Highlights 43.4% of the cohort developed acute kidney injury. D-dimer and fibrinogen levels were high in both groups. Rotational thromboelastometry data were similar between groups. Serum levels of antithrombin activity and protein C were lower in patients who developed acute kidney injury. Objective The incidence of thrombotic events and acute kidney injury is high in critically ill patients with COVID-19. We aimed to evaluate and compare the coagulation profiles of patients with COVID-19 developing acute kidney injury versus those who […]

Highlights Two artificial neural networks, type of multilayer perceptron, and a random forest model were developed. Multilayer perceptron and random forest were compared to the OASIS, SAPS, SAPS II, SAPS III, LODS, SOFA, and EVCI Scores. Discrimination was assessed with the receiver operator characteristic and precision-recall curves. Calibration of the predictive models was evaluated with the Brier Score. ABSTRACT Objective The variation in mortality rates of intensive care unit oncological patients may imply that clinical characteristics and prognoses are very […]

Highlights Testicular torsion causes orchiectomy in more than 80% of the cases after 24 hours of pain onset. Testicular detorsion only (P1-P2) showed a small difference in intratesticular pressure (median 4mmHg). Testicular incision (P2-P3) only demonstrated a major pressure decrease (median, 45mmHg). The final pressure after TVR was similar to the non-twisted testicle pressure (median, 1mmHg). Testicular salvage (88.9%) and atrophy (66.3%) rates were slightly higher than the previous literature reports, perhaps the initial learning curve of this novel technique. […]

Highlights Up to 26% of patients with aortic aneurysms refused surgical repair. The proposed technique, whether open or endovascular, did not influence patients’ decisions. Patients with smaller aneurysms were more likely to refuse aortic aneurysm treatment. ABSTRACT Objective To analyze the refusal rate of elective aortic aneurysm surgery in asymptomatic patients after the presentation of a detailed informed consent form followed by a meeting where patient and their families can analyze each item. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of […]

Highlights Alkaline phosphatase: sensitivity of 97.6% and specificity of 72.6% for choledocholitiasis. The average cost of cholangioresonance would have decreased by almost half for each patient in this study. ABSTRACT Objective To assess the predictive value of preoperative serum laboratory test results for identifying choledocholithiasis and reduce the use of cholangioresonance and its inherent costs. Methods Patients aged 21-69 years who underwent preoperative cholangioresonance examination at our institute were included. Patients with a history of fluctuating jaundice or biliary pancreatitis, […]

Highlights Better oral hygiene improves aspects of social interaction. Care of teeth and dentures is beneficial for chewing and swallowing. Poor oral health is clearly related to frailty. ABSTRACT Objective This study aimed to correlate oral and general health in frail and non-frail older adults. Methods This observational study included 52 older adults, of whom 35 were frail (Frail Group), and 17 were non-frail (Non-Frail Group), according to Fried’s self-reported test addressing oral health variables, number of systemic diseases, and […]

Highlights Teaching method preferences of medical students 162 and teachers 71 were evaluated. Both groups showed high satisfaction and a sense of learning in virtual classes. The virtual method resulted in worse retention of attention. The virtual method also showed higher interference from the external environment.   ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the perceptions of students and teachers regarding remote teaching modality in comparison with the traditional face-to-face method. Methods In this observational, retrospective, comparative, single-center study, questionnaires containing three major […]

Highlights Efforts should be made to improve all aspects of prenatal care. The criteria used in this study were multidimensional and cover different aspects of care. Prenatal care must include recognition of socioeconomic and cultural differences among users.   ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate prenatal and puerperium care levels received and identify their association with sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted from May to December 2020 and included women who gave birth at the Municipal Hospital of […]

Highlights We compared characteristics between patients admitted during the first and second waves. There were 1,427 intensive care unit patients with COVID-19: 421 (first wave) and 1,006 (second wave). The patients in the second wave were younger and less severely ill at the time of intensive care unit admission. Patients exhibited similar mortality rates and need for invasive organ support. ABSTRACT Objective To describe and compare the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients admitted to intensive care units during the […]

Highlights ■ Serum amyloid A is an acute phase inflammatory protein. ■ Excess weight causes meta-inflammation with a consequent increase in the synthesis of C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A. ■ Carotid intima-media thickness measurement evaluates atherosclerosis before atheromatous plaque formation. ABSTRACT Objective To compare serum amyloid A concentrations between overweight and eutrophic children and adolescents and to relate it to lipid profiles, glucose tolerance, and carotid intima-media thickness. Methods One hundred children and adolescents (mean age: 10.8±3.16 years) were […]