A severity-of-illness score in patients with tuberculosis requiring intensive care.

Background: We previously retrospectively validated a 6-point severity-of-illness score aimed at identifying patients at risk of dying of tuberculosis (TB) in the intensive care unit (ICU). Parameters included septic shock, HIV infection with a CD4 count <200 cells/µL, renal dysfunction, a ratio of partial pressure of arterial oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen (P/F) <200 mmHg, a chest radiograph demonstrating diffuse parenchymal infiltrates, and no TB treatment on admission.

Objectives: To prospectively validate the severity-of-illness scoring system in patients with TB requiring intensive care, and to refine and simplify the score in order to expand its clinical utility.

Unusual Presentation of Atrial Myxoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND Although rare, atrial myxoma is the most common benign cardiac tumor. The recognized triad of presenting symptoms relates to constitutional, embolic, and obstructive effects produced by the tumor. However, the presentation may be non-specific and mimic other diseases, confounding diagnosis.

Gene Expression in Breast Tissue.

Objective: Binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor is a critical step for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV- 2) to mediate its entry into target cells. ACE2 is expressed in many human tissues, including the lungs. However, no research has demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 can infect human breast tissue.

The variable spectrum of anterior mitral valve leaflet restriction in rheumatic heart disease screening.

Introduction: The World Heart Federation (WHF) screening criteria do not incorporate a strict, reproducible definition of anterior mitral valve leaflet (AMVL) restriction. Using a novel definition, we have identified two distinct AMVL restriction configurations. The first, called "distal tip" AMVL restriction is associated with additional morphological features of rheumatic heart disease (RHD), while the second, "gradual bowing" AMVL restriction is not.

Higher SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in workers with lower socioeconomic status in Cape Town, South Africa.

Background: Inequality is rife throughout South Africa. The first wave of COVID-19 may have affected people in lower socioeconomic groups worse than the affluent. The SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and the specificity of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests in South Africa is not known.

Outcome of clinical and subclinical myocardial injury in systemic lupus erythematosus - A prospective cohort study.

Objectives: To determine the outcome of subclinical lupus myocarditis (LM) over twelve months with regards to: mortality; incidence of clinical LM and change in imaging parameters (echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance [CMR]). To evaluate the impact of immunosuppression on CMR evidence of myocardial tissue injury.

Methods: SLE patients with and without CMR evidence of myocardial injury (as per 2009 Lake Louise criteria [LLC]) were included.

Negative pressure rooms and COVID-19.

The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), has rapidly developed into a global pandemic and public health emergency. The transmission and virulence of this new pathogen have raised concern for how best to protect healthcare professionals while effectively providing care to the infected patient requiring surgery. Although negative pressure rooms are ideal for aerosol-generating procedures, such as intubation and extubation, most operating theatres are generally maintained at a positive pressure when compared with the surrounding areas.

Gene Expression of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 Receptor in Skin and the Implications for COVID-19.

Background: Binding to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor is a critical step for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to enter target cells. This enzyme is expressed in many human tissues including the lungs, but no research has demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 can infect human skin or subcutaneous fat tissue, despite the increasing number of reported skin manifestations. The aim of this study was to investigate ACE2 gene expression in skin using a public database.

Protective Measures For Burn Care Professionals During The Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: Systematic Review.

The emergence of a novel human β coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has developed into a global pandemic and public health emergency. The management of patients with burns must be adapted to this context. The aim of this systematic review is to identify the optimal protection measures during the COVID-19 pandemic and provide guidance of protective measures for burn surgeons.

Availability Of Covid-19 Information From National And International Burn Society Websites.

National and international burn society websites are an important source of information for patients and burn care professionals. The current COVID-19 pandemic represents an unprecedented global health crisis. The aim of this study was to assess the information available on national and international burns society websites on the current pandemic of COVID-19.

Serum cytokine levels associated with myocardial injury in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objectives: To identify cytokines, markers of endothelial activation [soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1)] and myocyte strain [soluble ST2 (sST2)] associated with myocardial injury (MInj) in SLE, classified by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) criteria.

Methods: CMR was performed on patients with SLE, identifying stages of MInj (inflammation and necrosis or fibrosis). Data captured included: clinical assessment, laboratory and serological analyses, cytokine (IL-1β, IL-1Ra, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, IL-18, TNF-alpha), sVCAM-1 and sST2 levels.

The role of tertiary neurosurgical intervention in non-missile penetrating injuries of the spine.

Purpose: The objective of the study was to determine whether all patients with spinal non-missile penetrating injuries (NMPIs) need to be managed at a tertiary neurosurgical centre.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of clinical, demographic, and imaging records was performed on all NMPI patients referred to the Department of Neurosurgery at Tygerberg Academic Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa, between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2019.

Results: Ninety-six patients were identified (94 males and 2 females) with 35 cervical, 60 thoracic, and 1 lumbar spinal stab.

Estimating the government public economic benefits attributed to investing in assisted reproductive technology: a South African case study.

Limited resources and high treatment costs are arguments often used in many public health systems in low- and middle-income countries to justify providing limited treatments for people with infertility. In this analysis, we apply a government public economic perspective to evaluate public subsidy for in-vitro fertilization (IVF) in South Africa. A fiscal model was developed that considered lifetime direct and indirect taxes paid and government transfers received by a child conceived by IVF.

Pathophysiology of coronavirus disease 2019 for wound care professionals.

There is pressing urgency to understand the pathogenesis of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which causes Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The tissue tropism of SARS-CoV-2 includes not only the lung but also the vascular and integumentary systems. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) appears to be the key functional receptor for the virus.

The origins of modern plastic surgery.

There is an old saying that if you think you have discovered something new then it is because you don't read the German literature and there is some truth in this. When Plastic Surgery is mentioned the usual reply is "Ah, Gillies" as though he was the fons et origo of Plastic and Reconstructive surgery. The fact is that there were many more pioneering plastic surgeons outside the British Empire, whose work preceded and even surpassed Gilles.

Mortality in relation to profiles of clinical features in Ghanaian severely undernourished children aged 0-59 months: an observational study.

Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is associated with a complex pattern of various clinical conditions. We investigated how risk factors cluster in children with SAM, the relationship between clusters of risk factors and mortality as well as length of stay in children with SAM. A prospective observational study design was used.