Pulmonary Embolism During Pregnancy: An Updated Review With Case Series Description.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a potentially life-threatening condition that can occur during pregnancy and pose a significant risk to the mother and the developing fetus. It is a major contributor to pregnancy-related morbidity and mortality in any trimester. It is estimated that the incidence of PE during pregnancy is approximately 1 in 1000 pregnancies. The mortality rate for pregnant women with PE is about 3%, significantly higher than that for nonpregnant women with PE. Overall, the topic of PE and pregnancy is essential for healthcare professionals to be aware of the risks, signs, and treatment options to improve outcomes and ensure the best possible care for both the mother and the developing fetus. To prevent the fatal condition, the physician is encouraged when there is a suspicion of the pathology. This report presents an updated comprehensive review of PE during pregnancy, discussing critical aspects of the clinical and imaging diagnosis, use of heparin, thrombolysis, and prevention. We believe this article will be helpful for cardiologists, obstetricians, and other health-related professionals.

Immune Response to Natural and Experimental Infection of Panulirus argus Virus 1 (PaV1) in Juveniles of Caribbean Spiny Lobster.

Experimental infections have been used to better comprehend the immune system of organisms, and to probe for additives that generate greater resistance and help reduce antibiotic use in aquaculture. We compared the immune response of juveniles of the Caribbean spiny lobster, Panulirus argus, infected naturally with Panulirus argus virus 1 (PaV1) versus organisms infected experimentally, to determine the analogy between both infectious processes. The immunological response was measured by hemagglutination activity, hemocyte count, and total phenoloxidase activity in plasma and hemocytes in 211 individuals that were either naturally infected (110), or had been injected with viral inoculum and followed for six months (101). The samples were classified into the following four groups according to the severity of the infection: 0, uninfected; 1, lightly; 2, moderately; and 3, severely infected), which was determined on the basis of PCR and histological criteria. A permutational MANOVA showed that both the origin (natural and experimental), and the severity of the infection contributed significantly to explain the variation in the immune response of lobsters. The lack of significance of the interaction term indicated that the immunological response changed with the severity of the infection in a similar way, regardless of its origin. The results of the present study suggest that the experimental viral infection of PaV1 produces a defense response similar to the natural pathways of contagion, and provides the bases to validate an immunological challenge protocol for the first time in crustaceans. The discussion includes the perspective of the conceptual models of immune response within an ecological context.

Right Heart Catheterization (RHC): A Comprehensive Review of Provocation Tests and Hepatic Hemodynamics in Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension (PH).

The classic definition of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) of 20 mmHg. The gold standard for assessing pulmonary hemodynamics is right heart catheterization (RHC), which is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of PH. In some instances, RHC evaluates the degree of hemodynamic dysfunction and performs vasoreactivity tests. Measurement of the hepatic venous pressure gradient remains the gold standard diagnostic for identifying portal hypertension. This review aims to describe the procedure of RHC and the hemodynamic measurement in patients with PAH and Portopulmonary hypertension (PoPH). The RHC remains the gold standard for diagnosing PAH and PoPH.

Immune gene expression and antioxidant response to vitamin E enriched diets for males Litopenaeus vannamei breeder (Boone, 1931).

The is aim of this study was to evaluate if vitamin E supplementation to diet could improve the spermatic quantity and quality in males of Litopenaeus vannamei. A basal diet with 171.5 mg/kg (included in commercial vitamin premix) and experimental diets with 3 concentrations of vitamin E: 620 (diet A), 1069 (diet B) and 1517 (diet C) mg/kg were tested by 30 days. 500 L tanks were set up for each treatment, and seven males were set in each tank. Circulant cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), glucose, total protein was measured. Sperm quantity and quality were classified as normal, abnormal, or dead. In reproductive tract was measured the activity and differential expression lipid soluble antioxidant system (LSAS) and of immune genes system. The higher sperm quantity was obtained in A diet and decreased in shrimp fed B and C diets (p < 0.05). Males fed diets B and C presented a higher activity and relative expression of lipid system oy suggesting oxidative stress. A significant increment of prophenol oxidase (proFo) and α-2-macroglobulin (α-2 M) transcripts were observed in males fed C diet (p < 0.05). All these variables were present in males with low sperm amount and low hemocyanin gene expression (p < 0.05). Therefore, diet A supplemented with 620 mg/kg vitamin E could benefit males L. vannamei broodstock, taking a count the sperm quantity and all the lipid and immune genes response.

Treating non-specific chronic low back pain through the Pilates Method.

The goal of this study is to review and analyze scientific articles where the Pilates Method was used as treatment for non-specific chronic low back pain (CLBP). Articles were searched using the Medline, EMBASE, PEDro, CINAHL, and SPORTDICUS databases. The criteria used for inclusion were randomized controlled trials (RCT) and clinical controlled trials (CCT) published in English where therapeutic treatment was based on the Pilates Method. The analysis was carried out by two independent reviewers using the PEDro and Jadad Scales. Two RCTs and one CCT were selected for a retrospective analysis. The results of the studies analyzed all demonstrate positive effects, such as improved general function and reduction in pain when applying the Pilates Method in treating non-specific CLBP in adults. However, further research is required to determine which specific parameters are to be applied when prescribing exercises based on the Pilates Method with patients suffering from non-specific CLBP. Finally, we believe that more studies must be carried out where the samples are more widespread so as to give a larger representation and more reliable results.

[Nasal cavity angiosarcoma: a case report and literature review]. / Angiosarcoma de cavidad nasal: informe de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

Sarcomas constitute 5% of all of head and neck neoplasms. Angiosarcomas comprise 2% of all soft tissue tumors, 60% appear in skin and soft tissue, 50% in the head and neck and only 4% are present in the upper aerodigestive tract. We report a case of a 52 year old healthy woman with headache, weeping, foreign body sensation in the left nostril and epixtasis. The TAC identified a tumor in the left nostril that invaded the osseous lamina of the skull. The histopathologic diagnosis was angiosarcoma. We carried out a literature review and analysis from 1976 to 2004. Agiosarcomas of the upper aerodigestive tract have a better prognosis and long term survival free of disease than their soft tissue and skin counterparts. Recurrence is strongly correlated with positive resection margins. Complete surgery and radiotherapy are considered the optimal treatment schemes.

Angiosarcoma de cavidad nasal: informe de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Nasal cavity angiosarcoma: a case report and literature review

Los sarcomas de la cabeza y cuello son raros sólo 5% de todos los sarcomas aparecen en esta región. El angiosarcoma es una neoplasia que representa 2% de todos los tumores de tejidos blandos, 60% ocurren en la piel y tejidos blandos, 50% en la región de la cabeza y cuello y entre estos últimos sólo 4% de los casos en el tracto aereodigestivo superior. Se informa el caso de una mujer de 52 años con cefalea, lagrimeo, sensación de cuerpo extraño en fosa nasal izquierda y epistaxis. En la TAC se identificó un tumor en fosa nasal izquierda que invadía hasta la lámina ósea del cráneo. El informe histopatológico fue de angiosarcoma. Se revisaron y analizaron los casos informados en la literatura desde el año 1976 al 2004. Se concluye que los angiosarcomas del tracto aereodigestivo superior tienen un mejor pronóstico con mayor supervivencia sin enfermedad, en comparación a los de la piel o tejidos blandos. La recurrencia se relaciona estrechamente con la positividad de los márgenes quirúrgicos. El tratamiento es a base de la resección quirúrgica completa con radioterapia.

Sarcomas constitute 5% of all of head and neck neoplasms. Angiosarcomas comprise 2% of all soft tissue tumors, 60% appear in skin and soft tissue, 50% in the head and neck and only 4% are present in the upper aerodigestive tract. We report a case of a 52 year old healthy woman with headache, weeping, foreign body sensation in the left nostril and epixtasis. The TAC identified a tumor in the left nostril that invaded the osseous lamina of the skull. The histopathologic diagnosis was angiosarcoma. We carried out a literature review and analysis from 1976 to 2004. Agiosarcomas of the upper aerodigestive tract have a better prognosis and long term survival free of disease than their soft tissue and skin counterparts. Recurrence is strongly correlated with positive resection margins. Complete surgery and radiotherapy are considered the optimal treatment schemes.