The epidemiological profile of meningitis among adults in a South African district hospital.

Introduction: understanding the epidemiological profile of a disease in a particular region allows for proper planning of public health resources for prevention, early diagnosis and treatment. In this present study, we describe the epidemiological profile of viral, fungal, tuberculous and bacterial meningitis among adults at National District Hospital (NDH), Free State province, over three years period (January 2017 to December 2019).

Methods: a retrospective, observational study of all adult meningitis cases, managed at the National District Hospital (NDH) Bloemfontein, Free State Province, South Africa between January 2017 and December 2019.

Cell Cycle Changes, DNA Ploidy, and PTTG1 Gene Expression in HTLV-1 Patients.

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) is a pathogenic retrovirus that is associated with adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL). Genetic instability is the hallmark of ATL. Cell cycle progression is needed for virus particle reproduction.

Effect of TCF7L2 polymorphism on pancreatic hormones after exenatide in type 2 diabetes.

Background: Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) stimulates insulin secretion and reduces blood glucose in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). rs7903146 polymorphism has been associated with decreased insulin secretion, reduced GLP-1 action, and possible impaired peripheral insulin sensitivity.

Objectives: To evaluate the postprandial pancreatic hormone response in patients with T2DM carriers of the variant rs7903146 (CT/TT) compared with noncarriers of this variant (CC) after treatment with the GLP-1 agonist exenatide.

correlation in both insulin secretion and postprandial insulin sensitivity.

Background: The rs7903146 variant is strongly associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the mechanisms involved in this association remain unknown and may include extrapancreatic effects. The aim of this study was to perform a metabolic characterization of T2DM patients with and without the rs7903146 risk T allele and analyze some influences of the genotype on glucose metabolism.

Percutaneous ethanol injection versus conservative treatment for benign cystic and mixed thyroid nodules.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) in reducing the volume of cystic and mixed thyroid nodules.

Materials And Methods: A total of 36 patients with nodules treated with PEI and 13 individuals who declined PEI and were followed clinically or received other non surgical treatment (control group). Assessments were performed at baseline (immediately before treatment in the PEI group or evaluation of the nodule on ultrasonography in the control group) at short-term (on average 30 days after the last injection in the PEI group), and long-term (on average 14 months after baseline in the PEI group or 26 months after baseline in the control group).

Clinical variables associated with depression in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Background: the aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between type 2 diabetes (T2DM), depression and depressive symptoms and their clinical impact on T2DM.

Methods: the authors evaluated 214 outpatients, 105 with diabetes (T2DM group) and 109 non-diabetics (control group), with ages ranging between 50 and 75 years (T2DM group 65.1 ± 5.

[Reduction of functional mobility and cognitive capacity in type 2 diabetes mellitus].

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the functional mobility and its relationship to cognitive ability in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), age between 50 and 65 years and under 10 years of diagnosis.

Materials And Methods: An observational, analytical and cross-sectional study, involving no diabetic and type 2 diabetic individuals with inadequate glycemic control, selected by convenience sampling. In both groups, were administered structured questionnaire and cognitive assessment with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the clock drawing test (CDT), besides assessment of functional mobility by the Timed Up & Go (TUG).

Evaluation of the association between the JAK2 46/1 haplotype and chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms in a Brazilian population.

Objective: The JAK2 46/1 haplotype has recently been described as a major contributing factor to the development of myeloproliferative neoplasm, whether positive or negative forthe JAK2 V617F mutation. The G allele, identified by a single-nucleotide polymorphism known as JAK2 rs10974944, is part of the JAK2 46/1 haplotype. The aim of this study was to verify the association between the presence of the G allele and the development of BCR-ABL-negative chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms in our population.

Comparative analysis of risk for falls in patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective: To compare frequency and risk of falls based on a functional mobility test in diabetic and non-diabetic individuals.

Methods: Cross-sectional study involving patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) selected by convenience sampling. Men and women between the ages of 50 and 65 were included and divided as group 1 (G1) - with DM2 diagnosis for < 10 years fasting blood glucose at interview/test time, as well as prior > 200 mg/dL; and group 2 (G2) - no diabetes, same age group, and fasting blood glucose < 100 mg/dL.