Upsala journal of medical sciences
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Stress-related biomarkers have the potential to provide objective measures of whether interventions directed at people with dementia (PWD) and their family caregivers (FCG) are successful. The use of such biomarkers has been limited by logistical barriers to sample collection. ⋯ This study demonstrates that music intervention was associated with lower morning saliva cortisol concentrations for FCGs.
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Persistent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in immunocompromised patients remains a major medical challenge. Diagnosing the syndrome is difficult as symptoms may mimic other diseases and treatment guidelines are lacking. We describe a case series of four patients with persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection that all had an underlying B-cell deficiency due to rituximab treatment (in one case in combination with epcoritamab). ⋯ After a confirmed diagnosis, the other three patients cleared the infection when they were finally treated with antivirals. Increasing clinicians' awareness of this condition is important as it might be treatable once diagnosed. Further studies are warranted to define the condition and treatment strategy with greater precision.
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The esophageal-tracheal Combitube (ETC) was developed for the management of difficult airways but can also be used for general anaesthesia. ⋯ We conclude that the Combitube may be used for short procedures requiring general anaesthesia, but the high rate of minor complications limits its value when other alternatives such as a laryngeal mask airway are available. The tested method appears safe regarding major complications, but minor complications are common. Adherence to recommended cuff volumes, experience with the ETC and limiting its use to surgeries lasting less than 2 h might reduce the rate of complications.
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Nitrous oxide, commonly known as 'laughing gas', has become a popular recreational drug. Whippets, small canisters containing gas in pressurized form, can be easily obtained from a food store. ⋯ Inhalation of nitrous oxide rarely causes pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, and pneumopericardium. This case study highlights the potential dangers of recreational abuse of nitrous oxide.
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Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine (C/HC) received considerable international media attention due to anticipated treatment effect in COVID-19. This led to increased prescriptions threatening to generate product shortages for patients prescribed within approved indications.We evaluated effects of a temporary regulation mandating pharmacies to only dispense C/HC prescribed by physicians with defined specialties. ⋯ After an observed increase in prescriptions of C/HC, a temporary regulation was introduced on 2nd April 2020 to reduce prescriptions from specialists not usually prescribing C/HC to avoid shortages for patients within approved indications. Subsequently, dispensed prescriptions decreased from April and remained at pre-COVID-19 levels thereafter.