Journal of Translational Internal Medicine

Open Access Published by De Gruyter Open Access

Volume 4 Issue 4

December 2016

Issue of Journal of Translational Internal Medicine

Submit manuscript

Contents
Journal Overview

Editorial

Open Access December 30, 2016

Galileo in Bethesda: The future of gene editing

Lawrence Grouse

Page range: 143-146

Download PDF

Guideline Interpretation

Open Access December 30, 2016

2016 Revision to the WHO classification of acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Shuai Wang, Guangsheng He

Page range: 147-149

Download PDF

Review Article

Open Access December 30, 2016

Lipodystrophy HIV-related and FGF21: A new marker to follow the progression of lipodystrophy?

Stefano Benedini, Livio Luzi

Page range: 150-154

More Download PDF

Abstract

Recently new evidence about fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) highlights the opportunities to use this molecule in new pharmaceutical formulations to combat type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. It is well known that HIV is per se a condition of insulin resistance and in particular the patient with HIV-related lipodystrophy has a condition strictly related to metabolic syndrome. Lipodystrophy is associated with severe metabolic side effects, including dyslipidemia, hepatic insulin resistance, and lipid oxidation impairment. Research carried out showed that FGF21 levels were significantly increased in untreated HIV-1-infected patients and the increase was much marked in HIV-1-infected antiretroviral-treated patients that have developed lipodystrophy and in the patients with greatest metabolic alterations. FGF21 is expressed mainly by the liver, but also by other tissues such as the thymus, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle. Therefore, many researchers have considered the investigation of possible variations of FGF21 in patients with significant alterations in body composition both in regard to fat mass and lean mass. In the light of the possible interactions between FGF21 and metabolic syndrome, it seems interesting to evaluate the implication of this hormone in patients with HIV-related lipodystrophy who have a severe metabolic picture of insulin resistance with important alterations in body composition.

Review Article

Open Access December 30, 2016

Management of hospitalized type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

Juan José Marín-Peñalver, Iciar Martín-Timón, Francisco Javier del Cañizo-Gómez

Page range: 155-161

More Download PDF

Abstract

Both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia in hospitalized patients are associated with adverse outcomes including increased rates of infection, longer hospital length of stay, and even death. Clinical trials in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus proved that by improving glycemic control, we can reduce all of them. Insulin is the preferred treatment for glycemic control in most cases, but alternative treatment options that can normalize blood glucose levels without hypoglycemia are being sought. Moreover, hospitalized patients are particularly vulnerable to severe, prolonged hypoglycemia since they may be unable to sense or respond to the early warning signs and symptoms of low blood glucose. Finally, nutritional support, corticosteroid therapy, and surgery increase the risk of hyperglycemia that leads to an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. We review the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients who are admitted to the general medical wards of the hospital for a procedure of intercurrent illness.

Review Article

Open Access December 30, 2016

Hepatitis C in Cameroon: What is the progress from 2001 to 2016?

Borris Rosnay Tietcheu Galani, Richard Njouom, Paul Fewou Moundipa

Page range: 162-169

More Download PDF

Abstract

Chronic hepatitis C is a major public health problem in sub-Saharan countries and particularly in Cameroon where the prevalence rate is around 7.6% in the age group of 55–59 years. Recent investigations into this infection allowed defining a national seroprevalence, characterizing virological and biological profiles of infected patients and identifying medicinal plants of potential interest in hepatitis C therapy. However, in Cameroon, no existing report currently presents a good overview of hepatitis C research in relation to these parameters. This review seeks to discuss major findings published since 2001 that have significantly advanced our understanding of the epidemiology and treatment of hepatitis C in Cameroonian patients and highlight the major challenges that remain to overcome. We performed a systematic search in Pubmed and Google Scholar. Studies evaluating prevalence, treatment, coinfection, and genetic diversity of HCV infection in Cameroon were included. Studies suggest that HCV prevalence in Cameroon would be low (around 1.1%) with a lot of disparities according to regions and age of participants. Elders, pregnant women, blood donors, health care workers, patients on hemodialysis, and homozygous sickle cell patients have been identified as risk groups. Moreover, HCV/HBV coinfection was found more prevalent than HCV/HIV coinfection. Phylogenic studies reported circulation of three main genotypes such genotypes 1, 2, and 4 but little is known about antiviral candidates from the Cameroonian pharmacopeia. In conclusion, some epidemiological data prove that hepatitis C in Cameroon is well known but efforts are still necessary to prevent or control this infection.

Original Article

Open Access December 30, 2016

Metabolic acidosis status and mortality in patients on the end stage of renal disease

Vaia D. Raikou

Page range: 170-177

More Download PDF

Abstract

Background and Objectives Uncorrected metabolic acidosis leads to higher death risk in dialysis patients. We observed the relationship between metabolic acidosis status and mortality rate in patients on renal replacement therapy during a median follow up time of 60 months. Methods We studied 76 patients on an on-line hemodiafiltration. The dialysis adequacy was defined by Kt/V for urea. The Framingham risk score (FRS) points were used to determine the 10-year risk for coronary heart disease. We examined the impact of high or low serum bicarbonate concentrations on mortality rate and on 10-year risk for coronary heart disease via the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox’s model was used to evaluate a combination of prognostic variables, such as dialysis adequacy defined by Kt/V for urea, age and serum bicarbonate concentrations. Results We divided the enrolled patients in three groups according to serum bicarbonate concentrations (< 20 mmol/L, 20-22 mmol/L and > 22 mmol/L). Kaplan-Meier survival curve for the impact of serum bicarbonate concentrations on overall mortality was found significant (log-rank = 7.8, P = 0.02). The prevalence of serum bicarbonate less or more than 20 mmol/L on high FRS (> 20%) by Kaplan-Meier curve was also found significant (log-rank = 4.9, P = 0.02). Cox’s model revealed the significant predictive effect of serum bicarbonate on overall mortality ( P = 0.006, OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.12-1.98) in combination to Kt/V for urea and age. Conclusion Uncorrected severe metabolic acidosis, defined by serum bicarbonate concentrations less than 20 mmol/L, is associated with a 10-year risk for coronary heart disease more than 20% and high overall mortality in patients on renal replacement therapy.

Rapid Communication

Open Access December 30, 2016

Loose ends in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection

Armando Peixoto, Marco Silva, Rui Gaspar, Rui Morais, Rosa Ramalho, Guilherme Macedo, João Santos-Antunes

Page range: 178-181

More Download PDF

Abstract

The eradication of Helicobacter pylori is essential for prevention and treatment of various conditions associated with this infection. However, its effectiveness is limited and influenced by factors linked to the bacteria and the host. In particular, influence of the biotype, smoking, diabetes mellitus, and previous treatment failure in eradication is understudied. Our center proposed to evaluate these aspects in a real life cohort by applying a questionnaire with demographic and lifestyle variables in patients who consecutively underwent urease breath test after the eradication therapy.

Case Report

Open Access December 30, 2016

The third-time chronic myeloid leukemia in lymphoblastic crisis with ABL1 kinase mutation induced by decitabine, dexamethason combined with nilotinib and dasatinib

Suli Wang, Chun Qiao, Yu Zhu, Wenyi Shen, Guangsheng He, Jianyong Li

Page range: 182-184

More Download PDF

Abstract

Blast crisis (BC) is the major remaining challenge in the management of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The prognosis of the BC patient who carries ABL kinase mutation is very poor. One patient, with lymphoid CML-BC third time, was detected with T315A/F359I/M244V compound mutation by direct sequencing after treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitions three years. The patient was treated with decitabine, dexamethasone, in combination with nilotinib and dasatinib. Then this patient received a complete hematologic response and cytogenetic response after two cycles of treatment.

About this journal

Print ISSN 2450-131X
Online ISSN 2224-4018

Journal of Translational Internal Medicine (JTIM), launched in Dec 2013, is an open access journal publishing articles in all areas of translational internal medicine. The journal focuses on information derived from human disease-related experimentations so as to optimize the communication between basic scientific research and clinical science. It has a cycling nature, namely from basic research to clinical practice and then from clinical practice back to basic research.

Aims and Scope

Journal of Translational Internal Medicine (JTIM) is devoted to promoting science and practice in translational medicine and internal medicine in the world. To this end, JTIM publishes articles from all areas of internal medicine. The journal publishes original articles, rapid communications, editorials, reviews, highlights, perspective and other information closed relevant to translational medicine, internal medicine and related fields. Other types of articles include advanced experience, ideological highlights, and Q&A from scholars and scientists in related fields. JTIM will also launch Special Issues in rapid response to the newest development directions of scientific research fields.

JTIM has the ambition to and will become the EXCELLENT international platform for the publication of outstanding studies from all over the world. JTIM is designed to report research progress and the most recent findings in Translational Internal Medicine field, accelerating successful transformation from basic research results to clinically practical theories，diagnosis and treatment techniques, methodologies and drug discovery. With the aims of health care delivery and policy making, JTIM will help to best balance benefits, qualities and costs of medications. At JTIM, we have a challenging mission: to improve the quality of human life and enable people live longer by facilitating disease prevention, treatment and eventually the CURE.

Journal of Translational Internal Medicine is academically supported by:

International Society of Translational Sciences,
Infectious Diseases Society of China,
Chinese Hypertension Committee of Chinese Medical Doctors Association,
China Alliance of COPD, China RTI Optimal Treatment Committee,
Drug Clinical Assessment Committee of Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.