Intragastric Botulinum Toxin Injection and Botulism: An Alarm for Clinicians.

Clostridium botulinum produces the most potent bacterial toxin, botulinum toxin A (BTXA), which has various therapeutic and cosmetic indications. Intragastric BTXA injection is a new obesity treatment method that was argued to be safe due to the inactivation of BTXA through the liver or metabolization within the gastric wall. However, a 36-year-old woman was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) due to developing botulism as a result of an intragastric injection of BTXA.

Linalool attenuated ischemic injury in PC12 cells through inhibition of caspase-3 and caspase-9 during apoptosis.

Numerous studies have indicated the pharmacological properties of linalool, a volatile terpene alcohol found in many flowers and spice plants, including anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective activities. The aim of this study was to explore the mechanisms of neuroprotection provided by (±) linalool and its enantiomer, (-(-) linalool against oxygen, and glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) in PC12 cells. PC12 cells were treated with (±) linalool and (-(-) linalool before exposure to OGD/R condition.

A spontaneous dissecting posterior cerebral artery aneurysm in a 10-month-old female infant: a case report.

Introduction: Posterior cerebral artery (PCA) aneurysms are a rare group of intracranial aneurysms. Pediatric aneurysms account for approximately 4% of all aneurysms and are commonly associated with an underlying predisposing disorder, such as trauma. In contrast to traumatic aneurysms, spontaneous dissecting cases are pointed out as a rare cause of pediatric aneurysms.

Using Two Predictor Scoring Systems Together to Increase the Chance of Identifying the Augmented Renal Clearance Phenomenon: A Cross-sectional Study.

Introduction: Augmented Renal Clearance (ARC) reflects a measured creatinine clearance (CrCl) of more than 130 ml/min. Also, there are two scoring systems for the prediction of the ARC phenomenon i.e.

Are Antibiotics Appropriately Dosed in Critically Ill Patients with Augmented Renal Clearance? A Narrative Review.

Aims: Augmented renal clearance (ARC), which is commonly defined as increased renal clearance above 130 ml/min/1.73 m, is a common phenomenon among critically ill patients. The increased elimination rate of drugs through the kidneys in patients with ARC can increase the risk of treatment failure due to the exposure to subtherapeutic serum concentrations of medications and affect the optimal management of infections, length of hospital stay, and outcomes.

The Evaluation of the Neuroprotective Effect of a Single High-Dose Vitamin D in Patients with Moderate Ischemic Stroke.

Introduction: Vitamin D insufficiency is highly prevalent and is a negative predictor for survival in ischemic stroke patients. We evaluated the effect of a high dose of vitamin D on the Neuron-Specific Enolase (NSE) level, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and Barthel Index (BI) scoring system in moderate ischemic stroke patients.

Methods: This prospective, double-blind, randomized clinical trial (RCT) study was conducted from April 2020 to March 2021.

The effects of memantine on the serum concentrations of matrix metalloproteinases and neurologic function of patients with ischemic stroke.

Memantine was suggested as a promising treatment for stroke due to its neuroprotective property and efficacy in reducing ischemic brain injury and improving post-ischemic neurological recovery. This pilot, open-label, randomized clinical trial was conducted to investigate the impact of memantine on serum concentrations of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and MMP-9, as neuronal damage biomarkers, and neurologic function evaluated by the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS) and Barthelindex(BI) in patients with ischemic stroke. Admitted patients with mild to moderate ischemic stroke were assessed for eligibility, and eligible patients were randomized to the intervention or control group.

Promising effects of atorvastatin on mortality and need for mechanical ventilation in patients with severe COVID-19; a retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: Considering the anti-inflammatory effect of atorvastatin and the role of medical comorbidities such as hypertension and coronary artery disease on the prognosis of the COVID-19 patients, we aimed to assess the effect of atorvastatin add-on therapy on mortality caused by COVID-19.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study, including patients who were hospitalised with confirmed diagnosis of severe COVID-19. Baseline characteristics and related clinical data of patients were recorded.

Decreased in-hospital mortality associated with aspirin administration in hospitalized patients due to severe COVID-19.

Hypercoagulability and thrombosis caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are related to the higher mortality rate. Because of limited data on the antiplatelet effect, we aimed to evaluate the impact of aspirin add-on therapy on the outcome of the patients hospitalized due to severe COVID-19. In this cohort study, patients with a confirmed diagnosis of severe COVID-19 admitted to Imam Hossein Medical Center, Tehran, Iran from March 2019 to July 2020 were included.

Evaluation of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters of meropenem in critically ill patients with acute kidney disease.

Purpose: No study has been evaluated pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) properties of β-lactam antibiotics in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI), not requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT). We evaluated the time that plasma concentrations remain above four times the MIC (ft > 4MIC) and PK parameters of meropenem in this population.

Methods: In this prospective, randomized clinical trial (RCT), all patients received standard dose (3 g daily) of meropenem for 48 h, then randomly allocated in standard or adjusted groups.

Comparison of Intravenous Ampicillin-sulbactam Plus Nebulized Colistin with Intravenous Colistin Plus Nebulized Colistin in Treatment of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia Caused by Multi Drug Resistant Randomized Open Label Trial.

The purpose of this study was evaluating the efficacy and safety of intravenous (IV) ampicillin-sulbactam plus nebulized colistin in the treatment of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP) caused by MDR (MDRA) in ICU patients as an alternative to IV plus nebulized colistin. In this single-blinded RCT, one group received IV colistin and another group IV ampicillin-sulbactam (16 and 12 patients from total 28 patients, respectively) for 14 days or since clinical response. Both groups received nebulized colistin by mesh nebulizer.