Diastolic versus systolic dysfunction in patients with chronic liver disease ­ a single center study in South-South, Nigeria

Objectives: The term cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCM) has been used to describe the constellation of cardiovascular abnormalities including diastolic and systolic dysfunctions in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). CCM contributes to morbidity and mortality associated with CLD. The aim of the study was to evaluate the left atrial and ventricular geometry, systolic and diastolic functions in patients with CLD. Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional analytical study that involved 80 patients with CLD seen at University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria, and 80 apparently healthy controls matched for age/ gender. The participants were interviewed, examined and had resting transthoracic echocardiography. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20.0. Results: A total of 160 subjects were recruited into the study with a male to female ratio of 2.8:1. There was no difference in the mean age of cases and controls (P = 0.115). Systolic function of the left ventricle was similar in the two arms. However, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, left atrial enlargement, and increased left ventricular mass index (LVMI) were more prevalent among the patients with CLD compared to controls (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The study demonstrated increased left atrial diameter, increased LVMI associated with diastolic dysfunction, and preserved systolic function at rest among CLD patients. Keywords: Chronic liver disease, Diastolic dysfunction, Systolic dysfunction

Hepatitis E in Namibia: A Historical Review

Namibia has had three outbreaks of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV), in 1983, 1995 and 2017. HEV is particularly dangerous to pregnant women. The objective of this study was to present a thorough review of the history of HEV in Namibia; the genotypes which have appeared since 1983, and the possible reasons for the nationwide spread of HEV that has occurred since 2017. MATERIALS AND METHODS As this is a review article, no primary research data will be presented. However, an exhaustive literature study has been undertaken and there will be in-depth discussion of the findings of primary researchers in Namibia and elsewhere. RESULTS The first two episodes were confined to the Rundu area. The 1983 outbreak may have been genotype 1; that of 1995 contained genotypes 1 and 2. The genotype of 2017 episode has not been clearly established. Increased road traffic may have spread HEV during 2017-2020. Lack of clean water and washing facilities, and lack of awareness of what causes HEV, are the main factors in spreading it. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS There remain challenges to the containment of HEV. A recent government initiative to stop COVID-19 has helped slow its progress. Both infections are propagated by poor hygienic practice and lack of clean water.

Palmoplantar eruption in a patient with mercury poisoning.

Mercury poisoning is a rare event that can present with a variety of nonspecific systemic symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose. Dermatologic manifestations of mercury exposure may be variable and include pink disease (acrodynia), mercury exanthem, contact dermatitis, and cutaneous granulomas. We present the case of an 18-year-old woman with a palmoplantar eruption associated with tachycardia, hyperhidrosis, myalgia, paresthesia, and muscle fasciculations. Physical examination demonstrated poorly demarcated pink macules coalescing into patches on the left palm, right wrist, and soles. A punch biopsy was nonspecific, showing acanthosis and orthokeratosis with mild inflammation. Elevated urine and serum mercury levels confirmed a diagnosis of mercury poisoning. This case highlights the importance of consideration of mercury poisoning in the differential diagnosis for acral eruptions, especially in the presence of systemic symptoms and known risk factors.

Elemental mercury intoxication in 7 patients admitted to a pediatric rheumatology clinic.

Paç Kisaarslan A, Sözeri B, Bastug F, Gündüz Z, Yel S, Nalçacioglu H, Sahin N, Özdemir Çiçek S, Poyrazoglu H, Düsünsel R. Elemental mercury intoxication in 7 patients admitted to a pediatric rheumatology clinic. Turk J Pediatr 2019; 61: 786-790. Mercury (Hg) is a toxic heavy metal that can be classified into three groups; organic (methyl), inorganic (mercuric), and elemental (metallic) mercury(Hg0). Mercury intoxication occurs mostly with the elemental form which can potentially damage the function of any organ, or any subcellular structure. The target organ of mercury is the brain, but peripheral nerve function, renal function, immune function, endocrine and muscle function, and several types of dermatitis have been described. We present 7 patients admitted to a pediatric rheumatology clinic with severe extremity pain. One of the patients had acrodynia, two of them had hypertension, two of them had tubulopathy, and three of them had neuropathy. The treatments were Dimercaptosuccinic acid and metalcaptase. In this report, we emphasize that mercury intoxication should be kept in mind with unexplained extremity pain. Timely diagnosis and treatment may prevent severe morbidity and mortality.

Microbial Protein Produced from Brown Seaweed and Spruce Wood as a Feed Ingredient.

The conversion of nonedible biomass to protein for use in feed is an attractive strategy toward improved sustainability in aquaculture. We have studied the possibility to produce protein-rich yeast Candida utilis on a medium consisting of enzymatically hydrolyzed sulphite-pulped spruce wood, mainly providing glucose, and enzymatically hydrolyzed brown seaweed, supplemented with ammonium sulfate. The results show that this blend constitutes a complete fermentation medium that enables good growth rates and cell yields. Results from a salmon feeding trial showed that the yeast can replace parts of a traditional fishmeal diet without harmful effects, although the apparent protein digestibility coefficient for the yeast was suboptimal. While further optimization of both the fermentation process and downstream processing is needed, the present proof-of-concept study shows a path to the production of microbial protein based on a simple, local and sustainable fermentation medium.

Comparación de la conducta de enfermedad en pacientes colombianos con hemofilia A, en una muestra con dolor crónico y sin dolor crónico / Comparison of disease behavior in Colombian patients with hemophilia A, in a sample compared with chronic pain and without chronic pain

Objetivo. Identificar las variables de conducta de enfermedad en una muestra de pacientes colombianos con Hemofilia A y comparar los resultados de grupos (con dolor crónico y sin dolor crónico) para un análisis de relaciones entre variables. Método. El enfoque fue cuantitativo y su diseño transversal; la metodología empleada fue ex post facto de tipo retrospectiva. Para el análisis estadístico se hizo una comparación de grupos (sin dolor crónico y con dolor crónico). El factor de conducta de enfermedad se evaluó a través del Cuestionario de Conducta de Enfermedad de Ballester y Botella del año 1993. Los resultados obtenidos mediante la prueba T, la correlación de Spearman, la prueba U de Mann-Whitney y la Curva de ROC. Resultados. Se evaluaron veintisiete sujetos con diagnóstico de Hemofilia A con un rango de edad entre 19 y 55 años. Diecisiete sujetos conformaron el grupo con dolor crónico y diez sujetos el grupo sin dolor crónico. En conclusión se hallaron asociaciones significativas entre el dolor crónico y las variables relacionadas a inestabilidad emocional, así como correlaciones positivas con resultados de investigaciones previas sobre la caracterización de la población con hemofilia.

Objective. To Identify the variables of illness behavior in a sample of Colombian patients with hemophilia A and to compare the results of groups (with chronic pain and without chronic pain chronic) for an analysis of relationships between variables. Methods. The approach was quantitative and its cross-sectional design. The methodology used was ex post facto retrospective type. A comparison groups (without chronic pain and chronic pain) was done for the statistical analysis. The disease behavior factor was evaluated through the Ballester and Botella Disease Questionnaire Conduct of 1993. The results obtained by the T-test, the Spearman correlation, the Mann-Whitney U test and the ROC curve. Results. Twenty-seven subjects diagnosed with haemophilia A diagnosed with a age range between 19 and 55 years were evaluated. Seventeen subjects formed the group with chronic pain and ten subjects the group without chronic pain. In conclusion, we found significant associations between chronic pain and variables related to emotional instability, as well as positive correlations with results of previous research on the characterization of the population with hemophilia.

Mercury toxicity presenting as acrodynia and a papulovesicular eruption in a 5-year-old girl.

Acrodynia is a reaction that occurs in children who have been exposed to mercury. Mercury toxicity has systemic manifestations as well as cutaneous manifestations, which can appear similar to those found in a number of other diseases. We present a case of acrodynia caused by mercury exposure in a previously healthy 5-year-old girl who developed hypertension, palmoplantar pruritus, and a papulovesicular eruption.

Utilidad de la escala pronóstica SWIFT en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Polivalente / Utility of the SWIFT prognostic scale at a Polyvalent Intensive Care Unit

Introducción: el SWIFT es un índice creado para predecir eventos adversos reingresos y mortalidad oculta tras el alta de la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos. Objetivo: evaluar la utilidad de la escala pronóstica SWIFT en la predicción de eventos adversos tras el alta de la unidad. Métodos: se realizó un estudio de cohorte en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos polivalente 8B del Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico Hermanos Ameijeiras, de provincia La Habana, en el periodo comprendido desde el 1ro de marzo de 2009 hasta el 28 de febrero de 2011. Los pacientes fueron divididos en dos grupos según el resultado de la escala: < 15 puntos y otro con ≥ 15, evaluándose la ocurrencia de mortalidad oculta y reingresos. Como variables principales se midieron: la mortalidad, los eventos adversos, la puntuación de la escala SAPS- 3 y la comparación de ésta con la escala SWIFT. Resultados: La escala SWIFT resultó ser útil en la predicción de eventos adversos tras el alta de UCI sin discriminar en el tiempo. La mayor puntuación de SAPS-3 al ingreso se correspondió con un mayor valor del Índice de SWIFT al egreso de la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos.Conclusiones: los pacientes egresados de la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos con una puntuación SWIFT ≥15 puntos presentaron una estadía discretamente superior aquellos con SWIFT‹15 puntos no teniendo relevancia estadística (AU)

Introduction: SWIFT is an index created to predict adverse events (readmissions and hidden mortality) after discharge from the ICU.Objective: to evaluate the usefulness of the SWIFT prognostic scale in predicting adverse events after unit discharge.Methods: It was conducted a cohort study in Unit 8B Polyvalent Intensive Care Unit of Hermanos Ameijeiras Clinical Surgical Hospital, of Havana province, in the period from March 1st, 2009 until February 28, 2011. The patients were divided into two groups according to the result of the scale: <15 points and another with ≥ 15, evaluating the occurrence of hidden mortality and readmissions. As main variables it was measured: mortality, adverse events, the SAPS- 3 scale score and its comparison with the SWIFT scale.Results: the SWIFT scale proved to be useful in predicting adverse events after discharge from the ICU without discriminating over time. The highest SAPS-3 score on admission corresponded to a higher value of the SWIFT Index at discharge from Intensive Care Unit.Conclusions: patients discharged from the ICU with a SWIFT score ≥ 15 points presented a slightly higher stay than those with SWIFT <15 points having no statistical significance.

Utilidad de la escala pronóstica SWIFT en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Polivalente / Utility of the SWIFT prognostic scale at a Polyvalent Intensive Care Unit

Introducción: el SWIFT es un índice creado para predecir eventos adversos reingresos y mortalidad oculta tras el alta de la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos. Objetivo: evaluar la utilidad de la escala pronóstica SWIFT en la predicción de eventos adversos tras el alta de la unidad. Métodos: se realizó un estudio de cohorte en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos polivalente 8B del Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico Hermanos Ameijeiras, de provincia La Habana, en el periodo comprendido desde el 1ro de marzo de 2009 hasta el 28 de febrero de 2011. Los pacientes fueron divididos en dos grupos según el resultado de la escala: < 15 puntos y otro con ≥ 15, evaluándose la ocurrencia de mortalidad oculta y reingresos. Como variables principales se midieron: la mortalidad, los eventos adversos, la puntuación de la escala SAPS- 3 y la comparación de ésta con la escala SWIFT. Resultados: La escala SWIFT resultó ser útil en la predicción de eventos adversos tras el alta de UCI sin discriminar en el tiempo. La mayor puntuación de SAPS-3 al ingreso se correspondió con un mayor valor del Índice de SWIFT al egreso de la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos.Conclusiones: los pacientes egresados de la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos con una puntuación SWIFT ≥15 puntos presentaron una estadía discretamente superior aquellos con SWIFT‹15 puntos no teniendo relevancia estadística

Introduction: SWIFT is an index created to predict adverse events (readmissions and hidden mortality) after discharge from the ICU.Objective: to evaluate the usefulness of the SWIFT prognostic scale in predicting adverse events after unit discharge.Methods: It was conducted a cohort study in Unit 8B Polyvalent Intensive Care Unit of Hermanos Ameijeiras Clinical Surgical Hospital, of Havana province, in the period from March 1st, 2009 until February 28, 2011. The patients were divided into two groups according to the result of the scale: <15 points and another with ≥ 15, evaluating the occurrence of hidden mortality and readmissions. As main variables it was measured: mortality, adverse events, the SAPS- 3 scale score and its comparison with the SWIFT scale.Results: the SWIFT scale proved to be useful in predicting adverse events after discharge from the ICU without discriminating over time. The highest SAPS-3 score on admission corresponded to a higher value of the SWIFT Index at discharge from Intensive Care Unit.Conclusions: patients discharged from the ICU with a SWIFT score ≥ 15 points presented a slightly higher stay than those with SWIFT <15 points having no statistical significance.

Mercury Promotes Catecholamines Which Potentiate Mercurial Autoimmunity and Vasodilation: Implications for Inositol 1,4,5-Triphosphate 3-Kinase C Susceptibility in Kawasaki Syndrome

Previously, we reviewed biological evidence that mercury could induce autoimmunity and coronary arterial wall relaxation as observed in Kawasaki syndrome (KS) through its effects on calcium signaling, and that inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate 3-kinase C (ITPKC) susceptibility in KS would predispose patients to mercury by increasing Ca2+ release. Hg2+ sensitizes inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) receptors at low doses, which release Ca2+ from intracellular stores in the sarcoplasmic reticulum, resulting in delayed, repetitive calcium influx. ITPKC prevents IP3 from triggering IP3 receptors to release calcium by converting IP3 to inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate. Defective IP3 phosphorylation resulting from reduced genetic expressions of ITPKC in KS would promote IP3, which increases Ca2+ release. Hg2+ increases catecholamine levels through the inhibition of S-adenosylmethionine and subsequently catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), while a single nucleotide polymorphism of the COMT gene (rs769224) was recently found to be significantly associated with the development of coronary artery lesions in KS. Accumulation of norepinephrine or epinephrine would potentiate Hg2+-induced calcium influx by increasing IP3 production and increasing the permeability of cardiac sarcolemma to Ca2+. Norepinephrine and epinephrine also promote the secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide, a potent vasodilator that suppresses the release of vasoconstrictors. Elevated catecholamine levels can induce hypertension and tachycardia, while increased arterial pressure and a rapid heart rate would promote arterial vasodilation and subsequent fatal thromboses, particularly in tandem. Genetic risk factors may explain why only a susceptible subset of children develops KS although mercury exposure from methylmercury in fish or thimerosal in pediatric vaccines is nearly ubiquitous. During the infantile acrodynia epidemic, only 1 in 500 children developed acrodynia whereas mercury exposure was very common due to the use of teething powders. This hypothesis mirrors the leading theory for KS in which a widespread infection only induces KS in susceptible children. Acrodynia can mimic the clinical picture of KS, leading to its inclusion in the differential diagnosis for KS. Catecholamine levels are often elevated in acrodynia and may also play a role in KS. We conclude that KS may be the acute febrile form of acrodynia.

Elemental mercury poisoning presenting as hypertension in a young child.

Mercury intoxication is an uncommon cause of hypertension in children and can mimic several other diseases, such as pheochromocytoma and vasculitis. Mercury intoxication can present as a diagnostic challenge because levels of catecholamines may be elevated, suggesting that the etiology is a catecholamine-secreting tumor. Once acrodynia is identified as a primary symptom, a 24-hour urine mercury level can confirm the diagnosis. Inclusion of mercury intoxication in the differential diagnosis early on can help avoid unnecessary and invasive diagnostic tests and therapeutic interventions. We discuss a case of mercury intoxication in a 3-year-old girl presenting with hypertension and acrodynia, without a known history of exposure. Chelation therapy successfully treated our patient's mercury intoxication. However, it was also necessary to concurrently treat her hypertension and the pain associated with her acrodynia. Because there were no known risk factors for mercury poisoning in this case, and because ritual use of mercury is common in much of the United States, we recommend high clinical suspicion and subsequent testing in all cases of acrodynia.

ITPKC susceptibility in Kawasaki syndrome as a sensitizing factor for autoimmunity and coronary arterial wall relaxation induced by thimerosal's effects on calcium signaling via IP3.

Recently, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate kinase C (ITPKC), rs28493229, was found to passively confer susceptibility for Kawasaki syndrome (KS) and subsequent coronary arterial lesions. This association is believed to be the result of defective phosphorylation of inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3), which releases calcium from intracellular stores, resulting from reduced genetic expression of ITPKC in carriers of the SNP. Reduced ITPKC activity would increase IP3 levels, and thus, increase calcium release. We hypothesized that an environmental agent which influences IP3-mediated calcium release is potentiated by the ITPKC SNP. This led us to an attractive candidate, thimerosal, an organomercurial medical preservative still used in several pediatric vaccines. Thimerosal is well-known to sensitize IP3 receptors via its induction of oxidative stress, resulting in enhanced release of intracellular calcium with distinctive consequences for various cell types. Dysregulated calcium signaling in T cells and other immune cells can result in autoimmunity, while hyperpolarization of vascular smooth muscle cells secondary to the stimulation of calcium-activated potassium channels can result in increased vascular permeability and arterial relaxation. We propose that ITPKC susceptibility in KS is related to its synergy with environmental triggers, such as thimerosal, which alter calcium homeostasis and promote oxidative stress. Therefore, carriers of the ITPKC SNP are more susceptible to thimerosal-induced autoimmunity and coronary arterial lesions observed in KS. This would explain why only a susceptible subset of children develops KS although pediatric thimerosal exposure is nearly universal due to vaccination. As was experienced with the infantile acrodynia epidemic, only 1 in 500 children developed the disease although pediatric mercury exposure was nearly ubiquitous due to the use calomel teething powders. This hypothesis also mirrors the current leading theory for KS in which a widespread infection only induces the disease in susceptible children. We conclude that KS may be the acute febrile form of acrodynia.

Acrodynia and hypertension in a young girl secondary to elemental mercury toxicity acquired in the home.

Acrodynia, also known as pink disease, erythredema polyneuropathy, Feer syndrome, and raw-beef hands and feet, is thought to be a toxic reaction to elemental mercury and less commonly to organic and inorganic forms. Occurring commonly in the early 20th century, acrodynia is now a seemingly extinct disease in the modern world because of regulations to eliminate mercury from personal care products, household items, medications, and vaccinations. We present a case of a 3-year-old girl with acrodynia secondary to toxic exposure to elemental mercury in the home environment.

Metal mercury poisoning in two boys initially treated for brucellosis in Mashhad, Iran.

Elemental mercury (Hg) is the only metal which evaporates in room temperature and its inhalation may cause toxicity. Hg poisoning may occur by mishandling the metal, particularly in children who play with it. Wide-spectrum of the clinical presentations of chronic Hg poisoning may cause misdiagnosis, particularly when history of exposure is unknown. We report two cases of accidental Hg poisoning, which initially had been diagnosed and treated for brucellosis. The patients were two brothers (7 and 14 years old) who presented with pain in their lower extremities, sweating, salivation, weight loss, anorexia and mood changes on admission. Meticulous history taking revealed that they had played with a ball of Hg since 3 months before admission. The level of urinary Hg was 125.9 and 54.2 9 g/L in the younger and older brother, respectively (normal ≤25 g/L). The patients were successfully treated by dimercaprol and discharged in good condition 24 days after admission. These cases are being reported to emphasize the importance of acrodynia as a differential diagnosis for brucellosis in endemic areas.

Metallic mercury vapour poisoning revisited.

Mercury poisoning was once common in the 19th century. With its declining use, now clinicians and the public in general are often unaware and unsuspecting of mercury toxicity. A 40-year-old woman and her two children were hospitalized with a 1-week history of a generalized lichenoid eruption. Clinical improvement occurred without a diagnosis; however, on returning home, features of acrodynia with digital gangrene developed in the woman, leading to suspicion of heavy metal poisoning. There was no recurrence after moving from their contaminated house.

Ancestry of pink disease (infantile acrodynia) identified as a risk factor for autism spectrum disorders.

Pink disease (infantile acrodynia) was especially prevalent in the first half of the 20th century. Primarily attributed to exposure to mercury (Hg) commonly found in teething powders, the condition was developed by approximately 1 in 500 exposed children. The differential risk factor was identified as an idiosyncratic sensitivity to Hg. Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have also been postulated to be produced by Hg. Analogous to the pink disease experience, Hg exposure is widespread yet only a fraction of exposed children develop an ASD, suggesting sensitivity to Hg may also be present in children with an ASD. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that individuals with a known hypersensitivity to Hg (pink disease survivors) may be more likely to have descendants with an ASD. Five hundred and twenty-two participants who had previously been diagnosed with pink disease completed a survey on the health outcomes of their descendants. The prevalence rates of ASD and a variety of other clinical conditions diagnosed in childhood (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, epilepsy, Fragile X syndrome, and Down syndrome) were compared to well-established general population prevalence rates. The results showed the prevalence rate of ASD among the grandchildren of pink disease survivors (1 in 22) to be significantly higher than the comparable general population prevalence rate (1 in 160). The results support the hypothesis that Hg sensitivity may be a heritable/genetic risk factor for ASD.

Mercury poisoning: a rare but treatable cause of failure to thrive and developmental regression in an infant.

An infant presented with failure to thrive and developmental regression. Physical examination revealed an irritable child with swollen, erythematous extremities, and elevated blood pressure. Extensive investigations, including a metabolic work-up and neuroimaging, were unrevealing. Exposure to self-purchased medication was initially denied. The physical signs were suggestive of acrodynia. Mercury poisoning was ultimately established by measuring paired blood and urine mercury levels. On further enquiry, it was revealed that the child had been given a Chinese medicinal product for 4 months. He responded well to a chelating agent. Acrodynia is a childhood disease considered to be of historical interest only, but making a diagnosis of mercury poisoning is rewarding because the response to treatment is good. This case highlights the common misconception that alternative medicines are safe and benign.