Differences In Clinical Aspects Research Articles

Differences in clinical aspects of human cystic echinococcosis caused by Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto and the G6 genotype in Neuquén, Argentina.

Most human cystic echinococcosis (CE) cases worldwide are attributed to Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto (s.s), followed by the G6 and G7 genotypes. While E. granulosus s.s. has a cosmopolitan distribution, the G6 genotype is restricted to areas where camels and goats are present. Goats are the primary livestock in the Neuquén province in Argentina where the G6 genotype has been reported to be responsible for a significant percentage of CE human cysts genotyped. In the present study, we genotyped 124 Echinococcus cysts infecting 90 CE-confirmed patients. Echinococcus granulosus s.s. was identified in 51 patients (56.7%) with 81 cysts and the G6 genotype in 39 patients (43.3%) harbouring 43 cysts. Most CE cases ≤18 years were male suggesting pastoral work could be a risk factor for the infection. Echinococcus granulosus s.s. was significantly found more frequently in the liver (32/51 patients) and the G6 genotype in the lungs and extrahepatic localizations (27/39). The patients infected with E. granulosus s.s., presented up to 6 cysts while patients infected with G6 presented a maximum of 2. The diameter of lung cysts attributed to E. granulosus s.s. was significantly larger compared to lung cysts from G6. Following the WHO ultrasound classification of liver cysts, we observed inactive cysts in 55.6% of G6 cysts and only 15.3% of E. granulosus s.s cysts. In conclusion, we provide evidence of differences in clinical aspects of CE caused by E. granulosus s.s. and the G6 genotype of E. granulosus s.l. complex infecting humans.

Clinical features of acute exacerbation in rheumatoid arthritis–associated interstitial lung disease: Comparison with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

BackgroundSeveral studies have reported that acute exacerbation (AE), which occurs during the clinical course of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), also occurs in rheumatoid arthritis–associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD). However, the incidence, clinical features, and risk factors for AE, a major cause of death of RA-ILD patients, and the differences in clinical aspects of AE between RA-ILD and IPF have yet to be fully understood. MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed data on 149 RA-ILD patients and 305 IPF patients. We investigated the frequency of AE and compared the clinical data between RA-ILD with and without AE to clarify the risk factor for AE. We also compared the post-AE prognosis and cause of death between RA-ILD and IPF patients. ResultsTwenty-seven (18.1%) RA-ILD patients and 84 (27.5%) IPF patients developed AE. The median survival time (MST) after AE of RA-ILD and IPF was 277 days and 60 days, respectively (log rank, p = 0.038). In a multivariate analysis, hypoalbuminemia [odds ratio (O.R.) 0.090 (95%CI 0.011–0.733), p = 0.012] and % carbon monoxide diffusion capacity (%DLCO) [O.R. 0.810 (95%CI 0.814–0.964), p < 0.01] were independent risk factors for AE. AE was the most frequent cause of death of RA-ILD and IPF. ConclusionRA-ILD patients could develop AE, and AE was not uncommon in RA-ILD or IPF. %DLCO and hypoalbuminemia were predictive factors of AE in RA-ILD. The prognosis after AE of RA-ILD was significantly better than that of IPF. The most frequent cause of death in RA-ILD and IPF was AE.

Differences in Clinical Aspects Between Subacute Thyroiditis Associated with COVID-19 Vaccines and Classical Subacute Thyroiditis.

Subacute thyroiditis (SAT) developed after SARS-CoV-2 vaccines has been less studied. We aimed to compare classical SAT and SAT developed after SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in the context of clinical aspects. Adults with SAT detected in 90 days of COVID-19 vaccination (CoronaVac or Pfizer/BioNTech) were grouped as Vac-SAT. Those with a history of SARS-CoV-2 or upper respiratory tract infection in 6 months before the vaccination, or vaccination with another antiviral vaccine after COVID-19 vaccination were excluded. Those with SAT detected before COVID-19 pandemic were grouped as Classical-SAT. Of total (n=85), female/male (54/31) ratio and age [43 (23-65)] were similar in Vac-SAT (n=23) and Classical-SAT (n=62). Duration between vaccine and SAT was 45 (7-90) days, and similar in CoronaVac-SAT (n=5) and BioNTech-SAT (n=18). SAT-duration was 28 (10-150) days, and higher in Vac-SAT than in Classical-SAT (p=0.023). SAT was developed after the 1st dose vaccine in minority in CoronaVac-SAT (n=2) and BioNTech-SAT (n=3) (p=0.263). Previous LT4 use, and TSH elevation after resolution were more frequent in Vac-SAT than in Classical-SAT (p=0.027 and p=0.041). We included a considerable number of patients with SAT occurred after COVID-19 vaccines. We cannot provide clear evidence regarding the association of COVID-19 vaccines with SAT. SAT associated with CoronaVac or BioNTech seems unlikely to be occurred after the 1st dose, and to have a longer duration, more likely to be associated with previous LT4 use and lead TSH elevation after resolution than Classical-SAT. TSH should be followed-up after the resolution of SAT detected after COVID-19 vaccination.

GENDER-RELATED DIFFERENCES IN CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE IN PATIENTS WITH RESISTANT HYPERTENSION

Objective: Hypertension (HTN) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Gender differences in clinical aspects of CVD do exist and women seem to have poorer outcomes as compared to men. However the evidence regarding gender-related prognosis in the HTN scenario is controversial. Resistant HTN (RH) in women has been associated to a high increased risk of long-term CV events including death. We aim to evaluate gender differences in the occurrence of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients (pts) with RH and suspected symptoms/signs of CAD referred to cath lab. Design and method: Patients were retrospectively included based on admission at Hypertension Department of a tertiary Academic Hospital from May/2010 through May/2014. RH was defined as blood pressure (BP) &gt; = 140/90 mmHg on &gt; 3 anti-HTN drugs or BP&lt; 140/90 mmHg using &gt; = 4 drugs. Results: From a total of 1519 pts (883 pts excluded due incomplete data), a final cohort of 634 was established, 357(56,3%) women, mean age 52.5 ± 11 years, body mass index 30.4 ± 6 kg/m2, BP at admission 171 ± 29 / 101 ± 17 mmHg, on use of 3.5 ± 1 anti-HTN drugs. From these, 186 (30%) pts were submitted to coronary angiography. Diagnosis of CAD (coronary stenosis &gt; 50% in at least one major vessel) was made in 113(60%) pts, 45% women. The only risk factor associated to CAD in men was diabetes (38%-CAD vs. 17% non-CAD), while in women the presence of CAD was significantly (p&lt; 0.05) related to the presence of dyslipidemia (72%-CAD vs 46%-non CAD), family of history of CAD (56%-CAD vs 27%-non CAD), age (57yrs-CAD vs. 50 yrs-non CAD), hypertriglyceridemia (176 mg/dl -CAD vs. 114 mg/dl-non CAD), blood glucose (142 mg/dl -CAD vs. 109 mg/dl-non CAD) and lower glomerular filtration rate (58 ml.min.1.73 m2- CAD vs 73 ml.min.1.73 m2-no CAD). Conclusions: In pts with RH, the prevalence of CAD is higher in women than expected. There are gender differences regarding risk factors related to CAD in RH, where diabetes was the only CAD risk factor in men, while dyslipidemia and chronic kidney disease are significant risk factors for women, challenging current knowledge

Prognostic impact of PIK3CA protein expression in triple negative breast cancer and its subtypes

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) harbors a heterogeneous group of carcinomas with poor prognosis and high genetic variability. As a potential aim for targeted therapy, genetic mutations leading to an activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase pathway in a catalytic subunit (PIK3CA) in breast cancer have been analyzed currently. Little is known about the clinical impact and prognostic or predictive value of this marker in TNBC subtypes. Samples from 119 TNBC cases were submitted to immunohistochemical PIK3CA protein expression analysis and scored semi-quantitatively as negative, weak (1 +), or strongly expressed (2 +). Expression scores were correlated to patient's characteristics, imaging features, and TNBC subtypes. TNBC subtypes were categorized into four subtypes: basal like, mesenchymal like, luminal androgen receptor (LAR), and immunomodulatory. We did not observe differences in clinical aspects and imaging features between TNBC with and without PIK3CA expression. PIK3CA expression was in general higher in the LAR subtype. The disease-free survival and overall survival were significantly better in TNBC with PIK3CA protein expression, independent of TNBC subtypes. Despite conflicting results in the literature, our study clearly shows a better outcome of PIK3CA-expressing TNBC, independent of TNBC subtypes. PIK3CA expression in TNBC is not associated with specific clinical or diagnostic features. Further molecular studies and meta-analysis are warranted to clarify the prognostic and predictive role of PIK3CA protein expression.

Intermittent Hyperglycemia due to Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction: A New Feature in Patients with Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome

To analyze glycemic profile in children with congenital central hypoventilation syndrome, which is characterized by autonomic nervous system dysfunction. We carried out a university hospital-based observational study. Participants included 14 patients assessed from 2007 to 2009 with a median age of 7.6 (25th-75th percentiles, 1.5-9.6) years at the time of the study. Glucose metabolism was assessed by calculating 24-hour plasma glucose (before and after meals) and fasting insulin concentrations and carrying out an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The main outcome measure was the proportion of patients with abnormal glucose concentrations. Abnormal plasma glucose concentrations were found in 6 (43%) of the 14 patients with high fasting (n = 1) or postprandial (n = 5) hyperglycemia. OGTT was performed in 8 patients, of whom 3 (38%) had impaired glucose tolerance. Indices of insulin resistance and secretion were normal. No difference in clinical aspects relating to the presence of affected organs and/or systems related to central nervous system dysfunction, age, or auxology findings was found between patients with normal (43%) and abnormal (57%) glucose homeostasis over a 24-hour glycemia cycle or OGTT. This study provides new information about glucose homeostasis in congenital central hypoventilation syndrome, revealing a high incidence of hyperglycemia and expanding the spectrum of the disease. It highlights the link between autonomic nervous system dysfunction and glycemic dysregulation. Regular, long-term monitoring of glucose metabolism is recommended in these patients.

Peculiar Aspects of Endometriosis in Adolescents

Although documented rates of endometriosis in adolescent patients undergoing laparoscopy for chronic pelvic pain range from about 25% to 45%, adolescent endometriosis has received limited attention in terms of research activity and follow-up studies. In this manuscript, distinctive characteristics of adolescent and young endometriosis have been considered in order to define pathogenetic and scientific concepts that might be useful in clarifying some aspects of the adult disease as well. Some highlights relative to the cellular origin of the disease can be derived from reported cases before menarche, from the appearance of endometriotic lesions in teenagers (mostly stage I-II endometriosis), and from the relative infrequency of ovarian endometriotic cysts in this population. Adolescents and young patients might be also particularly useful for studying the natural course of the disease. To this end, clinical manifestations and recurrence patterns of the disease in adolescent patients need to be elucidated. Differences in clinical aspects of the disease between the adult and young populations are presented. Risk of recurrence and potential risk factors involved in the reappearance of the disease in teenagers are completely unknown. (Journal of Endometriosis 2010; 2: 19–25)

BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations as prognostic factors in bilateral breast cancer patients

Incidence of primary bilateral breast cancer (BC) is rare and does not exceed 5%. BRCA1/2 mutation carriers diagnosed with breast cancer have a strong life time risk of developing contralateral breast cancer (53% versus 2%). A group of 108 patients with bilateral breast cancer, who reported at our Cancer Centres from 2000 to 2002, were subjected to genetic testing. Similarities and differences between BRCA1/2 carriers and non-carriers were analysed in terms of family history, pathology of tumour, age of diagnosis, developing contralateral BC and second primary cancer. BRCA1/2 mutations were detected in 32 of 108 patients. Family history of BC was identified in 46.9% of these patients compared with 22.4% of non-carriers (P <0.05). Synchronous BC was diagnosed significantly rarer [4 of 32 (12.5%)] in BRCA1/2 carriers than in the non-carrier group [26 of 76 (34.2%)]. In addition, patients with BRCA mutations were younger when they were diagnosed than non-carriers. BRCA1/2 carriers had a significantly higher incidence of medullary BC (13.6% versus 1.7%) and developed ovarian cancer significantly more frequently than non-carriers (12 of 32 and 1 of 72 patients, respectively). Patients with bilateral BC having BRCA mutations are significantly younger than non-carriers. They also have a significantly higher family history of BC and an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. The differences in clinical aspects of BRCA carriers with bilateral BC should be considered in clinical management.

BRCA1/2 mutations as prognostic factors in bilateral breast cancer (BC) patients

9647 Background: Incidence of primary bilateral BC is rare and not extending 5%. BRCA1/2 mutation carriers diagnosed with BC have a strong life time risk of developing a contralateral BC (53% vs 2%). Methods: We analyzed the group of 108 patients with bilateral BC who attended our Cancer Center between 2000 and 2002 and who gave their consent for genetic test. Patients with synchronous BC were defined as having contralateral BC within 1 year. Similarities and differences between BRCA1/2 carriers and non carriers were analyzed in terms of family history, pathology of tumor, age of diagnosis and development of contralateral BC and second cancer. Results: The median age of the group at the time of diagnosis of BC was 47 years (28–76). Before age of 50, BC developed 73% of patients, including 22% before age of 40. Synchronous BC was diagnosed in 30 (28%) patients, metachronous in 78 (72%). Family history of BC was present in 32/108 patients, and of ovarian cancer in 5/108 patients. BRCA1/2 mutation was detected in 32/108 patients. Family history of BC was identified in 46,9% of these patients, comparing to 22,4% of non carriers (p<0.05). Synchronous BC was diagnosed significantly rarer 4/32 (12.5%) in BRCA1/2 carriers than in non carriers group 26/76 (34.2%). Also patients with BRCA mutations when diagnosed were younger than non carriers (41.3 vs 47.9) and time to diagnosis of contralateral BC was shorter. BRCA1/2 carriers had significantly higher incidence of medullary BC (13.6% vs 1.7%). There was no difference in the incidence of other tumor pathology. BRCA1/2 carriers developed significantly more frequent ovarian cancer than non carriers 12/32 and 1/72 respectively. Conclusions: Patients with bilateral BC having BRCA mutations are significantly younger, than non carriers and time of developing of contralateral BC is shorter.They have significantly more frequent family history of BC and higher risk of developing of ovarian cancer. The differences in clinical aspects of BRCA carriers with bilateral BC, should be considered in clinical management. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Diagnostic and therapeutic problems in vestibular neuronitis: clinical implications for sudden vertigo

We defined sudden vertigo as a sudden, unilateral peripheral vestibular dysfunction. The criterion for its diagnosis is a single episode of vertigo without cochlear and central symptoms. Among 20 patients with sudden vertigo there was no difference in clinical aspects between those with CP (canal paresis) (CP% > or = 25%) and those without CP (CP% < 25%). This suggests that sudden vertigo with CP is due to sudden vestibular dysfunction with predominant involvement of the lateral semicircular canal. Basically, vestibular neuronitis is considered to be due to acute unilateral neuropathy of the vestibular nerve. However, since we have no routine examination for evaluating vestibular nerve function, sudden vertigo with CP should be diagnosed as vestibular neuronitis. We then assessed the prognosis of sudden vertigo with CP (vestibular neuronitis). About two years after the onset of CP 4 of 10 patients had recovered. However, patients with persistent CP had a handicap in their everyday life because of the dizziness induced by head movements. The possibility of recovery of vestibular function in response to steroid therapy may improve the prognosis in vestibular neuronitis.

Clinical epidemiology of bilateral breast cancer

The clinical epidemiology of bilateral breast cancer was assessed in a population-based study from Saarland, Germany. Clinical aspects of breast cancer, including age and tumor spread at diagnosis and survival, were compared between 251 patients with bilateral breast cancer and all 9585 patients with a first diagnosis of breast cancer registered with the population-based cancer registry of Saarland, Germany, between 1968 to 1987. The patients with bilateral breast cancer were on average considerably younger at the time of diagnosis of the first breast cancer than the total group of patients with breast cancer (mean age, 55.7 years versus 60.5 years). Overall, the distribution of tumor spread at diagnosis of the second breast cancers was similar to the corresponding distribution of first breast cancers, but a much less favorable distribution was observed among second breast cancers that developed in women younger than 50 years of age. The survival rates after diagnosis of a second breast cancer were much worse than the survival rates after a first breast cancer diagnosis. These differences persisted after control for important covariates such as age and tumor spread and were more pronounced if the first tumor was diagnosed in an advanced stage and if the time interval between diagnosis of the first and second cancers was short. Nevertheless, tumor spread at diagnosis of the second cancer was by far the most important predictor of survival among patients with bilateral breast cancer. The differences in clinical aspects of first and second breast cancers should be considered in clinical management of patients with breast cancer. Further research is required to explain these differences.

アフタ性口内炎における細胞診による単純ヘルペスウイルス，水痘・帯状ほう疹ウイルスおよびサイトメガロウイルスの検出

Attempts were made to demonstrate herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 and type 2, varicella zoster virus (VZV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) in specimens obtained from aphthous ulceration lesions by the immunofluorescent method using fluorescein-labeled monoclonal antibodies. HSV-1 and VZV were detected in 2 and 4 out of 30 patients, respectively. Although almost all viruses that can infect the oral cavity could occasionally cause stomatitis, neither HSV-2 nor CMV was not found in this study. VZV was detected in 1 out of 8 patients with recurrent aphthous ulceration. After treatment with acyclovir, the patient's symptoms has become less severe and recurrence rates of attacks reduced, however, the patient has not been totally free of the disease. There were no differences in clinical aspects of stomatitis between the patients with and without viral isolation. Further clinical investigation is encouraged to confirm the relationship between aphthous stomatitis and viral infection.

Gender differences in the brain: Are they relevant to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia?

Gender differences are present in the clinical expression of schizophrenia, age of onset, course of illness, and response to pharmacologic treatment. These differences are not surprising in view of the normal gender differences in brain growth, differentiation, adult brain structure, and neurochemistry. The present review examines what is presently known about brain gender differences, and whether this information is consistent with the published reports of brain functional and morphological abnormalities in schizophrenia. Whether gender differences in the brain can explain the gender differences in clinical aspects of the disorder remains unknown.