Prospective characterization of incident hepatic steatosis in pediatric and adolescent patients after total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation

BackgroundHepatic steatosis has been described as a common finding in adults following total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT) but it is unknown if this occurs in children and adolescents.ObjectivesTo define the frequency of post-TPIAT hepatic steatosis in a sample of children and adolescents and to identify clinical predictors of incident steatosis post-TPIAT.MethodsIn this prospective study, consecutive participants at least 1-month post-TPIAT underwent a liver MRI with proton density fat fraction (PDFF) and blood draw at our pediatric academic medical center between April 2021 and January 2022. Comparison clinical pre-TPIAT liver MRI or ultrasound and insulin use and graft function data were extracted from the medical record. T-tests were used for the comparison of means across continuous variables between participants with and without post-TPIAT steatosis.ResultsA total of 20 participants (mean: 13 ± 4 years; 12 female) were evaluated. Mean liver PDFF at research MRI was 7.4 ± 6.2% (range: 2–25%). Seven participants (35%) had categorical hepatic steatosis (PDFF>5%) post-TPIAT, five of whom had pre-TPIAT steatosis, reflecting a 13% (2/15; 95% CI: 2–40%) incidence of post-TPIAT steatosis. Participant characteristics were not significantly different between subgroups with and without post-TPIAT steatosis. Mean PDFF at research MRI was not different between graft function subgroups (7.5% optimal/good vs. 7.3% marginal/failure; p = .96).ConclusionOur study shows a moderate prevalence but low incidence of hepatic steatosis in a small sample of children and adolescents post-TPIAT. This study raises questions about a causal relationship between TPIAT and hepatic steatosis.     

Robust antibody response after a third BNT162b2 vaccine compared to the second among immunocompromised and healthy individuals,a prospective longitudinal cohort study

PurposeAs protection from COVID-19 following two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine showed a time dependent waning, a third (booster) dose was administrated. This study aims to compare the antibody response following the third dose versus the second and to evaluate post-booster seroconversion.MethodsA prospective observational study conducted in Maccabi Healthcare Services. Serial SARS-CoV-2 Spike IgG tests, 1,2,3 and 6 months following the second vaccine dose and one month following the third were obtained. Neutralizing antibody levels were measured in a subset of participants. Per individual SARS-CoV-2 Spike IgG titer ratios were calculated one month after the booster administration compared to titers one month following the second dose and prior to booster.ResultsAmong 110 participants, 56 (51%) were women. Mean age was 61.7 ± 1.9 years and 66 (60%) were immunocompromised. One month after third dose, IgG titers were induced 7.83 (95 %CI 5.25–11.67) folds and 2.40 (95 %CI 1.90–3.03) folds compared to one month after the second, in the immunocompromised and immunocompetent groups, respectively. Of the 17 immunocompromised participants who were seronegative after the second dose, 4 (24%) became seropositive following the third. Comparing the titers prior to the third dose, an increase of 50.7 (95 %CI 32.5–79.1) fold in the immunocompromised group and 25.7 (95 %CI 19.1–34.7) fold in and immunocompetent group, was observed.ConclusionA third BNT162b2 vaccine elicited robust humoral response, superior to the response observed following the second, among immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals.     

Epstein–Barr-virus-associated hepatitis with aplastic anemia: A case report

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia (HAAA) is a rare condition. Patients with HAAA usually present with acute hepatitis, jaundice and significantly increased transaminase. After 1–2 mo, hepatitis gradually improves, but progressive hemocytopenia, bone marrow hematopoietic failure, and severe or extremely severe aplastic anemia are manifest. Most cases of HAAA are fulminant and usually lethal if left untreated. The literature on Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-associated HAAA is sparse. CASE SUMMARY We report a 30-year-old man who was admitted to our hospital because of pale yellow urine and skin with a simultaneous decrease in peripheral blood ternary cells. We made a diagnosis of EBV-associated HAAA. The treatment strategy for this patient included eltrombopag, an immunosuppressive regimen of rabbit anti-human thymocyte immunoglobulin, cyclosporine, and supportive care. The patient was discharged in normal physical condition after five months. A hemogram performed on follow-up revealed that he had achieved a complete response. CONCLUSION Eltrombopag plus anti-thymocyte globubin and cyclosporine may be a therapeutic option for EBV-associated HAAA.Larger studies are warranted to confirm.     

Oral cancer prediction by noninvasive genetic screening

Oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) develop in genetically altered epithelium in the mucosal lining, also coined as fields, which are mostly not visible but occasionally present as white oral leukoplakia (OL) lesions. We developed a noninvasive genetic assay using next-generation sequencing (NGS) on brushed cells to detect the presence of genetically altered fields, including those that are not macroscopically visible. The assay demonstrated high accuracy in OL patients when brush samples were compared with biopsies as gold standard. In a cohort of Fanconi anemia patients, detection of mutations in prospectively collected oral brushes predicted oral cancer also when visible abnormalities were absent. We further provide insight in the molecular landscape of OL with frequent changes of TP53, FAT1 and NOTCH1. NGS analysis of noninvasively collected samples offers a highly accurate method to detect genetically altered fields in the oral cavity, and predicts development of OSCC in high-risk individuals. Noninvasive genetic screening can be employed to screen high-risk populations for cancer and precancer, map the extension of OL lesions beyond what is visible, map the oral cavity for precancerous changes even when visible abnormalities are absent, test accuracy of promising imaging modalities, monitor interventions and determine genetic progression as well as the natural history of the disease in the human patient.     

厦门市社区老年慢性病共病与不良生活方式共存现状研究

目的 调查社区老年人常见的14种慢性病共病情况及不良生活方式共存现象。 方法 采用方便抽样的方法抽取厦门市社区906例老年人群为研究对象,使用自设问卷调查研究对象的慢病共存及不良方式共存现象,使用检验和多因素logistic回归方法进行分析。结果 共纳入906例老年人,慢性病患病率为79.5%,老年人慢性病共病患病率为58.9%。主要的不良生活方式是BMI异常(46.8%)、饮酒(40.5%)、睡眠时间少(37.9%)、缺乏锻炼(35.2%)、吸烟(32.8%)等。多因素logistic回归分析显示,女性(OR=2.232,95%CI:1.474～3.380,P＜0.001)、高龄(OR=2.038,95%CI:1.234～3.365,P=0.001)、有慢性病家族史(OR=2.854,95%CI:1.943～4.194,P＜0.001)、肥胖(OR=2.571,95%CI:1.096～6.033,P=0.030)、饮酒(OR=3.582,95%CI:2.531～5.071,P＜0.001)、吸烟(OR=1.789,95%CI:1.172～2.732,P=0.007)、嗜盐(OR=1.818,95%CI:1.170～2.823,P=0.008)、嗜油(OR=2.023,95%CI:1.153～3.550,P=0.010)、睡眠质量差(OR=2.091,95%CI:1.360～3.215,P=0.001)的老年人,慢性病共病的比例高。 结论 厦门市社区老年人慢性病共病和不良生活方式共存现象严重。肥胖、饮酒、吸烟、嗜盐、嗜油、睡眠质量差等行为生活方式是慢性病重要的可干预因素,社区工作者应提高社区居民对健康生活方式重要性的认识,促使其主动改变不良生活方式并长期坚持健康的生活方式,以降低其慢性病的发病风险,减少其伤残程度,提高生活质量。     

Efficacy,immunogenicity, and safety of available vaccines in children on biologics: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Vaccinations are essential for preventing infectious diseases in children with chronic diseases as they have increased risk of infection from frequent use of biologics. Response to immunizations in this group is not well known.ObjectiveA systematic review was performed to evaluate three primary outcomes: efficacy; immunogenicity; and safety of vaccines in children with chronic conditions treated with biologics.MethodsThe protocol for our systematic review and meta-analysis was registered and published with PROSPERO. We searched electronic bibliographic databases for studies published from 2009 to 2019, focusing on vaccinations in children with chronic conditions treated with biologics.ResultsWe retrieved 532 records. Thirty-one full-text articles were selected, and 14 were included in the meta-analysis. No significant publication bias was found. Efficacy: limited data are available regarding the efficacy of vaccination, as most studies have focused on immunogenicity as surrogate outcome for efficacy. Immunogenicity: patients receiving anti-TNF-alpha therapy had a statistically significant risk of poor seroconversion (p = 0.028) and seroprotection by the serotype B influenza vaccine [inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) p = 0.013; juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) p = 0.004]. We found adequate responses with H1N1 and H3N2 serotypes. Few studies existed for pneumococcal, hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus, varicella-zoster virus, Measles Mumps Rubella virus, and multiple vaccine administration. Safety: vaccine administration was not associated with serious side effects, but JIA patients on anti-TNF alpha therapy had a statistically significant risk of presenting with myalgia or arthralgia postinfluenza vaccine (p = 0.014).ConclusionsMore evidence concerning efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety of vaccinations is needed to guide physicians in the vaccine decision process for this pediatric population.     

稳定期慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者报告结局现状及影响因素分析

目的 了解稳定期慢性阻塞性肺疾病 (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,COPD) 患者报告结局现状,分析其影响因素及与炎症指标的相关性,为开展以患者为中心的早期护理干预提供依据。 方法 采用便利抽样法,选取2020年10月—2021年7月于南宁市某三级甲等医院呼吸内科门诊就诊的稳定期COPD患者作为调查对象,采用一般资料调查表、COPD患者报告结局量表修订版 (the Modified Patient-Reported Outcome Scale for COPD,mCOPD-PRO) 进行调查,并收集患者就诊时炎症指标的结果。采用多元线性回归分析稳定期COPD患者报告结局的影响因素,采用相关性分析探讨患者报告结局与炎症指标的关系。结果 该研究共纳入204例稳定期COPD患者,mCOPD-PRO得分为 (1.75±0.58) 分。多元线性回归分析显示,性别、合并疾病数量、病程、肺功能分级是稳定期COPD患者报告结局的影响因素 (P<0.05),可解释稳定期COPD患者报告结局10.8%的总变异。相关性分析显示,白细胞计数、中性粒细胞计数、嗜酸性粒细胞计数与稳定期COPD患者的mCOPD-PRO得分呈正相关 (P<0.05) ;总白蛋白浓度与其呈负相关 (P<0.05) 。结论 稳定期COPD患者报告结局有待改善,女性、合并疾病数量>3种、病程较长、肺功能分级较高的COPD患者报告的结局较差。COPD患者报告结局与白细胞计数、中性粒细胞计数、嗜酸性粒细胞计数、总白蛋白浓度相关。护理人员应关注稳定期COPD患者报告结局及炎症指标,在早期采取针对性的干预措施,以改善患者的生活质量。     

慢性泪囊炎患者应用鼻内镜下鼻腔泪囊造口术的临床效果及对安全性的影响

目的探讨慢性泪囊炎患者应用鼻内镜下鼻腔泪囊造口术的临床效果及安全性。方法选取2018年1月至2019年12月因慢性泪囊炎于本院接受治疗的46例患者为研究对象,随机分为研究组与对照组,各23例。对照组接受泪囊鼻腔造口治疗,研究组取鼻内镜下鼻腔泪囊造口术治疗,比较两组临床效果、手术指标以及并发症发生情况。结果研究组治疗总有效率高于对照组(P<0.05);研究组术中出血量少于对照组,手术及住院时间均短于对照组(P<0.05);研究组并发症总发生率低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论慢性泪囊炎患者采用鼻内镜下鼻腔泪囊造口术治疗效果显著,并发症较少,安全性较高,值得临床推广应用。