Differences in stroke clinical presentation among sexes.

INTRODUCTION: There are sex-based differences in stroke epidemiology, treatment, and outcomes. In this manuscript, we discuss the differences that exist in the clinical presentation of acute stroke among sexes. DISCUSSION: We present the differences in stroke presentation among sexes including age at the time of presentation, severity of stroke on presentation, and stroke type and location. We discuss the atypical clinical presentations, explore the radiographic findings on presentation (including location, infarct core volume, the impact of collateral circulation, hematoma location in intracranial hemorrhage), and discuss differences in time elapsed between symptom onset and management amongst sexes. CONCLUSION: Differences exist in stroke clinical presentation amongst sexes. These disparities have public health implications, and as they become better understood, impact awareness campaigns in both the public and healthcare communities.

Unraveling the Myths Around Epilepsy: A Cross-Sectional Study of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices Among Pakistani Individuals.

INTRODUCTION: Across its historical trajectory, epilepsy has frequently been linked to evil forces, particularly in the sub-continent. This research was created to find out if educated Pakistanis still believe that epilepsy is caused by being possessed by spirits (Jinns). The objective of the study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding epilepsy within the educated populace of Pakistan. METHOD:  After approval from the Ethical Review Committee, a population-based cross-sectional design was conducted in Chakwal District, Pakistan between February 1, 2018, and June 1, 2020, to evaluate the general knowledge and attitudes of the public toward epilepsy. A non-probability convenience sampling technique was utilized to recruit participants from different socioeconomic backgrounds across Chakwal District, and only individuals aged 18 years or older with at least 12 years of education were eligible to participate. A previously validated structured questionnaire was used to document findings. The study focused on several variables, such as knowledge about epilepsy and the percentage of people who have witnessed seizures, as well as sources of knowledge, subjective causes of epilepsy, beliefs in cure, transmission, and treatment options. RESULTS: The survey included 512 participants, and the age distribution was as follows: 18-29 years old accounted for 18% of the respondents, 30-44 years old accounted for 35%, and 45-60 years old accounted for 31%. There was a female predominance with a frequency of 312 (60.9%). When asked about their sources of knowledge about epilepsy, the majority of participants (59.57%) reported learning about epilepsy from friends and relatives. A smaller percentage (18.36%) reported learning about epilepsy from schools, while another 20.31% heard about epilepsy from media and relatives. CONCLUSION: The results of this research show that the general populace of Pakistan has a serious dearth of comprehension and information about epilepsy. Participants frequently held misconceptions about epilepsy being a hereditary disease and a mental condition, highlighting the need for focused education and information efforts to dispel these falsehoods. The fact that most participants got their knowledge about epilepsy from peers and family also emphasizes the value of peer education and social networks in spreading awareness of the disease.

Incidental Finding of Synovial Osteochondromatosis: A Case Report.

Synovial osteochondromatosis (SOC) is a rare, benign condition of unknown etiology characterized by the formation of cartilaginous loose bodies. This often leads to early osteoarthritis with decreased range of motion and pain. Clinical presentation most often is reported as monoarticular pain affecting the knee or less commonly the hip shoulder or elbow. Diagnosis can be confirmed on x-ray imaging where the characteristic synovial bodies will be identified. Management with early debridement of the synovium will often be curative but more complex cases may require further surgical management. We present a 33-year-old male presented with localized left knee pain. Given the history of new-onset pain, left knee x-rays were obtained that revealed a displaced patella with multiple ossific densities around the left knee which were suspicious for a new diagnosis of SOC. Due to its nonspecific symptoms and imaging, the diagnosis of SOC is often delayed or missed. Therefore, prompt diagnosis and treatment are important in order to avoid irreversible cartilage destruction in the joint, prevent the development of chronic pain, and reduce the risk of malignant transformation.

Concurrent Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane Antibody Disease and Membranous Nephropathy: A Case Series.

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE: Anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) disease is a rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis which, in some instances, occurs concurrently with other diseases such as antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis. Rarely, it also occurs with membranous nephropathy (MN). We report a series of such patients, characterizing their long-term follow up. STUDY DESIGN: Case series. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: Twelve patients referred to 1 medical center between 2001 and 2019 with anti-GBM disease and MN whose clinical characteristics and course were described. RESULTS: Patients' ages ranged from 20 to 81 years old, and all presented with severe acute kidney injury requiring dialysis on presentation or shortly thereafter. Only 1 patient had pulmonary findings on presentation. The predominant pathology was crescentic and necrotizing glomerulonephritis with linear staining for immunoglobulin G along the GBM associated with epimembranous electron-dense immune-type deposits. All 11 patients who were tested had significant titers of anti-GBM antibodies, but only 1 of the 5 tested for phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) on biopsy was positive. Eight patients received therapy with cyclophosphamide, prednisone, and plasmapheresis; 2 patients with prednisone and plasmapheresis; and 2 with rituximab-based regimens. Progression to a requirement for kidney replacement therapy occurred in all 12 patients, but 2 patients later recovered kidney function. Recurrence of anti-GBM disease did not occur for any of the patients studied. LIMITATIONS: Incomplete testing for PLA2R in biopsy and serum, limited sample size, and lack of uniform treatment regimen. CONCLUSIONS: In this case series, the presentation of concurrent anti-GBM disease and MN was characterized by rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis and poor kidney outcomes. These findings suggest possible value from earlier diagnosis and the need for identification of more effective treatment regimens.

Twin Pregnancy and Severe Maternal Outcomes: The World Health Organization Multicountry Survey on Maternal and Newborn Health.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate maternal complications (potentially life-threatening conditions, maternal near miss, and maternal death) that are mutually exclusive and severe maternal outcomes (maternal near miss or maternal death) associated with twin pregnancies. METHODS: We performed a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional World Health Organization Multicountry Survey, which was implemented in 29 countries. Data from 4,756 twin deliveries were compared with 308,111 singleton deliveries. Factors associated with maternal morbidity and twin pregnancies were reported with adjusted prevalence ratio (95% confidence interval). RESULTS: Potentially life-threatening conditions, maternal near miss, severe maternal outcomes, and maternal deaths were 2.14 (1.99-2.30), 3.03 (2.39-3.85), 3.19 (2.58-3.94), and 3.97 (2.47-6.38) times higher, respectively, among twin pregnancies. Maternal age older than 20 years, having a partner, multiparity, and elective cesarean delivery were associated with twin pregnancies. Postpartum hemorrhage and chronic hypertension were more frequently associated with severe maternal outcomes among twin pregnancies. Conditions indicating organ dysfunction (maternal near miss) were twofold to fivefold higher for twins. Poisson multiple regression analysis identified several factors independently associated with a severe maternal outcome, but not twin pregnancies. CONCLUSION: Twin pregnancy is associated with greater severe maternal morbidity and a higher rate of maternal death than singleton pregnancy.

Severe maternal outcomes and their predictors among Pakistani women in the WHO Multicountry Survey on Maternal and Newborn Health.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of, and the demographic and obstetric factors associated with, severe maternal outcome (SMO) among women presenting at healthcare facilities in Pakistan. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 16 healthcare facilities across Pakistan that had been selected for the WHO Multicountry Survey on Maternal and Newborn health. The hospital records of women who delivered at a participating facility or were admitted with SMO (defined as maternal death or near miss) within 7 days of delivery/abortion were reviewed for a period of 2-3 months in 2011. The incidence of SMO, its associated demographic and obstetric characteristics, and the influence of various maternal health interventions were assessed. RESULTS: Among 13 175 included women, 132 (1.0%) had an SMO (94 [0.7%] near miss and 38 [0.3%] died). The maternal mortality ratio was 299 deaths per 100 000 live births. Major causes of SMO included postpartum hemorrhage (64 [48.5%] women), hypertensive disorders (34 [25.8%]), and ruptured uterus (9 [6.8]). Illiteracy, anemia, and several obstetric complications (e.g. eclampsia) were significant contributors. CONCLUSION: Improving education, nutrition, and uniform implementation of obstetric care protocols are needed for better maternal and neonatal health in Pakistan.

Assessment of the safety and efficacy of the novel tetrapeptide ITF-1697 on infarct size after primary PTCA in acute myocardial infarction: a randomised, placebo-controlled pilot trial.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: ITF-1697 is a chemically modified LYS-Pro tetrapeptide that corresponds to sequence 113-116 of C-reactive protein. Previous studies have demonstrated significant anti-ischaemic and antithrombotic activity of this tetrapeptide. The aim of this prospective, randomised, double-blind study in patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing coronary revascularisation was to investigate the safety and efficacy of prolonged intravenous (i.v.) infusion of ITF-1697 at different doses on reduction of infarct size, as assessed by radionuclide imaging. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Injection of technetium-99m (Tc99m) was followed by injection of ITF-1697 or placebo bolus and 24-hour infusion in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) was performed and succeeded by radionuclide imaging. A second Tc99m injection and radionuclide imaging was performed 7 days after the PTCA or at hospital discharge. The primary efficacy variable was set as the ratio between the myocardial salvage (size of the initial perfusion defect minus the final size of the infarct) and the initial area at risk (myocardial salvage index). Twenty-three patients were included in the study protocol, of whom nine were randomised to the ITF-1967 dose 1 group (loading dose 55 microg/kg i.v., infusion 0.5 microg/kg/min for 24 hours), a further nine to the ITF-1697 dose 2 group (loading dose 110 microg/kg i.v., infusion 1.0 microg/kg/min for 24 hours), and the remaining five to the placebo group. RESULTS: The defined safety variables (adverse events, laboratory parameters, vital signs and clinical outcome) exhibited no relationship to the application of ITF-1697. Comparison of myocardial salvage index revealed no statistical difference within the three groups (p = 0.65). Hypothesis testing on the myocardial salvage as well as the empirical and bias-correct confidence intervals (CIs) revealed significant differences between the ITF-1697 dose 2 group and the placebo group (95% CI 2.75, 18.07). CONCLUSION: The application of the tetrapeptide ITF-1697 during acute myocardial infarction to reduce infarct size was found to be feasible and safe in this pilot trial.

Combined use of retrograde myocardial and distal coronary protection for last vessel intervention in an aortocoronary vein graft.

Feasibility, safety, and clinical efficacy of the combined application of the PercuSurge system and the Myoprotect SSR device was demonstrated in a patient with high-risk anatomy undergoing saphenous vein graft intervention. This combined approach of coronary and myocardial protection may be considered in high-risk aortocoronary vein graft interventions.