Clinical Treatment Course Research Articles

Клінічний перебіг та особливості лікування хворих на ішемічний інсульт, ускладнений розвитком гострого делірію

Делірій — це тяжкий, багатофакторний психоневрологічний розлад, який спричиняють деякі речовини, а також фактори та медіатори, що руйнують нейрони кори головного мозку. Делірій частіше розвивається після внутрішньомозкового крововиливу, великого за об’ємом гострого ішемічного інсульту та інсульту лівобічної локалізації. Причини розвитку делірію після інсульту недостатньо досліджені. Не існує єдиної думки щодо кращих втручань для профілактики та для лікування гострого делірію після інсульту. У статті проведено аналіз літературних даних щодо клінічного перебігу та лікування гострого ішемічного інсульту, ускладненого делірієм, висвітлені сучасні підходи до проведення інтенсивної терапії.

IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON PREGNANCY OUTCOMES: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Introduction: Atypical pneumonia known as coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, is highly infectious and is currently spreading rapidly around the globe.
 Objectives: The main objective of the study is to analyses the impact of COVID-19 on pregnancy outcomes among local population of Pakistan.
 Material and Methods: This cross sectional observational study was conducted in Lady Aitchison Hospital during September 2019 to August 2020. The data was collected through systematically designed questionnaire. Clinical characteristics, examination results, and treatment course were extracted from their medical records. For mothers, we collected socio demographic data, educational attainment, and occupation, maternal parity, medical history records, laboratory tests, and intensive care unit [ICU] admission.
 Results: The data was collected from 685 patients. The two groups of pregnant women were compared in terms of severe preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, premature rupture of membranes, fetal distress, maternal mortality, IUD, fecal staining of amniotic fluid, premature birth, neonatal asphyxia, Abruption or other compression sutures, and there was no significant difference Significance (all P >0.05); the proportion of IUD in the COVID-19 group was higher than that in the non COVID-19 group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant.
 Conclusion: It is concluded that those patients who visited the hospital during COVID-19 pandemics have high rate of IUD, placenta abruption and maternal death.
 Keywords: IUD., COVID-19

Особенности диагностики и тактики хирургического лечения болезни Гиршпрунга у грудных детей

The aim is to present optimal ways of early diagnosis and tactics of Hirschsprung's disease (HD) surgical correction in newborns and young children based on literature data and our own experience. Materials and methods. Clinical observations on early diagnosis and optimization of the tactics of surgical treatment of HD in 58 infants over the past 9 years have been carried out. All patients underwent a complex of general physical examinations, including the collection of anamnesis and follow-up of patients, clinical examination with rectal examination, laboratory, bacteriological, radiological (survey, polypositional irrigography) and morphological (intraoperatively remote area of the colon agangliosis zone) studies. The features of the clinical course and tactics of surgical treatment of HD in infants, the choice of the surgical method were analyzed, and the risk of complications during the operation was studied. The patients were divided into two groups. The first group included 32 (55.2%) infants with a typical clinical course of HD, radiographically confirmed agangliosis in the rectosigmoid zone, and chronic constipation. The second group included 26 (44.8%) infants with an atypical clinical course of HD with diarrheal syndrome against the background of dysbiosis, enterocolitis, among them there were 2 children with symptoms of Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis. Research methods: General clinical and biochemical analysis of blood and urine. Scatological examination of feces, sowing on the pathogenic flora of feces and urine. EKG. Ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity and echocardiography. X-ray examination: an overview roentgenogram of the abdominal and thoracic cavity vertically, irrigoraphy, excretory urography. Results and conclusions. In newborns with sub- and decompensated typical course of chronic constipation in the absence of the effect of conservative therapy, after the diagnosis of HD is established, an early radical operation or colostomy application above the agangliosis zone is recommended. In infants with a favorable typical clinical course and a left-sided form of HD, transanal endorectal reduction of the large intestine (TENTC) can be performed according to indications, starting from one month of age. In this case, the operation of choice is TENTK without colostomy. In subtotal and rectosigmoidal forms of HD with a long aganglionic zone, laparoscopic assistance is recommended, which makes it possible to release the splenic flexure of the colon from ligaments and constrictions, take a full-thickness biopsy of the transitional zone of aganglionicosis, and this makes it possible to conduct express diagnostics, establish resection levels and freely lower the proximal area colon during TENTC. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The study protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of all participating institution. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies. No conflict of interest was declared by the authors. Key words: Hirschsprung’s disease, clinic, infants, trans anal colon reduction.

Improvement of Chronic Rhinosinusitis and Reduction of the Myeloperoxidase-Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody Titer in a Patient with Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis by Additional Mepolizumab

A case of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) in which chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) was improved with a reduction in the myeloperoxidase-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO-ANCA) titer after the addition of mepolizumab is reported. A 55-year-old woman with EGPA receiving prednisolone 5 mg/day developed CRS with increases in the eosinophil count and the MPO-ANCA titer. Although it improved with prednisolone 15 mg/day in addition to mizoribine 150 mg/day, because azathioprine could not be taken orally due to side effects, it relapsed after prednisolone was tapered to 5 mg/day. There was no exacerbation of other vasculitis symptoms such as mononeuropathy multiplex. The patient was treated with additional mepolizumab 300 mg every 4 weeks, which resulted in the improvement of CRS and marked reductions of the eosinophil count and MPO-ANCA titer, and the reduction of prednisolone to 2 mg/day. Furthermore, even after tapering mepolizumab to 200 mg every 4 weeks, her condition remained stable without relapse of EGPA and without increases in the eosinophil count and MPO-ANCA titer. The clinical course of mepolizumab treatment in this patient suggests that the IL5-dependent inflammatory cascade is one of the factors contributing to the increase in MPO-ANCA in EGPA.

Current status of diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer peritoneal metastasis

Peritoneal metastasis is the most common distant metastasis of gastric cancer. As an end-stage event of gastric cancer, patients with peritoneal metastasis often have lost the chance of radical resection, and even after palliative surgical resection, the long-term outcomes are still not satisfactory. In recent years, with the application and promotion of laparoscopic technology, neoadjuvant intraperitoneal and systemic chemotherapy, hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy and cytoreductive surgery, through perioperative comprehensive treatment strategies by multidisciplinary team, the quality of life and survival of patients with peritoneal metastasis have been significantly improved. Some patients with gastric cancer peritoneal metastasis diagnosed by laparoscopy even get the opportunity to have radical cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy after neoadjuvant intraperitoneal and systemic chemotherapy. Taking into account the progress in the treatment of gastric cancer peritoneal metastasis in recent years, this article intends to combine current clinical evidence and to discuss the key issues in the course of clinical diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer peritoneal implantation and metastasis, including the imaging diagnosis of peritoneal metastasis, laparoscopic examination, evaluation of peritoneal metastasis and comprehensive treatment plan.

Moderate vs. mild cases of overseas-imported COVID-19 in Beijing: a retrospective cohort study

This study compared the differences in the clinical manifestations, treatment courses and clinical turnover between mild and moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Clinical data of the patients with imported COVID-19 admitted to Beijing Xiaotangshan Designated Hospital between March 15 and April 30, 2020, were retrospectively analysed. A total of 53 COVID-19 patients were included, with 21 mild and 32 moderate cases. Compared with the mild group, the moderate group showed significant differences in breathing frequency, lymphocyte count, neutrophil percentage, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, and dynamic erythrocyte sedimentation rate. In the moderate group, 87.5% exhibited ground-glass opacities, 14% exhibited consolidative opacities, 53.1% exhibited local lesions and 68.8% exhibited unilateral lesions. The proportion of patients who received antiviral or antibiotic treatment in the moderate group was higher than that in the mild group, and the number of cases that progressed to severe disease in the moderate group was also significantly higher (18.7% vs. 0%, p = 0.035). Compared with patients with mild COVID-19, those with moderate COVID-19 exhibited more noticeable inflammatory reactions, more severe pulmonary imaging manifestations and earlier expression of protective antibodies. The overall turnover of the moderate cases was poorer than that of the mild cases.

FLT3-ITD Allelic Burden and Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia Risk Stratification.

Simple SummaryAround 12–38% of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) patients carry the FLT3-ITD mutation, which has been associated with several poor-prognosis indicators such as high white blood cell counts, M3v variant morphology, and the bcr3 isoform. We aimed to retrospectively study the impact of FLT3-ITD mutations in APL patients in regard to clinical features, treatment courses, and outcomes. We demonstrate that Sanz high-risk status APL correlates with high FLT3-ITD allelic burdens, with every 1% increase in allelic burden correlating with a 0.6 × 109/L increase in white blood cell count (WBC). The presence of FLT3-ITD was associated with decreased remission rates and higher 5-year mortality from the time of diagnosis. These findings provide novel revelations regarding the features of FLT3-ITD APL, particularly in regard to allelic burden, that warrant further study.The significance of FLT3-ITD in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is not well-established. We performed a bi-center retrospective study of 138 APL patients, 59 (42.8%) of whom had FLT3-ITD. APL patients with FLT3-ITD had higher baseline white blood cell counts (WBCs) (p < 0.001), higher hemoglobin, (p = 0.03), higher aspartate aminotransferase (p = 0.001), lower platelets (p = 0.004), lower fibrinogen (p = 0.003), and higher incidences of disseminated intravascular coagulation (p = 0.005), M3v variant morphology (p < 0.001), and the bcr3 isoform (p < 0.001). FLT3-ITD was associated with inferior post-consolidation complete remission (CR) (p = 0.02) and 5-year overall survival (OS) of 79.7%, compared to 94.4% for FLT3-WT (wild-type) (p = 0.02). FLT3-ITD was strongly associated with baseline WBCs ≥ 25 × 109/L (odds ratio (OR): 54.4; 95% CI: 10.4–286.1; p < 0.001). High FLT3-ITD allelic burdens correlated with high-risk (HR) Sanz scores and high WBCs, with every 1% increase in allelic burden corresponding to a 0.6 × 109/L increase in WBC. HR APL was associated with a 38.5% increase in allelic burden compared with low-risk (LR) APL (95% CI: 19.8–57.2; p < 0.001). Our results provide additional evidence that FLT3-ITD APL is a distinct subtype of APL that warrants further study to delineate potential differences in therapeutic approach.

Diabetes Risk Data Mining Method Based on Electronic Medical Record Analysis.

In today's society, the development of information technology is very rapid, and the transmission and sharing of information has become a development trend. The results of data analysis and research are gradually applied to various fields of social development, structured analysis, and research. Data mining of electronic medical records in the medical field is gradually valued by researchers and has become a major work in the medical field. In the course of clinical treatment, electronic medical records are edited, including all personal health and treatment information. This paper mainly introduces the research of diabetes risk data mining method based on electronic medical record analysis and intends to provide some ideas and directions for the research of diabetes risk data mining method. This paper proposes a research strategy of diabetes risk data mining method based on electronic medical record analysis, including data mining and classification rule mining based on electronic medical record analysis, which are used in the research experiment of diabetes risk data mining method based on electronic medical record analysis. The experimental results in this paper show that the average prediction accuracy of the decision tree is 91.21%, and the results of the training set and the test set are similar, indicating that there is no overfitting of the training set.

Relationship of Pneumocystis antibody responses to paediatric asthma severity

BackgroundAlthough asthma is the most commonly diagnosed respiratory disease, its pathogenesis is complex, involving both genetic and environmental factors. A role for the respiratory microbiome in modifying asthma severity has...

Comparison of Clinical Features and Treatment Outcomes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Keratitis in Contact Lens and Non–Contact Lens Wearers

To compare the outcomes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis (PAK) in contact lens wearers (CLWs) and non-contact lens wearers (non-CLWs) and identify risk factors for poor visual acuity (VA) outcomes in each group. Retrospective cohort study METHODS: Two hundred fourteen consecutive cases of PAK were included between January 2006 and December 2019. Clinical features, microbiologic results, and treatment course were compared between CLW and non-CLW groups. Analyses of clinical features predicting poor final VA were performed. This study identified 214 infected eyes in 207 patients with PAK, including 163 eyes (76.2%) in CLWs and 51 eyes (23.8%) in non-CLWs. The average age was 39.2 years in CLWs and 71.9 years in non-CLWs (P < .0001). The average logMAR visual acuity (VA) at presentation was 1.39 in CLWs and 2.17 in non-CLWs (P < .0001); average final VA was 0.76 in CLWs and 1.82 in non-CLWs (P < .0001). Stromal necrosis required a procedural or surgical intervention in 13.5% of CLWs and 49.0% of non-CLWs (P < .0001). A machine learning-based analysis yielded a list of clinical features that most strongly predict a poor VA outcome (worse than 20/40), including worse initial VA, older age, larger size of infiltrate or epithelial defect at presentation, and greater maximal depth of stromal necrosis. Non-CLWs have significantly worse VA outcomes and required a higher rate of surgical intervention, compared with CLWs. Our study elucidates risk factors for poor visual outcomes in non-CLWs with PAK.

Abstract PD7-08: Igf1r mediates cdk4/6 inhibitor (cdk4/6i) resistance in tumor samples and in cellular models

Abstract Background: Deciphering the molecular landscape of resistance to the CDK4/6 inhibitors represents a critically important question for patients with hormone-receptor positive (HR+) metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Emerging insights from sequencing efforts suggest that inactivating alterations in the RB1 tumor suppressor occur in a small minority of patients and that a variety of heterogeneous mediators provoke resistance in patient samples. Proteins implicated in CDK4/6i resistance include cell cycle regulators such as cyclin E1/2, CDK6, and aurora kinase as well as known oncogenic signal transduction mediators involved in activation of the RAS-MEK and AKT-mTOR pathways. The insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) has been implicated in modulating anti-estrogen resistance, and IGF1R inhibitors are currently in various stages of pre-clinical and clinical development. Methods: We identified patients with amplification events in IGF1R from a database containing targeted sequencing of solid tumor samples obtained from patients with HR+ MBC enrolled on a research biopsy protocol. Tumor biopsies may have been obtained at various points during each patient’s clinical treatment course. HR+ T47D cells were modified to over-express IGF1R via lentiviral infection and selection. Derivative cell lines were treated with IGF-1 ligand and downstream activation of the PI3K/AKT and RAS/MEK pathways were assessed via western blotting. Control cells (expressing GFP) were mixed with IGF1R-expressing cells 1:1 and cultured in the presence of IGF-1 ligand and palbociclib or other drugs, for 1-3 weeks. At the timepoint of interest, cells were harvested and the relative proportion of GFP or IGF1R-expressing cells were interrogated via flow cytometry. Results: We identified seven patients with HR+ MBC and IGF1R amplifications via targeted sequencing of tumor biopsies. Five of these patients had exposure to CDK4/6i-based therapy in the metastatic setting. Three patients demonstrated intrinsic resistance to CDK4/6i treatment (with duration &amp;lt;6 months) and biopsies were obtained prior to CDK4/6i exposure or, in one case, while on treatment. In an additional patient, after nine months of CDK4/6i-based therapy, an IGF1R amplification was present at the time of progression. In one counter-example, a baseline biopsy revealed IGF1R amplification and subsequent clinical benefit with CDK4/6i, exceeding 10 months, was noted. T47D cells over-expressing IGF1R demonstrated increased pERK and pAKT activation following introduction of IGF-1 ligand. Control GFP and IGF1R-expressing cells were plated 1:1 and cultured in the presence of IGF-1 ligand and palbociclib. In a flow cytometry-based competition assay, an IGF-1 dose-dependent increase in the relative proportion of IGF1R-expressing cells was noted after one, two, and three weeks of palbociclib treatment. The extent of IGF1R-expressing cell enrichment was attenuated in the presence of either a MEK inhibitor or an IGF1R inhibitor. Conclusions: IGF1R amplification events were identified in tumor biopsy samples that reflect either intrinsic or acquired resistance to CDK4/6i-based therapy. HR+ breast cancer cells which over-express IGF1R demonstrate enrichment under palbociclib drug selection in a flow cytometry-based competition assay, which was abrogated by concurrent use of a MEK or IGF1R inhibitor. These results suggest that IGF1R may join the increasingly heterogeneous landscape of CDK4/6i resistance mediators. Further exploration of this possibility is warranted. A subset of patients with IGF1R-mediated CDK4/6i resistance could benefit from therapeutic strategies designed to downregulate MEK or IGF1R activity. Citation Format: Seth A. Wander, Pingping Mao, Maxwell R. Lloyd, Gabriela N. Johnson, Kailey Kowalski, Utthara Nayar, Lillian M. Guenther, Kimberly Stegmaier, Eric P. Winer, Nancy U. Lin, Nikhil Wagle. Igf1r mediates cdk4/6 inhibitor (cdk4/6i) resistance in tumor samples and in cellular models [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Virtual Symposium; 2020 Dec 8-11; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PD7-08.

The independent factors associated with oxygen therapy in COVID-19 patients under 65 years old.

The number of hospitalized young coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients has increased significantly. However, specific data about COVID-19 patients under 65 years old who are admitted to the hospital are scarce. The COVID-19 patients under 65 years old who were admitted to the hospital in Sichuan Province, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, and Wuhan Red Cross Hospital were included in this study. Demographic information, laboratory data and clinical treatment courses were extracted from electronic medical records. Risk factors associated with oxygen therapy were explored. Eight hundred thirty-three COVID-19 patients under 65 years old were included. Of the included patients, 29.4% had one or more comorbidities. Oxygen therapy was required in 63.1% of these patients, and the mortality was 2.9% among the oxygen therapy patients. Fever (odds ratio [OR] 2.072, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.312-3.271, p = 0.002), dyspnea (OR 2.522, 95% CI 1.213-5.243, p = 0.013), chest distress (OR 2.278, 95% CI 1.160-4.473, p = 0.017), elevated respiratory rate (OR 1.114, 95% CI 1.010-1.228, p = 0.031), and decreased albumin (OR 0.932, 95% CI 0.880-0.987, p = 0.016) and globulin levels (OR 0.929, 95% 0.881-0.980, p = 0.007) were independent factors related to oxygen therapy. Oxygen therapy is highly required in COVID-19 patients under 65 years old who are admitted to the hospital, but the success rate is high. Respiratory failure-related symptoms, elevated respiratory rate, low albumin and globulin levels, and fever at admission are independent risk factors related to the requirement of oxygen.

Clinico-microbiological spectrum of anaerobic pyogenic infections in an Indian tertiary care teaching hospital: A two-year study.

Introduction:Anaerobes are important however the most neglected pathogens. Timely isolation of anaerobes can guide the clinician about the correct course of clinical treatment and thus reduce the mortality and also the problem of antimicrobial resistance.Materials and Methods:Tissue and/or pus aspirates were collected aseptically from infectious sites in the Robertson's cooked meat medium (RCM) and sent to anaerobic bacteriology laboratory for culture. Subcultures from RCM for each sample were done on neomycin blood agar and 5% sheep blood agar along with metronidazole disc (5μg). The plates were incubated in an anaerobic jar using GasPak for 72 hrs. The preliminary identification was performed by standard biochemical tests for both obligate and facultative anaerobic isolates. Speciations of obligate anaerobes were performed by Vitek 2 automated system.Results:Obligate anaerobes either single or polymicrobial were obtained in 38/216 (14.5 %) samples processed during the study period. Polymicrobial infections were reported in 21/216 (55.26%) samples and most commonly with obligate anaerobic gramnegative bacilli i.e. Prevotella-Porphyromonas and Bacteroides fragilis group. Most common monomicrobial anaerobic infections were observed with Veillonella spp. (n=4) and Porphyromonas spp. (n=4) followed by Bacteroides fragilis (n=3). Obligate anaerobes were predominantly isolated from skin and soft tissue infections (n=14) followed by surgical site infections (n=8).Conclusion:Although most of the infections are polymicrobial, a rise in the incidence of monomicrobial anaerobic infections has been noticed. Therefore, the performance of anaerobic cultures along with aerobic cultures is much needed for complete bacterial work-up of specimens from infectious sites and better patient management.

Management of nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma: recommendations and unresolved dilemmas

Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) is a rare malignancy of young adults characterized by an indolent and recurrent course. Although relapses or transformation to aggressive B cell lymphoma can occur decades after the primary diagnosis, the prognosis of NLPHL is relatively good, with as much as a 90% 10-year overall survival rate. The rarity of NLPHL makes it difficult to conduct multicenter prospective studies to establish separate guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Therefore, the recommendations for the treatment of NLPHL have for many years been the same as for classic Hodgkin lymphoma, except for early stages without risk factors. The registration of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody for the treatment of CD20-positive B-cell lymphomas has opened up new perspectives for NLPHL patients. Modern and accurate histopathological examinations as well as imaging diagnostics, especially positron emission tomography/computed tomography has allowed a more precise distinction to be made between the indolent NLPHL and the transforming-to-aggressive lymphoma forms. This review is intended to provide readers with the clinical features, course, outcome and methods of standard treatment in patients with NLPHL. The author in particular wishes to draw attention to unresolved issues regarding standard management and also the use of active surveillance, anti-CD20 immunotherapy, less aggressive regimens of chemotherapy, and indications for new treatment options.

Results of an international Delphi consensus in epilepsy with myoclonic atonic seizures/ Doose syndrome

ObjectiveTo establish a standard framework for early phenotypic diagnosis, investigations, expected findings from investigations, evolution, effective therapies and prognosis in the syndrome of Epilepsy with myoclonic atonic seizures (EMAS) / Doose syndrome. MethodsA core study group (CSG) interested in EMAS was convened. CSG then identified and nominated 15 experts in the field of EMAS. This expert panel (EP) from English speaking nations was invited to participate in anonymous questionnaires. A literature review was provided to them (supplement 1). Three rounds of questionnaires were sent to identify areas of consensus, strength of consensus and areas of contention. ResultsStrong consensus was obtained regarding the clinical phenotype of EMAS: myoclonic atonic seizure was identified among others as a mandatory seizure type with typical onset of afebrile seizures between one and six years. A new term “stormy phase” (SP) was designated to delineate a characteristic phenotypic evolution in EMAS patients associated with seizure worsening. Strong consensus regarding the existence and time of onset of the SP, mandatory investigations to be performed early and later in the clinical course of EMAS, first and second tier treatment and prognostic factors for poor outcome were identified. Areas of lack of consensus included some seizure types that are necessary to diagnose EMAS, interictal EEG findings that prognosticate the course of EMAS, overall duration of SP, time to complete remission, and best approach to treat drug resistant EMAS. SignificanceExpert consensus on core diagnostic criteria of EMAS necessary for natural history studies, phenotype-genotype correlations, and clinical trials including comparative studies was demonstrated. Areas of disagreements (especially prognostic features; treatment options) need further research.

Is it Safe to Be Transplanted From Living Donors Who Recovered From COVID-19? Experience of 31 Kidney Transplants in a Multicenter Cohort Study From India.

Background.There is lack of data on feasibility and safety of kidney transplants from living donors who recovered from COVID-19.Methods.Here, we present a retrospective cohort study of 31 kidney transplant recipients (KTR) from living donors who recovered from polymerase chain reaction confirmed COVID-19 across 19 transplant centers in India from July 3, 2020, to December 5, 2020. We detailed demographics, clinical manifestations, immunosuppression regimen, treatment, and outcomes. Donors with a previous diagnosis of COVID-19 were accepted after documenting 2 negative polymerase chain reaction tests with complete symptom resolution for at least 28 days and significant social distancing for 14 days before surgery.Results.COVID-19 clinical severity in donors ranged from completely asymptomatic (71%, n = 22) to mild infection (29%, n = 9). None progressed to moderate or severe stages of the disease in the entire clinical course of home treatment. Patient and graft survival was 100%, respectively, with acute cellular rejection being reported in 6.4% (n = 2) recipient. All recipients and donors were asymptomatic with normal creatinine at median follow-up of 44 days after surgery without any complications relating to surgery and COVID-19.Conclusions.Our data support safety of proceeding with living donation for asymptomatic individuals with comprehensive donor, recipients screening before surgery, using a combination of clinical, radiologic, and laboratory criteria. It could provide new insights into the management of KTR from living donors who have recovered from COVID-19 in India. To the best of our knowledge, this remains the largest cohort of KTR from living donors who recovered from COVID-19.

Clinical and histopathological features and prognosis of gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas in Jack Russell Terriers.

There has been an increase in the number of Jack Russell Terriers (JRTs) diagnosed with adenomas and adenocarcinomas of the gastrointestinal tract in Japan. This study retrospectively investigated the clinical and histopathological features and prognosis of adenocarcinomas arising in the gastrointestinal tract in JRT dogs. Seven JRTs and 39 dogs of other breeds diagnosed with gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma were included in the study. The most common sites of gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma in JRTs were the pylorus and rectum. On histopathological examination, these adenocarcinomas showed a papillary or tubular growth pattern, and the lesions were confined within the mucosal epithelium and poorly invasive. Among all dogs with gastric adenocarcinoma, the median survival time (MST) for five of the JRTs could not be determined because more than half of the cases remained alive, while the MST for nine non-JRT dogs was 34 days. Among all dogs with adenocarcinoma in the large intestine, the MST for three of the JRTs could not be determined, while the MST for nine non-JRT dogs was 1,973 days. The difference in MST between JRT and non-JRT dogs with gastric adenocarcinoma was significant (P=0.0220). Since gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas in JRTs show distinct characteristics with respect to their clinical features, treatment course, and prognosis, a different surgical and medical treatment plan should be considered compared to the management of gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas in other dog breeds.

Combined antibiotic, steroid, and moisturizer for atopic dermatitis: A two‐year case series of patient‐reported outcomes

Eczema treatments that target Staphylococcus aureus include topical mixtures of antimicrobial agent and corticosteroid diluted in a moisturizer base, previously described in the literature as compounded antibacterial, steroid, and moisturizer (CASM). There have been no placebo-controlled blinded studies of CASM. Thus, patient-reported outcome data may prove valuable. To determine the patient-reported clinical course of eczema treatment with CASM. Longitudinal case series between May 2016 and August 2018 of CASM patients/parents. Patients completed surveys including the POEM measure at start of treatment, 1week, 2weeks, 1month, 3months, 6months, 9months, and 12months thereafter. Response curves were fitted to severity measures over time and compared by patient age group; survival analysis was used to estimate time-to-clear status as a function of patient age and initial severity. A total of 2153 reports were received from 728 unique respondents with a median patient age of 7 and range of 0-85. Response curves showed significant improvement over time leading to plateaus between 30 and 60days of treatment. Overall mean improvement between start and day 90 for POEM was 14.3 (from 20.0 [95% CI 11.4-28.8] to 5.7 [95% CI -3.2 to 14.8]). Improvement was seen in each age group. Patient-reported outcomes suggest efficacy of CASM. There were large reductions in POEM scores, mostly in the first 30days of treatment for all age groups.

Factors influencing the fascial closure rate after open abdomen treatment: Results from the European Hernia Society (EuraHS) Registry

PurposeDefinitive fascial closure is an essential treatment objective after open abdomen treatment and mitigates morbidity and mortality. There is a paucity of evidence on factors that promote or prevent definitive fascial closure.MethodsA multi-center multivariable analysis of data from the Open Abdomen Route of the European Hernia Society included all cases between 1 May 2015 and 31 December 2019. Different treatment elements, i.e. the use of a visceral protective layer, negative-pressure wound therapy and dynamic closure techniques, as well as patient characteristics were included in the multivariable analysis. The study was registered in the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform via the German Registry for Clinical Trials (DRK00021719).ResultsData were included from 630 patients from eleven surgical departments in six European countries. Indications for OAT were peritonitis (46%), abdominal compartment syndrome (20.5%), burst abdomen (11.3%), abdominal trauma (9%), and other conditions (13.2%). The overall definitive fascial closure rate was 57.5% in the intention-to-treat analysis and 71% in the per-protocol analysis. The multivariable analysis showed a positive correlation of negative-pressure wound therapy (odds ratio: 2.496, p < 0.001) and dynamic closure techniques (odds ratio: 2.687, p < 0.001) with fascial closure and a negative correlation of intra-abdominal contamination (odds ratio: 0.630, p = 0.029) and the number of surgical procedures before OAT (odds ratio: 0.740, p = 0.005) with DFC.ConclusionThe clinical course and prognosis of open abdomen treatment can significantly be improved by the use of treatment elements such as negative-pressure wound therapy and dynamic closure techniques, which are associated with definitive fascial closure.

Oral Alitretinoin for Patients with Refractory Prurigo.

Background: prurigo is a chronic skin disorder associated with a history of chronic pruritus. The pathogenesis of prurigo is largely unknown and the treatment of prurigo is unsatisfactory and challenging. Conventional systemic treatments may be beneficial; however, their possible side effects and possible transient efficacy is still a problem. We aimed to present the clinical course and effect of treatment with alitretinoin on patients with prurigo nodularis initially treated with conventional treatments like oral antihistamine, cyclosporine, and phototherapy. Methods: all the patients had prurigo nodularis refractory to conventional treatment. Their medical records included demographic features, past medical history, duration of disease, and treatment modalities; and the clinical courses of the patients were reviewed for this retrospective study. We evaluated patient pruritus and skin lesions for the duration. Results: we present reports involving 10 patients with refractory prurigo. All the patients in our cases were treated with oral alitretinoin after previous treatments and reported the improvement of skin lesions and pruritus within 2 weeks to 3 months. Conclusions: we suggest that oral alitretinoin may be an effective and well tolerated treatment option for patients with intractable prurigo. Further clinical studies are warranted to confirm the long-lasting efficacy and safety of alitretinoin for treating patients with prurigo.