Annals of medicine
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Q fever endocarditis is a major cause of culture-negative endocarditis. The role of Coxellia burnetii is underestimated because it is difficult to diagnose. We investigated the significance of C. burnetii as the cause of culture-negative endocarditis and vascular infection by examining blood and tissue specimens using serological testing and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). ⋯ Approximately one-third of patients with culture-negative endocarditis and vascular infection was diagnosed as Q fever. Q fever endocarditis and vascular infection may be underestimated in routine clinical practice in South Korea.KEY MESSAGEQ fever endocarditis and vascular infection may be underestimated in routine clinical practice, thus, try to find evidence of C. burnetti infection in suspected patients by all available diagnostic tests including PCR.
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To evaluate the effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on lens opacity as measured by Scheimpflug densitometry, serum inflammatory cytokines, and antioxidant levels. ⋯ Long-term use of HRT may have a protective effect against cataract formation. HRT seems to be effective in decreasing inflammation and increasing antioxidant contents in the serum of postmenopausal women.KEY MESSAGESHormone replacement therapy (HRT) decrease lens opacity in postmenopausal women as measured by Scheimpflug densitometry.HRT decrease serum inflammatory cytokines and increase antioxidant levelsin the serum of postmenopausal women.Long-term use of HRT may have a protective effect against cataract formationin postmenopausal women.
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Observational Study
Reference values for the Modified Timed Up and Go Test in Saudi children aged 4-12 years old in Riyadh city: cross-sectional study.
The study aimed to report within-session reliability, estimate the reference values for the Modified Timed Up and Go (mTUG) test in typically developing (TD) Saudi children aged 4-12 years old, develop a reference equation for the estimated mTUG, and compare the measured mTUG in the present study with the predicted mTUG obtained from the previous regression equation. ⋯ This study provided the mTUG reference values that can be used clinically to evaluate functional mobility and dynamic balance in TD Saudi children aged 4-12 years. The mTUG scores can be predicted as a function of age and weight.KEY MESSAGESModified Timed Up and Go test used to assess the functional mobility and dynamic balance for children with or without developmental abnormalities.Availability of reference values according to age is helpful to compare the performance of children at same ages.
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To use optical coherence tomography (OCT) to compare retinal biomarkers of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to multifocal choroiditis (MFC), myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV), and idiopathic choroidal neovascularization (ICNV) and to provide a basis for its clinical diagnosis and treatment. ⋯ OCT biomarkers, such as the diameter of the CNV, SRF, the "pitchfork sign," and CT under CNV are useful in distinguishing CNV secondary to MFC from mCNV, which can allow the timely selection of treatment in some difficult cases. There were no differences between the MFC group and ICNV group except in refractive error, which indicates that some ICNV cases may be an early stage of a type of occult chorioretinitis. Long-term follow-up is needed for ICNV patients to confirm whether there is any potential inflammation.Key messagesSometimes, it is difficult to separate MFC with CNV from myopic CNV and ICNV in clinical.OCT biomarkers, such as the diameter of the CNV, SRF, the "pitchfork sign," and CT under CNV are useful in distinguishing CNV secondary to MFC from mCNV.There were no differences between the MFC group and ICNV group except in refractive error.
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Preeclampsia and hypothyroidism are associated with endothelial dysfunction. Iodine deficiency is a risk factor for subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnancy. However, there is a paucity of data on the relationship between iodine nutrition state in pregnancy, the degree of endothelial dysfunction, and the risk of preeclampsia. ⋯ Upper normal-range TSH levels in women with severe preeclampsia were associated with markers of endothelial dysfunction. The low UIC and trend towards the elevation of thyroglobulin suggest that inadequate iodine intake may have increased TSH levels and indirectly caused endothelial dysfunction.