Misdiagnosis of Cerebellar Infarcts and Its Outcome.

Cerebellar infarction, a rare category of stroke, is often misdiagnosed but not given much importance in the available literature. Its presentation overlaps with symptoms of other neurologic, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and systemic conditions and therefore is nonspecific. Early diagnosis and management of cerebellar strokes are of utmost importance as the lack of a proper diagnosis may increase overall morbidity and mortality. Lack of awareness of the warning signs and symptoms, non-specificity of symptoms, absence of neurological deficits, and imaging discrepancies are some of the factors contributing to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment. If symptomatology is considered, it is found that symptoms of posterior circulation stroke were more frequently misdiagnosed compared to anterior circulation. Nausea and vomiting increased the chance further. Some other rare presentations include gastrointestinal symptoms, isolated vertigo, and symptoms of inner ear disease. Overdependence on radiological investigations often masks the significance of clinical examination. Ischemic stroke may appear normal in the initial 48 hours in the computed tomography scan of the brain or bony artefacts may hide the lesion. Permanent disabling deficits can follow a cerebellar stroke and the complications, which include hydrocephalus, brain stem compression, and gait abnormalities, necessitate prompt identification and management. In this review article, we aim at analysing various case reports of cerebellar infarction, the most common presentations that were under-evaluated, and their outcomes, thereby highlighting the importance of proper diagnosis and reporting of cerebellar infarction in the future. A thorough knowledge of the association between various clinical presentations of cerebellar stroke and its misdiagnosis helps clinicians to be more vigilant about the disease.

Treatment of long bone infection by a biodegradable bone cement releasing antibiotics in human.

Repair of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcal (MRSA) chronic osteomyelitis and resulting bone defect is one of the major challenges in orthopaedics. Previous study has shown the effectiveness of antibiotic loaded biodegradable composite bone cement with in vitro tests and in the treatment of experimental osteomyelitis. The cement is composed of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) encapsulated antibiotic-biphasic calcium phosphate granule complex and additive antibiotic powder in gypsum binder. In this study, the cement was studied further to evaluate its in vitro biological properties (cytocompatibility, platelet activation), anti-infective, and bone regenerative potential in comparison to poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) cement and parenteral therapy in 43 patients (age 5-57 years) with chronic MRSA osteomyelitis by analyzing the results of histopathology, radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging, scanning electron microscopy, and serum drug concentrations for 1 year. The composite cement showed superior cytocompatibility and coagulant activity compared to PMMA cement. Moreover, the results of different postoperative clinical and radiological examinations also proved the supremacy of composite cement over the other treatment modalities in terms of success rate, faster sepsis control and bone regeneration. Low serum antibiotic concentrations and normal serum calcium levels indicate that the calcium-rich composite cement is safe for application in human. Therefore, we conclude that the composite bone cement is a promising candidate for the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis.

The Role of 18F-Flortaucipir (AV-1451) in the Diagnosis of Neurodegenerative Disorders.

Tau protein plays a vital role in maintaining the structural and functional integrity of the nervous system; however, hyperphosphorylation or abnormal phosphorylation of tau protein plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative disorders. The development of radioligand such as the 18F-flortaucipir (AV-1451) has provided us with the opportunity to assess the underlying tau pathology in various etiologies of dementia. For the purpose of this article, we aimed to evaluate the utility of 18F-AV-1451 in the differential diagnosis of various neurodegenerative disorders. We used PubMed to look for the latest, peer-reviewed, and informative articles. The scope of discussion included the role of 18F-AV-1451 positron emission tomography (PET) to aid in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and Parkinson's disease with dementia (PDD). We also discussed if the tau burden identified by neuroimaging correlated well with the clinical severity and identified the various challenges of 18F-AV-1451 PET. We concluded that although the role of 18F-AV-1451 seems promising in the neuroimaging of AD, the benefit appears uncertain when it comes to the non-Alzheimer's tauopathies. More research is required to identify the off-target binding sites of 18F-AV-1451 to determine its clinical utility in the future.

Artificial Intelligence and its future potential in lung cancer screening.

Artificial intelligence (AI) simulates intelligent behavior as well as critical thinking comparable to a human being and can be used to analyze and interpret complex medical data. The application of AI in imaging diagnostics reduces the burden of radiologists and increases the sensitivity of lung cancer screening so that the morbidity and mortality associated with lung cancer can be decreased. In this article, we have tried to evaluate the role of artificial intelligence in lung cancer screening, as well as the future potential and efficiency of AI in the classification of nodules. The relevant studies between 2010-2020 were selected from the PubMed database after excluding animal studies and were analyzed for the contribution of AI. Techniques such as deep learning and machine learning allow automatic characterization and classification of nodules with high precision and promise an advanced lung cancer screening method in the future. Even though several combination models with high performance have been proposed, an effectively validated model for routine use still needs to be improvised. Combining the performance of artificial intelligence with a radiologist's expertise offers a successful outcome with higher accuracy. Thus, we can conclude that higher sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of lung cancer screening and classification of nodules is possible through the integration of artificial intelligence and radiology. The validation of models and further research is to be carried out to determine the feasibility of this integration.

Do Menopause and Aging Affect the Onset and Progression of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus?

Rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are autoimmune diseases that are commonly seen in the female population. Rheumatoid arthritis mainly consists of distal symmetrical deforming polyarthritis. SLE patients have immune complexes that damage the organs and systems of the body, and this can present with one or more symptoms including the characteristic malar rash, serositis, lupus nephritis, photosensitivity, and arthritis of large joints. The onset and progression of the diseases are affected by physiological processes that occur in the body such as menopause and aging. The studies used as evidence were found in the PubMed, ScienceDirect, ProQuest, Taylor & Francis Online, Wiley Online Library, Ovid, and Oxford Academic databases. By analyzing these studies, the effects of aging and menopause on rheumatoid arthritis and SLE were revealed. In relation to menopause and aging, it was found that there was a progression of disease in women who had rheumatoid arthritis. However, aging and menopause caused the progression of SLE to decrease in women. An earlier age of onset of menopause was correlated with an increased chance of developing rheumatoid arthritis and SLE. Furthermore, while some studies showed that a later onset of SLE caused an increase in the progression of the disease, other studies showed that a later onset of SLE led to a decrease in the progression of the disease. Due to the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis and SLE in females, we believe that the effects of menopause, age, and other factors on these two diseases should be examined in future studies.

A Review of the Impact of Bariatric Surgery in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in reproductive-age women that causes infertility. Obesity and insulin resistance are closely tied to the pathophysiology of PCOS. Current first-line treatments include lifestyle modifications, hormone modulators, and laparoscopic ovarian drilling, but little attention has been given to bariatric surgery as a viable option. A detailed review of the literature regarding the outcomes of obese women with PCOS after bariatric surgery is necessary. All studies were found in the PubMed database, limited to females and humans, and selected due to relevancy and quantitative data. Bariatric surgery promotes significant weight loss within one year, which is associated with amelioration of insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism, menstrual irregularity, and ovulatory dysfunction. Surgery successfully mediates the regression of PCOS and promotes successful pregnancy. Thus, we recommend the consideration of bariatric surgery as part of the main treatment considerations in obese patients with PCOS. However, more focused and comprehensive research with better study designs are still needed in the future to investigate PCOS and bariatric surgery.

Is Hyperthyroidism a Possible Etiology of Early Onset Dementia?

Dementia, a disabling syndrome of the elderly characterized by the decline in memory and cognition, is increasing in incidence and affects not only the individual but also their family and close ones. Hyperthyroidism can mimic many other diseases and untreated hyperthyroidism can lead to adverse problems of various systems including the heart, bones, muscles, menstrual cycle, and fertility. In this article, we have tried to evaluate the association between hyperthyroidism and dementia, as well as the impact of hyperthyroidism management in the treatment and prevention of dementia. Studies available in the PubMed database have been used, excluding animal studies and including studies of adults above the age of 50. The analysis of studies reveals that thyroid dysfunction can lead to cognitive impairment. It has not been able to prove that hyperthyroidism can lead to an earlier onset of dementia. But subclinical hyperthyroidism, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels below the normal range, and high free thyroxine (T4) levels increase the risk of dementia among the elderly. The possible mechanisms involved in this association have also been discussed. Thus, we concluded that it is essential to detect and manage hyperthyroidism at an earlier stage since hyperthyroidism increases the risk of dementia. The possibility of using antithyroid treatment in euthyroid dementia is yet to be studied extensively.

Influence of Vitamin K on Bone Mineral Density and Osteoporosis.

Vitamin K (VK) has an established biological function in blood coagulation and hemostasis and maintains general health and bone wellbeing. VK supplements have been promoted to treat and prevent many diseases, particularly for decreasing fracture risk in osteoporosis, a chronic condition described by weak bone tissue, and a high fracture risk following minor trauma. It affects older people from different races and ethnicity, mainly postmenopausal women. Many kinds of research emphasize the role of VK in improving bone health and preventing osteoporotic bone fracture, but the findings are mostly inconclusive. In this literature review, PubMed and Google Scholar databases were used as the primary sources to select the relevant studies and review the association between VK and bone health and also, to explore the impact of VK supplementation in osteoporosis management. A majority of studies reported that VK has an essential role in promoting bone health. Although some studies revealed that VK might increase bone mineral density and reduce fracture risk in people with osteoporosis, VK supplements' potential benefits were not sufficiently supported. Thus, more clinical studies are needed to determine the positive effects of VK supplementation in osteoporosis prevention and treatment.

Jargon: A barrier in case history taking? - A cross-sectional survey among dental students and staff.

BACKGROUND: The use of jargon has become very common in the healthcare field, especially in medical/dental records. Although the use of standard medical jargon can be seen as professional, efficient shorthand, a lack of awareness regarding the standard medical abbreviations and incessant and overzealous use of slang among the healthcare professionals can act as a barrier to effective communication and understanding among patients and peers. The aim of this study was to assess the acceptance and use of jargon in case history taking among clinical dental students and dental teaching faculty members of dental colleges in Ernakulam and Idukki districts of Kerala. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was carried out, consisting of 15 questions, to assess the objectives of the study. The study was conducted among clinical dental undergraduate students, house surgeons, postgraduate students and teaching faculty members of five dental colleges in Ernakulam and Idukki districts, Kerala. The results were expressed as a number and percentage of response for each question and Chi-squared test was used for inferential statistical analysis. RESULTS: All the 549 respondents used jargon in case history taking. Approximately 22.4% of the respondents admitted that they always used jargon and 55.8% admitted of using jargon only when there was a lack of time. The majority of the respondents (71.4%) learned the jargon from their colleagues. Approximately 50% of the respondents admitted use of jargon in a history section and about 32% of the respondents in all the sections of case history taking. Approximately 74% were of the opinion that abbreviations should be permitted in case history taking. CONCLUSION: This study showed widespread use of jargon/abbreviations in case history taking among the respondents. There is a lack of knowledge regarding standard medical abbreviations. Although the majority of the respondents were comfortable with the use of jargon, the majority of the postgraduates and faculty members felt the use of jargon should be stopped.

Comparative analysis of endodontic smear layer removal efficacy of 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, 7% maleic acid, and 2% chlorhexidine using scanning electron microscope: An in vitro study.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficiency of different endodontic irrigants in the removal of smear layer through scanning electron microscopic image analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present in vitro study was carried out on 45 single-rooted extracted human mandibular premolar teeth with single canal and complete root formation. Teeth were randomly assigned to three groups with 15 teeth in each group. Group I samples were irrigated with 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic (EDTA) irrigation, Group II with 7% maleic acid irrigation, and Group III with 2% chlorhexidine irrigation. Scanning electron microscope evaluation was done for the assessment of smear layer removal in the coronal, middle, and apical thirds. Comparison of the smear layer removal between the three different groups was done by Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by Mann-Whitney U test for comparing individual groups. A P value less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: Statistically significant difference was seen between the two test groups (17% EDTA vs. 7% maleic acid and 17% EDTA vs. 2% chlorhexidine) in smear layer removal at coronal, middle, and apical thirds of the root canal. The most efficient smear layer removal was seen in Group I with 17% EDTA irrigation compared with other groups (P < 0.05) and the least by 2% chlorhexidine. CONCLUSION: The present study shows that 17% EDTA efficiently removes the smear layer from root canal walls.

A novel, multi-barrier, drug eluting calcium sulfate/biphasic calcium phosphate biodegradable composite bone cement for treatment of experimental MRSA osteomyelitis in rabbit model.

This article discloses the development of an effective and versatile technology to prepare a novel antibiotics-loaded biodegradable composite bone cement to treat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcal (MRSA) osteomyelitis and reports its detail in vitro characterization, drug loading efficiency, physico-mechanical properties, drug elution in simulated body fluid (SBF) and human plasma, merits and demerits over poly-methyl methacrylate (PMMA) cement. Chronic osteomyelitis in rabbit tibia (42) was induced by MRSA and composite cement was implanted to evaluate its safety and efficacy over PMMA cement and parenteral treated animals with histopathology, radiographs, bone/plasma drugs concentration, and SEM for 90days. The composite cement showed higher setting time, degradability, pH rise, injectability, in vitro drug elution but lesser mechanical strength than PMMA cement. Antibiotics release from cement beads was faster in SBF than plasma. Further, in vivo antibiotics elution from composite (42days) showed effective concentration against MRSA without eliciting drug-toxicity. Platelets activation by composite was an extraordinary feature. The in vivo studies also proved the superiority of composite cement than other treatment methods in terms of faster infection control and osteosynthesis. Based particularly on drug elution and in vivo results, this newly developed cement can successfully be used in clinical cases of chronic osteomyelitis.