Gac Med Mex
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Uterine fibroids are a significant source of morbidity for women of reproductive age, and can result in substantial symptoms affecting their quality of life. Definitive treatment has traditionally been a myomectomy, but increasingly women are not prepared to undergo such an invasive procedure for a benign and usually self-limiting condition. ⋯ Magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) ablation combines therapy delivered by an ultrasound transducer with imaging guidance for therapy and thermal feedback provided by magnetic resonance imaging. This paper provides an overview of the MRgFUS technique, including a brief description of the treatment system, guidelines for selection of patients and follow-up, and a comparison with other treatment techniques.
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Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a β herpesvirus and a significant human pathogen. After primary infection establishes life long latency. In immunocompetent individuals cell-mediated host immune responses prevent the development of overt CMV disease. ⋯ In the pathogenesis are involved immunodysfunction and imbalance in immunomodulatory mediators principally tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). Several studies have shown an association between CMV reactivation in immunocompetent critically ill patients and poor clinical outcomes. Further studies are warranted to identify subsets of patients who are at risk of developing CMV reactivation and to determine the role of antiviral agents on clinically outcomes in critically ill patients.
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Aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and paracetamol are the most frequent drugs used worldwide for the management of pain, inflammation and fever associated with many acute and chronic conditions. Despite of its analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties, all display adverse effects mediated by the same mechanisms by which they control pain, inflammation and fever. A relatively frequent problem with the use of NSAIDs and/or aspirin, and less frequently with paracetamol, is the development of intolerance and hypersensitivity reactions, a situation for which diverse alternatives have been proposed. One of these includes the use of cyclo-oxigenase-2 specific inhibitors (COXIB), a therapeutic modality analyzed in the present paper.
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Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) is a systemic, necrotizing and granulomatous vasculitis that affects the upper and lower respiratory tract and the kidney. It is the most common antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) vasculitis. The diagnosis of WG is based on clinical manifestations, histological findings and the presence of ANCA in serum. ⋯ Their purpose is to keep remission and lower the adverse effects associated with IS. Etanercept has not been proven successfully for the MP. Rituximab and 15-dexopergualin constitute promising the rapies for refractory WG.
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Sepsis continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Evidence is emerging from observational studies and basic science research that statins might be associated with reduced mortality in sepsis. Statins have diverse immunomodulatory and antiinflammatory properties independent of their lipid-lowering ability. ⋯ It suggests an urgent need to investigate the pharmacology of these drugs and reappraise their therapeutic indications in critically ill patients. If this finding is supported by prospective controlled trials, statins may play an important role in sepsis related mortality. By the other hand statins are significantly cheaper than other therapies that have been shown to improve outcome in sepsis, and the demonstration of mortality benefit would have enormous cost-benefit implication.