Myocarditis: A rare manifestation of acute Q fever infection.

Myocarditis is a rare disease manifestation of acute Q fever caused by infection with , an infectious Gram-negative proteobacteria. has a large animal reservoir and is often transmitted to humans during animal birth. Acute Q fever has a nonspecific disease presentation leading to delayed treatment and potentially worsened clinical outcomes.

Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Skin Diseases Among Army Personnel and Flood Victims During the 2011 Floods in Thailand.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for skin problems among flood victims and army personnel during the 2011 floods in Thailand.

Methods: To determine the prevalence of and risk factors for skin symptoms, standardized questionnaires were used to collect demographic data, current skin symptoms, history of water exposure, and sanitary behaviors. A certified dermatologist evaluated those who presented with skin problems and provided diagnoses.

Emotional stress and tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy: observations on 2 distinct clinical phenotypes.

Background: Tako-tsubo syndrome is a transient cardiomyopathy usually precipitated by an acute emotional or physiological stress. Our study objectives were to review and analyze the impact of emotional stress on clinical variables, echocardiographic characteristics, and short-term outcomes in patients with tako-tsubo syndrome.

Methods: Retrospective chart review.

Elevated carboxy-terminal peptide of procollagen type I in elderly patients with diastolic dysfunction.

Background: Diastolic dysfunction (DD) is common in elderly people. Myocardial fibrosis is a major determinant of diastolic function. Increased myocardial fibrosis has been observed with advancing age.

Spironolactone improves diastolic function in the elderly.

Background: Diastolic dysfunction is common in the elderly. Increased myocardial fibrosis, a major determinant of diastolic function, has been observed with advancing age. Spironolactone prevents age-related increases in myocardial fibrosis in old normotensive rats.

Comparison of effects of quinapril versus enalapril on vasoactive substances following acute myocardial infarction.

The true existence of a class effect in angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors remains controversial. The present trial explored the effects of 2 ACE inhibitors after acute myocardial infarction and found no difference in endothelin-1 production but a greater increase in the production of total nitric oxide with quinapril than with enalapril.

Fetus in fetu.

A 2-month-old boy was found to have an abdominal mass in the left upper quadrant. Surgical removal revealed the mass to be a fetus in fetu. Dissection and roentgenologic examination unequivocally demonstrated the presence of vertebral column and organs arranged appropriately to the vertebral axis.