Activity

To assess the effectiveness of a food supplement (Tinnitan Duo®) containing 5-hydroxytryptophan, Ginkgo biloba, magnesium, melatonin, vitamin B5 and B6, and zinc at improving tinnitus response and intensity. Prospective, single-center interventional study including patients with subjective tinnitus and emotional affectation. The primary endpoint was the change in the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) total score and the emotional subscale after 3 months of treatment. Secondary endpoints were the change from baseline to month 3 in (1) the Tinnitus Distress Rating (TDR) scale, and (2) in hearing status, and the safety profile of patients throughout the study. Sixty-one patients were included, and 29 completed the study. The THI total score was significantly reduced after 3 months of treatment in the per-protocol (PP, all the patients with no major protocol deviations) and intention-to-treat (ITT) populations (-15.7 and -7.5, respectively; p = 0.001). The emotional subscale score significantly decreased after 3 months of treatment by -5.6 in the PP (p = 0.001) and by -2.6 in the ITT populations (p = 0.001). Perceived tinnitus loudness significantly decreased after 3 months of treatment (p = 0.001). The audiogram showed no significant changes in hearing status after 3 months of treatment. Of the five adverse events (AEs) reported, all were mild or moderate, and three were related to the study treatment (two headaches and one dizziness). This new food supplement was associated with an improved tinnitus-related emotional affectation and with a good safety profile.Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) is an emerging method for assessing umbilical venous catheter (UVC) position. We implemented a training module for neonatal providers geared toward POCUS proficiency in assessing UVC position in our neonatal intensive care unit. Over 14 months, the percentage of providers qualified to use POCUS for UVC placement increased from 0 to 33%. The median time to achieve proficiency was 5 months (interquartile range 3-14 months). Additionally, we discovered that a minimum of two views were required to correctly assess catheter tip location. The two views in which it was easiest to correctly identify the catheter tip were the subcostal and parasternal short view using the cardiac ultrasound windows, and the phased array ultrasound probe.

Current evidence suggests that the initiation of maintenance hemodialysis should not be based on a specific glomerular filtration rate (GFR) but on symptoms or signs attributable to kidney disease. However, it is difficult to predict the time point at which overt uremic syndrome develops in individuals. The estimated GFR is poorly correlated with occurrence of uremic symptoms, and some patients require dialysis at a higher eGFR than others. In this case, patients are more likely to be improperly prepared for dialysis. We investigated the predialysis characteristics of patients who require dialysis at a higher eGFR.

A total of 453 incident dialysis patients being monitored by a nephrologist from January 2013 to December 2018 were included. The predialysis characteristics when eGFR decreased to 20 mL/min/1.73 m

were obtained.

The mean age was 61 years, and 65.7% were men. Overall, the median eGFR at the first dialysis was 5.8 (interquartile range 4.6-7.3) mL/min/1.73 m

and initiation of dialysis at thation of vascular access.

A near-miss experience has long-term and major impacts on mothers and their families. Therefore, evaluating the nature of maternal near-miss (MNM) could shed light on various aspects of the associated complications in women. The present study aimed to determine the lived experiences of women with MNM.

This qualitative research was conducted using conventional content analysis on 10 mothers with an MNM experience, who were selected based on the inclusion criteria. VU0463271 Data were collected

semi-structured interviews about the experiences of the mothers during and after the near-miss incident. Data analysis was performed using the conventional content analysis technique.

Five main categories were extracted, including fears and concerns, failure to accept and adapt, tolerating physical and psychological pain and hardships, death experience, and medical team mismanagement. Regret and fear of raising the child with siblings, fear of the re-marriage of the spouse, and fear of complications and costs were among t intensifying the complications.

According to the results, the mothers were faced with multiple problems, including fears and concerns, failure to adapt to the problem, and numerous physical and psychological issues after an MNM experience. However, they believed that medical errors, the improper communications of the medical team, and their negligence toward patients were among the factors intensifying the complications.

To compare the clinical outcomes of microwave ablation (MWA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT).

This retrospective study included 104 pHPT patients treated by MWA or RFA between January 2015 and March 2020 in four centers. The clinical outcomes including effectiveness and complications were compared between the two groups. Ablation cure was defined as the reestablishment of normal values of serum calcium and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) at least more than 6months. Clinical cure was defined as the reestablishment of normal values of serum calcium and iPTH throughout the entire follow-up period.

A total of 77 patients underwent MWA (mean age, 55.5 ± 16.4years) and 27 underwent RFA (mean age, 58.9 ± 15.6years). During the follow-up (median, 18.7months in the MWA group; 12months in the RFA group), no difference was observed between ablation cure rates (88.3% vs. 88.9%,

 = 1.000), clinical cure rates (87.0% vs. 82.3%,

 = .880), recurrent pHPT (5.2% vs. 3.7%,

 = .447), persistent pHPT (11.7% vs. 11.1%,

 = 1.000) and complication rate (9.1% vs. 3.7%,

 = .677). A maximum diameter less than 0.7 cm was an independent prognostic factor of uncured pHPT in ablation (hazard ratio, 0.1; 95% confidence interval 0.02, 0.54;

 = .007). Major complication – voice change encountered in five patients (6.5%) in the MWA group and in one patient (3.7%) in the RFA group.

Both RFA and MWA are safe and effective techniques for patients with pHPT, with comparable clinical outcomes.

Both RFA and MWA are safe and effective techniques for patients with pHPT, with comparable clinical outcomes.