scholarly journals The use of a new semi-quantitative rapid test for procalcitonin in the diagnosis of multisegmental community-acquired pneumonia

2021 ◽  
Vol 93 (3) ◽  
pp. 279-282
Author(s):  
Sabina S. Bayramova ◽  
Konstantin Yu. Nikolayev ◽  
Oksana V. Tsygankova
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Respiratory Failure ◽  
Rapid Test ◽  
Community Acquired Pneumonia ◽  
Procalcitonin Level ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Erythrocyte Sedimentation ◽  
Chest X Ray ◽  
The Mean

Aim. Evaluation of the possibilities of a new semi-quantitative rapid test for procalcitonin in the diagnosis of multisegmental community-acquired pneumonia. Materials and methods. A one-stage comparative study involved 123 patients hospitalized in a hospital with a confirmed diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia. The mean age of the patients was 49.521.0 (MSD) years. On the first day of hospitalization, all patients underwent a general clinical examination, chest x-ray, and a plasma procalcitonin level was determined using a semi-quantitative rapid test. Results. Indicators of a new semi-quantitative rapid test for procalcitonin of at least 2 ng/ml are directly related to laboratory and instrumental indicators reflecting the severity of community-acquired pneumonia, namely, the severity of respiratory failure (p=0.001), respiratory rate (p=0.001), and heart rate contractions (p=0.001), systolic blood pressure (p=0.025), oxygen saturation (p=0,001), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p=0.021), fibrinogen (p=0.003) and high CRB-65 scores (p=0.001). They are also associated with multisegmental community-acquired pneumonia (2=4.7; p=0.030) and complications of this disease, such as hydrothorax (p=0.029) and death (2=22.1; p=0.001). Conclusion. Using a new semi-quantitative rapid test for procalcitonin allows you to optimize the diagnosis of complications of community-acquired pneumonia and determine the high risk of multisegmental pneumonia.

scholarly journals Just the facts: What drugs are safe and effective for COVID-19?

CJEM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 591-594
Author(s):  
Brit Long ◽  
Stephen Y. Liang ◽  
Hans Rosenberg ◽  
Christopher Hicks ◽  
Michael Gottlieb
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Oxygen Saturation ◽  
Medical History ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Therapeutic Agents ◽  
Past Medical History ◽  
Oxygen Supplementation ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Chest X Ray

A 53-year-old male presents with cough, fever, and myalgias for 7 days. Vitals include temperature, 38.0°C; heart rate, 110; blood pressure, 118/70 mm Hg; respiration rate, 28; and oxygen saturation 83% on room air. His only past medical history is hypertension. Your community is in the midst of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The patient is hypoxic but responds to oxygen supplementation with nasal cannula and a face mask. His chest x-ray demonstrates multifocal infiltrates. Are there any therapeutic agents currently available for COVID-19?

scholarly journals Estimation of dose and cancer risk to newborn from chest X-ray in South-South Nigeria: a call for protocol optimization

2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Akintayo Daniel Omojola ◽  
Michael Onoriode Akpochafor ◽  
Samuel Olaolu Adeneye ◽  
Isiaka Olusola Akala ◽  
Azuka Anthonio Agboje
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Risk ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Field Size ◽  
Radiological Protection ◽  
International Studies ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Thermoluminescent Dosimeters ◽  
Chest X Ray ◽  
Neonatal Patient ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Background The use of X-ray as a diagnostic tool for complication and anomaly in the neonatal patient has been helpful, but the effect of radiation on newborn stands to increase their cancer risk. This study aims to determine the mean, 50th percentile (quartile 2 (Q2)), and 75th percentile (quartile 3 (Q3)) entrance surface dose (ESD) from anteroposterior (AP) chest X-ray and to compare our findings with other relevant studies. The study used calibrated thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs), which was positioned on the central axis of the patient. The encapsulated TLD chips were held to the patients’ body using paper tape. The mean kilovoltage peak (kVp) and milliampere seconds (mAs) used was 56.63(52–60) and 5.7 (5–6.3). The mean background TLD counts were subtracted from the exposed TLD counts and a calibration factor was applied to determine ESD. Results The mean ESDs of the newborn between 1 and 7, 8 and 14, 15 and 21, and 22 and 28 days were 1.09 ± 0.43, 1.15 ± 0.50, 1.19 ± 0.45, and 1.32 ± 0.47 mGy respectively. A one-way ANOVA test shows that there were no differences in the mean doses for the 4 age groups (P = 0.597). The 50th percentile for the 4 age groups was 1.07, 1.26, 1.09, and 1.29 mGy respectively, and 75th percentile were 1.41, 1.55, 1.55, and 1.69 mGy respectively. The mean effective dose (ED) in this study was 0.74 mSv, and the estimated cancer risk was 20.7 × 10−6. Conclusion ESD was primarily affected by the film-focus distance (FFD) and the patient field size. The ESD at 75th percentile and ED in this study was higher compared to other national and international studies. The estimated cancer risk to a newborn was below the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) limit for fatal childhood cancer (2.8 × 10−2Sv−1).

scholarly journals FRI0618-HPR EFFECTS OF MUSIC THERAPY ON PAIN, ANXIETY, AND VITAL SIGNS IN CHRONIC INFLAMMATORY RHEUMATIC DISEASES PATIENTS DURING BIOLOGICAL DRUGS INFUSION

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 914.2-914
Author(s):  
S. Boussaid ◽  
M. Ben Majdouba ◽  
S. Jriri ◽  
M. Abbes ◽  
S. Jammali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Music Therapy ◽  
Systolic Blood Pressure ◽  
Respiratory Rate ◽  
Vital Signs ◽  
Biological Therapies ◽  
Biological Drugs ◽  
Pain Anxiety ◽  
The Mean

Background:Music therapy is based on ancient cross-cultural beliefs that music can have a “healing” effect on mind and body. Research determined that listening to music can increase comfort and relaxation, relieve pain, lower distress, reduce anxiety, improve positive emotions and mood, and decrease psychological symptoms. Music therapy has been used greatly in various medical procedures to reduce associated anxiety and pain. Patients have a high level of anxiety when they are in the hospital, this is the case of patients with rheumatic diseases who consult regularly to have intravenous infusion of biological therapies.Objectives:The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of music therapy on pain, anxiety, and vital signs among patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases during intravenous infusion of biological drugs.Methods:Fifty patients were divided into two groups: The experimental group G1 (n=25) received drug infusion while lestening to soft music (30 minutes); and the control group G2 (n=25) received only drug infusion. Measures include pain, anxiety, vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate). The pain was measured using visual analogic scale (VAS). The state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) was used for measuring anxiety, low anxiety ranges from 20 to 39, the moderate anxiety ranges from 40 to 59, and high anxiety ranges from 60 to 80. Vital signs (systolic blood pressure [SBP], diastolic blood pressure [DBP], heart rate [HR], and respiratory rate [RR]) were measured before, during and immediately after the infusion.Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) was used for analysis.Results:The mean age in G1 was 44.45 years (26-72) with a sex ratio (M/F) of 0.8. Including the 25 patients, 12 had rheumatoid arthritis, 10 had ankylosing spondylitis and 3 had psoriatic arthritis. The mean disease duration was 8 years. In G2, the mean age was 46 years (25-70) with a sex ratio (M/F) of 0.75, 12 had rheumatoid arthritis, 11 had ankylosing spondylitis and 2 had psoriatic arthritis. The mean disease duration was 7.5 years. The biological drugs used were: Infliximab in 30 cases, Tocilizumab in 12 cases and Rituximab in 8 cases.Before the infusion, the patients of experimental group had a mean VAS of 5/10±3, a mean STAI of 50.62±6.01, a mean SBP of 13.6 cmHg±1.4, a mean DBP of 8.6 cmHg±1, a mean HR of 85±10 and a mean RR of 18±3. While in control group the mean VAS was 5.5±2, the mean STAI was 50.89±5.5, the mean SBP was 13.4±1.2, the mean DBP was 8.8±1.1, the mean HR was 82±8 and the mean RR was 19±2.During the infusion and after music intervention in G1, the mean STAI became 38.35±5 in G1 versus 46.7±5.2 in G2 (p value=0.022), the mean SBP became 12.1±0.5 in G1 versus 13±1 in G2 (p=0.035), the mean DBP became 8.1±0.8 in G1 versus 8.4±0.9 in G2 (p=0.4), the mean HR became 76±9 in G1 versus 78±7 in G2 (p=0.04) and the mean RR became 17.3±2.1 in G1 versus 18.2±1.7 in G2 (p=0.39).This study found a statistically significant decrease in anxiety, systolic blood pressure and heart rate in patients receiving music interventions during biological therapies infusion, but no significant difference were identified in diastolic blood pressure and respiratory rate.Conclusion:The findings provide further evidence to support the use of music therapy to reduce anxiety, and lower systolic blood pressure and heart rate in patients with rheumatic disease during biological therapies infusion.References:[1] Lin, C., Hwang, S., Jiang, P., & Hsiung, N. (2019).Effect of Music Therapy on Pain After Orthopedic Surgery -A Systematic review and Meta-Analysis. Pain Practice.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

scholarly journals GP management of community-acquired pneumonia in Italy: the ISOCAP study

2005 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
C.M. Sanguinetti ◽  
F. De Benedetto ◽  
C.F. Donner
Keyword(s):  
Outpatient Treatment ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Community Acquired Pneumonia ◽  
Microbiological Analysis ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Systemic Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Chest X Ray ◽  
Socioeconomic Burden ◽  
Copd Diagnosis ◽  
Observation Period

Background. Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) is still a significant problem in terms of incidence, mortality rate, particularly in infants and the elderly, and socioeconomic burden. General Practitioners (GPs) are the first reference for patients with this disease, but there are few published studies regarding the outpatient treatment of CAP. Methods. The ISOCAP study aimed to identify the type and outcome of the diagnostic-therapeutic management of CAP by GPs in Italy, within the framework of developing a closer interrelationship between GPs and pulmonary specialists. Thirty-six Pulmonary Divisions throughout Italy each contacted 5 local GPs who agreed to recruit the first 5 consecutive patients who consulted them for suspected CAP within the study’s 1-year observation period. Results. A total of 183 GPs took part in the study and enrolled, by the end of the observation period, 763 CAP patients; of these, complete data was available for 737 patients [males=373, females=364, mean age (±SD) 58.8±19.6 years]. 64.4% of patients had concomitant diseases, mainly systemic arterial hypertension and COPD. Diagnosis of CAP was based by GPs on physical examination only in 41.6% of cases; in the remaining chest X-ray was also performed. In only 4.6% of patients were samples sent for microbiological analysis. All patients were treated with antibiotics: 76.7% in mono-therapy, 23.3% with a combination of antibiotics. The antibiotic class most prevalently used in mono-therapy was cephalosporin, primarily ceftriaxone; the most frequently used combinations were cephalosporin+macrolide and cephalosporin+quinolone. Mono-therapy was effective in 70% of cases, the combination of two or more antibiotics in 91.2% of patients. Overall treatment efficacy was 94.7%; hospitalisation was required in 8.5% of cases. Conclusions. Outpatient management of CAP by GPs in Italy is effective, hospitalisation being necessary only in the most severe cases due to age, co-morbidities or extent of pneumonia. This signifies a very significant savings in national health costs.

scholarly journals The Physiological Effects of IPAD Digital Games on Children with Autism

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nur Zakiah Mohd Saat ◽  
Najwa Suhaili Md Zin ◽  
Sazlina Kamaralzaman
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Breathing Rate ◽  
Blood Pressure Monitor ◽  
Pressure Monitor ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Strategy Games ◽  
The Mean

Background: Previous studies found that the use of an iPad® in intervention programmes benefited the skills of daily living of children with autism. The purpose of the study was to determine the physiological changes in children while playing action and strategy games on an iPad. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted using Powerlab 24/6T, a blood pressure monitor, respiratory belt, and finger pulse transducer. The children were asked to play two types of game. The duration for each game was 10 minutes. The measurement of blood pressure - both systolic and diastolic, heart rate and breathing rate were taken at three consecutive times (before, during and after each game). The inclusion criteria are children aged 7 to 12 years old who have been diagnosed with a mild type of autism (Pervasive developmental disorder). The exclusion criteria were children who had co-morbidities such as epilepsy, migraine, heart, and lung problems, depression, physical disabilities and visual impairments.  Results: Nineteen children with autism participated in this study. The result indicated that the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures increased before and after playing strategy games and action games. However, compared to pre-play values, the mean heart rate and breathing rate decreased both during and after playing both types of game. Meanwhile, there was significant mean difference for breathing rate for both types of game (p<0.05). Conclusion: Playing strategy and action games did not affect the measured physiological parameters of children with autism. 

scholarly journals Diurnal Corrected QT Interval and QT Dispersion Variation in Non-Alcoholic Cirrhotic Patients and Healthy Control: A Case-Control Study, Iran

2020 ◽  
Vol In Press (In Press) ◽  
Author(s):  
Taghi Amiriani ◽  
Vahid Khori ◽  
Ali Davarian ◽  
Niloofar Rajabli ◽  
Mahsa Niknam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Diurnal Variation ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Alcoholic Cirrhosis ◽  
Qt Dispersion ◽  
Qtc Interval ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Cirrhotic Patients ◽  
The Mean

Background: Cirrhosis could lead to a long corrected QT (QTc) interval in a subgroup of patients, but there are spare data on its diurnal variation. Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the diurnal variation of QTc interval and its relationship to heart rate and blood pressure variation during 24-hour Holter-monitoring in non-alcoholic cirrhosis in comparison with the healthy controls. Methods: The study population comprised 15 patients with non-alcoholic cirrhosis and 15 healthy subjects, undergoing 24-hour electrocardiogram (ECG), heart rate, and blood pressure monitoring. The mean QT interval, mean QTc, maximum and minimum QT, QT dispersion (QT disp), heart rate, and mean arterial blood pressure were measured for each person for 24 hours. Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) was performed by FibroScan® 502 machine (EchoSense, Paris, France, 5 MHz). The results were demonstrated as percentages and mean ± SD. P value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Mean QTc was significantly higher in cirrhosis (438 ms) than healthy controls (401.7 ms) (P = 0.03). The mean heart rate was significantly different in cirrhotic patients (79.6 ± 2.9/bpm) compared to healthy controls (72.47 ± 2.0/bpm) (P = 0.05). Conclusions: In this study, QTc was prolonged and increased with the severity of cirrhosis, and its diurnal variation in cirrhosis was different from healthy subjects.

scholarly journals Radiographic aspects of acute community-acquired bacterial pneumonia and pulmonary tuberculosis in children

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rivo Lova Herilanto Rakotomalala ◽  
Harimino Mireille Rakotondravelo ◽  
Andrianina Harivelo Ranivoson ◽  
Annick Lalaina Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Community Acquired Pneumonia ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Radiographic Images ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Male Predominance ◽  
Mother And Child ◽  
Chest X Ray ◽  
The Right ◽  
The University ◽  
Tuberculosis In Children

Background: The etiological diagnosis of pneumonia is often difficult because of the impossibility of microbiological confirmation most of the time. Therefore, chest X-ray is still essential for a positive diagnosis and etiological orientation. The main objective of our study was to describe the radiographic aspects of acute community-acquired pneumonia and tubercular pneumonia in children.Methods: This was a descriptive retrospective study conducted at the university hospital mother and child of Tsaralalana from January 1st to July 31st, 2017.Results: Sixty-nine cases of pneumonia were included, including 13 cases of TB pneumonia and 46 cases of acute community-acquired pneumonia. The average age was 36.68 months with a male predominance. Clinically, respiratory functional signs predominated in both cases. Alteration in general condition was mainly observed in tubercular pneumonia (26.08%). Alveolar syndromes were present in 43.47% of TB pneumonias and 36.94% of acute community-acquired pneumonia. With regard to the radiographic images, alveolar involvement was common to both types of pneumonia; the nodular image was present in 8.69% of the tubercular pneumonias and 2.17% of the acute community-acquired pneumonia; the cavity image was present only in the tubercular pneumonia (p=0.04); the right-sided location predominated in both cases.Conclusions: X-ray images were common to both TB pneumonia and acute community-acquired pneumonia; some images were specific to TB pneumonia. However, the etiologic orientation of pneumonia is based on a combination of epidemiologic, clinical, and radiographic evidence.

Comparison of granulomatosis with polyangiitis clinical features in patients depending of involvement or absence of kidney involvement

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mateusz Puchala ◽  
Andrzej Rydzewski ◽  
Ilona Kowalik ◽  
Małgorzata Wisłowska
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Features ◽  
Crescentic Glomerulonephritis ◽  
Immunosuppressive Treatment ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Small Vessels ◽  
Kidney Involvement ◽  
Chest X Ray ◽  
The Mean

Background: GPA is a necrotizing inflammation of the small vessels with granulomas. Kidney involvement deteriorated its prognosis. Objective: Comparison of GPA patients with kidney (KI) and without kidney involvement (nKI). Material and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 50 consecutive adult GPA patients, 25 KI from Nephrology and 25 nKI from Rheumatology Department of Central Clinical Hospital Ministry of Interior in Warsaw. We analyzed clinical features, organ involvement, laboratory, serological, imaging, histopathological data, BVAS, treatment. Results: The mean age of KI patients was statistically older then nKI (67.3±9.5 vs 55.1±15.9, p=0.002). Generalized, severe, resistance disease was observed respectively in 92% vs 44%, p<0.001. The number of red blood cells (3.47 vs 4.41T/l, p<0.001), hemoglobin (10.0 vs 12.9g/dl, p<0.001) was lower in KI, higher mean serum creatinine (3.95 vs. 0.89mg/dl, p<0.001), lower GFR (20.1 vs. 79.3, p<0.001), higher CRP (median: 43.4 vs 2.0mg/l, p<0.001), BVAS (16.6±4.4 vs 10.1±6.2, p<0.001), c-ANCA (median: 119.0 vs 15.2CU, p=0.017). Nodules in 28% KI, in 4% nKI (p=0.048) in chest X-ray, infiltration in 43.5% KI, in 15% nKI (p=0.042) in HRCT were observed. Skin granulomas were found in 61.5% nKI vs 18.2% KI, (p=0.047). Renal biopsy revealed in KI patients focal segmental glomerulonephritis in 11.8%, crescentic glomerulonephritis in 17.6%, pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis in 70.6%. Conclusions: In patients with KI more frequently we found generalized, severe, resistant GPA, higher BVAS in comparison in patients without KI. The results of laboratory parameters, were worse in patients with KI. Aggressive immunosuppressive treatment is often used in KI group.

Reduced parasympathetic control of heart rate in obese dogs

1995 ◽  
Vol 269 (2) ◽  
pp. H629-H637 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. N. Van Vliet ◽  
J. E. Hall ◽  
H. L. Mizelle ◽  
J. P. Montani ◽  
M. J. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Rate Control ◽  
Saturated Fat ◽  
Pressure Control ◽  
Resting Heart Rate ◽  
Arterial Blood ◽  
Parasympathetic Control ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Affect Heart Rate

We investigated why resting heart rate is elevated in dogs fed a high saturated fat diet for 12.7 +/- 1.8 wk. Obese dogs exhibited elevated body weight (59%), blood pressure (14%), and heart rate (25%). Differences in resting heart rate (control, 58 +/- 5 beats/min; obese, 83 +/- 7 beats/min) were abolished after hexamethonium, indicating an autonomic mechanism. Hexamethonium also reduced blood pressure in obese (20 +/- 4 mmHg) but not control (9 +/- 6 mmHg) animals. Propranolol did not affect heart rate in either group, excluding a beta-adrenergic mechanism. Subsequent administration of atropine increased heart rate more in control than in obese dogs (110 +/- 9 vs. 57 +/- 11 beats/min). The sensitivity of the cardiac limb of the baroreflex (Oxford method) was reduced by 46% in the obese group, confirming impairment of the parasympathetic control of heart rate. The standard deviation of blood pressure measurements was normal when expressed as a percentage of the mean arterial blood pressure (control, 11.2 +/- 0.4%; obese, 11.2 +/- 0.5%). Our results indicate that the development of obesity in dogs fed a high saturated fat diet is accompanied by an attenuated resting and reflex parasympathetic control of heart rate.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document