Articles: treatment.
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Congenital hydrocephalus is a significant challenge in neurosurgery, particularly in resource-limited settings. This study focuses on the congenital hydrocephalus in Brazil, a developing country, over the past 13 years. ⋯ Pediatric hydrocephalus in Brazil's public health system is a significant burden. Congenital hydrocephalus prevalence and mortality emphasize the need for early diagnosis and treatment. Early diagnosis, prenatal care, and adequate resources are crucial. This study offers insights into congenital hydrocephalus, highlighting challenges and future directions for improved care.
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The aims of this retrospective study were to investigate the incidence, clinical course and short term outcomes of new-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) following coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). ⋯ The incidence of POAF remains high and was associated with prolonged hospital stay, but not significantly higher 30 day mortality or early postoperative stroke compared to patients in sinus rhythm. POAF-episodes were predominantly transient and almost 95% of patients were discharged in sinus rythm.
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Background: Hemoptysis is prevalent in acute pulmonary embolism (PE) and significantly influences clinical decision-making. Despite the increasing reports of PE in patients with autoimmune diseases, limited studies have investigated the association between acute PE with hemoptysis and autoimmune disease. Methods: The retrospective study aimed to investigate patients with autoimmune disease who presented with acute PE and hemoptysis at Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) between January 2012 and October 2020. ⋯ Conclusions: Hemoptysis is a relatively common manifestation in patients with PE, and its presence during the diagnostic workup of acute PE necessitates careful analysis of underlying comorbidities. In cases where hemoptysis occurs in individuals with autoimmune diseases in the context of PE, proactive management strategies targeting the primary disease are crucial. Therapeutic decisions should consider both PE severity stratification and the volume of hemoptysis.
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Patients 65 years and older account for an increasing proportion of traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. Aged TBI patients experience increased morbidity and mortality compared with young TBI patients. We previously demonstrated a marked accumulation of CD8 + T-cells within the brains of aged TBI mice compared with young TBI mice. ⋯ Contrastingly, no difference was detected in young mice after aCD49d Ab treatment. Collectively, aCD49 Ab treatment reduced T-cells in the injured brain, improved survival, and attenuated neurocognitive and gait deficits. Hence, aCD49d Ab may be a promising therapeutic intervention in aged TBI subjects-a population often excluded in TBI clinical trials.
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Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) is an opportunistic bacterium with multiple virulence factors, including capsule and biofilm, and is known for its high drug resistance. Anti-virulence natural substances have been suggested as novel alternatives to conventional antibiotics. We aimed to evaluate the effect of citric and ascorbic acids as anti-biofilm and anti-capsular agents against multidrug-resistant (MDR) A. baumannii clinical isolates. ⋯ Phenotypically, all the isolates were biofilm producers and were capsulated. The MIC of citric acid ranged from 1.25 to 2.5 mg/mL, while that of ascorbic acid was 3 mg/mL for all isolates. Both agents showed significant reduction in biofilm and capsular thinning. Ascorbic acid showed a dose-dependent effect in both biofilm reduction and capsule thinning unlike citric acid. Four genes, papG23, sfa1, fyuA, and cvaC, were absent among all isolates, while iutA was present in 100% of isolates. Other genes showed different distributions among the isolates. These virulence genes were not correlated to the anti-biofilm effect of both agents. Ascorbic acid was observed to have a better effect than citric acid. This can provide a clue for a better treatment regimen including ascorbic acid against MDR A. baumannii infections.