Prevalence and clinical consequences of Hepatitis C virus infection in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

ABSTRACT Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) recipients. In Brazil, its occurrence in HCT recipients remains undetermined. We now report on HCV prevalence in HCT recipients and its clinical consequences. The medical records of all HCT recipients seen at Hospital das Clinicas, Sao Paulo University Medical School, from January 2010 to January 2020 were reviewed to determine HCV serostatus. A retrospective analysis of medical charts was undertaken on all seropositive cases to determine HCV genotype, presence of liver fibrosis, co-infections with other viruses, previous treatments, and clinical evolution of liver pathology after HCT. Of the 1,293 HCT recipients included in the study, seven (0.54%) were HCV antibody-positive and five (0.39%) were also viremic for HCV-RNA. Four of these individuals had moderate to severe liver fibrosis (METAVIR F2/F3) and one was cirrhotic. Two of the viremic patients developed acute liver dysfunction following transplantation. All patients had their acute episode of liver dysfunction resolved with no further complications. Four of the viremic patients were treated for HCV infection with direct acting agents (DAA). Information regarding HCV treatment was lacking for one of the viremic HCV patients due to loss of follow up. Sustained anti-virologic responses were observed in three cases after the use of DAA. The detection of HCV in hematological adults undergoing HCT and its successful treatment with DAA highlight the necessity of testing for HCV both prior to and following transplantation.

The Clinical Outcome of Brolucizumab in the Treatment of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration – A Prospective Observational Study

Background: Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), also known as wet AMD, is a chronic eye disease that affects the macula, which is the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision. Brolucizumab is a type of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drug, which works by blocking the activity of a protein called VEGF that promotes the growth of abnormal blood vessels under the macula in neovascular AMD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of brolucizumab in the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Material & Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in Department of Ophthalmology, Bangladesh Eye Hospital & Institute Ltd, Dhaka, Bangladesh, during the period from February 2022 to February 2023. Total 60 patients with neovascular AMD were included in this study who were treated with brolucizumab. Results: The mean age of the patients was 74.3 (SD±9.8) years. Majority of the study subjects were (51.7%) female patients in the study. In our study, majority (38.3%) of the patients had only their right eye affected. In optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings, we found that a high percentage of patients had subretinal fluid (85%), intraretinal fluid (61.7%), and sub-RPE fluid (83.3%). The BCVA showed a significant change after 12 weeks of treatment, as indicated by the P-value of 0.0007. Here improvement of vision was seen in patients with AMD with active Choroidal neovascularization (CNV). But in case of AMD with macular scar, no improvement of vision was seen. In addition, the SRT, FCP, and CMT parameters also showed a statistically significant (P<0.001) improvement after brolucizumab treatment. In our study, 4 patients (6.7%) experienced intraocular inflammation, which is inflammation within the eye, 2 patients (3.3%) reported cloudy vision, and 3 patients (5%) experienced eye redness as a complication of the treatment. The majority of the patients, 51 (85%) did not experience any complications from the treatment. After treatment, improved vision was seen in most of the study patients (70%) and 30% had no improvement. Conclusion: From the findings of our study, it can be concluded that brolucizumab may be an effective treatment for neovascular AMD, as it can improve the best-corrected visual acuity and structural outcomes of the retina such as subfoveal retinal thickness, foveal center point, and central macular thickness. There was also a tolerable complication rate after treatment.

Effects of different early sedation levels on clinical outcomes of ICU patients with mechanical ventilation / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To investigate the current sedation level of patients with mechanical ventilation in ICU, and to explore the influence of early different sedation levels on clinical outcomes, so as to provide theoretical basis for better guidance of clinical sedation evaluation and implementation of sedation strategy management.Methods:This study was a retrospective longitudinal study. The 201 patients with invasive mechanical ventilation who underwent sedation in the Department of Intensive Care Medicine of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from January to December 2021 were selected by convenience sampling method. According to the results of Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale(RASS), the patients were divided into deep sedation group (98 cases) and shallow sedation group (103 cases). The influencing factors of endotracheal intubation retention time and outcome were investigated by Cox multifactor analysis.Results:In the early sedation ≤48 h after the start of mechanical ventilation, 63.2%(2 143/3 389) of patients with invasive mechanical ventilation had a RASS score of shallow sedation, 35.2%(1 194/3 389) of patients with deep sedation, and 1.5%(52/3 389) of patients with insufficient sedation. Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that age, sedation level, duration of invasive mechanical ventilation and continuous renal replacement therapy were the factors influencing the indentation time of tracheal insertion ( χ2 values were 4.73 to 74.31, all P<0.05); early deep sedation was a risk factor for delayed extubation ( HR=0.499, 95% CI 0.276-0.903, P<0.05); gender, sedation level, invasive mechanical ventilation duration, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ scores, admission mode, continuous renal replacement therapywere the influencing factors of patient outcomes ( χ2 values were 4.41 to 26.20, all P<0.05). The deeper the sedation, the worse the patient outcomes ( HR=0.568, 95% CI 0.335-0.963 all P<0.05) . Conclusions:The early sedation level is related to the retention time and outcome of tracheal intubation in ICU patients with mechanical ventilation, and different sedation levels affect the clinical outcome of patients. The retention time of tracheal intubation in patients with shallow sedation was shortened, which was beneficial to the outcome of patients.Therefore, sedation evaluation should be strengthened in clinical work, and sedation methods should be selected according to the needs of patients. In the absence of contraindications, the shallow sedation strategy should be implemented as soon as possible. This study provides some reference and theoretical basis for the formulation and management of clinical sedation strategies.

Clinical features and long-term prognosis of primary biliary cholangitis in patients with past hepatitis B virus infection / 中华肝脏病杂志

Objective: To investigate the clinical features and long-term prognosis of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) in patients with past hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Methods: 353 cases with PBC who visited the Liver Disease Center of Beijing Friendship Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University between January 2000 and January 2018 were retrospectively analyzed and were divided into the past HBV infection group (156 cases) and the no HBV infection group (197 cases). The two groups' baseline clinical features were compared. Ursodeoxycholic acid response rate after one year, GLOBE score, UK-PBC score, and long-term liver transplantation-free survival rate were compared through outpatient and telephone follow-up. Results: PBC with past HBV infection had a significantly reduced female proportion compared to the no HBV infection group (91.9% vs. 79.5%, P = 0.001). However, there were no statistically significant differences in age, biochemical indices, immunological indicators, platelet count, cirrhosis proportion, and others. Ursodeoxycholic acid biochemical response rate was reduced in patients with past HBV infection at the end of one year of treatment, but the difference was not statistically significant (65.8% vs. 78.2%, P = 0.068). In addition, there were no statistically significant differences between the GLOBE score (0.57 vs. 0.59, P = 0.26) and UK-PBC 5-year (2.87% vs. 2.87%, P = 0.38), 10-year (9.29% vs. 8.2%, P = 0.39) and 15-year liver transplantation rates (16.6% vs. 14.73%, P = 0.39). Lastly, the overall 5-year liver transplantation-free survival rate had no statistically significant difference between the two groups of patients (86.4% vs. 87.5%, P = 0.796). Conclusion: Primary biliary cholangitis had no discernible effect in terms of age at onset, biochemical indices, immunological indicators, cirrhosis proportion, ursodeoxycholic acid response rate after one year, GLOBE score, UK-PBC score, or overall liver transplantation-free survival rate in patients with past hepatitis B virus infections.

Research progress on GLIM criteria for malnutrition in patients with malignant tumors / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Malnutrition is a common complication in patients with malignant tumors, which affects the clinical outcome of cancer patients. Accurate identification of malnutrition is the premise of nutritional intervention and treatment, but uniform diagnostic criteria for malnutrition are currently lacking. With the official release of the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) initiated by global nutrition experts in 2018, a large cohort of studies have been carried out. In this article, the specific content and controversies of the GLIM criteria, its accuracy validation and clinical predictive value in patients with malignant tumors were mainly reviewed, aiming to provide reference for subsequent research and clinical application of malignant tumor-related malnutrition.

Brain imaging characteristics and its clinical applications in the clinical high-risk population of psychosis / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Clinical high risk (CHR) is the prodrome stage of schizophrenia and the population with CHR show subtle clinical symptoms and abnormal brain structure and function. Specifically, the pathological changes in the brain were mainly manifested as reduced gray matter volume in the anterior cingulate gyrus and hippocampus, damaged white matter fibers in the corpus callosum, uncinate tract and arcuate tract, cerebellar atrophy, and abnormal resting-state brain network connection.This paper reviews the brain imaging features, their relationship with clinical symptoms, and their role in predicting clinical outcomes in individuals with CHR. In the future, we can combine artificial intelligence and neuroimaging techniques to find specific markers of brain structure and function in the CHR population to guide early clinical detection and intervention.

Medical nutrition therapy of coronavirus disease 2019 inpatients based on the tenth edition of the National Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol / 中华临床营养杂志

Most hospitalized patients infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are in severe or critical condition, and malnutrition is a key factor contributing to adverse outcomes. The basic principles of medical nutrition therapy have been determined in the recently released tenth edition of the National Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol. The principles have promoted nutritional risk assessment, emphasized the preferred method of enteral nutrition, and recommended the daily intake of calories at 25 to 30 kcal/kg and protein at > 1.2g/kg. Parenteral nutrition should be also added when necessary. Based on the above principles, Beijing Hospital has refined the medical nutrition therapy measures to facilitate the implementation in clinical practice, in order to improve healthcare quality and decrease the mortality in COVID-19 patients.

Risk factors for acute kidney injury after liver transplantation in intensive care unit: a retrospective cohort study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent complication during the postoperative period following liver transplantation. Occurrence of AKI in intensive care unit (ICU) patients is associated with increased mortality and higher costs. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate occurrences of moderate or severe AKI among patients admitted to the ICU after liver transplantation and investigate characteristics associated with this complication. DESIGN AND SETTING: Single-center retrospective cohort study in a public hospital, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. METHODS: Forty-nine patients admitted to the ICU between January 2015 and April 2017 were included. AKI was defined from a modified Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) score (i.e. based exclusively on serum creatinine levels). RESULTS: Eighteen patients (36.7%) developed AKI KDIGO 2 or 3; mostly KDIGO 3 (16 out of the 18 patients). Lactate level within the first six hours after ICU admission (odds ratio, OR: 1.3; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.021-1.717; P = 0.034) and blood transfusion requirement within the first week following transplantation (OR: 8.4; 95% CI: 1.687-41.824; P = 0.009) were independently associated with development of AKI. Patients with AKI KDIGO 2 or 3 underwent more renal replacement therapy (72.2% versus 3.2%; P < 0.01), had longer hospital stay (20 days versus 15 days; P = 0.001), higher in-hospital mortality (44.4% versus 6.5%; P < 0.01) and higher mortality rate after one year (44.4% versus 9.7%; P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Need for blood transfusion during ICU stay and hyperlactatemia within the first six postoperative hours after liver transplantation are independently associated with moderate or severe AKI. Developing AKI is apparently associated with poor outcomes.

Hematological Parameters and Short Term Clinical Outcome after ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction

Background: ST-Elevation myocardial infarction is a major public health problem and a leading cause of death both in developed and developing countries. The values of hematological biomarkers were evaluated as predictors of in hospital mortality and complications, in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). This study aimed to draw a relationship between different hematological parameters and short-term clinical result in STEMI cases treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Methods: This prospective research involved 100 participants that had a STEMI and were receiving primary PCI and they were subjected to detailed history, general and local examination, resting surface ECG, baseline laboratory tests, reperfusion, transthoracic echocardiogram and follow up of clinical outcome. Results: After STEMI, there was not significantly different between cases with low and high NLR (P <0.4). There was significantly different between cases with low and high NLR after STEMI, low and high MPV [in heart failure, death and rehospitalization] and after STEMI, in diabetic patients and in NLR between low and high MPV groups after STEMI (P < 0.05), there was no significant statistical difference between patients with low and high PDW and after STEMI. LVEF were significant less in participants had MACE (P <0.036). In stepwise multivariate regression analysis of hematological parameters, NLR and MPV were significant predictive factors of MACE (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Hematological and coagulation parameters may be utilized as diagnostic and prognostic indicators. Early risk classification enables doctors to closely monitor and treat high-risk patients, as well as schedule them for regular follow-ups, helping to the reduction of mortality.

Initial investigations and clinical outcome in COVID-19 patients

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)has significant impact on the health infrastructure all over the world including India. We wanted to see whether the routine initial investigations done in COVID19 patients reflect the prognosis and outcome of the patient.Methods: It is a retrospective study involving the confirmed covid 19 patients admitted between April 2021 to May2021. The initial investigations done at the time of admission were studied in relation to outcome of the patient in the form of survival or death of the patient.Results: A total of 364 patients were studied. 295(81.05%) patients survived and 69(18.96%) patients died. Highest mortality was observed in 60% of patients with hemoglobinbelow 7.0mg/dl, 40.00% of patients with platelet count below 50000/cml, 28.80% with neutrophil lymphocyte ratio more than 5.5, 32.81% with CRP more than 100mg/L, 100% with D dimer more than 5000ng/ml, 33.33% with Ferritin more than 1500ng/ml, 29.54% with IL-6 more than 100pg/ml, 23.14% with Random blood sugar more than 200mg/dl, 37.50% with creatinine more than 2.0mg/dl, 75% with Bilirubin more than 2.0mg/dl, 42.85% with SGOT more than 201mg/dl, 22.22% with SGPT more than 201mg/dl, 38.46% with serum Procalcitonin more than 2.0mg/dl. CT Chest severity score of 21 to 30 and31 to 40 lead to mortality of 19.51% and 40.00% respectively. Conclusions: The physician who is taking care of COVID-19patients must get extra cautious regarding prognosis if he gets above initial parameters deranged in isolation or combination.

Sociodemographic profile and clinical outcome of mild–moderate COVID-19 patients admitted in a dedicated COVID hospital during first wave of pandemic

Background: COVID-19 pandemic quickly became significantly major cause of worldwide morbidity and mortality over the next years till date in an unforeseen manner. Aims and Objectives: Our study aims at unfolding the sociodemographic, epidemiological, and clinical characteristics of this disease, based on a metropolitan dedicated tertiary care hospital of India. Materials and Methods: Along with patient particulars, we recorded sociodemographic data, presenting symptoms, vital parameters, and blood parameters based on a pre-designed questionnaire, followed by complication analysis for 101 patients. Written consent was taken from each of the respondent before the interview and ethical approval was taken from Institution Ethics Committee (IEC) of Medical College and Hospital. [(Ref No. MC/KOL/IEC/Non-Spon/842/11/2020), Date- 5/11/2020]. Results: This study justified the trend of already available data such as median age of presentation (40–69 years), higher urban population (85.1%), higher rate of infection in health-care professionals (12.9%), and in patients with poor socioeconomic status. It revealed increased community transmission (74.3% with no definitive exposure), higher number of symptomatic cases admission (89.1%) with most common symptoms being fever (46%), shortness of breath (45%), sore throat (32%), and cough (26%). Hypertension (48%) and diabetes (34%) were major comorbidities in patients who were also proportionally more symptomatic and experienced more adverse effects compared to non-comorbid patients. A major chunk of the patients (46.53%) required some form of oxygen support for their treatment. Most common adverse effect was disseminated intravascular coagulation (23.76%) among which 67.74% had one or more comorbidities. We also reported slightly higher number of deaths (6.9%) compared to what other similar studies found. Conclusion: History of probable exposure was not a sole risk factor of acquiring infection, that is, community transmission was evident. Healthcare professionals were at high risk of getting infected, persons with comorbidity are at the highest risk of developing symptoms as well as complications.

Biofilm formation and its effect on the management of culture-positive bacterial endophthalmitis

Purpose: To compare the clinicomicrobiological features and outcomes in patients with infectious endophthalmitis caused by biofilm?positive (BP) and biofilm?negative (BN) bacteria. Methods: This was a prospective, interventional, comparative, nonrandomized, consecutive case series. Culture?positive bacterial endophthalmitis cases from August 1, 2018 to July 31st 31, 2019 were included. All vitreous samples were tested for biofilm using crystal violet plate and XTT (2,3?bis?(2?methoxy?4?nitro?5?sulfophenyl)?2H?tetrazolium?5?carboxanilide) methods and classified as BN and BP. The antibiotic susceptibility of all organisms was determined. Anatomic and functional success was defined as intraocular pressure >5 mm Hg and final best?corrected vision ?20/400, respectively, at last visit. Results: There were 50 eyes in the BN group and 33 eyes in the BP group. BN group eyes required 2.86 ± 1.45 surgical interventions, and BP group eyes needed surgical 6.36 ± 2.89 interventions, P < 0.0001, 95% Confidence Interval, CI: 2–4. Median follow?up was 6 and 5 months, respectively (P = 0.33). Final logMAR vision was a median of 1.2 and 1.9 respectively; P = 0.0005, 95% C.I.: 0.4–1.7. Functional success was achieved in 44% and 21.2% (P = 0.03, 95% C.I.: 1.86%–40.08%) and anatomic success was achieved in 68% and 42.42%, respectively (P = 0.02, 95% C.I.: 3.85%–45.47%). The antimicrobial resistance patterns between the two groups were comparable. Conclusion: Endophthalmitis caused by the biofilm?forming bacteria needs a greater number of surgical interventions. The anatomic and functional outcomes are poorer than non?biofilm?forming bacterial endophthalmitis. The increased virulence and poorer outcomes can be hypothesized to be due to the physical barrier effect of the biofilm on the antibiotics

Influence of prior percutaneous coronary intervention on outcome of coronary artery bypass grafting: A multi-center clinical study / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective     To investigate the influence of prior percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on the outcome of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods     Clinical data of 5 216 patients from Jiangsu Province CABG registry who underwent primary isolated CABG from 2016 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into a PCI group (n=673) and a non-PCI group (n=4 543) according to whether they had received PCI treatment. The PCI group included 491 males and 182 females, aged 62.6±8.2 years, and the non-PCI group included 3 335 males and 1 208 females, aged 63.7±8.7 years. Multivariable logistic regression and propensity score matching (PSM) were used to compare 30-day mortality, incidence of major complications and 1-year follow-up outcomes between the two groups. Results     Both in original cohort and matched cohort, there was no statistical difference in the 30-day mortality [14 (2.1%) vs. 77 (1.7%), P=0.579; 14 (2.1%) vs. 11 (1.6%), P=0.686], or the incidence of major complications (myocardial infarction, stroke, mechanical ventilation≥24 h, dialysis for new-onset renal failure, deep sternal wound infection and atrial fibrillation) (all P>0.05). The rate of reoperation for bleeding in the PCI group was higher than that in the non-PCI group [19 (2.8%) vs. 67 (1.5%), P=0.016; 19 (2.8%) vs. 7 (1.0%), P=0.029]. Both in original cohort and matched cohort, there was no statistical difference in 1-year survival rate between the two groups [613 (93.1%) vs. 4 225 (94.6%), P=0.119; 613 (93.1%) vs. 630 (95.2%), P=0.124], while the re-admission rate in the PCI group was significantly higher than that in the non-PCI group [32 (4.9%) vs. 113 (2.5%), P=0.001; 32 (4.9%) vs. 17 (2.6%), P=0.040]. Conclusion     This study shows that a history of PCI treatment does not significantly increase the perioperative mortality and major complications of CABG, but increases the rate of cardiogenic re-admission 1 year postoperatively.

Clinical outcome and influencing factor analysis of one anastomosis duodenal switch for obesity / 中华消化外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical outcome and influencing factor of one-anastomosis duodenal switch (OADS) for obesity.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinical data of 104 obesity patients who underwent OADS in the China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University from October 2018 to June 2021 were collected. There were 42 males and 62 females, aged 33(range, 18?66)years. The clinical outcome of each patient was evaluated using Textbook Outcome (TO). Observation indicators: (1) treatment situations for patients; (2) TO situa-tions; (3) analysis of factors affecting postoperative TO. Follow-up was conducted using outpatient examination or telephone interview to detect postoperative complication of patients up to November 2021. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M (range), and comparison between groups was conducted using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages, and comparison between groups was conducted using chi-square test. Multivariate analysis was conducted using the binary Logistic regression model. Results:(1) Treatment situations for patients. All 104 patients under-went OADS without conversion to laparotomy or death of patient. The operation time and duration of postoperative hospital stay of the 104 patients were (187±39)minutes and 6(range, 4?55)days, respectively. Two of the 104 patients were readmitted. The experiences of surgeons on OADS was (53±30)cases. There were 82 patients underwent OADS using the Da Vinci robotic surgical system, while there were 22 patients underwent OADS using laparoscopic surgery system. The complication rate of 104 patients was 7.69%(8/104). Cases with stage Ⅱ, stage Ⅲb and stage Ⅳ complications of the Clavien Dindo classification were 5, 2 and 1, respectively. (2) TO situation. Of the 104 patients, 62 cases achieved TO, while 42 cases did not achieve TO. The operation time, retention time of abdominal drainage tube, duration of postoperative hospital stay, experiences of surgeons on OADS, number of OADS for surgeons using Da Vinci robotic surgical system were (166±26)minutes, 0(range, 0?7)days, 6(range, 4?7)days, 62±28, 54 in patients achieved TO, versus (218±34)minutes, 3 (range, 0?11)days, 8(range, 5?55)days, 38±27, 28 in patients not achieved TO, showing significant differences in the above indicators between them ( t=?8.81, Z=?3.63, ?5.33, t=4.27, χ2=6.27, P<0.05). Cases with complications were 0 in patients achieved TO, versus 8 in patients not achieved TO, showing a significant difference between them ( P<0.05). (3) Analysis of factors affecting postoperative TO. Results of multivariate analysis showed that the experiences of surgeons on OADS was an independent influencing factor for postoperative TO in patients undergoing OADS ( odds ratio=1.04, 95% confidence interval as 1.01?1.06, P<0.05). Conclusions:OADS is safe and feasible for obesity patients with low postoperative complication incidence and satisfactory clinical outcome. The experiences of surgeons on OADS is an independent influencing factor for postoperative TO in patients undergoing OADS.

Multi-drug resistant bacteria infection and clinical outcome of diabetic foot: An update / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

With multi-drug-resistant bacteria being more prevalent over years, diabetic foot complicated with multi-drug-resistant bacteria infection emerges as a significant challenge for clinicians and patients. Diabetic foot is predisposed to multi-drug resistant bacterial infection. Growing body of evidence shows that ulcer type, ulcer grade, ulcer area, history of antibiotics treatment, previous hospitalization history, osteomyelitis, and proliferative retinopathy are risk factors. Among multi-drug-resistant bacteria, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing bacteria are the most common strains. Infection with multiple drug-resistant bacteria contributes to the amputation rate and mortality in patients with diabetic foot ulcers. The aim of this review is to give an update on multi-drug resistant bacteria infection and clinical outcome of diabetic foot, with a goal to improve clinical awareness and management.

Clinical characteristics of radiation-induced brainstem injury after radiotherapy in patients with head and neck tumors / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective:To provide insight into the clinical characteristics, therapy and prognosis of patients with radiation-induced brainstem injury after radiotherapy.Methods:From August 2013 to September 2021, 13 patients with radiation-induced brainstem injury were included in this study at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, and the general information and strategy of radiotherapy were collected. A retrospective analysis was adopted to investigate the clinical and radiological characteristics, treatment and clinical outcomes.Results:There were 13 cases in total, including 4 females and 9 males. The onset age of enrolled patients ranged from 29 to 66 years with an average of (48.15±10.23) years. The median dose targeted at tumor area was 70 Gy with in 33 fractions. The median interval between radiotherapy and the diagnosis of radiation-induced brainstem injury was 24 months. The common clinical manifestations included dysphagia, bucking dysarthria, dizziness and problem with balance. The MRI radiological features were hypointense on T1WI, hyperintense on T2WI, and irregularly enhanced with contrast. The median follow-up was 45 months. Seven cases got improvements, while 3 had no obvious efficacy and 3 cases died. No significant differences in prognosis were observed between those received traditional glucocorticoid and those received bevacizumab treatment( P=0.079). Conclusions:The common symptoms of radiation-induced brainstem injury were symptoms of posterior cranial nerves injury and ataxia. Lesions mostly happened in pons and medulla, with hypointense on T1WI and hyperintense on T2WI. Half of the patients have improved after treatment. There was no significant difference in prognosis between glucocorticoid and bevacizumab treatment.

Sex differences in clinical outcomes of extremely preterm infants/extremely low birth weight infants: a propensity score matching study / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the effect of sex on the clinical outcome of extremely preterm infants (EPIs)/extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWIs) by propensity score matching.@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis was performed for the medical data of 731 EPIs or ELBWIs who were admitted from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2020. These infants were divided into two groups: male and female. A propensity score matching analysis was performed at a ratio of 1:1. The matching variables included gestational age, birth weight, percentage of withdrawal from active treatment, percentage of small-for-gestational-age infant, percentage of use of pulmonary surfactant, percentage of 1-minute Apgar score ≤3, percentage of mechanical ventilation, duration of mechanical ventilation, percentage of antenatal use of inadequate glucocorticoids, and percentage of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. The two groups were compared in the incidence rate of main complications during hospitalization and the rate of survival at discharge.@*RESULTS@#Before matching, compared with the female group, the male group had significantly higher incidence rates of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), severe intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, necrotizing enterocolitis, and patent ductus arteriosus (P<0.05), while after matching, the male group only had a significantly higher incidence rate of BPD than the female group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the rate of survival at discharge between the two groups before and after matching (P>0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Male EPIs/ELBWIs have a higher risk of BPD than female EPIs/ELBWIs, but male and female EPIs/ELBWIs tend to have similar outcomes.

Modified strict sperm morphology threshold aids in the clinical selection of conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

For infertility treatment, the selection of in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is decided by multiplying indicators (including fallopian tube factors, semen count, and semen motility), except for sperm morphology. In this study, we conducted a retrospective analysis, from implantation to birth, over a period of 5 years. A total of 1873 couples with primary or secondary fallopian tube factors and an increased defective sperm morphology rate (DSMR) were divided into different groups to receive IVF or ICSI cycles. By comparing the outcomes, we found that the F1 group (DSMR <96%, IVF group 1) had higher cleavage rate, biochemical pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and live birth rate than the F3 group (DSMR >98%, IVF group 3; P < 0.05). In contrast, there was no significant difference in the ICSI subgroups. Furthermore, a comparison of the outcomes between IVF and ICSI showed that the S3 group (DSMR >98%, ICSI group 3) had higher cleavage rate (P < 0.001), biochemical pregnancy rate (P < 0.05), clinical pregnancy rate (P < 0.05) and live birth rate (P < 0.05) than the F3 group. However, the ICSI subgroup had a lower two pronuclei fertilization rate than the IVF subgroup (P < 0.05). Our data suggest that the sperm morphology should also be considered when selecting IVF or ICSI combined with other semen parameters before the first assisted reproductive technologies (ART) cycle, especially for males with severe sperm defects.

Association of HMIP1 C-893A polymorphism and disease severity in patients with sickle cell anemia

Abstract Introduction: Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a Mendelian disorder with a heterogeneous clinical course. The reasons for this phenotypic diversity are not entirely established, but it is known that high fetal hemoglobin levels lead to a milder course of the disease. Additionally, genetic variants in the intergenic region HBS1L-MYB promote high levels of fetal hemoglobin into adulthood. Objective: In the present study, we investigated the HMIP1 C-839A (rs9376092) polymorphism, located at the HBS1L-MYB intergenic region block 1, in SCA patients. Method: We analyzed 299 SCA patients followed in two reference centers in Brazil. The HMIP1 C-839A (rs9376092) genotypes were determined by allele specific polymerase chain reactions. Clinical and laboratory data were obtained from patient interviews and medical records. Results: The median fetal hemoglobin levels were higher in patients with the HMIP1 C-839A (rs9376092) AA genotype (CC = 6.4%, CA = 5.6% and AA = 8.6%), but this difference did not reach significance (p = 0.194). No association between HMIP1 C-839A (rs9376092) genotypes and other clinical and laboratorial features was detected (p > 0.05). Conclusion: In summary, our data could not support the previously related association between the HMIP1 C-893A (rs9376092) polymorphism and differential fetal hemoglobin levels.

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance clinic during the coronavirus disease-19 pandemic: caring for the vulnerable in an academic medical center

Background: Patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) have clinical features including older age, presence of medical comorbidities, susceptibility to infections, and thrombotic tendencies which are relevant when assessing their risk during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Objective: To study the vulnerability of patients with MGUS during the COVID-19 pandemic, we assessed the local management of MGUS patients and their clinical outcomes. Methods: Retrospective chart reviews were performed for all patients with MGUS seen at a university medical center clinic (2014-2020). Results: A total of 228 MGUS patients were included; 211 patients are alive, 7 patients died before the pandemic, and 10 patients died since the pandemic declaration. The mean age and the overall survival (OS) of the patients who died before versus during the pandemic were 83.0 versus 75.2 years, p = 0.4, and OS 40.6 versus 53.2 months, p = 0.3, respectively. One patient died of COVID-19. Nine patients had venous thromboembolisms (VTE), all of which occurred before the pandemic onset. Conclusions: There were no significant differences found in the mean age or OS of the MGUS patients who died before versus after the pandemic onset. An increase in VTE rates was not seen. Study results are limited by small patient numbers.