Application of CRISPR/Cas9 in the management of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease: a review.

The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated (Cas) nucleases system (CRISPR/Cas9) is a popular gene-editing technology with an expanding scope in the field of medicine. Recent studies have investigated the role of CRISPR/Cas9 system in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Since the risk of occurrence of both conditions is strongly associated with genetic mutations and variations, the use of gene-editing technologies to rectify these genetic errors becomes relevant. The CRISPR/Cas9 system has been tested in AD, which has led to a decrease in either amyloid beta deposition or tau phosphorylation in cells. Likewise, genetic mutations in cells affected by PD have been corrected with promising results in initial studies undertaken. Therefore, the use of the CRISPR/Cas9 system should be expanded among different populations to understand its efficacy and safety in depth among neurodegenerative conditions.

Retraction: Relationship Between Chronic Kidney Disease Staging and Vitamin D Deficiency: A Retrospective Study.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.7759/cureus.21221.].

Retraction: Comparison of High-Statin Therapy vs Moderate-Statin Therapy in Achieving Positive Low-Density Lipoprotein Change in Patients After Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Randomized-Control Trial.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.7759/cureus.20710.].

Relationship Between Chronic Kidney Disease Staging and Vitamin D Deficiency: A Retrospective Study.

Introduction Vitamin D deficiency is a rising health issue in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). It can lead to serious issues such as rickets, periodontitis, osteoporosis, weakness, muscle ache, and depression. This study was conducted to determine the vitamin D status of patients with CKD in Pakistan and evaluate the correlation between serum vitamin D and renal function progression. Methodology A retrospective study enrolled patients who visited Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, from January 2015 to January 2021 with a primary diagnosis of CKD. Anthropometric, laboratory, and demographic data were collected from the hospital management information system (HMIS). Results A total of 513 patients with CKD were included in the study. More than 50% of the patients were from stage 3 to stage 5 of CKD while the rest were from stage 1 and stage 2. Significant differences are in relation to calcium, phosphate, and albumin across categories of severity of CKD. Calcium is lowest in stage 5 while phosphate is highest in stage 5. Vitamin D deficiency was found in all participants, but serum vitamin D concentration was lowest in stage 5, i.e., 8.14+6.00. The changing of vitamin D level was associated with the severity of CKD staging (p-value=0.003). Conclusion The current study has shown that vitamin D deficiency, calcium deficiency, and hyperphosphatemia are more common in patients with CKD, but their severity is more common in advanced stages of CKD.

Comparison of High-Statin Therapy vs Moderate-Statin Therapy in Achieving Positive Low-Density Lipoprotein Change in Patients After Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Randomized-Control Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Statin use in secondary prevention after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) can play an important role in enhancing clinical outcomes, this has been proven in several randomized trials. This study was conducted to compare the efficacy of moderate-intensity and high-intensity statins in controlling low-density lipoprotein (LDL) after ACS. METHODOLOGY: A randomized control trial was conducted at the Cardiology Department of Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, from July 2020 to September 2021. During admission, patients were either started on a high-intensity statin dose (rosuvastatin 20 mg) or moderate-intensity statin (rosuvastatin 10 mg) by a computer-generated allocation sequence. Patients were followed-up in the outpatient department (OPD) after 3 months, and a lipid profile at follow-up was obtained. The percentage of LDL change was determined on 3 months of follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 590 patients were enrolled in the study. Out of all participants enrolled, 334 (80.48%) completed the 3-month follow-up. The mean age of participants was 58.08 (+12.06) years. High-intensity statin therapy is positively associated with positive LDL change (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=4.45, P-value=0.001). CONCLUSION: Our data implies that high-intensity statin medication may be an initial therapeutic option to decrease LDL. However, future randomized clinical trials should corroborate these findings.

Mega-megacolon: a case report.

PURPOSE: Large bowel obstruction and megacolon formation secondary to complicated diverticulitis is rare. METHODS: We present a case of an 84-year-old woman surviving large bowel obstruction and mega-megacolon formation secondary to complicated diverticulitis, with an impressive presentation of abdominal distention. RESULTS: The patient's symptoms, laboratory test results, and imaging were consistent with large bowel obstruction. The patient underwent urgent exploratory laparotomy. Upon entry in the abdomen, it was unexpected that the extreme colonic wall thickening had prevented perforation, indicating the longtime course of illness. The biopsy of the specimen from the site of the obstruction demonstrated an inflammatory obstructing mass. CONCLUSION: This report aims to point out the atypical and in-extremes presentation of an otherwise common disease.