Hyperglycemia can be experienced by corona virus disease (COVID-19) patients due to the invasion of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) into pancreatic cells or other mechanisms such as insulin resistance, counter-regulatory, stress induction, and glucocorticoid therapy. Hyperglycemia can stimulate the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and pro-inflammatory cytokines leading to an increase in the disease severity. Based on the clinical and laboratory criteria, the severity of COVID-19 patients is classified into asymptomatic, mild, moderate, severe, and critical. This study aimed to investigate the association between blood glucose levels at admission and the severity of COVID-19 patients with and without diabetes mellitus (DM). It was a cross-sectional study using secondary data from COVID-19 patients in Pondok Kopi Jakarta Islamic Hospital from April to June 2021. This study involved 340 patients with comorbid DM (n=78) and without comorbid DM (n=262). The Mann-Whitney and Spearman correlation test were used. A significant difference between random blood glucose levels in comorbid DM patients and patients without comorbid DM (p<0.05). However, there is a weak correlation between random blood glucose levels and severity with comorbid DM (r=0.112) and without comorbid DM (r=0.129). In conclusion, a positive and weak correlation between blood glucose levels at admission and the severity of COVID-19. The severity increases as the blood sugar level increases. Further study needs to be performed considering other comorbid conditions.
Skin aging can be divided into intrinsic and extrinsic aging. Even though it is inevitable, symptoms of skin aging are a common concern for patients. As a result, there is a surge in the making of anti-aging cosmeceuticals. However, there is a lack of evidence-based data to support the usage of topical preparations as anti-aging treatments. Therefore, further studies are needed to explore topical treatment options for skin aging. This literature review discusses the mechanism of commonly used topical anti-aging agents and their adverse reactions.
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) through transradial pathway is associated with lower risk of severe vascular problems comparing to transfemoral. It is reported that the acute compartment syndrome (ACS) in forearm is significant lower comparing to leg. A 47 y.o. male with ACS following a transradial approach of PCI due to inferior myocardial infarction was reported. The patient experienced pain and swelling in his right forearm for 7 hr after the procedure and was later brought to hospital and treated with emergency of fasciotomy. The patient showed good post-fasciotomy recovery on the first 2 wk and showed good DASH score after 4 wk. Quick diagnosis with prompt treatment makes a better outcome for the patient. Consequently, a high level of awareness to make the diagnosis as quickly and accurately management as possible could prevent morbidity caused by late and unrecognized management compartment syndrome eventually could make a better clinical outcome.
Leukoaraiosis is a neurological imaging in the periventricular area and the centrum semiovale. This condition occurs due to abnormalities in the small blood vessels in the brain that lead to hypoxia. It is often observed in patients with ischemic stroke and accompanied by risk factors for hyperlipidemia. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between the degree of leukoaraiosis and hyperlipidemia in post-ischemic stroke patients. A cross-sectional study retrospectively was conducted on post-ischemic stroke patients who underwent brain MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) on T2 and FLAIR (fluid-attenuated inversion recovery) sequence at the Department of Radiology, Dr. Sardjito General Hospital, Yogyakarta, from January 2021 to March 2022. A total of 36 patients were involved in this study. The leukoaraiosis of patient was examined by brain MRI. Degree of the leukoaraiosis was determined based on Fazekas classification. Serum cholesterol, HDL (high-density lipoprotein), LDL (low-density lipoprotein), and triglyceride levels of patients were then examined. The data obtained were then analyzed using Spearman correlation test. A positive correlation was observed between the degree of leukoaraiosis and triglyceride level (p = 0.042; r = 0.292) and age (p= 0.004; r = 0.464). However, no correlation was observed between the degree of leukoaraiosis and cholesterol, HDL, and LDL (p>0.05). In conclusion, the leukoaraiosis degree is correlated with serum triglyceride levels and age in post-ischemic stroke patients.
Globally, lung cancer is one of the cancers leading to dead, dominated by non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In a previous study has shown those serial miRNA expressions (miR-148, miR-34, miR-222, and miR-155) had prognostic value in advanced-stage NSCLC patients. Meanwhile, CEA and Cyfra 21-1, pulmonary tumor markers, are sometimes considered in the Department of Pulmonology, Dharmais Cancer Hospital, Jakarta, although they are not used in routine clinics for prognostication. Both miRNA and CEA-Cyfra 21-1 are valuable biomarkers in NSCLC. This study aimed to evaluate their correlation between CEA and/or Cyfra 21-1 with miRNA expressions in NSCLC patients. It was a cohort retrospective study using data from the previous study. The correlation between variables was analyzed by Spearman-rho. A positive correlation was observed between CEA and Cyfra 21-1 with miR-148, miR-222, and miR-155 [(CEA: p=0.00369, r=0.522; p=0.00242, r=0.542; p 0.00106, r=0.576) (Cyfra: 21-1= p 0.01252, r=0.378; p=0.00035, r=0.519; p=0.01532, r=0.368)]. In conclusion, CEA and Cyfra 21-1 correlate with miR-148, miR-222, and miR-155 expressions in advanced-stage NSCLC.
