Medicine
-
Myasthenia Gravis (MG), a chronic neuromuscular junction disorder, emerged as one of the serious side effects of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination. We aimed to summarize the findings of studies on the clinical features and outcomes of COVID-19 vaccination-associated MG. ⋯ MG cases after the COVID-19 vaccine are more likely to occur among males and adults older than 50 years. Our pooled cohort data suggest MG symptoms appear within 2 weeks after receiving the vaccine. The presenting symptoms in MG cases associated with COVID-19 vaccine are possibly similar to non-vaccination related MGs. Most patients are expected to experience partial/complete improvement within 1 month.
-
The pandemic of COVID-19 is a traumatic event with distressing implications for mental health and several aspects of life. This study aimed to assess Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) among patients who experienced mild-to-moderate COVID-19 and their household contacts. This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted between May 2020 and November 2020, in Ismailia and Suez governorates. ⋯ The odds ratio of PTSD and HRQoL was 0.27 (95% CI: 0.2-0.36) and 0.3 (95% CI: 0.23-0.39) in participants who had more than a case of COVID-19 within their families. All the studied COVID-19 participants showed PTSD and impaired HRQoL, compared to 12% and 7% of their contacts, respectively. Past COVID-19 was associated with impairment of all domains of HRQoL and the most affected were the physical, psychological and impairment domains.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Cost-effectiveness of virtual reality and wet laboratory cataract surgery simulation.
To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of phacoemulsification simulation training in virtual reality simulator and wet laboratory on operating theater performance. ⋯ Combining virtual reality simulator with wet laboratory phacoemulsification training is effective for skills transfer in the operating theater. Despite of the high capital cost of virtual reality simulator, its relatively low recurring cost is more favorable toward cost-effectiveness.
-
Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) is an immune-mediated inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. This study aimed to delineate the clinical manifestations, imaging features, and long-term outcomes in Chinese patients with MOGAD and analyze the recurrence-associated factors. The phenotypic and neuroimaging characteristics of 15 Han Chinese patients with MOGAD were retrospectively analyzed. ⋯ Optic neuritis was the most common clinical manifestation of MOGAD. magnetic resonance imaging findings were heterogeneous and the cerebral cortex/subcortical white matter was the most susceptible brain region. Although patients in the acute phase responded well to methylprednisolone pulse therapy, the long-term recurrence rate was high. Consistently detected serum MOG antibodies and inappropriate maintenance immunotherapy may be associated with recurrence, and residual neurological deficits should not be ignored.
-
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) develops from the mucosal epithelium of the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx, and is the most common malignancy of the head and neck, the incidence of which continues to rise. The epidermal growth factor receptor is thought to play a key role in the pathogenesis of HNSCC. Inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor has been identified as an effective target for the treatment of HNSCC. ⋯ This review provides an overview of the available literature and reports highlighting the in vitro effects of phytochemicals on epidermal growth factor in various HNSCC cell models and in vivo in animal models and emphasizes the importance of epidermal growth factor as a current therapeutic target for HNSCC. Based on our review, we conclude that phytochemicals targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor are potentially effective candidates for the development of new drugs for the treatment of HNSCC. It provides an idea for further development and application of herbal medicines for cancer treatment.