Frontiers in medicine
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Frontiers in medicine · Jan 2020
Prevention and Control of COVID-19 Infection in a Chinese Mental Health Center.
Faced with the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), a global public health threat, psychiatric hospitals are under huge pressure to prevent and control nosocomial infection. The current research analyzed the COVID-19 infection control practices in a regional mental health center in China and addressed how this type of medical institutions could enhance their ability to prevent and control hospital transmission of major respiratory diseases and general management of nosocomial infection risks. Firstly, hospital-related risks of COVID-19 were analyzed, and targeted prevention and control measures were then established. ⋯ Up to the submission of this paper, the mental health center had obtained no suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 infection due to hospital transmission. The findings provide empirical evidence for the effectiveness of the COVID-19 preventive strategies and have important implications for integrated and characterized infection control in mental health centers during a major epidemic. The establishment of the transitional isolation ward and air fumigation using traditional Chinese medicine for patients and staff are preventive measures worthy of further discussion and dissemination.
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Frontiers in medicine · Jan 2020
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Machine Perfusion vs. Static Cold Storage of Liver Allografts on Liver Transplantation Outcomes: The Future Direction of Graft Preservation.
Background: Machine perfusion (MP) and static cold storage (CS) are two prevalent methods for liver allograft preservation. However, the preferred method remains controversial. Aim: To conduct a meta-analysis on the impact of MP preservation on liver transplant outcome. ⋯ Conclusions: Machine perfusion is superior to CS on improving short-term outcomes for human liver transplantation, with a less clear effect in the longer term. Hypothermic machine perfusion but not NMP conducted significantly protective effects on EAD and biliary complications. Further RCTs are warranted to confirm MP's superiority and applications.
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Frontiers in medicine · Jan 2020
ReviewAcute Kidney Injury in Pregnancies Complicated With Preeclampsia or HELLP Syndrome.
Acute kidney injury that occurs during pregnancy or in the post-partum period (PR-AKI) is a serious obstetric complication with risk of significant associated maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Recent data indicates that the incidence of PR-AKI is increasing, although accurate calculation is limited by the lack of a uniform diagnostic criteria that is validated in pregnancy. ⋯ As is now accepted regarding preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, it is believed that PR-AKI may have long-term renal, cardiovascular and neurocognitive consequences that persist beyond the post-partum period. Further research regarding PR-AKI could be advanced by the development of a pregnancy-specific validated definition and classification system; and the establishment of refined animal models that would allow researchers to further elucidate the mechanisms and sequelae of the disorder.
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Background: The recent COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the globe has caused great concern worldwide. Due to the limited evidence available on the dynamics of the virus and effective treatment options available, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has had a huge impact in terms of morbidity and mortality. The economic impact is still to be assessed. ⋯ Unfortunately, no vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 or effective drug regimen for COVID-19 currently exists. Drug repurposing of available antiviral agents may provide a respite; moreover, a cocktail of antiviral agents may be helpful in treating this disease. Here, we have highlighted a few available antimicrobial agents that could be very effective in treating COVID-19; indeed, a number of trials are underway to detect and confirm the efficacy of these agents.
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Pulmonary Langerhans cell (LC) histiocytosis (PLCH) has unknown cause and is a rare neoplastic disorder characterized by the infiltration of lungs and various organs by bone marrow-derived Langerhans cells with an accompanying strong inflammatory response. These cells carry somatic mutations of BRAF gene and/or NRAS, KRAS, and MAP2K1 genes, which cause activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway. PLCH occurs predominantly in young smokers, without gender predominance. ⋯ Histological examination of the lesion and demonstration of characteristic eosinophilic granulomas with the presence of LCs that display antigen CD1a or CD207 in immunohistochemistry are required for definite diagnosis. Smoking cessation is the most important recommendation for PLCH patients, but treatment of progressive PLCH and multisystem disease is based on chemotherapy. Recently, new targeted therapies have been implemented.