Relationship between carotid intima-media thickness and coronary angiographic findings: a prospective study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Since cardiovascular diseases are associated with high mortality and generally undiagnosed before the onset of clinical findings, there is a need for a reliable tool for early diagnosis. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a non-invasive marker of coronary artery disease (CAD) and is widely used in practice as an inexpensive, reliable, and reproducible method. In the current study, we aimed to investigate prospectively the relationship of CIMT with the presence and extent of significant coronary artery narrowing in patients evaluated by coronary angiography for stable angina pectoris.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>One hundred consecutive patients with stable angina pectoris and documented ischemia on a stress test were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups according to the result of the coronary angiography: group 1 (39 patients) without a noncritical coronary lesion, and group 2 (61 patients) having at least one lesion more than 50% within the main branches of the coronary arteries. All of the patients underwent carotid Doppler ultrasound examination for measurement of the CIMT by a radiologist blinded to the angiographic data.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mean CIMT was 0.78 ± 0.21 mm in Group 1, while it was 1.48 ± 0.28 mm in Group 2 (p = 0.001). The mean CIMT in patients with single vessel disease, multi-vessel disease, and left main coronary artery disease were significantly higher compared to Group 1 (1.2 ± 0.34 mm, p = 0.02; 1.6 ± 0.32 mm, p = 0.001; and 1.8 ± 0.31 mm, p = 0.0001, respectively). Logistic regression analysis identified CIMT (OR 4.3, p < 0.001) and hypertension (OR 2.4, p = 0.04) as the most important factors for predicting CAD.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The findings of this study show that increase in CIMT is associated with the presence and extent of CAD. In conclusion, we demonstrated the usefulness of carotid intima-media thickness in predicting coronary artery disease but large-scale studies are required to define its role in clinical practice.</p

Giant cell tumor of the metacarpal bone in children: free osteoarticular metatarsal transfer: case report

WOS: 000345916500017PubMed: 25243983We present a successful total resection of metacarpal bone and nonvascularized joint transfer in a giant cell tumor of the fourth metacarpal bone in a 13-year-old girl. At the 6-year follow-up, a good functional outcome was achieved, with 85 degrees range of motion of the metacarpophalangeal joint and no clinical or radiographic evidence of tumor recurrence and no signs of degeneration of the joint. (C) 2014 Wolters Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

YouTube as a source of information about COVID-19 for children: Content quality, reliability, and audience participation analysis

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the content quality, reliability, and audience participation analysis of YouTube videos as a source of information about COVID-19 for children. Design and methods: This study was conducted in a descriptive design. The keywords & ldquo;COVID-19, explain, children & rdquo; were searched on the YouTube platform on March 17, 2021, and 294 videos were reviewed. The content of the selected videos was analyzed by 2 independent reviewers. Meet the inclusion criteria, 57 videos were evaluated according to the presenter source and the presented audience with the COVID-19 for Children Checklist (CCC), DISCERN score and the Global Quality Score (GQS). Results: When the contents of 57 videos included in the study were reviewed, it was determined that 56.1% (n = 32) were informative and 43.9% (n = 25) were misleading. Kappa value among the two independent observers was 0.89. 17.5% (n = 10) of the videos scored 5 points from DISCERN and 31.6% (n = 18) scored 4 points from GQS. The mean scores of GQS, DISCERN and CCC of videos with the grouped as informative were found to be statistically higher. There was a significant difference between the DISCERN mean score of ministry/academic/ hospital/physician channel videos was higher than the mean score of entertainment/individual channel videos. Conclusions: This study has shown that videos explaining COVID-19 to children have high viewing rates, but also videos that are low in terms of quality and reliability. Practice implications: It is thought that this study will reduce the rates of hospitalization by protecting children from COVID-19 by providing them access to healthier and more reliable sources. (c) 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Giant Merkel Cell Carcinoma Involving the Face

WOS: 000306638500009Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare, aggressive, malignant cutaneous tumor. It usually appears on the sun-exposed areas such as the head and neck in the elderly. A 72-year-old female patient was admitted to our clinic with the complaints of a big mass on her face. She described that the mass on her left cheek rapidly grew in three months. Her family and own medical history was unremarkable for skin cancers. On physical examination, there were no pathological findings except for a palpable submandibular lymphadenopathy. Dermatological examination revealed a giant tumoral lesion 9x9 cm in diameter, containing crusted and ulcerated areas on her left cheek Histopathological examination of the specimen obtained from the lesion showed a neoplastic infiltration consisting small, atypic cells with big, round, hyperchromatic nucleus, narrow cytoplasms, and prominent nucleoulus in some areas, showing high mitotic activity. The neoplasm, which had apoptotic bodies and necrobiosis, also invaded the full thickness of the skin, and the epidermis was very thin. In immunochemistry, CK20 was strongly positive, S100 was focally positive, and EMA was positive, while synaptophysin, chromogranin, vimentin, CD3, CD20, as well as CD45, and CD99 were all negative. Based on these findings, the patient was diagnosed as having Merkel cell carcinoma. On the systemic screening for metastases, nodular lesions in the lungs compatible with metastases were detected on computed tomography. By the consultations with plastic and reconstructive surgeons and oncologists, she was accepted as inoperable and etoposide monotherapy was administered. In this report, we aimed to underline the importance of early diagnosis while presenting a case of giant Merkel cell carcinoma which shows an aggressive progression with lung metastases. (Turkderm 2012; 46: 98-100

Comparison of Rosuvastatin versus Atorvastatin for Preventing Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation

Background: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) following cardiac surgery is associated with an increased risk of stroke, prolonged hospitalization, and increased costs. Statin therapy is associated with a lower incidence of postoperative AF. We aimed to compare the preventive effects of rosuvastatin and atorvastatin on postoperative AF

Adrenocortical Steroid Response to Acth In Different Phenotypes of Non-Obese Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Background Adrenal androgen excess is frequently observed in PCOS. The aim of the study was to determine whether adrenal gland function varies among PCOS phenotypes, women with hyperandrogenism (H) only and healthy women. Methods The study included 119 non-obese patients with PCOS (age: 22.2 ± 4.1y, BMI:22.5 ± 3.1 kg/m2), 24 women with H only and 39 age and BMI- matched controls. Among women with PCOS, 50 had H, oligo-anovulation (O), and polycystic ovaries (P) (PHO), 32 had O and H (OH), 23 had P and H (PH), and 14 had P and O (PO). Total testosterone (T), SHBG and DHEAS levels at basal and serum 17-hydroxprogesterone (17-OHP), androstenedione (A4), DHEA and cortisol levels after ACTH stimulation were measured. Results T, FAI and DHEAS, and basal and AUC values for 17-OHP and A4 were significantly and similarly higher in PCOS and H groups than controls (p < 0.05 for all) whereas three groups did not differ for basal or AUC values of DHEA and cortisol. Three hyperandrogenic subphenotypes (PHO, OH, and PH) compared to non-hyperandrogenic subphenotype (PO) had significantly and similarly higher T, FAI, DHEAS and AUC values for 17-OHP, A4 and DHEA (p < 0.05). All subphenotypes had similar basal and AUC values for cortisol. Conclusion PCOS patients and women with H only have similar and higher basal and stimulated adrenal androgen levels than controls. All three hyperandrogenic subphenotypes of PCOS exhibit similar and higher basal and stimulated adrenal androgen secretion patterns compared to non-hyperandrogenic subphenotype.PubMedWoSScopu

Relationship between carotid intima-media thickness and coronary angiographic findings: a prospective study

Background: Since cardiovascular diseases are associated with high mortality and generally undiagnosed before the onset of clinical findings, there is a need for a reliable tool for early diagnosis. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a non-invasive marker of coronary artery disease (CAD) and is widely used in practice as an inexpensive, reliable, and reproducible method. In the current study, we aimed to investigate prospectively the relationship of CIMT with the presence and extent of significant coronary artery narrowing in patients evaluated by coronary angiography for stable angina pectoris