Intravenous tocilizumab versus standard of care in the treatment of severe and critical COVID-19-related pneumonia: A single center, double-blind, placebo controlled, phase 3 trial

Background@#Severe and critical COVID-19 disease is characterized by hyperinflammation involving pro-inflammatory cytokines, particularly IL-6. Tocilizumab is a monoclonal antibody that blocks IL-6 receptors. @*Objectives@#This study evaluated the efficacy of tocilizumab in Filipino patients with severe to critical COVID-19 disease. @*Methods@#This phase 3 randomized double-blind trial, included patients hospitalized for severe or critical COVID-19 in a 1:1 ratio to receive either tocilizumab plus local standard of care or placebo plus standard of care. Patients were eligible for a repeat IV infusion within 24-48 hours if they deteriorated or did not improve. Treatment success or clinical improvement was defined as at least two categories of improvement from baseline in the WHO 7-point Ordinal Scale of patient status, in an intention-to-treat manner. @*Results@#Forty-nine (49) patients were randomized in the tocilizumab arm and 49 in the placebo arm. There was no significant difference in age, comorbidities, COVID-19 severity, need for mechanical ventilation, presence of acute respiratory distress syndrome, or biomarker levels between groups. Use of adjunctive therapy was similar between groups, with corticosteroid used in 91.8% in tocilizumab group and 81.6% in the placebo group, while remdesivir was used in 98% of participants in both groups. There was no significant difference between groups in terms of treatment success in both the intention-to-treat analysis (relative risk=1.05, 95% CI: 0.85-1.30) and per-protocol analysis (relative risk=0.98, 95% CI: 0.80 to 1.21). There was no significant difference in time to improvement of at least two categories relative to baseline on the 7-point Ordinal Scale of clinical status. @*Conclusion@#The use of tocilizumab on top of standard of care in the management of patients with severe to critical COVID-19 did not result in significant improvement as defined by the WHO 7-point Ordinal Scale of patient status, nor in significant improvement in incidence of mechanical ventilation, incidence of ICU admission, length of ICU stay, and mortality rate.

An Assessment of Epidemiologic Burden of Hospitalization for Bronchial Asthma in Acute Exacerbation among Adult Patients Admitted in a Tertiary Hospital in the Philippines: A Pilot Study

@#Objective. This pilot study aimed to determine the epidemiologic burden of hospitalization for bronchial asthma in acute exacerbation. Methods. We used a descriptive cross-sectional study to describe the demographic profile, comorbidities and level of control of patients admitted for bronchial asthma in acute exacerbation admitted to the Philippine General Hospital from May 1 to October 31 2019. The study computed for the admission rate and compared the average cost of hospitalization (diagnostics, therapeutics and room) using direct costing to the total reimbursable cost from PhilHealth. Associations between patient characteristics (age, type of admission) and hospitalization cost were also determined. Results. We enrolled 45 patients in the study. The admission rate was 8/month. The mean cost of admission was significantly higher than the reimbursable amount from PhilHealth (Php 20,074.63 versus Php 9000) (p = 0.004). Cost of hospitalization was significantly higher in pay patients versus charity (p = 0.001 for diagnostics, p = 0.005 for treatment and p = 0.001 for room cost), in patients with poorly controlled asthma (p = 0.020 for diagnostics and p = 0.014 for room cost) and those with frequent short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) use (p = 0.001). Conclusion. Asthma remains an economic burden for the Filipino patient. Persistent SABA use, perceived asthma control of patients and increased expenses associated with an asthma exacerbation admission lead to significant out-of-pocket expenditure.

Refractory and super refractory status epilepticus in the Philippines: A 10-year retrospective study

PURPOSE@#Super refractory status epilepticus (SRSE) is an uncommon, but important clinical problem with high morbidity and mortality. Studies concerning SRSE has been limited and there are no existing Philippine data. The study aims to determine the status of Refractory (RSE) and SRSE within a 10-year period in a Tertiary Hospital.@*METHODS@#This is a retrospective study of adult patients with prolonged seizures admitted at The Medical City, Philippines from January 2009- July 2018. Multinomial Logistic Regression was used to assess probability of good or poor outcome. Significant Correlation is defined by P value of <0.05. @*RESULTS@#The Incidence of RSE is as high as 38% (n=64) and 35% (n=58) for SRSE. Mortality rate is 39.1% in RSE and 62.1% in SRSE. Poor functional outcome is observed in RSE and SRSE wherein the majority was Alive Dependent. Significant factor increasing likelihood of being Alive Dependent is the absence of Arrest. @*CONCLUSION@#Factors associated with likelihood of being alive and independent includes Status Epilepticus and younger age therefore aggressive seizure control to prevent progression to SRSE will give higher likelihood of good functional outcome and elderly patients warrant closer and more adept seizure control for better functional outcome.

Surgical anatomy, technique and application of endoscopic endonasal transpterygoid approach in skull base surgery / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify the landmarks of transpterygoid approach and to report its application in a series of cases.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two silicon-injected adult cadaveric heads(4 sides) were dissected by performing an endoscopic endonasal transpterygoid approach after CT scanning for imaging guidance. High-quality pictures were obtained. This approach was used to treat twelve patients with skull base lesions including 3 spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks in the lateral recess of the sphenoid sinus, 2 neurofibromas and 2 Schwannomas involving the pterygopalatine fossa and infratemporal fossa, 1 dermoid cyst involving the middle fossa and infratemporal fossa, 1 invasive fungal sinusitis invading the middle fossa base, 1 basal cell adenoma in the upper parapharyngeal space, 1 chondrosarcoma in the parasellar region and 1 adenoid cystic carcinoma. Clinical records were reviewed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In terms of approach dissection, important landmarks, such as the sphenopalatine foramen and artery, vidian canal and nerve, foramen rotundum and maxillary branch of trigeminal nerve, foramen ovale and mandibular branch of trigeminal nerve, as well as pterygoid segment of Eustachian tube were identified. In terms of clinical data, three patients with spontaneous CSF leak underwent repair. Six patients with benign lesions underwent complete tumor resection. In the patient with invasive fungal disease, thorough debridement was undertaken and antifungal drug was administered for one month. For these benign skull base lesions, there was no recurrence during the follow-up period. In the patient with chondrosarcoma, most of the tumor was removed in the first operation, and was followed by two endoscopic operations because of fast growth of the tumor. Final control was achieved with chemotherapy and radiation. In the patient with adenoid cystic carcinoma, tumor recurred five years after surgery, and was reoperated.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>An understanding of the landmarks of the transpterygoid approach is paramount for surgically dealing with disease located within and adjacent to the region of the pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone. The endoscopic endonasal transpterygoid approach is feasible and safe in selected patients with skull base lesions.</p>

Phytoplankton development in a highly eutrophic man-made lake from the pampa plain of argentina - a functional approach

The phytoplankton structure and dynamics were analysed in relation to abiotic variables in Paso de las Piedras Reservoir, Argentina. Phytoplankton driving forces were explored using a functional approach. A total of 15 functional groups were identified among which D, P, HI, F, J and C were the most important. A Canonical variate analysis indicated that the categorization of the species in functional groups and its relationship with the temporal species clustering was not a random result. In the redundancy analysis, temporal ordination dynamics of functional groups was well described by the distribution of samples. Remarkable shifts in composition and biomass of phytoplankton occurred in agreement with changes in temperature, N:P ratio and transparency. The group succession could be summarized as: P/J [early summer]->P/ HI [late summer]->P [early autumn]-"P/F [late autumn]-"C [early winter]-"D [late winter]-"Y [early spring]-"D [early spring]->P [late spring]. The majority of the associations detected were typical of eutrophic-hypertrophic systems. With the exception of HI, the groups that most contribute to biovolume were those characteristics of mixed aquatic environments, i. e., non-stratifying lakes or deep, well-mixed epilimnia of stratifying lakes. The diversity indices, in terms of functional groups, were low, meaning that a small number of traits were present and/or that there was an inequitable distribution

Transnasal endoscopic anatomy of the clivus and approaches consideration / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#In-depth understanding of endoscopic anatomy of the skull base is the cornerstone of the development of endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery. The purpose of this study is to explore the anatomical landmarks of the clivus for endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery.@*METHOD@#Eight silicon-injected adult cadaveric heads (16 sides) were dissected performing endoscopic endonasal approach. The clivus and adjacent structures were exposed; and their anatomy shown in detail. High-quality pictures were produced.@*RESULT@#The clivus was subdivided into the upper, the middle and the lower clivus. Extracranial soft tissue landmarks and bony landmarks were presented. Intradural landmarks of the upper clivus were the interpeduncular cistern, posterior cerebral artery, posterior communicating artery, superior cerebellar artery, cranial nerve III and cerebral peduncle; intradural landmarks of the middle clivus were the prepontine cistern, basilar artery, cranial nerve VI and pons; intradural landmarks of lower clivus were premedullary cistern, vertebral artery, cranial nerve XI and medulla oblongata. Surgical routes to the clivus were the upper clivus approach, middle clivus approach, lower clivus approach and panclival approach.@*CONCLUSION@#An understanding of the complex anatomy of the clivus is paramount for surgically dealing with the disease involved clivus and adjacent region.

Prevalencia de controles prenatales incompletos en un servicio de maternidad y su relación con complicaciones neonatales / Prevalence of prenatal complete care in a Maternity and their relationship to neonatal complications

El control prenatal reduce la morbilidad y mortalidad materna y perinatal, partos prematuros y el número de productos con bajo peso al nacer, a la vez que permite identificar factores de riesgo, lo cual hace posible establecer acciones preventivas y terapéuticas oportunas durante el embarazo. Se considera control prenatal completo (CPC) al que cumple con las siguientes premisas: precoz, periódico, completo y de amplia cobertura. Con el objetivo de determinar la prevalencia de CPC en la población de embarazadas que consultaron al servicio de maternidad del hospital “Ángela I. de Llano” y establecer la relación entre el número de controles y complicaciones neonatales precoces, se llevó a cabo un estudio retrospectivo en el que se analizaron las historias clínicas del periodo junio a diciembre de 2010. Sobre 823 mujeres incluidas en el estudio, el 51% no presentó controles que cumplieran con los criterios de precocidad,cantidad, distribución, integralidad y calidad; las complicaciones neonatales fueron mayores en el grupo de controles incompletos. El 6,2% de los recién nacidos en el grupo sin control presentó bajo peso. El ingreso a neonatología fue del 9,7% en el grupo de controles incompletos y del 4,9% en el de controles completos. El porcentaje de óbitos fetales fue del 1,1% en el grupo de controles incompletos. Puede concluirse que los controles prenatales en la población estudiada se asocian con un mejor control y salud fetal neonatal, menor número de complicaciones y menos óbitos y fetos muertos, lo cual coincide con lo encontrado enotros lugares del país y de Latinoamérica.

Prenatal care reduces morbidity and both maternal and perinatal mortality, premature births and the number of products with low birth weight; additionally, it helps to identify risk factors making possible to establish appropriate preventive and therapeutic actions during pregnancy. Prenatal care is considered complete with the following premises: early, periodic, complete and comprehensive coverage. To determine the prevalence of complete prenatal care (CPC) among pregnant women and to establish the relationship between the number of controls and early neonatal complications, we performed a retrospective study analyzing the medical records of the Service of Maternity of the Hospital “Angela I. Llano”, in a period from June to December 2010.Among 823 studied women, the 51% had no controls that met the criteria of precocity, quantity, distribution, integrity and quality, so we can also see that neonatal complications were higher in the group of controls incomplete. We found that the 6.2% of newborns in the uncontrolled group had low birth weight. The entrance to the nursery was 9.7% in the control group and 4.9% among the incomplete control group.The percentage of stillbirths was 1.1% in the incomplete control group. In conclusion, we found that prenatal care was associated with better fetal control and neonatal health, fewer complications, deaths and stillbirths, which agree with that found elsewhere in the country and Latin America

Transnasal endoscopic anatomy and approaches to the cavernous sinus / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The goal of the current study is to describe the transnasal endoscopic anatomy of the cavernous sinus and to provide the surgical approaches to this area.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Six silicon-injected adult cadaveric heads (12 sides) were dissected through endoscopic endonasal approach. The cavernous sinus and adjacent structures were exposed; detailed anatomies were demonstrated. High-quality pictures were produced.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cavernous sinus had four walls, namely medial, lateral, posterior and superior walls. Five venous spaces within the sinus were identified by their relation to the carotid artery; those were the medial, lateral, posterosuperior, posteroinferior and anterolateral compartments. Three branches arising from the cavernous segment of internal carotid artery from proximal to distal were meningohypophyseal trunk, inferolateral trunk and McConnell capsular artery. Cavernous sinuses communicated each other by intercavernous sinuses, as well as basilar sinus in middle line, and connected with superior and inferior petrosal sinuses. The third and fourth nerves coursed in superior part of the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus; Meckel's cave located in the posteroinferior part of the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus; V1 sloped to the superior orbital fissure along the lateral wall; the sixth nerve entered the posteroinferior compartment then passed through the internal carotid artery and reached to superior orbital fissure. The approaches to the cavernous sinus included trans-sphenoid-sellar-medial cavernous sinus (medial to the internal carotid artery) and trans-ethmoid-pterygoid-sphenoid-lateral cavernous sinus (lateral to the internal carotid artery). Trans-sphenoid-sellar-medial cavernous sinus approach was able to expose medial compartment and posterosuperior compartment and part of posteroinferior compartment. Trans-ethmoid-pterygoid-sphenoid-lateral cavernous sinus approach was able to expose anteroinferior compartment, lateral cavernous sinus and cranial nerves in lateral wall.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>An understanding of the complex relationships of the cavernous segment of internal carotid artery and cranial nerves in cavernous sinus is paramount for surgically dealing with the disease involved cavernous sinus and adjacent region.</p>

Disección mucosal endoscópica de cáncer gástrico en paciente con poliposis colonica / Endoscopic mucosal dissection of gastric cancer in patient with colonic polyposis

La disección mucosal endoscópica (DME), surge a partir de la resección mucosal endoscópica (RME), permitiendo resecar lesiones malignas en estadio precoz, logrando tasas de curación de hasta el 99%, disminuyendo la morbi-mortalidad de la cirugía tradicional. Es importante la obtención de la pieza de forma completa, ya que de esta manera, el patólogo podrá informar los márgenes de la lesión en extensión y profundidad. Caso clínico: Se trata de paciente masculino de 40 años de edad, valorado por nuestro servicio (agosto 2009) por clínica de 4 meses de evolución, dado por cambios en el patrón evacuatorio (evacuaciones diarreicas) y rectorragia. Consulta a especialista, el cual realiza colonoscopia con hallazgo de tumor en recto medio, con biopsia positiva para Adenocarcinoma, por lo que refieren a nuestro centro. Antecedentes personales y familiares: no contributorios. Se realizó gastroscopia la cual reporta: Lesión en cara anterior de antro, elevada, fondo ulcerado, deprimido, amputación de pliegues; se concluye: Ca. Gástrico Precoz IIc. Ultrasonido Endoscópico: Engrosamiento de la mucosa y muscular de la mucosa en antro. Cara posterior. Biopsia: Sin atipias. Colonoscopia: Tu recto bajo. Poliposis colonica. Ultrasonido endoscópico transrectal: Tu. Recto bajo uT2N1. Biopsia: Adenocarcinoma Moderadamente diferenciado. En vista de las características de la lesión gástrica, se decide realizar disección mucosal endoscópica, cuya biopsia que reporta: Carcinoma intramucoso precoz, bordes de resección libres de lesión. Paciente recibe tratamiento oncológico neo-adyuvante y posteriormente se realiza ileoprocto anastomosis. Evolución actual satisfactoria. Discusión: La apariencia endoscópica de las lesiones juega un papel importante en la conducta a seguir por el médico y es clave al momento de plantearse la realización de DME, ya que es un procedimiento que conlleva riesgos y tiene indicaciones especificas, para obtener así los resultados planteados...

Endoscopic mucosal dissection (DME), arises from endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), allowing resection malignant lesions in early stage, achieving cure rates of up to 99%, decreasing morbidity and mortality of traditional surgery. It is important to obtain the piece completely, as this way, the pathologist may report the margins of the lesion extent and depth. Case report: This male patient aged 40 years, valued for our service (August 2009) by clinical evolution of 4 months, changes in the pattern of voiding (bowel diarrhea) and bleeding rectal. Consulting specialist, performed colonoscopy finding means is rectal tumor, with positive biopsy for adenocarcinoma, so refer to our center. Personal and family history: no contributory. Gastroscopy was performed which reported: Injury anterior antrum, high background ulcerated, depressed, amputation of folds, it is concluded: IIc early gastric Ca. Endoscopic Ultrasound: Thickening of the mucosa and muscle of the antral mucosa. Posterior. Biopsy: No atypia. Colonoscopy: tu. lower rectum. Colonic polyposis. Transrectal endoscopic ultrasound: Tu. UT2N1 lower rectum. Biopsy: moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. Given the characteristics of gastric injury is endoscopic submucosal dissection dedide perform, with biopsy reports: early intramucosal carcinoma, resection margins free of injury. patient receives Neoadjuvant cancer treatment and subsequently coloproctoanastomosis. Current developments satisfactory. Discussion: The endoscopic appearance of lesions plays an important role in the conduct to be followed by the doctor and is key to consider when conducting DME because it is a procedure that carries risks and has specific indications for and results obertener raised...

Hemobilia: diagnóstico por imágenes a propósito de dos casos / Hemobilia: imaging report of two cases

El diagnóstico de hemobilia resulta difícil en la práctica diaria; el tratamiento está destinado a detener el sangrado y resolver la causa del mismo. Los aneurismas de la arteria hepática constituyen una patología poco frecuente y una de las causas raras de hemobilia, la presentación clínica es inespecífica e incluye dolor abdominal, ictericia obstructiva y sangrado digestivo alto. Recientemente con el desarrollo de la radiología intervencionista se ha logrado reducir el número de cirugías, mediante la embolización transarterial, obteniendo tasas de éxito entre 80-100%.2 Se presentaran 2 casos de hemobilia, todos fueron estudiados con ecografía, colangiografía por resonancia magnética y angiotomografía. Se describen las características de esta patología con los distintos métodos por imágenes; se destaca la indicación de la arteriografía no sólo para el diagnóstico sino también como tratamiento (embolización). En un caso, la hemobilia fue identificada por duodenoscopia y en el otro por gastroscopia. A ambos pacientes se le realizó ultrasonido abdominal el cual mostró hepatomegalia, vesícula distendida con barro biliar, dilatación de vías biliares e imagen hipoecogénica en segmento V hepático. El doppler revela flujo activo en la vía biliar. Angiotomografía y colangiografía por resonancia magnetica revelaron aneurisma en la arteria hepática derecha en íntimo contacto con la vía biliar, correlacionado con la imágen hipoecogénica observada por ultrasonido. Ambos casos fueron resueltos por la liberación de coils intra-arteriales sin complicaciones.

The diagnosis of hemobilia is difficult in daily practice; treatment is designed to stop the bleeding and resolve its cause. Hepatic artery aneurysms are an uncommon condition and one of the rare causes of hemobilia; clinical presentation is nonspecific and includes abdominal pain, obstructive jaundice and upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Recently, due to the development of interventional radiology, the number of surgeries has successfully been reduced through transarterial embolization, achieving success rates between 80-100%.2 We present 2 cases of hemobilia that were evaluated by ultrasound, MRI cholangiography and angiotomography. We describe the characteristics of this disease with the use of different imaging methods; with emphasis on the use of arteriography not only for diagnosis but also for treatment (embolization). In one case, the hemobilia was identified by duodenoscopy, and in the other by gastroscopy. Both patients underwent abdominal ultrasound that showed hepatomegaly, distended gallbladder with biliary sludge, distended bile ducts and a hypoechoic image in liver segment V. Doppler revealed active flow into the bile duct. Angiotomography and MRI reported an aneurysm in the right hepatic artery in close contact to the bile duct, correlated to the hypoechoic image seen by ultrasound. Both cases were treated with transarterial coil placements without any complications.

Antioxidant effects of D-004, a lipid extract from the Roystonea regia fruit, on the plasma of healthy men / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

The aim of this study was to conduct a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study to investigate the effects of D-004, a lipid extract of the Roystonea regia fruit that prevents testosterone- and phenylepinephrine-induced prostate hyperplasia in rodents, on plasma oxidative markers in healthy men. We enrolled male volunteers (20-55 years) in good health and without lower urinary tract symptoms. Thirty-four eligible participants were randomized to placebo or D-004 (320 mg) capsules administered daily for 6 weeks. An interim check-up and a final visit were conducted after 3 and 6 weeks of therapy, respectively. Physical examinations were performed at each visit, and laboratory tests were performed at baseline and at treatment completion. Oxidative variables included plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), total hydroxyperoxides (TOH), sulphydryl (SH) groups and total antioxidant status (TAS). We assessed treatment compliance and addressed adverse experiences (AEs) at weeks 3 and 6. At week 6, with D-004, the mean reductions of plasma MDA (26.7%), TOH (18.8%) and SH groups (31.6%), and the mean increase of TAS (35.3%) were significantly different from those of placebo (P<0.001 for plasma TAS, P<0.0001 for all other comparisons). D-004 did not differ from the placebo in safety indicators. There were two withdrawals (both in the D-004 group), with one due to dyspepsia (the only AE during the trial). In conclusion, D-004 displayed antioxidant effects on plasma oxidative markers in healthy men, which was consistent with findings from laboratory experimental studies.

Aislamiento de Escherichia coli O157: H7 en desagües pluviales de la ciudad de Mar del Plata con contaminación bacteriana de origen fecal / Isolation of Escherichia coli O157: H7 in storm drains in the city of Mar del Plata with bacterial contamination of fecal origin

The present study was focused on the isolation and characterization of Escherichia coli, particularly the serotype O157:H7, from five combined-sewer outflows waters, which drain into the beaches of Mar del Plata. Seventeen hemolytic uremic syndrome cases were reported in Mar del Plata during the sampling period (May 1995-April 1996) in children between 9 month- and 5 year-old, and 3 deaths were recorded. E. coli identification was carried out by biochemical tests. E. coli was detected in 75 of the samples and a total of 98 strains were selected, with 11 sorbol non-fermenting strains. The strains belonged to the O1, O6, O44, O86a, O119 and O168 serogroups. As none of the known virulence factors was detected, strains could not be grouped within any of the diarrheagenic E. coli categories. None of the E. coli strains belonged to the O157:H7 serotype, but E. coli isolation showed fecal contamination in the combined-sewer outflows. Since their waters drain into beaches for recreational use, it is necessary to emphasize the detection of E. coli that would cause severe human illness. Bacterial pollution in combined-sewer outflows draining into Mar del Plata coasts might represent a high risk for human health.