The Tohoku journal of experimental medicine
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Mongolia was listed among the 30 countries with a high tuberculosis burden in 2021. Approximately 10-11% of the tuberculosis cases are of children, which is higher than the global average (6.0%). As children are a vulnerable population, it is important to understand the current situation and prioritize the development of tuberculosis prevention strategies. ⋯ Childhood tuberculosis is estimated to increase in the central region and decrease in the others from 2021 to 2030. Our findings showed that the national childhood tuberculosis trend is increasing, although there are differences in the pattern between regions. Further studies are needed to identify the determinant factors of regional differences, and age-specific public health interventions, such as scale-up screening and preventive treatment, are in demand in high-prevalence areas.
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Tohoku J. Exp. Med. · Jun 2022
Case ReportsEosinophilic Duodenal Ulcer Exacerbation after Helicobacter pylori Eradication in a 14-Year-Old Boy.
Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EGIDs) cause various gastrointestinal symptoms due to infiltration of eosinophils into the gastrointestinal tract. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a microorganism that is associated with various diseases such as autoimmune diseases. In recent years, H. pylori is considered protective in inflammatory bowel diseases and gastrointestinal autoimmune disorders but is not known to be protective in EGIDs. ⋯ EGIDs should be considered as a cause of duodenal ulcers. H. pylori may be protective in EGIDs. Montelukast monotherapy may be considered as a first line treatment for eosinophilic duodenal lesions.
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Tohoku J. Exp. Med. · Jun 2022
Case ReportsSevere Inflammatory Idiopathic Multicentric Castleman's Disease Coexisting with Advanced Renal Cancer: A Case Report.
The present case study was conducted on a 74-year-old man who visited our department due to a left renal and retroperitoneal tumor on computed tomography (CT). The patient was diagnosed with left renal cancer lymph node metastasis and was hospitalized a few weeks prior to surgery due to fever, malaise, and severe appetite loss. Biochemical laboratory findings at admission showed markedly high levels of inflammation. ⋯ Treatment for idiopathic multicentric CD involves steroid and anti-interleukin-6 therapy. The diagnostic criteria for CD require the exclusion of malignant tumors although there are some cases in which CD and malignant tumors coexist. The prognosis for CD is relatively good; however, as in this case, the prognosis of CD coexisting with uncontrollable renal cancer is insufficient due to poor improvement in the inflammatory response.
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Tohoku J. Exp. Med. · Jun 2022
Concealment of Allergic Reactions to Alteplase by Face Masks in Non-Communicating Acute Stroke Patients: A Warning Call to Improve Our Physical Examination Practices during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Neurological emergencies, such as acute stroke, are especially challenging during the current Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Symptoms as aphasia or dysarthria are severely impacting cooperation and communication with patients. During physical examination, both the patient and the medical team are fitted routinely with surgical masks to minimize potential exposure to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). ⋯ Symptoms remained obscured by face masks through patient care at the referring stroke unit and during transportation, nevertheless they resolved after treatment. Most probably, there are a number of similar cases encountered at emergency departments and acute stroke units. To improve patient safety, a compromise between ensuring protection against the novel coronavirus and facilitating detection of potentially life-threatening physical signs must be found.
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Tohoku J. Exp. Med. · Jun 2022
The impact of Early Phase COVID-19 Vaccination on Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients.
The number of cases of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) globally is over 225 million, and disease-related deaths are over 4 million. The type, prevalence, and antibody susceptibility of the virus variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the vaccination rate and coverage are considered critical factors in the progress of COVID-19. We aimed to compare the clinical and laboratory parameters of the patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 in pre-vaccination and post-vaccination periods. ⋯ C-reactive protein, D-dimer, procalcitonin levels were significantly lower in Group 2 patients. Our study shows that the age and mortality of hospitalized COVID-19 patients decreased significantly after vaccination. An increase in the number of booster doses in individuals with advanced age (age > 75) and comorbidity (especially malignancy) may contribute to the control of the disease and immunity in this population.