Medical principles and practice : international journal of the Kuwait University, Health Science Centre
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Valproate, a widely utilized medication for epilepsy, mood disorders, and migraines, has attracted attention for its potential therapeutic benefits extending beyond its traditional uses. This review article compiles recent findings on the expanded utility of valproate outside of epilepsy, mood disorders, and migraines. ⋯ In addition to treating generalized and focal epilepsy, valproate has shown efficacy in managing status epilepticus, migraines, and manic episodes of bipolar disorder in conjunction with lithium. Anticipated as a valuable resource, this review aims to furnish researchers and clinicians with the most current and comprehensive information on the uses of valproate.
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Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease, with its own clinical, radiological, and histopathological characteristics, which mainly affects premature newborns (NBs), resulting from a combination of factors that include immaturity, inflammation, and lung injury, in addition to therapy with mechanical ventilation and exposure to high concentrations of oxygen. However, even with advances in care for critically ill NBs, BPD continues to be a challenge for the care team and family members. This has been identified as one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality due to prematurity and can have significant impacts on the quality of life of the affected patients. ⋯ Genetic variants in the glutathione S-transferase Mu-1/glutathione S-transferase theta-1-null (GSTM1/GSTT1) genes may be associated with a greater risk of developing BPD in premature NBs, as they affect the function of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) enzymes and, consequently, the body's ability to eliminate toxic or harmful pro-inflammatory substances. GSTM1/GSTT1-null individuals, due to the absence of gene expression, present loss of enzymatic activity of the respective GST enzymes, triggering failures in the detoxification process and the consequent development of numerous diseases resulting from oxidative damage such as infertility, chronic kidney disease, eryptosis, retinopathy of prematurity, necrotizing enterocolitis, periventricular leukomalacia, intraventricular hemorrhage. The objective of this narrative review was to highlight the role of genetic variants in the GSTM1/GSTT1 genes in the onset of BPD.
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Patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection carry an increased risk of cardiovascular disease encompassing various implications, including acute myocardial injury or infarction, myocarditis, heart failure, and arrhythmias. A growing volume of evidence correlates SARS-CoV-2 infection with myocardial injury, exposing patients to higher mortality risk. SARS-CoV-2 attacks the coronary arterial bed with various mechanisms including thrombosis/rupture of preexisting atherosclerotic plaque, de novo coronary thrombosis, endotheliitis, microvascular dysfunction, vasculitis, vasospasm, and ectasia/aneurysm formation. ⋯ In patients presenting with coronary vasospasm, nitrates and calcium channel blockers are preferred, while treatment of coronary ectasia/aneurysm mandates the use of antiplatelets/anticoagulants, corticosteroids, immunoglobulin, and biologic agents. It is crucial to untangle the exact mechanisms of coronary involvement in COVID-19 in order to ensure timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment. We have reviewed the current literature and provide a detailed overview of the pathophysiology and clinical spectrum associated with coronary implications of SARS-COV-2 infection.
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The ulcers of lower extremities, both venous and diabetic, impose a massive burden on sufferers globally. This meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy of silver dressings in improving healing rate of these ulcers. ⋯ This study indicated a statistically significant benefit of the treatment for DFU. However, the effect on VLU, though positive, did not reach statistical significance. This distinction should be considered in clinical application and further research.