Investigación Clínica

Tabla de Contenido

Elena Ryder — 2025-06-06

Investigación Clínica en sus 65 años continúa adaptándose a los requerimientos universales de publicaciones científicas.

Elena Ryder — 2025-06-06

In celebrating our 65th anniversary, we continue to adapt to all the requirements for scientific publications. We have shifted from print to digital and continued publishing quarterly on time, despite adverse circumstances like the COVID-19 pandemic. We have published systematic reviews and meta-analyses. We have used the ORCID number for authors, referees, and the editorial board, as well as the DOI number for all published works. We have also provided disclosure of authors’ participation in the publication, funding sources, approval by the ethics committee of the institution responsible for the work, disclosure of conflicts of interest, and the use of artificial intelligence in writing the manuscript. We remain indexed in Web of Science and Scopus and have reactivated our indexing in Scielo. All works published over the past 65 years are freely available on our website and/or in the repositories of the University of Zulia and Scielo-Venezuela. The 879 papers published between 1989 and 2017 remain in PubMed, an index we had to abandon due to our country’s technological limitations. We are listed on Google Scholar; and CrossRef reports the papers’ readership by their respective DOIs. This information about the journal’s search is also monitored through our website, which reflects its widespread worldwide dissemination. I want to thank the authors who have chosen to publish their work, the referees who generously collaborated with the review of articles, the members of the Editorial Committee, especially the website administrator, the Style, Language, and Statistics Committees, and our efficient graphic designer, for all the support that allows “Investigación Clínica” to remain current and maintain a place of national and international honor. A word of thanks also goes to the many other collaborators who help us disseminate our published material.

Correlation between human papillomavirus infection and vaginal microecological environment, and the effect of Lactobacillus vaginal capsules combined with recombinant human interferon α-2b gel on human papillomavirus infection.

Yanling Sun — 2025-06-06

This study mainly analyzed the correlation between human pap- illomavirus infection (HPV) and vaginal microecological environment and explored the effect of Lactobacillus vaginal capsule combined with recombinant human interferon α-2b gel on HPV infection. Five hundred patients who underwent a gynecological examination in our hospital from June 2021 to June 2023 were selected and divided into HPV-positive and HPV-negative groups. Relative to the HPV-negative group, the HPV-positive group presented a higher abnormal rate of Lactobacillus, catalase, cleanliness, neuraminidase and proline aminopeptidase (p<0.05) and a higher positive rate of bacterial vaginosis (BV) (p<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that catalase, proline aminopeptidase and BV were risk factors for HPV infection (p<0.05). In addition, 180 HPV-positive patients were randomly divided into a control group (CG) and an observation group (OG). The CG was given recombinant human interferon α-2b gel, and the OG was treated with recombinant human interferon α-2b gel plus a Lactobacillus vaginal capsule. Relative to the CG, the OG presented a higher total effective rate (p<0.05), lower inflammation (p<0.01), better immune function (p<0.01), and a higher proportion of grade II-III vaginal flora density and grade II-III vaginal flora diversity (p<0.001). Collectively, HPV is significantly correlated with the vaginal microecological environment, and catalase, proline aminopeptidase and BV were closely related to HPV infec- tion. In addition, Lactobacillus vaginal capsule plus recombinant human interferon α-2b gel has practical clinical efficacy, which can reduce inflammation, promote immune function, improve vaginal microecological environment, and is safe in the treatment of patients with HPV infection.

Value of ultrasound shear wave elastography and gray-scale ultrasonography for assessing the bladder neck status of women with stress urinary incontinence.

Huaying Shan — 2025-06-06

We aimed to investigate the value of ultrasound shear wave elastography (US-SWE) and gray-scale ultrasonography for assessing the bladder neck status of patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Seventy-two puerperal women with SUI treated from February 2022 to September 2023 were selected as a research group, while another 50 healthy pregnant women receiving physical examination in the same period were selected as a control group. US-SWE and gray-scale ultrasonography were performed for all subjects. The height, length, circumference and area of the perineal body at rest and the maximum, as well as the thicknesses and elastic moduli of anterior and posterior lips of the bladder neck, were compared. At the maximum Valsalva maneuver (VM), the research group had higher height, smaller length and area, and shorter circumference of the perineal body than those of the control group (p<0.05). Maternal SUI was positively correlated with the height of the perineal body (r>0, p<0.05) but negatively correlated with the length, circumference and area of the perineal body and the elastic moduli of anterior and poste- rior lips of the bladder neck (r<0, p<0.05). The elastic moduli of the anterior and posterior lips of the bladder neck and the height, length, circumference, and area of the perineal body at the maximum VM were valuable for assessing maternal SUI. US-SWE and gray-scale ultrasonography parameters are closely related to maternal SUI, and the risk of maternal SUI can be assessed early by the bladder neck status.

Correlation between thyroid hormone values and anemia in elderly patients with diabetic nephropathy.

Jingjing Yu — 2025-06-06

We aimed to explore the correlation between thyroid hormone levels and anemia severity in elderly diabetic nephropathy (DN) patients. Elderly DN patients (140 in total) diagnosed and treated during November 2019 and December 2023 were retrospectively recruited as a DN group, 140 patients with uncomplicated diabetes mellitus as a simple diabetes group, and 140 healthy subjects as a healthy group. A non-anemia group (n=63) and an anemia group (n=77) were set up as sets of the DN group according to the hemoglobin (Hb) level, and the anemia group was further divided into a severe group (n=48) (Hb<60 g/L), a moderate group (n=16) (60 g/L≤Hb<90 g/L) and a mild group (n=13) (Hb≥90 g/L). Compared to the simple diabetes group, signifi- cantly increased levels of serum TSH and significantly decreased levels of FT4 and FT3 were found in the DN group (p<0.05). A significant increase in TSH levels and significant decreases in FT4 and FT3 levels were detected in the serum from the moderate group compared with those from the mild group (p<0.05). The same trends in these levels were observed from the severe group compared to the moderate group (p<0.05). Hb had a negative correlation with TSH and positive correlations with FT4 and FT3 (p<0.05). High TSH and low FT4 and FT3 may be related to anemia in elderly patients with DN, and they have correlations with the severity of anemia.

Optimization of a real-time PCR assay for hepatitis B virus load determination in infected patients.

María Zulay Sulbarán — 2025-06-06

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a significant health problem in the world, with around 294 million chronic carriers. Determination of viral load is crucial for the monitoring and treatment follow-up of HBV-infected patients. In-house methods are economical alternatives for those settings where HBV viral load determination might not be widely available commercially. Molecular diagnostic techniques need to take into account the variability of this virus. The aim of this study was the evaluation and optimization of a real-time PCR method for the determination of HBV load. After optimization, the in-house assay evaluated in this study showed acceptable sensitivity and specificity, allowing its use for monitoring patients in low-income settings.

Effects of oral nutritional supplementation in a case-management model on body composition changes in patients after bariatric surgery.

Juan Cheng — 2025-06-06

This study explores the effects of oral nutritional supplementation in a case-management model on body composition alterations in patients after bariatric surgery. One hundred and twenty obese patients admitted to the Jiangsu Province Suqian Hospital from January 2024 to March 2025 who underwent bariatric surgery were included. Patients were divided into an observation group and a control group. The control group adopted routine nursing measures. Based on routine nursing measures, the observation group adopted an individualized nutritional supplement intervention according to the ideal body weight and the principle of limiting energy intake. One and three months after surgery, compared with the control group, the improvements of body fat percentage, free fat mass (FFM), body mass index (BMI), body weight, skeletal muscle mass, and excess weight loss rate in the observation group were more significant. The albumin, hemoglobin, and total protein levels were higher; emotional eating, external eating, restrained eating, and the Bariatric Surgery Self-management Questionnaire (BSSQ) scores were significantly improved. The scores of physical function, social function, physical pain, emotional function, general health, mental health, physical role, and vitality were higher. The total incidence of postoperative complications was lower, while the total nursing satisfaction rate of patients was higher. To sum up, oral nutritional supplementation in the case-management model can improve body composition, promote nutritional status, reduce the incidence of complications, promote postoperative self-management ability, and enhance the quality of life and nursing satisfaction in patients after bariatric surgery.

The p300-NF-κB pathway induces the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and the pyroptosis of neurons in an in vitro model of Alzheimer’s disease.

Fengqin Sun — 2025-06-06

Inflammation-induced neuronal death is the primary cause of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). p300 plays an important role in brain disorders. However, the role of p300 in AD remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the potential of p300 in an in vitro model of AD. Protein expression was detected using western blotting. The mRNA levels were determined by reverse transcrip- tion-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Cytokine release was detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cellular function was determined using the cell counting kit-8, lactate dehydrogenase, and flow cytometry assays. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase assays verified the interaction between nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and the NLR family pyrin domain con- taining 3 (NLRP3). E1A binding protein p300 (p300) was overexpressed in the Aβ _1-42induced AD model in vitro. However, treatment with the p300 inhibitor (GNE-049) alleviated inflammation and Aβ _1-42-induced pyroptosis in the neurons. p300 activates NF-κB, which antagonizes the effects of GNE-049 and pro- motes neuronal pyroptosis. Moreover, NF-κB epigenetically activates the NLRP3 inflammasome. The p300/NF-κB pathway promotes neuronal pyroptosis in an in vitro AD model by activating the NLRP3 inflammasome. Therefore, the p300/ NF-κB/NLRP3 signalling pathway may be a potential therapeutic target for AD.

Lycopene regulates the formation of calcium oxalate kidney stones by modulating reactive oxygen species(ROS) and NF-κB pathways.

Liangwen Ye — 2025-06-06

This study aims to determine whether lycopene can reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory damage in HK-2 cell cultures induced by calcium oxalate crystallization through the modulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the NF-κB signalling pathway. Cell cultures were divided into four groups: The control group, the Model group (COM + oxalic acid), and two Lycopene intervention groups (COM + oxalic acid + 5/10 μmol/L lycopene). After 24 hours of culture, viability, LDH, oxidative and anti-oxidative parameters, mitochondrial membrane potential, MCP-1, IL -6, apoptosis and related proteins, and activation and expression of NF-κB were determined by adequate methods. When compared to the control group, the model group exhibited decreased cell activity (p<0.001) and GSH and SOD antioxidant capacity (p<0.05), along-side a significant rise in LDH, MDA, and the release of inflammatory mediators MCP-1 and IL -6 (p<0.05). The levels of protein expression for NF-κB, OPN, Bax, Cyt C, and active Caspase-3 were increased (p<0.05), whereas Bcl-2 protein expression significantly diminished (p<0.05). The mitochondrial membrane potential decreased. Lycopene intervention reduced the damage to HK-2 cells (p<0.05), accompanied by decreased levels of LDH, MDA, and inflammatory factors MCP-1 and IL -6 (p<0.05), and increased GSH and SOD antioxidant capacity (p<0.05). The mitochondrial membrane potential was observed to increase. No significant changes were observed in the expression of NF-κB. The expressions of OPN, Bax, Cyt C, and Caspase-3 decreased (p<0.05), whereas the level of Bcl-2 protein expression increased. In conclusion, lycopene decreas- es cellular damage by inhibiting lipid peroxidation induced by calcium oxalate crystals and oxalate, enhancing intracellular antioxidant enzyme activity, modulating ROS and NF-κB inflammatory pathways, improving mitochondrial integrity, and exerting anti-inflammatory effects through the inhibition of the mitochondrial-mediated Bax/Caspase-3 signalling pathway.

Impact of regional anesthesia vs general anesthesia on postoperative outcomes in elderly patients with hip fracture: a meta-analysis.

Feng Han — 2025-06-06

The objective of this study was to utilize meta-analysis to com- pare the impact of regional anesthesia (RA) versus general anesthesia (GA) on postoperative outcomes in elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery. Electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase) were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effects of RA and GA in elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery. The random or fixed-effects model was used to calculate pooled relative risks (RR) and mean differences (MD). Fourteen RCTs involving 5626 elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery were included. Meta-analysis indicated that RA was associated with a lower incidence of intraoperative blood loss (MD: -39.7 mL; 95% CI:-68.61, -10.84; p = 0.007), adverse events including intraoperative hypotension (RR: 1.09; 95% CI: 0.90, 1.32; p = 0.005) and postoperative cognitive dysfunction (RR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.37, 0.86; p = 0.007) compared to GA. However, no statistically significant differences were found between RA and GA regarding surgical time, anesthesia time, intraoperative transfusion, hospital length, delirium, and mortality. RA can effectively reduce intraoperative blood loss and the risk of hypotension. Due to the current lack of evidence, no positive effects of RA on other postoperative outcomes were identified. A rigorously designed, high-quality study is warranted to determine the impact of anesthesia type on elderly hip fracture patients.