DESIGN: Multicenter retrospective case series.
METHODS: Retrospective review.
RESULTS: Seven patients presented with corneal findings ranging from superficial punctate epitheliopathy to bilateral corneal melt with subsequent perforation. Among those with mild corneal findings, resolution was achieved with topical steroids and lubrication, whereas some patients who developed progressive corneal melt required therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty. The history in all patients revealed exposure to aquarium zoanthid corals shortly before disease onset. A review of the literature revealed that there are few prior reports of coral-associated corneal toxicity and that some species of coral secrete a substance known as palytoxin, a potent vasoconstrictor that inhibits the membranous sodium-potassium ATPase pump across cell types and can cause rapid death if inhaled or ingested.
CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest case series to date demonstrating patients with aquarium coral palytoxin-associated corneal toxicity, and is the first to provide details of related histopathologic findings. Similar to other forms of toxic keratoconjunctivitis, a detailed history and careful clinical assessment are required, as well as timely removal of the offending agent from the patients' ocular milieu and environment. Mild ocular surface and corneal disease may be treated effectively with aggressive topical steroid therapy and lubrication. Given the potential severity of ocular as well as systemic adverse effects, there should be increased awareness of this entity among eye care professionals, aquarium enthusiasts, and the general public.
METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed one-year data from our stroke registry that began with the establishment of our hyperacute stroke service at Universiti Putra Malaysia Teaching Hospital from April 2020 until May 2021.
RESULTS: Setting up acute stroke services during the pandemic with constrained manpower and implementation of COVID-19 SOPs, was challenging. There was a significant dip of stroke admission from April to June 2020 due to the Movement Control Order (MCO) implemented by the government to curb the spread of COVID-19. However, the numbers of stroke admission steadily rose approaching 2021, after the implementation of recovery MCO. We managed to treat 75 patients with hyperacute stroke interventions i.e. intravenous thrombolysis (IVT), mechanical thrombectomy (MT) or both. Despite implementing COVID-19 SOPs and using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as our first line acute stroke imaging modality, clinical outcomes in our cohort were encouraging; almost 40% of patients who underwent hyperacute stroke treatment had early neurological recovery (ENR), and only 33% of patients had early neurological stability (ENS). In addition, we were able to maintain our door-to-imaging (DTI) and door-to-needle (DTN) time in line with international recommendations.
CONCLUSIONS: Our data reflects that COVID-19 SOPs did not deter successful delivery of hyperacute stroke services in our center. However, bigger and multi center studies are required to support our findings.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a combined dry IF and healthy plate (IFHP) and healthy plate (HP) intervention in improving anthropometric outcomes and body composition.
METHODS: This nonrandomized controlled trial involved 177 adults who were overweight and obese. Among them, 91 (51.4%) were allocated to the IFHP group and 86 (48.6%) were allocated to the HP group. The overall study duration was 6 months (October 2020 to March 2021). The intervention was divided into 2 phases: supervised (3 months) and unsupervised (3 months). The data were collected at baseline, after the supervised phase (month 3), and after the unsupervised phase (month 6). Anthropometric (weight, height, waist circumference, and hip circumference) and body composition (body fat percentage, body fat mass, skeletal muscle mass, and visceral fat area) data were measured at all 3 data collection points. Sociodemographic data were obtained using a questionnaire at baseline.
RESULTS: Most participants were female (147/177, 83.1%) and Malay (141/177, 79.7%). After 3 months, there were significant reductions in weight (difference -1.68; P.05).
CONCLUSIONS: A combined IFHP intervention was effective in improving anthropometric outcomes and body composition in adults with overweight and obesity.
INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR2-10.2196/33801.