Journal of the Chinese Medical Association : JCMA
-
Acromegaly is associated with cardiovascular alterations. Up to 50% acromegalic patients suffered from treatment failure after multiple modalities. We investigated correlation between cardiovascular function and control of growth hormone (GH) in acromegalic patients following transsphenoidal adenomectomy (TSA). ⋯ In the patients with acromegaly who had undergone TSA, cardiac structure and vascular stiffness did not differ among the groups with different levels of GH control.
-
The pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), which began in December 2019, spread mostly from person to person through respiratory droplets. A recommendation was issued to postpone all elective surgical practices. However, some confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients required life-saving emergent surgeries. ⋯ The application of a clear and integrated algorithm for operating room team members aids in effective personal protective equipment facilitation to keep both healthcare providers and patients safe as well as to prevent hospital-based transmission of COVID-19.
-
Since December 2019, a number of cases and deaths due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic have been reported worldwide. In spite of clinical manifestations similar to the SARS-CoV epidemic in 2003, affected organs and severity are yet to be defined. Moreover, viral load alterations and viral shielding among different specimens remained scarce. Therefore, clarifying clinical presentations and correlations among viral loads, disease severity, and viral shielding of SARS-CoV-2 infection is crucial in the disease prevention. ⋯ SARS-CoV-2 manifests various symptoms. Sudden onset of central nervous system symptoms should be considered. The timing of HCQ and azithromycin administration might be a key factor in the viral load reduction. Positive prediction values of RT-qPCR of different specimens should be tested carefully to prevent false-negative results.
-
Gene therapy is the advanced therapeutics for supplying or replacing the genetic material in patients with inherited disorders. Recent clinical studies have made some progress in a wide range of applications, including monogenic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, malignant tumors, and congenital diseases. Heart diseases, especially myocardial ischemia, remain one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide and usually result in irreparable cardiomyocyte damage and severe heart failure. ⋯ Our study demonstrated that miR-181a promotes iPSC differentiation into functional cardiomyocytes. Delivery of NANO-DIAMOND-miR-181a may host clinical potential to enhance the differentiation and recovery of the cardiogenic function in injured cardiomyocytes.