Search Results (416)

Measles remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Most HIV-infected adults are immune against measles, so titres of measles antibodies should be determined prior to vaccination. A measles vaccine can be administered to HIV-positive patients who do not have protective antibody levels and who have a CD4 lymphocyte count ≥ 200 cells/mm³. We describe the case of an HIV-infected patient, diagnosed with complicated measles at our Infectious Diseases Hospital in April 2024. Full article

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder significantly associated with cardiovascular complications. Electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities are common in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and can serve as early markers for cardiovascular risk. Objective: This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the impact of T2DM on electrocardiographic changes, focusing on major ECG abnormalities, fragmented QRS (fQRS) complexes, and prolonged corrected QT (QTc) intervals. Materials and Methods: A systematic review of observational studies published between 2017 and 2022 was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.gov. The inclusion criteria required studies to focus on patients with T2DM and report ECG changes. A total of 13 studies comprising 25,530 participants met the criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. The statistical analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 with a random-effects model. Results: T2DM patients were 1.74 times more likely to develop major ECG abnormalities than non-diabetic individuals (crude OR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.17–2.57, p = 0.006). The prevalence of fQRS complexes was significantly higher among T2DM patients (crude OR = 2.48, 95% CI = 2.09–2.957, p < 0.00001). Additionally, T2DM patients exhibited a higher likelihood of QTc interval prolongation (crude OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.09–1.74, p = 0.008). Conclusions: This meta-analysis demonstrates that T2DM patients have a significantly higher risk of ECG abnormalities, including major changes, fQRS complexes, and prolonged QTc intervals. Regular ECG monitoring is essential for early detection and management of cardiovascular risks in T2DM patients. Full article

Desmoid tumors are rare mesenchymal neoplasms arising from locally invasive fibroblasts. While they lack metastatic potential, they exhibit high local recurrence rates and can cause significant tissue destruction. We present the case of a 39-year-old female patient who initially presented with epigastric pain, pyrosis, and a palpable, firm, painless mass in the left upper quadrant, extending to the left hemithorax. The patient’s medical history included treated cervical neoplasia. Clinical evaluation, imaging studies, and histopathological analysis suggested aggressive fibromatosis. The patient opted for a surgical excision, which resulted in tumor recurrence one year later, with infiltration of the ribs near the sternum. Despite oncological recommendations favoring conservative management, the patient opted for a second surgical intervention, involving an en-bloc resection of the tumor and the affected sternum and ribs, followed by thoracic wall reconstruction. Full article

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a relatively common condition that is the leading cause of preventable deaths in developed nations. VTE encompasses deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) and affects both hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients. When left untreated, VTE is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality; accurate risk assessment and appropriate prophylaxis programs are therefore vital, as overlooked risk factors of these processes can potentially result in misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment of the condition, with associated complications. In this study, we aimed to assess the impact of active monitoring on VTE management practices among healthcare providers to improve patient outcomes at Imam Abdulrahman Al Faisal Hospital (IAFH) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from April 2018 to July 2023. In this study, a longitudinal retrospective study design was utilized and data from 33,237 admitted patients were analyzed using a Statistical Process Control (SPC) chart to evaluate the relationship between VTE risk assessment, active monitoring, and patient outcomes. In total, 11 cases of hospital-acquired VTE were identified, with patients aged 18–40 years representing most cases (7 out of 11 cases) and a male predominance of 54.5%. The overall VTE incidence rate during the study period was 0.31%, or one case per 11,000 admissions, including four cases of PE and seven cases of DVT. The results of this study indicate that active monitoring through continuous education and regular patient rounds significantly improves adherence to VTE risk assessment and prophylaxis at IAFH. The researchers attributed the increased identification and timely reporting of VTE cases to vigilance by healthcare providers and not to a decline in the quality of care. A comprehensive multidisciplinary strategy for VTE management and continuous quality improvement can aid in reducing VTE-related morbidity and improve patient outcomes. Lastly, we recommend addressing the risk factors associated with the occurrence of hospital-acquired VTE and performing post-discharge follow-ups of patients. Full article

Do individuals with autism overlook opportunity costs? Considering the mediating role of cognitive biases and utilizing an AI-driven experiment, our provisional answer is yes. Cognitive biases can severely distort the accurate calculation of opportunity costs, which is essential for making optimal decisions by clearly understanding the trade-offs involved in pursuing a particular course of action. In turn, biased information processing may contribute to developmental disorders such as autism that are marked by difficulties with social interaction, communication, and restricted or repetitive behaviors. We developed a 20-question scale to assess the neglect of opportunity costs, targeting specific cognitive biases, and compared the results with the RAADS-R autism scale. We find that individuals scoring low on the opportunity cost scale, due to these cognitive biases, are likely to score higher on the RAADS-R, aligning their decision-making biases with traits typical of the autism spectrum. Full article

The global rise in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) calls for an urgent focus on lifestyle interventions, particularly physical activity, as a critical factor in its management and prevention. This systematic review evaluates the impact of physical activity and sedentary behavior on glycemic control in individuals with T2DM. Studies included in this review were selected based on specific criteria: randomized controlled trials involving adults aged 18 and older, published in English between January 2018 and May 2024, with full-text availability and quantifiable outcome results. Exclusion criteria included non-peer-reviewed research, small sample sizes, and studies limited to abstracts, posters, or editorials. The analysis of the selected studies revealed that regular physical activity, including aerobic exercises and resistance training, significantly improves glycemic control as measured by fasting blood glucose (FBG) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) levels. Reductions in sedentary behavior were also associated with better metabolic outcomes, highlighting the importance of integrating physical activity into daily routines for individuals with T2DM. These findings feature the need for continued research to refine and optimize lifestyle interventions to mitigate the global burden of T2DM. Full article

Objectives: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) pose a significant public health concern, negatively impacting children’s physical and mental health. This study examines the association between ACEs and the co-occurrence of somatization and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSSs) among Chinese college students. Additionally, it explores the roles of both internal (psychological resilience) and external (social support) protective factors in this relationship. Methods: A sample of 701 students were analyzed using the Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire, the Somatization subscale from the Symptom Checklist-90, the PTSD Checklist from the DSM-5, the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. A four-level outcome variable was created based on measures of somatization and PTSSs: no symptoms, somatization-only, post-traumatic stress symptoms-only (PTSSs-only), and co-occurring symptoms. Data analysis was conducted using multiple logistic regression. Results: Among Chinese college students, the prevalence of ACEs was 62.9%, while the prevalence of co-occurring somatization and PTSSs was 13.7%. The results of the multiple logistic regression analysis indicated a positive association between ACEs and the co-occurrence of somatization and PTSSs compared to no symptoms (OR = 2.28, p < 0.001). Furthermore, social support (OR = 0.26, p < 0.001) and psychological resilience (OR = 0.48, p = 0.049) were negatively associated with the co-occurrence. Conclusions: ACEs are risk factors for the co-occurrence of somatization and PTSSs among college students, while social support and psychological resilience serve as effective protective factors against this risk. Full article

Recent years have seen a rapid expansion in research examining the relationship between homocysteine and stroke. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of 233 articles related to homocysteine and stroke, published over the past 30 years in the Web of Science Core Collection. Our findings reveal a significant global increase in research on homocysteine and stroke, with China emerging as a leader, representing 39.9% of the total publications. Employing advanced methodologies such as co-citation analysis, bibliographic coupling, keyword co-occurrence, and citation burst analysis, we identified key research themes and emerging trends within the field. Notably, the results indicate a shift in focus from viewing homocysteine solely as a biomarker to recognizing its potential role in stroke prevention and management. These insights provide a valuable roadmap for future research directions and clinical strategies aimed at enhancing stroke prevention and improving patient outcomes. Full article

One major cause of prenatal mortality and morbidity is congenital abnormalities. Knowing the prevalence and etiology of congenital malformations is essential for analyzing trends and improving neonatal care. Objective: the team aimed to evaluate the utility of whole-exome sequencing (WES) in Romanian prenatal care, highlighting its diagnostic efficacy in comparison to molecular karyotyping, particularly in cases with negative genetic results prior to WES, unfavorable pregnancy outcomes, and consanguinity. Methods: Initially, we identified pregnancies with abnormal ultrasounds unrelated to known syndromes. Subsequently, we performed SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism)-array testing, yielding negative results. We then applied prenatal WES, utilizing Massive Parallel Sequencing on the NovaSeq 6000 platform (average coverage > 100× read length: 2 × 100 bp) with library preparation using the Twist Human Core Exome kit RefSeq & Mitochondrial panel (Twist Bioscience). The bioinformatic analysis involved direct comparison to the human reference sequence (hg38). Results: We achieved a 50% diagnostic rate. After receiving results, two couples chose pregnancy termination, five had uneventful births, and one pregnancy ended in stillbirth. Additionally, we identified three incidental findings that enhanced patient and at-risk member management. This article details ten prenatal cases tested with WES, highlighting its superior diagnostic performance compared to the SNP array. WES detected the genetic diagnostic in 50% of cases that the SNP array did not. We emphasize the advantages of WES in prenatal diagnostics while acknowledging the need for further investigations to comprehensively evaluate its diagnostic utility in the Romanian population. Full article

Over the past two decades, surgical techniques in colorectal cancer (CRC) have improved patient outcomes through precision and reduced invasiveness. Open colectomy, laparoscopic surgery, robotic-assisted procedures, and advanced rectal cancer treatments such as total mesorectal excision (TME) and transanal TME are discussed in this article. Traditional open colectomy offers reliable resection but takes longer to recover. Laparoscopic surgery transformed CRC care by improving oncological outcomes, postoperative pain, and recovery. Automated surgery improves laparoscopy’s dexterity, precision, and 3D visualisation, making it ideal for rectal cancer pelvic dissections. TME is the gold standard treatment for rectal cancer, minimising local recurrence, while TaTME improves access for low-lying tumours, preserving the sphincter. In metastatic CRC, palliative procedures help manage blockage, perforation, and bleeding. Clinical examples and landmark trials show each technique’s efficacy in personalised care. Advanced surgical techniques and multidisciplinary approaches have improved CRC survival and quality of life. Advances in CRC treatment require creativity and customised surgery. Full article

Worldwide, urinary tract infections (UTIs) have an increased incidence, especially in women. Recurrent UTIs (rUTIs) appear in less than three months in 80% of the cases, being associated with age, sexual activity, or diabetes mellitus. Antibiotics represent the first line of treatment for rUTIs after the diagnosis based on a positive mid-stream urine (MSU) culture. Alternative therapies including low-dose antibiotic treatment, immunoprophylaxis, cranberry extracts, probiotics, D-mannose, intravesical instillations, methenamine, and estrogens may reduce the recurrence of UTIs in female patients. Multimodal therapy seems to be the future in preventing and treating rUTIs. The main aim of this narrative review is to present the actual therapeutic challenges and the most efficient prophylaxis options in women diagnosed with rUTIs. Full article

Objectives: Early environmental factors have a significant impact on the development of atopic conditions in children. Breastfeeding has been highlighted for its role in enhancing both immune support and cognitive development. Early allergic conditions and maternal behaviors are linked to cognitive and neurodevelopmental challenges. Our study aims to compare children from atopic families focusing on early nutrition and the neuropsychological development of children, especially in the presence of an allergic predisposition. Materials and methods: The study included 120 children with a family history of allergies (55% boys). Children were divided into group A, children breastfed for at least two months, and group B, children breastfed for less than two months or fed with formula. The study measurements and outcomes included demographic and social data, medical data, the smoking status of the parents, breastfeeding and early feeding practices, and anthropometric measurements. The assessment of the neurological development was carried out with a validated Developmental Profile-3 questionnaire. Diagnosis of allergic conditions was carried out with the SCORAD (SCORing Atopic Dermatitis) questionnaire for assessing atopic dermatitis; the CoMiSS (Cow’s Milk-Related Allergy Symptom Score) questionnaire for potential cow’s milk protein allergy and Prick testing and elimination-provocation protocol were used to confirm allergic status in children with atopic conditions. Data were analyzed using Jamovi 2.2.2 software, with statistical significance set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: The age of the examined children was 13 ÷ 31 months, the age of the mothers was 21 ÷ 42 years, and that of the fathers was 22 ÷ 44 years. Educational levels among mothers were 68.35% (n = 54) with higher education in group A and 61.5% (n = 24) in group B, compared to fathers with rates of higher education of, respectively, 54.3% (n = 44) and 38.5% (n = 15). The average gestational age of the children was 38.8 ± 1.08 weeks, and the relative share of cesarean delivery—50.8% (n = 61)—was slightly higher than vaginal delivery. Anthropometric results (HAZ, WAZ, BMIAZ) did not show a statistically significant influence of the type of feeding (breastfeeding, standard formula, or hydrolyzed formula) on growth during the first two months after birth (p > 0.05). During the study period, a significant number of the children developed allergic conditions, which were more common in children from group A—43.2% (n = 35)—compared to group B—38.5% (n = 15). In the families included in the study, mothers smoked more often (53.3%; n = 64) than fathers (43.3%; n = 52), and 13.3% (n = 16) of the women smoked during pregnancy. Children’s neuropsychological development, assessed with the DP-3 questionnaire, according to the duration of breastfeeding, does not show statistically significant differences for the five functional areas (“Physical development”, “Adaptive behavior”, “Social-emotional” Development”, “Cognitive development “, and “Communication”) or the overall development of children from both groups. The neuropsychological development (DP-3) of the group A children showed correlations with the presence of atopic dermatitis, parents’ age, father’s level of education, mother’s smoking during pregnancy, number of cigarettes smoked by the mother per day, and cesarean delivery. Maternal smoking (number of cigarettes per day) had significant negative correlations with all areas of children’s neuropsychological development, which were most pronounced with physical (rho = −0.352; p = 0.001) and overall development (rho = −0.329; p= 0.003). Cesarean delivery moderately correlated with physical development (rho = 0.292; p = 0.008) and adaptive behavior (rho = −0.294; p = 0.008). In group B, neuropsychological development (DP-3) correlates most clearly with allergic conditions (allergy at two years of age and atopic dermatitis), as well as with maternal smoking during pregnancy, with a strong negative correlation with physical development (rho = −0.510; p = 0.001). Conclusions: Our study reinforces the link between early feeding practices, neuropsychological development, and allergic conditions, emphasizing the lasting effects they have on children’s neurological health. However, limitations such as the relatively small sample size and reliance on parental reporting may affect the generalizability of the findings. Future studies with larger cohorts and objective biomarkers for allergic conditions are needed to further validate these results. Full article

Before performing a thyroidectomy, a range of diagnostic studies is typically conducted to evaluate thyroid function and structure. Ultrasound and elastography are employed to assess the gland’s morphology and to identify nodular goiters that may necessitate fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) or surgical intervention. Cervical adenopathies in patients suspected of thyroid malignancy are also evaluated via ultrasound. FNAC is the most effective diagnostic tool for suspicious thyroid nodules. Computed tomography (CT) is invaluable in assessing the relationship between large goiters and surrounding structures or identifying deep lymph node metastases in thyroid carcinomas. This article discusses the essential preoperative investigations required for thyroidectomy and their impact on surgical decision-making. Full article