Use of Technetium-99m-Pyrophosphate Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography/Computed Tomography in Monitoring Therapeutic Changes of Eplontersen in Patients With Hereditary Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Hereditary transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (hATTR-CM) is a progressive and fatal disease. Recent evidence indicates that bone scintigraphy may serve as a tool to monitor the effectiveness of hATTR-CM treatment. The objective of this study was to examine how eplontersen therapy influences the semiquantitative uptake of technetium-99m-pyrophosphate in individuals diagnosed with hATTR-CM. METHODS AND RESULTS: We retrospectively analyzed a prospective cohort from the NEURO-TTRansform trial, including patients with hATTR-CM receiving eplontersen (45 mg/4 weeks). A control group comprised patients with hATTR-CM who had not received eplontersen, inotersen, tafamidis, or patisiran. Technetium-99m-pyrophosphate single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography was conducted at baseline and during follow-up. Thirteen patients with hATTR-CM were enrolled, with 6 receiving eplontersen and 7 serving as the control group. The median follow-up time was 544 days. The eplontersen group exhibited a significant decrease in volumetric heart and lung ratio (3.774 to 2.979, P=0.028), whereas the control group showed no significant change (4.079 to 3.915, P=0.237). Patients receiving eplontersen demonstrated a significantly greater reduction in volumetric heart and lung ratio compared with the control group (-20.7% versus -3.4%, P=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: The volumetric heart and lung ratio used to quantify technetium-99m-pyrophosphate uptake showed a significant reduction subsequent to eplontersen treatment in individuals diagnosed with hATTR-CM. These findings suggest the potential efficacy of eplontersen in treating hATTR-CM and highlight the value of technetium-99m-pyrophosphate single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography as a tool for monitoring therapeutic effectiveness.

Long-term variations in PM2.5 concentrations under changing meteorological conditions in Taiwan.

With emission control efforts, the PM2.5 concentrations and PM2.5 exceedance days (daily mean PM2.5 concentrations >35 µg m-3) show an apparent declining trend from 2006-2017. The PM2.5 concentrations increase from the northern to southern part of western Taiwan, and reductions in the PM2.5 concentration generally decrease from northern to southern part of western Taiwan. Thus, mitigation of the PM2.5 problem is less effective in southwestern Taiwan than in other regions in Taiwan. Analysis of a 39-year ERA-interim reanalysis dataset (1979-2017) reveals a weakening of the East Asian winter monsoon, a reduction in northeasterly (NE) monsoonal flow, and a tendency of enhanced stably stratified atmospheric structures in Taiwan and the surrounding area. The observed surface wind speed also presents a long-term decline. We can conclude that the long-term PM2.5 variations in Taiwan are mainly associated with changes in local anthropogenic emissions and modulated by short-term yearly variations due to strong haze events in China. In southwestern Taiwan, the long-term trend of PM2.5 reductions is possibly offset by worsening weather conditions, as this region is situated on the leeside of the mountains and often subject to stagnant wind when under the influence of NE monsoonal flow.

[The use of therapeutic play in the intensive care of a preschool child with virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome].

Hospitalization is a stressful experience for children that increases their anxiety and fears, generates resistance and noncompliance, and, as a result, delays necessary treatments. Developing an age-appropriate intervention to reduce the hospitalization-related stress perceived by children is an important component of pediatric nursing. This case study used therapeutic play and drawing to care for a virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome preschooler who stayed in our pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) between 11/13/2012 and 11/19/2012. Stressors faced by the patient included separation from primary caregiver, unfamiliarity with the medical environment and equipment, non-comprehension of the treatment and medication regimens, and loss of control. The patient displayed incorporative behaviors such as crying, screaming, refusing to be touched, and requesting parental accompaniment. Painting and picture books were used as developmentally appropriate interventions to understand the patient's feelings and to provide a means for him to project and release emotions. This strategy successfully assisted the child to overcome the perceived stress of hospitalization and to cooperate with healthcare providers on his treatment.

Immobilization of bioluminescent Escherichia coli cells using natural and artificial fibers treated with polyethyleneimine.

Biosensors based on whole-cell bioluminescence have the potential to become a cost-effective alternative to conventional detection methods upon validation of target selectivity and sensitivity. However, quantitative analysis of bioluminescence is greatly hindered due to lack of control over the total number of cells in a suspending culture. In this study, the effect of surface properties of genetically engineered luminous E. coli cells and fibrous matrices on the immobilization capacity and effectiveness under various environmental conditions were characterized. Four different fibers, including cotton, polyester, viscose rayon, and silk, were investigated. Although cell adhesion was observed on untreated viscose and cotton fibers, viscose fiber pretreated with 0.667% polyethyleneimine (PEI) was found capable of immobilizing the most viable E. coli DPD2234 cells, followed by viscose treated with 0.33% and 1% PEI. The cells immobilized on PEI-treated viscose remained viable and yielded 20% or more bioluminescence signals immediately upon contact with the inducer up to 72 h without feeding nutrients to the cells, suggesting that viscose treated with 0.667% PEI could provide a stable immobilization mechanism for bioluminescent E. coli cells with long sensing period, quick response time, and good signal reproducibility.