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Rev Assoc Med Bras (1992) · Jan 2024
Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody in stroke localization: exordium doorway of preliminary findings in thyroidology?
Stroke is a chronic health problem that affects all areas of life. The presence of thyroid autoantibodies can augment the severity of stroke. The aim of this work is to investigate whether there is a relationship between the site of stroke involvement and the anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (anti-TPO) or not. This is the first study in the English-language literature. ⋯ In summary, the anti-TPO value was recognized as higher in the anterior stroke localization. Thyroiditis and accompanying anti-TPO autoantibody positivity are conditions that should not be ignored by thyroidologists and thyroid-health providers.
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The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the implementation of strict public health and social measures (PHSMs) (including mobility restrictions, social distancing, mask-wearing and hand hygiene), limitations on non-essential healthcare services, and public fear of COVID-19 infection, all of which potentially affected transmission and healthcare use for other diseases such as lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs). ⋯ The COVID-19 surges and their associated measures were linked to declining LRTI admissions and in-facility deaths, likely driven by a combination of reduced infectious disease transmission and reduced use of healthcare services, with effects diminishing over time. These findings may inform future pandemic response policies.
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Observational Study
Assessment of Osteoprotegerin and Receptor Activator of Nf-Κb Ligand in Malaysian Male Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study.
Background: Limited information exists regarding the pathophysiological interactions between osteoporosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Objective: To study the association of Osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (RANKL) in male COPD patients. Methods: An observational clinical study was conducted at Penang General Hospital in Malaysia. ⋯ Furthermore, patients with severe COPD had a 3 times greater risk of developing osteoporosis (OR = 2.997 [95% CI = 2.181, 4.118], p < 0.001), while spirometric parameters had a significant inverse relationship with osteoporosis (FEV1% OR = 0.970, [95% CI = 0.954, 0.986], p = 0.001; FEV1/FVC OR = 0.984, (95% CI = 0.970, 0.999], p = 0.035). Conclusion: The study concluded that COPD patients had lower sOPG levels, leading to decreased OPG/RANKL ratio and faster bone resorption. Low bone mineral density was associated with more severe COPD. (Rev Invest Clin. 2024;76(6):262-73).
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Manual and mechanical cough augmentation techniques are used for airway clearance when cough effort is ineffective. Mechanical insufflation-exsufflation (MI-E) has been a mainstay for respiratory complications of neuromuscular disorders, but its use has expanded to other conditions that result in respiratory muscle weakness and impaired cough, such as intubation and mechanical ventilation. Mechanical in-exsufflation has been used for cough augmentation in both adults and children but has been more widely evaluated in adults. ⋯ Electrical impedance tomography has been used for monitoring during mechanical ventilation and may have a role in assessing the effectiveness of MI-E. Much of the literature that supports MI-E is derived from small, single-center studies of adult populations. Future study is warranted for efficacy and optimization of MI-E therapy in various clinical applications.