Bentzenlocklear1912
Maternal and neonatal tetanus* (MNT) remains a major public health problem, with an 80%-100% case-fatality rate among neonates, especially in areas with poor immunization coverage and limited access to clean deliveries (i.e., delivery in a health facility or assisted by medically trained attendants in sanitary conditions) and umbilical cord care (1). In 1989, the World Health Assembly endorsed the elimination† of neonatal tetanus (NT), and in 1999, the initiative was relaunched and renamed the MNT elimination§ initiative, targeting 59¶ priority countries (1). Elimination strategies include 1) achieving ≥80% coverage with ≥2 doses of tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine (TTCV) among women of reproductive age through routine immunization of pregnant women and supplementary immunization activities (SIAs)** in high-risk areas and districts††; 2) achieving care at ≥70% of deliveries by a skilled birth attendant (SBA)§§; and 3) enhancing surveillance for NT cases (1). This report summarizes progress toward achieving Morld Health Organization (WHO) (2). In addition, integration of maternal, newborn, and child health services with vaccination services is needed, as well as innovative approaches to target hard-to-reach areas for tetanus vaccination and community engagement to strengthen surveillance.BACKGROUND Solid pseudopapillary tumor (SPT) is a rare disease with low-grade malignancy potential of the pancreas. SPT accounts from 0.13% to 2.7% of all exocrine pancreatic tumors. We report an unusual case with a large solid pseudopapillary tumor that was diagnosed and treated in our pediatric hospital. CASE REPORT A 15-year-old girl was incidentally found to have an abdominal mass on ultrasound examination. Computed tomography (CT) scans showed a well-defined tumor that was raised in part of the tail and body of the pancreas. The tumor size at greatest diameter was 18.2 cm. A mass excision was performed to remove the whole tumor, and the histopathological findings confirmed SPT without evidence of malignancy. CONCLUSIONS SPT is a rare disease that mostly affects young female patients. The clinical symptoms of this disease are unspecific. The prognosis of SPT is good, even in case of distant metastasis. Close follow-up is required to detect metastasis so the appropriate treatment method can be chosen.BACKGROUND Although various antihypertensive medications are available, some hypertensive patients have uncontrolled blood pressures, especially in the clinic. The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacies of various antihypertensive therapies in our hypertension (HTN) clinic (monotherapy vs. combination therapy, fixed-dose combination (FDC) versus free equivalent combination (FEC), and diuretics versus non-diuretics. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this retrospective study, patients at the HTN clinic of the Third Xiangya Hospital with primary hypertension were enrolled from June 2016 to February 2017. Data on participants' basic characteristics, blood pressure data, and treatment modalities were collected. The proportions of participants attaining target blood pressure after treatment with antihypertensive modalities were calculated and compared. SCH772984 ERK inhibitor RESULTS Among 1900 participants, combination therapy had a better control efficacy than monotherapy (P less then 0.0005). When HTN was treated by 2 kinds of drugs, FEC was used much more frequently than FDC (P less then 0.0005). In grade 3 HTN, FDC had a higher control rate (P=0.002). If more than 2 kinds of drugs were used, FDC+OTHER had a slightly higher control rate in grade 2 and 3 (42.1% vs. 38.5%, P=0.724; 36.2% vs. 31.0%, P=0.526, respectively). Therapies with diuretics had better control rates than those without diuretics (43.1% vs. 36.9%, P=0.025). CONCLUSIONS In our clinic, FEC was prescribed more often than FDC. When blood pressure is significantly elevated, especially at levels 2 or 3, FDC seems to have a better control rate than FEC. Therapies with diuretics controlled HTN more efficiently.Non-pharmacological methods such as music therapy and psychotherapy are increasingly used in psychiatry and somatic medicine as adjuvant therapies. This trend is due to the crisis of scientific knowledge, the development of postmodern philosophy and the existential confusion of the man. Also, shifting the treatment from hospitals to the social environment of the patient creates an area and provides an opportunity for non-pharmacological methods of therapy. Unlike pharmacological therapy, the effectiveness of psychotherapy and music therapy in particular has not been extensively investigated. This is due both to the lack of financial resources to be assigned for such studies and to the impossibility to evaluate the effectiveness of these therapies using the double-blind method. The lack of strong evidence of the effectiveness of nonpharmacological therapies often results in the omission of these methods in the treatment and the risk of application of ineffective or harmful methods. Only cognitive behavioral thapy in the social environment of the patient away from the excessive number of medical procedures. © 2020 MEDPRESS.Eating disorders are characterized by eating and appetite disorders, which develop on a mental basis. Currently, there is a rapid increase in the frequency of these disorders, especially among children and adolescents. Eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and EDNOS, which include a dozen or so disorders, but this group is still expanding. Eating disorders are characterized by the highest mortality rate among all mental illnesses. They mainly affect adolescents and young adults as well as the female sex, however, there are more and more cases among men and people from other age groups. Anorexia nervosa is the conscious reduction of food intake in order to reduce body weight. In this disorder there is abnormal body image, underweight and fear of weight gain. According to the American Psychiatric Association, there are two types of anorexia nervosa - restrictive (limiting) and bulimic (laxative). Bulimia nervosa is characterized by abnormal food intake (overeating) and co-occurrence of compensatory methods aimed at limiting the absorption of consumed food. These methods include provoking vomiting, excessive physical effort, taking diuretics and laxatives. Among the eating disorders we also distinguish eating disorders not defined otherwise (EDNOS). This is a group of diseases in which pathological eating behaviour occurs, but they do not meet the diagnostic criteria of anorexia or bulimia. The diagnosis of eating disorders is difficult not only because of the lack of specialists dealing with this subject, but also because of the lack of public awareness of these diseases. That is why it is so important to educate both medical staff and the general public about eating disorders. © 2020 MEDPRESS.Reactive oxygen species are molecules capable of independent existence, containing at least one oxygen atom and one or more unpaired electrons. Excessive formation of these molecules leads to oxidative stress. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in substances with antioxidant properties, reducing or preventing the harmful effects of free radicals. The compounds involved in antioxidant defence include endogenous and exogenous antioxidants, protecting body cells against the negative effects of oxygen radicals. The most important small-molecule non-enzymatic compounds found in food include ascorbic acid, retinol, β-carotene, tocopherol and polyphenolic compounds. Products of plant origin may provide a valuable source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties. It is believed that a diet rich in antioxidants may reduce the risk of developing several nutrition-related conditions as well as delay the ageing process. The aim of this review was to elucidate this topic and the state of the art about the role of plant orgin substances in counteraction of free radical reactions in human body. © 2020 MEDPRESS.Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are molecules capable of independent existence, containing at least one oxygen atom and one or more unpaired electrons. This group includes oxygen free radicals, e.g. superoxide anion radical, hydroxyl radical, hydroperoxyl radical, singlet oxygen, as well as free nitrogen radicals. Under physiological conditions, small quantities of ROS are formed during cell processes, such as aerobic respiration or inflammatory processes, mainly in hepatocytes and macrophages. Reactive oxygen species are primarily signalling molecules. In addition, they induce cell differentiation and apoptosis, thus contributing to the natural ageing process. They also participate in muscle contractions, regulation of vascular tone, and determine bactericidal and bacteriostatic activity. Increased production of free radicals is caused by excessive exposure to UV radiation, long-term stress conditions, intense physical exercise, improper diet and use of stimulants. Under physiological conditions, there is a balance between the generation and removal of free radicals from the body. The aim of the article was to review the current state of knowledge regarding oxidative stress, free radical function and free radical diseases. The search was performed using search engines such as PubMed and Google Scholar. The keywords used in the search included oxygen radicals, oxidative stress, free radical-related diseases. Excessive formation of free radicals contributes to oxidative stress, causing damage at the molecular and cellular level. Reactive oxygen species in vitro cause chemical modifications as well as damaging effects to proteins (aggregation, denaturation), lipids (peroxidation), carbohydrates and nucleotides (changes in the DNA structure). These changes contribute to the development of many free radical-mediated diseases. Oxidative stress has a particularly adverse effect on the circulatory, respiratory and nervous systems. © 2020 MEDPRESS.Lactoferrin is a multipotent protein that belongs to the transferrin family. It was first isolated from cow's milk in 1939. In the 1960s, it was also found in breast milk. In the human body, lactoferrin can also be found in other body fluids, e.g., saliva, tears, and vaginal discharge. Its biological activity depends on receptors present on the membrane surface of many cells, such as neutrophils, hepatocytes, and intestinal epithelial cells. Lactoferrin can bind iron. Because of this property, it also has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal activity. Its antiinflammatory and anticancer activity has also been confirmed. Recent studies have demonstrated that lactoferrin might have a beneficial effect in the prevention and treatment of obesity-related metabolic abnormalities, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidaemia. It is also worth to notice the potential relationship between polymorphisms in lactoferrin gene, genes for lactoferrin receptors and metabolic abnormalities in obese subjects. © 2020 MEDPRESS.According to the Situation Report 65 of the World Health Organization of March 25, 2020, the COVID-19 incidence rate indicates 413 467 confirmed cases and 18 433 deaths. Genetic diversification of the Corona virus has resulted in strains that cause severe respiratory tract infections in humans via drip and animal mediation. S-proteins covering its surface, which bind to the cell receptor - angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) and transmembrane serine protease (TMPRSS2) are important in shaping virus activity. The course of infection varies from mild to severe. The ability to control infection is limited because there are no drugs that fully inhibit 2019-nCoV. Interferon-alpha (5 million U twice daily by inhalation), lopinavir/ritonavir (400/100 mg twice daily orally), as well as chloroquine (500 mg twice daily orally for 10 days) and azithromycin (500 mg twice per day) cause a milder course of the disease and reduce the duration of treatment. The administration of glucocorticosteroids and research drugs (tocilizumab) is acceptable for massive infiltrative lesions in the pulmonary parenchyma causing severe lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).