Does Quantitative Ultrasound at the Calcaneus Predict an Osteoporosis Diagnosis in Postmenopausal Women from the Silesia Osteo Active Study?

The aims of the study were to assess the clinical conformity between quantitative ultrasound (QUS) and densitometry with use of the standard World Health Organization T-score thresholds to determine optimal diagnostic cutoff values for QUS T-scores in different age groups. Three hundred sixty-five postmenopausal Caucasian women were enrolled into the study and divided into two age groups (<65 y and ≥65 y). Skeletal status was assessed using QUS measurements at the calcaneus and bone densitometry at the spine and proximal femur (Hologic Explorer, Bedford, MA, USA). QUS measurement results expressed as the stiffness index (SI) correlated significantly with both femoral neck bone mineral density (r = 0.51, p < 0.0001) and lumbar spine bone mineral density (r = 0.52, p < 0.0001). On the basis of receiver operating characteristic curve analyses, the thresholds for correspondence between QUS T-score values and T-score –2.5SD in dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) were established. They ranged between –1.63SD and –1.70SD in relation to femoral neck DXA and between –1.22SD and –1.51SD in relation to lumbar spine DXA, depending on age category. In conclusion, the study described here confirmed that QUS measurements at the calcaneus may provide information comparable to DXA examinations at the femoral neck and lumbar spine in postmenopausal women.     

The Duration of the correction loss after removing cheneau brace in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Objective

The aim of the study was to evaluate the loss of truncal rotation over 54 hours after removing Chêneau brace.

New PA/1220/98-like variant of infectious bronchitis virus in Poland

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study was to report the first detection of a new infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) variant in Polish commercial flocks which is completely different to any previously known in this region. In 2018, samples from Ross 308 breeding hens aged 35 weeks were delivered for IBV diagnosis. IBV presence was detected, but all attempts to amplify the S gene fragment were negative. The field material was analysed using the Illumina MiSeq platform and a 1073-nt fragment of the S1 coding region was obtained. The gCoV/ck/Poland/516/2018 strain shared only 52.7–58.1% nucleotide identity to any known genotype of IBV and shared the highest identity of 81.4% to the unique North American PA/1220/98 variant. Based on the obtained sequence, a specific molecular test was constructed and used for screening of chicken samples from 35 field cases delivered to our laboratory between 2018 and 2019 for IBV diagnosis. Application of this test enabled detection of another three chicken flocks as positive for this new strain. All positives were identified in commercial layers with egg production problems. To date, the virus has not been detected in broiler chickens. Taking into account the proposed criteria for the definition of a new IBV genotype or lineage, it seems that the detected viruses in Poland, together with the unique North American PA/1220/98 variant, may be classified as separate lineages/genotype in the new IBV classification.

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

• The new IBV variant is distantly related to other known GI–GVII IBV genotypes/lineages.

• It affects long-lived birds causing egg production problems.

• The detected IBV and the unique North American PA/1220/98 variant are candidates for separate lineages in the new GVIII genotype.

     

Analysis of the Factors Contributing to Bariatric Success After Laparoscopic Redo Bariatric Procedures: Results from Multicenter Polish Revision Obesity Surgery Study (PROSS)

Introduction

With continuously growing number of redo bariatric surgeries (RBS), it is necessary to look for factors determining success of redo-surgeries.

Patients and methods

A retrospective cohort study analyzed consecutive patients who underwent RBS in 12 referral bariatric centers in Poland from 2010 to 2020. The study included 529 patients. The efficacy endpoints were percentage of excessive weight loss (%EWL) and remission of hypertension (HT) and/or type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Results

Group 1: weight regain

Two hundred thirty-eight of 352 patients (67.6%) exceeded 50% EWL after RBS. The difference in body mass index (BMI) pre-RBS and lowest after primary procedure < 10.6 kg/m2 (OR 2.33, 95% CI: 1.43–3.80, p = 0.001) was independent factor contributing to bariatric success after RBS, i.e., > 50% EWL.

Group 2: insufficient weight loss

One hundred thirty of 177 patients (73.4%) exceeded 50% EWL after RBS. The difference in BMI pre-RBS and lowest after primary procedure (OR 0.76, 95% CI: 0.64–0.89, p = 0.001) was independent factors lowering odds for bariatric success.

Group 3: insufficient control of obesity-related diseases

Forty-three of 87 patients (49.4%) achieved remission of hypertension and/or type 2 diabetes. One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (OAGB) as RBS was independent factor contributing to bariatric success (OR 7.23, 95% CI: 1.67–31.33, p = 0.008), i.e., complete remission of HT and/or T2D.

Conclusions

RBS is an effective method of treatment for obesity-related morbidity. Greater weight regain before RBS was minimizing odds for bariatric success in patients operated due to weight regain or insufficient weight loss. OAGB was associated with greater chance of complete remission of hypertension and/or diabetes.

Graphical abstract

     

The kinetics of hematopoietic niche cytokines and their influence on mobilization efficacy and timing in patients with hematological malignancies

The bone marrow niche functions are modulated by complicated cytokines network. The aim of our study was to evaluate the levels of VCAM‐1, VEGF, MMP‐9 and SDF during mobilization of CD34+ cells in patients with hematological malignancies. Thirty four patients were enrolled to the study (19F, 15 M) at median age of 57 years. The group consisted of patients with multiple myeloma (26) and lymphoma (8). The mobilization procedures comprised chemotherapy and then G‐CSF. Blood samples were collected before chemotherapy (N = 34) and on the day of the first apheresis (N = 26). Cytokines were evaluated with ELISA assay. We observed significant increase in VCAM‐1 levels during mobilization. On contrary, VEGF and SDF levels decreased during mobilization procedure. The levels of MMP‐9 were stable during mobilization. We divided patients according to baseline cytokines levels below and above median into “low” and “high” expressors. The group of VEGF “low” expressors had longer median time of G‐CSF treatment before first apheresis than ‘high’ expressors. Baseline VEGF levels correlated adversely with duration of G‐CSF treatment before first apheresis. Patients were also divided according to median cytokines levels at apheresis into “low” and “high” expressors. “High” VCAM‐1 expressors had higher CD34+in peripheral blood as well as higher CD34+numbers collected during first apheresis than “low” expressors. In conclusion, the levels of niche cytokines change significantly during mobilization in patients with hematopoietic malignancies. Baseline VEGF can influence timing of mobilization. Higher VCAM‐1 corresponds with higher mobilization efficacy. J. Clin. Apheresis 30:247–251, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Quality of life in women with endometriosis: a cross-sectional survey

Quality of Life Research - The aim of the study was to assess QoL and identify and analyse its determinants in women with endometriosis. The study was performed in 2019 in health centres in Lublin...