Irish journal of medical science
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B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels increase with an increase in intracranial pressure. A decrease in BNP levels has been found to be associated with patient positive prognosis. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels decrease in patients with acute stroke. ⋯ After elective endovascular cerebral aneurysm treatment, the BNP values in serum decreased significantly, and the BDNF values in serum did not change significantly.
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JNK pathway-associated phosphatase (JKAP) is engaged in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology via regulating immune response, cluster of differentiation 4 positive (CD4+) T cell differentiation, inflammation, and phosphorylated tau (p-tau). This study aimed to investigate its clinical value serving as a biomarker for AD. ⋯ JKAP, Th1 cells, and Th17 cells are dysregulated and inter-correlated; among them, JKAP and Th17 cells relate to cognitive impairment progression in AD patients.
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Linezolid is an oxazolidinone antimicrobial regarded as a "last resort" antimicrobial, used typically for treatment of Gram-positive bacterial infections. It is acknowledged that prevalence of resistance to linezolid is increasing in Europe. In Ireland, a number of outbreaks of linezolid-resistant isolates have been reported, including an outbreak at the location for this study, the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of University Hospital Limerick (UHL). ⋯ While this point prevalence study identified extremely low carriage of linezolid-resistant bacteria, it remains prudent to maintain vigilance as reports of outbreaks associated with linezolid-resistant S. epidermidis (LRSE) in European critical care units are increasing.
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Observational Study
COVID-19 infection is a major cause of acute telogen effluvium.
Acute telogen effluvium is a non-scaring hair loss, usually occurs 3 months after the stressful event that causes hair shedding, and lasts up to 6 months. It can be associated with post COVID-19 infection. ⋯ COVID-19 infection is now a frequent and a common cause of acute telogen effluvium. Hence, clinicians should be aware about the relation between this infection and this pattern of hair loss. Drugs that have been used for the treatment of COVID-19 were excluded as a cause of acute telogen effluvium.
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Clinical Trial
Predictors of improvement in resting heart rate after exercise training in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
High resting heart rate (RHR) is associated with multiple morbidity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Factors regarding the effectiveness of exercise training (ET) on RHR in COPD patients are unclear. ⋯ NCT04890080 (retrospectively registered-date of registration: 05.17.2021).