Articles: disease.
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Case Reports Observational Study
Subarachnoid hemorrhage and COVID-19: Association or coincidence?
Some evidences suggest the involvement of the central nervous system in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. We aim to analyze possible associations between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), in a comprehensive neurological center. We conducted a retrospective case series of 4 patients infected by COVID-19, who developed spontaneous SAH. ⋯ This study shows a series of 4 rare cases of SHA associated with COVID-19. The possible mechanisms underlying the involvement of SARSCoV-2 and SHA is yet to be fully understood. Therefore, SHA should be included in severe neurological manifestations in patients infected by this virus.
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To Investigate the recent effects of small dose of folic acid on lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (LP-PLA2) and systolic blood pressure variability in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients with hyperhomocysteinemia. In this prospective cohort study, a total of 167 CHD patients with hyperhomocysteinemia were consecutively enrolled, and they were divided into Group A (without folic acid intervention, n = 99), Group B (with 0.4 mg of folic acid intervention, n = 34), Group C (0.8 mg of folic acid intervention, n = 34). General information, fasting blood glucose, and blood lipid, folic acid, homocysteine, Lp-PLA2, and blood pressure variability were compared among 3 groups. ⋯ There were no statistically significant differences of age, gender, blood pressure, incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, fasting blood glucose, folic acid, homocysteine, Lp-PLA2, total cholesterol, 3 acyl glycerin, apolipoprotein B, lipoprotein (a), high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol were found among 3 groups (P > .05); however, after being treated for 3 months, there was statistically significant difference in folic acid among 3 groups (P < .05), there was statistically significant difference in apolipoprotein A between Group A and Group B (t = 0.505, P = .039), and also between Group A and Group C (t = 0.052, P = .017). There were statistically significant differences in Lp-PLA2 (t = 24.320, P = .016) and systolic blood pressure variability (t = 0.154, P = .018) between Group A and Group C. For CHD patients with hyperhomocysteinemia, the higher dose (0.8 mg) of folic acid supplement was beneficial for increasing the apolipoprotein A, reducing the Lp-PLA2, and improving the systolic blood pressure variation, which might help to improve the prognosis in these patients.
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This study identified the effects of pursed-lip breathing (PLB), forward trunk lean posture (FTLP), and combined PLB and FTLP on total and compartmental lung volumes, and ventilation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Sixteen patients with mild to moderate COPD performed 2 breathing patterns of quiet breathing (QB) and PLB during FTLP and upright posture (UP). The total and compartmental lung volumes and ventilation of these 4 tasks (QB-UP, PLB-UP, QB-FTLP, PLB-FTLP) were evaluated using optoelectronic plethysmography. ⋯ PLB significantly and positively changed end-expiratory lung volume of abdominal compartment (EELVAB ) end-expiratory lung volume, EILVAB, tidal volume of pulmonary ribcage, tidal volume of abdomen, and ventilation than QB (P < .05). UP significantly increased tidal volume of pulmonary ribcage, tidal volume of abdomen, and ventilation and decreased EELVAB, end-expiratory lung volume, and EILVAB than FTLP (P < .05). In conclusion, combined PLB with UP or FTLP demonstrates a positive change in total and compartmental lung volumes in patients with mild to moderate COPD.
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Chagas disease affects approximately 7 million people, causing disability and mortality in the most productive life stages of infected individuals. Considering the lifestyle of the world population, metabolic syndrome is a synergistic factor for an increased cardiovascular risk of patients with Chagas disease. This study transversally evaluated the metabolic and immunological profiles of patients with indeterminate (IF) and cardiac (CF) forms of Chagas disease and their correlations with left ventricular dysfunction (LVD). ⋯ The IF group had more participants with a higher waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). No significant difference was observed between metabolic syndrome, cytokine and adipocytokine level, and clinical forms of the disease or in relation to LVD. Individuals with the IF showed metabolic and immunological profiles compatible with increased disease control, whereas those with CF showed marked inflammatory immune response.