Impaired anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody response in non-severe COVID-19 patients with diabetes mellitus: A preliminary report

Background and aimsPatients with diabetes mellitus (DM) often demonstrate impaired antibody response to influenza/hepatitis B vaccines. Hence, we compared anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody response in non-severe COVID-19 patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).MethodsRecords of non-severe COVID-19 patients admitted at our institution between April 10, 2020 and May 20, 2020 were retrieved. Qualitative detection of total (IgG + IgM) anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody was performed using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay in plasma samples collected at least 14 days post-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmation of diagnosis.ResultsThirty-one non-severe COVID-19 patients were included. Nine patients (29%) had T2DM with mean HbA_1c at admission of 8.3 ± 1.0%. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody was estimated at a median of 16 (14–17) days post-PCR confirmation of COVID-19 diagnosis. Only three patients (10%) were seronegative, and all had T2DM. Patients with T2DM were more likely to have non-detectable anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies than those without DM (p = 0.019).ConclusionsCOVID-19 patients with T2DM may not undergo seroconversion even after two weeks of diagnosis. Impaired seroconversion could theoretically increase the risk of reinfections in patients with DM. However, the finding requires validation in large-scale studies involving serial estimations of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in patients with and without DM.     

Comparison of two manual therapy approaches combined with exercise on pain,strength and electromyographic muscle activity in athletes with subacute mechanical low back pain

Sport Sciences for Health - Subacute mechanical low back pain (MLBP) has been found to increase significantly in athletes in the past decade. Manual therapy combined with exercises seems to be...     

Long-Term Outcomes of Endovascular Interventions in More than 500 patients with Budd–Chiari Syndrome

PurposeTo assess and compare the long-term outcomes of various endovascular interventions in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS).Materials and MethodsIn this single-center retrospective study, 510 consecutive patients with BCS who had undergone a total of 618 endovascular procedures from January 2001 to December 2019 were included. Details of the type of endovascular intervention, technical success, clinical success, patency rate, complications, and survival outcomes were analyzed.ResultsThe overall technical success rate was 96% (593 of 618 procedures; 500 in treatment-naïve patients and 93 repeat interventions for recurrent disease). Endovascular procedures included recanalization procedures (angioplasty and stent placement) in 355 patients (71%) and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation in 145 (29%). Major postprocedure complications occurred in 14 patients (2.8%). Vascular/stent restenosis occurred in 95 patients (19%), and successful repeat intervention was performed in 82 of those 95 (86.3%). An additional 11 of these 82 (13.4%) underwent a third intervention for restenosis. In the recanalization and TIPS groups, the 1- and 5-y cumulative patency rates were 87% and 74% and 95% and 68%, respectively. The 1- and 5-y survival rates were 96% and 89% and 90% and 76%, respectively.ConclusionsEndovascular interventions for BCS are feasible and safe in the majority of patients, with excellent short- and long-term patency and survival rates.     

Elongated styloid process (Eagle's syndrome): a clinical study.

PURPOSE: Elongated styloid process can be a source of craniofacial and cervical pain and remains a diagnostic challenge to many. The aim of the study was to determine the symptomatology and various criteria for the diagnosis of an elongated styloid process and its management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our clinical study consisted of 58 patients with elongated styloid process who had symptoms of vague cervicofacial pain and presented to our department during a period of 10 years. Special emphasis is given to palpation of the tonsillar fossa, lidocaine infiltration test, and orthopantomography. RESULTS: Minimal complications and zero incidence of deep neck infection were noted. CONCLUSIONS: All of the patients were managed surgically through the intraoral approach, which was found to be a safe procedure.