Medicine
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Central neurocytoma occurring outside the ventricles is known as extraventricular neurocytoma (EVN). EVN is rare and its magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings vary greatly and overlap with the imaging features of other intracerebral primary tumors. ⋯ EVN can be considered as a differential diagnosis for lesions occurring in the cerebral hemispheres of young patients with cystic degeneration, thick fence-like enhancement, and peritumoral edema on MRI.
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Observational Study
Effect of Japanese Kampo medicine, eppikajutsuto, in patients with lymphatic malformation: A retrospective observational study.
Lymphatic malformations (LMs) are congenital malformations of the lymphatic system that cause considerable cosmetic and functional complications. In this study, we present 8 children with LM who were treated with the Kampo medicine eppikajutsuto (EKJT). Between 2001 and 2020, 8 children (male: 4, female: 4) with LMs who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation both before and after treatment or observation were selected for investigating the effect of EKJT. ⋯ The treatment was well-tolerated, with no severe adverse events. This preliminary study demonstrated the beneficial effects of EKJT. Prospective evaluations of this promising therapeutic modality are warranted based on the results of this study.
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Acute pancreatitis is a common disease, and the mortality rate can be high. Thus, a risk assessment should be performed early to optimize treatment. We compared simple prognostic markers with the bedside index for severity in acute pancreatitis (BISAP) scoring system to identify the best predictors of severity and mortality. ⋯ NLR48 h and CRP48 h were independently associated with SAP but not superior to the BISAP score at admission. Assessing NLR48 h and CRP48H together was most suitable for predicting SAP. The CRP level was a good predictive marker for mortality.
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The mortality rate of patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibody -associated vasculitis (AAV) is higher than the general population. To date, no studies have evaluated the factors associated with unfavorable outcomes in Brazilian patients, who represent a miscegenated population. Our objective was to identify clinical and laboratory features associated with mortality in Brazilian patients with AAV. ⋯ Logistic regression analysis showed that high VDI, creatinine levels, and CRP levels were independent factors associated with mortality. Survival was significantly decreased in patients with renal impairment. This is the first study to use this approach performed in a Brazilian population and it showed that damage index, renal impairment, and CRP levels were associated with mortality in a miscegenated population with AAV.
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Observational Study
Psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic in the population of Argentina.
In addition to the implications that this pandemic has had on physical health, there are other circumstances that threaten the mental health of the population, such as lockdown measures to prevent the spread of the virus, uncertainty, and the increase in infections and deaths. For this reason, this study explored indicators of psychological distress in the Argentine population, as well as its relationship with sociodemographic and health variables. Cross-sectional observational study, with data collection from May to August 2020. ⋯ There was no evidence of association between psychological distress and contact with people infected with coronavirus disease 2019 or with material suspicious of being infected. This research provided an overview of the mental health status of a significant population sample in Argentina, months after the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. These findings complement those found in other national and international studies, allowing the accumulation of evidence that states the need to demand to draw attention to the mental health of the population, especially the most vulnerable groups, on behalf of the public authorities.