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Hostile pituitary tumours along with pituitary carcinomas.
To report the detection of retinitis in the second eye of a patient with viral acute retinal necrosis (ARN), before the appearance of clinical change, using swept-source optical coherence tomography.

A 63 year-old male developed right-sided varicella-zoster virus (VZV) ARN, confirmed with aqueous sampling. High-dose intravenous aciclovir caused renal impairment and was suspended for two-days. One day later, left eye macular SS-OCT revealed focal retinal thickening and disruption of retinal architecture without clinically detectable retinitis. The patient was asymptomatic. Aqueous sampling was VZV PCR positive. He received bilateral foscarnet injections and renal adjusted dose of aciclovir. The left OCT signs improved with full restoration of retinal layers.

We report for the first time the use of OCT to detect pre-clinical second eye retinitis during ARN. Prompt diagnosis and combined systemic and intensive local antiviral therapy resulted in a favourable structural and functional outcome.
We report for the first time the use of OCT to detect pre-clinical second eye retinitis during ARN. Prompt diagnosis and combined systemic and intensive local antiviral therapy resulted in a favourable structural and functional outcome.Woolcott, Orison O., and Richard N. PRI-724 in vivo Bergman. Mortality attributed to COVID-19 in high-altitude populations. High Alt Med Biol. 00000-000, 2020. Background Since partial oxygen pressure decreases as altitude increases, environmental hypoxia could worsen Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patient's hypoxemia. We compared COVID-19 mortality at different altitudes. Methods Retrospective analysis of population-level data on COVID-19 deaths was conducted in the United States (1,016 counties) and Mexico (567 municipalities). Mixed-model Poisson regression analysis of the association between altitude and COVID-19 mortality was conducted using individual-level data from 40,168 Mexican subjects with COVID-19, adjusting for multiple covariates. Results Between January 20 and April 13, 2020, mortality rates were higher in U.S. counties located at ≥2,000 m elevation versus those located less then 1,500 m (12.3 vs. 3.2 per 100,000; p  less then  0.001). In Mexico, between March 13 and May 13, 2020, mortality rates were higher in municipalities located at ≥2,000 m versus those located less then 1,500 m (5.3 vs. 3.9 per 100,000; p  less then  0.001). Among Mexican subjects younger than 65 years, the risk of death was 36% higher in those living at ≥2,000 m versus those living at less then 1,500 m (adjusted incidence rate ratio [IRR] 1.36; confidence interval [95% CI], 1.05-1.78; p = 0.022). Among Mexican men, the risk of death was 31% higher at ≥2,000 m versus that at less then 1,500 m (adjusted IRR 1.31; 95% CI, 1.03-1.66; p = 0.025). No association between altitude and COVID-19 mortality was found among Mexican women or among Mexican subjects 65 years of age and older. Conclusions Altitude is associated with COVID-19 mortality in men younger than 65 years.PCR has become one of the most valuable techniques currently used in bioscience, diagnostics and forensic science. Here we review the history of PCR development and the technologies that have evolved from the original PCR method. Currently, there are two main areas of PCR utilization in bioscience high-throughput PCR systems and microfluidics-based PCR devices for point-of-care (POC) applications. We also discuss the commercialization of these techniques and conclude with a look into their modifications and use in innovative areas of biomedicine. For example, real-time reverse transcription PCR is the gold standard for SARS-CoV-2 diagnoses. It could also be used for POC applications, being a key component of the sample-to-answer system.The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated sudden and radical changes in mental health care delivery, as strict social distancing and lockdown measures were imposed in the early phases of the pandemic. Almost overnight, practitioners were forced to transfer their face-to-face care practice to online means. To understand the implications of this drastic change for mental health care, and to improve the online care offerings, an online qualitative survey was held among mental health care professionals in Netherlands (n = 51). Our findings indicate that technological and usability problems pose a significant challenge, as do difficulties to establish rapport with clients. Moreover, not all mental health issues and treatment forms are equally amenable to online interaction. In contrast, in many instances, practitioners were positive about the effectiveness of treatment, and reported flexibility, a lower threshold for contact, and lack of travel time as advantages. Their most prominent needs concern better technological, organizational, and logistical support. It is critical that these needs are acted upon by institutions and governments. In addition, current results inform future research on the improvement of e-mental health technologies.Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs) are a particular example of innovative nanomaterials for the development of drug delivery systems. MSNPs have recently received more attention for biological and pharmaceutical applications due to their capability to deliver therapeutic agents. Due to their unique structure, they can function as an effective carrier for the delivery of therapeutic agents to mitigate diseases progress, reduce inflammatory responses and consequently improve cancer treatment. The potency of MSNPs for the diagnosis and management of various diseases has been studied. This literature review will take an in-depth look into the properties of various types of MSNPs (e.g. shape, particle and pore size, surface area, pore volume and surface functionalisation), and discuss their characteristics, in terms of cellular uptake, drug delivery and release. MSNPs will then be discussed in terms of their therapeutic applications (passive and active tumour targeting, theranostics, biosensing and immunostimulative), biocompatibility and safety issues. Also, emerging trends and expected future advancements of this carrier will be provided.
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