Thrombolysis for stroke caused by infective endocarditis: an illustrative case and review of the literature

Infective endocarditis represents a classical contra-indication to thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke due to a potential increased risk of intracranial hemorrhage. However, some case reports have suggested safety and potential efficacy of intravenous or intra-arterial thrombolysis in stroke related to infective endocarditis. We present a case of ischemic stroke related to infective endocarditis who was treated with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator within the first 3 h of symptoms onset and subsequently developed symptomatic multifocal intracerebral hemorrhages, and summarize currently available data on this issue.     

Seroreactivity to syphilis in Malaysian blood donors and expectant mothers.

Seroreactivity to syphilis is high among Malaysian blood donors and expectant mothers indicating a high degree of treponemal infection. Further epidemiological studies are required to ascertain what proportion of these could be syphilis and what porportion yaws. Blood donors hava a higher reactivity rate than expectant mothers, the reasons probably being soical. The titres obtained in the VDRL test appear to have a relation to FTA-ABS reactivity although this is not to say treponematosis can be excluded on the basis of low titre VDRL results.     

Does Timing of Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty Prior to or After Lumbar Spine Fusion Have an Effect on Dislocation and Revision Rates?

Background

Patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) following lumbar spine fusion have an increased incidence of dislocation compared to those without prior lumbar fusion. The purpose of this study is to determine if timing of THA prior to or after lumbar fusion would have an effect on dislocation and revision incidence in patients with both hip and lumbar spine pathology.

Role of formyl peptide receptor 2(FPR2) in the normal brain and in neurological conditions

<正>There is much recent interest in the role of the anti-inflammatory molecules and their receptors in the normal brain and in neurological disorders. The formyl peptide receptor (FPR) subfamily of G protein-coupled receptors play important roles in these processes. Binding to specific peptides triggers activation     

Best practices on immunomodulators and biologic agents for ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease in Asia

The Asia–Pacific Working Group on Inflammatory Bowel Disease was established in Cebu, Philippines, under the auspices of the Asia–Pacific Association of Gastroenterology with the goal of improving inflammatory bowel disease care in Asia. This consensus is carried out in collaboration with Asian Organization for Crohn's and Colitis. With biologic agents and biosimilars becoming more established, it is necessary to conduct a review on existing literature and establish a consensus on when and how to introduce biologic agents and biosimilars in conjunction with conventional treatments for ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease in Asia. These statements also address how pharmacogenetics influences the treatments of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease and provides guidance on response monitoring and strategies to restore loss of response. Finally, the review includes statements on how to manage treatment alongside possible hepatitis B and tuberculosis infections, both common in Asia. These statements have been prepared and voted upon by members of inflammatory bowel disease workgroup employing the modified Delphi process. These statements do not intend to be all‐encompassing, and future revisions are likely as new data continue to emerge.     

Increasing body image flexibility in a residential eating disorder facility: Correlates with symptom improvement

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of changes in body image psychological flexibility over the course of treatment on various outcome variables. Method: Participants included 103 female, residential patients diagnosed with an eating disorder. Pretreatment and posttreatment data were collected that examined body image psychological flexibility, general psychological flexibility, symptom severity, and other outcome variables. Results: Changes in body image psychological flexibility significantly predicted changes in all outcome measures except for obsessive-compulsive symptoms after controlling for body mass index, depression, and anxiety. Additionally, these results were maintained after controlling for general psychological flexibility, contributing to the incremental validity of the BI-AAQ. Discussion: This study suggests that changes in body image psychological flexibility meaningfully predict changes in various treatment outcomes of interest, including eating disorder risk, quality of life, and general mental health. Findings indicate that body image psychological flexibility might be a viable target for eating disorder treatment.