Niger J Clin Pract
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Acute rheumatic fever is an immunologically delayed autoimmune sequel of throat infection caused by group A streptococcus. The aim of this study was to evaluate endocan levels in patients with acute rheumatic fever and compare with the control group. ⋯ Our study showed that serum endocan levels increased during the subacute phase of acute rheumatic fever. We suggest that serum endocan level can be used as a new biomarker to identify the degree of cardiac involvement in acute rheumatic fever.
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Propofol is the most widely used short-acting intravenous anesthetic in clinical practice. Existing studies have shown that propofol has many effects on the cardiovascular system in addition to its anesthetic effect. Propofol can antagonize a variety of tachyarrhythmias and reduce the risk of recurrence, regulate autonomic balance of the heart, modulate circulatory dynamics, thereby increasing blood perfusion to vital organs such as the kidney, intestine, and brain, and exert myocardial protection and cerebral protection during ischemia-reperfusion injury. In this paper, we review the potential mechanisms of these effects and provide and ideas for future research and novel drug development of propofol and its derivatives in cardiac electrophysiology and circulatory dynamics.
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The isolation of pathogens using bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) culture or endotracheal aspirate (ETA) culture may enhance the treatment success for secondary pneumonia due to COVID-19, thereby reducing the risk of morbidity and mortality. ⋯ The observed mortality rates were consistent with the existing literature. Since the microorganism isolation rate is higher with BAL, leading to more effective antimicrobial treatment, early deaths were prevented, and ICU stay durations were prolonged. Conversely, these durations were shorter in the ETA group due to higher mortality. In intubated COVID-19 patients, a more effective treatment process can be achieved by clearing the airway with fiberoptic bronchoscopy and tailoring the treatment based on BAL culture results. This approach may positively impact prognosis and mortality rates.
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Comparative Study
New Solution in the Treatment of Children with Class II Malocclusion: Biblock Appliance.
A new design, the Biblock appliance, was developed for the functional treatment of Class II malocclusions. ⋯ The effects of AA, an appliance accepted by the orthodontic community, and BA, a new design, on the skeletal, dentoalveolar, and soft tissue were similar.