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Background: Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) infections can progress to severe respiratory complications, necessitating intensive care treatment. Recent post COVID-19 pandemic surges underscore the need for timely diagnosis, given potential diagnostic method limitations. Methods: A retrospective case series analysis was conducted on M. pneumonia PCR-positive patients admitted to two Dutch secondary hospitals' ICUs between January 2023 and February 2024. Clinical presentations, treatments, outcomes, and mechanical ventilation data were assessed. Results: Seventeen ICU-admitted patients were identified, with a median age of 44 years, primarily due to hypoxia. Non-invasive ventilation was effective for most, while five required invasive mechanical ventilation. None of the patients required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. No fatalities occurred. Post-PCR, treatment was adjusted to doxycycline or azithromycin; seven received steroid treatment. Discussion: Increased ICU admissions for M. pneumoniae infection were observed. Diverse clinical and radiological findings emphasize heightened clinical awareness. Early molecular diagnostics and tailored antibiotic regimens are crucial since beta-lactam antibiotics are ineffective. Conclusion: This study highlights the escalating challenge of severe M. pneumoniae infections in ICUs, necessitating a multifaceted approach involving accurate diagnostics, vigilant monitoring, and adaptable treatment strategies for optimal patient outcomes.
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Backyard chickens are increasingly popular, and their husbandry varies widely. How backyard chickens are housed may influence the accessibility of chicken feed and water to wild birds, and thus, the contact rates between both groups. Increased contacts have implications for pathogen transmission; for instance, Newcastle disease virus or avian influenza virus may be transmitted to and from backyard chickens from contaminated water or feed. Given this potentially increased pathogen risk to wild birds and backyard chickens, we examined which wild bird species are likely to encounter backyard chickens and their resources. We performed a supplemental feeding experiment followed by observations at three sites associated with backyard chickens in North Georgia, USA. At each site, we identified the species of wild birds that: (a) shared habitat with the chickens, (b) had a higher frequency of detection relative to other species and (c) encountered the coops. We identified 14 wild bird species that entered the coops to consume supplemental feed and were considered high-risk for pathogen transmission. Our results provide evidence that contact between wild birds and backyard chickens is frequent and more common than previously believed, which has crucial epidemiological implications for wildlife managers and backyard chicken owners.
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Influenza Aviária , Doenças das Aves Domésticas , Animais , Animais Selvagens , Galinhas , Georgia/epidemiologia , ÁguaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Burn scar contractures limit range of motion (ROM) of joints and have substantial impact on disability and the quality of life (QoL) of patients, particularly in a Low- and Middle-Income Country (LMIC) setting. Studies on the long-term outcome are lacking globally; this study describes the long-term impact of contracture release surgery performed in an LMIC. METHODS: This is a pre-post cohort study, conducted in a referral hospital in Tanzania. Patients who underwent burn scar contracture release surgery in 2017-2018 were eligible. ROM (goniometry), disability (WHODAS 2.0) and QoL (EQ-5D) were assessed. The ROM data were compared to the ROM that is required to perform activities of daily living without compensation, i.e. functional ROM. Assessments were performed preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: In total, 44 patients underwent surgery on 115 affected joints. At 12 months, the follow-up rate was 86%. The mean preoperative ROM was 37.3% of functional ROM (SD 31.2). This improved up to 108.7% at 12 months postoperatively (SD 42.0, p < 0.001). Disability-free survival improved from 55% preoperatively to 97% at 12 months (p < 0.001) postoperatively. QoL improved from 0.69 preoperatively, to 0.93 (max 1.0) at 12 months postoperatively (p < 0.001). Patients who regained functional ROM in all affected joints reported significantly less disability (p < 0.001) and higher QoL (p < 0.001) compared to patients without functional ROM. CONCLUSIONS: Contracture release surgery performed in an LMIC significantly improved functional ROM, disability and QoL. Results showed that regaining a functional joint is associated with less disability and higher QoL.
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Queimaduras , Cicatriz , Contratura , Amplitude de Movimento Articular , Atividades Cotidianas , Queimaduras/complicações , Queimaduras/cirurgia , Cicatriz/etiologia , Cicatriz/cirurgia , Estudos de Coortes , Contratura/etiologia , Contratura/cirurgia , Seguimentos , Humanos , Qualidade de Vida , Tanzânia/epidemiologiaRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: The long-term outcome of "very old intensive care unit patients" (VOPs; ≥ 80 years) is often disappointing. Little is known about the healthcare costs of these VOPs in comparison to younger ICU patients and the very elderly in the general population not admitted to the ICU. METHODS: Data from a national health insurance claims database and a national quality registry for ICUs were combined. Costs of VOPs admitted to the ICU in 2013 were compared with costs of younger ICU patients (two groups, respectively 18-65 and 65-80 years old) and a matched control group of very elderly subjects who were not admitted to the ICU. We compared median costs and median costs per day alive in the year before ICU admission (2012), the year of ICU admission (2013) and the year after ICU admission (2014). RESULTS: A total of 9272 VOPs were included and compared to three equally sized study groups. Median costs for VOPs in 2012, 2013 and 2014 (5944, 35,653 and 12,565) are higher compared to the ICU 18-65 population (3022, 30,223 and 5052, all p < 0.001) and the very elderly control population (3590, 4238 and 4723, all p < 0.001). Compared to the ICU 65-80 population, costs of VOPs are higher in the year before and after ICU admission (4323 and 6750, both p < 0.001), but not in the year of ICU admission (34,448, p = 0.950). The median healthcare costs per day alive in the year before, the year of and the year after ICU admission are all higher for VOPs than for the other groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: VOPs required more healthcare resources in the year before, the year of and the year after ICU admission compared to younger ICU patients and the very elderly control population, except compared to the ICU 65-80 population in the year of ICU admission. Healthcare costs per day alive, however, are substantially higher for VOPs than for all other study groups in all three studied years.
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Cuidados Críticos/economia , Custos de Cuidados de Saúde , Adulto , Fatores Etários , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Bases de Dados Factuais , Feminino , Hospitalização/economia , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Países Baixos , Estudos RetrospectivosRESUMO
Synthetic cannabinoids are becoming increasingly popular as substances of abuse. However, in the Netherlands synthetic cannabinoid intoxications are rare. We report a 16-year-old male who became deeply comatose and was admitted to the intensive care unit for invasive mechanical ventilation after a buse of aninitially unknown drug. Routine toxicology screening with an immunoassay only detected tetrahydrocannabinol, but additional tests with liquid chromatography mass spectrometry revealed synthetic cannabinoid use. This case underlines the challenging diagnosis of synthetic cannabinoid intoxications and the severe complications they can produce.
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Canabinoides/toxicidade , Coma/induzido quimicamente , Doenças do Sistema Nervoso/induzido quimicamente , Adolescente , Humanos , Masculino , Países BaixosRESUMO
A young man had severe septic shock with multiorgan failure due to necrotizing fasciitis caused by group A streptococcus after endoscopic repair of a preperitoneal inguinal hernia. He was treated with surgical exploration and antibiotics and resuscitated with fluids, vasopressors, and inotropic agents. He survived this critical illness, but when he woke up from sedation, his vision was lost in both eyes. Ophthalmological evaluation revealed minimal peripapillary retinal hemorrhages without signs of papillary edema. Visually evoked potentials were negative. Magnetic resonance imaging did not show a cause of the visual damage. The patient had bilateral ischemic optic neuropathy diagnosed. Two weeks later, unilateral sudden deafness also developed. The acquired blindness and hearing loss were unchanged after more than 1 year and seem to be permanent, severely disabling this young survivor of septic shock.
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Surdez/etiologia , Neuropatia Óptica Isquêmica/etiologia , Choque Séptico/complicações , Adulto , Seguimentos , Humanos , MasculinoRESUMO
Silver (Ag) coatings have been incorporated into many medical materials due to its ability to eradicate harmful microbes. In this study, glass microspheres (SiO2-Na2O-CaO-Al2O3) were synthesized and employed as substrates to investigate the effect Ag coating has on glass solubility and the subsequent biological effects. Initially, glasses were amorphous with a glass transition point (T(g)) of 605â and microspheres were spherical with a mean particle diameter of 120 µm (±27). The Ag coating was determined to be crystalline in nature and its presence was confirmed using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Ion release determined that Ag-coated (Ag-S) microspheres increased the Na(+) release rate but slightly reduced the Ca(2+) and Si(4+) release compared to an uncoated control (UC-S). Additionally, the Ag-S reduced the pH to just above neutral (7.3-8.5) compared to the UC-S (7.7-9.1). Antibacterial testing determined significant reductions in planktonic Escherichia coli (p = 0.000), Staphylococcus epidermidis (p = 0.000) and Staphylococcus aureus (p = 0.000) growth as a function of the presence of Ag and with respect to maturation (1, 7, and 30 days). Testing for toxicity levels using L929 Fibroblasts determined higher cell viability for the Ag-S at lower concentrations (5 µg/ml); in addition, no significant reduction in cell viability was observed with higher concentrations (15, 30 µg/ml).
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Antibacterianos/química , Materiais Revestidos Biocompatíveis/química , Vidro/química , Prata/química , Antibacterianos/farmacologia , Infecções Bacterianas/prevenção & controle , Linhagem Celular , Materiais Revestidos Biocompatíveis/farmacologia , Escherichia coli/efeitos dos fármacos , Humanos , Microesferas , Prata/farmacologia , Solubilidade , Staphylococcus aureus/efeitos dos fármacos , Staphylococcus epidermidis/efeitos dos fármacos , Difração de Raios XAssuntos
Erros de Diagnóstico , Pneumocystis carinii , Pneumonia por Pneumocystis/diagnóstico por imagem , Pneumoperitônio/diagnóstico por imagem , Síndrome do Desconforto Respiratório/diagnóstico por imagem , Idoso , Feminino , Humanos , Poliangiite Microscópica/complicações , Pneumonia por Pneumocystis/complicações , Radiografia , Síndrome do Desconforto Respiratório/etiologiaRESUMO
The minerals Cu, Mo, and S are essential for metabolic functions related to cattle health and performance. The interaction between Cu, Mo, and S can determine the utilization of each mineral, in particular Cu, by ruminants. A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of dietary Cu, Mo, and S and their interactions on plasma and liver Cu, ADG, and G:F in growing-finishing cattle. Data were collated from 12 published studies. The model with the best fit to data indicated plasma Cu was positively affected by dietary Cu (P < 0.01) and negatively affected by both dietary Mo (P < 0.01) and S (P < 0.01). Another model also indicated that plasma Cu concentration is positively related to Cu:Mo ratio in the diet (P < 0.01). Dietary Cu had a positive effect on liver Cu (P < 0.01), whereas Mo showed a negative effect (P < 0.05), and no effect of dietary S on liver Cu was observed (P > 0.05). Average daily gain was negatively affected by dietary Mo (P < 0.05) and S (P < 0.01) and positively affected by Cu:Mo ratio (P < 0.01), likely because an increased Cu:Mo ratio minimizes the antagonistic effect of Mo on Cu. The feed conversion ratio was negatively affected by Mo (P < 0.05) and S (P < 0.01), whereas effects of the Cu:Mo ratio and dietary Cu were not significant (P > 0.05). The interaction between S and Mo affected (P < 0.01) G:F, which was likely related to a positive response with the proper balance between these minerals. In conclusion, dietary Cu, Mo, and S and the Cu:Mo ratio caused changes in plasma Cu. Only dietary Mo and S led to a negative response in the performance of growing-finishing cattle, whereas the diet Cu:Mo ratio has a linear and quadratic effect on ADG. Nutritionists and producers need to consider with caution the supplementation of growing-finishing cattle diets with Mo and S because of their potentially adverse effects on animal performance. An appropriate Cu:Mo ratio is desirable to minimize the effects of an impaired supply of Mo on Cu metabolism and ADG.
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Bovinos/sangue , Cobre/sangue , Cobre/farmacologia , Fígado/química , Molibdênio/farmacologia , Enxofre/farmacologia , Ração Animal/análise , Fenômenos Fisiológicos da Nutrição Animal , Animais , Composição Corporal/efeitos dos fármacos , Bovinos/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Bovinos/metabolismo , Cobre/química , Dieta/veterinária , Molibdênio/química , Enxofre/química , Aumento de Peso/efeitos dos fármacosAssuntos
Doenças da Túnica Conjuntiva/complicações , Córnea/patologia , Doenças da Córnea/etiologia , Ectrópio/complicações , Edema/complicações , Unidades de Terapia Intensiva , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Túnica Conjuntiva/patologia , Doenças da Túnica Conjuntiva/diagnóstico , Doenças da Córnea/diagnóstico , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Ectrópio/diagnóstico , Edema/diagnóstico , Humanos , MasculinoRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Since 1999, patients with low risk endometrial cancer (EC) as defined by the Mayo criteria have preferably not undergone lymphadenectomy (LND) at our institution. Here we prospectively assess survival, sites of recurrence, morbidity, and cost in this low risk cohort. METHODS: Cause-specific survival (CSS) was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. Complications were graded per the Accordion Classification. Thirty-day cost analyses were expressed in 2010 Medicare dollars. RESULTS: Among 1393 consecutive surgically managed cases, 385 (27.6%) met inclusion criteria, accounting for 34.1% of type I EC. There were 80 LND and 305 non-LND cases. Complications in the first 30 days were significantly more common in the LND cohort (37.5% vs. 19.3%; P<0.001). The prevalence of lymph node metastasis was 0.3% (1/385). Over a median follow-up of 5.4 years only 5 of 31 deaths were due to disease. The 5-year CSS in LND and non-LND cases was 97.3% and 99.0%, respectively (P=0.32). None of the 11 total recurrences occurred in the pelvic or para-aortic nodal areas. Median 30-day cost of care was $15,678 for LND cases compared to $11,028 for non-LND cases (P<0.001). The estimated cost per up-staged low-risk case was $327,866 to $439,990, adding an additional $1,418,189 if all 305 non-LND cases had undergone LND. CONCLUSION: Lymphadenectomy dramatically increases morbidity and cost of care without discernible benefits in low-risk EC as defined by the Mayo criteria. In these low-risk patients, hysterectomy with salpingo-oophorectomy alone is appropriate surgical management and should be standard of care.
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Neoplasias do Endométrio/mortalidade , Neoplasias do Endométrio/cirurgia , Excisão de Linfonodo/economia , Excisão de Linfonodo/mortalidade , Linfonodos/cirurgia , Quimioterapia Adjuvante , Estudos de Coortes , Custos e Análise de Custo , Neoplasias do Endométrio/economia , Neoplasias do Endométrio/terapia , Feminino , Humanos , Excisão de Linfonodo/métodos , Linfonodos/patologia , Metástase Linfática , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Morbidade , Recidiva Local de Neoplasia/patologia , Estadiamento de Neoplasias , Estudos Prospectivos , Radioterapia Adjuvante , Fatores de Risco , Análise de Sobrevida , Estados UnidosRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The measurement of patient preferences on the basis of perceived quality of care in a comparison of two ambulatory health-care centres (medizinisches Versorgungszentrum, MVZ) with traditional ambulatory care consisting of single ambulatory practices was undertaken. The influence of the patients' perceived quality of care on patients' preference for an MVZ or traditional ambulatory care setting was analysed. Determinants of the patients' preference were identified. METHODS: 310 questionnaires were distributed to patients in 2 MVZ. The preference measurement is derived from a comparison of 17 quality items in MVZ and traditional ambulatory care settings. Quality items were derived from the literature. The developed research instrument consists of 17 items on a 7-point Likert scale (1=much better to 7=much worse). T-Tests were used to test if the quality of care in MVZ was rated significantly differently in comparison to traditional ambulatory care. The determinants of the patients' preference were identified using a stepwise multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: 310 questionnaires were handed out and the response rate was 92.3% (n=286). 15 out of 17 quality items were rated in favour of the MVZ. Determinants of the patients' preference were the following (n=286, corrected R (2)=0.29): (1) time doctors take for the patient's treatment, (2) medical competence of doctors, (3) counselling regarding preventive examinations (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The judgment in favour of the ambulatory health-care centres (MVZ) could be explained by organisational structures typical of these centres, e. g., the increased information sharing and cooperation amongst doctors. The identified determinants of the patients' "preference" indicate a practical approach for attaining a preference position in the health market, both for medical care centres as well as for single medical practices.
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Instituições de Assistência Ambulatorial , Medicina de Família e Comunidade , Programas Nacionais de Saúde , Preferência do Paciente , Qualidade da Assistência à Saúde , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Competência Clínica , Comportamento Cooperativo , Feminino , Alemanha , Pesquisa sobre Serviços de Saúde , Humanos , Comunicação Interdisciplinar , Masculino , Programas de Rastreamento , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Educação de Pacientes como Assunto , Relações Médico-Paciente , Inquéritos e Questionários , Adulto JovemRESUMO
To investigate the role of cytoskeletal components in canine distemper virus (CDV) replication, various agents were used that interfere with turnover of actin filaments and microtubules. Only inhibition of actin filaments significantly reduced viral infectivity. Analysis of the intracellular localization of the viral matrix (M) protein revealed that it aligned along actin filaments. Treatment with actin filament-disrupting drugs led to a marked intracellular redistribution of M protein during infection as well as transfection. In contrast, the localization of the CDV fusion (F) protein was not significantly changed during transfection. Thus, a M protein-actin filament interaction appears to be important for generation of infectious CDV.
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Citoesqueleto de Actina/virologia , Vírus da Cinomose Canina/metabolismo , Cinomose/virologia , Proteínas da Matriz Viral/metabolismo , Citoesqueleto de Actina/metabolismo , Animais , Cinomose/metabolismo , Vírus da Cinomose Canina/genética , Cães , Ligação Proteica , Transporte Proteico , Proteínas da Matriz Viral/genéticaRESUMO
Grb7 is an adaptor molecule that can mediate signal transduction from multiple cell surface receptors to various downstream signaling pathways. Grb7, along with Grb10 and Grb14, make up the Grb7 protein family. This protein family has been shown to be overexpressed in certain cancers and cancer cell lines. Grb7 and a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK), erbB2, are overexpressed in 20-30% of breast cancers. Grb7 overexpression has been linked to enhanced cell migration and metastasis, though the participants in these pathways have not been determined. In this study, we report that Grb7 interacts with four and half lim domains isoform 2 (FHL2), a transcription regulator with an important role in oncogenesis, including breast cancer. Additionally, in yeast 2-hybrid (Y2H) assays, we show that the interaction is specific to the Grb7 RA and PH domains. We have also demonstrated that full-length (FL) Grb7 and FHL2 interact in mammalian cells and that Grb7 must be tyrosine phosphorylated for this interaction to occur. Immunofluorescent microscopy demonstrates possible co-localization of Grb7 and FHL2. A model with supporting NMR evidence of Grb7 autoinhibition is proposed.
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Movimento Celular/fisiologia , Proteína Adaptadora GRB7/metabolismo , Proteínas de Homeodomínio/metabolismo , Proteínas Musculares/metabolismo , Fatores de Transcrição/metabolismo , Transcrição Gênica , Sítios de Ligação , Western Blotting , Imunofluorescência , Proteína Adaptadora GRB7/genética , Células HeLa , Proteínas de Homeodomínio/genética , Humanos , Imunoprecipitação , Proteínas com Homeodomínio LIM , Modelos Moleculares , Proteínas Musculares/genética , Mutagênese Sítio-Dirigida , Ressonância Magnética Nuclear Biomolecular , Fosforilação , Ligação Proteica , Conformação Proteica , Mapeamento de Interação de Proteínas , Fatores de Transcrição/genética , Técnicas do Sistema de Duplo-Híbrido , Tirosina/metabolismoRESUMO
Blood samples from sheep and/or goats from eight small ruminant flocks in the Turkish provinces of Aydin and Burdur were tested for the presence of Pestiviruses using an antigen-capture ELISA. From clinically affected animals, pathological and immunohistochemical findings were recorded. Post mortem examination of a virus-positive lamb showing abnormal fleece and paralysis of the hind legs revealed nonsuppurative meningoencephalomyelitis with hypomyelinogenesis. By immunohistochemistry Pestivirus antigen was detected in all parts of the brain including cerebellum, cerebral hemispheres and midbrain. Two Pestivirus isolates from a sheep and a goat kid, respectively, were isolated from samples that were positive in the antigen-capture ELISA. Genetic typing using the 5'-NTR (288bp) and N(pro) (738bp) showed that both were Border disease virus (BDV) isolates. By phylogenetic analysis, they formed a cluster clearly separated from the known clusters BDV-1 to BDV-6 and might therefore represent a new subgroup (BDV-7?). This is the first report confirming the occurrence and partial characterisation of BDV infection in small ruminants in Turkey.