Nitrofurantoin as an Add-On to Conventional Prophylaxis for the Treatment of Urinary Tract Infections in Kidney Recipients: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) constitute one of the main complications in kidney recipients, increasing both morbidity and mortality. Due to the resurgence of antimicrobial resistance, new prophylactic approaches are being investigated. Nitrofurantoin is an antibiotic from the nitrofuran group that is effective against several Gram-negative and Gram-positive organisms; hence, there has been a resurgence in its prescription for treating MDR pathogens.

Syndecan-1 Levels in Females with Active Rheumatoid Arthritis.

The relationship between serum glycoprotein syndecan-1 and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is still unknown. This study aimed to evaluate whether serum syndecan-1 concentrations are associated with moderate/severe disease activity. Study Design: This was a cross-sectional study.

Role of Myostatin in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Review of the Clinical Impact.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects synovial joints and that frequently involves extra-articular organs. A multiplicity of interleukins (IL) participates in the pathogenesis of RA, including IL-6, IL-1β, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α; immune cells such as monocytes, T and B lymphocytes, and macrophages; and auto-antibodies, mainly rheumatoid factor and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs). Skeletal muscle is also involved in RA, with many patients developing muscle wasting and sarcopenia.

Intravenous Vitamin C as an Add-on Therapy for the Treatment of Sepsis in an Intensive Care Unit: A Prospective Cohort Study.

: According to the Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock (Sepsis-3), sepsis is defined as "life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection". The increased presence of free radicals causes an increase in oxidative stress. Vitamin C is an essential water-soluble vitamin with antioxidant activity and immunoregulatory effects that plays a potential role in the treatment of bacterial infections.

Risk Factors of Muscle Wasting in Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Relevance of the Persistent Failure of Conventional Combination Therapy.

Background: Muscle wasting, also known as myopenia, is frequent in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To date, it is still unknown if the failure of pharmacologic therapies increases the risk of myopenia in RA. Objective: To identify if treatment failure with conventional synthetic DMARDs (csDMARDs) constitutes an independent risk factor of muscle wasting in women with RA.

Myostatin Levels and the Risk of Myopenia and Rheumatoid Cachexia in Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Background: Myostatin is a regulator of muscle size. To date, there have been no published studies focusing on the relation between myostin levels and myopenia in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Objective: Evaluate the value of serum myostatin as a biomarker of cachexia and low skeletal muscle mass (LSMM) in RA patients, along with whether high serum myostatin is associated to these conditions after adjusting for potential confounders.

Therapeutic Targets for Regulating Oxidative Damage Induced by Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury: A Study from a Pharmacological Perspective.

Ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) injury is damage caused by restoring blood flow into ischemic tissues or organs. This complex and characteristic lesion accelerates cell death induced by signaling pathways such as apoptosis, necrosis, and even ferroptosis. In addition to the direct association between I-R and the release of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species, it is involved in developing mitochondrial oxidative damage.

Serum irisin concentrations and osteoporotic vertebral fractures in women with rheumatoid arthritis: A cross-sectional study.

Irisin stimulates osteoblast differentiation increasing bone mass a decreasing in irisin levels might contribute to osteoporotic fractures in inflammatory diseases. To date, there is controverted whether irisin levels are associated with osteoporotic fractures in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Therefore, we evaluate the association of serum irisin with osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures (VFs) in women with RA.

Aortic stiffness and central hemodynamics in treatment-naïve HIV infection: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). HIV infection causes a chronic inflammatory state and increases oxidative stress which can cause endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness. Aortic stiffness measured by carotid femoral-pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and central hemodynamics are independent cardiovascular risk factors and have the prognostic ability for CVD.

Serum Neuropeptide Y Levels Are Associated with TNF- Levels and Disease Activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Background: Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a sympathetic neurotransmitter with effects on the regulation of inflammatory cells. The role of NPY on autoimmune inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is not completely understood. Therefore, we evaluate if NPY levels are markers of disease activity in RA and if there is a correlation between NPY levels and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-), leptin, and interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels.

Effect of Telmisartan in the Oxidative Stress Components Induced by Ischemia Reperfusion in Rats.

The therapeutic effects of telmisartan, an angiotensin II receptor antagonist and a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor- (PPAR-) agonist, have been demonstrated in several disorders. It has antioxidant and immune response modulator properties and has shown promising results in the treatment of an ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) lesion. In this study, a skeletal muscle (right gastrocnemius muscle) I/R lesion was induced in rats and different reperfusion times (1 h, 24 h, 72 h, 7-day, and 14-day subgroups) were assessed.

[Reliability of an automatic monitor for blood pressure measurement].

Unlabelled: Background A correct blood pressure (BP) measurement is essential for the diagnosis and control of high BP.

Aim: To evaluate the agreement and repeatability of BP measurements with the OMRON HEM-7320-LA device compared to a mercury sphygmomanometer.

Material And Methods: A cross-sectional study comparing BP measurements made by two randomly selected trained nurses and an automatic oscillometric device.

Efficacy and safety of the combination of isosorbide dinitrate spray and chitosan gel for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers: A double-blind, randomized, clinical trial.

Aim: To evaluate whether a combination of isosorbide dinitrate spray and chitosan gel (10%) topically applied can have additive benefits for management of diabetic foot ulcers.

Methods: In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded clinical trial, 68 patients were divided into four groups: Group 1: treated with chitosan gel; Group 2: isosorbide dinitrate spray; Group 3: combination of isosorbide dinitrate spray and chitosan gel; Group 4: placebo.

Results: Histological analyses showed a significant regeneration in all groups ( p < 0.

Effect of Alpha-Lipoic Acid on Clinical and Neurophysiologic Recovery of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Double-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial.

The objective of our study was to examine the effect of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on clinical and neurophysiologic outcomes after surgery for idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in 20 adults diagnosed with idiopathic CTS after clinical and neurophysiologic assessment. Eligible participants took 600 mg ALA or placebo per day for 1 month before surgery, and for 2 months afterward.

Validation of the Omron HEM-7320-LA, upper arm blood pressure monitor with Intelli Wrap Technology Cuff HEM-FL1 for self-measurement and clinic use according to the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol revision 2010 in the Mexican population.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of the Omron HEM-7320-LA with Intelli Wrap technology cuff HEM-FL1 for self-measurement and clinic blood pressure (BP) measurement according to the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol revision 2010.

Participants And Methods: The evaluation was performed in 39 individuals. The mean age of the participants was 47.

Serum levels of P-glycoprotein and persistence of disease activity despite treatment in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Around 25% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) could be refractory to conventional therapies. P-glycoprotein expression on cell surface has been implied on drug resistance, however, to date, it is unknown if P-gp serum levels are associated with SLE disease activity. Evaluate the association of serum P-gp levels and SLE with disease activity despite treatment.

Alternative Interventions to Prevent Oxidative Damage following Ischemia/Reperfusion.

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) lesions are a phenomenon that occurs in multiple pathological states and results in a series of events that end in irreparable damage that severely affects the recovery and health of patients. The principal therapeutic approaches include preconditioning, postconditioning, and remote ischemic preconditioning, which when used separately do not have a great impact on patient mortality or prognosis. Oxidative stress is known to contribute to the damage caused by I/R; however, there are no pharmacological approaches to limit or prevent this.

Effectiveness of degradable and non-degradable implants to close large septal perforations in an experimental model.

Background Reparation of large nasal septum perforations continues to be challenging. Bipedicled mucoperichondrial and inter-positional grafts currently show the most promising results. New implants have emerged to be used as a support membrane to carry on the mucosal cells, taking advantage of the innate proliferative properties of the mucosal tissue.

[Prognostic value of the lethal triad among patients with multiple trauma].

Background: Patients who have suffered multiple traumatic injuries, have a serious risk for death. Hypothermia, acidosis and coagulopathy are three complications in these patients, whose presence is known as lethal triad and indicates bad prognosis.

Aim: To determine if the lethal triad in multiple trauma patients is associated with higher mortality and Injury Score Severity (ISS).

[Association of hyperinsulinemia with left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction in patients with hypertension].

Background: Hypertension is the main independent cardiovascular risk factor. However, there are additional factors that induce organic damage.

Aim: To assess the association between hyperinsulinemia, ventricular hypertrophy and left ventricular diastolic function.