Targeting tissue-resident memory CD8+ T cells in the kidney is a potential therapeutic strategy to ameliorate podocyte injury and glomerulosclerosis

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An update on medication management of women with schizophrenia in pregnancy

Introduction: Women with schizophrenia and their babies are at high risk of adverse outcomes in pregnancy and childbirth. A better understanding of the specific risks conferred by the illness itself and by the treatment provided will help guide more effective care of these women.

Areas covered: Herein, the authors review genetic, demographic, socioeconomic, nutritional and lifestyle risks associated with schizophrenia in pregnancy. They also cover specific risks associated with typical antipsychotic medications, specific risks associated with atypical antipsychotic medications, risks associated with polypharmacy and risks of developmental delay in children exposed to antipsychotic medications in utero.

Expert opinion: Our understanding of the risks that women with schizophrenia face in pregnancy from their illness and from the treatment they receive continues to evolve. As our ability to analyze data progresses, the risks conferred by antipsychotic medication treatment appear to lessen in clinical and statistical significance, whilst the true risks to these women and their babies from their experience of disadvantage continue to set them aside from the general population. Reducing polypharmacy and providing comprehensive and supportive care can minimize harm to women with schizophrenia and their babies.     

Hypoglycemia unawareness in type 1 diabetes patients using intermittent continuous glucose monitoring: Identification of risk factors and glycemic patterns

BackgroundHypoglycemia unawareness designates failure to detect eminent hypoglycemia. Clarke's questionnaire is one of the most used systems to evaluate this problem.AimsTo relate Clarke's questionnaire (QQ) results with continuous glucose monitoring data.MethodsApplication of the questionnaire in a sample of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients using intermittent continuous glucose monitoring (iCGM).Results111 T1DM patients were evaluated, 56.8% female, mean age 35.0 ± 12.4 years and mean disease duration 18.8 ± 10.5 years.According to CQ, 13.5% had unawareness, 76.6% awareness and 9.9% indeterminate awareness to hypoglycemia. Those with unawareness had longer disease duration (25.1 ± 10.4 vs 18.2 ± 10.3 for awareness and 14.9 ± 9.9 for indeterminate awareness, p = 0.047), more time below range (10.3 ± 4.9% vs 6.3 ± 5.1 and 6.3 ± 4.8; p = 0.009) and higher mean duration of hypoglycemia (131.7 ± 38.6 vs 116.6 ± 49.6 and 131.7 ± 38.6; p = 0.008). In multivariate analysis, mean duration of hypoglycemia was an independent predictor of CQ results. In a receiver operating curve (AUC 0.746; p = 0.004) a mean duration of hypoglycemia ≥106.5 min showed 84.6% sensitivity/64.4% specificity for unawareness.ConclusionsOur sample had a significative prevalence of hypoglycemia unawareness which increased with longer diabetes duration. iCGM data can be indicative of this problem, with a mean hypoglycemia duration ≥106.5 min being suggestive, albeit unspecific.     

Clinical and pathological features of 124 patients with indistinguishable sellar lesions and central diabetes insipidus

BackgroundSellar lesions with central diabetes insipidus have a wide range of causes, and diagnosis is relatively difficult. The indication and clinical value of biopsy are still controversial.ObjectiveTo describe the etiology, demographic characteristics, manifestations, laboratory tests and imaging findings of this disease and to explore the clinical value and safety of endoscopic transsphenoidal biopsy.MethodsRetrospective analysis of 124 patients with sellar lesions and central diabetes insipidus who underwent endoscopic transsphenoidal biopsy at the Neurosurgery Department, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, from 2011 to 2019.ResultsThe main etiology includes congenital diseases, inflammatory/infectious diseases and tumor diseases. The most common diseases were germ cell tumors, Langerhans cell histiocytosis, lymphocytic hypophysitis, and Rathke's cleft cysts. Except for the age at the time of biopsy of patients with tumor diseases, which was significantly lower than that of the other two, the other clinical manifestations of the three types of diseases were not significantly different. Among the 124 patients, biopsy was performed via an endoscopic transsphenoidal approach for 101 with intrasellarly available lesions or via an endoscopic extended transsphenoidal approach for 23 with intrasellarly unavailable lesions. 6 patients had central nervous system infections after surgery, and 3 had cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea, of which 2 were surgically repaired. These incidences were basically the same as those of classic surgery. 2 patients had worse visual acuity, 2 had worse visual field, and 2 had worse eye movement. Excepting one patient, all of whom have recovered after treatment.ConclusionsNoninvasive examination is difficult for identifying the common causes of this type of disease. Endoscopic transsphenoidal biopsy is relatively safe and effective, helps doctors to select the best treatment for patients, and is worth promoting.     

Clinical presentation and prognosis of adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas – Matched-pair analysis with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

IntroductionAdenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas (ASCP) is a rare subtype of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics and outcomes of ASCP in comparison to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).Materials and methodsAll patients with ASCP treated between December 2001 and December 2017 were identified from a prospective database. Clinicopathological and follow-up data were analyzed. A nested case-control-study with matched-pair analysis was performed to compare overall survival of ASCP and PDAC.ResultsOf 4009 patients undergoing surgery for pancreatic adenocarcinoma 91 patients had ASCP. Compared to PDAC ASCP were larger (4.0 vs. 3.2 cm; p < 0.0001), more frequently involved lymph nodes (88% vs. 78%; p = 0.0216), more frequently showed poor differentiation (G3: 79% vs. 36%; p < 0.0001) and more frequently were located in the pancreatic tail (19% vs. 10%; p = 0.0179). Overall median post-resection-survival was shorter in ASCP (10.8 vs. 20.5 months in PDAC; p = 0.0085), but 5-year survival rates were comparable (18.2% vs. 17.5%). After matching for the unevenly distributed prognostic factors survival after resection of ASCP and PDAC was comparable (p = 0.8301). Localization in the head or several parts of the pancreas, high CA 19-9 levels, and M1 disease were independent predictors of survival in patients with ASCP.ConclusionASCP is more aggressive with poorer differentiation and higher rates of lymph node metastases compared to PDAC. In spite of a shorter median survival, 5-year survival rates after surgical resection of about 18% can be expected in ASCP and support resection as part of a multimodal therapy as the treatment of choice in this rare cancer.