Medicine
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Observational Study
Salt intake causes B-type natriuretic peptide elevation independently of blood pressure elevation in the general population without hypertension and heart disease.
Excessive salt intake causes hypertension and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is synthesized and released from the ventricle, and is a surrogate marker reflecting various CVDs. Moreover, when a slight BNP elevation is shown, it leads to a poor prognosis in the general population. ⋯ Moreover, multiple linear regression analyses revealed that plasma BNP levels showed a significant positive association with daily salt intake levels after adjustments. Plasma BNP levels were significantly and positively associated with daily salt intake after adjustment in the general population. Plasma BNP levels may be a surrogate marker reflecting salt-induced heart diseases.
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Anti-PD-1 antibody is the standard therapy for treatment-resistant gastric cancer, but only a limited number of patients respond. Additionally, cases of hyper-progressive disease (HPD) in which tumor growth accelerates after anti-PD-1 antibody administration have been reported; however, the biological mechanism has not been elucidated. ⋯ The findings suggest the possibility that PD-L1-positive M2 macrophage might contribute to acceleration of tumor growth with anti-PD-1 therapy in the present case.
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Meningeal melanocytoma is a rare benign melanocytic tumor of the central nervous system. We report for the first time a case of meningeal melanocytoma treated with immunotherapy. ⋯ This case report is the first about a patient with meningeal melanocytoma treated with immunotherapy. Treatment based on biomolecular mutations will probably change spinal melanocytoma therapeutic approach in the next few years.
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Case Reports
Rescue balloon-assisted remodeling technique for protrusion of coil loop: A case report.
Among the possible complications during endovascular embolization of intracranial aneurysms, coil protrusion into the parent artery is associated with parent artery occlusion or thromboembolic of the distal arteries. There is no clearly established management strategy for coil protrusion. This report demonstrates our experience with balloon-assisted remodeling to reposition a protruded coil loop. ⋯ The rescue balloon-assisted remodeling technique was useful in the management of protrusion of a small coil loop into the parent artery during endovascular coil embolization of an intracranial aneurysm. The procedure was associated with minimal complications.
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Malignant catatonia (MC) is a movement disorder syndrome characterized by immobility, rigidity, and consciousness disorders that develops in association with mental and physical diseases. It is often fatal due to hyperthermia, rhabdomyolysis, and acute kidney injury. Its clinical symptoms are similar to those of another disorder, neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), and it is often difficult to distinguish between the 2 disorders. ⋯ This is the first report of MC with suspected involvement of pulmonary aspergillosis. MC differs from NMS, in that it is treated more effectively with gamma-aminobutyric acid A agonists. Although benzodiazepines are the first choice for the diagnosis and treatment of MC, they are ineffective for majority of patients with schizophrenia. However, even in such cases, propofol and quetiapine are effective, and they facilitate diagnosis and treatment.