scholarly journals Impact of a Stay-at-Home Order on Stroke Admission, Subtype, and Metrics during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-165
Author(s):  
Fnu Rameez ◽  
Philip McCarthy ◽  
Yao Cheng ◽  
Laurel M. Packard ◽  
Alan T. Davis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hemorrhagic Stroke ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Stroke Subtype ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
The Impact ◽  
At Home

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> Our study aims to evaluate the impact of a stay-at-home order on stroke metrics during the 2019-novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Data on baseline characteristics, stroke subtype, initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, the time between last known well (LKW) to emergency department (ED) arrival, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) administration, the involvement of large vessel occlusion (LVO), and whether mechanical thrombectomy (MT) was pursued in patients with acute stroke were extracted from 24 March to 23 April 2020 (the time period of a stay-at-home order was placed due to the COVID-19 pandemic as the study group) at a tertiary care hospital in West Michigan, USA, compared with data from 24 March to 23 April 2019 (control group). <b><i>Results:</i></b> Our study demonstrated a reduction in cases of acute ischemic stroke (AIS), although this did not reach statistical significance. However, there was an increase in hemorrhagic stroke (7.5% controls vs. 19.2% study group). The age of stroke patients was significantly younger during the period of the stay-at-home order compared to the control group. We identified a significant overall delay of ED arrivals from LKW in the study group. Additionally, an increased number of AIS patients with LVO in the study group (34.8%) was found compared to the control group (17.5%). A significantly increased number of patients received MT in the study group. Additionally, 11 patients were COVID-19 PCR-positive in the study group, 10 with AIS and only 1 with hemorrhagic stroke. Patients with COVID-19 had a high incidence of atrial fibrillation and hyperlipidemia. One AIS patient with COVID-19 rapidly developed cytotoxic edema with corresponding elevated inflammatory biomarkers. No statistical significance was noted when stroke subtype, LVO, and MT groups were compared. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> There was a trend of decreasing AIS admissions during the COVID-19 pandemic. There was also a significantly increased number of AIS patients with LVO who received MT, especially those with COVID-19. We conclude that cytokine storm resulting from SARS-CoV-2 infection might play a role in AIS patients with COVID-19.

Twin Pregnancies Complicated by a Single Malformed Fetus: Chorionicity, Outcome and Management

2010 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 501-507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Gedikbasi ◽  
Alpaslan Akyol ◽  
Gokhan Yildirim ◽  
Ali Ekiz ◽  
Ahmet Gul ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gestational Age ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Expectant Management ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Preliminary Evaluation ◽  
Gestational Age At Birth ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Twin Pregnancies ◽  
Age At Birth

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of one abnormal fetus in a twin pregnancy, to compare impact of chorionicity and clinical outcome of intervention and expectant management. Thirty-seven dichorionic (DC) twins and 18 monochorionic (MC) twins complicated with one malformed fetus were evaluated for gestational age, birthweight and perinatal outcome. Six hundred and forty-two twin pregnancies were evaluated in the database. The control groups consisted of 429 DC and 86 MC twins without anomalous fetus. Mean birthweight and gestational age at birth for DC control group were (n= 429; 2137g and 34.71 weeks), DC study group,n= 37; 2117g (p= .338) and 33.97 weeks (p= .311), and DC study group with major malformations,n= 30; 2019g (p= .289) and 33.3 weeks (p= .01), and showed only significance for gestational age. There was no statistical significance between MC control group,n= 86; 2097g and 34.93 weeks, and MC study group,n= 18; 2237g (p= .338), and 34.42 weeks (p= .502). Because of limited data, the preliminary evaluation for expectant management and intervention, and survival of at least one normal fetus showed no impact. We conclude that, although, all DC twin pregnancies have a risk for preterm delivery, DC twins complicated with major malformation of one twin, have a lower mean gestational age at birth. Preliminary results for intervention does not improve fetal outcome for DC and MC twins and needs further evaluation with greater studies of impact or review.

scholarly journals Anthropometric Assessment after Slow Breathing Exercise in Type 2 Diabetic Male Patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Anthropometric Parameters ◽  
Breathing Exercise ◽  
Male Patients ◽  
Slow Breathing ◽  
The Impact

Background: Yoga based slow breathing exercise (SBE) has several beneficial effects on physical and mental health. Objectives: To observe the impact of slow breathing exercise on anthropometric parameters in male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: This prospective interventional study was conducted on sixty (60) male diagnosed T2DM patients aged 45-55 years with duration of disease 5-10 years enrolled from Out Patients Department of Endocrinology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, and Dhaka. By simple random technique the subjects were divided into control group (n=30) and study group (n=30). Yoga based slow breathing exercise was practiced by the study group for 30 minutes twice daily for 3 months. Height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, hip circumference and waist/hip ratio were assessed at the start of the study and after 3 months. Independent sample and paired t-test were used for statistical analysis and p<0.05was considered as statistical significance. Results: In this study the value of mean BMI was significantly (p=<0.05) reduced after 3 months of SBE. Again, all the anthropometric parameters were significantly (p=>0.05) increased after 3 months in the group who did not undergo SBE. Conclusion: Anthropometric parameters were improved after slow breathing exercise for 3 months.

scholarly journals The impact of Ki-67 index, squamous differentiation and several clinicopathologic parameters on the recurrence of low and intermediate-risk endometrial cancer

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birol Ocak ◽  
Fatma Öz Atalay ◽  
Ahmet Bilgehan Sahin ◽  
Mine Ozsen ◽  
Bahar Dakiki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multivariate Analysis ◽  
Histopathological Examination ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Intermediate Risk ◽  
Ki 67 ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

Endometrial endometrioid carcinoma (EEC) represents approximately 75–80% of endometrial carcinoma cases. Three hundred thirty-six patients with EEC followed-up in the authors’ medical center between and 2010–2018 were included in our study. Two hundred seventy-two low- and intermediate- EEC patients were identified using the European Society for Medical Oncology criteria and confirmed by histopathological examination. Recurrence was reported in 17 of these patients. The study group consisted of patients with relapse. A control group of 51 patients was formed at a ratio of 3:1 according to age, stage, and grade, similar to that in the study group. Of the 17 patients with recurrent disease, 13 patients (76.5%) were stage 1A, and 4 patients (23.5%) were stage 1B. No significant difference was found in age, stage, and grade between the case and control groups (p>0.05). Body mass index, parity, tumor size, lower uterine segment involvement, SqD, and Ki-67 index with p<0.25 in the univariate logistic regression analysis were included in the multivariate analysis. Ki-67 was statistically significant in multivariate analysis (p=0.018); however, there was no statistical significance in SqD and other parameters. Our data suggest that the Ki-67 index rather than SqD needs to be assessed for recurrence in patients with low- and intermediate-risk EEC.

scholarly journals Clinicopathological features of Egyptian colorectal cancer patients regarding somatic genetic mutations especially in KRAS gene and microsatellite instability status: a pilot study

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Neemat M. Kassem ◽  
Gamal Emera ◽  
Hebatallah A. Kassem ◽  
Nashwa Medhat ◽  
Basant Nagdy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Microsatellite Instability ◽  
Cpg Island ◽  
Human Cancer ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
World Health ◽  
Cpg Island Methylator Phenotype ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths which contributes to a significant public health problem worldwide with 1.8 million new cases and almost 861,000 deaths in 2018 according to the World Health Organization. It exhibits 7.4% of all diagnosed cancer cases in the region of the Middle East and North Africa. Molecular changes that happen in CRCs are chromosomal instability, microsatellite instability (MSI), and CpG island methylator phenotype. The human RAS family (KRAS, NRAS, and HRAS) is the most frequently mutated oncogenes in human cancer appearing in 45% of colon cancers. Determining MSI status across CRCs offers the opportunity to identify patients who are likely to respond to targeted therapies such as anti-PD-1. Therefore, a method to efficiently determine MSI status for every cancer patient is needed. Results KRAS mutations were detected in 31.6% of CRC patients, namely in older patients (p = 0.003). Codons 12 and 13 constituted 5/6 (83.3%) and 1/6 (16.7%) of all KRAS mutations, respectively. We found three mutations G12D, G12C, and G13D which occur as a result of substitution at c.35G>A, c.34G>T, and c.38G>A and have been detected in 4/6 (66.6%), 1/6 (16.7%), and 1/6 (16.7%) patients, respectively. Eleven (57.9%) patients had microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) CRC. A higher percentage of MSI-H CRC was detected in female patients (p = 0.048). Eight patients had both MSI-H CRC and wild KRAS mutation with no statistical significance was found between MSI status and KRAS mutation in these studied patients. Conclusion In conclusion, considering that KRAS mutations confer resistance to EGFR inhibitors, patients who have CRC with KRAS mutation could receive more tailored management by defining MSI status. MSI-high patients have enhanced responsiveness to anti-PD-1 therapies. Thus, the question arises as to whether it is worth investigating this association in the routine clinical setting or not. Further studies with a larger number of patients are needed to assess the impact of MSI status on Egyptian CRC care.

scholarly journals How Did Prenatal Education Impact Women’s Perception of Pregnancy and Postnatal Life in a Romanian Population

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 581
Author(s):  
Anca Maria Balasoiu ◽  
Octavian Gabriel Olaru ◽  
Romina Marina Sima ◽  
Liana Ples
Keyword(s):  
Prenatal Care ◽  
Newborn Care ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Postnatal Life ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Prenatal Education ◽  
Questionnaire Online ◽  
A Prospective Study ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Official Information

Background and Objectives: Prenatal education represents an important part of maternal prenatal care in Western countries. In Romania, prenatal education is of recent interest but there is no official information about prenatal courses and their impact on prenatal care and patients in Romania. Material and methods: A prospective study based on the STROBE statement was designed in order to assess the prenatal education delivered in our unit. The study group included women who gave birth at Bucur Maternity, “Saint. John” Hospital, Bucharest, Romania and attended the prenatal courses, compared with a control group (women who gave birth in our unit but did not attend the prenatal lecture). Patients’ perception about the impact of prenatal education was collected by applying a questionnaire. Results: The analysis included 89 women who fulfilled the questionnaire online. In our study, 62 women (69.7%) attended the prenatal education classes and represented the study group while 27 women (30.3%) constituted the control group. Women who attended the prenatal lecture recognized the utility of the topic regarding newborn care (90.3%), while women from the control group did not consider it useful (n = 55.6%), χ2 = 18.412, p < 0.001. Patients from the study group admitted the importance of the topics (93.5%) from the lectures about breast feeding, while the percentage of these women from the control group is significantly lower (55.6%) χ2 = 27.867, p < 0.001. Conclusions: The benefits of prenatal education were recognized by women who attended the prenatal lecture, while women who did not participate underestimated the utility of the topics. Further actions are required to inform mothers about the necessity of antenatal education.

scholarly journals Impact of Diagnosed and Undiagnosed Respiratory Pseudomonas on VAP and VAE During Long-Term Acute Care

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s258-s259
Author(s):  
James Harrigan ◽  
Ebbing Lautenbach ◽  
Emily Reesey ◽  
Magda Wernovsky ◽  
Pam Tolomeo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Community ◽  
Acute Care ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
16S Sequencing ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact

Background: Clinically diagnosed ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is common in the long-term acute-care hospital (LTACH) setting and may contribute to adverse ventilator-associated events (VAEs). Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common causative organism of VAP. We evaluated the impact of respiratory P. aeruginosa colonization and bacterial community dominance, both diagnosed and undiagnosed, on subsequent P. aeruginosa VAP and VAE events during long-term acute care. Methods: We enrolled 83 patients on LTACH admission for ventilator weaning, performed longitudinal sampling of endotracheal aspirates followed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing (Illumina HiSeq), and bacterial community profiling (QIIME2). Statistical analysis was performed with R and Stan; mixed-effects models were fit to relate the abundance of respiratory Psa on admission to clinically diagnosed VAP and VAE events. Results: Of the 83 patients included, 12 were diagnosed with P. aeruginosa pneumonia during the 14 days prior to LTACH admission (known P. aeruginosa), and 22 additional patients received anti–P. aeruginosa antibiotics within 48 hours of admission (suspected P. aeruginosa); 49 patients had no known or suspected P. aeruginosa (unknown P. aeruginosa). Among the known P. aeruginosa group, all 12 patients had P. aeruginosa detectable by 16S sequencing, with elevated admission P. aeruginosa proportional abundance (median, 0.97; IQR, 0.33–1). Among the suspected P. aeruginosa group, all 22 patients had P. aeruginosa detectable by 16S sequencing, with a wide range of admission P. aeruginosa proportional abundance (median, 0.0088; IQR, 0.00012–0.31). Of the 49 patients in the unknown group, 47 also had detectable respiratory Psa, and many had high P. aeruginosa proportional abundance at admission (median, 0.014; IQR, 0.00025–0.52). Incident P. aeruginosa VAP was observed within 30 days in 4 of the known P. aeruginosa patients (33.3%), 5 of the suspected P. aeruginosa patients (22.7%), and 8 of the unknown P. aeruginosa patients (16.3%). VAE was observed within 30 days in 1 of the known P. aeruginosa patients (8.3%), 2 of the suspected P. aeruginosa patients (9.1%), and 1 of the unknown P. aeruginosa patients (2%). Admission P. aeruginosa abundance was positively associated with VAP and VAE risk in all groups, but the association only achieved statistical significance in the unknown group (type S error <0.002 for 30-day VAP and <0.011 for 30-day VAE). Conclusions: We identified a high prevalence of unrecognized respiratory P. aeruginosa colonization among patients admitted to LTACH for weaning from mechanical ventilation. The admission P. aeruginosa proportional abundance was strongly associated with increased risk of incident P. aeruginosa VAP among these patients.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

scholarly journals The Influence of the Physiotherapeutic Program on Selected Static and Dynamic Foot Indicators and the Balance of Elderly Women Depending on the Ground Stability

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4660
Author(s):  
Joanna Matla ◽  
Katarzyna Filar-Mierzwa ◽  
Anna Ścisłowska-Czarnecka ◽  
Agnieszka Jankowicz-Szymańska ◽  
Aneta Bac
Keyword(s):  
Elderly Women ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Balance Assessment ◽  
Motor Functions ◽  
Static Test ◽  
Group A ◽  
Group B ◽  
The Impact

Seniors are a constantly growing group of people in many societies. It is necessary to develop physiotherapeutic programs to improve their mobility. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the physiotherapeutic program conducted unstable ground on selected indicators of motor functions of elderly women. Sixty women (60–80 years) participated in the research. Group A (N = 20) underwent a 12-week physiotherapeutic program on stable ground, group B (N = 20) followed an exercise program on unstable ground, and group C (N = 20) (control group) had no therapeutic intervention. The effects of the therapy were assessed by using a FreeMed platform (foot load analysis) and a Biosway balance system. The results were compared using ANOVA (the one-way analysis), the Kruskal–Wallis test and also the post hoc tests (Tukey’s test and the multiple comparison test). In group A, a statistically significant change was observed in the static test and balance assessment, in group B this was observed in the static and dynamic foot tests and balance assessment, in group C, no statistical significance was achieved. The authors’ physiotherapeutic program had a statistically significant effect on changes in the balance and selected indicators of the motor functions of the examined people. Comparing the results before and after the therapy more improvement changes were noted in women training on an unstable ground compared to women training on a stable ground.

scholarly journals Effect of intravenous oxycodone on the physiologic responses to extubation following general anesthesia

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Menglu Jiang ◽  
Jiawei Ji ◽  
Xin Li ◽  
Zhenqing Liu
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
General Anesthesia ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Clinical Trial Registry ◽  
Blood Oxygen Saturation ◽  
Blood Concentrations ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Blood Hormones

Abstract Background Endotracheal intubation and extubation may cause undesirable hemodynamic changes. Intravenous oxycodone has recently been introduced and used for relieving hemodynamic alterations in response to intubation, but there is insufficient information regarding its application in stabilizing hemodynamics during extubation in the patients emerging from general anesthesia. Methods One hundred patients, who had undergone assorted laparoscopic surgeries under general anesthesia, were randomly assigned to Control group (saline injection, 50 cases) and Study group (intravenous injection of 0.08 mg/kg oxycodone immediately after completion of the surgical procedure, 50 cases). Blood pressure, heart rate, blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) as well as blood concentrations of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol were recorded or measured immediately before extubation (T0), during extubation (T1), as well as one minute (T2), 5 min (T3), and 10 min after extubation (T4). In addition, coughing and restlessness, time of eye-opening, and duration from completing surgery to extubation as well as Ramsay Sedation Scale were analyzed. Results Blood pressure and heart rate as well as blood concentrations of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol were significantly higher in the Control group compared with the Study group at the time of extubation as well as 1, 5, and 10 min after extubation (P < 0.05). When the patients emerged from general anesthesia, 70 % of the Control group had cough, which was significantly higher than that of Study group (40 %, P < 0.05). Significantly higher number of patients manifested restlessness in the Control group before (40 %) and after extubation (20 %) compared with that in the Study group (20 and 2 %, respectively, P < 0.05). In addition, patients of Control group had lower Ramsay score at extubation (1.7 ± 0.7) as well as 30 min after extubation (2.4 ± 0.9) compared to that of the patients of Study group (2.2 ± 0.9, and 3.0 ± 0.8, respectively, P = 0.003 and 0.001). Conclusions Intravenous oxycodone attenuated alterations of hemodynamics and blood hormones associated with extubation during emergence from general anesthesia. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2000040370 (registration date: 11-28-2020) “‘retrospectively registered”.

The use of dornase alpha for post-operative pulmonary atelectasis after congenital heart surgery

2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 807-812 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erkut Ozturk ◽  
Ibrahim C. Tanidir ◽  
Sertac Haydin ◽  
Ismihan S. Onan ◽  
Ender Odemis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Congenital Heart ◽  
Heart Surgery ◽  
Congenital Heart Surgery ◽  
Chest Physiotherapy ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Pulmonary Atelectasis ◽  
Median Period ◽  
Dornase Alpha

AbstractObjective: To investigate the efficacy of dornase alpha, a mucolytic agent, in children who developed pulmonary atelectasis after congenital heart surgery. Design: Retrospective case–control study. Setting: Paediatric cardiac intensive care unit at a tertiary care hospital. Patients: Between July, 2011 and July, 2012, 41 patients who underwent congenital cardiac operations and developed post-operative pulmonary atelectasis that was resistant to conventional treatment and chest physiotherapy. Interventions: In all, 26 patients received dornase alpha treatment. As a control group, 15 patients were treated with conventional medications and chest physiotherapy. Main results: The median age of patients was 25.5 (3–480) days in the study group and 50.0 (3–480) days in the control group. A total of 15 (57.6%) patients in the study group and 8 (53.3%) patients in the control group were male. The median weight was 4.2 (2.9–14.2) kg and 4.0 (3.5–13.6) kg in the study and control group, respectively. In the study group, pulmonary atelectasis was diagnosed at a median period of 5 (2–18) days after operations, whereas in the control group atelectasis was diagnosed at a median period of post-operative 6 (3–19) days. In the study group, the median atelectasis score decreased from 3.4 (1–6) to 0.8 (0–3) (p = 0.001). The median pO2 level increased from 69 (17–142) mmHg to 89 (30–168) mmHg (p = 0.04). In addition, heart rate and respiratory rate per minute were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). There were no significant changes in these parameters in the control group. Conclusions: The use of dornase alpha can be effective for the management of pulmonary atelectasis that develops following congenital heart surgery.

A RANDOMIZED TRIAL TO MEASURE THE OPTIMAL ROLE OF THE PHARMACIST IN PROMOTING EVIDENCE-BASED ANTIBIOTIC USE IN ACUTE CARE HOSPITALS

2001 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Dranitsaris ◽  
Diana Spizzirri ◽  
Monique Pitre ◽  
Allison McGeer
Keyword(s):  
Acute Care ◽  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Hospital Setting ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Broad Spectrum Antibiotics ◽  
The Impact

Background: There is a considerable gap between randomized clinical trials and implementing the results into practice. This is particularly relevant in the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics in hospitals. Hospital pharmacists can be effective vehicles for bridging this gap and promoting evidence-based medicine. To determine the most effective way of using the pharmacist in this role, a prospective cefotaxime intervention study was conducted with randomization incorporated into the design as well as patient-related therapeutic outcomes.Methods: A total of 323 patients who were prescribed cefotaxime were randomized into an intervention or nonintervention group where only the former was challenged by pharmacists for inappropriate cefotaxime usage relative to hospital guidelines. The primary outcome was the appropriateness of cefotaxime prescribing between groups. Logistic regression analysis was then used to identify factors that were associated with successful clinical response.Results: Overall, 94% of orders in the intervention group met cefotaxime dosage criteria compared with 86% in the control group (p = .018). However, there was no impact with respect to promoting cefotaxime use for an appropriate indication (81% vs. 80%; p = .67). There was a trend for improved clinical outcomes in patients who received cefotaxime within hospital guidelines (OR = 1.73; p = .31).Conclusions: The pharmacist as a vehicle for promoting the appropriate use of broad-spectrum antibiotics in the acute care hospital setting can improve the dosing of such agents. However, several barriers to optimizing the impact of the pharmacist were implied by the data. Removing these barriers could increase the pharmacists' utility as an agent for improved patient care.

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