Predictors for Unplanned Readmissions within 18 Days after Hospital Discharge: a Retrospective Cohort Study.

Since the introduction of the reimbursement system based on diagnosis-related groups (DRG) in Swiss hospitals in 2012, most readmissions occurring within 18 days and appertaining to the same major diagnostic category (MDC) are merged and thus often reimbursed to a lesser extent. While readmissions reflect increased distress for patients and their relatives, the causes are mainly patient-related and difficult to influence. However, it may be possible to identify cases at higher risk for readmission.

Identification of COVID-19 patients at risk of hospital admission and mortality: a European multicentre retrospective analysis of mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin.

Background: Mid-Regional pro-Adrenomedullin (MR-proADM) is an inflammatory biomarker that improves the prognostic assessment of patients with sepsis, septic shock and organ failure. Previous studies of MR-proADM have primarily focussed on bacterial infections. A limited number of small and monocentric studies have examined MR-proADM as a prognostic factor in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2, however there is need for multicenter validation.

Impact of Serum Uric Acid Concentration on the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: A Cohort Study Conducted in Northern China.

Background: The results of previous studies of the relationship between serum uric acid (SUA) and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) have been inconsistent due to confounding factors caused by other known cardiovascular risk factors.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between SUA and incident CVD in middle-aged and elderly Chinese people, who were stratified according to body mass index (BMI).

Methods: This study recruited 5,721 participants of 40-75 years of age, who were free of CVD at baseline and who underwent follow-up from 2008 to 2017.

Role of procalcitonin use in the management of sepsis.

Important aspects of sepsis management include early diagnosis as well as timely and specific treatment in the first few hours of triage. However, diagnosis and differentiation from non-infectious causes often cause uncertainties and potential time delays. Correct use of antibiotics still represents a major challenge, leading to increased risk for opportunistic infections, resistances to multiple antimicrobial agents and toxic side effects, which in turn increase mortality and healthcare costs.

Biomarkers of Infection: Are They Useful in the ICU?

Biomarkers are increasingly used in patients with serious infections in the critical care setting to complement clinical judgment and interpretation of other diagnostic and prognostic tests. The main purposes of such blood markers are (1) to improve infection diagnosis (i.e.

Diagnostic and prognostic value of the D-dimer test in emergency department patients: secondary analysis of an observational study.

Background D-dimer measurement improves the rule-out of thromboembolic disease. However, little is known about the risk of false positive results for the diagnosis of thromboembolic disease and its prognostic value. Herein, we investigated factors influencing the accuracy of D-dimer and its prognostic value in a large cohort of emergency department (ED) patients.

Role of IL-28B genetic variants in HCV-related liver disease severity in patients with different viral genotypes.

Reports of the role of host interleukin 28B (IL-28B) genetic variants in liver disease severity in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) have obtained conflicting results. The impact of IL-28B in Asian patients with different viral genotypes remains elusive.We try to elucidate the effect of IL-28B genetic variants in a large Asian cohort with different viral genotypes.

Anti-interferon-γ autoantibody-associated disseminated Mycobacterium abscessus infection mimicking parotid cancer with multiple metastases: A case report.

Rationale: Among the nontuberculous mycobacteria, Mycobacterium abscessus is a common cause of skin, soft tissue, and bone infections. However, disseminated M. abscessus infection that mimics cancer metastasis with an underlying relatively immunocompetent condition has rarely been reported.

The identification of the TRPM8 channel on primary culture of human nasal epithelial cells and its response to cooling.

Background: It has been proposed that the transient receptor potential (TRP) channel Melastatin 8 (TRPM8) is a cold-sensing TRP channel. However, its presence and its role in the nasal cavity have not yet been fully studied.

Methods: Immunohistology was used to study TRPM8 receptors in both the nasal mucosa tissue and the primary cultures of human nasal cells.

Herpes zoster correlates with increased risk of Parkinson's disease in older people: A population-based cohort study in Taiwan.

Little is known on the relationship between herpes zoster and Parkinson's disease in older people. This study aimed to explore whether herpes zoster could be associated with Parkinson's disease in older people in Taiwan.We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the claim data of the Taiwan National Health Insurance Program.

Efficacy and Safety of Lamivudine Versus Entecavir for Treating Chronic Hepatitis B Virus-related Acute Exacerbation and Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Oral nucleos(t)ide analogs are recommended for patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related acute exacerbation (AE) and acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). The efficacy and safety of administering entecavir (ETV) and lamivudine (LAM) to such patients remain unclear.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed to select studies published before December 2015 on therapy involving ETV or LAM for chronic HBV-related AE with or without ACLF.

Abuse-related trauma forward medical care in a randomly sampled nationwide population.

Abuse-related trauma remains a global health issue. However, there is paucity in nationwide reports. We aim to estimate the incidence of abuse-related trauma forward medical care and identify its characteristics and clinical course in Taiwan.

POSSIBLE MECHANISM OF DEVELOPMENT OF SALT SENSITIVE ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSION.

It has been known that salt-sensitivity of blood pressure is defined genetically as well as can be developed secondary to either decreased renal function or by influence of other environmental factors. The aim of the study was to evaluate the possible mechanism for the development of salt-sensitive essential hypertension in the population of Georgia. The Case-Control study included 185 subjects, 94 cases with Essential Hypertension stage I (JNC7) without prior antihypertensive treatment, and 91 controls.

Splenectomy and risk of renal and perinephric abscesses: A population-based cohort study in Taiwan.

Little epidemiological research is available on the relationship between splenectomy and renal and perinephric abscesses. The purpose of the study was to examine this issue in Taiwan.We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study using the hospitalization dataset of the Taiwan National Health Insurance Program.

SPOCK1 Overexpression Confers a Poor Prognosis in Urothelial Carcinoma.

Purpose: The majority deaths of cancer patients are related to metastasis, thus genes associated with cell motility interest us. SPOCK1 was elected by data mining and serial evaluation. In addition, SPOCK1 has been reported to be highly expressed in different human cancers and been related to adverse outcomes.

Differential Regulation of microRNAs in Patients with Ischemic Stroke.

MicroRNAs have been discovered as regulators of gene expression and thus their potential in clinical disease diagnostics, prognosis and therapy is being actively pursued. MicroRNAs play an important role in atherosclerosis-related diseases, such as cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease. However, the effect of miR-185 and miR-146a on patients with ischemic stroke (IS) in the different phases has not been reported.

Novel scoring system as a useful model to predict the outcome of patients with acute liver failure: Application to indication criteria for liver transplantation.

Aim:   In Japan, the indication for liver transplantation in patients with acute liver failure (ALF) is currently determined according to the guideline published in 1996. However, its predictive accuracy has fallen in recent patients. Thus, we attempted to establish a new guideline.

[A preliminary study on the role of interleukin-1 in chronic lung disease].

Pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAM) obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage in 13 normal individuals, 17 lung cancer patients and 10 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were incubated in vitro for 24 hours. Every specimen was divided into two portions and lipopolysaccharides were used to stimulate PAMs to produce interleukin-1 (1L-1) in one. The levels of 1L-1 in normal subjects were 5547.