Medicina
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Review Meta Analysis
Effects of Probiotic Supplementation on Immune and Inflammatory Markers in Athletes: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.
Background and Objectives: Probiotic supplementation can prevent and alleviate gastrointestinal and respiratory tract infections in healthy individuals. Markers released from the site of inflammation are involved in the response to infection or tissue injury. Therefore, we measured the pre-exercise and postexercise levels of inflammation-related markers-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, interferon (IFN)-γ, salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA), IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, and C-reactive protein (CRP)-in probiotic versus placebo groups to investigate the effects of probiotics on these markers in athletes. ⋯ The subgroups whose blood samples were collected immediately after exercise demonstrated negative changes in their TNF-α, IL-8, and IL-10 levels. Conclusions: Probiotic supplementation resulted in significant positive changes in the IFN-γ and salivary IgA levels and negative changes in the IL-10 and TNF-α levels. No significant changes in the IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, or CRP levels were observed after probiotic use in athletes.
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Background and Objectives: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common injuries in athletes, and, accordingly, ACL reconstruction (ACLR) is one of the most common orthopedic surgical procedures performed on athletes. This study aims to compare the 6-month post-operative isokinetic knee strength evaluations of the semitendinous/gracilis (ST/G) ACLR technique performed on healthy (HK) and ACLR knees of athletes. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort of 29 athletes from various sports branches who underwent ST/G ACLR technique by the same surgeon were evaluated. ⋯ Conclusions: The findings showed that the ST/G 6-month post-operative isokinetic knee strength in athletes produced high results in HK, and, when evaluated in terms of returning to sports, the H/Q ratios on the ACLR side were sufficient to make the decision to return to sports. It was found that the ACLR side was slower than the HK side in the reciprocal transitions, particularly in the Flx phase. We believe that this results from the deformation of the hamstring muscle after reconstruction of the ST/G ACLR side.
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Background and Objectives: Vertebral artery hypoplasia (VAH) is a controversial risk factor for cerebral infarction. The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of vertebral artery hypoplasia and to evaluate its association with vertebrobasilar cerebrovascular accidents. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in the Neurology Departments of the Republican Vilnius University Hospital from 2015 to 2020. ⋯ There was no difference in the rates of other risk factors between PCI/VAS patients with and without VAH. Conclusions: Vertebral artery hypoplasia is not a rare finding in individuals without symptoms of cerebrovascular accident, but more frequent in patients with vertebrobasilar cerebral infarction or vertebrobasilar artery syndrome. Vertebral artery hypoplasia can be considered a risk factor for posterior circulation infarction in subjects under 65 years of age.
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Aim: Parathyroid carcinoma (PC) is a rare endocrine malignancy that represents 0.005% of all malignant tumors. Associated PC and differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) is an exceptionally rare condition, and the preoperative diagnostics and proper treatment are challenging. Almost all PCs and the majority of DTCs are diagnosed postoperatively, making correct surgical treatment questionable. ⋯ Postoperative normocalcemia was achieved in 72% of patients, but follow-up data was missing in about 25% of cases. Conclusion: Associated PC and DTC is an exceptionally rare condition, and the preoperative diagnostic and treatment of the patients is a challenge. However, in most cases pre- and intraoperative suspicious features are present for identification by a highly specialized multidisciplinary endocrine team, who can thus perform the optimal treatment to achieve curability.
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Case Reports
Early OCTA Changes of Type 3 Macular Neovascularization Following Brolucizumab Intravitreal Injections.
Brolucizumab is a novel anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), whose efficacy has been shown in the Hawk and Harrier phase 3 clinical studies. The goal of the present case series is to report initial results of brolucizumab intravitreal injections (IVI) on type 3 neovascularization in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), evaluated by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). ⋯ Brolucizumab IVI shows a good short-term efficacy for the treatment of type 3 neovascularizations. Further studies with greater number of patients and longer follow-up are warranted to confirm these findings.