Chromogranin A (CgA) is part of the family of granins, which are acidic glycoproteins that represent an important part of secretory dense core granules. They are specific to various neuroendocrine and endocrine tissues, as components of diffuse neuroendocrine system and endocrine glands. CgA is co-secreted and co-released in the circulation along with hormones, bioamines and peptides secreted from the neuroendocrine cells . In the last decade, studies have emphasized the major importance of serum CgA in the diagnosis and follow-up of neuroendocrine tumors such as gastroenteropancreatic tumors, pheochromocytoma, medullary thyroid carcinoma. But its diagnostic value for adrenocortical adenomas or for adrenal malignancy, is still controversial. The current study aims to provide a comprehensive review , for synthesizing current knowledge regarding corelations between plasma CgA concentration and various adrenal tumors. Furthermore, there will be also analyzed and synthesized the clinical applicability and the diagnostic usefulness of dosing CgA in adrenal pathology, both medullary and cortical benign and malignant lesions.
Obesity involves the growth of adipose tissue cells (adipocytes and preadipocytes), as well as microvascular endothelial cells. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are relevant ezymes for the modulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and adipocyte and preadipocytes differentiation. They are elevated in obese patients, generating abnormal ECM metabolism.[1]. This article proposes a thorough study of literature with focus on the important roles of matrix metalloproteinases in the pathophysiology of obesity. The article represents a narrative review based on an English-language PubMed research of the medical literature regardind important aspects of the proposed aim. MMP-2 activity was signi�cantly higher than MMP-9, both activities were detectable. MMP-9 was strongly correlated with body weight parameters before surgery, as well as after significant body weight reduction as a result of bariatric surgery. Concerning MMP-2 and MMP-9 they are also involved in the turnover of basement membranes both those of adipose tissue and endothelial. MMP-9 levels were moderately correlated with HDL cholesterol levels. Taken together, the present data suggest that changes in ECM through MMP-mediated degradation might play a critical role in the adipocyte differentiation process. These findings are detected both in clinical trials and in laboratory animal experiments. It is then tempting to speculate that the adipocyte-derived MMPs might represent a new pharmacological target for the inhibition of adipose tissue growth by inhibiting adipose differentiation as well as angiogenic process.
Medical students have an increased risk of developing psychological and eating disorders due to the academic stress and the degree of physical activity. The stress during the exam session affects eating attitudes, mental health and physical activity. The aim of the study was to analyse the eating behaviors, mental status and grades of physical activity before and during exam session in medical college students.We performed an analytical observational study in a population of 78 undergraduate 1 st and 2 nd year medical students (66 girls and 12 boys). Eating-related attitudes were studied using the EAT-26questionnaire. Anxiety and depression scores were evaluated with GAD7 and PHQ-9 questionnaires.Physical activity was also assessed. All of the questionnaires were given before and during the exam session. The scores of EAT 26 questionnaire reflect a normal reporting of dieting attitudes, regardless of the time of evaluation. Regarding assessment of anxiety (GAD7) and depression (PHQ-9), an increase in the number of cases of severe anxiety and depression during the exams session was shown. In addition, the physical activity index dropped significantly during the exam period. The academic and psychological stress during the exam session affected the mental status of the medical students causing an increase in the anxiety and depressions scores. Also, the physical activity diminished, emphasizing their psychological state. No significant changes in eating behavior were observed.
Objective: There was a critical inconsistency in making therapeutic choices regarding anticoagulation in patients with COVID-19. This study aims to evaluate and determine the causes that led to the formation of hematomas, spontaneous bleeding or what is involved in this hypothesis and the elements related to this aspect. Patients and methods: The present study is a case series analysis that aims to identify and verify the cause of spontaneous hematomas in COVID positive patients for whom surgery was required. Thus, we analysed patients who presented various spontaneous hematomas during the covid pandemic (March 2020 - May 2021) for which surgery was performed, having as a control group (CG) a homogeneous group in terms of age, covid infection severity, and comorbidities with the study group (SG). Results: Regarding the preoperative and postoperative days, SG had average values of 4.76±5.36 (Mean±SD) for preoperative days and 9.5±9.327 for postoperative days. Given that one of the most suspected causes of hematomas was considered an anticoagulant overdose, we compared the anticoagulant doses and the type of anticoagulant, so the anticoagulant doses did not show statistically significant differences (0.836±0.294ml in SG versus 0.866±0.343ml in CG with p=0.588). As expected, hemoglobin (Hb) was significantly lower for SG with mean values of 7.266±1.431mg/dl compared to CG that had mean values of 12.9±2.092mg/dl (p=0.001). The correlation between the value of Hb (average value was 12.9 mg/dl, a minimum of 8.7 mg/dl and a maximum of 16.6 mg/dl) and the value of procalcitonin (average value was 0.13, a minimum of 0.02 and a maximum of 0.7) is statistically significant having p=0.012. In SG, hemoglobin can be correlated with ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate), p=0.008 and with procalcitonin, p=0.05. Both have a negative correlation explained by a proinflammatory status that can aggravate low hemoglobin levels, but without a direct link to high ESR and procalcitonin values. Conclusions: The hypothesis of anticoagulant overdose is not supported or verified by the present study, we consider that additional thromboelastography tests are necessary to be able to completely refute it. Mortality did not increase statistically significantly
Objective: Obesity is an exceedingly current pathology with many clinical, molecular, and psychological implications. The number of obese people has doubled in the past ten years, and we can observe an early onset of obesity. Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for severe obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) are the two most prevalent types of this procedure . Nevertheless, no single mechanism has emerged that thoroughly explains the metabolic benefit and subsequent long-term effects after surgery. Webster's new collegiate dictionary defines the noun model as: 'a descriptive or analogy used to help visualize something that cannot be directly observed.' Sustained by this definition, the animal models in nutritional research are fundamental to improve human conditions. Due to the recent boost in experimental surgery, our aim in this study is to set the main technical characteristics of the gastric bypass operation and specific animal care in the metabolic surgery field we have been undertaking in our center. Materials and methods: We chose Wistar rats fed with a high caloric diet (HCD) 82g / 100 g fat, 53/100 g saturated fat, 64/100 g carbohydrates. After 7-15 weeks of this diet, depending on the protocol understudy, a consistent three-fold greater weight gain is achieved than the usual range of the free eating chow. After approximately three months on an HCD, the obese rats manifest biochemical features of the metabolic syndrome. Results: The weight loss for group B (By-pass) was 125 ± 16.16 g, and for group BS (By-pass + Sulodexid), it was 133.10 ± 14.38 g. Although the weight loss was higher in group BS, it is not statistically significantly higher than in group B (p = 0.345), despite administering a pharmacologically active substance in group BS. Although small (approximately 40-50 g), the difference between the control group and groups B and BS is statistically significant with p = 0.016 and 0.026 and Pearson index of 0.674 and 0.628, respectively. Statistical significance also kept the difference between group C and group S (p = 0.028, Pearson Coefficient = 0.621). Conclusions: First of all, Metabolic surgery is the most effective weight-loss method and improvement or even remission of some diseases associated with obesity. Like today's high-calorie diet, the diet administered, mostly of adolescents, generates both obesity and its associated diseases: diabetes, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolism, thus increasing mortality and overall morbidity. Second, metabolic surgery radically improves the parameters targeting obesity (weight,% EBWL) and its associated conditions: diabetes mellitus, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, strongly associated with decreasing life expectancy of the general population. Parameters targeted by gastric bypass: glycemia, TGL, CHO, hepatic steatosis, testicular atrophy registering significant improvements.
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