The emergence of human Powassan virus infection in North America

Powassan virus (POWV) is a tickborne flavivirus discovered in Ontario, Canada in 1958 that causes long-term neurological sequelae in about half the reported cases and death in a little more than 10 % of cases. The incidence of POWV disease is rising in the United States but there is limited understanding of the scope and causes of recent changes in POWV epidemiology. We focus on quantifying the increase in human POWV disease incidence and infection prevalence in the United States. We also examine differences in the frequency of symptomatic cases and asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic cases, as well as limitations in national and state surveillance for POWV infection. We searched SCOPUS for all articles containing original POWV prevalence research, case studies, or literature reviews published in English. Case studies were supplemented by Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report POWV data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and surveillance information from state health department websites. An increase in the number of POWV cases has been reported in the United States over the past 50 yr, and the geographic range of human POWV cases has expanded. The age distribution of symptomatic POWV cases has shifted, with significantly more individuals over 40 yr old being diagnosed after 1998. The emergence of POWV is due in large part to: (i) a change in transmission of POWV from a vector that rarely bites people (Ixodes cookei) to a new vector that often bites people (Ixodes scapularis) and has expanded its geographic range, (ii) enhanced surveillance efforts for arboviruses, and (iii) a greater awareness of POWV infection.     

胸痹心痛病患者的中医心脏康复护理意义研究

目的探讨胸痹心痛病患者的中医心脏康复护理意义。方法选取2018年1月-2019年1月在大连中医医院内一病房就诊的80例胸痹心痛病患者,经辨证分型为气虚血瘀型胸痹,随机分为试验组和对照组,对照组40例采取常规护理,试验组40例在对照组的基础上使用中医心脏康复护理,主要包括:证候施护、饮食护理、中医特色技术、情志护理、健康指导等。通过中医证候评分对治疗的有效率进行观察。结果试验组有效率为92.5%,对照组有效率为77.5%,试验组优于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论对胸痹心痛病患者的中医心脏康复护理,可以有效提高临床有效率,改善临床症状,提高患者生活质量,值得在临床推广。     

佛山市乙型肝炎母婴阻断工作环节问题探讨

目的探讨佛山市乙肝母婴阻断工作中存在的问题，为完善进一步工作提供思路。 方法采用队列研究的方法，以2017年佛山市HBsAg阳性产妇13 672例及其所分娩13 982例活产儿为研究对象，通过回顾性病历采集及前瞻性的随访追踪的方法，全面了解影响乙肝母婴阻断工作的主要因素。 结果2017年佛山市产妇HBsAg阳性率为10.14%，感染孕妇中HBeAg阳性率为24.13%，孕期HBV DNA检测率约5%，其中抗病毒治疗63例；新生儿乙肝免疫球蛋白接种率为99.84%；婴儿在出生后1年内完成乙肝疫苗三针接种的比率为81.71%，在完成三针乙肝疫苗接种的儿童中按照0-1-6程序接种的比率为62.65%；母婴阻断结果追踪率为40.16%，追踪儿童中母婴阻断失败34例，失败率为0.61%；产妇年龄低、HBeAg阳性、HepB未全程及规范接种是母婴阻断失败的危险因素(P<0.05)。儿童明确未检测的主要原因是拒绝检查、不知道要检查、提前检查和检测未提供结果，占99.07%。 结论加强信息沟通及健康教育，落实乙肝病毒感染产妇孕期DNA检测及抗病毒治疗，提高儿童乙肝疫苗的规范接种率，将暴露儿童的乙肝两对半检测纳入儿童保健管理工作，是实现全市乙肝母婴零传播的重要措施。     

Hailey–Hailey disease improved by fractional CO2 laser

Hailey–Hailey disease (HHD), also known as benign familial pemphigus, is an autosomal dominant skin condition that affects the adhesion of epidermal keratinocytes. Although the initial manifestation of flaccid vesicles on erythematous or normal skin in flexure sites frequently goes unnoticed, large, macerated, exudative plaques of superficial erosions with crusting are observed at the time of diagnosis. There is no specific treatment for HHD, and most cases are symptomatically supported. However, infrared laser ablation has been somewhat helpful. We present a case successfully treated with fractional CO₂ laser showing a long-term favourable outcome and no adverse effects. Thus, this modality could be an alternative to full ablation for this condition.     

Collecting and evaluating convalescent plasma for COVID-19 treatment: why and how?

Plasma provided by COVID-19 convalescent patients may provide therapeutic relief as the number of COVID-19 cases escalates steeply worldwide. Prior findings in various viral respiratory diseases including SARS-CoV-related pneumonia suggest that convalescent plasma can reduce mortality, although formal proof of efficacy is still lacking. By reducing viral spread early on, such an approach may possibly downplay subsequent immunopathology. Identifying, collecting, qualifying and preparing plasma from convalescent patients with adequate SARS-CoV-2-neutralizing Ab titres in an acute crisis setting may be challenging, although well within the remit of most blood establishments. Careful clinical evaluation should allow to quickly establish whether such passive immunotherapy, administered at early phases of the disease in patients at high risk of deleterious evolution, may reduce the frequency of patient deterioration, and thereby COVID-19 mortality.     

Lifitegrast clinical efficacy for treatment of signs and symptoms of dry eye disease across three randomized controlled trials

Objective: Report efficacy findings from three clinical trials (one phase 2 and two phase 3 [OPUS-1, OPUS-2]) of lifitegrast ophthalmic solution 5.0% for treatment of dry eye disease (DED).

Research design and methods: Three 84-day, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trials. Adults (≥18 years) with DED were randomized (1:1) to lifitegrast 5.0% or matching placebo. Changes from baseline to day 84 in signs and symptoms of DED were analyzed.

Main outcome measures: Phase 2, pre-specified endpoint: inferior corneal staining score (ICSS; 0–4); OPUS-1, coprimary endpoints: ICSS and visual-related function subscale (0–4 scale); OPUS-2, coprimary endpoints: ICSS and eye dryness score (EDS, VAS; 0–100).

Results: Fifty-eight participants were randomized to lifitegrast 5.0% and 58 to placebo in the phase 2 trial; 293 to lifitegrast and 295 to placebo in OPUS-1; 358 to lifitegrast and 360 to placebo in OPUS-2. In participants with mild-to-moderate baseline DED symptomatology, lifitegrast improved ICSS versus placebo in the phase 2 study (treatment effect, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.05–0.65; p?=?0.0209) and OPUS-1 (effect, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.10–0.38; p?=?0.0007). Among more symptomatic participants (baseline EDS ≥40, recent artificial tear use), lifitegrast improved EDS versus placebo in a post hoc analysis of OPUS-1 (effect, 13.34; 95% CI, 2.35–24.33; nominal p?=?0.0178) and in OPUS-2 (effect, 12.61; 95% CI, 8.51–16.70; p?<?0.0001).

Limitations: Trials were conducted over 12 weeks; efficacy beyond this period was not assessed.

Conclusions: Across three trials, lifitegrast improved ICSS in participants with mild-to-moderate baseline symptomatology in two studies, and EDS in participants with moderate-to-severe baseline symptomatology in two studies. Based on the overall findings from these trials, lifitegrast shows promise as a new treatment option for signs and symptoms of DED.     

Improved Diagnostic Sensitivity of Bowel Disease of Prematurity on Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound

Bowel diseases of prematurity, including necrotizing enterocolitis, are dreaded ailments of neonates. Early diagnosis is difficult, with clinical and radiographic findings often inconclusive. We present a novel use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in detection of pediatric bowel disease. Early identification of compromised blood flow or an at-risk bowel can be quantitatively detected and monitored. This ability has implications for guidance of emerging therapies, allowing targeting of inflammation. These findings represent an advancement in detection of bowel disease in neonates.