Medicine
-
Clinical value of anxiety and depression in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is rarely studied. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore longitudinal changes of anxiety and depression, as well as their correlation with recurrence in AIS. A total of 120 AIS patients and 120 controls were enrolled in the study. ⋯ Moreover, accumulating recurrence rate was 6.7%, 11.7%, and 17.5% at 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years, respectively. Additionally, anxiety at M24 (P = .033), depression at M0, M12, M24, and M36 (all P < .05) were all correlated with increased accumulating recurrence rate. Continuous monitoring of anxiety and depression might be beneficial for the management of AIS prognosis.
-
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by facial angiofibromas, epilepsy, intellectual disability, and the development of hamartomas in several organs, including the heart, kidneys, brain, and lungs. Mutations in either TSC1 or TSC2 result in dysregulated mTOR activation, leading to the occurrence of TSC. ⋯ We identified a novel heterozygous TSC2 variant, c.336_336 + 15delGGTAAGGCCCAGGGCG, in a patient with classical TSC and demonstrated that this variant leads to aberrant splicing using a minigene assay. Our results extend the understanding of the mutational spectrum of TSC2.
-
Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is mainly used to treat acute and chronic esophageal, gastric, and intestinal variceal bleeding and refractory ascites caused by portal hypertension. The most common complication of TIPS is the development of hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is an emerging method for treating diseases by altering the intestinal flora. We present 2 cases of FMT that ameliorated liver function and HE after TIPS. ⋯ FMT may be another effective way to treat HE, and is worthy of further research.
-
Can red cell distribution width in very low birth weight infants predict bronchopulmonary dysplasia?
Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a useful marker for assessing the severity and prognosis of various diseases in adults. However, whether it is applicable to children, especially in newborns, has not been determined. This study aimed to investigate the RDW values of preterm infants and evaluate whether RDW values in the early days of life can predict bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) development. ⋯ The levels remained similar at 1 month of age. RDW at birth, D7, and D28 and the changes in RDW from birth to D7 were not correlated with the development of BPD independent of its severity. The usefulness of RDW as a predictor of BPD development remains questionable and requires further study.
-
Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) is a rare condition characterized by multiple gas-filled cysts in the intestinal wall, and can be caused by many conditions. ⋯ PCI is a rare condition that may be secondary to many other diseases. Because of its atypical clinical manifestations, it can be misdiagnosed as other diseases, such as polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, and even cancer. The diagnosis of PCI depends on computed tomography, colonoscopy, and endoscopic ultrasonography. Fine-needle aspiration may be helpful in the diagnosis and treatment of PCI.