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Specialized medical apply throughout COVID-19: The most frequently asked questions to be able to infectious ailments professionals.
Purpose Scans without evidence of dopaminergic deficit (SWEDD) have been initially described in a minority of subjects with suspected Parkinson's disease (PD). Although a highly controversial entity, longitudinal studies showed that SWEDD cases mostly involve non-degenerative conditions mimicking PD or misattribution of scan images to normal status. Using the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) cohort, we undertook a case-controlled analysis of [123I]N-ω-fluoropropyl-2β-carbomethoxy-iodophenyl nortropane ([123I]FP-CIT) single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images to measure extrastriatal serotonergic transporter (SERT) density in SWEDD and PD. Procedures We included 37 SWEDD cases (mean age 60 years, 33 % female) with available [123I]FP-CIT SPECT imaging and high-resolution T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for coregistration. Sixty-one controls and 62 similarly aged PD subjects were included for group comparisons. Regional [123I]FP-CIT was extracted with PETPVE12 using geometric transfer matrix and partial volume effect correction. Results PD subjects showed significantly lower [123I]FP-CIT binding in both striatal (caudate nucleus and putamen) and extrastriatal regions (pallidum and insula) compared with controls and SWEDD (all between-group p 75 %) but not for SWEDD ( less then 49 %, p less then 0.002). No significant difference regarding [123I]FP-CIT binding was observed between SWEDD and controls. Conclusion These findings corroborate the view that SWEDD cases represent a heterogeneous group of conditions not involving dopaminergic and serotonergic terminals. Further studies are warranted to be assessed whether using extrastriatal [123I]FP-CIT evaluation can be of help in the assessment of degenerative parkinsonism.Objective We assessed early and late outcomes following hybrid intervention (common femoral artery endarterectomy and superficial femoral artery (SFA) stenting) versus above-the-knee (AK) femoro-popliteal bypass performed for peripheral artery occlusive disease (PAOD) in a double-center retrospective comparative cohort study. Materials and methods From January 2006 to December 2017, 82 hybrid revascularizations with femoral endarterectomy and SFA stenting (HY Group) and 98 AK femoro-popliteal bypasses with femoral endarterectomy (BP Group) were performed at two academic vascular centers. The two groups were compared in terms of preoperative and intraoperative details and of perioperative ( less then 30 days) outcomes with χ2 test. Long-term results were compared using Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank test. Results No differences were found in demographics variables, risk factors, comorbidities and clinical presentation between the two groups. Also perioperative outcomes were similar between the two groups. Median duration of follow-up was 38 months. At five years, the estimated survival rate was 60% in HY Group and 77.5% in BP Group (p = 0.002) Five-year primary patency rates were 46% in HY Group and 64% in BP Group (p = 0.005). Overall, 13 patients in HY Group required conversion to open surgery and 6 patients in BP Group underwent below-knee (n = 4) or distal (n = 2) bypass. The 5-year rate of limb maintenance was 85% in HY Group and 94% in BP Group (p = 0.1) and was not significantly different regardless of presentation, claudication or critical limb ischemia. Conclusions In patients with PAOD due to complex long lesions of the infrainguinal arteries, open-surgical treatment with AK bypass provided better long-term survival and patency rates compared to a hybrid approach.Background Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa lack adequate surgical workforces to achieve safe and affordable care for their populations. The Global Surgery movement highlights the urgent need to address this situation. Interventions include not only financial, material and infrastructural support, but also collaborative information flow to support surgical training. Selleckchem Thiomyristoyl In 2015, an electronic logbook was launched for surgical trainees across Sub-Saharan Africa. Objectives To assess the integration and context sustainability of surgical e-logbooks in Sub-Saharan Africa. Methods In January 2019, a survey analysis of surgical trainees was employed using quantitative and qualitative methods. Participants (active trainees and recent fellows) completed an anonymous internet-based questionnaire evaluating end-user feedback, perceptions and self-reported compliance. Multi-point Likert Scale measures and free-text thematic analysis were used. Results 358 (68.19%) eligible individuals across 21 Sub-Saharan countries and seven surgical specialties voluntarily participated. The e-resource demonstrated integration into local curricula with the majority of users maintaining activity and reporting moderate-high compliance. Context appropriateness measures were high with 203 (69.76%) deeming it convenient to use. The principle obstacle to compliance was internet connectivity (74, 25.96%), while behavioural factors including supervisor engagement were implicated. The e-logbook demonstrated future sustainability with the majority (243, 78.14%) of participants intent on maintaining usage beyond completion of surgical training. Conclusions We describe the successful integration and sustainability of electronic surgical logbooks for trainees across Sub-Saharan Africa. However context-appropriate resources are essential for Low- and Middle-Income Countries. Internet connectivity may hinder the achievement of several Global Surgery objectives in Sub-Saharan Africa.Purpose Heart failure (HF) is a common condition that places considerable burden on patients. We aimed to develop a patient-reported outcome (PRO) measure to assess the symptoms and impacts of HF. Methods Phase 1 a targeted literature review, expert interviews, and concept elicitation (CE) interviews with patients with HF (n = 26) were used to develop a conceptual model of the core symptoms and impacts of HF. To capture these concepts, three new fit-for-purpose PRO questionnaires were constructed in accordance with US Food and Drug Administration PRO guidance. Phase 2 three 'waves' of cognitive interviews were conducted with patients with HF (n = 28) to validate and refine the questionnaires. Results Three key symptoms-shortness of breath, oedema, and fatigue-were identified across the literature review, expert interviews and CE interviews. Several additional symptoms, cognitive changes and impacts of HF were reported in the CE interviews and included in the conceptual model. A 10-item symptom questionnaire (Heart Failure-Daily Symptom Diary) was constructed; cognitive testing showed that the final PRO measure was easy to understand/complete and relevant to patients with HF, confirming content validity.
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