1.More frequent detection of calcified carotid atherosclerotic plaques and mineralized laryngeal cartilages on digital than on film-based panoramic radiographs
Sergio Lins DE-AZEVEDO-VAZ ; João Victor Pereira MACHADO ; Teresa Cristina Rangel PEREIRA ; Deborah Queiroz FREITAS
Imaging Science in Dentistry 2019;49(1):65-70
PURPOSE: To determine whether calcified carotid atherosclerotic plaques (CCAPs) and mineralized laryngeal cartilages (MLCs) were more frequently detected on digital or film-based panoramic radiographs. The clinical relevance of this question is that some radiopacities seen on digital radiographs may correspond to medium-density tissues that are not necessarily mineralized. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected from panoramic radiographs and the respective reports issued by 2 private oral radiology centers. A total of 388 radiographs and reports were divided into film-based (group A) and digital (group D) radiographs. The frequencies of CCAPs and MLCs were analyzed using the Fisher exact test, and odds ratios were also calculated (α=1%). RESULTS: The mean age of patients whose reports and radiographs showed CCAPs and/or MLCs ranged from 50.1 to 54.1 years. There was a predominance of females. A higher frequency of CCAPs and MLCs was observed in group D than in group A at both centers (P<0.01). CCAPs and MLCs were detected 4 times more frequently in group D than in group A at one of the centers. CONCLUSION: CCAPs and MLCs were more frequently detected on digital than on film-based panoramic radiographs. Further studies are needed to determine whether such radiopacities do indeed correspond to mineralized, rather than medium-density, tissues.
Atherosclerosis
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Female
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Humans
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Incidental Findings
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Laryngeal Cartilages
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Miners
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Odds Ratio
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Plaque, Atherosclerotic
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Radiography, Dental, Digital
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Radiography, Panoramic
2.Relationship among blood indicators of lipomobilization and hepatic function during early lactation in high-yielding dairy cows.
Felix Diaz GONZALEZ ; Rodrigo MUINO ; Victor PEREIRA ; Romulo CAMPOS ; Jose Luis BENEDITO
Journal of Veterinary Science 2011;12(3):251-255
Blood indicators are used as a tool to diagnose metabolic disorders. The present work was conducted to study the relationships among blood indicators of lipomobilization and hepatic function in high-yielding dairy cows. Two groups of Holstein cows were studied: 27 early lactation cows and 14 mid lactation cows from four different herds with similar husbandry characteristics in Galicia, Spain. Blood samples were obtained to measure beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), triglycerides (TG), and the activity of aspartate transaminase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl transferase. Cows in early lactation had higher levels of BHB and NEFA than mid lactation cows. High lipomobilization (NEFA > 400 micromol/L) was detected in 67% and 7% of early lactation and mid lactation cows, respectively, while subclinical ketosis (BHB > 1.2 mmol/L) was detected in 41% and 28% of the early lactation and lactation cows, respectively. TG concentrations were low in all cows suffering subclinical ketosis and in 61% of the cows with high lipomobilization. During early lactation, 30% of cows suffered hepatic lipidosis as detected by levels of AST. Compromised hepatic function was observed in early lactation cows as shown by lower concentrations of glucose, total protein, and urea.
3-Hydroxybutyric Acid/blood/diagnostic use
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Animals
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Aspartate Aminotransferases/blood/diagnostic use
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Blood Glucose/analysis/metabolism
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Blood Proteins/analysis/diagnostic use
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Cattle
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Cattle Diseases/blood/*diagnosis
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Fatty Acids, Nonesterified/blood/diagnostic use
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Female
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Ketosis/blood/diagnosis/*veterinary
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Lactation
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*Lipid Mobilization
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Lipidoses/blood/diagnosis/*veterinary
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Liver Function Tests/veterinary
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Spain
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Triglycerides/blood/diagnostic use
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Urea/blood/diagnostic use
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gamma-Glutamyltransferase/blood/diagnostic use
3.Miller Fisher Syndrome in Patients With Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection:A Systematic Review
Paulo Ricardo MARTINS-FILHO ; Ana Luiza Pereira DE ANDRADE ; Ana Júlia Pereira DE ANDRADE ; Maria Daniella MOURA DA SILVA ; Adriano Antunes de SOUZA ARAÚJO ; Paula Santos NUNES ; Victor Santana SANTOS ; Lis Campos FERREIRA ; Eduardo Luis de AQUINO NEVES ; Lucindo José QUINTANS-JÚNIOR
Journal of Clinical Neurology 2021;17(4):541-545
Background:
and PurposeMiller Fisher syndrome (MFS) is a subtype of Guillain-Barré syndrome characterized by the triad of ophthalmoparesis, areflexia, and ataxia. Although cases of MFS have been associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, no studies have synthesized the clinical characteristics of patients with this condition.
Methods:
In this rapid systematic review, we searched the PubMed database to identify studies on MFS associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Results:
This review identified 11 cases, of whom 3 were hospitalized with motor and/or sensory polyneuropathy as the first sign of SARS-CoV-2 infection. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was not detected in analyses of cerebrospinal fluid, suggesting a mechanism of immune-mediated injury rather than direct viral neurotropism. However, antiganglioside antibodies were found in only two of the nine patients tested. It is possible that target antigens other than gangliosides are involved in MFS associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Conclusions
The present patients exhibited clinical improvement after being treated with intravenous immunoglobulin. Although rare, patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection may present neurological symptoms suggestive of MFS. Early recognition of the MFS clinical triad is essential for the timely initiation of treatment.
4.Miller Fisher Syndrome in Patients With Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection:A Systematic Review
Paulo Ricardo MARTINS-FILHO ; Ana Luiza Pereira DE ANDRADE ; Ana Júlia Pereira DE ANDRADE ; Maria Daniella MOURA DA SILVA ; Adriano Antunes de SOUZA ARAÚJO ; Paula Santos NUNES ; Victor Santana SANTOS ; Lis Campos FERREIRA ; Eduardo Luis de AQUINO NEVES ; Lucindo José QUINTANS-JÚNIOR
Journal of Clinical Neurology 2021;17(4):541-545
Background:
and PurposeMiller Fisher syndrome (MFS) is a subtype of Guillain-Barré syndrome characterized by the triad of ophthalmoparesis, areflexia, and ataxia. Although cases of MFS have been associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, no studies have synthesized the clinical characteristics of patients with this condition.
Methods:
In this rapid systematic review, we searched the PubMed database to identify studies on MFS associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Results:
This review identified 11 cases, of whom 3 were hospitalized with motor and/or sensory polyneuropathy as the first sign of SARS-CoV-2 infection. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was not detected in analyses of cerebrospinal fluid, suggesting a mechanism of immune-mediated injury rather than direct viral neurotropism. However, antiganglioside antibodies were found in only two of the nine patients tested. It is possible that target antigens other than gangliosides are involved in MFS associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Conclusions
The present patients exhibited clinical improvement after being treated with intravenous immunoglobulin. Although rare, patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection may present neurological symptoms suggestive of MFS. Early recognition of the MFS clinical triad is essential for the timely initiation of treatment.
5.Intracranial stenting compared to medical treatment alone for intracranial atherosclerosis patients: An updated meta-analysis
Adam A. DMYTRIW ; Jerry KU ; Ahmed Y. AZZAM ; Osman ELAMIN ; Nicole CANCELLIERE ; Anish KAPADIA ; James D. RABINOV ; Christopher J. STAPLETON ; Robert W. REGENHARDT ; Vitor Mendes PEREIRA ; Aman B. PATEL ; Victor X.D. YANG
Journal of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery 2024;26(2):152-162
Objective:
Stroke is the second-leading cause of death globally. Intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) represents 10-15% of ischemic strokes in Western countries and up to 47% in Asian countries. Patients with ICAS have an especially high risk of stroke recurrence. The aim of this meta-analysis is to reassess recurrent stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), and other outcomes with stenting versus best medical management for symptomatic ICAS.
Methods:
The search protocol was developed a priori according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The OVID Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from inception to August 14th, 2022.
Results:
This Meta-analysis Included Four Randomized Controlled Trials (Rcts), With A Total Number Of 991 Patients. The Mean Age Of Participants Was 57 Years. The Total Number Of Intracranial Stenting Patients Was 495, And The Number Of Medical Treatment Patients Was 496. The Included Studies Were Published Between 2011 And 2022. Two Studies Were Conducted In The Usa, And The Other Two In China. All Included Studies Compared Intracranial Stenting To Medical Treatment For Icas.
Conclusions
In patients with ischemic stroke due to symptomatic severe intracranial atherosclerosis, the rate of 30-day ischemic stroke, 30-day intracerebral hemorrhage, one-year stroke in territory or mortality favored the medical treatment alone without intracranial stenting. The risk of same-territory stroke at last follow-up, disabling stroke at last follow-up, and mortality did not significantly favor either group. Intracranial stenting for atherosclerosis did not result in significant benefit over medical treatment.
6.A Call for a Rational Polypharmacy Policy: International Insights From Psychiatrists
Yukako NAKAGAMI ; Kohei HAYAKAWA ; Toru HORINOUCHI ; Victor PEREIRA-SANCHEZ ; Marcus P.J. TAN ; Seon-Cheol PARK ; Yong Chon PARK ; Seok Woo MOON ; Tae Young CHOI ; Ajit AVASTHI ; Sandeep GROVER ; Roy Abraham KALLIVAYALIL ; Yugesh RAI ; Mohammadreza SHALBAFAN ; Pavita CHONGSUKSIRI ; Pichet UDOMRATN ; Samudra T. KATHRIARACHCHI ; Yu-Tao XIANG ; Kang SIM ; Afzal JAVED ; Mian-Yoon CHONG ; Chay-Hoon TAN ; Shih-Ku LIN ; Toshiya INADA ; Toshiya MURAI ; Shigenobu KANBA ; Norman SARTORIUS ; Naotaka SHINFUKU ; Takahiro A. KATO
Psychiatry Investigation 2021;18(11):1058-1067
Objective:
Recently, rational polypharmacy approaches have been proposed, regardless of the lower risk and cost of monotherapy. Considering monotherapy as first-line treatment and polypharmacy as rational treatment, a balanced attitude toward polypharmacy is recommended. However, the high prevalence of polypharmacy led the Japanese government to establish a polypharmacy reduction policy. Based on this, the association between the policy and psychiatrists’ attitude toward polypharmacy has been under debate.
Methods:
We developed an original questionnaire about Psychiatrists’ attitudes toward polypharmacy (PAP). We compared the PAP scores with the treatment decision-making in clinical case vignettes. Multiple regression analyses were performed to quantify associations of explanatory variables including policy factors and PAP scores. The anonymous questionnaires were administered to psychiatrists worldwide.
Results:
The study included 347 psychiatrists from 34 countries. Decision-making toward polypharmacy was associated with high PAP scores. Multiple regression analysis revealed that low PAP scores were associated with the policy factor (β=-0.20, p=0.004). The culture in Korea was associated with high PAP scores (β=0.34, p<0.001), whereas the culture in India and Nepal were associated with low scores (β=-0.15, p=0.01, and β=-0.17, p=0.006, respectively).
Conclusion
Policy on polypharmacy may influence psychiatrists’ decision-making. Thus, policies considering rational polypharmacy should be established.