Medicine
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The U. S. public health response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been widely criticized as having downplayed the potential implications COVID-19 could have on one's personal health. Despite the unprecedented threat of COVID-19, many individuals still believed that it was not at all likely that they would become infected. ⋯ In multivariable analyses, compared to White participants, Latinx participants were significantly more likely to be non-responders and report low likelihood of perceived susceptibility (Risk Ratio [RR]: 3.46; 95% confidence interval: 1.19, 10.1), as were Black participants (RR: 5.49; 95% confidence interval: 2.19, 13.8). A year into the COVID-19 pandemic, 1 out of 11 participants persistently did not think they might be susceptible and potentially infected. Future studies are needed to understand reasons why certain individuals, particularly those of racial/ethnic minorities, did not perceive themselves at risk for infection.
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Fat embolism syndrome (FES) is composed of a triad of symptoms, including respiratory distress, neurologic deficit, and petechiae. Respiratory distress usually presents first before the other symptoms. Thrombotic pulmonary embolism (TPE) is a differential diagnosis of FES. Trauma is a risk factor for both diseases; however, co-occurrence is rare. ⋯ Concomitant TPE and FES after trauma are rare and require different treatment approaches. Due to clinical similarities, prompt chest CTPA was advised to detect TPE that was treated with anticoagulant therapy instead of supportive care for FES.
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Switching dual therapy with dolutegravir (DTG) plus rilpivirine (RPV) was assessed in the SWORD-1 and SWORD-2 studies. Real-life data regarding the immunological impact of this approach on CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte counts and the CD4/CD8 ratio are scarce. We evaluated this strategy on the basis of clinical practice data. ⋯ In acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-diagnosed patients, we found a significant increase in the CD4+ T-cell count at week 48 (log OR = 41.7, P = .0038), but no significant changes in the CD8+ T-cell count (log OR = -23.4, P = .54). No differences were found in the CD4/CD8 ratio between the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome subgroup and sex or age. In patients with controlled treatment, dual therapy with DTG plus RPV slightly improved the immune status during the first 48 weeks after switching, not only in terms of CD4+ T-cell count but also in terms of CD8+ T-cell count, with persistently high rates of viral control.
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Prospective case-control studyThis study aimed to investigate the effect of self-quarantine on the changes in low back symptoms and activities of daily living (ADL) due to low physical activity because of the COVID-19 pandemic in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). The frequency and intensity of low back and leg pain have reportedly increased in healthy subjects because of self-quarantine. Patients with LSS who self-quarantined from baseline (SQ group) were matched to controls who did not self-quarantine (non-SQ group), based on age, sex, medication, ADL, and the numeric rating scale score for low back symptoms. ⋯ However, no improvement in ADL was found. Self-quarantine had an unfavorable impact for health-related quality of life. The effect of self-quarantine can influence the treatment results of LSS.
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Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), the most common form of blood cancer. The genetic and clinical heterogeneity of DLBCL poses a major barrier to diagnosis and treatment. Hence, we aim to identify potential biomarkers for DLBCL. ⋯ Finally, results of DNA methylation analysis indicated that hypomethylation in KIF23's promoter region might be the result of its higher expression in DLBCL. The findings of this study suggested that KIF23 is a potential biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of DLBCL. However, further studies were needed to validate these findings.