The American journal of the medical sciences
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Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome caused by a novel human coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 named COVID-19 and declared as a pandemic. This paper reviews the possibility of repurposing angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) antagonists and vitamin D to treat COVID-19. ACE2 protein found on the cell membranes is the target of SARS-CoV-2 for entering into the host cells. ⋯ AT1R antagonists and vitamin D increase the expression of ACE2 independently. Besides, vitamin D suppresses the compensatory increase in renin levels following the inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system by AT1R antagonists. Therefore, a combination of AT1R antagonists and vitamin D may offer protection against COVID-19 induced lung injury.
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Review
The Story of Nitric Oxide, Sepsis and Methylene Blue: A Comprehensive Pathophysiologic Review.
Methylene blue (MB) is considered to be the first synthetic medication ever used in humans. There are many indications for MB, including vasoplegic shock. Nitric oxide (NO), the central mediator of sepsis, promotes vasoplegia by enhancing the guanylate cyclase cyclic guanosine monophosphate second messenger system, the effect of which is attenuated by MB. ⋯ This manuscript describes the historical aspects of the identification of NO as the endothelial derived relaxation factor and its role in the pathogenesis of vasoplegia in septic shock. An analysis of the existing evidence for the use of MB as an inhibitor of NO in vasodilatory shock is provided. The adverse effects associated with the use of MB and an approach to optimal dosing in septic shock are also addressed.
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Review Case Reports
Dermatomyositis Developed After Exposure to Epstein-Barr Virus Infection and Antibiotics Use.
Dermatomyositis is an inflammatory disorder involving muscle and skin. Similar to many other autoimmune diseases, environmental factors appear to trigger the onset of disease in some cases. ⋯ Dermatomyositis associated with doxycycline or levofloxacin use has not yet been described in the literature, while reports of dermatomyositis after Epstein-Barr virus infection have been rare and limited to juvenile dermatomyositis or in association with cancer. It is important for clinicians to be aware of this rare association so that the diagnosis and treatment can be exercised promptly.
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Fahr's disease is a sporadic or familial neurodegenerative disorder characterized by symmetrical calcification of cerebral structures, particularly the basal ganglia, cerebellar dentate nuclei and surrounding white matter, in the absence of metabolic causes of calcification. We report the case of a previously fit, high functioning 58-year-old man who developed catastrophic irreversible neuropsychiatric collapse after sepsis despite appropriate antimicrobial treatment. Cranial computed tomography revealed extensive diffuse calcifications located in unusual areas. ⋯ Important diagnostic considerations in the septic patient who develops neurological complications, namely sepsis-associated encephalopathy and antibiotic-associated encephalopathy, are discussed. The patient remains severely handicapped 6 months after the acute event. Patients with clinically silent neurodegenerative/neuropsychiatric conditions, such as Fahr's disease, may present with florid and unpredicted neurological features in the context of systemic illness.
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Review Case Reports
Inflammatory Demyelinating Pseudotumor With Liver Dysfunction: IgG4 Related Disease With Primary Biliary Cholangitis.
Immunoglobulin G4 related disease (IgG4-RD) is a recently recognized immune-mediated disease which is far from understanding. A case of inflammatory demyelinating pseudotumor had been confirmed as IgG4-RD according to pathology features and clinical context. ⋯ This is the first report in which mass lesions in the brain parenchyma were caused by IgG4-RD while liver dysfunction was due to primary biliary cholangitis. The clinical features of IgG4-RD are miscellaneous, and the accumulation of case reports might enrich clinicians experience and broaden their horizons about this condition.