scholarly journals Extreme Procalcitonin Elevation without Proven Bacterial Infection Related to Amphetamine Abuse

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-3 ◽  
Author(s):  
András Lovas ◽  
Zsuzsanna Ágoston ◽  
Klára Késmárky ◽  
Péter Hankovszky ◽  
Zsolt Molnár
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Infection ◽  
Multiorgan Failure ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Neurological Impairment ◽  
High Serum ◽  
Past Medical History ◽  
Bacterial Sepsis ◽  
Laboratory Investigations ◽  
First Time ◽  
Severe Neurological Impairment

Systemic inflammatory response with rhabdomyolysis and consequent multiorgan failure is a known sequela of psychotropic drug abuse. However, in cases with uncertain past medical history the initial diagnosis can be challenging. Here we report the case of a 21-year-old male who was admitted to the intensive care unit with severe neurological impairment caused by amphetamine intoxication. First laboratory investigations revealed extremely high serum procalcitonin (PCT) levels reaching a maximum concentration of 1640 ng/mL on the second day of observation. Although PCT has high sensitivity and specificity in differentiating bacterial sepsis from nonbacterial inflammation, our case report shows for the first time that it can be extremely elevated following serious amphetamine intoxication without bacterial infection.

scholarly journals Opioid-Induced Respiratory Depression in Pediatric Palliative Care Patients with Severe Neurological Impairment—A Scoping Literature Review and Case Reports

Children ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 312
Author(s):  
Maximilian David Mauritz ◽  
Carola Hasan ◽  
Larissa Alice Dreier ◽  
Pia Schmidt ◽  
Boris Zernikow
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Neurological Impairment ◽  
Opioid Therapy ◽  
Pediatric Palliative Care ◽  
Severe Neurological Impairment

Pediatric Palliative Care (PPC) addresses children, adolescents, and young adults with a broad spectrum of underlying diseases. A substantial proportion of these patients have irreversible conditions accompanied by Severe Neurological Impairment (SNI). For the treatment of pain and dyspnea, strong opioids are widely used in PPC. Nonetheless, there is considerable uncertainty regarding the opioid-related side effects in pediatric patients with SNI, particularly concerning Opioid-Induced Respiratory Depression (OIRD). Research on pain and OIRD in pediatric patients with SNI is limited. Using scoping review methodology, we performed a systematic literature search for OIRD in pediatric patients with SNI. Out of n = 521 identified articles, n = 6 studies were included in the review. Most studies examined the effects of short-term intravenous opioid therapy. The incidence of OIRD varied between 0.13% and 4.6%; besides SNI, comorbidities, and polypharmacy were the most relevant risk factors. Additionally, three clinical cases of OIRD in PPC patients receiving oral or transdermal opioids are presented and discussed. The case reports indicate that the risk factors identified in the scoping review also apply to adolescents and young adults with SNI receiving low-dose oral or transdermal opioid therapy. However, the risk of OIRD should never be a barrier to adequate symptom relief. We recommend careful consideration and systematic observation of opioid therapy in this population of patients.

scholarly journals Development and psychometric validation of the family-centered multidimensional outcome measure for pediatric palliative care targeted to children with severe neurological impairmentis—A multicenter prospective study

2020 ◽  
pp. 026921632097562
Author(s):  
Sophie Pelke ◽  
Julia Wager ◽  
Benedikt B. Claus ◽  
Boris Zernikow ◽  
Mandira Reuther
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Prospective Study ◽  
Outcome Measure ◽  
Neurological Impairment ◽  
Pediatric Palliative Care ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Multicenter Prospective Study ◽  
Family Centered ◽  
Severe Neurological Impairment

Background: Comprehensive outcome measurement in pediatric palliative care focusing on the entire unit of care, that is, the affected child and its family, is crucial to depict treatment effects. Despite its increasing relevance, no appropriate multidimensional outcome measures exist for the largest patient group in this field, namely children with severe neurological impairments. Aim: The aim of this study was to develop and validate a family-centered multidimensional outcome measure for pediatric palliative care patients with severe neurological impairment that encompasses the entire unit of care. Design: Based on results of a qualitative study, the questionnaire was developed by consensus-based generation of questions. It was validated in a multicenter prospective study employing exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses as well as reliability and item analyses. Setting: A total of 11 pediatric palliative care teams across Germany aided in the recruitment of study participants. Questionnaires were answered by 149 parents of children with severe neurological impairment and 157 professional caregivers. Results: The exploratory factor analysis of parent data revealed a 6-factor structure of the questionnaire representing: symptoms, the child’s social participation, normalcy, social support, coping with the disease and caregiver’s competencies. This structure was verified by a confirmatory factor analysis of professional caregiver data. Five separate items regarding siblings, partners, and further symptoms not applicable for all patients were added to ensure full multidimensionality. Conclusion: A validated outcome tool for severely neurologically impaired pediatric palliative care patients, the FACETS-OF-PPC, now exists. Due to its concise length and appropriate psychometric properties, it is well suited for clinical application.

Persistent colonization and genetic diversity of Helicobacter pylori among patients with severe neurological impairment

2006 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 350-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Yamazaki ◽  
M. Inoue ◽  
K. Yamada ◽  
I. Taneike ◽  
T. Yamamoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Helicobacter Pylori ◽  
Neurological Impairment ◽  
Severe Neurological Impairment

Synthesis of single-crystalline GeS nanoribbons for high sensitivity visible-light photodetectors

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (31) ◽  
pp. 8074-8079 ◽  
Author(s):  
Changyong Lan ◽  
Chun Li ◽  
Yi Yin ◽  
Huayang Guo ◽  
Shuai Wang
Keyword(s):  
Visible Light ◽  
Vapor Deposition ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Incident Light ◽  
Chemical Vapor ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Single Crystalline ◽  
Promising Application ◽  
Photo Detection ◽  
First Time

Single-crystalline GeS nanoribbons were synthesized by chemical vapor deposition for the first time. The nanoribbon photodetectors respond to the entire visible incident light with a response edge at around 750 nm and a high responsivity, indicating their promising application for high performance broadband visible-light photo-detection.

An Xq22.1q22.2 nullisomy in a male patient with severe neurological impairment

2017 ◽  
Vol 173 (4) ◽  
pp. 1124-1127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kentaro Shirai ◽  
Yuya Higashi ◽  
Keiko Shimojima ◽  
Toshiyuki Yamamoto
Keyword(s):  
Male Patient ◽  
Neurological Impairment ◽  
Severe Neurological Impairment

High serum miR-421 is associated with metabolic dysregulation and inflammation in patients with metabolic syndrome

Epigenomics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aécio A Braga ◽  
Raul H Bortolin ◽  
Magda E Graciano-Saldarriaga ◽  
Thiago DC Hirata ◽  
Alvaro Cerda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
High Serum ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Metabolic Dysregulation ◽  
Inflammatory Status ◽  
Potential Biomarker ◽  
Screening Study

Aim: To explore the association of circulating miRNAs with adiposity, metabolic status and inflammatory biomarkers in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Patients & methods: Serum levels of 372 miRNAs were measured in patients with (n = 6) and without MetS (n = 6) by quantitative PCR array, and dysregulated miRNAs were validated in a larger cohort (MetS, n = 89; non-MetS, n = 144). Results: In the screening study, seven miRNAs were dysregulated in patients with MetS, and miR-421 remained increased in the validation study. miR-421 was associated with a high risk of MetS and insulin resistance and hypertension and correlated with glycated hemoglobin, triacylglycerols, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, IL-6, resistin and adiponectin (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Circulating miR-421 is a potential biomarker for insulin resistance, metabolic dysregulation and inflammatory status in patients with MetS.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document