Health

Higher-quality diets are associated with better sleep quality in observational studies. However, a better understanding of this association is needed given that dietary modifications could represent a novel and natural approach to achieve better sleep.

To define risk factors that predict adverse outcomes after the surgical treatment of appendicitis in Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers. Risk factors for adverse outcomes after the surgical treatment of appendicitis in adults are poorly ...

For many years, the appendix has been considered a vestigial organ, with no apparent function in the human body. However, recent studies have shed new light

Early diagnosis and treatment of complications after major abdominal surgery can decrease associated morbidity and mortality. Postoperative CRP levels have shown a strong correlation with complications. Aim of this systematic review and pooled-analysis was to assess postoperative values of CRP as a marker for major complications and construct a prediction model. Study design A systematic review was performed for CRP levels as a predictor for complications after major abdominal surgery (MAS). Raw data was obtained from seven studies, including 1427 patients. A logit regression model assessed the probability of major complications as a function of CRP levels on the third postoperative day. Two practical cut-offs are proposed: an optimal cut-off for safe discharge in a fast track protocol and another for early identification of patients with increased risk for major complications. Results A prediction model was calculated for major complications as a function of CRP levels on the third postoperative day. Based on the model several cut-offs for CRP are proposed. For instance, a two cut-off system may be applied, consisting of a safe discharge criterion with CRP levels below 75 mg/L, with a negative predictive value of 97.2%. A second cut-off is set at 215 mg/L (probability 20%) and serves as a predictor of complications, indicating additional CT-scan imaging. Conclusions The present study provides insight in the interpretation of CRP levels after major abdominal surgery, proposing a prediction model for major complications as a function of CRP on postoperative day 3. Cut-offs for CRP may be implemented for safe early-discharge in a fast-track protocol and, secondly as a threshold for additional examinations, such as CT-scan imaging, even in absence of clinical signs, to confirm or exclude major complications. The prediction model allows for setting a cut-off at the discretion of individual surgeons or surgical departments.

This study of immunological memory diversity in the human upper airway provides new understanding of immune memory at a major mucosal barrier tissue in humans.

Learn what CRP levels mean, causes of elevation, test procedures, and when to seek medical attention for inflammation-related issues.

Recognition of postoperative infection after cardiac surgery is challenging. Biomarkers may be very useful to recognize infection at early stage, but the literature is controversial. We conducted a retrospective study at two large University ...

The purpose of this article is to assess the diagnostic accuracy of C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell (WBC) count to discriminate between urgent and nonurgent conditions in patients with acute abdominal pain at the emergency department, ...

Approximately 40% of patients with highly elevated C-reactive protein had a normal white blood cell count. The majority of them had a bacterial infection.

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The value of CRP in enhancing diagnosis of acute appendicitis

Background Appendectomy is the most frequently performed non-elective surgical procedure in general surgery. Despite the questionable benefit, inflammatory markers, such as leukocyte count and C-related protein (CRP) are often determined before and after the surgical procedure. Clinicians are not infrequently confronted with the question whether a patient can be discharged despite an increase in inflammatory laboratory parameters. Objectives The aim of the current study was to retrospectively evaluate the clinical course of patients after appendectomy and the correlation with inflammatory laboratory findings. Material and methods A total of 969 patients underwent a surgical procedure due to clinically suspected acute appendicitis. All clinical, laboratory and histopathological data were obtained from the patient records and a quality control database. Laboratory results were correlated with clinical and histopathological data (e.g. t-test, χ 2-test, regression analysis and ROC curves). Results In patients without acute appendicitis operative trauma caused an increase in CRP up to a median of 31 mg/dl on the first postoperative day and up to 47 mg/dl on postoperative day 2. The overall morbidity was 6.2 %. The strongest predictive parameter for complications was a CRP of more than 108 mg/l on the first postoperative day with an odds ratio of 16.6 (96 % CI 6.4/42.8, p  0.001, specificity 88 % and sensitivity 69 %). Patients with CRP values below the threshold suffered from complications in 1.1 % of cases in contrast to patients above the threshold in 16.8 % of cases (p  0.001). Conclusion A moderate postoperative elevation of CRP values is not a general contraindication for discharge; however, postoperative determination of CRP serum values after appendectomy might be an effective predictor for complications and should therefore be measured in the clinical routine.

Every investigation that can contribute towards a diagnosis of appendicitis is valuable to the emergency general surgeon. Previous research has sugges…

Total serum bilirubin and other biochemical parameters have been associated with acute appendicitis, mainly in complicated cases. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of biochemical parameters in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis, and to ...

The purpose of this analysis was to investigate the most appropriate duration of postoperative antibiotic treatment to minimize the incidence of intraabdominal abscesses and wound infections in patients with complicated appendicitis. In this ...

2 days of postoperative intravenous antibiotics for complex appendicitis is non-inferior to 5 days in terms of infectious complications and mortality within 90 days, based on a non-inferiority margin of 7·5%. These findings apply to laparoscopic appendicectomy conducted in a well resourced health-care setting. Adopting this strategy will reduce adverse effects of antibiotics and length of hospital stay.

Supplementing with creatine is very popular amongst athletes and exercising individuals for improving muscle mass, performance and recovery. Accumulating evidence also suggests that creatine supplementation produces a variety of beneficial effects ...

Learn more about Phosphatidylcholine health benefits, uses, side effects, effectiveness, safety, precautions, and warnings

Background: The trimethylamine-containing nutrient phosphatidylcholine is the major dietary source for the gut microbiota metabolite trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), which has been related to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and mortality. Previous ...

Background: A high homocysteine concentration is a potential risk factor for cardiovascular disease that can be reduced through betaine supplementatio…

Nattokinase (NK), a protease enzyme produced by Bacillus subtilis, has various biological effects such as lipid-lowering activity, antihypertensive, antiplatelet/anticoagulant, and neuroprotective effects. Exposure to environmental toxicants such as ...

Scientific Reports - Natto consumption suppresses atherosclerotic plaque progression in LDL receptor-deficient mice transplanted with iRFP-expressing hematopoietic cells

Combining multiple vaccines may trigger stronger immune responses in fewer shots, potentially improving the efficacy of immunization programs.

Please check here for all your questions on these proteolytic enzymes used in Long Covid and ME/CFS!

Learn about the potential side effects of nattokinase, including blood clotting risks, liver function impacts, and interactions with medications.

Our aim was to determine the quantitative effects of a single-dose of Nattokinase (NK) administration on coagulation/fibrinolysis parameters comprehensively in healthy male subjects. A double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over NK intervention study was carried out in 12 healthy young males. Follow …

Nattokinase ist ein Enzym aus fermentierten Sojabohnen. Als Nahrungsergänzungsmittel wird es mit positiver Wirkung auf das Herz-Kreislaufsystem und zur Neutralisierung angeblicher Toxine der Coronaimpfung angepriesen. Zu Recht?