Medicine
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The antimicrobial peptide LL-37 belongs to the cathelicidin family and is one of the few human bactericidal peptides with potent antistaphylococcal activity. Staphylococcus aureus is one of the main infection bacteria in orthopedic implant therapy. Biofilm formation after bacterial infection brings more and more severe test for clinical antiinfection treatment. ⋯ Additionally, LL-37 at 5 μM had a significant destructive effect on S. aureus biofilm (P < .05) that formed on the titanium alloy surface. This study further confirmed the role of LL-37 in the process of S. aureus infection, including antimicrobial activities, inhibition of bacterial adhesion, and inhibition of mature biofilm. LL-37 can significantly destroy the stable biofilm structure on the titanium alloy surface in vitro, which may provide a new way for refractory infection caused by S. aureus in titanium alloy prosthesis infection.
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In addition to the maternal death indicator, Stork Network proposes the number of prenatal consultations, the gestational age of onset of prenatal care and the number of children breastfeeding. The study aims to analyze maternal health indicators representative of the actions proposed by Stork Network in Brazil, after its implementation. Therefore, this is an ecological study of maternal health indicators in Brazil from 2012 to 2017. ⋯ The proportion of pregnant women who started prenatal care in the first trimester of pregnancy increased progressively each year in Brazil. The breastfeeding coefficient also increased progressively between 2014 and 2017 in Brazil. It was found that maternal health indicators improved between 2012 and 2017 in the Brazilian territory.
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Ocular myasthenia gravis (MG) is the mainly widespread type of MG among juveniles. Buzhong Yiqi decoction (BZ) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine prescription for treating MG. It has rarely been discussed whether the concentration of anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies is related to the clinical status of juvenile ocular myasthenia gravis (JOMG) treated with BZ. ⋯ The results suggest that BZ could affect the AChR-ab. Repeated AChR-ab assays can provide information about the clinical status. For JOMG patients who only receive Buzhong Yiqi Decoction treatment, this can support treatment decisions.
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Various types of flaps are widely utilized as reconstructive options for patients with soft tissue defects. However, the postoperative monitoring of the flap requires a large amount of time and effort. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this novel monitoring procedure using negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) immediately after the flap operations. ⋯ The estimated total flap monitoring time and cost for 5 days was significantly decreased by the application of the novel NPWT monitoring system. Through the application of the novel postoperative monitoring system using NPWT, there is efficient evaluation of the flap. Furthermore, safe flap monitoring is possible with the reduced risk of infection by the avoidance of multiple manual dressing performed in the conventional method.
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Hydatid cyst is a parasitic infection caused mainly by Echinococcus granulosus, which is generally considered benign. However, the hepatic hydatid cyst rupture in the abdominal cavity is a life-threatening incident that requires urgent and multidisciplinary management (emergency physicians, radiologists, anesthetists, and surgeons). This study describes clinical and paraclinical liver hydatid cyst rupture in the peritoneal cavity and details the appropriate treatment. ⋯ No case of recurrence was reported among the patients. In endemic areas, rupture of a hepatic hydatid cyst in the abdominal cavity should be considered in every case of acute abdominal pain, especially if associated with anaphylaxis signs. Early management starting in the emergency room is needed to ensure good outcome.