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522, P less then 0.01; LDH r=0.600, P less then 0.01). A negative correlation was observed between the lymphocyte count on admission and the severity of illness (r=-0.523, P less then 0.01). There was also a negative correlation between the lymphocyte count on admission and mortality in critical patients (r=-0.499, P less then 0.01). Univariable logistic regression analysis showed that the occurrence of DVT was positively correlated with disease severity (crude odds ratio 3.643, 95% CI 1.218-10.896, P less then 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our report illustrates that critically or severely ill patients have an associated high D-dimer value and high Padua score, and illustrates that a low threshold to screen for DVT may help improve detection of thromboembolism in these groups of patients, especially in asymptomatic patients. Our results suggest that early administration of prophylactic anticoagulant would benefit the prognosis of critical patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and would likely reduce thromboembolic rates.BACKGROUND Bundle branch reentrant ventricular tachycardia (BBRVT) is a rarely encountered ventricular tachycardia (VT) and is classically associated with advanced heart diseases. Importantly, the tachycardia is readily curable with catheter ablation. Without suspicion of BBRVT and recording of the His-Purkinje system, it is hard to diagnose accurately. Myotonic dystrophy (MD) is the most common neuromuscular disease in adults and is known to have a risk of development of BBRVT. Here, we report a case of BBRVT in an MD patient with normal cardiac configuration with typical clinical and electrophysiological features. CASE REPORT A 40-year-old man presented with chest discomfort and weakness at the Emergency Department with unstable vital conditions. Electrocardiography showed wide QRS tachycardia with right bundle branch block pattern. The patient had been diagnosed with MD (type I) 3 years ago and had typical clinical features of MD. Transthoracic echocardiography showed normal left ventricular systolic function and no significant structural abnormalities. In the electrophysiologic study, VTs with left and right bundle branch block pattern were induced and diagnosed with BBRVT. Considering the risk of sudden death, implantation of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) was performed. One month later, VT had recurred and was successfully treated with ablation of the right bundle branch. CONCLUSIONS We present a case of 2 different morphologies of BBRVT in a patient with MD and normal ventricular function. Catheter ablation is a curative method for BBRVT and can be a tool for reducing ICD shock.

There is a lack of evidence about the usefulness of exercise or rest in myasthenia gravis (MG). This study is aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of exercise or rest in MG.

In a single-center open-labeled randomized controlled trial, the patients with mild to moderate MG were randomized to 30-min walk or rest in addition to the standard treatment. The primary endpoint was 50% improvement in the MG Quality of Life (MG-QOL15), and secondary endpoints were change in the Myasthenic Muscle Score (MMS), MG Activities of Daily Living (MGADL), grip strength, dose of acetylcholine esterase inhibitor and prednisone, 6-min walk test (6MWT), decrement in trapezius on the low-rate repetitive nerve stimulation test, and adverse events. The outcomes were defined at 3 months, by >50% improvement in these outcome parameters.

Forty patients with MG were randomized to the exercise or rest arm. The 2 arms were matched for demographic and clinical parameters. The patients in the exercise arm had significantly better QOL evidenced by MG-QOL15 (p = 0.02). The secondary endpoints, distance covered in 6MWT (p = 0.007), were also better in the exercise arm without any adverse event.

Regular exercise for 30 min in mild and moderate MG improves quality of life and walking distance compared to rest and is safe.

The clinical trial registration number is CTRI/2019/11/021869.

The clinical trial registration number is CTRI/2019/11/021869.

In Europe, the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a range of restrictive measures, which may have impacted alcohol consumption.

We explored perceived changes in alcohol consumption, their association with sociodemographic characteristics and past year alcohol consumption, and self-reported reasons for change after CO-VID-19 restrictions in Norway.

A web-based survey was sent to Norwegians aged 18 years and older in June-July 2020. Respondents reporting any past year alcohol use (n = 1,200) were asked whether they drank less, approximately the same, or more after the COVID-19 restrictions compared to before and reasons for drinking less or more.

Almost a third (29.9%) reported they drank less, whereas 13.3% reported they drank more. Females, younger respondents, and Oslo residents were more likely to report both less and more drinking (p values between 0.001 and 0.029). click here Past year alcohol use was associated with less drinking (OR = 0.93; p < 0.001) and more drinking (OR = 1.07; p < 0.001). More drinking was also associated with living with child(ren) (p = 0.023) and high educational level (p = 0.029). The most frequently reported reasons for drinking less pertained to fewer social occasions and less on-premise drinking, whereas reasons for drinking more pertained to treating oneself to something good and fewer consequences of drinking more.

After the COVID-19 restrictions were implemented, a substantial proportion of Norwegians changed their drinking behaviour.

After the COVID-19 restrictions were implemented, a substantial proportion of Norwegians changed their drinking behaviour.

Weed pollen allergy is an important and in prevalence increasing cause of pollinosis in Europe and across the world. In this study we focus on the value of common diagnostic tools for detection of a sensitization to mugwort and English plantain, especially with regard to the clinical relevance of the sensitization.

Eighty weed pollen sensitized patients (41 to mugwort and 39 to English plantain) were assessed retrospectively regarding their clinical anamnesis, in-vivo tests (skin prick test [SPT] and allergen specific provocation) and in-vitro tests (immunoglobulin E [IgE] reactivity to purified natural allergen extract and specific allergen components in serum).

85% of mugwort and 83% of English plantain sensitizations could be diagnosed by SPT alone. Distinction between allergic and non-allergic patients could be made with clinical challenges solely. IgE serology revealed IgE antibodies against the native pollen extracts for mugwort in 98% and for English plantain in 90% of patients. Detection of major allergens nArt v 1, nArt v 3 and Pla l 1 did not add accuracy to the diagnosis.