarkers, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), may provide insights into the molecular mechanisms that cause the relationship between frailty and STEMI.

Objective: Our aim was to identify and compare circulating miRNA levels between frail and non-frail older adults following STEMI and comprehend the regulatory miRNA-gene networks and pathways involved in this condition.

Insights Into Thiamine Supplementation in Patients With Septic Shock.

Septic shock is associated with unacceptably high mortality rates, mainly in developing countries. New adjunctive therapies have been explored to reduce global mortality related to sepsis. Considering that metabolic changes, mitochondrial dysfunction and increased oxidative stress are specific disorders within the path of septic shock, several micronutrients that could act in cellular homeostasis have been studied in recent decades.

Apical periodontitis promotes insulin resistance and alters adaptive immunity markers in rats.

Objective: Apical periodontitis (AP) is a chronic or acute inflammatory disease usually developed from endodontic infections, predominantly due to gram-negative anaerobic bacteria invading the dental pulp. This study aimed to evaluate lymphocyte markers to assess the involvement of adaptive immunity in insulin resistance (IR) in a rat model of AP.Design.

Meal timing and frequency implications in the development and prognosis of chronic kidney disease.

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a higher risk of death than the general population, the main cause being cardiovascular disease (CVD). Nutrition plays a key role in the prevention and treatment of CVD and kidney diseases. Currently, new evidence reinforces the importance of specific foods and general dietary patterns rather than isolated nutrients for cardiovascular risk.

Pera orange (Citrus sinensis) and Moro orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) juices attenuate left ventricular dysfunction and oxidative stress and improve myocardial energy metabolism in acute doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in rats.

Objectives: Doxorubicin is a highly effective chemotherapeutic agent for treating several types of cancer; however, it can induce cardiotoxicity. We evaluated the influence of Pera and Moro orange juices on cardiac remodeling induced by acute administration of doxorubicin in rats.

Methods: We allocated 120 male Wistar rats into six groups: control (C), Pera orange juice (PO), Moro orange juice (MO), doxorubicin (D), doxorubicin + Pera orange juice (DPO), and doxorubicin + Moro orange juice (DMO).

Urea to albumin ratio is a predictor of mortality in patients with septic shock.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate urea to albumin ratio (UAR) as predictor of mortality in patients with septic shock.

Methods: We included all individuals aged ≥ 18 years, with the diagnosis of septic shock at Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission. Laboratorial and clinical data was recorded within the first 24 h of the patient's admission.

Evaluation of peptidylarginine deiminase 4 and PADI4 polymorphisms in sepsis-induced acute kidney injury.

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the peptidylarginine deiminase 4 (PAD 4) concentration and PADI4 polymorphisms as predictors of acute kidney injury (AKI) development, the need for renal replacement therapy (RRT), and mortality in patients with septic shock.

Methods: We included all individuals aged ≥ 18 years, with a diagnosis of septic shock at ICU admission. Blood samples were taken within the first 24 hours of the patient's admission to determine serum PAD4 concentration and its PADI4 polymorphism (rs11203367) and (rs874881).

Effects of fluoride on insulin signaling and bone metabolism in ovariectomized rats.

Fluoride is an essential trace element for the maintenance of bone health owing to its capacity to stimulate proliferation and osteoblastic activity that can lead to increased bone formation. However, excessive sodium fluoride (NaF) intake can impair carbohydrate metabolism thereby promoting hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and changes in insulin signaling. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of chronic treatment with NaF in bone metabolism, insulin signaling, and plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), osteocalcin (OCN), and fluoride in ovariectomized rats.

Effect of Sodium Fluoride on Bone Biomechanical and Histomorphometric Parameters and on Insulin Signaling and Insulin Sensitivity in Ovariectomized Rats.

Osteoporosis is a systemic disease characterized by bone degradation and decreased bone mass that promotes increased bone fragility and eventual fracture risk. Studies have investigated the use of sodium fluoride (NaF) for the treatment of osteoporosis. However, fluoride can alter glucose homeostasis.