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Background: IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase-2 antibody (anti-TG2Ab) deposits in intestinal and extraintestinal organs have been used to link the respective pathological changes in these organs with celiac disease (CeD). Aims: To know if parts of intestine other than the duodenum, such as esophagus, stomach, and colon, have any pathology related to potential CeD or have mucosal IgA anti-TG2 Ab deposits. Settings and Design: A prospective case–control study conducted from April 2018 to December 2019. Materials and Methods: Nine patients with potential CeD and 27 age- and gender-matched patients with irritable bowel syndrome were recruited as cases and controls, respectively. Mucosal biopsies were collected from esophagus, stomach, duodenum, and rectosigmoid regions, histological changes were evaluated, and IgA anti-TG2 Ab deposits were analyzed in these regions by two-color immunohistochemical staining. Statistics: Data were analyzed using statistical software Stata 14.0. Results: No distinct difference in mucosal lymphocytosis were identified between biopsies of patients with potential CeD and controls at the following sites: esophagus (11.1% vs 0%, P = 0.079), stomach (14.3% vs 7.7%, P = 0.590), and rectum (20% vs 0%, P = 0.067). Co-localized IgA anti-TG2Ab deposits were observed more in potential CeD than in controls at esophagus 22.2% (2/9) vs 0%, P = 0.012; stomach 66.7% (6/9) vs 11.5% (3/26), P < 0.001; and duodenum 66.7% (6/9) vs 0%, P < 0.001 but not at rectum 0% (0/4) vs 0% (0/25). Conclusion: Although histological changes are not distinct, a subset of subjects with potential CeD has pan-intestinal involvement other than in the duodenum.
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Background: Clinical studies have correlated severe deterioration of COVID-19 patients due to excessive and uncontrolled production of cytokines. There is a pressing need to explore therapies, which could prevent the cytokine storm rather than terminating it. Aims and objectives: The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of itolizumab on clinical outcomes of patients with moderate-severe COVID-19 disease admitted to ICU. The primary aim of the current study is to find out any mortality benefit in 14 days. The secondary aim is to assess the morbidity outcomes in terms of reduction in inflammatory markers and also the duration of hospital stays to assess the prognostication. Materials and methods: It is a retrospective case-control study in which laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted to ICU were taken. A total of 62 patients were recruited, 31 patients received itolizumab (cases/treatment group) and 31 patients didn’t receive itolizumab (designated as controls). Results: Among the total patients recruited, 68% of the study population was male and 32% were female. A total of 12 patients expired among cases and 13 expired among controls. Overall mortality in both groups was noted to be almost similar. The control group showed mortality at lower computed tomography (CT) scores compared to the cases. There is a significant reduction in inflammatory markers, like interleukins-6 (IL-6) and D-dimer in cases compared to the control group. Conclusion: In conclusion, treating patients with cytokine storms before they require intubation/mechanical ventilation is crucial to preventing deaths. Itolizumab has shown no clinical benefit in critically ill COVID-19 patients, however, timely initiation of itolizumab therapy may serve as a key therapeutic option in preventing the mortality and morbidity outcomes in moderate-severe COVID-19 patients.
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Objective: The present study is designed to investigate the profile of different allergen sensitivities by skin prick test in patients with nasobronchial allergy (NBA). Materials and methods: A total of 130 patients of NBA were included in the study. Each NBA patient was subjected to the skin prick test with 44 allergens. Results: Out of 130 patients, 98 patients (75.4%) had both bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis, 11 patients (8.5%) had allergic rhinitis, and 21 patients (16.2%) had bronchial asthma alone. The age of patients ranged from 12 to 60 years, with mean age 26.4 � 10.24 years. The most common allergen came out to be insects (26.2%) followed by dust mites (20.7%), dusts (7.4%), pollens (5.9%), fungi (5.2%), danders (3.8%), and silk (2.2%). Common insect antigens were moth and mosquito (28.9%) followed by the cockroach, housefly (24.4%), and honeybee (18.9%). Common dust allergens were grain dust and house dust. Among pollens, Amaranthus spinosus and Cassia siamea (13.3%) followed by Brassica campestris (12.2%) and Holoptelea integrifolia (10%) were common. Among fungi, Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus niger were common allergens. Conclusion: Common allergens in patients of NBA were identified. Allergen-specific immunotherapy can be a viable option for these patients.
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Context: Circulating free DNA (cfDNA) analysis has emerged as novel noninvasive diagnostic biomarker in several solid tumors. Raised levels have been reported in several malignancies and may correlate with clinicopathological and treatment response. The current study was designed to assess the diagnostics of cfDNA in different tumor types of malignancies correlating with tumor (T), nodes (N), and metastases (M) stage. Design: Serum samples were collected from treatment naïve cases with histologically diagnosed tumors including 23 brain tumors, 48 breasts, 50 gallbladder carcinoma (GBC), 13 lungs, 68 oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and 25 normal controls. CfDNA was quantified with real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) using beta-globin gene amplification. Cut off values for diagnostics were calculated using receiver operating curve analysis. Results: Contrary to other cfDNA studies where it was postulated that cfDNA would not cross the blood–brain barrier and reach the systemic circulation, we found detectable cfDNA in glioma with median (Q1–Q3) of 349.22 ng/ml (19.87–1276.58). Median cfDNA concentration in breast, gallbladder, lung, oral and normal controls was 328.72 (128.38–624.44), 778.50 (589.88–1864.35), 348.73 (194.67–483.61), 386.27 (47.88–959.67), and 74.12 (49.66–120.00), respectively. Grades I and II glioma had significantly lower levels compared to Grades III and IV (P = 0.0001). Significant difference in median cfDNA values in IDC and GBC was observed with increasing tumor grades, stage, T stage, nodal stage and metastasis and with stage of OSCC cases. Conclusion: CfDNA levels showed good diagnostic discrimination in glioma, GBC, breast, lung carcinoma, and OSCC. Significant increase in titers was evident with increase in cancer stage from I to IV in breast, GBC and OSCC.
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Background: It is well established that chronic exposure to tobacco induces head and neck cancers but the exact etiopathogenesis is not known. Though studies have shown expression of TIMP1, EPS8 and AXL in cancers, their role in tobacco-induced cancers is not known. We aimed this study to evaluate the role of these molecules in oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell cancers (SCC). Materials and Methods: In this single institutional study, 31 patients of oral and oropharyngeal SCC with history of chewing tobacco were included. Smokers were excluded from the study. After informed consent biopsies were taken from affected and contralateral normal mucosa. Paraffin blocks were made and tissue microarray (TMA) were constructed using these blocks. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for TIMP1, EPS8, AXL kinase was carried out on these tissue microarrays. The intensity of staining was scored from 0 to 3+, related to expression of each of the three molecules. Results: The expression of TIMP1, EPS8 and AXL kinase was significantly more in the cancerous mucosa versus non-cancerous mucosa (P = 0.000 in all three) in oral and oropharyngeal SCC exposed to chewing tobacco. Conclusion: Immunohistochemical expression of these molecular markers in oral and oropharyngeal SCC correlated with their molecular based studies. Significant IHC expression of TIMP1, EPS8 and AXL establishes their role in the pathogenesis of oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas. Novel targeted therapies may be researched that can detect and target these molecules at an earlier stage of pathogenesis of these tumors.
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The study describes the technique of combining microscope-integrated optical coherence tomography (mi-OCT) and proportional reflux hydrodissection (PRH) during pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in eyes with complex proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) including tractional retinal detachment (TRD), combined retinal detachment (CRD), and taut posterior hyaloid membrane (TPHM). In this technique, PRH is used to create tissue planes between fibrovascular adhesions in areas identified using mi-OCT for insinuating the vitrector, enabling tissue dissection and release of traction. About 46 patients were operated using this technique. 34 eyes had TRD, 9 eyes had CRD, and 3 eyes were diagnosed with TPHM. A second instrument was used only in nine eyes. None of the eyes required use of intraocular scissors. Iatrogenic breaks occurred in six eyes. All patients had successful reattachment at 3-month follow-up. Thus, combination of mi-OCT and PRH is useful incomplete fibrovascular tissue dissection during PPV for complex PDR cases.
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Myeloid sarcoma is an extra medullary manifestation of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Primary involvement of the biliary tract with myeloid sarcoma presenting as obstructive jaundice without evidence of leukemia is very rare. Here we present a case of 72 year old lady, who initially presented with features of biliary obstruction and was clinically considered as cholangiocarcinoma. She was diagnosed as myeloid sarcoma involving right and left hepatic duct, common bile duct (CBD) on histopathological and immunohistochemistry (IHC) examination after surgical resection. Since she did not show evidence of leukemia on peripheral blood and bone marrow examination treatment was deferred. However, she developed full blown picture of AML within two months and succumbed to her disease. We conclude that obstructive jaundice can be the presenting symptom in myeloid sarcoma without evidence of AML in peripheral blood and bone marrow. However, these cases have to be treated aggressively to obtain remission.
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Purpose: To evaluate the visual outcome and complication profile after glued intraocular lens (IOL) in post uveitic eyes. Methods: Patients with history of uveitis who had glued IOL with 3 months antecedent quiet anterior chamber (AC) were included in this prospective observational case series. Visual acuity, slit-lamp examination, fundus evaluation, optical coherence tomography, intraocular pressure, specular count and AC inflammation were analyzed before and after glued IOL procedure. Glued IOL eyes were also compared with their fellow normal capsular bag IOL. Results: Overall 17 eyes (50.7 ± 16.1 years) were analyzed. It included 41.8%, 23.5%, and 35.29% anterior, posterior, and pan uveitis, respectively. The etiologies were tuberculosis (23.53%), toxoplasmosis (11.77%), Fuch's heterochromic cyclitis (5.88%), HLA B27 (11.77%), psoriatic arthritis (5.88%), Rheumatoid arthritis (5.8%), sarcoidosis (11.77%), herpetic kerato-uveitis (5.88%), and idiopathic (17.65%). Cataractous subluxated lens (35.3%), aphakia (23.5%), decentered IOL (23.5%) and intraoperative capsular rupture (17.6%) were the surgical indications. A significant improvement in the mean uncorrected and best corrected visual acuity (P < 0.001) was recorded. The complications were IOL pigment dispersion (47%), macular edema (41%), and epiretinal membrane (24%). There was significant rise in AC reaction on day 1 (P < 0.001) and normal AC was attained by 88.2% eyes at 6 months. AC inflammation reactivation was noted in 11.7% of eyes. Though inflammatory reactivation was similar to the normal IOL, macular edema was higher in glued IOL. Conclusion: Glued IOL can cause inflammation in uveitis eyes which can be managed medically with minimal complications.
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Purpose: Helicobacter pylori causes various gastro-intestinal diseases. Antibiotic resistance to commonly used antibiotics for the treatment of H. pylori infection is the major cause for treatment failure. The aim of this study is to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern for clarithromycin and levofloxacin and find the evolutionary relationship of the partial sequence of 23S rRNA and gyraseA gene of H. pylori by phylogenetic analysis. Materials and Methods: A total of 46 H. pylori strains were tested for clarithromycin and levofloxacin susceptibility pattern and phylogenetic tree were reconstructed by PhyML software. Results: In this study, we observed that only 6.5% of North-East Indian H. pylori strains were resistant for clarithromycin showing mutation at A2143G and T2182C positions of 23S rRNA gene. Resistance for levofloxacin was observed in 89.1% of the H. pylori strains showing mutations at asparagine to lysine at 87 and aspartic acid to glycine/tyrosine/asparagine at 91 positions of gyraseA gene. The phylogenetic tree of the partial sequence of 23S rRNA and gyraseA gene depicts that the North-East Indian strains falls in different cluster when compared to other countries. Conclusions: Resistance for clarithromycin was less in North-East Indian strains but high for levofloxacin indicating that first-line therapy may be best and effective for eradication of H. pylori in this region. This study is the first report that showed antibiotic susceptibility pattern for clarithromycin and levofloxacin by mutation analysis. By partial sequencing of 23s rRNA and gyraseA gene, we found that North-East Indian strains are geographically distinct.
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A 48-year-old female presented with complaints of recent onset diminution of vision of the left eye (OS) for the past 2 months. She was highly myopic and was using glasses for the past 30 years. Ocular examination revealed presence of a myopic fundus with high axial lengths in both the eyes. Fundus examination of the OS revealed a myopic tessellated fundus with prominent choroidal vessels and a blunted foveal reflex. There was a small pale whitish lesion just superior to the foveal center. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans (both horizontal and vertical) confirmed presence of dome-shaped maculopathy. There was subretinal fluid in the OS. A vertical OCT scan also revealed a subretinal hyperreflective material, which was confirmed to be due to a small mixed type 1 and type 2 choroidal neovascularization (CNV) on swept-source (SS) OCT angiography in the OS. The patient was given intravitreal injection of ranibizumab (0.5 mg/0.05 mL) in the OS. At 1-month follow-up, the subretinal fluid completely resolved. The CNV lesion regressed significantly on SS-OCT angiography. The best-corrected visual acuity improved from 20/80 to 20/20 in the OS, which was maintained at 3 months of follow-up.
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Purpose: To report the anatomical and functional outcomes of vitreoretinal surgery in eyes with “regressed ROP” presenting with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). Methods: In this retrospective interventional case series, twenty-two eyes (of 22 patients) with regressed ROP, who underwent surgery for RD. Primary outcome measures were final anatomical and visual outcome for scleral buckling and pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). Visual outcomes were categorized into three groups: improved, remained stable, and deteriorated. Univariate binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine the risk factors for RD. Results: Of 22 eyes in the study, overall anatomic success was achieved in 16 of 22 eyes (72.7%). The macula was attached in 17 of 22 eyes (77.3%) at final visit. In the scleral buckle (SB) group, overall anatomical success was achieved in six of seven eyes (85.7%). Overall, in the PPV group, anatomical success was seen in 10 of 15 eyes (66.7%) at final visit. At final follow-up, significant improvement in best-corrected visual acuity from baseline was seen in 11 cases (50%, P = 0.02), stable in 5 cases (22.7%), and significant visual deterioration was seen in 6 cases (27.3%, P = 0.02). The total mean follow-up duration of the patients was 45.5 months (range: 2.1 months to 11.2 years). Conclusion: Early recognition and surgical intervention in such cases can lead to a high rate of anatomical success and can prevent the development of profound visual impairment in some patients.
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Circumscribed choroidal hemangioma is a benign vascular hamartoma without systemic associations. For symptomatic cases, treatment options are photodynamic therapy (PDT), transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT), intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), or radiation therapy. CyberKnife radiosurgery is an image-guided radiation therapy that delivers radiation to lesions anywhere in the body with an accuracy of 0.5 mm without damage to surrounding structures. We report a case of circumscribed choroidal hemangioma which was successfully treated with CyberKnife therapy. The literature search reveals cases of uveal melanoma, intraocular, and periocular lymphoma successfully treated with CyberKnife therapy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on such treatment for choroidal hemangioma.
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Purpose: To study the epiretinal membrane (ERM) profile on the spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT) in eyes with uveitis. Methods: In this prospective observational study, macula of uveitic eyes were evaluated by SDOCT (Cirrus, model 5000) for ERM. ERM was quantified (in microns) and were followed up along with the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and treatment profile for 1 year. ERM morphology (focal, global, or mixed) and characteristics (thickness at fovea, maximum thickness, and location of maximum thickness in relation to fovea) were documented. Changes in altered foveal contour, cystoid macular edema (CME), and central foveal thickness were also noted. BCVA was noted when the inflammation subsided and it was correlated to specific ERM characteristics. SDOCT characteristics were compared in three treatment groups (no oral steroids, oral steroids with, and without immunomodulators). Results: Thirty-four eyes of 25 patients were evaluated. Mean logMAR BCVA decreased from 0.25 to 0.35 (P = 0.005). Foveal involvement with ERM (P = 0.011), lost foveal contour (P = 0.043), and ellipsoid layer disruption (P = 0.017) were associated significantly with reduced BCVA. Focal attachment of ERM was more commonly associated with CME (P = 0.03). Median ERM thickness showed significant increase (P < 0.001). Significant ERM progression from parafoveal to foveal (P = 0.02), significant progression of the thickest area of ERM closer to fovea (P = 0.0006) indicated a strong tendency of foveal involvement and this was correlated with worse BCVA (P = 0.009, r = ?0.44) Oral steroids/immunomodulators showed no significant benefit on ERM progression. Conclusion: ERM progression in uveitis has a tendency to involve the fovea and is associated with significant vision loss, particularly in foveal ERM, focal attachment, and IS-OS disruption. Oral steroids and immunomodulators have no role in halting progression.
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Purpose: To analyze the morphological changes in the iris-knot complex configuration using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) following the single pass four throw (SFT) pupilloplasty. Methods: In this retrospective case series, eyes with SFT pupilloplasty were examined by SD-OCT (Optovue). Iris morphology compared to the normal iris, presence of specific patterns (single hump, double humps, peaks and valleys, tethering), prolene suture, knot complex (length and orientation), and intraocular lens (IOL) vault were evaluated. Results: Overall, 41 knots of 26 patients with a mean time duration of 3.1 � 2 months from surgery were analyzed. Iris configurations seen were single hump (n = 28, 63.8%), double humps (n = 7, 17%), loop (n = 2, 4.8%), flat (n = 3, 7.3%), and mulberry (n = 1, 2.4%). The mean length and the height of the knot complex was 784.1 � 433.7 ?m and 317.7 � 110.4 ?m, respectively. Knot positions were at 3 clock hours in 9 eyes (21.9%), 9 in 8 eyes (19.5%), and others in 24 eyes (58.5%). Cut end of the prolene suture was detectable in 26 eyes (63.4%) as hyper-reflective line, and the mean cut length was 465.8 � 321.1 ?m. The suture was predominantly vertically oriented (80.6%) to the iris with a mean distance of 3.6 � 0.3 mm (2.6�mm) away from corneal endothelium. The mean distance from the knot complex and the IOL was 289.2 � 146 ?m and the mean anterior chamber depth was 4.1 � 0.1 mm. Conclusion: A significant change in iris configuration was noted after SFT pupilloplasty, and vertically oriented retained prolene suture was predominant with good endothelial vault.