Guidance for Prescribing Oral Antihypertensive Medications in the Emergency Department.

Purpose Of Review: To review the most current recommendations regarding assessment and treatment of asymptomatic hypertension treatment in the emergency department (ED) and to provide guidance for prescribing oral antihypertensive therapy for ED providers.

Recent Findings: There are varying management strategies for the treatment of asymptomatic hypertension in the ED likely due to a lack of direct guidelines for treatment. There is an increasing body of evidence for the safety of initiating therapy to treat chronic asymptomatic hypertension in the ED.

Glymphatic system in Pantothenase kinase associated neurodegeneration (PKAN).

Purpose: To investigate if accumulation of iron in the globus pallidus as seen in patients suffering from Pantothenase Kinase Associated Neurodegeneration (PKAN), is related to damage of the cerebral glymphatic system.

Material And Methods: In a group of 24 patients and an age-matched control group, functionality of the glymphatic system was assessed by the index of Analysis aLong the Perivascular Space (ALPS) from Diffusion Tensor Imaging data and correlated to the values of the T2∗ Times of the globus pallidus and the cerebral white matter measured by a Fast Field Echo sequence.

Results: In spite of the important reduction of the T2∗ Time of the globus pallidus, ALPS values of patients and controls were very similar and did not correlate to T2∗Time values in either group.

An interdisciplinary intervention for detection of sexual dysfunction associated with antidepressants: A pilot study.

Introduction: Treatment-emergent sexual dysfunction (TESD) is a commonly reported side effect of antidepressant medications in clinical trials. Limited literature exists exploring the role of routine use of the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) in identification of TESD in clinical practice. Therefore, we completed a retrospective study with the primary goal of capturing the rates of sexual dysfunction associated with antidepressant use among adult patients at an outpatient encounter with a psychiatric clinical pharmacist between June 2020 and March 2022.

Real-world effectiveness of the CoronaVac vaccine in a retrospective population-based cohort in four Colombian cities (2021-2022).

Objectives: The National Vaccination Plan against SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 was launched by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection on 14 February 2021. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the CoronaVac in preventing the three clinical outcomes of infection, hospitalisation, or death, in a real-world scenario.

Design: This was a population-based retrospective dynamic cohort study using a multivariate Cox model to calculate hazard ratios to estimate vaccine effectiveness from 17 February 2021 to 30 June 2022.

Injectable Nanocomposite Hydrogels Improve Intraperitoneal Co-delivery of Chemotherapeutics and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors for Enhanced Peritoneal Metastasis Therapy.

Intraperitoneal co-delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs (CDs) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) brings hope to improve treatment outcomes in patients with peritoneal metastasis from ovarian cancer (OC). However, current intraperitoneal drug delivery systems face issues such as rapid drug clearance from lymphatic drainage, heterogeneous drug distribution, and uncontrolled release of therapeutic agents into the peritoneal cavity. Herein, we developed an injectable nanohydrogel by combining carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) with bioadhesive nanoparticles (BNPs) based on polylactic acid-hyperbranched polyglycerol.

Zurletrectinib is a next-generation TRK inhibitor with strong intracranial activity against NTRK fusion-positive tumours with on-target resistance to first-generation agents.

Background: While NTRK fusion-positive cancers can be exquisitely sensitive to first-generation TRK inhibitors, resistance inevitably occurs, mediated in many cases by acquired NTRK mutations. Next-generation inhibitors (e.g.

How has research on the effectiveness and safety of COVID-19 vaccination been evaluated: a scope review with emphasis on CoronaVac.

Introduction: The control of the COVID-19 epidemic has been focused on the development of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. All developed vaccines have reported safety and efficacy results in preventing infection and its consequences, although the quality of evidence varies depending on the vaccine considered. Different methodological designs have been used for their evaluation, which can influence our understanding of the effects of these interventions.

Mutations in the Serine/Threonine Kinase BRAF: Oncogenic Drivers in Solid Tumors.

Since their discovery in 2002, mutations have been identified as clear drivers of oncogenesis in several cancer types. Currently, their incidence rate is nearly 7% of all solid tumors with BRAF V600E constituting approximately 90% of these diagnoses. In melanoma, thyroid cancer, and histiocytic neoplasms, BRAF hotspot mutations are found at a rate of about 50%, while in lung and colorectal cancers they range from 3% to 10% of reported cases.

COVID-19 mortality in two waves of the pandemic in Cali, Colombia, before and during vaccination roll-out.

Objective: To describe the variation in COVID-19 mortality among residents of Cali, Colombia, in the second wave of the pandemic, before vaccines, and in the fourth wave, with vaccination roll-out in process, taking into account variables of sex, age group, comorbidities, and interval between onset of symptoms and death, and to estimate the number of deaths averted by vaccination.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of second wave and fourth wave deaths and vaccination coverage. The frequencies of attributes of deceased population in the two waves were compared, including comorbidities.

[Association between oral health and cognitive decline in older Chileans].

Objective: To identify the association between oral health and suspected cognitive impairment in older adults in Chile.

Method: Cross-sectional study including 1826 people ≥60 years who participated in the National Health Survey of Chile, 2016-2017. Oral health was evaluated by the number of teeth, presence of caries, use of dental prostheses, self-reported oral health, and pain and/or discomfort in the oral cavity.

Development of Protocols for Regeneration and Transformation of Apomitic and Sexual Forms of Dallisgrass ( Poir.).

(common name dallisgrass), a productive C4 grass native to South America, is an important pasture grass found throughout the temperate warm regions of the world. It is characterized by its tolerance to frost and water stress and a higher forage quality than other C4 forage grasses. includes tetraploid (2 = 40), sexual, and pentaploid (2 = 50) apomictic forms, but is predominantly cultivated in an apomictic monoculture, which implies a high risk that biotic and abiotic stresses could seriously affect the grass productivity.

Crushed bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide in a human immunodeficiency virus-positive patient with pancreatic cancer.

We present the case of a 78-year-old African American man with a history of human immunodeficiency virus diagnosed in 2007 who was newly diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. A percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube was placed during the initial inpatient visit of pancreatic cancer diagnosis due to persistent dysphagia. Due to PEG placement and the patient's wish to continue his previous antiretroviral therapy, the patient crushed his fixed-dose bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide under the direction of a physician and has maintained virologic suppression.

Implementation of a Clinical Pharmacist in a Hemodialysis Facility: A Quality Improvement Report.

Rationale & Objective: Hemodialysis (HD) patients have complicated disease states, placing them at higher risk for medication-related problems, medication discrepancies, and nonadherence. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of a clinical pharmacist in a single HD facility by assessing the efficacy of medication reconciliation in HD patients and evaluating the potential impact on a single health care system.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Functional connectivity of the motor system in dystonia due to PKAN.

Purpose: To demonstrate deviations of functional connectivity within the motor system in dystonic patients suffering from Pantothenate Kinase Associated Neurodegeneration, a genetic and metabolic disease, which is characterized by a primary lesion in the globus pallidus.

Material And Methods: Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging data were measured during resting state in 12 patients suffering from a confirmed mutation of the PANK2 gene. In this region-of-interest based analysis, data were evaluated in respect to correlation of signal time course between basal ganglia, motor-related cortical regions and cerebellum, were related to clinical data and were compared to a control group of 20 healthy volunteers.

PANLAR consensus statement on biosimilars.

Introduction: Biologics have improved the treatment of rheumatic diseases, resulting in better outcomes. However, their high cost limits access for many patients in both North America and Latin America. Following patent expiration for biologicals, the availability of biosimilars, which typically are less expensive due to lower development costs, provides additional treatment options for patients with rheumatic diseases.

Subjective Experiences and Sensitivities in Women with Fibromyalgia: A Quantitative and Comparative Study.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic widespread pain syndrome associated with chronic fatigue. Its pathogenesis is not clearly understood. This study presents subjective experiences and sensitivities reported by fibromyalgia patients, which should be considered in primary care to avoid medical nomadism, as well as stigmatization of the patients.

Acanthocytosis and the c.680 A>G Mutation in the PANK2 Gene: A Study Enrolling a Cohort of PKAN Patients from the Dominican Republic.

Pantothenate Kinase-Associated Neurodegeneration (PKAN) is a form of Neurodegeneration with Brain Iron Accumulation (NBIA) associated with mutations in the pantothenate kinase 2 gene (PANK2). Pantothenate kinases catalyze the rate-limiting step of coenzyme A synthesis and Pank2 is the only pantothenate kinase isoform in humans that is localized to mitochondria. Acanthocytosis, the occurrence of spiculated erythrocytes, is observed in about 10% of the PKAN patients.

Atrophy, focal spinal cord lesions and alterations of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters in asymptomatic virus carriers and patients suffering from human T-lymphotrophic virus type 1 (HTLV-1)-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP).

In tropical spastic paraparesis, spinal cord atrophy is a well-known finding in magnetic resonance imaging. But in contrast to histological reports, focal lesions of the spinal cord have only been described in imaging reports in exceptional acute cases. Here, we looked for such focal lesions and for alterations of diffusion tensor imaging parameters of the long fibre tracts in the usual case of a long-standing and slowly progressive disease.

Should lower respiratory tract secretions from intensive care patients be systematically screened for influenza virus during the influenza season?

Introduction: Influenza is easily overlooked in intensive care units (ICUs), particularly in patients with alternative causes of respiratory failure or in those who acquire influenza during their ICU stay.

Methods: We performed a prospective study of patients admitted to three adult ICUs of our hospital from December 2010 to February 2011. All tracheal aspirate (TA) samples sent to the microbiology department were systematically screened for influenza.

Achalasia familiar: report of a family with an autosomal dominant pattern of inherence.

Esophageal achalasia is a well-known pathology with an autosomal recessive pattern of inherence described in the familiar cases. Its principal symptom is dysphagia, secondary to the poor relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter. Chagas disease is one of the many causes involved in the development of this disease, being of great importance in our country because of the high prevalence of the vector.

Laparoscopic placement of a gastric stimulator for the treatment of gastroparesis: a pilot study technique and results.

Aim: To evaluate the safety and outcomes of laparoscopic placement of a gastric stimulator for patients with gastroparesis.

Materials And Methods: Data of all patients who underwent laparoscopic placement of a gastric stimulator between 2003 and 2005 was retrospectively reviewed. Data included; demographics, perioperative course, and outcomes.

Hemorrhagic and thromboembolic complications after bariatric surgery in patients receiving chronic anticoagulation therapy.

Background: Perioperative management of bariatric surgical patients receiving chronic anticoagulation requires an understanding of potential hemorrhagic and thromboembolic risks. The aim of this study is to evaluate hemorrhagic and thromboembolic complications in morbidly obese patients who are on oral anticoagulation treatment and subsequently undergo laparoscopic bariatric surgery.

Methods: The medical records of all laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) patients from June 2001 to March 2006 were retrospectively reviewed.

Esophagogastro-Roux-en-Y jejunostomy: a surgical option in recurrent achalasia? Case report and review of the literature.

Recurrent obstructive symptoms after cardiomyotomy for achalasia occur in approximately 10 per cent to 15 per cent of patients, but only some require reoperation. Reoperative procedures for achalasia vary, and in general, have less success in relieving symptoms than the initial procedure. We present the case of a 37-year-old male with a 15-year history of recurrent achalasia, with symptoms of heartburn and progressive dysphagia after meals.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy as treatment for morbid obesity: technique and short-term outcome.

Background: Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP) and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) are the most commonly performed surgical procedures for weight reduction in the United States. Currently, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is being explored. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and short-term efficacy of LSG as a treatment option for weight reduction.