Upsala journal of medical sciences
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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA vaccines are associated with an increased risk of myocarditis using hospital discharge diagnoses as an outcome. The validity of these register-based diagnoses is uncertain. ⋯ This validation of register-based diagnoses of myocarditis by manual patient record review confirmed the register diagnosis in 96% of cases and had high interrater reliability. Reclassification had only a minor impact on the incidence rate ratios for myocarditis following COVID-19 vaccination.
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Stress-related biomarkers have the potential to provide objective measures of whether interventions directed at people with dementia (PWD) and their family caregivers (FCG) are successful. The use of such biomarkers has been limited by logistical barriers to sample collection. ⋯ This study demonstrates that music intervention was associated with lower morning saliva cortisol concentrations for FCGs.
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Persistent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in immunocompromised patients remains a major medical challenge. Diagnosing the syndrome is difficult as symptoms may mimic other diseases and treatment guidelines are lacking. We describe a case series of four patients with persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection that all had an underlying B-cell deficiency due to rituximab treatment (in one case in combination with epcoritamab). ⋯ After a confirmed diagnosis, the other three patients cleared the infection when they were finally treated with antivirals. Increasing clinicians' awareness of this condition is important as it might be treatable once diagnosed. Further studies are warranted to define the condition and treatment strategy with greater precision.
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The esophageal-tracheal Combitube (ETC) was developed for the management of difficult airways but can also be used for general anaesthesia. ⋯ We conclude that the Combitube may be used for short procedures requiring general anaesthesia, but the high rate of minor complications limits its value when other alternatives such as a laryngeal mask airway are available. The tested method appears safe regarding major complications, but minor complications are common. Adherence to recommended cuff volumes, experience with the ETC and limiting its use to surgeries lasting less than 2 h might reduce the rate of complications.
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Nitrous oxide, commonly known as 'laughing gas', has become a popular recreational drug. Whippets, small canisters containing gas in pressurized form, can be easily obtained from a food store. ⋯ Inhalation of nitrous oxide rarely causes pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, and pneumopericardium. This case study highlights the potential dangers of recreational abuse of nitrous oxide.