Self-limiting Condition Research Articles

Frozen shoulder release: Ten-step technique

Frozen shoulder is a condition associated with painful restriction of shoulder joint movement. This condition has a prevalence of 2–5% in the general population, seen most often in females and the diabetic population. It is essentially a self-limiting condition passing through stages of freezing, frozen, and thawing. It has been reported that up to 90% of patients recover with conservative measures. Patients with more severe initial symptoms, younger age at the time of onset, and reduction in motion despite four months of compliance with therapy are most likely to require surgery. The author presents ten-step techniques for frozen shoulder release in cases of failed conservative trials in the management of frozen shoulder.

Prevalence of Plantar fasciitis in academic physical therapists of KMU affiliated Institutes and clinical physical therapists in tertiary care hospitals: A cross sectional study

Background: Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain affecting both academic and clinical physical therapists. Risk factors for developing PF are; prolong standing, BMI >40, age, gender and inappropriate footwear. Its symptoms particularly aggravates in the morning while taking few steps. In general, PF is a self-limiting condition because of it resolves quickly. Aims: The aim of this study is to find the prevalence of plantar fasciitis and its association in academic and clinical physical therapists. Methods: This was cross sectional study to explore association of plantar fasciitis between academic and clinical physical therapists. 197 physical therapists were examined for plantar fasciitis by PFPS tool for plantar fasciitis pain. Plantar fasciitis Pain Scale questionnaire was filled by physical therapists for checking plantar fasciitis pain in physical therapists. Results: Individuals of mean age 25-28 were more prone to develop plantar fasciitis. Out of 197, 102 (53%) females and 92 (47%) males were likely to develop plantar fasciitis.28.9% of people with plantar fasciitis felt pain at the bottom of the heel. According to our study; regarding the relation between academic PT's, clinical PT's and VAS, data was gathered from PT's in the institutes and hospitals. The results were analyzed using chi-square test. The results of chi-square test revealed that there is a strong positive correlation (p <0.05) between two variables (p = 0.00). When academic and clinical PT's were associated with VAS, for both the percentage of moderate pain was 58.9% as they are more exposed to weight bearing so, there are more chances of plantar fasciitis development. Conclusion: Plantar fasciitis was mostly found among clinical physical therapists commonly affecting bottom sole area of the foot. Plantar fasciitis was positively associated with age, gender; however, PFPS was not associated with it.

Subacute Granulomatous Thyroiditis Occurring after SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Case Report

Subacute thyroiditis is a rare self-limited thyroid inflammatory condition characterized in the majority of cases by sudden onset of neck pain. It seems to be mostly linked, directly or indirectly, to viral infections. During the COVID-19 pandemic, several cases of thyroiditis were reported in the literature, occurring during or after infection by the SARS-CoV-2, suggesting that this virus is also linked to subacute thyroiditis. Therefore, knowledge of a possible association between these two entities is of the most importance. Several hypotheses explaining the mechanism of action of SARS-CoV-2 on the thyroid gland have been put forward. Clinical symptoms do not appear to be very typical, and thyroid hormonal dysfunction may not be present. Treatment is essentially based on corticosteroids and NSAIDs. The prognosis remains favorable. We report the case of a 46-year-old woman who presented with subacute thyroiditis 25 days after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Her workup showed elevated CRP, multinodular goiter, normal thyroid function and negative antibodies. She was treated with corticosteroids that resulted in improvement of her symptoms.

Diagnosis and treatment of epiploic appendagitis in a Middle Eastern country: An observational retrospective analysis of 156 cases.

Epiploic appendagitis (EPA) is an uncommon emergency surgical condition that causes acute abdominal pain, rendering a list of differential diagnoses. Therefore, careful examination and imaging tools are required. EPA is a self-limiting condition that can be resolved in 1-2weeks and rarely needs surgical intervention. Its low incidence makes EPA less well-known among the public and some medical professionals, and it is frequently under-diagnosed. We aimed to explore the incidence, clinical presentation, modalities of imaging to diagnose and options for treatingEPA. An observational retrospective analysis was conducted between 2016 and 2022 at a tertiary hospital in an Arab Middle Eastern country. There were 156 EPA cases diagnosed over six years, with a mean age of 33years. Males represented 82% of the cohort. The entire cohort was treated non-operatively except for eight patients who had surgical intervention using open or laparoscopic surgery. The diagnosis was made by a computerized tomographic scan (CT). However, plain X-ray, abdominal ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed initially in a few selected cases to rule out other conditions. No specific blood test indicated EPA; however, a histopathology examination was diagnostic. No mortality was reported in the study cohort. This is the most extensive study analyzing EPA patients from the Middle East. EPA is a rare and mostly self-limiting acute abdominal disorder; however, early ultrasound and CT scan can pick it up quickly after a high index of suspicion.

Bladder Perforation and Vesico-Haematoma Fistula: An Uncommon Complication of Rectus Sheath Haematoma.

Rectus sheath haematoma (RSH) has become increasingly common but is often underdiagnosed. Prompt diagnosis will avoid unnecessary investigations and procedures, resulting in early treatment and a better outcome. We described a case of a spontaneous RSH with intraperitoneal extension and formation of a vesico-haematoma fistula, which was initially misdiagnosed as a urinary tract infection. The diagnosis was made ten days after admission, when a CT scan showed an over-16 cm RSH with intraperitoneal extension, bladder perforation and a vesico-haematoma fistula. The patient was managed conservatively. RSH accounts for less than 2% of acute abdomen cases and is often unrecognised. Its presentation can mimic other intra-abdominal pathologies, and the diagnosis is often delayed or missed. Complications can arise from an RSH although it is generally viewed as a self-limiting condition. RSH has become increasingly common, and we would like to highlight the need to include abdominal wall pathologies in the initial differential diagnoses of acute abdomen to avoid delay in diagnosis. Rectus sheath haematoma has become increasingly common due to the use of anticoagulants.The presentation can be non-specific and mimic other intra-abdominal pathologies. Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis can result in complications and unnecessary invasive procedures.Abdominal wall pathologies including rectus sheath haematomas should be included in initial differentials of acute abdomen.

Yohimbine Treatment Alleviates Cardiac Inflammation/Injury and Improves Cardiac Hemodynamics by Modulating Pro-Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Indicators.

Acute myocarditis, also known as myocardial inflammation, is a self-limited condition caused by systemic infection with cardiotropic pathogens, primarily viruses, bacteria, or fungi. Despite significant research, inflammatory cardiomyopathy exacerbated by heart failure, arrhythmia, or left ventricular dysfunction and ithas a dismal prognosis. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of yohimbine against lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced myocarditis in rat model. The anti-inflammatory activity of yohimbine was assessed in in-vitro using RAW 264.7 and H9C2 cells. Myocarditis was induced in rats by injecting LPS (10mg/kg), following the rats were treated with dexamethasone (2mg/kg) or yohimbine (2.5, 5, and 10mg/kg) for 12h and their therapeutic activity was examined using various techniques. Yohimbine treatment significantly attenuated the LPS-mediated inflammatory markers expression in the in-vitro model. In-vivo studies proved that yohimbine treatment significantly reduced the LPS-induced increase of cardiac-specific markers, inflammatory cell counts, and pro-inflammatory markers expression comparedto LPS-control samples. LPS administration considerably affected the ECG, RR, PR, QRS, QT, ST intervals, and hemodynamic parameters, and caused abnormal pathological parameters, in contrast, yohimbine treatment substantially improved the cardiac parameters, mitigated the apoptosis in myocardial cells and ameliorated the histopathological abnormalities that resulted in an improved survival rate. LPS-induced elevation of cardiac troponin-I, myeloperoxidase, CD-68, and neutrophil elastase levels were significantly attenuated upon yohimbine treatment. Further investigation showed that yohimbine exerts an anti-inflammatory effect partly by modulating the MAPK pathway. This study emphasizes yohimbine's therapeutic benefit against LPS-inducedmyocarditis and associated inflammatory markers responseby regulating the MAPK pathway.

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis as an emergency

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a common acute multifocal autoimmune infl ammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) with a predominant lesion of the white matter of the brain, brainstem and optic nerves, the conductors of the spinal cord, less often — gray matter of the CNS. ADEM is usually a self-limiting condition with spontaneous improvement and a favorable prognosis. Along with the possibility of a severe course in the classical form of ADEM, the development of hyperacute forms with a much more unfavorable prognosis is possible. Such variants of the course of ADEM are acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis (AHLE), acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalomyelitis and acute necrotizing hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis of Hurst, associated with the development of a cascade of hyperacute uncontrolled autoimmune reactions. The severity of these conditions (grouped under the term OHLE) is associated with rapid progression, brainstem involvement, large lesions is due to the development of acute edematous necrosis and hemorrhage with a high possibility of disability or death. The aggressive and severe course of АHLE requires the immediate initiation of decongestant and immunosuppressive therapy.

Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum in Children: Underdiagnosis and Overtreatment

Background: Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) is a rare and benign self-limiting condition characterized by the presence of air in the mediastinum without an apparent cause. Boerhaave syndrome, on the other hand, is a rare condition caused by spontaneous esophageal perforation due to severe vomiting. The mediastinum is a complex anatomical region housing vital organs, making clinical comprehension challenging. Objectives: There is no established approach to diagnosing and treating children with SPM. Despite similarities in the presence of air in the mediastinum, SPM and Boerhaave syndrome are distinct entities. However, the primary challenge for patients is ruling out esophageal perforation. We aimed to highlight this rare issue by presenting the results of our patient series to guide further examination in pediatric patients with mediastinal air. Methods: We included twenty-four pediatric patients diagnosed with SPM between 2014 and 2022. Demographic and clinical characteristics, diagnostic procedures, treatments, and follow-up details were retrospectively recorded. Results: The mean age of the twenty male and four female patients was 14 years. Common triggers included coughing (45%), increased physical exertion (33%), and retching/vomiting (8%). All patients experienced chest pain, with additional symptoms such as dyspnea (50%), neck pain (30%), and dysphagia (12%). Symptoms resolved within two days of hospitalization. Patients were often misdiagnosed and received inappropriate treatment at other centers before being transferred to our hospital. A fluoroscopic esophagogram conducted within an average of 22 hours from admission revealed no abnormalities. Oral feeding was withheld for an average of 28 hours. The mean duration of symptom-free hospitalization without treatment was 32 hours. Conclusions: It appears that emergency department physicians may lack familiarity with pneumomediastinum. Surgeons' concerns about missing Boerhaave's syndrome may lead to unnecessary tests, prolonged fasting, and hospital stays for patients with SPM.

Transient Hyperthyroidism of Hyperemesis Gravidarum: A Case Report from Rural Kenya

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the transient hyperthyroidism of hyperemesis gravidarum: A case report from rural Kenya.
 Materials and Methods: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries.
 Findings: Hyperthyroidism complicates 0.2-0.4% of pregnancies. It may be diagnosed in the setting of hyperemesis gravidarum and can be pathological or transient. Untreated pathological hyperthyroidism has adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Transient hyperthyroidism of hyperemesis gravidarum (THHG) affects up to 60% of women with hyperemesis, is self-limiting, and needs no antithyroid drug treatment. A diagnosis of THHG (rather than overt pathological hyperthyroidism) should be made when hyperthyroidism occurs in the setting of hyperemesis gravidarum and in the absence of pre-pregnancy hyperthyroidism, clinical findings compatible with maternal hyperthyroidism, and a negative antithyroid autoimmune profile. THHG resolves by the end of the first trimester without adverse pregnancy outcomes. We present a case from a rural Kenyan hospital to highlight the clinical profile and management of THHG for the primary care physician.
 Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: Assessment of thyroid functions is indicated in hyperemesis gravidarum, where there are clinical features of hyperthyroidism. THHG is a self-limiting benign condition that may inappropriately lead to unnecessary drug treatment for pathological hyperthyroidism in pregnancy. A diagnosis of THHG should be made when a laboratory picture of hyperthyroidism occurs in the setting of hyperemesis gravidarum in the absence of pre-pregnancy hyperthyroidism, compatible physical findings, and a negative antithyroid autoantibody profile.

Aseptic Silk Ligatures Induce Bone Resorption Around Titanium Implants: A 12-Week Pilot Study in Rabbits.

Marginal bone resorption (MBR) around dental implants may sometimes be a self-limiting condition due to balancing immunologic reactions against utilized materials rather than a progressive bacterial infection. Contrary to previous assumptions from ligature-induced experimental peri-implantitis studies, a recent 8-week experiment by the present authors showed that marginal ligatures trigger an inflammatory immune response, resulting in bone resorption around implants in the absence of plaque. The present study aimed to investigate whether this inflammatory/immunologic reaction attenuates or progresses toward implant failure after a longer healing time (12 weeks). Sterile silk ligatures were placed around the top of titanium (Ti) implants and compressed against the femoral cortical bone plate of six rabbits. A nonligated implant was used as a control. After 12 weeks of submerged healing, ground sections of implants and surrounding tissues were investigated with light microscopy. The marginal soft tissues were also analyzed using selected quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) markers. Histologically, the ligatures were outlined by immune cells, including multinucleated giant cells (MNGCs), with adjacent fibrous encapsulation and resorbed peripheral bone that contrasted from the osseointegrated nonligated control implants. The difference in expression of qPCR markers was not significant, but > two-fold upregulation of markers CD11b, IL1β, ARG1, NCF1, and CD4 and > twofold downregulation of CD8 indicated a mild, focal inflammatory/immune response against the ligatures compared to controls, with upregulation of M1 and M2 macrophages, neutrophils, and helper T-cells as well as downregulation of killer T cells. Further, the bone formation markers OC and ALPL were > two-fold downregulated (consistent with the lack of osseointegration of the ligatures) compared to control implants. Marginal silk ligatures trigger an inflammatory/immune response and aseptic bone resorption around implants. Compared to the previous 8-week study, the inflammatory reaction against the silk appears to attenuate with time, with only a mild persisting inflammation that may block osseointegration; instead, a fibrous tissue encapsulation-type reaction is maintained. This may explain why traditional ligature experiments have required regular exchange of ligatures for the bone resorption to progress.

Epistaxis-related hemolacria in a 6-year-old female after midfacial trauma: Epistaxis-related hemolacria

Hemolacria (HL) is a rare condition characterized by the presence of blood in the tears. Bleeding associated with tears can occur in the context of infection, inflammation, trauma to the eye or surrounding structures, vascular tumors of the eye or surrounding structures, or retrograde epistaxis. We herein present a pediatric case with HL in the setting of epistaxis due to post-traumatic vessel injury without fracture, along with a literature review. Bleeding from the inferior lacrimal punctum was controlled by successful cauterization of damaged vessels and follow-up has remained uneventful for over a year. Bleeding from the eye is an alarming symptom, especially if it developed after facial trauma. However, physicians should be more aware that, in the absence of a fracture, HL due to retrograde epistaxis resulting from facial trauma can be a self-limited condition that is easily treated by controlling nasal hemorrhage.

Lichen Striatus: An Updated Review.

Lichen striatus is a benign dermatosis that affects mainly children. This condition mimics many other dermatoses. The purpose of this article is to familiarize pediatricians with the clinical manifestations of lichen striatus to avoid misdiagnosis, unnecessary investigations, unnecessary referrals, and mismanagement of lichen striatus. A search was conducted in June 2023 in PubMed Clinical Queries using the key term "Lichen striatus". The search strategy included all observational studies, clinical trials, and reviews published within the past ten years. Only papers published in the English literature were included in this review. The information retrieved from the above search was used in the compilation of this article. Lichen striatus is a benign self-limited T-cell mediated dermatosis characterized by a linear inflammatory papular eruption seen primarily in children. The onset is usually sudden with minimal or absent symptomatology. The eruption in typical lichen striatus consists of discrete, skin- colored, pink, erythematous, or violaceous, flat-topped, slightly elevated, smooth or scaly papules that coalesce to form a dull red, potentially scaly, interrupted or continuous band over days to weeks. Although any part of the body may be involved, the extremities are the sites of predilection. Typically, the rash is solitary, unilateral, and follows Blaschko lines. In dark-skinned individuals, the skin lesions may be hypopigmented at onset. Nails may be affected alone or, more commonly, along with the skin lesions of lichen striatus. The differential diagnoses of lichen striatus are many and the salient features of other conditions are highlighted in the text. Lichen striatus is a self-limited condition that often resolves within one year without residual scarring but may have transient post-inflammatory hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation. As such, treatment may not be necessary. For patients who desire treatment for cosmesis or for the symptomatic treatment of pruritus, a low- to mid-potency topical corticosteroid or a topical immunomodulator can be used. A fading cream can be used for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

An audit of the maternal medicine clinic: Cancer and pregnancy.

To explore the incidence and complexity of women presenting for maternity care who require concurrent cancer care, and to report the birth outcomes of these women. A retrospective audit of women attending a 'high risk' maternal medicine clinic at an Australian tertiary maternity hospital between 1 October 2021 and 30 April 2023 was conducted. The inclusion criteria were a diagnosis of cancer and a concurrent pregnancy, or a diagnosis of cancer prior to the current pregnancy. Clinic lists and coding data were screened via the electronic medical record to identify potential subjects. Data were collected from the individual maternity and neonatal records. Forty of 705 (5.7%) women attending the maternal medicine clinic met the inclusion criteria, of which ten had a new diagnosis of cancer in pregnancy and 30 presented for maternity care after a previous diagnosis of cancer. Cancer therapy during pregnancy included surgery and chemotherapy. Most pregnancies (92.5%) resulted in term deliveries (≥37 weeks gestation). Four neonates were preterm, and one was small-for-gestational-age. Caesarean section delivery and post-partum haemorrhage were more common than expected, but the rate of other adverse pregnancy outcomes was consistent with the background population. Over half of neonates required neonatal intensive care unit / special care nursery admission but the indications for admission were common, self-limiting conditions, and the length of stay was short (mean <5.0 days). Approximately 6% of women attending the maternal medicine clinic had a current or previous diagnosis of cancer. Most pregnancies resulted in term deliveries and neonatal outcomes were excellent.

Barriers and facilitators to reducing low-value care for the management of low back pain in Iran: a qualitative multi-professional study

IntroductionLow back pain (LBP) is a prevalent musculoskeletal disorder with a wide range of etiologies, ranging from self-limiting conditions to life-threatening diseases. Various modalities are available for the diagnosis and management of patients with LBP. However, many of these health services, known as low-value care (LVC), are unnecessary and impose undue financial costs on patients and health systems. The present study aimed to explore the perceptions of service providers regarding the facilitators and barriers to reducing LVC in the management of LBP in Iran.MethodsThis qualitative descriptive study interviewed a total of 20 participants, including neurosurgeons, physiatrists, orthopedists, and physiotherapists, who were selected through purposive and snowball sampling strategies. The collected data were analyzed using the thematic content analysis approach.ResultsThirty-nine sub-themes, with 183 citations, were identified as barriers, and 31 sub-themes, with 120 citations, were defined as facilitators. Facilitators and barriers to reducing LVC for LBP, according to the interviewees, were categorized into five themes, including: (1) individual provider characteristics; (2) individual patient characteristics; (3) social context; (4) organizational context; and (5) economic and political context. The ten most commonly cited barriers included unrealistic tariffs, provider-induced demand, patient distrust, insufficient time allocation, a lack of insurance coverage, a lack of a comprehensive referral system, a lack of teamwork, cultural challenges, a lack of awareness, and defensive medicine. Barriers such as adherence to clinical guidelines, improving the referral system, improving the cultural status of patients, and facilitators such as strengthening teamwork, developing an appropriate provider-patient relationship, improving the cultural status of the public, motivating the patients, considering an individualized approach, establishing a desirable payment mechanism, and raising the medical tariffs were most repeatedly stated by participants.ConclusionThis study has pointed out a great number of barriers and facilitators that shape the provision of LVC in the management of LBP in Iran. Therefore, it is essential for relevant stakeholders to consider these findings in order to de-implement LVC interventions in the process of LBP management.

P-12 Postpartum vertebral compressive fractures in a young female with osteoporosis - A case report

Abstract Introduction Osteoporosis is а metabolic disorder characterized by low bone mass and deep changes in bone architecture that lead to an increased vertebral or hip fracture in elderly. Osteoporosis in young population is a very rare condition especially when is associated with compressive fractures. Pregnancy and postpartum-related osteoporosis is condition that occurs in the last trimester of pregnancy оr in the first months of lactation. It is self-limited condition that return to normal after 12-18 months. In rare cases leаds to spinal compressive fractures. Clinical Case We present a 33-year-old female with back pain that occurs after birth during the early lactation period. In consultation with an orthopedic surgeon, an X-ray was made on the thoracolumbar spinal column with a finding of vertebral compressive fractures. A DEXA scan (double energy-X rays of absorptiometry) is also made with the finding of vertebral osteoporosis and hip osteopenia. We calculate BMI and perform blood tests for vitamin D3, calcium, hormones and markers for bone metabolism. This was our patient's first birth, she was thin with height 157 cm, weight 42 kg and calculated BMI-17. Blood test showed very low concentration of vitamin D3- 16 ng/ml (20-44) with normal level of calcium- 1,20 mmol/l (1,10-1,40) and PTH-31,01 pg./ml (15-65). Thyroid, gonadal and adrenal axis was with normal function. We told the patient to stop the lactation and to take a supplementation of vitamin D3 2000 IE, Calcium 1000 mg and bisphosphonates (alendronate). After two years of treatment, we made a control DEXA scan. Our patient now has vertebral osteopenia, normal serum concentration of vitamin D (44 ng/ml) and her weight is 48 kg. She feels good, has no pain and no new fractures. Conclusion Pregnancy and lactation increase need for calcium and this condition is complemented by increased intestinal absorption of calcium and increased bone resorption of the mother's skeleton. Risk factors for low bone density are deficit of 1-25 OH vitamin D3, malnutrition, low body mass index, treatment with low dose of enoxaparin (LMWH), physical inactivity. Our patient has an increased risk of low bone density (she has a low body mass index, low serum concentration of 1–25 OH vitamin D3 and this was her first pregnancy). Normal serum level 1–25 OH vitamin D concentration is required to establish calcium metabolism and prevent low bone density, osteopenia or osteoporosis. Antiresorptive therapy with bisphosphonates lead to rapid improvement in bone density, prevent new fractures and relieves pain. Treatment of postpartum osteoporosis is debatable because this condition is reversible, so when we decide to treat or not to treat, we must consider present of fractures, pain and plan for future pregnancy.

P18 Giant Periocular Juvenile Xanthogranulomas Treated with Trametinib

Abstract Juvenile Xanthogranuloma (JXG), the commonest type of non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis, is regarded as a benign self-limiting condition of infancy, characterised by asymptomatic yellow brown papulonodular lesions, usually confined to the skin but occasionally affecting the eyes or internal organs. Skin lesions characteristically regress spontaneously within 3-6 years. We describe an unusually aggressive cutaneous presentation requiring input from paediatric oncology. A 6 year old boy presented with extensive soft yellowish papules, plaques and nodules particularly around the eyes but also over the chest and leg. Biopsy confirmed the clinical diagnosis of JXG. The lesions enlarged progressively with new lesions appearing, causing significant distortion of the upper and lower eyelids with reduced ability to open the eyes, discomfort and distress. Treatment was started with topical steroids, progressing to intralesional and systemic steroids, but with minimal effect. In view of the severity, vinblastine and subsequently cytarabine were added, again with limited benefit. The periocular lesions were surgically debulked and he was commenced on Trametinib (a MEK inhibitor) with a good response. Now aged 9 years, and the patient displayed a favourable clinical response after 3 months of being on Trametinib. JXG rarely requires treatment, but there is no recognised therapy for the occasional problematic lesions. In this case trametinib was effective and well-tolerated. The efficacy of trametinib in histiocytosis has been attributed to the presence of activating BRAF and MAP2K1 mutations. Genetic analysis of JXG may guide future therapies.

Body Mass Index Predicts Function in Individuals With Plantar Fasciopathy: A Longitudinal Observational Study.

Plantar fasciopathy (PF) is a common, self-limiting condition with notable economic impact and multifactorial origins. Clinical tests help clinicians to identify specific dysfunction and limitations influencing PF's clinical course. This study aims to investigate whether body mass index (BMI) influences the performance of clinical tests and clinical presentation of individuals with PF and to determine whether BMI and clinical tests predict the clinical course of PF over a 3-month follow-up period. This study is a longitudinal observational study. Participants were grouped, according to the median BMI, into low and high BMI. Healthcare centers and physiotherapy clinics. Fifty-two individuals with PF participated in this study. Baseline: Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion and navicular drop, heel-rise, and step-down tests were administered. Pain intensity and function were measured at baseline and at 3-month follow-up. Low BMI group showed better function (mean difference = 11.8; 95% CI, 1.9 to 21.6) and lower pain intensity (mean difference = -1.5; 95% CI, -2.6 to -0.3) than the high BMI group. In the multivariable regression model, higher BMI predicted lower function (beta coefficient = -1.20; 95% CI, -2.3 to -0.3). In individuals with PF, BMI levels influenced PF clinical presentation. The high BMI group showed more severe pain and lower function. Higher BMI was found to be a poor prognostic factor for function in individuals with PF.

Junctional Ectopic Tachycardia After Congenital Heart Surgery: Incidence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes.

Postoperative junctional ectopic tachycardia (JET) is usually a self-limiting condition; however, when combined with atrioventricular dissociation and postoperative ventricular dysfunction, it may increase morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to determine the overall incidence of JET following congenital heart surgery, to identify patient and procedure-related risk factors, and to evaluate the clinical impact of JET on outcomes. The records of 2,814 patients who underwent cardiac surgery over a five-year period were reviewed retrospectively to identify those with JET. For each patient diagnosed with JET, two controls who underwent surgery during the same period were selected to compare possible risk factors and outcomes. The incidence of JET following congenital heart surgery was 2.66% in this large cohort. Univariate analyses revealed statistically significant associations between JET and factors such as young age, small body weight, high vasoactive inotropic score, operations involving the ventricular septum, surgical complexity score, increased cardiopulmonary bypass time, delayed sternal closure, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) requirement, and increased risk of postoperative JET. In multivariate analysis only the association between surgeries involving the ventricular septum, ECMO requirement, and increased risk of JET persisted. Compared to controls, patients with JET experienced prolonged intubation times, longer stays in the intensive care unit and hospital, more frequent unplanned re-interventions, and higher mortality rates. Junctional ectopic tachycardia can lead to serious hemodynamic consequences in patients following congenital heart surgery and is associated with poorer clinical outcomes. Both patient and procedure-related factors contribute to the overall risk of developing JET. Identifying associations and predictors of JET can help improve patient outcomes.

Bifidobacterium adolescentis CCFM1285 combined with yeast β-glucan alleviates the gut microbiota and metabolic disturbances in mice with antibiotic-associated diarrhea.

Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) is a self-limiting condition that can occur during antibiotic therapy. Our previous studies have found that a combination of Bacteroides uniformis and Bifidobacterium adolescentis can effectively alleviate AAD. However, the use of B. uniformis is still strictly limited. Therefore, this study attempted to use yeast β-glucan to enrich the abundance of B. uniformis in the intestine and supplement Bifidobacterium adolescentis to exert a synergistic effect. The lincomycin hydrochloride-induced AAD model was administered yeast β-glucan or a mixture of B. adolescentis CCFM1285 by gavage for one week. Subsequently, changes in the colonic histopathological structure, inflammatory factors, intestinal epithelial permeability and integrity, metabolites, and gut microbiota diversity were assessed. We found that yeast β-glucan, alone or in combination with B. adolescentis CCFM1285, can help attenuate systemic inflammation, increase the rate of tissue structural recovery, regulate metabolism, and restore the gut microbiota. Specifically, the combination of yeast β-glucan and B. adolescentis CCFM1285 was more effective in decreasing interleukin-6 levels, improving pathological changes in the colon, and upregulating occludin expression. Therefore, our study showed that the combination of yeast β-glucan and B. adolescentis CCFM1285 is an efficacious treatment for AAD.

Use of Streptococcus Salivarius K12 in a cohort of PFAPA patients.

Periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical adenitis syndrome (PFAPA) is the most common cause of periodic fever in childhood. Although PFAPA is generally a self-limited condition, it can have negative impact on child's and parents' quality of life and family functioning. Our primary aim was to assess the potential effectiveness of Streptococcus Salivarius K12 (SSK12) in preventing febrile attacks in PFAPA patients. Secondary objectives included evaluating the effectiveness of SSK12 in mitigating the severity of febrile episodes seen as a statistically significant reduction in the episode duration, highest fever temperature reached during fever, in the frequency of each associated symptom, calculated in the six months before and after the start of therapy. A total of 117 patients with PFAPA were evaluated using Marshall's criteria, modified by Thomas et al. and according to Eurofever/PRINTO classification criteria, aged 6 months to 9 years, with a median age at the onset of the disease of 2 years, treated with SSK12, since January 2021 to January 2023. Data were collected retrospectively. Before using SS K12, febrile episodes recurred on average every 26.1 ± 11.5 days, with a febrile episode duration of 4.1 ± 1.4 days. The highest fever temperature during the episode was 39.8 ± 0.7 °C. After six months of SS K12, febrile episodes recurred on average every 70 ± 53,1 days (p value <0.01), the mean lenght of febrile episodes was 3.3 ± 1.6 (p value <0.01) and the highest fever temperature reached during the febrile episode was 39.1 ± 1.1 °C (p value <0.01). We also documented a reduction in the frequency of exudative pharyngotonsillitis present in 72 vs. 103 patients (p value <0.01), oral aphthosis present in 47 vs. 80 patients (p value <0.01), lateral cervical lymphadenopathy in 45 vs. 83 (p value <0.01). Erythematous pharyngotonsillitis decreased in frequency but it was not statistically significant. The results of our study indicate that the use of SS K12 could be beneficial in decreasing febrile episodes related to PFAPA syndrome and its associated symptoms, potentially improving the quality of life in pediatric patients and decreasing the need for additional pharmacological therapies.