scholarly journals Myopathy following statin use

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Cláudia Pires Carvalho ◽  
Fernanda Rezende Dias ◽  
Luisa Crevelin Costa ◽  
Natália de Castro Fim Nakao
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
Medication Withdrawal ◽  
Immune Mediated ◽  
Necrotizing Myositis ◽  
Specific Autoantibody ◽  
Coa Reductase ◽  
Toxic Myopathy ◽  
Statin Use

Introduction: Myopathies can be caused by various drugs, including statins and corticosteroids, and can be toxic or inflammatory, one example being necrotizing myositis triggered by statins. Objectives: Describe the case of a patient with weakness after statin use. Design and setting: Case report Methods: Analysis of medical record, photographic record of the diagnostic methods and literature review. Case description: 69-year-old female, obese, hypertensive, diabetic, dyslipidemic and hypothyroid, taking atorvastatin since 2017, referred by endocrinology for generalized myalgia in 2019, with increased creatine phosphokinase (CPK). Discontinued statin use since then, maintaining symptoms. Neurological examination showed tetraparesis, with proximal predominance. Electroneuromyography (ENMG) showed signs of myopathy. Corticotherapy with deflazacort was initiated, with improvement of symptoms and reduction of CPK levels. Investigation for paraneoplastic syndrome was performed, with negative results. He started using pioglitazone, prescribed by endocrinology, with reduced corticotherapy, for better glycemic control, presenting worsening weakness, frequent falls, and dyspnea on effort. The patient repeated ENMG in one month, without changes. Performed an anti-HMG-CoA reductase autoantibody test, with a positive result, concluding the diagnosis of immune-mediated necrotizing myositis triggered by statins, with a probable toxic myopathy after use of pioglitazone. Azathioprine was introduced, with gradual weaning from corticosteroids, and physical therapy was started. Conclusion: Several medications can cause myopathy, directly (toxic) or indirectly (immune-mediated), and this patient used 3 potentially myopathy-causing drugs (atorvastatin, deflazacort, and pioglitazone). The nonimprovement upon medication withdrawal suggested an immune-mediated inflammatory cause, confirmed in this case by the determination of a specific autoantibody for statin-induced necrotizing myositis.

EVALUATION OF HYSTEROSALPINGOGRAPHY VERSUS LAPAROSCOPY IN THE DETERMINATION OF TUBAL FACTORS IN FEMALE INFERTILITY: A HOSPITAL BASED COMPARATIVE STUDY.

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Richa Choudhary ◽  
Rishikant Sinha
Keyword(s):  
Female Infertility ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Panoramic View ◽  
Tubal Patency ◽  
Pelvic Organs ◽  
Clinical Investigations ◽  
Detailed Assessment ◽  
Reproductive Anatomy ◽  
Tubal Pathology

Objectives: Hysterosalpingography and laparoscopy both are the diagnostic methods for assessment of female infertility.  The present study was to compare the evaluation of hysterosalpingography (HSG) versus laparoscopy in determination of tubal factors in female infertility. Methods: Detailed assessment, physical examination and clinical investigations were performed in all 100 infertile female with age 20 years to 40 years. All patients were advised to perform digital HSG. Patients with an abnormal HSG underwent laparoscopy without delay, whereas in patients with a normal HSG, laparoscopy was performed three months after HSG. HSG is best scheduled during the 2nd -5th day interval immediately following the end of menstruation, to minimize risk for infection, avoid interference from intrauterine blood and clot, and to prevent any possibility that the procedure might be performed after conception. Results: Data was analysed by using IBM SPSS version 23 software.  All data was tabulated and percentages were calculated. Mean ± standard deviation was observed. Conclusions: Diagnostic laparoscopy is the gold standard in diagnosing tubal pathology and other intra-abdominal causes of infertility. Other hand, Hysterosalpingography is a frequently utilized diagnostic tool in the assessment of tubal status and detection of uterine anatomical defects in infertility. Hysterosalpingography and laparoscopy are not alternatives but complimentary investigations. But, inadequacy of hysterosalpingography (HSG) in determining the state of tubal patency, emphasizes the need for laparoscopy. Laparoscopy provides both a panoramic view of the pelvic reproductive anatomy and a magnified view of pelvic organs and peritoneal surfaces. Keywords: Female infertility, Tubal patency, HSG, Laparoscopy

Chronic Wasting Disease Options of Surveillance in Carpathian Cervids: from the Identification of Characteristic Microscopic Pathologic Changes to Prionic Seeded Conversion and Amplification Assays

2001 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 480-486
Author(s):  
Florica Barbuceanu ◽  
Stelian Baraitareanu ◽  
Stefania-Felicia Barbuceanu ◽  
Gabriel Predoi
Keyword(s):  
Enzyme Immunoassay ◽  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Chronic Wasting Disease ◽  
Rapid Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Wasting Disease ◽  
Western Immunoblotting ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
Antigen Capture ◽  
Confirmatory Tests

This paper describes the current diagnostic methods of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in cervides used between 2013 and 2017 in Romania. The active surveillance of CWD involves the targeted groups screening by using rapid diagnostic tests (e.g., antigen capture enzyme immunoassay). If the first test does not provide certain negative results, then the confirmatory methods have been used, i.e. histopathology, immunohistochemistry and Western immunoblotting. These tests did not lead to the detection of CWD prions (PrPCWD) in Romania. This may be due to the absence or insufficient quantity of PrPCWD in samples, below the threshold of confirmatory tests.

scholarly journals UTILITY OF ANTIGEN DETECTION TEST AND POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION IN THE DIFFERENTIATION OF TUBERCULOUS AND NON-TUBERCULOUS MYCOBACTERIA

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 289
Author(s):  
Yogita Singh ◽  
Raji Vasanth ◽  
Shrikala Baliga ◽  
Dhanashree B
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
False Negative ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
College Hospital ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Mycobacterium Spp

Objectives: Cultivation and identification of mycobacteria to species level remains difficult and time-consuming. Hence, easy and rapid diagnostic methods are necessary for the differentiation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) from non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). The present study aims to detect and differentiate MTB from NTM isolated from clinical samples by immunochromatographic test (ICT) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Methods: Over a period of 1 year, clinical samples (n=496) received from suspected cases of TB, at the Department of Microbiology, Kasturba Medical College Hospital, Mangalore were cultured to isolate Mycobacterium spp. Identification of all the isolates was done by conventional biochemical technique, ICT, and PCR. Results: Among the 496 samples processed, 49 (9.87%) were acid-fast bacilli smear positive and 59 (11.89%) samples showed the growth of Mycobacterium spp. Among these, 10 were rapid growers, 49 were slow-growing mycobacteria, out of which 30 were MTB as identified by conventional biochemical reaction. Out of 59 Mycobacterial isolates subjected to ICT for the detection of MPT 64 antigen, only 28 were identified as MTB. However, all the 30 isolates were correctly identified as MTB by PCR. Conclusion: Hence, PCR is essential for rapid differentiation of non-tuberculous Mycobacterium from MTB. False negative results seen with immunochromatographic MPT 64 antigen assay could be due to mutations within the mpt64 gene. Further studies are necessary to characterize these PCR-positive and immunochromatographic assay negative MTB isolates.

scholarly journals Use of the Accusport semi-automated analyser to determine blood lactate as an aid in the clinical assessment of horses with colic

2001 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M.L. Schulman ◽  
J.P. Nurton ◽  
A.J. Guthrie
Keyword(s):  
Blood Lactate ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Lactate Concentration ◽  
Blood Lactate Concentration ◽  
Tissue Perfusion ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Initial Assessment ◽  
Clinically Normal ◽  
Case Outcome

The most useful diagnostic methods in the initial evaluation of horses with colic assess the morphological and functional status of the gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular status. This evaluation is best achieved using a combination of clinical and laboratory data. Blood lactate concentration (BL) is one of these variables. BL rises mainly due to poor tissue perfusion and anaerobic glycolysis associated with shock, providing an indicator of both the severity of disease and its prognosis. A hand-held lactate meter, Accusport, provides a rapid (60 seconds), inexpensive dry-chemical-based determination of BL. This trial evaluated the Accusport's ability to provide BL data as an adjunct to the initial clinical evaluation of horses with colic. The accuracy of the Accusport was tested by evaluation of its interchangeability with the benchmark enzymatic kit evaluation of BL in a trial using data collected firstly from 10 clinically normal control horses and subsequently from 48 horses presented with signs of colic. The BL values were recorded together with the clinical variables of heart rate (HR), capillary refill time (CRT), haematocrit (Hct), and pain character and severity on the initial assessment of the colic horses. Information regarding choice of therapeutic management (medical or surgical) and eventual case outcome (full recovery or died/euthanased) was recorded. The Accusport was found to be interchangeable with the enzymatic kit for recording BL values in colic horses with BL <10 mmol/ , which is within the BL range associated with survival. The interchangeability of an additional, laboratory-based wet chemical assay for BL, the Stat 7 was simultaneously evaluated for the colic and control horses. The Stat 7 was found to be interchangeable with the enzymatic kit for BL determination of colic horses. No linear associations between BL values with HR, CRT, Hct or pain assessment were observed. No relationship with either selection of therapeutic method or eventual case outcome was observed. All horses with BL >8 mmol/ died or were euthanased.

Determination of cannabinoids in oral fluid and urine of “light cannabis” consumers: a pilot study

2018 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 238-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberta Pacifici ◽  
Simona Pichini ◽  
Manuela Pellegrini ◽  
Roberta Tittarelli ◽  
Flaminia Pantano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Oral Fluid ◽  
Urine Samples ◽  
Screening Tests ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
A Value ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Confirmation Analysis

Abstract Background In those countries where cannabis use is still illegal, some manufacturers started producing and selling “light cannabis”: dried flowering tops containing the psychoactive principle Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) at concentrations lower than 0.2% together with variable concentration of cannabidiol (CBD). We here report a pilot study on the determination of cannabinoids in the oral fluid and urine of six individuals after smoking 1 g of “light cannabis”. Methods On site screening for oral fluid samples was performed, as a laboratory immunoassay test for urine samples. A validated gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method was then applied to quantify THC and CBD, independently from results of screening tests. Results On site screening for oral fluid samples, with a THC cut-off of 25 ng/mL gave negative results for all the individuals at different times after smoking. Similarly, negative results for urine samples screening from all the individuals were obtained. Confirmation analyses showed that oral fluid THC was in the concentration range from 2.5 to 21.5 ng/mL in the first 30 min after smoking and then values slowly decreased. CBD values were usually one order of magnitude higher than those of THC. THC-COOH, the principal urinary THC metabolite, presented the maximum urinary value of 1.8 ng/mL, while urinary CBD had a value of 15.1 ng/mL. Conclusions Consumers of a single 1 g dose of “light cannabis” did not result as positive in urine screening, assessing recent consumption, so that confirmation would not be required. Conversely, they might result as positive to oral fluid testing with some on-site kits, with THC cut-off lower than 25 ng/mL, at least in the first hour after smoking and hence confirmation analysis can be then required. No conclusions can be drawn of eventual chronic users.

scholarly journals Biosensors for the Determination of SARS-CoV-2 Virus and Diagnosis of COVID-19 Infection

2022 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 666
Author(s):  
Maryia Drobysh ◽  
Almira Ramanaviciene ◽  
Roman Viter ◽  
Chien-Fu Chen ◽  
Urte Samukaite-Bubniene ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Current Trend ◽  
Analytical Signal ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Label Free ◽  
Free Mode ◽  
Rna Hybridisation ◽  
Antigen Antibody ◽  
Affinity Interaction

Monitoring and tracking infection is required in order to reduce the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), induced by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). To achieve this goal, the development and deployment of quick, accurate, and sensitive diagnostic methods are necessary. The determination of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is performed by biosensing devices, which vary according to detection methods and the biomarkers which are inducing/providing an analytical signal. RNA hybridisation, antigen-antibody affinity interaction, and a variety of other biological reactions are commonly used to generate analytical signals that can be precisely detected using electrochemical, electrochemiluminescence, optical, and other methodologies and transducers. Electrochemical biosensors, in particular, correspond to the current trend of bioanalytical process acceleration and simplification. Immunosensors are based on the determination of antigen-antibody interaction, which on some occasions can be determined in a label-free mode with sufficient sensitivity.

scholarly journals Detection of LytA Genes in Streptococcus pneumoniae Isolated from sputum pneumonia patients

Biomedika ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-30
Author(s):  
Mustika Sari Hutabarat ◽  
Firdaus Hamid ◽  
Irawaty Djaharuddin ◽  
Alfian Zainuddin ◽  
Rossana Agus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Streptococcus Pneumoniae ◽  
False Negative ◽  
Pneumococcal Infection ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Biochemical Tests ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
False Negative Results ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is a Gram-positive facultative anaerobic bacterium that is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. But the lack of reporting of disease by this bacterium in Indonesia, one of the causes is because the diagnosis of pneumococcal infection is often clinically not typical and conventional methods which are still the standard gold method often give false-negative results. So the purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of culture and molecular diagnostic methods using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique in detecting Streptococcus pneumoniae in sputum clinical samples using the Autolysin (LytA) gene which is a virulence factor of this bacterium. 57 isolates from 60 samples were confirmed as Streptococcus sp through microscopic identification, culture, and biochemical tests. Then the sensitivity test with an optochin test of 9 (9%) compared the results descriptively with the PCR technique using the Autolysin A (LytA) gene which was obtained more sensitive by 15 (25%).

scholarly journals DIAGNOSTICS AND TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH SUBCLINICAL FORMS OF HORMONAL-ACTIVE ADRENAL TUMORS

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-186
Author(s):  
P. N. Romashchenko ◽  
N. A. Maistrenko ◽  
S. G. Bliumina ◽  
A. M. Ivanov
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Chromatography ◽  
Blood Plasma ◽  
Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Adrenal Tumors ◽  
Laboratory Diagnostics ◽  
Adrenocortical Cancer ◽  
Catecholamine Metabolites ◽  
In Blood Plasma

The increased incidence of accidental revealing adrenal tumors in radiation studies requires further improvement of laboratory diagnostic methods for the timely detection of their latent hormonal activity and malignancy potential, as well as the determination of strategic therapeutic approaches. The aim of the work was to evaluate the capabilities of modern laboratory diagnostics in verification of latent forms of hormone-active adrenal tumors to determine further treatment tactics. The study included 207 (14.9%) of 1390 patients in whom the hormones precursors of steroidogenesis and catecholamine metabolites were studied in blood plasma by liquid chromatography, as well as tumor markers. These patients were divided into a group of subclinical forms of hormone-active NP tumors (n = 173) and a group of truly hormone-inactive formations (n=34). It has been established that pre-aldosteroma is characterized with an increase of corticosterone (8.1±3.4 ng/ml), 11-deoxycorticosterone (12.3±3.0 ng/ml), 18-hydroxycorticosterone (5.4±1,4 ng/ml) in blood. For pre-corticosteroma: increased cortisol (119.2±16.1 ng/ml), 11-deoxycortisol (11.5±1.9 ng/ml), 11-deoxycorticosterone (12.8±2.1 ng/ml), the ratio of cortisol/cortisone (9.1±1.6 ng/ml) in blood. The presence of «silent» pheochromocytoma was confirmed by an increase of blood free methanephrine (105.0±27.1 ng/ml) and normetanephrine (196.0±43.6 ng/ml), as well as chromogranin A (223.3±15.3 pg/ml). The latent forms of adrenocortical cancer were characterized by an increase in blood dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (45.2±3.9 μmol/L), cancer embryo antigen (9.8±1.2 ng/ml), vascular endothelial growth factor (1122.0±24.5 ng/ml), IL-6 (95.4±1.8 pg/ml), 11-deoxycortisol (21.8±4.5 ng/ml), 11-deoxycorticosterone (4.2±3.2 ng/ml). All 173 patients with hormone-active NP tumors, as well as 30 (88.2%) with large (6.5±2.0 cm) hormone-inactive formations with the presence of compression syndrome, underwent adrenalectomy. Determination of the precursors of steroidogenesis and catecholamine metabolites in blood plasma by liquid chromatography can reliably identify the functional activity of adrenal tumors and determine their malignant potential, as well as substantiate indications for timely surgical treatment.

Analysis of Soft Skills Implementation in the System of Foreign Language Training in Higher School

2021 ◽  
pp. 67-76
Author(s):  
Olesya Dmitrievna Medvedeva ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Career Guidance ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Theoretical Research ◽  
Migrant Students ◽  
School Work ◽  
Professional Self

The article substantiates the necessity to promote the process of professional self-determination of migrant-students. The analysis of theoretical research on the problem reveals the reasons that impedes this process among students in general (insufficient school work aiming at organizing career guidance, the change of paradigms from “one job for life” to the concept of “diversity”), and migrant-students in particular (the influence of external factors, “administrative nationalism”). Some real successful practices during admission campaigns, and the possibilities of using the experience of foreign universities (applicant’s portfolio, structured interview), described in the article, can significantly contribute to the efficiency of the process of professional self-determination of migrant-students. The purpose of this article is to identify the possibilities of the admission campaign to promote professional self-determination of applicants with migrant background. Methodology. The study was carried out on the basis of a set of complementary methods: analysis of pedagogical literature; generalization of scientific information obtained in the course of the study; diagnostic methods. Conclusion. The organization of an admission campaign, aiming at overcoming the problems considering the possibilities of using foreign experience, has a significant potential for providing support for the professional self-determination of a migrant student.

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