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Singapore Medical Journal Jul 2023
Topics: Humans; Edema; Leg
PubMed: 37458999
DOI: 10.4103/singaporemedj.SMJ-2021-142 -
Internal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan) Mar 2024
PubMed: 38522907
DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.3335-23 -
Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic... Dec 2023Eosinophilic myocarditis (EM) is a life-threatening acute heart disease. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) excels in the assessment of myocardial diseases but CMR studies...
BACKGROUND
Eosinophilic myocarditis (EM) is a life-threatening acute heart disease. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) excels in the assessment of myocardial diseases but CMR studies of EM are limited. We aimed to describe CMR findings in histologically proven EM.
METHODS
Patients with histologically proven EM seen at an academic center from 2000 through 2020 were identified. Of the 28 patients ascertained, 15 had undergone CMR for diagnosis and constitute our study cohort.
RESULTS
The patients, aged 51 ± 17 years, presented with fever (53%), dyspnea (47%), chest pain (53%), heart block (20%), and blood eosinophilia (60%). On CMR, all 15 patients had myocardial edema with 10 of them (67%) having abnormally high left ventricular (LV) mass as well. LV ejection fraction measured < 50% in 11 patients (73%) and < 30% in 2 (13%), but only 6 (40%) had dilated LV size. Eight patients (53%) had pericardial effusion. LV late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) was found in all but one patient (13/14; 93%). LGE was always multifocal and subendocardial but could involve any myocardial layer. Patients with necrotizing EM by histopathology (n = 6) had higher LGE mass (32.1 ± 16.6% vs 14.5 ± 7.7%, p = 0.050) and more LV segments with LGE (15 ± 2 vs 9 ± 3 out of 17, p = 0.003) than patients (n = 9) without myocyte necrosis. Two patients had LV thrombosis accompanying widespread subendocardial LGE.
CONCLUSIONS
In EM, CMR shows myocardial edema and LGE that is typically subendocardial but can involve any myocardial layer. The left ventricle is often non-dilated with moderate-to-severe systolic dysfunction. Pericardial effusion is common. Necrotizing EM presents with extensive myocardial LGE on CMR.
Topics: Humans; Myocarditis; Contrast Media; Pericardial Effusion; Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine; Gadolinium; Predictive Value of Tests; Cardiomyopathies; Ventricular Function, Left; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Edema
PubMed: 38105221
DOI: 10.1186/s12968-023-00979-0 -
Medicine Dec 2023Despite the availability of numerous treatment options, many patients with gastritis experience only partial symptom relief. CKD-495, a newly developed product with the... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Despite the availability of numerous treatment options, many patients with gastritis experience only partial symptom relief. CKD-495, a newly developed product with the active ingredient extracted from Cinnamomum cassia Presl., has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity in vitro and an in vivo protective effect against gastric damage by stimulating mucus secretion. This study compared the efficacy and safety of CKD-495 with Artemisiae argyi folium (AAF) for the treatment of acute and chronic gastritis. AAF, a gastric mucosa protective agent that promotes gastric mucosa regeneration, has been used clinically for about 20 years.
METHODS
This phase III multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group trial (ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT04255589) assigned 242 patients with endoscopically-proven gastric mucosal erosions to receive CKD-495 75 mg (n = 122) or AAF 60 mg (n = 120), respectively, with placebo (for double-blind purposes) 3 times a day for 2 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was the erosion improvement rate. Secondary endpoints included erosion cure rates, and improvement rates for edema, redness, hemorrhage, and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Drug-related adverse events were evaluated.
RESULTS
The erosion improvement rate was significantly higher in the CKD-495 group than in the AAF group for both the full analysis set (55.9% vs 39.4%, P = .0063) and per-protocol set (54.6% vs 38.2%, P = .0084). In addition, the erosion improvement rate in patients with acute or chronic gastritis showed that the CKD-495 group had better improvement of erosion than the AAF group, especially in patients with chronic gastritis. Analysis of secondary endpoints, which included erosion cure rate and the improvement rates of edema, redness, hemorrhage, and GI symptoms, showed that the CKD-495 group was more effective than the AAF group. There were no significant between-group differences in safety profiles. No serious adverse events or adverse drug reactions occurred.
CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate that CKD-495 75 mg is superior to AAF 60 mg in terms of the endoscopic improvement rate of erosions in patients with acute or chronic gastritis. This new mucoprotective agent, CKD-495, can be considered the therapy of choice for symptomatic relief and healing of gastritis.
Topics: Humans; Double-Blind Method; Edema; Gastritis; Hemorrhage; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38065906
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000035926 -
European Radiology Nov 2023To compare neuroimaging characteristics of three types of histiocytoses, namely Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD), and Rosai-Dorfman...
OBJECTIVES
To compare neuroimaging characteristics of three types of histiocytoses, namely Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD), and Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD), with central nervous system (CNS) involvement.
METHODS
A total of 121 adult patients with histiocytoses (77 LCH, 37 ECD, and 7 RDD) and CNS involvement were retrospectively included. Histiocytoses were diagnosed based on histopathological findings combined with suggestive clinical and imaging features. Brain and dedicated pituitary MRIs were systematically analyzed for tumorous, vascular, degenerative lesions, sinus, and orbital involvement and for hypothalamic pituitary axis involvement.
RESULTS
Endocrine disorders, including diabetes insipidus and central hypogonadism, were more common in LCH patients than in ECD and RDD patients (p < 0.001). In LCH, tumorous lesions were mostly solitary (85.7%), located in the hypothalamic pituitary region (92.9%), and without peritumoral edema (92.9%), while in ECD and RDD, tumorous lesions were often multiple (ECD: 81.3%, RDD: 85.7%), their distribution was more widespread with meninges mostly involved (ECD: 75%, RDD: 71.4%), and they most likely presented with peritumoral edema (ECD: 50%, RDD: 57.1%; all p ≤ 0.020). Vascular involvement was an exclusive imaging characteristic of ECD (17.2%), which was not observed in LCH or RDD; this was also associated with a higher risk of death (p = 0.013, hazard ratio = 11.09).
CONCLUSION
The typical characteristic of adult CNS-LCH was endocrine disorders with radiological findings limited to the hypothalamic pituitary axis. The pattern of multiple tumorous lesions with predominant involvement of meninges was the main manifestation of CNS-ECD and CNS-RDD, while vascular involvement was pathognomonic for ECD and associated with poor prognosis.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT
Involvement of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis is the typical imaging characteristic of Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Multiple tumorous lesions, predominantly involving but not limited to meninges, occur in most Erdheim-Chester disease and Rosai-Dorfman disease patients. Vascular involvement occurs only in Erdheim-Chester disease patients.
KEY POINTS
• The different distribution patterns of brain tumorous lesions can help differentiate among LCH, ECD, and RDD. • Vascular involvement was an exclusive imaging finding of ECD and was associated with high mortality. • Some cases with atypical imaging manifestations were reported to further expand the knowledge on these diseases.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Erdheim-Chester Disease; Retrospective Studies; Histiocytosis, Sinus; Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell; Neuroimaging; Brain; Hematologic Neoplasms; Edema
PubMed: 37191919
DOI: 10.1007/s00330-023-09724-8 -
CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics Mar 2024Perihematomal edema (PHE) is one of the severe secondary damages following intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). Studies showed that blood-brain barrier (BBB) injury...
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Perihematomal edema (PHE) is one of the severe secondary damages following intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). Studies showed that blood-brain barrier (BBB) injury contributes to the development of PHE. Previous studies showed that occludin protein is a potential biomarker of BBB injury. In the present study, we investigated whether the levels of serum occludin on admission are associated with PHE volumes in ICH patients.
METHODS
This cross-sectional study included 90ICH patients and 32 healthy controls.The volumes of hematoma and PHE were assessed using non-contrast cranial CT within 30 min of admission. Blood samples were drawn on admission, and the levels of baseline serum occludin were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Partial correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were performed to evaluate the association between serum occludin levels and PHE volumes in ICH patients.
RESULTS
The serum occludin levels in ICH patients were much higher than health controls (median 0.27 vs. 0.13 ng/mL, p < 0.001). At admission, 34 ICH patients (37.78%) had experienced a severe PHE (≥30 mL), and their serum occludin levels were higher compared to those with mild PHE (<30 mL) (0.78 vs. 0.21 ng/mL, p < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC) of serum occludin level in predicting severe PHE was 0.747 (95% confidence interval CI 0.644-0.832, p < 0.001). There was a significant positive correlation between serum occludin levels and PHE volumes (partial correlation r = 0.675, p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that serum occludin levels remained independently associated with the PHE volumes after adjusting other confounding factors.
CONCLUSION
The present study showed that serum occludin levels at admission were independently correlated with PHE volumes in ICH patients, which may provide a biomarker indicating PHE volume change.
Topics: Humans; Biomarkers; Brain Edema; Cerebral Hemorrhage; Cross-Sectional Studies; Edema; Hematoma; Intracranial Hemorrhages; Occludin
PubMed: 37721332
DOI: 10.1111/cns.14450 -
Open Veterinary Journal Aug 2023Furosemide is a mainstay of treatment in congestive heart failure (CHF) and is widely prescribed to dogs and cats by several formulations, including the subcutaneous...
BACKGROUND
Furosemide is a mainstay of treatment in congestive heart failure (CHF) and is widely prescribed to dogs and cats by several formulations, including the subcutaneous one. In canine and human medicine, dermatologic adverse effects of subcutaneous furosemide (SF) have been documented; conversely, no prior case has been published describing skin reactions to this therapeutic protocol in cats. In this report, we describe, for the first time in feline medicine, a suspected dermatologic adverse effect after SF in a cat.
CASE DESCRIPTION
A 2-year-old domestic shorthair cat was presented for CHF associated with lung edema and pleural effusion. Echocardiography revealed asymmetric left ventricular myocardial thickening and severe left atrial dilation. The cat was hospitalized and initially treated with oxygen, intravenous furosemide, and clopidogrel. After discharge, the route of administration of furosemide was switched from intravenous to oral. Within the following 2 weeks, the cat experienced two relapses of lung edema despite the progressive increase of the furosemide dose, the addition of spironolactone and adherence to the therapeutic protocol by the owners. The dose of furosemide was further increased and its route of administration at home was switched from oral to parental. As the owner was not able to administrate intramuscular injections, SF was prescribed. This allowed the prevention of further episodes of lung edema. However, although the cat had never presented skin problems before, multiple well-defined circular, crusted ulcerative cutaneous lesions associated with alopecia developed at the sites of furosemide injections 2 weeks later. After ruling out several differential diagnoses for these lesions, a rare side effect of furosemide, not yet described in cats but already known in canine and human medicine, was strongly suspected as the possible cause. Therefore, the ongoing injectable formulation of furosemide was interrupted and substituted with an alternative brand, maintaining the same dose and route of administration. Thanks to this change, the dermal ulcerations disappeared within 1 month. Subsequently, the cat experienced neither further skin problems nor a recurrence of lung edema.
CONCLUSION
Although SF is sometimes prescribed in small animal practice, it should be noticed that this may lead to dermatologic adverse reactions in the cat.
Topics: Humans; Cats; Animals; Dogs; Furosemide; Cat Diseases; Dog Diseases; Heart Failure; Edema
PubMed: 37701668
DOI: 10.5455/OVJ.2023.v13.i8.9 -
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders Oct 2023Lateral ankle sprains are highly prevalent and result in tissue damage, impairments of muscle strength, instability, and muscle activation. Up to 74% will experience... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
The effect of movement representation techniques on ankle function and performance in persons with or without a lateral ankle sprain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Lateral ankle sprains are highly prevalent and result in tissue damage, impairments of muscle strength, instability, and muscle activation. Up to 74% will experience ongoing symptoms after a lateral ankle sprain. In healthy subjects, motor imagery might induce neural changes in the somatosensory and motor areas of the brain, yielding favourable enhancements in muscular force. However, during motor imagery, difficulties in building a motor image, no somatosensory feedback, and the absence of structural changes at the level of the muscle might explain the differences found between motor imagery and physical practice. In rehabilitation, motor imagery might be supportive in rebuilding motor networks or creating new networks to restore impairments in muscle activation and movement patterns. This systematic review was undertaken to summarize the current body of evidence about the effect on motor imagery, or action observation, on lower leg strength, muscle performance, ankle range of motion, balance, and edema in persons with, and without, a lateral ankle sprain compared to usual care, a placebo intervention, or no intervention.
METHODS
A systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was conducted in healthy participants and participants with a lateral ankle sprain. Motor imagery or action observation in isolation, or in combination with usual care were compared to a placebo intervention, or no intervention. An electronic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cinahl, Psychinfo, Sportdiscus, Web of Science, Cochrane and Google Scholar was conducted, and articles published up to 7 June 2023 were included. Two reviewers individually screened titles and abstracts for relevancy using the inclusion criteria. Variables related to muscle strength, muscle function, range of motion, balance, return to sports tests, or questionnaires on self-reported function or activities were extracted. A risk of bias assessment was done using the Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool II by two reviewers. Meta-analysis using a random effects model was performed when two or more studies reported the same outcome measures. The Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) was calculated over the change from baseline scores. Review manager 5.4 was used to perform analysis of subgroup differences and test for statistically significant differences. Confidence intervals were visually checked for overlap between subgroups.
RESULTS
Nine studies, six examining healthy participants and three examining participants with an acute lateral ankle sprain, were included. All studies were rated with moderate to high risk of bias overall. Quality of the motor imagery interventions differed largely between studies. Meta-analysis showed a large and significant effect of motor imagery on lower leg strength (SMD 1.47, 95% CI 0.44 to 2.50); however, the evidence was downgraded to very low certainty due to substantial heterogeneity (I = 73%), limitations in the studies (some concerns in risk of bias in all studies), and imprecision (n = < 300). Evidence showed no association with ankle range of motion (SMD 0.25, 95% CI -0.43 to 0.93), edema (SMD -1.11, 95% CI -1.60 to 3.81), the anterior reach direction of the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) (SMD 0.73, 95% CI -0.62 to 2.08), the posterolateral direction (SMD 0.32, 95% CI -0.94 to 1.57), and the posteromedial direction (SMD 0.52, 95% CI -0.07 to 1.10). The certainty of evidence for the different comparisons was very low.
CONCLUSIONS
There is a low certainty, significant, positive effect for motor imagery being able to improve lower leg muscle strength in healthy participants. The effect on balance, range of motion and edema was uncertain and of very low certainty.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
PROSPERO CRD42021243258.
Topics: Humans; Ankle; Lower Extremity; Ankle Joint; Ankle Injuries; Edema
PubMed: 37794344
DOI: 10.1186/s12891-023-06906-9 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2023Tick serine protease inhibitors (serpins) play crucial roles in tick feeding and pathogen transmission. We demonstrate that Ixodes scapularis (Ixs) nymph tick saliva...
Tick serine protease inhibitors (serpins) play crucial roles in tick feeding and pathogen transmission. We demonstrate that Ixodes scapularis (Ixs) nymph tick saliva serpin (S) 41 (IxsS41), secreted by Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb)-infected ticks at high abundance, is involved in regulating tick evasion of host innate immunity and promoting host colonization by Bb. Recombinant (r) proteins were expressed in Pichia pastoris, and substrate hydrolysis assays were used to determine. Ex vivo (complement and hemostasis function related) and in vivo (paw edema and effect on Bb colonization of C3H/HeN mice organs) assays were conducted to validate function. We demonstrate that rIxsS41 inhibits chymase and cathepsin G, pro-inflammatory proteases that are released by mast cells and neutrophils, the first immune cells at the tick feeding site. Importantly, stoichiometry of inhibition analysis revealed that 2.2 and 2.8 molecules of rIxsS41 are needed to 100% inhibit 1 molecule of chymase and cathepsin G, respectively, suggesting that findings here are likely events at the tick feeding site. Furthermore, chymase-mediated paw edema, induced by the mast cell degranulator, compound 48/80 (C48/80), was blocked by rIxsS41. Likewise, rIxsS41 reduced membrane attack complex (MAC) deposition via the alternative and lectin complement activation pathways and dose-dependently protected Bb from complement killing. Additionally, co-inoculating C3H/HeN mice with Bb together with rIxsS41 or with a mixture (rIxsS41 and C48/80). Findings in this study suggest that IxsS41 markedly contributes to tick feeding and host colonization by Bb. Therefore, we conclude that IxsS41 is a potential candidate for an anti-tick vaccine to prevent transmission of the Lyme disease agent.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Ixodes; Borrelia burgdorferi; Chymases; Nymph; Cathepsin G; Saliva; Mice, Inbred C3H; Lyme Disease; Inflammation; Serpins; Complement System Proteins; Edema
PubMed: 37965264
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1253670 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2023Thrombocytopenia, anasarca, myelofibrosis, renal dysfunction, and organomegaly (TAFRO) syndrome is a rare condition with diverse clinical and pathological...
Thrombocytopenia, anasarca, myelofibrosis, renal dysfunction, and organomegaly (TAFRO) syndrome is a rare condition with diverse clinical and pathological characteristics related to multi-organ damage. We report a case of TAFRO syndrome complicated by immune thrombocytopenia with prolonged fever and thrombocytopenia for several weeks. A 61-year-old man was transferred with sepsis caused by Enterococcus faecalis, and developed disseminated intravascular coagulation. Antibiotics treatment was initiated: however, low-grade fever and thrombocytopenia persisted despite the adequate antimicrobial treatment. Systemic edema, pleural effusion, and ascites had developed before hospitalization, and renal and liver function had deteriorated, resulting in progressive multi-organ damage. Prednisolone 40 mg/day was initiated based on the assumption of a condition in which excessive production of inflammatory cytokines would lead to systemic deterioration and fatal organ damage. Subsequently, the fever resolved, and renal function began to normalize. However, thrombocytopenia did not show much recovery trend after Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy and initiation of thrombopoietin receptor agonists. Bone marrow biopsy results showed normal bone marrow with no malignant findings. Alternatively, significant clinical signs met the diagnostic criteria for TAFRO syndrome, and a renal biopsy revealed thrombotic microangiopathy, which is also reasonable for renal involvement in TAFRO syndrome. The use of cyclosporine remarkably corrected the thrombocytopenia. We considered this a case of TAFRO syndrome that developed after sepsis with disseminated intravascular coagulation and performed the differential diagnosis of prolonged thrombocytopenia and excluded it. Although TAFRO syndrome is a unique disease concept, diagnostic criteria may consist of nonspecific elements such as generalized edema, thrombocytopenia, persistent fever, and elevated inflammatory response, and there are many differential conditions to exclude, requiring caution in diagnosing TAFRO syndrome.
Topics: Male; Humans; Infant; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation; Thrombotic Microangiopathies; Fever; Edema; Sepsis
PubMed: 37901232
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1266187