Clinical Characteristics Of Patients Research Articles

Differing clinical characteristics among individuals with concussions sustained at work, in motor vehicle collisions, and sport

ABSTRACT Purpose To compare clinical characteristics in patients with concussions sustained by prevalent, but understudied, mechanisms (work-related concussion [WRC] and motor vehicle collision [MVC]-related concussion) to sport-related concussion (SRC). Methods Retrospective review of 281 electronic medical records from an outpatient concussion clinic. Time since injury (days), duration of care (days), amount of care (number of visits), and perceived health (Short-Form 12) were collected. Results The time between injury and clinic presentation was significantly greater in WRC and MVC-related concussion compared to SRC. These groups were also older, had a longer duration of care, required more referrals for outside clinical services, and reported worse perceived mental and physical health versus SRC. Conclusion These results suggest that clinical courses may be significantly different for individuals with SRC, WRC and MVC-related concussion, and that different management approaches and expectations may be necessary for these groups. Further research is indicated.

Mid-long term follow-up reports on head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma in children

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of children with head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) and to summarize the mid-long term efficacy of Beijing Children's Hospital Rhabdomyosarcoma 2006 (BCH-RMS-2006) regimen and China Children's Cancer Group Rhabdomyosarcoma 2016 (CCCG-RMS-2016) regimen. Methods: A retrospective cohort study. Clinical data of 137 children with newly diagnosed head and neck RMS at Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University from March 2013 to December 2021 were collected. Clinical characteristic of patients at disease onset and the therapeutic effects of patients treated with the BCH-RMS-2006 and CCCG-RMS-2016 regimens were compared. The treatments and outcomes of patients with recurrence were also summarized. Survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier method, and Log-Rank test was used for comparison of survival rates between groups. Results: Among 137 patients, there were 80 males (58.4%) and 57 females (41.6%), the age of disease onset was 59 (34, 97) months. The primary site in the orbital, non-orbital non-parameningeal, and parameningeal area were 10 (7.3%), 47 (34.3%), and 80 (58.4%), respectively. Of all patients, 32 cases (23.4%) were treated with the BCH-RMS-2006 regimen and 105 (76.6%) cases were treated with the CCCG-RMS-2016 regimen. The follow-up time for the whole patients was 46 (20, 72) months, and the 5-year progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates for the whole children were (60.4±4.4)% and (69.3±4.0)%, respectively. The 5-year OS rate was higher in the CCCG-RMS-2016 group than in BCH-RMS-2006 group ((73.0±4.5)% vs. (56.6±4.4)%, χ2=4.57,P=0.029). For the parameningeal group, the 5-year OS rate was higher in the CCCG-RMS-2016 group (61 cases) than in BCH-RMS-2006 group (19 cases) ((57.3±7.6)% vs. (32.7±11.8)%, χ2=4.64,P=0.031). For the group with meningeal invasion risk factors, the 5-year OS rate was higher in the CCCG-RMS-2016 group (54 cases) than in BCH-RMS-2006 group (15 cases) ((57.7±7.7)% vs. (30.0±12.3)%, χ2=4.76, P=0.029). Among the 10 cases of orbital RMS, there was no recurrence. In the non-orbital non-parameningeal RMS group (47 cases), there were 13 (27.6%) recurrences, after re-treatment, 7 cases survived. In the parameningeal RMS group (80 cases), there were 40 (50.0%) recurrences, with only 7 cases surviving after re-treatment. Conclusions: The overall prognosis for patients with orbital and non-orbital non-parameningeal RMS is good. However, children with parameningeal RMS have a high recurrence rate, and the effectiveness of re-treatment after recurrence is poor. Compared with the BCH-RMS-2006 regimen, the CCCG-RMS-2016 regimen can improve the treatment efficacy of RMS in the meningeal region.

Analysis of clinical characteristics of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients initially diagnosed with abnormal laryngeal function

Objective: To study the laryngeal functional characteristics of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)disease diagnosed at the voice clinic. Methods: A retrospective analysis(case series study) was conducted on the laryngeal functional characteristics of 7 patients [2 males, 5 females, age ranged from 43 to 76(60.85±13.18)]with motor neuron disease who visited the voice clinic and were ultimately diagnosed by neurologists. The data included laryngostroboscopy, fiberoptic endoscopic examination of swallowing(FEES), acoustic analysis and laryngeal electromyography(LEMG). Descriptive methods were used for analysis. Results: ①There were 2 males and 5 females, with an average age of (60.85±13.18) years. They had previously visited the otolaryngology department more than twice, visit frequency with an average of 3.57 and an average diagnosis time of 12.28 months. The main complaints of the patient at the time of treatment were voice change, dysphagia or vocal fatigue. ②LEMG: Among 7 cases, 4 cases demonstrated neurogenic damage, all of which were bilateral, and 3 cases showed normal findings on examination. Spontaneous potentials (SP) were present in three cases for more than 6 months, with the longest duration being 24 months. Three cases exhibited the coexistence of spontaneous potential and reinnervated motor unit potentials (MUPs), and two cases showed bundle tremor potential.③Laryngostroboscopy revealed bilateral vocal fold asymmetry and glottic insufficiency in 7 cases, and decreased vocal cord movement in 4 cases, and vocal cord atrophy in 5 cases. FEES showed that 7 patients presented with mild to severe swallowing dysfunction, 3 cases had soft palate insufficiency and mild to severe food residues in the epiglottic valley and pyriform fossa. 1 case showed leakage and 1 case showed aspiration. Conclusions: Patients presenting with initial symptoms of abnormal laryngeal function should be vigilant for the possibility of motor neuron disease, especially when laryngostroboscopy reveals abnormal vocal fold movement and swallowing dysfunction. LEMG examination reveals bilateral neurogenic damage, prolonged spontaneous potential, coexistence of spontaneous potential and reinnervated MUPs, and the appearance of bundle tremor potential, which is beneficial for early detection of motor neuron disease.

Clinical and genetic characteristics of patients with monocarboxylate transporter-8 deficiency: a multicentre retrospective study.

MCT8 deficiency is a rare and devastating disorder characterized by central hypothyroidism and peripheral thyrotoxicosis. The fT3/fT4 ratio can be used as a useful diagnostic indicator of MCT8 deficiency in males with mental and motor retardation. There is a need to raise clinicians' awareness of this potentially treatable condition with the emergence of new and promising treatments. • Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome, also known as MCT8 deficiency is a rare and devastating disorder characterized by central hypothyroidism and peripheral thyrotoxicosis. • In this study, seventeen different variants were detected in the SLC16A2 gene, eleven of which (c.1456delC; c.439G>T; c.949C>A; c.1392dupC; c.1612C>T; c.407dup; c.781del; c.589C>A; c.712G>A; c.311T>A; c.1461del) have not been reported before. • The fT3/fT4 ratio can be used as a useful diagnostic indicator of MCT8 deficiency in males with mental and motor retardation.

Metastatic breast cancer patients' preferences for exercise programs: a latent class analysis using data from a survey in five European countries.

We aimed to identify metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients' preferences for exercise programs and identify patients' characteristics associated with these preferences, to facilitate implementation of exercise programs for MBC patients. We used data from a multinational cross-sectional survey conducted among MBC patients. Patients reported their preferred exercise frequency, intensity, type, session duration, and supervision mode. We used latent class analysis to identify subgroups with similar preferences and descriptive statistics to compare demographic and clinical characteristics of patients within subgroups. Four distinct classes were identified based on data from 409 participants. Class 1 (47% of participants) is characterized by a preference for moderate exercise with supervision within the health care setting. Most participants in this class had bone metastases. Class 2 (30%) is characterized by a preference for vigorous exercise with supervision. This class included participants who were, on average, younger, and had a higher education level. Class 3 (13%) is characterized by a preference for active walking. These participants were less likely to have bone metastases or comorbidities. Class 4 (10%) is characterized by a preference for recreational walking and included participants who were, on average, older, and less likely to be employed. We identified four classes of patients with different preferences for exercise programs. Many patients with MBC express exercise preferences that meet the current guideline recommendations. Some patients with MBC may benefit from targeted education to align their preferences and behavior with the amount of exercise that is necessary to gain health benefits.

Distinguishing novel coronavirus influenza A virus pneumonia with CT radiomics and clinical features

ObjectivesTo differentiate novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) with influenza A virus (IAV) pulmonary infection based on computed tomography (CT) radiomics features combined with clinical feature.MethodsA total of 292 patients were enrolled, as NCP determined with reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and abnormal chest CT findings and IAV pulmonary infection confirmed by nucleic acid test with pneumonia lesion in the chest CT, retrospectively. The dataset was randomly divided into 233 cases in the training set and 59 cases in the validation set according to the ratio of 8:2, and there were 107 cases collected for verification as external test set. Firstly, voxel-based gray-level discretization (binWidth = 25) and Z-Score normalization were applied to preprocess the patient's ROI and normalize the extracted features. Then, the most predictive radiomic features were selected and their corresponding coefficients were evaluated using the correlation coefficient algorithm and the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) algorithm. Subsequently, univariate logistic regression was employed to screen for clinically discriminative features from the patient's clinical characteristics. Finally, constructing the radiomics model and clinical model using support vector machines and logistic regression methods, respectively. And then combining these features of the two to construct a combined model. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), calibration curve, and decision curve were performed to evaluate the classification of the radiomics model, clinical model and combined model. Area under ROC curve (AUC) were calculated to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency, and Delong’s test was used to compare the AUC between different models.ResultsAge, white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and basic diseases reached statistical significance in the training set. After LASSO, 16 optimal radiomics features were retained. In the validation set and external test set, the SVM radiomics model achieved AUCs of 0.818 and 0.808 for automatic classification of NCP and IAV pulmonary infection,; and the clinical classification model shad AUCs were 0.676 and 0.669; finally, the 5 clinical features and the 16 selected radiomics features were used to construct the combined model with the AUCs of 0.821 and 0.820. After incorporating clinical features, the clinical model’s discriminatory and predictive efficacy further improved in testing sets (AUC, 0.669 vs. 0.820, P = 0.002). The combined model performed well for differentiating the NCP and IAV pulmonary infection, and the calibration curves showed good agreement and decision curves indicated relatively satisfactory clinical benefits.ConclusionThe proposed combined model is feasible and effective in differentiating the NCP and IAV pulmonary infection, which may be used as a convenient and efficient auxiliary tool for radiologists to diagnose noninvasively based on the imaging structure of CT.

Circular RNA circPHLPP2 promotes tumor growth and anti-PD-1 resistance through binding ILF3 to regulate IL36γ transcription in colorectal cancer

BackgroundMost Colorectal Cancer (CRC) patients exhibit limited responsiveness to anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) therapy, with the underlying mechanisms remaining elusive. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play a significant role in tumorigenesis and development, with potential applications in tumor screening and predicting treatment efficacy. However, there are few studies exploring the role of circRNAs in CRC immune evasion.MethodscircRNA microarrays were used to identify circPHLPP2. RT-qPCR was used to examine the associations between the expression level of circPHLPP2 and the clinical characteristics of CRC patients. MTS assay, clone formation experiment, subcutaneous tumor implantation and multicolor flow cytometry were used to confirm the biological function of circPHLPP2. RAN-seq, RT-qPCR, and WB experiments were performed to investigate the downstream signaling pathways involved in circPHLPP2. RNA pull-down, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and immunofluorescence staining were performed to identify the proteins associated with circPHLPP2.ResultscircPHLPP2 is up-regulated in CRC patients who exhibit resistance to anti-PD-1 based therapy. circPHLPP2 significantly promotes the proliferation and tumor growth of CRC cells. Knockdown of circPhlpp2 enhances the efficacy of anti-PD-1 in vivo. Mechanistically, the specific interaction between circPHLPP2 and ILF3 facilitates the nuclear accumulation of ILF3, which subsequently enhances the transcription of IL36γ. This process reduces NK cell infiltration and impairs NK cells’ granzyme B and IFN-γ production, thereby promoting tumor progression.ConclusionsOverall, our findings reveal a novel mechanism by which circRNA regulates CRC immune evasion. circPHLPP2 may serve as a prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target for CRC patients.

Clinical implications of the SERPINA1 variant, MPalermo, and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency in Türkiye

BackgroundAlpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is associated with increased susceptibility to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). AATD results from mutations in the SERPINA1 gene and over 500 rare mutations have been identified. Despite these findings and recommendations from major healthcare organizations, testing of COPD patients and their family members for AATD remains inadequate.MethodsWe examined genotypes and clinical characteristics of COPD patients (index cases; n = 14) treated at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Chest Diseases Department and their relatives (n = 17).ResultsWhen index cases were compared with screened relatives positive for AATD (n = 14), index cases were older and more predominantly male than screened relatives. Both groups had extensive smoking histories. All of the index cases and one of the screened relatives had been diagnosed with COPD. Clinical characterization of the COPD cases (14 index cases; 1 screened relative) showed that they had moderate to severe COPD with pre-treatment AAT levels of 0.59 ± 0.40 g/L (mean ± SD) and a COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score of 16.0 ± 8.12. The majority of these patients (73.3%) had panlobular emphysema. Five of the patients were treated with AAT augmentation which led to a decrease in the number of COPD exacerbations. Genotyping revealed that the most common rare allele identified in this population was MPalermo (c.227_229delTCT mutation on the M1(Val213) allelic background).ConclusionsMore testing and research need to be done to identify the relative prevalence of rare AATD variants. Earlier identification could lead to more effective treatment of affected individuals and improvement in their quality of life.

Impact of immigration background on feasibility of electronic patient-reported outcomes in advanced urothelial cancer patients

BackgroundElectronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs) have been shown to enhance healthcare quality by improving patient symptom management or quality of life (QoL). However, ePROs data for urothelial cancer (UC) patients receiving systemic therapies are scarce, and the application of ePROs in this patient cohort may need specific setups. This study tested the feasibility of ePROs for UC patients receiving systemic therapies in the outpatient clinic of a tertiary care center.Patients and MethodsFrom January 2022 to April 2023, 30 UC patients receiving systemic cancer therapies received ePROs based on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life questionnaires (EORTC QLQ-30) to report their symptoms and QoL during systemic therapy, in total, 125 questions for every therapy cycle. The proportion of patients adherent to the ePROs was assessed to evaluate feasibility, with a preset threshold of 50%. At least half of all treatment cycles with a minimum of two consecutive ePROs (corresponding to two successive therapy cycles) had to be completed to be counted as adherent, and a maximum of six successive therapy cycles was followed by ePROs. Descriptive statistics were calculated for clinical and demographic patient characteristics. T-test and chi-square-test analyses were performed to study the association between ePROs adherence and clinical or demographic factors. The digital process was closely monitored for procedural impediments that could occur.Results21 (70%) of the included 30 patients adhered to the provided ePROs, significantly higher than the predetermined threshold of 50%. Adherence remained above 70% until the end of the observation period. A significant negative effect of immigration background on ePROs compliance was observed (p = 0.006). No other variables were significantly associated with ePROs compliance.ConclusionsIn this study, ePROs were a feasible method to assess symptoms and QoL during the systemic cancer therapy of UC patients at our center. The compliance of patients with immigration backgrounds was the most significant barrier to using ePROs in this setting. However, the study is limited by the exclusion of patients without email access and the lack of assessment of physician compliance with the ePROs data, which may affect the generalizability and implementation of the findings.

Clinical characteristics of patients requiring emergency hospitalization due to immune-related adverse events: a retrospective study

BackgroundImmune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized cancer treatment, offering hope for various malignancies by enhancing the immune response against tumors. However, ICIs are associated with unique immune-related adverse events (irAEs), which differ significantly from conventional chemotherapy-induced toxicities. These irAEs, which affect more than 70% of patients and often escalate to severe grades, present substantial clinical management challenges and frequently necessitate emergency hospitalization. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of patients requiring emergency hospitalization due to irAEs during ICI therapy to enhance understanding and improve management strategies.MethodsThis retrospective study evaluated patients who received ICIs at Iwate Medical University Hospital between August 1, 2016, and December 31, 2022, and required emergency hospitalization due to irAEs. Clinical data were extracted from the medical records, including patient demographics, presenting complaints, time from ICI initiation to hospitalization, irAE diagnoses, and treatment outcomes. The Spearman rank correlation coefficient was used to analyze the associations between the chief complaints and irAE diagnoses.ResultsOf 1009 ICI-treated patients, 96 required emergency hospitalization for irAEs. The cohort's mean age was 73 years, with 75.0% of patients being male. Among patients who required emergency hospitalization, a high proportion were undergoing treatment for lung cancer (41.7%). The median hospitalization duration was 87 days. The chief complaints included dyspnea (34.4%) and fatigue (34.4%), with gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders being the most frequent irAEs (35.4%). Significant correlations were observed between dyspnea and respiratory diseases (Rs = 0.66), skin diseases and disorders (Rs = 0.81), pain and musculoskeletal disorders (Rs = 0.59), and diarrhea and gastrointestinal disorders (Rs = 0.49). Corticosteroids were administered to 64.6% of the patients. Despite emergency interventions, 8.3% of patients succumbed to irAEs, while 33.3% resumed ICI therapy after hospitalization.ConclusionsEmergency hospitalization due to irAEs is a considerable concern in ICI therapy, occurring in 9.5% of treated patients. The high incidence of severe irAEs within the first 3 months of treatment underscores the need for early and vigilant monitoring. This study highlights the importance of recognizing and promptly managing irAEs to improve patient outcomes. Future strategies should focus on developing comprehensive management frameworks and enhancing patient and caregiver education to recognize symptoms that warrant immediate medical attention.

Characteristics of patients with non-severe infections of different SARS-CoV-2 omicron subvariants in China

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to explore the clinical characteristics of patients infected with different Omicron subvariants presenting non-severe disease, evaluate the safety and efficacy of Azvudine for treatment of COVID-19, in order to broaden understanding of Omicron subvariant infections.MethodA total of 244 individuals with Omicron subvariant (BA.2.76, n = 158; BA.5.1, n = 86) were included in the study. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data of the study participants were collected and analyzed.ResultPatients infected with BA.5.1 exhibited a higher incidence of clinical symptoms like fatigue (25.58% vs. 2.53%, p < 0.001), headache/dizziness (12.79% vs. 4.43%, p = 0.017), nausea/vomiting (10.47% vs. 1.27%, p = 0.002), viral loads and inflammatory factors, and shorter virus shedding time than those with BA.2.76. There are 28.1% patients reporting mild adverse events following Azvudine administration. After treatment, the levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG/IgM, white blood cell, and lymphocyte obviously increased, while C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and D-dimer reduced. Azvudine speeded up the time for virus clearance compared to control treatment (10 vs. 11 days, p = 0.032). Low lymphocyte counts (odd ratio (OR) = 0.607, p = 0.001) and anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG titer (OR = 0.990, p = 0.028) were the independent risk factors for long nucleic acid negativization duration after infection. Patients with pneumonia were often accompanied by dyspnea, fatigue and high level of D-dimer. Dyspnea (OR = 10.176, p = 0.019) could be used to identify the occurrence of pneumonia in patients infected with Omicron.ConclusionThe study demonstrated the difference in clinical and laboratory parameters between patients infected with Omicron BA.2.76 and BA.5.1, as well as the safety and efficacy of Azvudine therapy. Our study linked patient manifestations to Omicron subvariant, treatment, and clinical outcomes, which is conducive to healthcare providers/policymakers to revise and implement appropriate countermeasures, facilitating appropriately advise for individuals with Omicron subvariant infections.

Assessment of Attack Frequency in PFAPA Patients Based on Therapeutic Modalities.

This study aims to present the clinical characteristics of patients with PFAPA syndrome, and to compare the effects of corticosteroid usage, colchicine prophylaxis, and tonsillectomy on the frequency of attacks in patients with PFAPA syndrome. Patients aged between 6 months and 18 years presenting to our Paediatric Rheumatology clinic between 2017 and 2021 who were diagnosed with PFAPA syndrome and followed up for a minimum of 12 months were included in this study. The demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients, laboratory findings, attack durations, and treatments were recorded. Our study, comprised of 195 patients, included four groups: untreated (n = 58), corticosteroid (n = 43), colchicine (n = 62), and tonsillectomy (n = 32). There was no significant difference between the treatment groups in terms of attack frequencies before treatment initiation (p > 0.05). When attack frequencies before and after treatment initiation were observed, a decrease in attack frequency compared to the pre-treatment period was observed in the tonsillectomy group (from 12 to 3 attacks) (p < 0.001) and the colchicine group (from 12 attacks to 1 attack) (p < 0.001). It was noted that using steroids during three or more attacks increased attack frequency compared to the pre-treatment period (p < 0.0001). Tonsillectomy resulted in a more significant reduction in attack frequency compared to the colchicine group (p < 0.001). Using corticosteroids during an attack has been shown to effectively control attacks. However, the repeated use of corticosteroids increases the frequency of attacks. Colchicine prophylaxis leads to a reduction in attack frequency in the majority of cases. Tonsillectomy can successfully control the disease in most cases.

Current Trends in Treating Malignant Pleural Effusion: Evidence, Guidelines, and Best Practice Recommendations.

Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is common in individuals with cancer and typically reflects advanced disease. Most cases are symptomatic, with dyspnea and pain having a severe effect on the patient's quality of life (QOL). The management of MPE aims to relieve symptoms, improve QOL, prevent repeated pleural interventions, and minimize hospital admissions. Common treatments for MPE that provide symptomatic relief include thoracentesis, chemical (talc) pleurodesis, or indwelling pleural catheters (IPCs). Talc pleurodesis and IPCs are the mainstay of treatment but represent very different treatment strategies: talc pleurodesis is an inpatient procedure, whereas IPCs are an ambulatory strategy. Given their similar efficacy, treatment decisions in MPE are often determined by other factors, such as the patient's clinical characteristics, individual treatment goals, and preferences for hospital-based or home-based care. We provide a summary of the evidence for different interventions for treating MPE and compare recommendations from the major American, European, British, and Spanish guidelines regarding when to consider each treatment. We highlight specific challenging treatment scenarios and key clinical considerations that may influence treatment decisions for different patients. There are barriers to accessing and receiving evidence-based care. Patients with symptomatic MPE would benefit from early referral from oncology teams to pleural services. We provide best practice recommendations for optimal referral and coordination of care to ensure that patients receive maximum benefits from their interventions.

Aerococcus urinae urinary tract infections: A case series.

Aerococcus urinae is an uncommon uropathogen that mainly affect the elderly with predisposing conditions. Aim of the present study was to investigate the clinical and microbiological characteristics of patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs) by A. urinae and determine the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of the isolates, over the last 3 years at our institution. The medical records and microbiological data of patients from whom A. urinae was isolated from urine cultures at the university hospital of Heraklion, Crete, Greece, between 2020 and 2022, were retrospectively analyzed. The isolates were identified by the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Susceptibilities for antimicrobial agents were determined by the disk diffusion method and results were interpreted using the 2024 EUCAST breakpoints. The minimum inhibitory concentration for fosfomycin was evaluated by the MIC Test Strip method. A. urinae was encountered in cultures of 24 patients. The median patient's age was 72 years, and females slightly outnumbered males. Underlying diseases such as urologic disease, chronic lung disease, chronic kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes mellitus and dementia were found in 79.2% of patients. Two of the patients did not meet the criteria for a UTI. Susceptibility rates to penicillin, amoxicillin, meropenem, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, rifampicin, vancomycin, nitrofurantoin and fosfomycin were 100%, 100%, 100%, 83.3%, 79.2%, 100%, 100%, 95.8%, and 91.7%, respectively. Further surveillance studies and clinical trials are needed to confirm our data and to investigate the in vivo efficacy of the antimicrobial agents to treat UTIs by A. urinae.

Clinical characteristics of adrenal crisis in 371 adult patients with glucocorticoid-induced adrenal insufficiency

BackgroundGlucocorticoid-induced adrenal insufficiency (GIAI) is a hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction caused by long-term use of exogenous steroids. Adrenal crisis (AC) is an acute complication of GIAI and one of the reasons for the increased risk of death. This study aims to analyze the clinical characteristics of GIAI patients with AC and explore the related risk factors.MethodsClinical data of adult GIAI patients treated at our hospital between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2023 were included. The demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, laboratory tests and comorbidities of the patients were collected. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to explore the variables related to the occurrence of AC, and prediction models were constructed.Results51 patients (13.75%) developed AC during hospitalization. Mortality was significantly higher in patients with AC than in those without AC. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that infection, psychiatric symptoms, serum sodium, albumin, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and eosinophil-lymphocyte ratio (ELR) were independent risk factors for AC. Among the prediction models constructed by machine learning algorithms, logistic regression model had the best prediction effect.ConclusionThis study investigated the clinical characteristics of AC in GIAI patients. NLR and ELR may be effective predictors of AC in GIAI patients, and combined with other clinically significant indicators, an effective prediction model was constructed. Logistic regression model had the best performance in predicting AC in GIAI patients.

Cutaneous ulcers in anti-MDA5-positive dermatomyositis with rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease: a multicentre retrospective cohort study

IntroductionTo identify the clinical characteristics and risk factors for cutaneous ulcers in patients with anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibody-positive dermatomyositis (anti-MDA5+ DM) combined with rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RPILD).Material and methodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study on the medical records of patients enrolled from the Nanjing Medical University Myositis-associated ILD cohort (NMMI). The clinical characteristics of patients in the ulcer-positive group were compared with those in the ulcer-negative group by chi-square or Fisher’s exact test. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess risk factors for the development of cutaneous ulcers.ResultsA total of 246 patients with anti-MDA5+ DM were retrospectively enrolled in the study, including 176 females (176/246, 71.54%) and 70 males (70/246, 28.46%), with a female-to-male ratio of 2.51 : 1. Among the 246 patients, a total of 88 cases (88/246, 35.77%) with anti-MDA5+ DM combined with RPILD were further studied, including 55 females (55/88, 62.5%) and 33 males (33/88, 37.5%), with a female-to-male ratio of 1.67 : 1. Twelve patients (12/88, 13.64%) had cutaneous ulcers. In terms of clinical characteristics, patients in the ulcer-positive group had significantly more proximal muscle involvement (83.33% vs. 38.16%, p = 0.003) and more heliotrope rash (83.33% vs. 43.42%, p = 0.010) than in the ulcer-negative group. In univariate analysis, cutaneous ulcers were associated with proximal muscle involvement (OR = 8.103; 95% CI: 1.657–39.625; p = 0.010) and heliotrope rash (OR = 6.515; 95% CI: 1.336–31.773; p = 0.020). In multivariate analysis, cutaneous ulcers were associated with proximal muscle involvement (OR = 6.436; 95% CI: 1.274–32.524; p = 0.024), and proximal muscle involvement was an independent risk factor for cutaneous ulcers.ConclusionsWe confirmed the association between cutaneous ulcers and proximal muscle involvement and heliotrope rash in patients with anti-MDA5+ DM combined with RPILD. Proximal muscle involvement is an independent risk factor for cutaneous ulcers.

Clinical and radiologic criteria to predict endoscopic third ventriculostomy success in non-communicating pediatric hydrocephalus

ObjectiveEndoscopic third ventriculocisternostomy (ETV) became the relevant treatment option for non-communicating pediatric hydrocephalus. ETV success was predicted in relation to age, diagnosis, and previous shunt implantation. Radiological factors are usually taken for indication decision-making. The aim of this study is to investigate radiological signs of non-communicating hydrocephalus for ETV success in a single-center retrospective analysis.Patients and methodsETV interventions were collected from a 10-year period (2010–2019) from our institution. Clinical patient characteristics such as prematurity, age, diagnosis, and previous shunt treatment and follow-up in terms of possible shunt implantation or revision surgeries were investigated. Radiological data was retrieved from the in-house PACS system to analyze preoperative signs for non­communicating hydrocephalus such as ventricular size, pressure gradients at the third ventricle, and any signs of obstruction from internal towards external cerebral spinal fluid communication. Fisher’s test was used to demonstrate the significance of each individual predictor. A multivariable model was built using the backward elimination method with multiple logistic regression.ResultsFrom 136 ETV interventions, 95 met the inclusion criteria (age < 18 years; > 6-month follow-up; MR image data availability, treatment goal for shunt independence). In chi-square statistical evaluation of single parameters age > 6 months (OR 32.5; 95% CI 4.8–364), ventricular width (FOHR < 0.56; OR 6.1; 95% CI 2.2–16.3) and non-post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus as underlying diagnosis (OR 13.1; 95% CI 1.9–163) showed significant increased odds ratio for shunt independence during follow-up. Logistic regression analysis for multiple parameters showed age > 6 months (OR 29.3; 95% CI 4.1–606) together with outward bulged lamina terminalis (OR 4.6; 95% CI 1.2–19.6), smaller FOHR (continuous parameter; OR 2.83 × 10−5; 95% CI 4.7 × 10−9–0.045), and non-4th-ventricular-outlet obstruction (4thVOO; OR 0.31; 95% CI 0.09–1.02) as significant factors for ETV success.ConclusionETV has become a relevant treatment for non-communicating hydrocephalus, with typical MR image characteristics. Analyzing radiological markers as predictors for success smaller ventricular width and outward displaced lamina terminalis was relevant in combination with age > 6 months. Since the analysis is based on single-center experience, a larger cohort of patients with a multi-center approach should further investigate the combined clinical and radiological criteria.

Risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhosis: A comprehensive analysis from a decade-long study

BACKGROUND Cirrhosis is a significant risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Variability in HCC risk among patients with cirrhosis is notable, particularly when considering the diverse etiologies of cirrhosis. AIM To identify specific risk factors contributing to HCC development in patients with cirrhosis. METHODS This retrospective study analyzed data from cirrhotic patients at Beijing Youan Hospital from January 1, 2012 to September 30, 2022 with at least 6 mo of follow-up. Patient demographics, medical histories, etiologies, and clinical characteristics were examined. Cox regression analysis was used to analyze correlations of the above parameters with hepatocarcinogenesis, while competing risk regression was used to estimate their adjusted hazard ratios accounting for death. The cumulative incidence was plotted over time. RESULTS Overall, 5417 patients with cirrhosis (median age: 54 years; 65.8% males) were analyzed. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) was the most common etiology (23.3%), with 25% (n = 1352) developing HCC over a 2.9-year follow-up period. Patients with multiple etiologies had the HCC highest incidence (30.3%), followed by those with HBV-related cirrhosis (29.5%). Significant risk factors included male sex, advanced age, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, elevated blood ammonia, and low platelet count. Men had a higher 5-year HCC risk than women (37.0% vs 31.5%). HBV, HCV, and HBV/HCV co-infected patients had 5-year risks of HCC of 45.8%, 42.9%, and 48.1%, respectively, compared to 29.5% in nonviral hepatitis cases, highlighting the significant HCC risk from viral hepatitis, especially HBV, and underscores the importance of monitoring these high-risk groups. CONCLUSION In conclusion, HBV-related cirrhosis strongly correlates with HCC, with male sex, older age, viral hepatitis, elevated blood ammonia, and lower albumin and platelet levels increasing the risk of HCC.

EpCAM-targeting cancer immunotherapies: Evidence from clinical studies and the way forward

Overexpressed cell-surface receptors play a crucial role as biomarkers in immunodiagnostics and immunotherapy. Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is a 40 kDa cell-membrane glycoprotein associated with cell differentiation, survival, migration, and proliferation. The structure, biological functions, and role of EpCAM in tumorigenesis have been extensively studied, including its involvement in metastasis, tumor cellular signaling, and pro-proliferating pathways. It is differentially overexpressed on the surface of several tumor types, with substantial evidence suggesting a positive correlation with poor disease prognosis and overall survival. Consequently, it has emerged as a significant target for immunotherapy development, with some of them already entering clinical evaluation and one having been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to date. Pre-clinical and clinical studies evaluating anti-EpCAM immunotherapies have reported diverse outcomes necessitating critical assessment in considering future therapy development. EpCAM-targeting immunotherapies including monoclonal antibodies, adoptive cell transfer therapy, immunocytokines, recombinant immunotoxin, and bispecific T-cell engagers have been studied as monotherapy or in combination with other treatments resulting in improved outcomes. Depending on disease status, EpCAM-targeting therapies are studied in adjuvant and neoadjuvant settings by integrating the clinical features of patients and treatment intent. However, the wide range of adverse events reported in various unsuccessful clinical studies has implications for future clinical trial designs, patient stratification, and endpoint criteria measures. This review examines the efficacy and toxicity profiles of anti-EpCAM immunotherapeutic approaches that have undergone clinical investigations for the treatment of antigen-positive malignancies and provides perspectives to guide future research and development strategies toward precision medicine.

Подострый склерозирующий панэнцефалит у детей: описание клинических наблюдений

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a rare complication caused by persistent measles infection and characterized by a decline in cognitive functions and severe motor impairments. Since SSPE is considered a potentially fatal complication of acute measles infection and is typically develops in young individuals especially those infected prior to the age of two years old, special attention must be paid to the implementation of vaccination programs that can prevent severe disease. Thus, the purpose of this research was to present the demographic and clinical characteristics of pediatric patients with SSPE in order to enhance its early diagnosis and to raise the pediatricians' awareness of this serious measles complication. In this series of case reports Authors represent the clinical picture, laboratory and instrumental data of six children with SSPE admitted at the Russian Children's Clinical Hospital with the Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University of the Ministry of Healthcare of Russia (Moscow, Russia) in Aug. 2022-Aug. 2024. Authors have conducted an analysis of complaints, clinical symptoms, laboratory, neurophysiological and neuroimaging data of 6 patients with SSPE. All patients have undergone cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and video EEG monitoring during both wakefulness and sleep at the time of diagnosis. Currently, there is no specific treatment for SSPE that would either lead to symptom regression or prevent the related disability. Therefore, vaccination remains the only effective means for the SSPE prevention.