Bratisl Med J
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LETTER TO THE EDITOR Keywords.
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COVID-19 maintains its seriousness as a global emergency with its rapid distribution worldwide. Ferritin / lymphocyte percentage ratio (FLPR) may appear as a prognostic value at the initial evaluation stage and thus can be used as a simple, effective, and reliable parameter in critical patient identification with COVID-19. ⋯ The FLPR, a new parameter, can be used as a significant marker to predict the 28-day mortality in patients (Tab. 5, Fig. 1, Ref. 25).
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Mental arithmetic analysis based on electroencephalogram (EEG) signals can help to understand some disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, arithmetic disorder, or autism spectrum disorder in which learning is difficult. Most mental computation detection and classification systems rely on the characteristics of a single channel, however, the understanding of the connections between EEG channels, which certainly contains valuable information, is still evolving. The methods presented in this paper are the result of a research project that introduces an alternative method for better and faster receipt of information from the EEG signals of individuals, which are generally complex and nonlinear. ⋯ With the help of mental calculation, it is possible to diagnose, treat, rehabilitate and rehabilitation people who have lost the function of a part of their brain due to a disease in this field (Tab. 6, Fig. 15, Ref. 45).
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Paracetamol is a popular and safe drug preferred by victims of pain or pyrexia; however, its overdose or abuse is a growing concern worldwide. Here the hepatoprotective effect of an ethnomedicinal plant Drynaria quercifolia against paracetamol‑induced toxicity in murine model is demonstrated. This fern, native to tropical countries including the Northeast India, is used by local tribes to treat inflammatory conditions. ⋯ Drynaria quercifolia acetone extract (DQA) treatment interspaced with paracetamol significantly decreased serum biomarkers of hepatotoxicity (ALT, AST and ALP) renal toxicity (urea, creatinine), lipid peroxidation level, histological damage in liver and kidney. The protein and mRNA expressions of the transcription factor, Nrf2, and its target antioxidant genes (SOD1, CAT and GST) as well as activities of these antioxidant enzymes were downregulated by paracetamol administration but significantly recovered following the DQA treatment (Tab. 3, Fig. 5, Ref. 31). Keywords: acetaminophen/paracetamol, Drynaria quercifolia, renal toxicity, hepatotoxicity, Nrf-2.
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Patients with vertebral compression fractures are often indicated for balloon kyphoplasty. Many of them are elderly with severe comorbidities, which puts them at high risk for general anaesthesia. Surgery under infiltration of local anaesthetic with or without mild sedation is therefore the preferred technique used by many surgeons. ⋯ In this article we present, apart from general anaesthesia, various regional anaesthetic techniques suitable for high-risk patients, including neuraxial anaesthesia, paravertebral block as well as a novel "erector spinae plane block" at the level of the fractured vertebra. We explore their effectiveness and safety profile, as well as advantage of supplementation of adequate analgo-sedation (Ref. 40). Keywords: erector spinae plane block, kyphoplasty, regional anaesthesia, paravertebral block, neuraxial anaesthesia.