Increased red blood cell distribution width might predict left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with atrial fibrillation.

The presence of left ventricular hypertrophy has been confirmed to be an independent risk factor for stroke and death in patients with atrial fibrillation. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the potential risk factors for left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with atrial fibrillation.A series of consecutive patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation between June 2018 and December 2019 were included.

Risk factors for depression in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: The prevalence of depression in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) ranges from 10% to 42%, but the diagnosis of depression in patients with COPD is often unrecognized and untreated. Unrecognized depression has major implications for compliance with medical treatment, prolonged lengths of stay, increased frequency of hospital admissions, and increased consultations with primary care physicians. Many studies have attempted to identify risk factors for progression, prognosis and response to therapy in patients with depression.

Findings on cryptogenic organizing pneumonia: a case report and literature review.

A 70-year-old man presented to our hospital because of a cough with bright red blood for 1 month. A chest computed tomography (CT) scan showed that there was a patchy, dense shadow below the pleura of the upper lobe of the left lung. This shadow was approximately 2.

Alkaloids from Veratrum taliense Exert Cardiovascular Toxic Effects via Cardiac Sodium Channel Subtype 1.5.

Several species of the genus Veratrum that produce steroid alkaloids are commonly used to treat pain and hypertension in China and Europe. However, Veratrum alkaloids (VAs) induce serious cardiovascular toxicity. In China, Veratrum treatment often leads to many side effects and even causes the death of patients, but the pathophysiological mechanisms under these adverse effects are not clear.

[Factors associated with retention in a community-based methadone maintenance treatment among heroin addicts].

Objective: To explore factors associated with retention in a community-based methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) among heroin addicts in Xichang of Sichuan province.

Methods: All 206 heroin addicts were first admitted to MMT community-based program between March to September 2004. Baseline data of patients characteristics, social function, drug using behaviors, sexual behaviors, dose of methadone and retention were collected.

[Incidence rates of human immunodeficiency virus and syphilis as well as the rate of retention in a 6-month follow-up study of female sex workers in areas with heavy drug use in Xichang of Sichuan province, China].

Objective: To investigate the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis incidence rates as well as the retention rate in a cohort with 6-month follow-up study among female sex workers (FSWs).

Methods: From December, 2004, to January, 2005, a community-based baseline survey was conducted to recruit 343 FSWs for a prospective cohort study in Xichang county of Sichuan province, China. Follow-up visits were conducted at 6 months to analyze risk factors associated with cohort retention for subjects' baseline sociodemographic and sexual behavioral characteristics.