scholarly journals The Efficacy of Anti-Arrhythmic Drugs in Children With Idiopathic Frequent Symptomatic or Asymptomatic Premature Ventricular Complexes With or Without Asymptomatic Ventricular Tachycardia: a Retrospective Multi-Center Study

Author(s):  
Robin A. Bertels ◽  
Janneke A. E. Kammeraad ◽  
Anna M. Zeelenberg ◽  
Luc H. Filippini ◽  
Ingmar Knobbe ◽  
...  

AbstractThe aim of the study is to compare the efficacy of flecainide, beta-blockers, sotalol, and verapamil in children with frequent PVCs, with or without asymptomatic VT. Frequent premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) and asymptomatic ventricular tachycardia (VT) in children with structurally normal hearts require anti-arrhythmic drug (AAD) therapy depending on the severity of symptoms or ventricular dysfunction; however, data on efficacy in children are scarce. Both symptomatic and asymptomatic children (≥ 1 year and < 18 years of age) with a PVC burden of 5% or more, with or without asymptomatic runs of VT, who had consecutive Holter recordings, were included in this retrospective multi-center study. The groups of patients receiving AAD therapy were compared to an untreated control group. A medication episode was defined as a timeframe in which the highest dosage at a fixed level of a single drug was used in a patient. A total of 35 children and 46 medication episodes were included, with an overall change in PVC burden on Holter of -4.4 percentage points, compared to -4.2 in the control group of 14 patients. The mean reduction in PVC burden was only significant in patients receiving flecainide (− 13.8 percentage points; N = 10; p = 0.032), compared to the control group and other groups receiving beta-blockers (− 1.7 percentage points; N = 18), sotalol (+ 1.0 percentage points; N = 7), or verapamil (− 3.9 percentage points; N = 11). The efficacy of anti-arrhythmic drug therapy on frequent PVCs or asymptomatic VTs in children is very limited. Only flecainide appears to be effective in lowering the PVC burden.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Floor A. M. Postema ◽  
Saskia M. J. Hopman ◽  
Corianne A. J. M. de Borgie ◽  
Cora M. Aalfs ◽  
Jakob K. Anninga ◽  
...  

AbstractRecognizing a tumor predisposition syndrome (TPS) in a child with cancer is of clinical relevance. Earlier we developed a screening tool to increase diagnostic accuracy and clinical efficiency of identifying TPSs in children with cancer. Here we report on the value of this tool in clinical practice. TuPS is a prospective, observational, multi-center study including children newly diagnosed with cancer from 2016 to 2019 in the Netherlands. Children in whom a TPS had been diagnosed before the cancer diagnosis were excluded. The screening tool consists of a checklist, 2D and 3D photographic series and digital assessment of these by a clinical geneticist. If a TPS was suspected, the patient was assessed positive and referred for routine genetic consultation. Primary aim was to assess the clinical value of this new screening tool. Of the 363 included patients, 57% (208/363) were assessed positive. In 15% of patients (32/208), the 2D photographic series with (n = 12) or without (n = 20) 3D photographs were decisive in the positive assessment. In 2% (4/208) of positive assessed patients, a TPS was diagnosed, and in an additional 2% (4/208) a germline variant of uncertain significance was found. Thirty-five negatively assessed patients were evaluated through routine genetic consultation as controls, in none a TPS was detected. Using the screening tool, 57% of the patients were assessed as suspected for having a TPS. No false negative results were identified in the negative control group in the clinical care setting. The observed prevalence of TPS was lower than expected, due to selection bias in the cohort.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 315-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chidozie N. OKOYE ◽  
Samuel O. EKERE ◽  
Onyinyechukwu A. AGINA ◽  
Ikechukwu J. UDEANI ◽  
Chukwunonso K. EZEASOR

The present study evaluated the effect of whole egg consumption on the liver, testes, cauda epididymal sperm reserve and lipid profile of male rats. These evaluations were carried out on adult twenty (20) male albino rats, which were randomly selected into four groups of 5 rats each, designated groups A, B, C and D. Group A was the control group and received only equivalent volume of distilled water, while groups B, C and D received 0.25mg/kg, 0.5mg/kg; and 1.0mg/kg body weight of the quail egg respectively. Standard procedures were carried out in the tissue processing, cauda epididymal sperm reserve and in lipid profile determinations. On days 35 and 49, the mean serum total cholesterol value of group D was significantly lower than that of the control group. On day 35, the mean serum low density lipoprotein and high density lipoprotein (LDL and HDL cholesterol) values of all the treatment groups were significantly lower and higher than that of the control group, respectively. However, on days 49 and 63, the mean serum very low density lipoprotein (VLDL cholesterol) and triglyceride values of all the treatment groups were significantly higher than that of the control group. A significant increase in cadual epididymal sperm count (CESR) was recorded on day 63 at the mid and high doses. No obvious pathological lesions were observed in the histomorphology of the testes and liver when compared to the control. Therefore, whole quail egg consumption caused an increase in serum triglyceride and very low density lipoprotein concentration, and also improved fertility. In other words, prolonged consumption of quail egg should be done with caution as it may predispose one to cardiovascular disease.


Author(s):  
Maryam Hajikari ◽  
Soheila Mojdeh ◽  
Mohsen Shariari

Introduction The incidence of gastric ulcers in patients with abdominal stoma is high and affects the quality of patients’ life. Aim To evaluate the effect of Adib herbal ointment containing chamomile rose, black nightshade origin versus Comfeel and Conveen ointments on the skin of abdominal stoma. Material and methods This is a clinical study in which the volunteers were stoma patients. Study group consisted of 52 qualified subjects, 26 were included in the experimental group and 26 in the control group. A 2-part questionnaire was used for the data collection. The 1st part was demographic information. The 2nd part of the data collection was evaluated according to the pressure ulcer scale for healing (PUSH) tool, which used for examining skin ulcers around the stoma. P ≤ 0.05 was considered as a significant. Results and discussion The results of the Mann–Whitney test showed that between the mean score of the total score of the wound before intervention (P = 0.92) and on the 3rd day (P = 0.476), 6th (P = 0.222), 9th (P = 0.11) and 12th (P = 0.418), there was no significant difference between the control and test groups. Also, the Friedman test (intra-group) also showed that between the mean score of the total score of the wound before the intervention and the 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th days in the control group (P = 0.0001) and in the experimental group (P = 0.0001) There was a significant statistical difference. Conclusions Based on the study, Adib herbal ointment could be recommended for the treatment of stoma to the skin as an herbal product as other common treatments.


2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 207 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Castro Neto ◽  
B.V. Sanches ◽  
S.H.V. Perri ◽  
M.M. Seneda ◽  
J.F. Garcia

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of uterine double flushing on embryo recovery rates (total structures and viable embryos), after a resting period with the uterus filled with PBS. There were 210 embryo recovery procedures conducted using the uterine double flushing method, and the results were compaired with 432 conventional single flushing procedures. All procedures were conducted with Limousin (n=403) and Guzerá (n=239) cows, following the same superovulation protocol. Cyclic donors received a progestagen implant (CIDR) and 1mL of oestradiol benzoate (Estrogin®) at Day 0. Between Day 5 and Day 9 animals received doses ranging from 200 to 300UI (zebu cows) and 300 to 500UI (taurine cows) of FSH (Pluset® – Serono) in decreasing doses. Between Day 6 and Day 8 PGF2a (Ciosin®) was administered, followed by withdrawal of the progestagen after 24h. Artificial insemination was performed between 14 and 26h after the beginning of treatment. For the double flushing procedure, after the first uterine flushing of both horns with 1L DPBS (Nutricell), a Foley catheter was positioned in the uterine body in order to fill the uterus with the same solution (80 to 150mL). After this procedure the catheter was closed with a disposable 5-mL syringe gasket, and the animals were allowed to rest in the surroundings of the work place for 30min. After this period, a second flush was performed in order to recover the remaning liquid used during manipulation of the uterus. Animals from the control group (group A) were subjected to a single uterine flushing procedure. From 210 double flushing procedures (group B – test), 1409 viable embryos were produced, classified as grades I, II, III and IV (IETS), (average of 6.7 embryos per procedure), whereas, in the 432 single flushing procedure (group A – control), 1993 embryos were produced (average of 4.6). Statistical analysis showed the increase of viable embryo recovery rate. When consecutive double flushing was performed, the average of recovered embryos increased from 8.3 to 12.7 (P&lt;0.05) in Limousin cows, and from 7.9 to 11.5 (P&lt;0.05) in Guzerá cows. Comparing recovery after single flushing with that after double flushing, the mean number of viable embryos increased from 4.7 to 6.9 (P&lt;0.05) in Limousin cows and from 4.5 to 6.4 (P&lt;0.05) in Guzerá cows. In order to assure the nonexistence of negligence effects or operator influence on results, the mean values of total embryo recovery rate after single flushing (control group) was compared to the mean values of the same rate after the first uterine flushing on test group. Results indicated no difference between recovery rates. The present work showed the viability of using the uterine double flushing procedure for improvement of embryo recovery rates in cattle.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Obeagu Emmanuel Ifeanyi

The hematological features of Gongronema latifolium, aqueous leaves extract was evaluated using standard methods. After 10 days of consecutive infusions into 9 experimental animals (rabbits). The rabbits were monitored and the following parameters determined; hemoglobin (HB), PCV, Platelet, WBC, Differential White Blood Cell. The Rabbits were grouped into 4, one consisting of control (group A), group B was fed with 0.5 mg/kg, group C with 1.0 mg/kg, and Group D with 1.5mg/kg of the aqueous extract of Gongronemalatifolium. The mean values obtained for hemoglobin estimation for the control group is 5.9 ± 4.1 g/dl, 9.1 ± 2.9 g/dl for group B 10.2 ± 1.8 g/dl for group C and 12.8 ± 0.1 g/dl for group D with no significant increase on the PCV estimation, the mean value for the control (group A) is 17.7 ± 12.3%, 27.3 ± 8.7% for group B, group C (30.6 ± 5.4%) and D (28.4 ± 0.3) show increase that statistically significant (p > 0.01). the platelet counts of group C (600 ± 0 x 109/L) and D(600 ± 0 x 109/L) show significant increase (p > 0.01) when compared with the control (600 ± 00). But the platelet value of group B (550 ± 50 x 109/L) shows no difference. No significant changes were observed in the White Blood Counts of the test groups B (3.5 ± 0.5 x 109/L), C (1.9 + 2.1 x 109/L) and D(3.6 ± 0.4) when compared with the control group (2.9 ± 1.9). The values obtained from the differential White Blood Counts (Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Eosinophils and Monocytes) were not significant. Therefore, Gongronemalatifolium, when properly taken as a nutritional diet, causes beneficial changes on hemoglobin, packed cell volumes and platelet counts of consumers.


2013 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 84-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Manjurul Karim ◽  
Md Abdul Wahab ◽  
Lubna Khondoker ◽  
Md Shirajul Islam Khan

A case-control study conducted in the Department of Dermatology and Venereology of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka from July 2008- December 2010. A total 60 female patients of telogen effluvium attending in outpatient department (OPD) were enrolled in the study with 30 having hair loss considered as case (Group-A) and another 30 females had no history of hair loss were considered as control (Group-B). The study included 60 patients and the mean age were 25.4±7 years ranging from 18 to 42 years in group A and 24.8±5.6 years ranging from 17 to 36 years in group B. Maximum number was found in the age group of 21- 30 years in both groups and nearly three fourth (73.4%) patients were unmarried in group A and 18(60.0%) in group B. Most of the patients were student in both groups, which were 21(70.0%) and 17(56.7%) in group A and group B respectively and majority of the the patients were HSC level in both groups, 15(50.0%) and 14(46.7%) in Group A and Group B respectively. Most of the patients came from middle class, which were 20(66.7%) and 16(53.3%) in group A and group B respectively. The mean serum ferritin were 18.8±8.1 g/L ranging from 4.5 to 36.54 g/L and 36.6±9.9 mg/L ranging from 18.46 to 56.3 mg/ L in group A and group B respectively. The mean Hb level was 11.5±1.4 gm/dl ranging from 8.5 to 14.0 gm/dl in group A and 12.8±1.1 gm/dl ranging from 10.5 to 14.5 gm/dl in group B. The mean difference of Hb level was statistically significant (p<0.05) between two groups in unpaired t-test. It can be concluded that low iron level is associated with telogen effluvium in women. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmed.v21i2.13617 Bangladesh J Medicine 2010; 21: 84-89


2000 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 177-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. à Campo ◽  
H.L.G.J. Merckelbach ◽  
H. Nijman ◽  
M. Yeates-Frederikx ◽  
W. Allertz

SUMMARYSkin conductance is a psychophysiological parameter that reflects fundamental processes such as attention and arousal. The present study explored whether deviations in skin conductance activity are associated with severity of schizophrenic symptoms. For this purpose, Skin Conductance Responses (SCRs) to discrete stimuli (80 dB noises) and Skin Conductance Levels (SCLs) of 37 schizophrenic patients and 31 healthy volunteers were recorded. In accordance with previous studies, schizophrenic patients were found to be hyporesponsive compared to healthy controls. More specifically, almost half of the patients (46%) did not react with any SCR to the first 3 stimuli, whereas only 10% of the control group exhibited such a non-responding. Accordingly, the mean amplitude of the first 3 SCRs – as measured in u Siemens – was found to be significantly lower in patients compared to controls. As well, mean SCL was found to be (marginally) elevated in the patient group. This was especially the case for patients who did exhibit SCRs. In the patient group, a negative correlation was found between amplitude of SCRs and symptom severity. This association was mainly carried by a significant correlation between positive symptoms and reduced SCRs. The clinical relevance of these findings is discussed in detail.


Sports ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 83
Author(s):  
Jesper Fritz ◽  
Marcus E. Cöster ◽  
Björn E. Rosengren ◽  
Caroline Karlsson ◽  
Magnus K. Karlsson

Physical activity (PA) may improve brain development, cognition, concentration and academic performance. In this prospective controlled intervention study, we increased the level of PA in 338 children aged 6–8 years at study start, from the Swedish standard of 60 min per week to 200 min per week (40 min daily). The intervention continued in all nine compulsory school years until the students graduated between 2007–2012. All other 689,881 Swedish children who graduated the same years were included as a control group. We registered at graduation eligibility rate for upper secondary school and the final grade score (from 0 to 320 grade points). We also registered the same end points in the 295 students in the index school and in all other 471,926 Swedish students who graduated in 2003–2006, that is, those who graduated before the intervention study started. Before the intervention, academic performance was similar among children in the index school as for all other Swedish boys and girls. With the intervention, the eligibility rate increased for boys in the index school by 7.3 percentage points and the mean grade scores by 13.3 points. This should be compared with a decrease of 0.8 percentage points in eligibility rate and an increase by 2.7 points in grade score in other Swedish boys. No changes were seen for intervention girls, neither in eligibility rates or grade scores. By introducing daily school-based PA in compulsory school, more boys would probably reach the eligibility rate for higher education.


Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 4181-4181
Author(s):  
Damianos Sotiropoulos ◽  
Eleni Siotou ◽  
Evangelia Athanasiou ◽  
Christos Kalpouzos ◽  
Panayotis Kaloyannidis ◽  
...  

Abstract Mice, unlike rats and humans, have a self recovery mechanism of spinal cord injury. Whether the hematopoietic system is involved in this mechanism is under investigation. In this study we tested whether bone marrow cells transplanted or mobilized by a growth factor in mice with spinal cord injury, can accelerate the recovery. C57bl/6 female mice 10 to 12 weeks of age underwent spinal cord incision in an open operation. The injury was performed as a complete transection including the dura mater and the whole circumference of the cord at the T10-T11 intervertebral space with a micro scalpel (No 11). Group A mice received 200μg/kg/day G-CSF subcutaneously for 7 days, starting 24 hours after operation. Group B mice received 106 light density bone marrow cells from C576bl/6 donor mice intravenously 24 hours after operation. Control group mice received no treatment. Histological evaluation was performed at 48 hours, 1 week, 3 weeks and 5 weeks postoperatively. Paraffin embedded longitudinal samples of spinal cord were cut as serial sections. Spinal cord damage was estimated by measuring the maximum diameter of the area of axonal damage and disruption of astrocytic network using immunostaining for neurofilaments and GFAP. Antibodies against CD68 were applied to identify macrophage aggregations. All measurements were performed by morphometric photo analysis. The volume of fibroblastic infiltration was estimated using a grading system (0–7), based on Van Gieson stain for connective tissue. Functional deficits and recovery over time were evaluated by testing hind limb reflex and coordinated motor function (Kuhn and Wrathal functional tests, modified by Seki et al, 2002). All tests have been videotaped. Outcome scores at 48 hours, 1 week, 3 weeks and 5 weeks postoperatively for the control group, group A and group B mice were analyzed with the Mann-Whitney U test. 48 hours post operatively all mice in all groups were paralyzed in both hind limbs. Gradual improvement was observed in all groups. At week 3 there was a significant difference between the mean scores of functional tests for both treated groups (A and B) compared with the mean scores of the control group. Statistically significant difference (p&lt;0,05) was observed in 5 out of 7 tests for group A and in 3 out of 7 tests for group B. Same difference between Group A mice and control group mice was observed by 5 weeks, while group B had no statistically significant difference. No animal in any of the groups had a complete recovery 5 weeks postoperatively. Spinal cord in control group mice showed a gradually increase of fibroblastic infiltration until 5 week which entirely separated the two ends of the cord. In group A and group B mice a significant decrease of fibroblastic infiltration was observed at week 5 compared with week 3. Macrophage aggregations were evident at weeks 1 and 5 but not at week 3 in all groups. In conclusion our results indicate that light density bone marrow transplanted cells or G-CSF treatment can accelerate spinal cord injured mice recovery. It is possible that this is associated with a decrease in fibroblastic infiltration of spinal cord. Macrophage aggregation may also play an important role in the mechanism of recovery in mice, while in rats a different reaction including cavitation and delayed demyelination prohibits neurological recovery.


Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 4146-4146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhao Wang ◽  
Yini Wang ◽  
Wenqiu Huang ◽  
Liangding Hu ◽  
Xinan Cen ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a life-threatening hyperinflammatory syndrome. It occurs as a primary or acquired disorder in a condition of chaotic and uncontrolled immune system stimulation. Recent studies showed that HLH occurs not only in children, but also in adult. Here we presented the data gathered from Chinese HLH Workgroup in order to make further understanding about the disease. Methods: We performed a multi-center study involving 613 cases of HLH patients. We analyzed the clinical features, laboratory tests, diagnosis, treatments and clinical outcomes of them. All the date came from 46 hospitals, between Jan 2006 to June 2014. Results: The median age was 29 years old (Range 1 month to 82 years old). Forty-nine cases of them were primary HLH, 489 cases were acquired HLH and the other 75 case had unknown underlying disease. Among the acquired HLH group, 211 cases were malignancy-associated HLH (M-HLH),207 cases were infection- associated HLH (I-HLH), 58 cases were macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), 9 cases were associated with pregnancy, 3 patients developed HLH after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and one case was associated with hemolytic anemia. Over ninety percent (93.3%) of the patients had hepatic function damage. We found significant difference in some diagnostic criteria among M-HLH, I-HLH and MAS group. The mean leukocytes was (9.50±8.46)×109/L, and the mean thrombocytes was (100.69±87.61)×109/L , which were significantly higher in MAS group than the other. The brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) was higher in patients with M-HLH (5477.31±6048.08 pg/ml). The aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was and bilirubin were significantly higher in patients with I-HLH. The median survival time of 613 cases is 7 months. Until now, 258 cases of patients were still survived, 297 cases were died, and the other was lost. We observed 45 cases who underwent allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HCT), including 22 cases of primary HLH, 12 cases of M-HLH, 8 cases of EBV-HLH and 3cases with unknown underlying disease. In these allo-HCT patients, 26 cases were achieved complete remission (CR), 12 cases died from transplantation related mortality (TRM), and the other died from tumor relapse or refractory EBV infection. The dead exhibited much higher level in bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatinine, and urea nitrogen. On the contrary, they had lower leukocytes and thrombocytes counts, and hypoalbuminemia. Thrombocytopenia and hypoalbuminemia play an important role in poor prognosis. Conclusion: HLH is not only a childhood disease but also occurs in adult. It associated with many underlying conditions. Lymphoma and EBV infection were two major causes of acquired HLH. Hepatic function damage is one of the most typical HLH clinical manifestations, and it tends to be more serious for patients with I-HLH. In addition, the blood cells of the patients with MAS may not reduce in the early phase; and the patients with M-HLH are easy to catch cardiac dysfunction. Acquired HLH is still a high mortality disease, and allo-HCT is one of the effective means of treatment for acquired HLH. Thrombocytopenia and hypoalbuminemia play an important role in poor prognosis. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document