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Acute appendicitis presenting with MIS-C secondary to COVID-19.

Acute Appendicitis (AA) is among the most common causes of abdominal pain in children. Several physical exam findings, scoring systems, and imaging studies, such as ultrasonography and computed tomography, exist to assist clinicians in diagnosing acute appendicitis. Despite multiple tools for assessing suspected acute appendicitis, it remains a challenge to diagnose acute appendicitis in the pediatric population. A challenge that becomes increasingly more difficult if presenting with a comorbid condition. With the emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and subsequent discovery of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), this case series presents three pediatric cases of acute appendicitis presenting concurrently with MIS-C secondary to prior COVID-19 infection thus illustrating potential complications to diagnosing and managing acute appendicitis.

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Identification of differently expressed mRNAs by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease.

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease (VKH) is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by diffuse and bilateral uveitis, alopecia, tinnitus, hearing loss, vitiligo and headache. The transcriptional expression pattern of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in VKH remains largely unknown. In this study, mRNA sequencing was conducted in PBMC from VKH patients with active uveitis before treatment ( = 7), the same patients after prednisone combined with cyclosporine treatment ( = 7) and healthy control subjects strictly matched with gender and age ( = 7). We found 118 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between VKH patients and healthy control subjects, and 21 DEGs between VKH patients before and after treatment. was selected as a potential biomarker to monitor the development of VKH according to the mRNA sequencing. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis were performed to predict the possible biological functions and signaling pathways of DEGs. Neutrophil degranulation, peptidase regulator activity, secretory granule membrane, cellular response to peptide, growth factor binding and cell projection membrane were enriched as GO annotations of DEGs. Arachidonic acid metabolism and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway were potential signaling pathways involved in pathogenesis and drug response of VKH. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by STRING, and colony stimulating factor 1 receptor () was identified as the hubgene of all DEGs by Cytoscape. The cell type presumed to contribute to the aberrant expression of DEGs was analyzed with the use of publicly available single-cell sequencing data of PBMC from a healthy donor and single-cell sequencing dataset of monocytes from VKH patients. Our findings may help to decipher the underlying cellular and molecular pathogenesis of VKH and may lead novel therapeutic applications.

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Epidural labour analgesia rates during the COVID-19 pandemic in the north-west of England.

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Artificial Intelligence-Aided Headache Classification Based on a Set of Questionnaires: A Short Review.

Wielding modern technology in the form of artificial intelligence (AI) or deep learning (DL) can utilize the best possible latest computer application in intricate decision-making and enigmatic problem-solving. It has been recommended in many fields. However, it is a long way from achieving an ambitious genuine intention when it comes to understanding and identifying any headache condition or classification, and using it error-free. No studies hitherto formalized any headache AI models to accurately classify headaches.  A machine's job can be arduous when incorporating an emotional dimension in decision making, re-challenging its own diagnosis by keeping a differential at all times, where even experienced neurologists or headache experts sometimes find it demanding to make a precise analysis and formulate a methodical plan. This could be because of spanning clinical presentation at a given moment of time or a change in clinical pattern over time which apparently could be due to intercrossing multiple pathophysiologies. We did a short literature review on the role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in headache classification. This brings forth a minuscule insight into the vastness of headaches and the perpetual effort and exploration headache may demand from AI when trying to scrutinize its classification. Undoubtedly, AI or DL could better be utilized in identifying the red flags of headache, as it might help our patients at home or the primary care physicians/practicing doctors/non- neurologists in their clinic to triage the headache patients if they need an imperative higher center referral to a neurologist for advanced evaluation. This outlook can limit the burden on a handful of headache specialists by minimizing the referrals to a tertiary care setting.

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Upfront Radiosurgery for Treatment of Symptomatic Obstructive Hydrocephalus due to Brain Tumors.

Introduction Hydrocephalus is a build-up of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain and is characterized by abnormal dilatation of the cerebral ventricles. Patients can be either asymptomatic, have symptoms related to primary tumors, or have hydrocephalus-related symptoms. Generally, symptomatic patients are candidates for ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement to reduce acute symptoms. Little evidence exists regarding the resolution of symptomatic hydrocephalus secondary to brain tumors using stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) alone as a primary treatment option. Methods The present study is a retrospective series of eight patients (six men and two women) diagnosed with obstructive hydrocephalus due to brain tumors treated with radiosurgery between April 2013 and February 2021. The primary endpoint of the present study is to report our institutional experience regarding the control of symptomatic obstructive hydrocephalus due to brain tumors treated with upfront radiosurgery. Results The mean age was 52 years (range, 5-79). The most common presenting symptoms included headache (100%), vision-related symptoms (75%), and ataxia (37.5%). All patients showed symptom improvement after radiosurgery, five (62.5%) patients showed resolution in less than three days and the rest of the patients resolved hydrocephalus in a longer timeframe (more than three days). All patients lowered their Evans index compared to the index documented before radiosurgery, in a range from 0.02 to 0.17. Conclusion Radiosurgery is a non-invasive alternative treatment for primary and secondary brain tumors that debut with obstructive hydrocephalus, tumors expected to have a high alpha/beta ratio might be suitable to attempt radiosurgery to avoid permanently implanted devices such as VP shunts or other invasive procedures such as a third ventriculostomy. The present study demonstrated that in selected cases SRS can lead to hydrocephalus symptom resolution along with a decrease in ventricular size in a relatively short time frame. Little evidence exists regarding the effect of SRS on symptomatic hydrocephalus resolution and further histology-specific studies are required. We acknowledge that this approach requires immediate access to radiosurgery and close clinical follow-up to ensure success.

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The Musculoskeletal Manifestations of COVID-19: A Narrative Review Article.

The coronavirus pandemic has caused a devastating impact across the planet. Millions of lives lost and economic structures are struggling to remain afloat. Clinical effects of SARS CoV-2 virus include tiredness, fatigue, headache, cough, loss of appetite, fever, loss of sensations of taste, and smell as well as other respiratory difficulties. Pulmonary complications of coronavirus infections result in severe pneumonia with the final sequelae being sepsis, and end-stage respiratory failure. Further cardiovascular, neurological, hematological, and gastrointestinal complications build up to cause the demise of the immune system ultimately leading to death of the affected individual. The attack of the virus and the resultant reaction of the epithelial cells lining the respiratory tract have been in the limelight of most studies pertaining to the pandemic. However, a lesser number of studies have detailed the muscular and osseous pathologies that appear post-coronavirus infection. Inflammation post-infection, across the organ systems, may appear as a link to bone and joint pathology. Myalgia is a typical COVID-19 infection symptom. On the contrary, other musculoskeletal signs have very seldom been reported. Multimodality imaging techniques stand a chance at showing the diagnosis and the degree of follow-up after evaluation. Apart from myalgia, there are cases of arthralgia, myopathies, and neuropathies. According to numerous reports, there is the possibility of a link between the current drug regimen used to treat the SARS-CoV-2 infection and the musculoskeletal manifestations observed. In this study, we aim to shed light on the coronavirus pandemic and its association to various musculoskeletal manifestations, provide a different perspective of the infected patients, and address the major points that a clinician must take care while administering care to the patient. We will also address the present treatment in line with the various musculoskeletal symptoms observed.

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Midwifery Management of a Birthing Person with Cervical Edema During Labor.

During active labor, a birthing person with cervical edema often has a dysfunctional or prolonged labor and, therefore, an increased risk for cesarean birth. Midwives seeking evidence on how to manage cervical edema when they are faced with this clinical situation will note a gap in the literature regarding the management of cervical edema that this report aims to fill. This case will discuss the use of intravenous diphenhydramine (Benadryl), the application of ice to the cervix, side-lying release, epidural analgesia use, manual reduction of the cervix, and various positions to encourage reduction in cervical swelling. It is hoped these strategies will add to a midwife's clinical resources by providing ways to promote vaginal birth in the setting of cervical edema during labor.

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Paracetamol, ibuprofen and dexamethasone for pain treatment after total hip arthroplasty: protocol for the randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel 4-group, blinded, multicentre RECIPE trial.

Multimodal analgesia with paracetamol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and glucocorticoid is recommended for hip arthroplasty, but with uncertain effects of the different combinations. We aim to investigate benefit and harm of different combinations of paracetamol, ibuprofen and dexamethasone following total hip arthroplasty.

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Chronic Opioid Use and Sleep Disorders.

Opioid medications are considered a significant component in the multidisciplinary management of chronic pain. In the past two decades, the use of opioid medications has dramatically risen in part because of an increased awareness by health care providers to treat chronic pain more effectively. In addition, patients are encouraged to seek treatment. The release of a sentinel joint statement in 1997 by the American Academy of Pain Medicine and the American Pain Society in a national effort to increase awareness and support the treatment of chronic pain has undoubtedly contributed to the opioid crisis.

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Identification and Treatment of Acute Pelvic Inflammatory Disease and Associated Sequelae.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an ascending polymicrobial infection of the upper female genital tract. The presentation of PID varies from asymptomatic cases to severe sepsis. The diagnosis of PID is often one of exclusion. Primary treatment for PID includes broad-spectrum antibiotics with coverage against gonorrhea, chlamydia, and common anaerobic and aerobic bacteria. If not clinically improved by antibiotics, percutaneous drain placement can promote efficient source control, as is often the case with large tubo-ovarian abscesses. Ultimately, even with treatment, PID can result in long-term morbidity, including chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and ectopic pregnancy.

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