Medicina
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Given the current state of COVID-19, it is crucial to reveal its evolving relationship with and effect on different body organ systems and their diseases. The severity and outcome of COVID-19 have a very complex relationship, especially to the vital organs including the kidney, either in their state of health or disease. ⋯ The kidney is also affected by different pathological and immunopathological reactions with COVID-19 infection, leading to acute kidney injury. Therefore, this review intended to extract the recent advances, updates, and discoveries about the effects of COVID-19 on diabetic patients and the relationship between COVID-19 invasion and the diabetic kidney and to discuss the current state of knowledge that has not yet been proved or disproved, leading to numerous controversial issues in looking for the effect of COVID-19 associated with diabetes mellitus on the human kidney.
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This short communication describes the reinfection after nearly 18 months of the same patient who was previously infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and who showed multiple negative real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) results by nasal swabs for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) but positive results on a fecal sample. We previously noted how, in the presence of symptoms suggestive of pneumonia, visible on a chest computed tomography (CT) scan and confirmed by fecal molecular testing, it was possible to draw the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. ⋯ However, the patient's clinical course appeared to be more attenuated, showing no signs of pulmonary involvement in the radiographic examinations performed. This case shows a novelty in the pulmonary radiological evaluation of new SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Background and Objectives: The aim of the study was to analyze the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (RFs) in Latvia from the population-based cross-sectional study performed in 2019−2020 and to compare the results with a similar study done in 2009−2010. Materials and Methods: The target sample of 6000 individuals representing a cross-section of Latvia’s inhabitants (aged 25−74) was formed using stratified two-stage cluster sampling. The survey had two components: (1) an interview using a pre-specified questionnaire and (2) physical examination (height, weight, arterial pressure) and collection of venous blood samples to measure levels of fasting glucose (Glu), total cholesterol (TC), high and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C/LDL-C), and triglycerides (Tg). ⋯ The average number of RFs has decreased by 0.3 in 10 years, t(5883) = −7.2, p < 0.001. Conclusions: Although the prevalence of cardiovascular RFs remains noteworthy, an improvement in the risk profile of the Latvian population has been observed over the past decade. The study shows subjective self-underestimation of cardiovascular risk.
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Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in hypertension has been less studied than male sexual dysfunction, and antihypertensive agents' impact on female sexual function is not defined. In this review, randomized double-blind clinical trials and cross-sectional studies related to female sexual function in hypertension were analyzed from 1991 to 2021. FSD appeared to be higher in hypertensive women than in normotensive women. ⋯ Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) are relatively beneficial to female sexual function. To treat FSD in the presence of hypertension, controlling blood pressure is key, and the administration of angiotensin receptor blockers is preferred. In addition to controlling blood pressure, for premenopausal women, flibanserin and bremelanotide can be tried, while ospemifene and hormone supplements are preferred for postmenopausal women.
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Background and Objectives: The use of minimally invasive retractor systems has significantly decreased the amount of tissue dissection and blood loss, and the duration of post-operative recovery after far-lateral disc herniations (FLDH). In this technical note, the technique of docking the tubular retractor on the caudal transverse process is described for an efficient approach with a decreased need for manipulation of the exiting nerve root. Materials and Methods: The case reported is that of a woman affected by a right-sided FLDH at the L4-5 level causing an L4 radiculopathy with weakness and numbness. ⋯ Results: The patient showed a significant improvement of her dorsiflexion weakness and radiating leg pain at her 2-week and 5-week post-operative visits, and at a 6-month follow-up she had near-complete relief of her symptoms, including resolution of foot numbness. Prior techniques for tubular microdiscectomy for FLDH report docking on the facet joint, pars interarticularis, and the cranial transverse process. Conclusions: This technical note details that the utility of docking a tubular retractor at the caudal transverse process improves upon already established techniques for minimally invasive tubular discectomy for FLDH.