Medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The effect of training using an upper limb rehabilitation robot (HEXO-UR30A) in chronic stroke patients: A randomized controlled trial.
Upper limb robotic rehabilitation can be beneficial to the patients when applied appropriately. HEXO-UR30A is a novel exoskeletal type upper limb rehabilitation robot that provides continuous passive motion to the shoulder joint. ⋯ These results show that HEXO-UR30A can improve functional ability in chronic stroke patients. Moreover, the high satisfaction in patients might promote active involvement in upper limb rehabilitation.
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Ecuador was an endemic area for iodine deficiency; however, due to the population consumption of iodized table salt, the country is nowadays considered iodine sufficient. Despite the population consumption of iodized salt for more than 50 years, the prevalence of hypothyroidism has increased in recent years. A similar increment has been reported for thyroid cancer (TC) becoming the second most common cancer in women and seventh most common cancer in men. ⋯ Enlarged thyroid glands and larger thyroid nodules were primarily observed in HE areas. Just 1 TC was observed. High BPb levels detected in HE areas were not associated with thyroid function or thyroid autoantibodies; however, increased thyroid size and numbers of thyroid nodules were observed, demanding further actions to control lead contamination in these Ecuadorian areas.
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Intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired pneumonia (ICUAP) is a major concern owing to its associated high mortality rate. Few studies have focused on ICUAP caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP). This study aimed to investigate the risk factors for ICUAP-associated death due to KP and to develop a mortality prediction model. ⋯ The predictive model was effective, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.823 (95% CI: 0.773-0.865). The number of independent risk factors is positively correlated with the risk of death. Our model shows excellent predictive performance.
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We retrospectively investigated the natural course of hemoglobin levels after allogenic blood transfusion in total knee arthroplasty. All patients were treated according to the same clinical pathway, and blood tests were performed on the same day. All blood tests were done on pre-op, immediate post-op, midnight of op day, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 11th day after surgery. ⋯ The hemoglobin level of total knee arthroplasty patients with no blood transfusion was the lowest on the 3rd day after surgery and increased afterwards. If blood transfusion was done within 2 days after surgery, the hemoglobin level was the lowest on the 5th day after surgery and increased afterwards. If blood transfusion was done on the 3rd day after surgery, the hemoglobin level increased afterwards.
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Case Reports
Inferior mesenteric artery arteriovenous malformation, a rare cause of ischemic colitis: A case report.
An arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is an abnormal tangle of blood vessels that connects the arteries and the veins. Because normal capillary bed is partially or completely absented in the AVM, the blood passes quickly from the arteries to the veins, which disrupts normal blood flow and oxygen supply to the surrounding tissues. This is called "steal phenomenon," and in the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) territory, this may lead to abdominal pain, gastrointestinal bleeding, portal hypertension, and even ischemic colitis. ⋯ IMA AVM carries the risk of ischemic colitis. computed tomography scan is helpful not only to the diagnosis of AVMs but also to exclude other lesions as well. Treatment options include endovascular embolization, surgical intervention, and a combination of both. Due to the complexity of this disease, treatment requires a case-specific multidisciplinary approach and a coordination of medical, radiological, and surgical staffs.