Intensive care unit-acquired infections more common in patients with COVID-19 than with influenza.

Intensive care unit-acquired infections are complicating events in critically ill patients. In this study we analyzed the incidence, microbiological patterns, and outcome in patients with COVID-19 versus influenza in the intensive care unit (ICU). We included all adult patients treated with invasive mechanical ventilation due to (1) COVID-19 between January 2020 and March 2022, and (2) influenza between January 2015 and May 2023 at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sweden.

Legal assessment of ingrown horns and other horn-related anomalies in cattle and sheep.

Cattle and sheep horns have the potential to grow in such a way that the horn bends toward the animal's head and, if left untreated, may penetrate the skin, causing pressure, pain, and suffering. According to the Swedish Animal Welfare Act, animals must be looked after in a way that prevents ingrown horns; otherwise, the person responsible for the animal may be prosecuted. Here, we present a review of 32 legal cases that occurred in Sweden between 2008 and 2022 for which the charge involved horn-related anomalies in cattle or sheep.

Cardiac dysfunction and mortality in critically ill patients with COVID-19: A Swedish multicentre observational study.

Background: The prevalence and importance of cardiac dysfunction in critically ill patients with COVID-19 in Sweden is not yet established. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of cardiac dysfunction and elevated pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), and its influence on mortality in patients with COVID-19 in intensive care in Sweden.

Methods: This was a multicentre observational study performed in five intensive care units (ICUs) in Sweden.

Increased risk of hepatotoxicity and temporary drug withdrawal during treatment of active tuberculosis in pregnant women.

Background: Few studies have focused on the treatment of tuberculosis (TB) during pregnancy. This study aimed to evaluate the risk of adverse events, particularly liver toxicity, in pregnant women during treatment for active TB.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on pregnant and age-matched non-pregnant women receiving treatment for active TB at four hospitals in Western Sweden between 1992 and 2017.

[Diagnosis of depressive disorder and so-called exhaustion depression. Self-esteem--a central concept].

Depressive disorders can be recognized by the loss of self-esteem; this contrasts with mourning and neurasthenic reactions, in which self-esteem remains intact. Just as depression can result from the gradual reduction and eventual loss of self-esteem, mourning and neurasthenic reactions can evolve into true depressive states. "Exhaustion depression", a new diagnostic category connected to "burnout" situations, should be applied only when criteria for depressive disorder are fulfilled, including loss of self-esteem.

2,3-Butanediol in plasma from an alcoholic mistakenly identified as ethylene glycol by gas-chromatographic analysis.

2,3-Butanediol was mistakenly identified as ethylene glycol in plasma specimens from two alcoholic patients. The cyclic phenylboronate ester derivatives of 2,3-butanediol and ethylene glycol had the same retention time when OV-17 was used as the stationary phase for gas chromatography. This led to incorrect diagnosis of ethylene glycol poisoning and unnecessary invasive therapy.

Calcium and magnesium concentrations in affective disorder: difference between plasma and serum in relation to symptoms.

Morning (0800) plasma and serum and mean diurnal (24-h) serum calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) concentrations were investigated in 56 depressed patients, 32 with acute major depression, 26 of these restudied in remission, 24 patients with longstanding depression, mainly treated with lithium, and in 27 healthy controls. All subjects were rated with the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale (CPRS). Significant differences between the groups were found for 0800 and 24-h serum Ca and Mg, 0800 plasma Mg, but not for 0800 plasma Ca.

Equine herpes virus 1 (EHV-1) in liver, spleen, and lung as demonstrated by immunohistology and electron microscopy.

Ten aborted foals, diagnosed as infected with Equine Herpes Virus 1 (EHV-1) on histopathological criteria, were examined for the presence of EHV-1 using immunohistology as the investigative instrument. The primary reagent was an antiserum specific for viral envelope glycoproteins. Immunohistology localised EHV-1 to areas of liver necrosis and to the cytoplasm of infected Kupffer cells and hepatocytes.

Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in major depressive disorders.

The baseline LH, FSH and testosterone levels and the LH and FSH response to TRH-LHRH administration (delta LH, delta FSH) were investigated in 28 patients meeting the RDC criteria for an acute major depressive disorder, and in 20 healthy persons. Twenty-two patients were also reinvestigated in a state of complete or partial clinical remission. Cross-sectional and longitudinal comparisons were made between the groups divided according to sex and menopausal status.

Unaltered 24 h serum PRL levels and PRL response to TRH in contrast to decreased 24 h serum TSH levels and TSH response to TRH in major depressive disorder.

The 24 h serum levels of prolactin (PRL) and thyrotropin (TSH) assessed at ten different time points and the PRL and TSH responses to TRH administration (delta PRL, delta TSH) were investigated in 26 inpatients meeting the RDC criteria for an acute major depressive disorder. Fourteen of these patients were reinvestigated in a state of partial or complete remission. Comparison between the patients during both relapse and remission and 23 healthy controls showed no differences in the paramenters reflecting the 24 h PRL levels or delta PRL.

Twenty-four-hour serum levels of T4 and T3 in relation to decreased TSH serum levels and decreased TSH response to TRH in affective disorders.

The serum levels of thyroxine and triiodothyronine (T4 and T3) were investigated at 10 different time points during a 24 h period in 31 inpatients meeting the RDC criteria for acute major depressive disorder. Twenty-three of these patients were also reinvestigated in a state of partial or complete remission. The results show that there was no significant difference in T4 or T3 levels during the 24 h period between depressed patients and 32 healthy controls despite significantly decreased TSH levels and TSH response to TRH administration (delta TSH) in the patient group.

Serum dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity in patients with major depressive disorders.

The dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) activity in serum was assayed in 32 acutely ill inpatients with major disorder and in 33 healthy control subjects. Twenty-six of these patients were also studied in a state of remission. The DBH activity was compared to the serum levels (studied during a 24 h period) of T4, T3, TSH, prolactin and melatonin as well as to the outcome of the dexamethasone suppression and TRH test and to various clinical symptoms, as estimated by different rating procedures.

Serum melatonin in relation to clinical variables in patients with major depressive disorder and a hypothesis of a low melatonin syndrome.

Maximum nocturnal serum melatonin level (MTmax) in relation to some clinical variables was studied in 32 patients with a major depressive episode and in 33 healthy subjects with reference to the outcome of the dexamethasone suppression test (DST). Significant regressions were found between MTmax levels and clinical rating scores in CPRS, interpreted as retardation symptoms. Four healthy subjects with disposition for dysthymic reactions had subnormal MTmax levels, which differed from MTmax levels in subjects without such disposition.

Effect of TRH on TSH and prolactin levels in affective disorders.

The thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) test was studied in 32 patients with acute major depressive disorder, 16 patients with recurrent unipolar (n = 8) or bipolar (n = 8) affective disorder in remission, and 22 healthy control subjects. Twenty-six of the 32 acutely ill patients were also studied when in remission. Outcome in these patients was correlated to serum levels of triiodothyronine (T3), 3,3',5'triiodothyronine (reverse T3), thyroxine (T4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), prolactin (PRL), melatonin, dexamethasone suppression test (DST) results, and clinical symptoms assessed by the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale (CPRS).

Melatonin, cortisol and ACTH in patients with major depressive disorder and healthy humans with special reference to the outcome of the dexamethasone suppression test.

The 24 hr profiles of melatonin and cortisol in serum, morning levels of ACTH in plasma, and the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) were investigated in 32 acutely ill patients with a RDC diagnosis of major depressive disorder, 24 patients with a history of longlasting unipolar or bipolar major depressive disorder studied in remission, and 33 healthy subjects. A significant decrease in maximum nocturnal melatonin level (MTmax) was found in the acutely ill depressed patients with abnormal DST compared to both those with normal DSTs and the healthy subjects. The MTmax levels were unaltered when these patients were reinvestigated in remission.

Twenty-four-hour serum levels of TSH in affective disorders.

As a part of a broad endocrine testing of patients with affective disorders the 24 h serum levels of thyrotropin (TSH) were investigated and correlated to the clinical history and disease symptoms. Thirty-two patients with the research diagnostic criteria of major depressive disorder were investigated. Twenty-six of these patients were reinvestigated in a state of full or partial clinical remission.

Melatonin in relation to body measures, sex, age, season and the use of drugs in patients with major affective disorders and healthy subjects.

Serum melatonin levels over a 24 hr period were studied in 30 acutely ill patients with major depressive episode, 24 patients with a history of unipolar or bipolar major affective disorder in remission and 33 healthy subjects. A significant negative correlation (-0.45) between body height and maximum nocturnal serum melatonin level was found.

Reverse T3 levels in affective disorders.

Serum levels of 3,3',5' triidothyronine (reverse T3) were investigated in 32 patients with acute major depressive disorder. Twenty-six of these patients were also studied during a state of clinical improvement. Comparison subjects were 22 healthy controls, and 16 currently euthymic patients with histories of affective disorders (8 unipolar, 8 bipolar).