-
Holcomb Nyholm opublikował 1 rok, 3 miesiące temu
The finding that families who were experiencing more distress had higher alliance scores suggests that there is an additional need for development of interventions for families in crisis. Both participant and provider perceptions are also important in development of a strong therapeutic alliance. This study’s findings have implications for further exploration of the development of cultural humility and improving mental health literacy among facilitators of behavioral interventions.
The aim of this study was to compare long-term survival after laproscopic completed and laparoscopic converted rectal resection for cancer.
All consecutive patients who underwent curative laparoscopic rectal surgery for cancer at our institution between January 2001 and December 2016 were included in a single-center retrospective study. Patients were divided into two groups the converted (CONV) group and the totally laparoscopic (LAP) group. The primary outcomes were long-term oncologic outcomes including overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS), as well as local and distant recurrence (LR, DR). The secondary outcomes included postoperative mortality and morbidity as defined as death or any complication occurring within 90days postoperatively.
Of 214 consecutive patients included, 57 were converted to open surgery (CONV group), leading to a 26.6% conversion rate. Mean length of follow-up was 68 ± 42months in the LAP group and 70 ± 41months in the CONV group. Five-year OS was significantly shorter in the CONV group compared to the LAP group (p = 0.0016). On multivariate analysis, rectal tumor location (middle and low) and conversion to open surgery were predictors of both OS and DFS.
This study suggests that conversion to open surgery after laparoscopic rectal resection appears to significantly reduce OS without having a significant impact on DFS and recurrence rates.
This study suggests that conversion to open surgery after laparoscopic rectal resection appears to significantly reduce OS without having a significant impact on DFS and recurrence rates.Presently, in several parts of the world, water consumption is not measured or visualized in real time, in addition, water leaks are not detected in time and with high precision, generating unnecessary waste of water. That is why this article presents the implementation of a smart water measurement consumption system under an architecture design, with high decoupling and integration of various technologies, which allows real-time visualizing the consumptions, in addition, a leak detection algorithm is proposed based on rules, historical context, and user location that manages to cover 10 possible water consumption scenarios between normal and anomalous consumption. The system allows data to be collected by a smart meter, which is preprocessed by a local server (Gateway) and sent to the Cloud from time to time to be analyzed by the leak detection algorithm and, simultaneously, be viewed on a web interface. The results show that the algorithm has 100% Accuracy, Recall, Precision, and F1 score to detect leaks, far better than other procedures, and a margin of error of 4.63% recorded by the amount of water consumed.Neuroblastoma (NB) is a heterogeneous tumor that is common in infants and young children. Long non-coding RNA X-inactive specific transcript (XIST) is implicated in NB advancement. Nevertheless, the role and regulatory mechanism by which XIST in NB are not fully elucidated. Expression levels of XIST, microRNA-375-5p (miR-375), and L1 cell adhesion molecular (L1CAM) were examined through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The cell cycle progression, proliferation, and colony formation of NB cells were determined with flow cytometry, 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), or cell colony formation assays. Cell apoptotic rate was detected with flow cytometry assay. The relationship between XIST or L1CAM and miR-375 was verified via dual-luciferase reporter assay. The level of L1CAM protein was examined through western blotting. The role of XIST in vivo was confirmed through xenograft assay. XIST and L1CAM were upregulated while miR-375 was downregulated in NB tissues and cells. XIST depletion repressed tumor growth in vivo and elevated radiosensitivity, arrested cell cycle progression, and impeded proliferation of NB cells in vitro. Mechanistically, XIST modulated L1CAM expression through competitively binding to miR-375. Furthermore, miR-375 inhibitor recovered XIST inhibition-mediated effects on the radiosensitivity and malignant behaviors of NB cells. Also, L1CAM overexpression reversed the effects of miR-375 enhancement on the cell cycle progression, proliferation, and radiosensitivity of NB cells. XIST downregulation repressed tumor growth and boosted radiosensitivity of NB via modulating the miR-375/L1CAM axis, indicating that XIST was a promising target for NB treatment.Antineoplastic drugs such as oxaliplatin (OXA) often induce memory and emotional deficits. At present, the mechanisms underlying these side-effects are not fully understood, and no effective treatment is available. Here, we show that the short-term memory deficits and anxiety-like and depression-like behaviors induced by intraperitoneal injections of OXA (4 mg/kg per day for 5 consecutive days) were accompanied by synaptic dysfunction and downregulation of the NR2B subunit of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in the hippocampus, which is critically involved in memory and emotion. The OXA-induced behavioral and synaptic changes were prevented by chronic oral administration of magnesium-L-threonate (L-TAMS, 604 mg/kg per day, from 2 days before until the end of experiments). We found that OXA injections significantly reduced the free Mg2+ in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (from ~ 0.8 mmol/L to ~ 0.6 mmol/L). The Mg2+ deficiency (0.6 mmol/L) upregulated tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and phospho-p65 (p-p65), an active form of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB), and downregulated the NR2B subunit in cultured hippocampal slices. Oral L-TAMS prevented the OXA-induced upregulation of TNF-α and p-p65, as well as microglial activation in the hippocampus and the medial prefrontal cortex. Finally, similar to oral L-TAMS, intracerebroventricular injection of PDTC, an NF-κB inhibitor, also prevented the OXA-induced memory/emotional deficits and the changes in TNF-α, p-p65, and microglia. Taken together, the activation of TNF-α/NF-κB signaling resulting from reduced brain Mg2+ is responsible for the memory/emotional deficits induced by OXA. Chronic oral L-TAMS may be a novel approach to treating chemotherapy-induced memory/emotional deficits.
This analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of dulaglutide in Chinese patients with type2 diabetes (T2D) aged ≥ 60 and < 60years.
This post hoc analysis included patients with T2D enrolled in two phase3 clinical trials AWARD-CHN1 (NCT01644500) and AWARD-CHN2 (NCT01648582) of dulaglutide 0.75 and 1.5mg. Patients were categorized into two groups (≥ 60 and < 60years). Efficacy outcomes (change in glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c], fasting blood glucose [FBG], and weight; percentage of patients achieving HbA1c target [< 7.0%]) and safety outcomes (incidence of hypoglycemia and gastrointestinal treatment-emergent adverse events [GI TEAEs]) at 26weeks were evaluated for each age group in both trials.
A total of 766 patients (≥ 60years, n = 222; < 60years, n = 544) were included in the study. A similar reduction of HbA1c was observed in both age groups AWARD-CHN1, 1.5mg (least squares mean [LSM] 95% confidence interval [CI] ≥ 60years - 1.45% [- 1.69, - 1.21%] and < 60years - 1.43% [- 1.59, - 1.28%]) and 0.75mg (≥ 60years - 1.29% [- 1.53, - 1.05%] and < 60years - 1.18% [- 1.33, - 1.03%]); AWARD-CHN2, 1.5mg (≥ 60years - 1.60% [- 1.83, - 1.36%] and < 60years - 1.64% [- 1.80, - 1.49%]) and 0.75mg (≥ 60years - 1.31% [- 1.55, - 1.08%] and < 60years - 1.33% [- 1.48, - 1.17%]). Dulaglutide showed a reduction in HbA1c as early as 4weeks after initiation of treatment, which was maintained over 26weeks in both age groups. The percentage of patients achieving HbA1c target < 7.0% at 26weeks was also similar in both age groups. Incidence of hypoglycemia and GI TEAEs was low in each age group.
Treatment with once-weekly dulaglutide improved glycemic control in patients with T2D aged ≥ 60years and < 60years and was well tolerated in older patients, suggesting it can be considered a safe and effective treatment option for use in older patients with T2D.
AWARD-CHN1 (NCT01644500) and AWARD-CHN2 (NCT01648582).
AWARD-CHN1 (NCT01644500) and AWARD-CHN2 (NCT01648582).
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved orally administered 100-mg and 200-mg doses of lasmiditan for the acute treatment of migraine, with or without aura. Having a unique mechanism of action, lasmiditan is the first and only Food and Drug Administration-approved serotonin 5-HT
receptor agonist.
The objective of this study was to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of lasmiditan for the acute treatment of migraine in adult patients.
We systematically searched PUBMED, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases. Any relevant articles published before 3 March, 2020 were collected. Inclusion criteria were (1) randomized clinical trials; (2) enrolled adult participants diagnosed with migraine; (3) compared lasmiditan at 100mg or 200mg with placebo; (4) enrolled more than 100 participants; and (5) provided any available data for predefined primary or secondary outcomes.
Three high-quality, multi-centered randomized clinical trials with 4506 patients in total were included. We found that reased risk for adverse events.Quantitative metagenomic studies have linked the gut microbiota to autoimmune disorders. Here, we performed deep shotgun metagenomic sequencing of fecal samples from 99 immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) patients and 52 healthy controls. Dysbiosis in the gut microbiome of ITP was detected phylogenetically and functionally, and classifier based on species markers distinguished individuals with ITP from healthy controls. In particular, the abundance of Ruminococcus gnavus, Bifidobacterium longum and Akkermansia muciniphila was markedly increased in treatment-naïve ITP patients, and the alterations of microbial species were correlated with clinical indices. Functionally, the secondary bile acid biosynthesis and flagellar assembly were depleted in the gut microbiota of ITP, which may contribute to the onset of ITP by affecting the immune system. Furthermore, we found that corticosteroid treatment affected the gut microbiome of ITP. Compared with corticosteroid-sensitive ITP patients, we identified that the corticosteroid-resistant ITP patients displayed a distinct gut microbiome, which was different from that of the treatment-naïve ITP patients. Together, we provided support for the critical role of gut microbiota in the development of ITP and established a foundation for further research characterizing gut microbiota in relation to corticosteroid resistance of ITP.
Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a key phosphate-regulating hormone that has been associated with adverse outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Emerging data suggest that FGF23 plays a specific role in type 2 diabetes, partly independent of kidney function. We aimed to summarize current literature on the associations between FGF23 and outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes with or without CKD.
Several cohort studies have shown strong associations between plasma FGF23 and cardiovascular outcomes in diabetic CKD. Moreover, recent data suggest that FGF23 are elevated and may also be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality in type 2 diabetes patients without CKD, although the magnitude of the association is smaller than in CKD patients. Diabetes-related factors may influence plasma FGF23 levels, and a higher FGF23 levels seem to contribute to a higher cardiovascular and mortality risk in patients with type 2 diabetes. Although this risk may be relevant in diabetic indely a disease severity marker or a contributor to adverse outcomes in type 2 diabetes and establish if antidiabetic medication can modify FGF23 levels.
The COVID-19 pandemic has radically impacted the world lifestyle. Epidemics are well-known to cause mental distress, and patients with a current or past history of obesity are at increased risk for the common presence of psychological comorbidities. This study investigates the psychological impact of the current pandemic in patients participating in a bariatric surgery program.
Patients were consecutively enrolled during the Italian lockdown among those waiting for bariatric surgery or attending a post-bariatric follow-up, and were asked to complete through an online platform the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 and a self-assessment questionnaire of 22 items evaluating the resilience, change in eating behavior and emotional responses referring to the ongoing pandemic.
59% of the 434 enrolled subjects reported of being worried about the pandemic, and 63% specifically reported of being worried about their or their relatives’ health. 37% and 56% felt lonelier and more bored, respectively. 66% was hungrier with increased frequency of snacking (55%) and 39% reported more impulse to eat. Noteworthy, 49% felt unable to follow a recommended diet. No difference in terms of psychological profile was recorded among pre and post-bariatric subjects. Logistic regression analysis on post-bariatric patients showed a relationship between snacking, hunger, eating impulsivity, and anxiety, stress, and/or depression symptoms.
The pandemic led to increased psychological distress in patients with a current or past history of obesity, reducing quality of life and affecting dietary compliance. Targeted psychological support is warranted in times of increased stress for fragile subjects such as pre- and post-bariatric patients.
Level V cross-sectionaldescriptive study.
Level V cross-sectional descriptive study.Two diametrically opposed positions predominate discourse for the care and treatment of persons with severe mental illness anti-deinstitutionalization and anti-institutionalization. Both share the same goal of ensuring best quality of life for those with severe psychiatric disorders, but pathways to achieving this goal are very different and have resulted in much contention. Supporters of each position espouse a different belief system regarding people with psychiatric disorders and their presumed capabilities, placing varying emphasis on maximizing protection of the community versus protection of individual rights, and result in contrasting mental health policies and practice orientations. The authors delineate the history from which these positions evolved, consequent views, and policies and practices that emerged from these differing attitudes. The article culminates in a proposed practice approach that offers a more balanced approach to serving adults with mental illness -navigating risk management by preserving freedom and opportunities of risk while affording mutually satisfactory „risk control.”
to examine the relationship between religiosity, social support, trauma, quality of life and experienced stigma of mental illness amongst a population diagnosed with mental ill-health.
A cross-sectional survey of day service users in Northern Ireland (n = 295) covering a range of issues including religiosity, social support, quality of life and prior experience of trauma. Stigma was measured using a recognised stigma scale. We used multinomial logistic regression to examine risk factors associated with experienced stigma.
Univariate analysis showed significant associations between stigma and age, number of friends, social support, quality of life and prior experience of trauma. Age, quality of life, and trauma remained independently associated with stigma in a multivariate logistic regression model (x
(12) = 98.40, p < 0.001).
Younger people, those with less social support, prior experience of trauma and with poorer quality of life are at increased risk of experiencing stigma related to their diagnosis of mental illness. The findings provide further understanding of stigma and are useful for those overseeing programmes to improve access to mental health treatment.
Younger people, those with less social support, prior experience of trauma and with poorer quality of life are at increased risk of experiencing stigma related to their diagnosis of mental illness. The findings provide further understanding of stigma and are useful for those overseeing programmes to improve access to mental health treatment.
(4S)-4-(3-[
F]Fluoropropyl)-L-glutamic acid ([
F]FSPG) measures system x
transporter activity and shows promise for oncologic imaging. We present data on tumor uptake of this radiopharmaceutical in human subjects with head and neck cancer (HNC), colorectal cancer (CRC), and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).
A total of 15 subjects with HNC (n = 5), CRC (n = 5), or NHL (n = 5) were recruited (mean age 66.2 years, range 44-87 years). 301.4 ± 28.1 MBq (8.1 ± 0.8 mCi) of [
F]FSPG was given intravenously to each subject, and 3 PET/CT scans were obtained 0-2 h post-injection. All subjects also had a positive [
F]FDG PET/CT scan within 1 month prior to the [
F]FSPG PET scan. Semi-quantitative and visual comparisons of the [
F]FSPG and [
F]FDG scans were performed.
[
F]FSPG showed strong uptake in all but one HNC subject. The lack of surrounding brain uptake facilitated tumor delineation in the HNC patients. [
F]FSPG also showed tumor uptake in all CRC subjects, but variable uptake in the NHL subjects. Whn tumor biology. The tumor-to-background ratios were greater with [18F]FSPG than [18F]FDG in the cancer types evaluated. Future studies based on larger numbers of subjects and those with a wider array of primary and recurrent or metastatic tumors are planned to further evaluate the utility of this novel tracer.
El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar las características de fermentación de proteínas de diversas fuentes mediante microbiota intestinal humana. Se seleccionaron proteínas de cereales (arroz y avena), proteínas de carne roja (carne de cerdo y res), proteínas de pollo y caseína como sustratos para la digestión gastrointestinal simulada (SGID), y se recogieron muestras fecales humanas de donantes sanos como el inóculo de fermentación. En este estudio, analizamos aún más las correlaciones de las composiciones de aminoácidos (AA), las producciones de fermentación y la microbiota intestinal. Como resultado, los grupos de proteínas animales tuvieron un mayor grado de hidrólisis (DH) después de la digestión y mayores niveles de nitrógeno amoniacal (NH
-N) después de la fermentación que las proteínas de cereales. El valor del pH del líquido de fermentación disminuyó a medida que se agregaron proteínas durante la fermentación. Los grupos de proteínas de cereales promovieron la microbiota intestinal para producispp. y Bifidobacterium spp. mientras que las proteínas de la carne roja estimularon el crecimiento de Peptoclostridium spp. En conjunto, nuestra investigación implica que el cereal proLas teínas tienen mejores caracteres de fermentación que las proteínas de la carne roja.In the original publication of the article, the word „complimentary”.Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic chronic inflammatory disease that affects synovial joints and has various extra-articular manifestations, including atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). Patients with RA experience a higher risk of CVD, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Inflammation is a common phenomenon in RA and CVD. The pathophysiological association between these diseases is still not clear, and, thus, the risk assessment and detection of CVD in such patients is of clinical importance. Recently, artificial intelligence (AI) has gained prominence in advancing healthcare and, therefore, may further help to investigate the RA-CVD association. There are three aims of this review (1) to summarize the three pathophysiological pathways that link RA to CVD; (2) to identify several traditional and carotid ultrasound image-based CVD risk calculators useful for RA patients, and (3) to understand the role of artificial intelligence in CVD risk assessment in RA patients. Our search strategy involves extensively searches in PubMed and Web of Science databases using search terms associated with CVD risk assessment in RA patients. A total of 120 peer-reviewed articles were screened for this review. We conclude that (a) two of the three pathways directly affect the atherosclerotic process, leading to heart injury, (b) carotid ultrasound image-based calculators have shown superior performance compared with conventional calculators, and (c) AI-based technologies in CVD risk assessment in RA patients are aggressively being adapted for routine practice of RA patients.Chronic inflammation starting early in life and continuing into adulthood may predispose children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) to cardiovascular (CV) complications. To compare non-invasive CV risk markers- left ventricular mass index (LVMi), brachial artery flow mediated dilatation (FMD) and carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) between patients with JIA and healthy controls. Measurements of LVMi, CIMT and FMD and lipid profile were compared between 4 and 18 year old 81 patients with JIA and 78 age and sex matched healthy controls. Among 81, 20 had systemic onset, 19 enthesitis related arthritis, 9 polyarticular rheumatoid factor (RF) + ve, 19 polyarticular RF -ve, 11 oligo-articular, and 3 un-differentiated JIA. FMD was significantly lower (p less then 0.001), CIMT and LVMi significantly higher in patients (p ≤ 0.001). CIMT showed positive correlation with blood pressure (p = 0.001), disease duration (p ≤ 0.001) and negative correlation with high density lipoprotein (HDL) (p ≤ 0.001). FMD correlated positively with HDL (p = 0.006) and negatively with disease duration (p ≤ 0.001). CIMT (p = 0.017) and FMD (p = 0.04) were significantly worse in active than inactive disease. Children with JIA have worse lipid profile, increased LVMi, CIMT, and reduced brachial artery FMD, suggestive of early cardiovascular dysfunction.In this commentary paper I try to make complementarily more discussion on two question. First, the target paper (Zagaria, Andò, & Zennaro, 2020) points out the lack of continuity in the concepts used in psychology. The authors aim for a rigorous definition which is necessary to rebuild mud figures of psychology, but is that the only direction? Second, the evolutionary psychology seems to allow for a diversity of methodologies, but is there any limitations and possibilities of approaching the origin of the mind from biologically based methods? To answer this question, I went back and examined Freud’s earlier studies and Vygotsky’s theoretical considerations from the history of psychology. As a result, it was pointed out that the shift from the biological world to the psychological world had a fundamental problem of conversion from quantity to quality. As a clue to its elucidation, I considered on the semiotic mediation, the psychological causality, and the work of apperception.After the publication of the first article in 2014, 21st Century Identified Skeletal Collection, housed in the Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology, Department of Life Sciences at the University of Coimbra, Portugal, has been growing. Currently, the collection is composed of 302 complete adult skeletons of both sexes, which means that in 5 years it has doubled. The collection consists mostly of elderly individuals, with only 12.25% of the individuals aged less than 61 years old. All individuals are Portuguese nationals who died between 1982 and 2012. Ninety individuals exhibit prostheses, other medical devices and signs of surgical procedures. Moreover, a sub-collection of experimentally burned skeletons is under development, and currently includes 56 individuals (18.54% of the collection). The 21st Century Identified Skeletal Collection constitutes a fundamental tool for forensic anthropology research, including the development and validation studies of methods that focus on elderly individuals, as can be ascertained by the numerous scientific publications and academic scholarship that have been produced in previous years.
Health related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important indicator of long-term well-being, influenced by environmental factors such as family, culture, societal norms and available resources. This study aimed to explore parental perspectives on the influence of socio-cultural factors and environmental resources on the HRQOL of children and adolescents after congenital heart disease (CHD) surgery.
Using a descriptive, qualitative design, semi-structured interviews of children/adolescents who had CHD surgery in this low-middle income country (LMIC) were collected between July to December 2017. There were 20 families enrolled, which included 18 parent dyads (mother and father) and two single mothers, making a total of 38 participants. Initial inductive analysis was further refined using the Social Ecological Model as an analytic lens.
At the intrapersonal level, unrealistic expectations of surgery, residual CHD symptoms and difficulty maintaining educational progress were of great concern. There were low lehelp to inform future interventions to be implemented in countries like Pakistan.
Socio-ecological factors have the potential to explain the issues and challenges that children living in LMIC experience with CHD after surgery. The study findings will help to inform future interventions to be implemented in countries like Pakistan.
To investigate the clinical and imaging features predicting the histopathological diagnosis of immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease (IgG4RD) in patients with suspected IgG4RD on computed tomography (CT).
We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 178 patients with CT findings suspicious of IgG4RD from January 2015 to December 2017. Patients who underwent tissue biopsy were included to evaluate the association between patient characteristics and histopathological diagnosis of IgG4RD. The histopathological diagnosis was classified into IgG4RD and non-IgG4RD. Clinical, laboratory, and imaging features were compared between patients with IgG4RD and non-IgG4RD, and logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the predictors for histopathologically confirmed IgG4RD.
Of the 103 patients with histopathologically proven diseases, 46 and 57 patients were classified as IgG4RD and non-IgG4RD, respectively. The median age was 64 years; 65% of patients were male. There were significant differencIgG4RD is associated with elevated IgG4 level, renal involvement, and swelling pattern on CT. • Positron emission tomography-CT may be a useful diagnostic tool in patients with clinically suspected IgG4RD. >.
.The Cambrian radiation represents a key time period in the history of life. Here, we add to the mounting evidence accumulating on the nature of deuterostomes from this time period through description of a new species of stalked deuterostome, Herpetogaster haiyanensis nov. sp., from the lower Cambrian (series 2, stage 3) Chengjiang biota of China. This represents the first occurrence of the genus in Gondwana, the first juvenile specimen, and the oldest specimens to date. Herpetogaster haiyanensis nov. sp. differs from H. collinsi Caron et al. (2010) in having a stolon that is separated into an outer and inner layer, the segmentation of the body and in the shape and number of branches of the tentacles. The new species reiterates earlier suggestions of deuterostome affinities of the genus-it appears closely related to Phlogites and then successively more distantly related to Cotyledon and Eldonia-and may have fed on hyolithids.We evaluated whether scattered radiation should be considered for cross-calibration and concentration linearity with quantitative gallium-67 (67Ga) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The scanned data from cylinder and spherical phantoms were used. They were reconstructed using ordered subset expectation maximization with resolution recovery, scatter, and computed tomography (CT)-based attenuation correction. The standardized uptake values (SUVs) of the cylinder phantom SPECT/CT images were calculated using system planar sensitivity with and without scatter correction, and the results were compared with the theoretical value. To determine concentration linearity, the relationship between the measured SUVs in three different spherical phantoms was evaluated. SUVs calculated by system planar sensitivity without scatter correction were closer to the theoretical values. Furthermore, the 37-mm sphere showed proper radioactive linearity. Our study suggests the utility of the SUV for 67Ga SEPCT/CT. Nevertheless, additional studies are required.
The transverse sinus (TS) is a frequent location of cerebral venous thrombosis. However, unilateral TS hypoplasia is a frequent variation and radiological imaging pitfall in the diagnosis because it may mimic unilateral TS thrombosis. The purpose of this study is to find a cutoff value for bilateral jugular foramen (JF) diameter ratios on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for differentiating TS thrombosis from TS hypoplasia.
We retrospectively reviewed magnetic resonance venography results for 174 patients with reduced unilateral TS caliber resulting from either unilateral thrombosis (80 patients) or unilateral hypoplasia (94 patients). We calculated the ratio by proportioning the diameter of the JF ipsilateral to the TS with caliber reduction to the diameter of the contralateral JF. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the ratios between thrombosis and hypoplasia groups, and the cutoff value was calculated by receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis.
The ratio of bilateral JF diameters was lower in patients with hypoplasia than those with thrombosis (P < .01). The cutoff value to determine the diagnosis of TS hypoplasia with maximum accuracy was 0.638, with a sensitivity of 91.3% and specificity of 64.9%.
In equivocal cases, calculating the cutoff value by proportioning the diameter of JF ipsilateral to the TS with caliber reduction to the contralateral JF seems to be an efficient, quick, and straightforward method and valuable aid to differentiate TS thrombosis from TS hypoplasia.
In equivocal cases, calculating the cutoff value by proportioning the diameter of JF ipsilateral to the TS with caliber reduction to the contralateral JF seems to be an efficient, quick, and straightforward method and valuable aid to differentiate TS thrombosis from TS hypoplasia.
Moderate hyperprolactinaemia (2-5 times upper limit of normal) occurring in a patient with a normal pituitary MRI is generally considered to be due to a lesion below the level of detection of the MRI scanner assuming macroprolactin and stress have been excluded. Most patients with mild-to-moderate hyperprolactinaemia and a normal MRI respond to dopamine agonist therapy. We present the rare case of a patient who had prolactin elevation typical of a prolactin-secreting pituitary macroadenoma,with a normal cranial MRI, and in whom the prolactin rose further with dopamine agonist treatment. Subsequent investigations revealed ectopic hyperprolactinaemia to a uterine tumor resembling ovarian sex cord tumor (UTROSCT) which resolved following tumor resection. Although mostly considered to be benign, the UTROSCT recurred with recurrent hyperprolactinaemia and intraabdominal metastases.
We have systematically and critically reviewed existing literature relating to ectopic hyperprolactinaemia in general and UTROCST specifically.
Fewer than 80 cases of UTROSCTs have been reported globally of which about 23% have shown malignant behaviour. There are fewer than 10 cases of paraneoplastic hyperprolactinaemia originating from uterine neoplasms including one other case of ectopic hyperprolactinaemia to a UTROSCT.
Our case demonstrates the importance of screening for extracranial hyperprolactinaemia in the context of (1) substantially raised prolactin (10×ULN) and (2) normal cranial MRI assuming macroprolactin has been excluded. The majority of extracranial ectopic prolactin-secreting tumors occur in the reproductive organs.
Our case demonstrates the importance of screening for extracranial hyperprolactinaemia in the context of (1) substantially raised prolactin (10× ULN) and (2) normal cranial MRI assuming macroprolactin has been excluded. The majority of extracranial ectopic prolactin-secreting tumors occur in the reproductive organs.Long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) LINC00525 has been shown to be upregulated in several human cancers and deduced to possess caner regulatory role. The regulation of molecular mechanics of human glioma by lncRNA-LINC00525 through microRNA sponging in glioma is elusive. The lncRNA-LINC00525 showed significant (P less then 0.05) upregulation in glioma cancer cells. The upregulation of lncRNA-LINC00525 was upto 6.6-fold in glioma cells relative to the normal cells. Knockdown of lncRNA-LINC00525 significantly declined the proliferation of the glioma cancer cells. Additionally, the colony formation was inhibited by around 60% in glioma cells. The wound healing and transwell assays revealed significant (P less then 0.05) inhibition of migration and invasion potential under lncRNA-LINC00525 knockdown. The western blotting study of biomarkers of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) revealed that lncRNA-LINC00525 gene silencing reduced the expression of mesenchymal molecular markers but increased the protein levels of epithelial markers. miR-338-3p was predicted to be interacting with lncRNA-LINC00525 in glioma and was shown to mediated the regulatory role of lncRNA-LINC00525. Taken together, the results of present study are supportive of the prognostic applicability of lncRNA-LINC00525 against human glioma together with its therapeutic potential against the said malignancy.
Empirical models have been an integral part of everyday clinical practice in ophthalmology since the introduction of the Sanders-Retzlaff-Kraff (SRK) formula. Recent developments in the field of statistical learning (artificial intelligence, AI) now enable an empirical approach to awide range of ophthalmological questions with an unprecedented precision.
Which criteria must be considered for the evaluation of AI-related studies in ophthalmology?
Exemplary prediction of visual acuity (continuous outcome) and classification of healthy and diseased eyes (discrete outcome) using retrospectively compiled optical coherence tomography data (50eyes of 50patients, 50healthy eyes of 50subjects). The data were analyzed with nested cross-validation (for learning algorithm selection and hyperparameter optimization).
Based on nested cross-validation for training, visual acuity could be predicted in the separate test data-set with amean absolute error (MAE, 95% confidence interval, CI of 0.142 LogMAR [0.077; 0.207]). Healthy versus diseased eyes could be classified in the test data-set with an agreement of 0.92 (Cohen’s kappa). The exemplary incorrect learning algorithm and variable selection resulted in an MAE for visual acuity prediction of 0.229 LogMAR [0.150; 0.309] for the test data-set. The drastic overfitting became obvious on comparison of the MAE with the null model MAE (0.235 LogMAR [0.148; 0.322]).
Selection of an unsuitable measure of the goodness-of-fit, inadequate validation, or withholding of anull or reference model can obscure the actual goodness-of-fit of AI models. The illustrated pitfalls can help clinicians to identify such shortcomings.
Selection of an unsuitable measure of the goodness-of-fit, inadequate validation, or withholding of a null or reference model can obscure the actual goodness-of-fit of AI models. The illustrated pitfalls can help clinicians to identify such shortcomings.
To explore the safety of multiple tract percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) in terms of complication and draw a nomogram to predict the possibility of significant renal function decline (SRFD).
Patients with complex renal calculi appropriate for PNL at our institution between August 2016 and February 2018 were included in the study. The outcome of single and multiple tract PNL was analyzed retrospectively. A nomogram was created to predict the probability of SRFD.
793 (88.4%) patients were treated with single tract PNL (Group 1) and 104 patients (11.6%) treated with multiple tract PNL (Group 2). Group 2 had a significantly greater hemoglobin reduction (16.0 ± 12.5 vs. 11.4 ± 11.8g/L, p < 0.001), higher rate of postoperative fever (19.2% vs. 11.9%, p = 0.034) and longer duration of the operation (110.6 ± 39.6 vs. 97.8 ± 34.5min, p < 0.001). A nomogram for predicting the probability of SRFD was constructed based on identified risk factors patients’ age, positive urine culture (UC +), hemoglobin reduction and embolization. The area of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 70%. Bootstrapping technique utilized to make the calibration plot showed a high reliability of the nomogram.
Multiple tract PNL had a higher risk of hemoglobin reduction and postoperative fever than single tract PNL. Multiple tracts had no effect on SRFD, but old age, UC + , hemoglobin reduction and embolization were risk factors for SRFD. A nomogram with the aim of predicting the probability of SRFD based on these parameters demonstrated good uniformity in internal validation.
Multiple tract PNL had a higher risk of hemoglobin reduction and postoperative fever than single tract PNL. Multiple tracts had no effect on SRFD, but old age, UC + , hemoglobin reduction and embolization were risk factors for SRFD. A nomogram with the aim of predicting the probability of SRFD based on these parameters demonstrated good uniformity in internal validation.
While several studies have investigated clinical outcomes following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) vs. percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), studies investigating self-reported health and the association with adverse outcomes are limited. Thus, the aim was to investigate differences in health-related quality of life (HRQoL), anxiety and depression at discharge and the association with a composite endpoint of the first event of acute cardiac readmission, revascularisation or 1-year mortality among patients undergoing CABG vs. PCI.
Data from the national cohort study, DenHeart, were used, including measures of HRQoL; EuroQoL-5D-5L (EQ-5D Index Score and VAS) and HeartQoL (Global, Physical and Emotional), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS) and register-based follow-up. A total of 7000 patients were included (CABG n = 652, PCI n = 6348) (median age 65, 75% men). Cox Proportional Hazard models were performed among a propensity-matched population of responders (n = 520).
HRQoL was significantly better among patients undergoing PCI vs. CABG, but with no differences in time to readmission or revascularisation. HRQoL, anxiety and depression were significantly associated with the risk of the composite endpoint among the PCI group (Hazard Ratio, HR (95% confidence intervals, CI) [EQ-5D index score 3.07 (1.67-5.67), EQ-5D VAS 0.97 (0.96-0.99), HeartQol Global 0.61 (0.38-0.95), HeartQol Emotional 0.56 (0.39-0.80), HADS-D ≥ 8 3.12 (1.61-6.01), HADS-A ≥ 8 2.08 (1.14-3.80)].
Patients undergoing PCI reported better HRQoL at discharge compared with patients undergoing CABG, whereas readmission rates were similar. Self-reported health was associated with the risk of adverse events among patients undergoing PCI, but not among patients undergoing CABG.
NCT01926145.
NCT01926145.
This study aimed to compare refractive deviations between in-the-bag insertion, trans-scleral ciliary sulcus fixation, ciliary sulcus insertion, and ciliary sulcus insertion with optic capture after phacovitrectomy.
Single-unit, single-surgeon, retrospective study.
Consecutive patients who underwent phacovitrectomy and intraocular lens (IOL) out-of-the-bag insertion simultaneously were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who underwent phacovitrectomy with IOL in-the-bag insertion were also included for comparison with those who underwent phacovitrectomy with out-of-the-bag insertion. Patients were classified into four groups based on the IOL insertion method. The average difference from the target spherical equivalent (SE) to postoperative SE was defined as the refractive deviation. Refractive deviations of the groups were compared.
The refractive deviation for the in-the-bag insertion (43 eyes) was -0.18 ± 0.50 Df, -0.84 ± 0.81 D for the trans-scleral ciliary sulcus fixation (43 eyes), -0.93 ± 0.68 D iary sulcus insertion with optic capture.
Autosomal dominant foveal hypoplasia (FVH1) is a rare disorder associated with mutations in the PAX6 gene. As an isolated disease entity, FVH1 does not include ocular disorders such as aniridia, microphthalmia, albinism, and achromatopsia. However, it only includes isolated foveal hypoplasia and foveal hypoplasia with presenile cataract. The purpose of this report is to present our findings in four patients from two families with FVH1 without visible ophthalmic macular abnormalities.
A review of the medical records of two families with FVH1 and genetic confirmation of mutations in the PAX6 gene.
Fundus photographs, optical coherence tomographic (OCT) and OCT angiographic (OCTA) images, and slit-lamp anterior segment findings were determined. The type of mutation of the PAX6 gene was determined.
A 3-year-old girl (Patient 1) had signs and symptoms of an impairment in the development of vision without other retinal abnormalities OU. OCT images showed a shallow foveal pit, and OCTA showed the absence of re, and detecting the presence of goniodysgenesis can be helpful in identifying patients with FVH1.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths and the 7th most common cancer. It has two characteristic features being advanced stage at diagnosis and association with liver cirrhosis. Liver transplantation (LT) offers the only curative option to treat both components of the disease. The Milan criteria have been extensively used for selecting patients with HCC for LT. However, using Milan criteria, we can only transplant 30% of the patients. The aim of the present review is to evaluate the role of LT in HCC beyond the Milan criteria.
We evaluated the studies that have introduced extended criteria to select patients with HCC beyond the Milan criteria. We evaluated the outcomes in terms of disease-free survival rates and HCC recurrences.
There are patients with tumors that are beyond Milan criteria that could benefit from LT. Selection of these patients has paramount importance in the era of living donor liver transplantation. Current expanded criteria depend on either the bulk of the tumor or the additional surrogate markers of tumor biology such as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and des-gamma carboxyprothrombin (DCP).
There is no ideal marker or an extended criterion for selecting patients with HCC beyond the Milan criteria and it needs further research to find an effective biomarker that has prognostic significance to select patients with advanced tumors.
There is no ideal marker or an extended criterion for selecting patients with HCC beyond the Milan criteria and it needs further research to find an effective biomarker that has prognostic significance to select patients with advanced tumors.
In this retrospective observational study and referring to a historical case presented in 2009, we searched for typical clinical and imaging features of brainstem encephalitis in neuroborreliosis.
In addition to the historical case we describe five affected patients.
All patients had a very similar prolonged clinical course with unspecific symptoms such as wasting, fatigue and headache. Brainstem signs were irregularly observed. MRI showed symmetrical brainstem alterations in all patients. In coronary FLAIR imaging these changes formed a figure resembling a Philippine tarsier.
A subset of patients with neuroborreliosis develops a brainstem encephalitis with a typical clinical course and distinct MRI findings.
A subset of patients with neuroborreliosis develops a brainstem encephalitis with a typical clinical course and distinct MRI findings.Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a viral disease caused by lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), a member of Capripoxvirus genus of Poxviridae family. It is a transboundary disease of the economic importance affecting cattle and water buffaloes. The disease is transmitted by arthropod vectors and causes high morbidity and low mortality. LSD has recently been reported first time in India with 7.1% morbidity among cattle. Generally, fever, anorexia, and characteristic nodules on the skin mucous membrane of mouth, nostrils, udder, genital, rectum, drop in milk production, abortion, infertility and sometimes death are the clinical manifestations of the disease. The disease is endemic in African and Middle East countries but has started spreading to Asian and other countries. It has been recently reported from China and Bangladesh sharing borders with India. We have summarized occurrence of LSD outbreaks in last 10 years in Asian countries for the first time. In India, currently epidemiological status of the disease is unknown. Vaccination along with strict quarantine measures and vector control could be effective for preventing the spread of the disease. This review aims to summarise the latest developments in the epidemiology with the focus on transboundary spread, aetiology and transmission, clinical presentations, diagnostics and management of the disease.
In this study, strictosidine synthase (STR) from Catharanthus roseus that plays an important role in alkaloid biosynthesis was selected. The purpose of this work was to perform in silico analysis and to predict the three-dimensional structure of this protein that is not available.
Physicochemical characterization was performed by Expasy’s Protparam server. The computed theoretical isoelectric point (pI) found to be less than 7 indicates the acidic nature of this protein. The aliphatic index 73.04 indicates the thermal stability of the protein. Grand average hydropathy (GRAVY) was predicted to be - 285; this lower value of GRAVY shows the possibility of better interaction of this protein with water. Functional analysis of these proteins was performed by SOSUI server which predicted the transmembrane helix. Secondary structure analysis was carried out by SOPMA that revealed that Alpha helix dominated among secondary structure elements followed by random coil, extended strand, and beta turns. The modeling of the three-dimensional structure of the STR was performed by Swiss model. The model was validated using protein structure checking tools PROCHECK and PROVE.
This study reveals in silico analysis by Expasy Protparam server, SOPMA, and SOSUI server. Homology modeling of STR was performed by Swiss model.
This study reveals in silico analysis by Expasy Protparam server, SOPMA, and SOSUI server. Homology modeling of STR was performed by Swiss model.
Sepsis is major determinants of prognosis in acute pyelonephritis (APN). This study aimed to assess factors associated with the development of sepsis among patients with clinically uncomplicated APN.
We examined 463 patients presenting to our hospital without complications. We assessed clinical factors including demographic and laboratory features. Renal and extrarenal features on computed tomography (CT) were also analyzed. Risk factors of sepsis are assessed.
The study included 361 patients without (78.0%) and 102 patients with sepsis (22.0%). Crude and attributable mortality rates were 3.9% and 2.0% versus 1.4% and 0.6%, respectively, among patients with and without sepsis. Clinical risk factors for sepsis were age >65years (odds ratio [OR] 1.79, P=0.02), absence of flank pain (OR 1.59, P=0.04), absence of costovertebral tenderness (OR 1.89, P=0.03), diabetes mellitus (OR 2.25, P=0.02), bacteremia (OR 2.8, P=0.01), C-reactive protein level >100mg/L (OR 1.42, P=0.02), and lack of previous APN history (OR 1.76, P=0.04). APN grade IV (OR 3.16, P=0.01), high grade hydronephrosis (OR 1.50, P=0.03), diffuse peritoneal thickening (OR 4.12, P=0.01), and acute interstitial pulmonary edema (OR 3.73, P=0.01) were the CT features predictive of septic shock.
Although uncomplicated APN was largely non-fatal, several clinical and CT features could lead to sepsis. Our findings may be useful for predicting sepsis risk and deciding whether intravenous antibiotic treatment and intensive management should be initiated for uncomplicated APN.
Although uncomplicated APN was largely non-fatal, several clinical and CT features could lead to sepsis. Our findings may be useful for predicting sepsis risk and deciding whether intravenous antibiotic treatment and intensive management should be initiated for uncomplicated APN.Magnetic resonance (MR) identification and grading of subjects with liver fibrosis and inflammation represents a clinical challenge. MR elastography plays a well-defined role in fibrosis estimation, but its use is not widely available in clinical settings. Given that liver MR is becoming the reference standard for fat and iron quantitation, there is a need to clarify whether there is any role for MR imaging in the concomitant evaluation of fibrosis and inflammation in this setting. This review summarizes the diagnostic estimations of different MR imaging parameters obtained from conventional non-contrast-enhanced multiple b values diffusion-weighted acquisitions, variable flip angles T1 relaxation maps and STIR images. Although some derived parameters have shown a significant correlation to histological scores, a small magnitude of effect with wide overlap across severity grades is the rule. Contrary to fat and iron quantification, the low precision and reproducibility of MR imaging metrics limits its clinical relevance in fibrosis and inflammation assessment. In a sequential clinical approach combining different methodologies, MR imaging has no applicability for ruling-out and low accuracy for ruling-in advanced fibrosis. Thereby, MR elastography remains as the only image method with high diagnostic accuracy for the detection of advanced fibrosis. Until date, inflammation remains in a gray zone where biopsy cannot be replaced, and further investigations are needed. The present review offers an in-depth discuss of the MR imaging diagnostic performance for the evaluation of liver fibrosis and inflammation, highlighting the need for scientific improvements.


