Lower GDNF Serum Level Is a Possible Risk Factor for Constipation in Patients With Parkinson Disease: A Case–Control Study

Background: Constipation is a significant symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD). Glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is important for the morphogenesis of the enteric nervous system and plays a critical role in the preservation of mucosal integrity under enteric glia surveillance. The aim of this work was to evaluate the serum levels of GDNF in patients with PD with and without constipation.Methods: This work included 128 patients with PD. The patients were classified into three groups: those with PD but no constipation (nCons-PD) (n = 49), those with prodromal stage constipation (Cons-Pro-PD) (n = 48), and those with clinical stage constipation (Cons-Clinic-PD) (n = 31). The association between serum GDNF concentration and constipation was explored using logical regression.Results: The nCons-PD group's mean GDNF levels were 528.44 pg/ml, which was higher than the Cons-Pro-PD group's 360.72 pg/ml and the Cons-Clinic-PD group's 331.36 pg/ml. The results of binary logistic regression indicated that GDNF was a protective factor in the prevention of constipation. Cons-Clinic-PD group had a higher score of MDS-UPDRS-II, MDS-UPDRS-III, MDS-UPDRS-IV, and a higher H-Y staging as compared with nCons-PD group. Relative to the nCons-PD group, Cons-Clinic-PD had higher NMSS scores, lower MoCA and PDSS scores, and were more likely to have RBD.Conclusions: GDNF serum levels are lower in patients with PD who are constipated. A low GDNF level is a potential risk factor for constipation in patients with PD.

PRODUCTION OF AFFIRMATIVE, NEGATIVE AND INTERROGATIVE SENTENCES IN SCHIZOPHRENIA

Language disorder is one of the most significant symptom domains which characterize Schizophrenia Disorder. The aim of the present study considering these language problems is to find out the number of the affirmative, negative and interrogative sentences on schizophrenia patients’ spontaneous speech and reveal whether their depression, doubts and sceptical behaviours affect their speech. Fifty patients with schizophrenia diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria were included into the study and compared to fifty healthy subjects matched for age, sex and education level with the patients participated in the study. The subjects’ speech was evaluated by using subject-based narration and free verbal narration tests. As a result of the statistical and linguistic analyses, significant differences were found between schizophrenic patients’ and healthy subjects’ speech in terms of between affirmative, negative and interrogative sentence use. The results indicate that the patients' excessive use of negative and interrogative sentences is related to their feature of attributing negatively to the events and emotions they experience.

DIFFUSE IDIOPATHIC SKELETAL HYPEROSTOSIS OF THE CERVICAL SPINE - DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT

Диффузный идиопатический скелетный гиперостоз - системное состояние, характеризующееся наличием по меньшей мере трех костных мостиков в переднебоковом отделе позвоночника. Распространенность заболевания составляет 2,9% - 42,0%. Важным компонентом для диагностики гиперостоза было наличие костного нароста в передней части смежных позвонков. Дебют диффузного идиопатического скелетного гиперостоза протекает бессимптомно, в результате чего заболевание обнаруживается как случайное открытие во время рентгенологического обследования других заболеваний. Клинически значимым симптомом гиперостоза в шейном отделе является дисфагия и обструкция дыхательных путей. В результате костного нароста, расположенного кпереди от тел позвонков в шейном отделе позвоночника, трахея и пищевод смещаются, что приводит к дисфагии и обструкции дыхательных путей, что является главным диагностическим критерием и показанием к оперативному лечению. Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis is a systemic condition characterized by the presence of at least three bone bridges in the anterolateral spine. The prevalence of the disease is 2.9% - 42.0%. An important component for the diagnosis of hyperostosis was the presence of a bone growth in the anterior part of the adjacent vertebrae. The onset of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis is asymptomatic, as a result of which the disease is detected as an accidental discovery during X-ray examination of other diseases. A clinically significant symptom of cervical hyperostosis is dysphagia and airway obstruction. As a result of the bone growth located anteriorly from the vertebral bodies in the cervical spine, the trachea and esophagus are displaced, which leads to dysphagia and airway obstruction, which is the main diagnostic criterion and indication for surgical treatment.

The Role of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Facial Plastic Surgery

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has become increasingly popular among facial plastic surgery patients. Over the last few decades, there has been a surge in the use of CAM. Despite the increasing prevalence of CAM, patients may feel uncomfortable discussing these therapies with their physicians, and physicians feel under-equipped to engage in meaningful discussions regarding these nontraditional therapies. This article reviews recent literature on the use of CAM for skin treatment in an attempt to provide additional resource. To date, the evidence to support statistically significant symptom improvement with use of non-traditional therapies remains limited. While preliminary data supports essential oil therapy in some cases, the results of the studies investigating other CAM therapies (traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, and homeopathy) have been mixed and inconclusive.

Frequency of COVID-19 Infection in Patients with Sudden Loss of Smell

Background: The novel human corona virus disease (COVID-19) is the fifth documented pandemic in history since the 1918 flu pandemic. Along with other clinical features, loss of smell has been reported as a prime symptom in COVID-19 positive patients. The aim is to determine the frequency of COVID-19 infection in patients who came with a history of the sudden development of loss of smell. Materials & Methods: This study was done in Uttara Crescent Hospital, a private hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Data were collected retrospectively from hospital records in between 01 April 2020 and 30 November 2020, total 48 patients were included in this series. All the patients came with history of fever, sore throat, cough, loss of smell and altered taste, proper history were taken and examined. The patient with suspected COVID-19 infection was sent for RT-PCR testing. About 24 patients were included in the study with the history of loss of smell with or without other symptoms from the recorded data. Results: Among the 48 patients male were 34 and female 14. The age of the patients was in between 13 and 64 years. COVID-19 infection was confirmed in 34 patients (70.83%) in RTPCR testing. Conclusion: Loss of smell is a significant symptom of COVID-19 infection, along with other symptoms. In the current study, the prevalence of COVID-19 infection is 70.83% in patients with history of sudden loss of smell. It does not reflect the country’s actual picture because of a minimal number of study populations. Further study is needed find out prevalence in Bangladesh. Bangladesh J Otorhinolaryngol 2021; 27(2): 152-158

A Case Report on Symptom Improvement in a Polycythemia Vera Patient Treated with Acupuncture

Objectives: This study investigated the effectiveness of acupuncture for improving polycythemia-vera-related symptoms and quality of life.Methods: A 56-year-old woman diagnosed with polycythemia vera received acupuncture treatment between February 19, 2021, and August 26, 2021. We observed the changes in subjective symptoms and conducted myeloproliferative neoplasm symptom assessment form total symptom score (MPN-SAF TSS) questionnaire.Results: After 13 acupuncture treatment sessions over six months, symptoms of polycythemia vera, such as fatigue, bone pain, itching, and headache, improved.Conclusion: This study suggests that acupuncture may be a helpful treatment strategy for polycythemia vera patients suffering from significant symptom burdens and reduced quality of life.

Systematic Review of Pediatric Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (Rome IV Criteria)

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) are common among children and may cause a significant symptom burden. The Rome criteria are symptom-based guidelines for the assessment of FGID among children and adults. The aim of this systematic review was to estimate the prevalence of FGID utilizing the revised Rome IV criteria. Nine health databases were searched. The inclusion criteria were: prospective FGID prevalence data using the Rome IV criteria for children up to 18 years, and the exclusion criteria were: cohorts with known gastrointestinal or organic conditions. The data were presented as a percentage of children experiencing at least one FGID, as well as in individual categories. The searches identified 376 papers, with 20 included in the final analysis, providing a pooled cohort of 18,935 children. The median prevalence of FGID for children aged up to four years was 22.2% (range 5.8–40%), and aged four–eighteen years was 21.8% (range 19–40%). The most common FGID for children aged 0–12 months was infant regurgitation, the most common FGID for those aged 13–48 months were functional constipation and cyclic vomiting, and, for those aged over four years, functional constipation, functional dyspepsia, and irritable bowel syndrome. This reported overall incidence of FGID may be used as a benchmark of normative data among the general population and comparative data for those with comorbid disease.

Pregabalin Attenuates Carboplatin-Induced Akathisia-Like Neuropathy: A Novel Case Report

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is one of the most serious adverse effects of chemotherapy. We experienced carboplatin (CBDCA)-induced akathisia-like CIPN, which was significantly attenuated by pregabalin administration, and report its treatment. A man in his 40s was administered CBDCA + pemetrexed (PEM) as the third-line treatment for recurrent malignant pleural mesothelioma. He rarely experienced mild akathisia-like symptoms on his feet before the diagnosis. The patient claimed that he exhibited mild degradation of the symptoms in the previous cisplatin (CDDP) + PEM treatment without the need for pharmacotherapy. Symptoms notably worsened approximately 7 days after the first cycle of CBDCA + PEM and did not disappear. Furthermore, symptoms worsened during the daytime and became milder at night. Lorazepam (0.5 mg) was administered 3 times a day from day 14 but was not effective. Finally, we evaluated the symptoms to be derived from CBDCA-induced neuropathy as he experienced the same symptoms in CDDP + PEM and did not have suspicious pathology or medicines for akathisia development. We decided to administer 75 mg pregabalin twice daily, resulting in significant symptom improvement. He also complained that he felt the symptoms 10 h after the previous pregabalin dose, suggesting that pregabalin was effective, and its effect weakened or disappeared as time progressed. Akathisia-like symptoms caused by CBDCA-induced CIPN are rare, but they significantly reduce the quality of life. Pregabalin was significantly effective in this case; therefore, we suggest that a detailed symptom interview and selection of the medicine, based upon the action mechanism, are necessary.

Hydrogen and Methane Breath Test in the Diagnosis of Lactose Intolerance

The hydrogen (H2) breath test is a non-invasive investigation used to diagnose lactose intolerance (LI). Patients with LI may also expire increased amounts of methane (CH4) during a lactose test. The aim of this study is to evaluate the contribution of CH4 measurements. We tested 209 children (1–17 years old) with symptoms suggesting LI with lactose H2 and CH4 breath tests. The result was positive when the H2 excretion exceeded 20 parts per million (ppm) and the CH4 was 10 ppm above the baseline. A clinician, blinded for the results of the breath test, registered the symptoms. Of the patient population, 101/209 (48%) were negative for both H2 and CH4; 96/209 (46%) had a positive H2 breath test result; 31/96 (32%) were also positive for CH4; 12/209 (6%) patients were only positive for CH4. The majority of hydrogen producers showed symptoms, whereas this was only the case in half of the H2-negative CH4 producers. Almost all patients treated with a lactose-poor diet reported significant symptom improvement. These results indicate that CH4 measurements may possibly be of additional value for the diagnosis of LI, since 5.7% of patients were negative for H2 and positive for CH4, and half of them experienced symptoms during the test.

Surgical Sponge Retained in Femoral Canal for 22 Years: A Case Report

Background: Retained surgical items (RSIs) are not very common in the orthopedic surgery. Here, we are reporting a case of a sponge pad left in the femoral canal for 22 years. We could not find any other reported case of retained surgical sponge in the femoral canal and that is what makes this case report unique. Case Report: The patient was a 42 year-old man who underwent surgery for the fixation of a fractured femur 22 years ago. On August 2020, this patient was seen complaining about pain at the surgical site. The assessments revealed a sponge pad retained in the femoral canal, which was removed by surgery. The union of fractured bone did not take place in the first surgery, so after 6 months a second surgery was performed and the dynamic compression plate (DCP) placed was successfully replaced with an intramedullary nail. Conclusion: The surgeon could not detect the pad 22 years ago and the patient had no significant symptom all this time. The most important take-away lesson of this paper is that retention of surgical pads could also occur with correct gauze counting, so detection and prevention protocols for RSIs must be taken seriously.