Articles: function.
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Case Reports
Severe disseminated Nocardia brasiliensis pneumonia with normal immune function: A case report.
Members of the genus Nocardia brasiliensis are Gram-positive, aerobic bacteria and exist ubiquitously in most environments. In recent years, the incidence of Nocardia brasiliensis has increased significantly and become a global concern. It may be predominantly caused pulmonary infections in immunocompromised hosts. Interestingly, however, we found that it can be present not only on immunocompromised hosts, but also to infect patients with a normal immune system. ⋯ Our report highlights when cold pus appears in soft tissues such as the lower limbs, neck, nose, scalp, etc, should prompt timely evaluation and biopsy for definitive diagnosis. Be alert to a normally immunocompetent, disseminated Nocardia brasiliensis infection. Early recognition and effective treatment are necessary conditions for successful results. This would allow for better disease prognostication while enabling physicians to develop more effective treatment strategies.
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Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a major cause of death and disability worldwide. The benefits of electrical stimulation in the treatment of respiratory dysfunction in patients on mechanical ventilation is unknown. Nevertheless, there is a dearth of evidence-based medical research concerning its clinical efficacy. ⋯ The findings of this research indicate that DESs have a positive impact on enhancing the rate of successful weaning and reducing the incidence of VAP. It decreases the duration of invasive ventilation and total ventilation time while also improving the mortality rate within 30 days. This therapy could offer a fresh alternative for respiratory impairment in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation.
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Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a very common occurrence in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and that was the main cause of mortality in these patients. The aims of the present study were to examine the effects of inflammation, malnutrition, and an oxidative stress in patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis or/and kidney transplant patients or patients with late-stage CKD, with its coherent consequences during a 38-month follow-up period. The present study included 137 patients with renal insufficiencies (48 patients had CKD, 29 patients had kidney transplants, and 60 CKD patients underwent hemodialysis [HD] and 39 normal individuals [controls]; aged 49 ± 20 years, 96 males and 80 females). ⋯ As the disease progressed, the survival function decreased to 30% due to the malnutrition in patients with CKD. Lipid oxidation and malnutrition/inflammation are associated with in various stages of CKD patients. With progressing CKD patients' biomarkers of lipid oxidation and malnutrition/inflammation show an increasing trend.
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Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is a well-established neurosurgical intervention in patients with high intracranial pressure who fail to respond to medical treatment. Data on predictive factors for functional outcomes in patients with DC who have malignant middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction as opposed to intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) are scarce. Eighty-four patients who underwent DC treatment for ICH and malignant MCA infarction were examined. ⋯ The postsurgical midline shift (MLS) (ICH group) showed the strongest correlation (ρ = 0.434; P = .006), as in the MCA infarction group as well (ρ = 0.46; P = .005). Further analyses using binary logistic regression with postsurgical basal cistern status and ∆ MLS, and it was observed to be statistically significant (odds ratios: 0.067, 95% CI: 0.007, 0.67; P = .021). The initial Glasgow coma scale, postsurgical MLS, basal cistern status, and ∆ are Measurable variables that can be used to predict outcomes in the groups with ICH and MCA infarction.
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To investigate the clinical efficacy of laparoscopic choledocholithotomy with one-stage suture. The clinical data of 68 patients who underwent laparoscopic choledocholithotomy in our hospital from January 2015 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 29 patients underwent laparoscopic primary closure (PC group) and 39 underwent T-tube drainage (T-tube group). ⋯ The average operation time, postoperative bowel function recovery time, postoperative pain index, hospitalization time and expenses in PC group were significantly shorter or lower than those in T-tube group (P < .05) and the patient satisfaction in PC group was significantly higher than that in T-tube group (P < .05). In addition, the intraoperative blood loss and the incidence of surgical complications were similar between the 2 groups (P > .05). After laparoscopic common bile duct exploration, primary suture of common bile duct is a safe and effective treatment method, but the incidence of bile leakage is high, and clinical indications for surgery should be strictly controlled.