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nts in whom a more precise measurement of the pupil is required or eye opening is not possible (e.g., periorbital edema due to traumatic brain injury).Acute peripheral facial nerve palsy is most frequently idiopathic (Bell's palsy) or virally induced, but can also be due to several other conditions. A rare cause is underlying systemic or autoimmune disease. A 79-year-old man presented with peripheral facial nerve palsy, malaise, and fever. Physical examination revealed tenderness of the left temporal artery and reduced pulsatility. 18F-FDG-PET/CT and biopsy of the temporal artery confirmed the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis (GCA). Prompt institution of corticosteroid therapy produced rapid decrease in inflammatory markers and gradual improvement of the facial nerve palsy. We searched the MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus databases to identify previous reports of peripheral nerve palsy in GCA, other vasculitides, and autoimmune diseases. Facial nerve palsy as the presenting symptom of GCA has very rarely been reported. Although temporal artery biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosis, it may be negative in up to one-third of cases. In doubtful cases, imaging can help establish the diagnosis. Ultrasound, 3 T MRI, and 18F-FDG-PET/CT have all been previously reported to be useful. Peripheral facial nerve palsy may very rarely be the presenting symptom of GCA. Early correct diagnosis is essential for starting appropriate therapy. In patients with atypical features, 18F-FDG-PET/CT may be useful for establishing the diagnosis.

To describe clinical characteristics of patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) and immunosuppressive therapies with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) at an academic rheumatology center in Madrid and to identify baseline variables associated with a severe infection requiring hospitalization.

We identified SARS-CoV-2 positive cases by polymerase chain reaction performed at our center within an updated RMDs database in our clinic. Additional RMDs patients were identified when they contacted the clinic because of a positive infection. Data extraction included diagnosis, demographics, immunosuppressive treatment, comorbidities, and laboratory tests. Comparisons between patients with or without hospitalization were performed. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze associations between baseline variables and need for hospitalization.

A total of 62 patients with COVID-19 and underlying RMDs were identified by April 24, 2020. Median age was 60.9years, and 42% men. Forty-two pth higher odds of hospitalization in RMDs patients.Metal speciation, linked directly to bioaccessibility and lability, is a key to be considered when assessing associated human and environmental health risks originated from anthropogenic activities. To identify the Zn and Cu speciation in the highly contaminated, technogenically transformed soils (Technosol) from the impact zone near the industrial sludge reservoirs of chemical plant (Siverskyi Donets River floodplain, southern Russia), the validity of the BCR sequential extraction procedure using the X-ray absorption fine-structure and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analyses was examined after each of the three stages. After the removal of exchange and carbonate-bonded Zn and Cu compounds from Technosol (first stage of extraction), the resulting residual soil showed enrichment in a great diversity of metal compounds, primarily with Me-S and Me-O bonds. The number of compounds with a higher solubility decreased at the subsequent stages of extraction. In the residual soil left over after extracting the first aated soils.The health effects of mercury vapor exposure on the brain in volcanic areas have not been previously addressed in the literature. 3PO cost However, 10% of the worldwide population inhabits in the vicinity of an active volcano, which are natural sources of elemental mercury emission. To evaluate the presence of mercury compounds in the brain after chronic exposure to volcanogenic mercury vapor, a histochemical study, using autometallographic silver, was carried out to compare the brain of mice chronically exposed to an active volcanic environment (Furnas village, Azores, Portugal) with those not exposed (Rabo de Peixe village, Azores, Portugal). Results demonstrated several mercury deposits in blood vessels, white matter and some cells of the hippocampus in the brain of chronically exposed mice. Our results highlight that chronic exposure to an active volcanic environment results in brain mercury accumulation, raising an alert regarding potential human health risks. These findings support the hypothesis that mercury exposure can be a risk factor in causing neurodegenerative diseases in the inhabitants of volcanically active areas.Lacustrine groundwater discharge (LGD) can play an important role in water and contaminant mass balance of lakes. Dongting Lake is the second largest fresh lake in China which is connected to Yangtze River and has quite prominent ecological status and function within Yangtze River basin. However, the effect of groundwater discharge on the balance of water and contaminant in Dongting Lake has long been overlooked. This study estimated the groundwater discharge and associated contaminants input into Dongting Lake during the dry season using multiple tracers (222Rn, 18O, Cl-). After sensitivity analysis of different models, it is found that the result of 222Rn mass balance model is the most reliable. Based on the 222Rn mass balance model, the groundwater discharge rate is estimated to be 73.94 mm/d and the contribution of LGD to water balance is 10.94%. As the main nutrient components, NH3-N, P and Si from groundwater input account for 23.65%, 5.12% and 30.15% % of the total input, respectively. As the main heavy metal components, Fe, Mn and As from groundwater input all account for more than 50% of the total input. Although the LGD rate is relatively small, the contaminant input from LGD is significant enough, which may be a potential threat to the ecological stability of Dongting Lake. In this study, the mass balance models of multiple tracers were integrated to understand the role of groundwater in maintaining the water balance and pollution status of Dongting Lake, which has certain reference significance for the LGD study in plain lakes or reservoirs with complex water systems in humid regions.