Dexmedetomidine administration as a possible cognitive enhancer through increasing the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factors in surgical patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in individuals undergoing various medical procedures. We systematically searched electronic databases and manually identified relevant articles to assess the impact of dexmedetomidine on BDNF levels in surgical patients. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science databases with no language restrictions. Studies that examined the effects of dexmedetomidine administration on BDNF levels in surgical patients were included. RESULTS: The overall analysis revealed a statistically significant increase in BDNF levels in individuals receiving dexmedetomidine compared to controls (Standardized Mean Difference SMD = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.02 to 2.28; I2: 89%). Subgroup analyses based on the anesthesia method (p < 0.01), and the type of surgery (p < 0.01) showed significant between-group differences (Fig. 3). The results of the sensitivity analyses indicated that individual studies did not significantly affect the overall results. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis indicates that dexmedetomidine administration is associated with a significant increase in BDNF levels in individuals undergoing surgical procedures. These findings highlight the potential role of dexmedetomidine in modulating BDNF levels, which may have implications for optimizing perioperative neuroprotective strategies and improving patient outcomes.

Serum cystatin C and inflammatory factors related to COVID-19 consequences.

BACKGROUND: Besides impaired respiratory function and immune system, COVID-19 can affect renal function from elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) or serum creatinine (sCr) levels to acute kidney injury (AKI) and renal failure. This study aims to investigate the relationship between Cystatin C and other inflammatory factors with the consequences of COVID-19. METHODS: A total of 125 patients with confirmed Covid-19 pneumonia were recruited in this cross-sectional study from March 2021 to May 2022 at Firoozgar educational hospital in Tehran, Iran. Lymphopenia was an absolute lymphocyte count of less than 1.5 × 109/L. AKI was identified as elevated serum Cr concentration or reduced urine output. Pulmonary consequences were evaluated. Mortality was recorded in the hospital one and three months after discharge. The effect of baseline biochemical and inflammatory factors on odds of death was examined. SPSS, version 26, was used for all analyses. P-vale less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The highest amount of co-morbidities was attributed to COPD (31%; n = 39), dyslipidemia and hypertension (27%; n = 34 for each) and diabetes (25%; n = 31). The mean baseline cystatin C level was 1.42 ± 0.93 mg/L, baseline creatinine was 1.38 ± 0.86 mg/L, and baseline NLR was 6.17 ± 4.50. Baseline cystatin C level had a direct and highly significant linear relationship with baseline creatinine level of patients (P < 0.001; r: 0.926). ). The average score of the severity of lung involvement was 31.42 ± 10.80. There is a direct and highly significant linear relationship between baseline cystatin C level and lung involvement severity score (r = 0.890, P < 0.001). Cystatin C has a higher diagnostic power in predicting the severity of lung involvement (B = 3.88 ± 1.74, p = 0.026). The mean baseline cystatin C level in patients with AKI was 2.41 ± 1.43 mg/L and significantly higher than patients without AKI (P > 0.001). 34.4% (n = 43) of patients expired in the hospital, and the mean baseline cystatin C level of this group of patients was 1.58 ± 0.90 mg/L which was significantly higher than other patients (1.35 ± 0.94 mg/L, P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: cystatin C and other inflammatory factors such as ferritin, LDH and CRP can help the physician predict the consequences of COVID-19. Timely diagnosis of these factors can help reduce the complications of COVID-19 and better treat this disease. More studies on the consequences of COVID-19 and knowing the related factors will help treat the disease as well as possible.

Digital gangrene: can be the first manifestation of essential thrombocythemia? a case report.

Introduction and importance: Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is a rare chronic myeloproliferative hematologic disorder, leading to an elevated platelet count. Two-thirds of patients are asymptomatic during their lifetime, while others may experience symptoms like redness, congestion, and erythromelalgia after long symptom-free intervals. Case presentation: The authors present a rare instance of a 55-year-old female who, despite receiving aspirin and losartan treatment, eventually developed digital gangrene. In further work-ups, she had an elevated platelet count and a positive JAK 2 mutation. Her platelet count was reduced throughout treatment with aspirin, hydroxyurea, and heparin, which was followed by the necrotic tip of her index finger being surgically debrided. Clinical discussion: Significant symptoms, such as severe acrocyanosis and even peripheral gangrene, can be treated with a single dose of aspirin. Daily aspirin consumption withstanding, this case developed the severe form of ET. In addition, while thrombocytosis predisposes patients to thrombotic complications in theory, there is little evidence to support a correlation between absolute platelet count and thrombosis. Conclusion: The initial symptom of ET could be such severe and uncommon that may develop arterial acral thrombosis despite previous daily low-dose aspirin consumption.

Surgical management of catastrophic caustic ingestion in acute phase: A case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Caustic ingestion almost occurs accidentally in children and mostly intentionally in adults. The ingestion of caustic substances can cause various degrees of damage to the gastrointestinal tract. Depending on the severity of the injury, surgery may be a part of the treatment plan. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 32-year-old man was referred to our hospital after swallowing drain cleaner. Due to evidence of peritonitis and endoscopy results, he underwent emergency surgery. During the surgery, necrotic parts, including the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, head of the pancreas, and initial part of the jejunum, were resected. Then, after six months, colon interposition surgery was done to reconstruct the gastrointestinal tract. DISCUSSION: Like trauma patients, managing patients with caustic injuries begins with an initial survey of the airway, breathing, and circulation status. In the first 48 h, early esophagoscopy is indicated to evaluate the amount of injury. Evidence of transmural necrosis or perforation is the most important indication for surgery, and surgical procedures are specific to each patient. Esophagogastrectomy is the most common surgery in cases of severe gastrointestinal injuries, but removing more abdominal organs may be needed in fewer cases. CONCLUSION: This case report underscores the urgent need for further research and the development of evidence-based guidelines in managing caustic injury with extensive necrosis in the gastrointestinal tract. Our experience with this rare case highlights the importance of such guidelines in improving patient outcomes.

A rare case of carotid artery injury during maggot debridement therapy for locally advanced parotid gland carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Maggot debridement therapy (MDT) is a treatment for chronic ulcers that involves using live larvae to debride the wound. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of serious arterial bleeding in the cervical region in a 52-year-old woman who was hospitalized in Iran for a malignant ulcer of the retro-auricular area. The patient was brought to the hospital by Emergency medical service due to severe hemorrhagic shock. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Debridement is a commonly used method for wound management, aimed at reducing the risk of infection and removing ulcer debridement. Several techniques are available for debridement of chronic wounds, including mechanical, surgical, autolytic, and enzymatic methods, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. CONCLUSION: Maggot debridement therapy (MDT) is one of these methods that seem to be relatively safer. In this method, some larvae are used for debriding wounds in patients. It is usually used as a last resort treatment but in this case, it was used as a third line after surgery and chemoradiotherapy.

Potential role of gut microbiota in patients with COVID-19, its relationship with lung axis, central nervous system (CNS) axis, and improvement with probiotic therapy.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic disease caused by a new corona virus. COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. COVID-19 could affect the gastrointestinal system via gut microbiota impairment. Gut microbiota could affect lung health through a relationship between gut and lung microbiota, which is named gut-lung axis. Gut microbiota impairment plays a role in pathogenesis of various pulmonary disease states, so GI diseases were found to be associated with respiratory diseases. Moreover, most infected people will develop mild to moderate gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and stomachache, which is caused by impairment in gut microbiota. Therefore, the current study aimed to review potential role of gut microbiota in patients with COVID-19, its relation with lung axis, Central Nervous System (CNS) axis and improvement with probiotic therapy. Also, this review can be a guide for potential role of gut microbiota in patients with COVID-19.

A case report of largest rectal prolapse in the literature successfully treated with Altemeier's procedure.

Background: The rectal prolapse is defined as the concentric protrusion of full or partial thickness of the rectum or rectosigmoid via the anus. This is an increasing clinical concern that is usually found in old female patients. Cases presentation: A 39-year-old male patient was referred due to an un-reduceable rectal projection from a week ago. The primary endeavor for reduction of the projection under sedation and after local mannitol treatment at the operation room was unsuccessful, so surgical resection and reduction were planned for the patient. Conclusion: Management of rectal prolapse has always been one of the challenges of colorectal surgery. For patients with incarcerated prolapse manual reduction under sedation is used. If the reduction is unsuccessful, surgical procedures are used.

A rare case of abdominal foreign bodies; laparoscopic removal of a sewing needle.

Background: Foreign body (FB) ingestion is a common condition. Mostly FBs are found ingested accidently or intentionally in children and adults with mental status alterations. Depending on the type of object, different complications can occur. There exist numerous methods for removing each specific FB. Fortunately, most FBs tend to move uneventfully through the gastrointestinal tract without any intervention; but managing some foreign objects can be difficult and lead to severe complications. Endoscopy helps with the diagnosis and treatment of these cases, but the time of the management plays an important role. Case presentation: A 26-year-old female who intentionally swallowed two sewing needles, presented to our emergency department with abdominal pain two months after the FB ingestion. One of the sewing needles was spontaneously excreted through the bowel, and the other was present in her body for two months. The FB had penetrated the stomach and migrated to the peritoneal cavity. The patient's condition was managed by laparoscopic removal of the FB and repair of the damaged tissue. According to the traumatic nature of the needle to abdominal viscera, and standing outside the GI tract on the pancreas surface, laparoscopic removal of the foreign metallic body was chosen to be performed. No complication was seen during the postoperative period. Conclusion: This report emphasizes the importance of prompt evaluation of FB patients and finding the appropriate method of managing its complications. Preventing complications requires focusing on symptoms and instant management of the ingested FBs.

Relationship Between Obesity and Liver Enzymes Levels in Turner's Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Liver enzyme abnormalities have been reported in Turner's syndrome (TS). There are some studies about possible causes of abnormal levels of liver enzymes. One of the main suggestions is obesity. The study aimed to determine the relationship between obesity and liver enzymes levels in patients with TS. METHODS: Forty-one karyotype-proven TS patients referred to Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center were included in this cross-sectional study. Height and weight of patients were measured and their body mass index (BMI) was calculated. The patients were divided into two groups as the control group including 27 cases (65.8%) with normal BMI (defined as < 85th percentile for age and gender), and the overweight group including 14 cases (34.2%) (defined as BMI > 85th percentile for age and gender). Serum levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (AlkPh) were measured. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences regarding AST (27 ± 2.7 vs. 29.6 ± 5.85 U/L; P = 0.3), ALT (20.1 ± 2.45 vs. 22.2 ± 5.85 U/L; P = 0.5), and AlkPh (583.4 ± 2.45 vs. 472.8 ± 161.5 U/L; P = 0.28) between overweight TS patients and those with normal BMI. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in liver enzyme levels between TS patients with normal BMI and those who were overweight.