Bi-allelic pathogenic variations in DNAJB11 cause Ivemark II syndrome,a renal-hepatic-pancreatic dysplasia

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Evaluation of vilazodone for the treatment of depressive and anxiety disorders

Introduction: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) significantly contribute to the global burden of disease. Vilazodone, a combined serotonin reuptake inhibitor and 5-HT1A partial agonist, is an approved therapy for the treatment of MDD and which has been further investigated for GAD.

Areas covered: This article covers the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of vilazodone and provides an evaluation of the clinical usefulness of vilazodone for the treatment of MDD and anxiety disorders. A literature search was performed using PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library.

Expert opinion: Studies have shown that vilazodone is significantly superior to placebo. However, vilazodone cannot as yet be recommended as a first-line treatment option for MDD as it is unclear whether the drug’s dual mechanism of action provides greater efficacy than prevailing treatment options. Moreover, more phase IV studies are needed to establish its efficacy and long-term safety in larger and more diverse populations. Although vilazodone may have an additional advantage for the treatment of anxiety symptoms in MDD, here also additional studies are required to confirm its efficacy over and above SSRI alternatives and other antidepressant treatments. Therefore, presently, vilazodone should be considered as a second- or third-line treatment option for MDD and GAD.     

Fluorescence imaging of dental restorations using the VistaCam intra-oral camera

Optical fluorescence imaging methods have a range of forensic applications. The VistaCam system (Dürr Dental) is an existing intra-oral fluorescence camera, which was designed to aid detection of dental caries using 405 nm wavelength light generated by light emitting diodes (LEDs). This study assessed whether this fluorescence imaging device could also be used to recognize dental restorative materials, which is essential for accurate dental charting of deceased persons who are unidentified. The effect of body fluids (saliva and blood) on performance was also assessed. The VistaCam was used on the bench to assess 55 extracted human teeth with restorations, and samples of restorative materials. Readings were first taken in the moist state and then after the application of human saliva or venous blood. Fluorescence scores were compared using one-way ANOVA. Human enamel gave lower fluorescence than restorations. Different tooth-coloured restorative materials gave similar strong fluorescence scores, without statistically significant differences between them. Fluorescence scores were not affected by the presence of ambient fluids (saliva or blood). Using violet 405 nm light to elicit fluorescence may aid in the recognition of dental restorative materials.     

Drug-induced vitiligo: a case/non-case study in Vigibase®, the WHO pharmacovigilance database

Vitiligo is a common depigmenting disorder ensuing the loss of epidermal melanocytes. It is a multifactorial disease with immunological, genetic and environmental factors including drug exposure. The purpose of the study was to investigate the drugs and therapeutic subclasses associated with vitiligo occurrence reported in VigiBase^®, the WHO pharmacovigilance database. A case/non-case study was carried out by defining cases as vitiligo reports and non-cases as all other reports. The reporting odds ratio (ROR) was calculated for the ‘suspected’ drugs and drug classes according to ATC level 4. During the study period, 741 cases of vitiligo were registered. Mean age was 49 ± 20 years. The disproportionality analysis showed an association between vitiligo and pembrolizumab (ROR 116.9, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 94.8, 144.3), nivolumab (ROR 22.6, 95% CI 15.8, 32.4), ipilimumab (ROR 41.7, 95% CI 25.0, 69.7), imiquimod (ROR 152.8, 95% CI 103.0, 226.7), adalimumab (ROR 3.8, 95% CI 2.5,5.8), infliximab (ROR 2.6, 95% CI 1.65, 4.01), alemtuzumab (ROR 27.8, 95% CI 17.6, 43.9), and ustekinumab (ROR 9.3, 95% CI 5.6, 15.6). Concerning the pharmacological classes ATC level 4, a significant association was found with monoclonal antibodies, interferons, selective immunosuppressants, TNF-alpha inhibitors, interleukin inhibitors, and topical antivirals. This study confirmed the expected associations between vitiligo and immune checkpoint inhibitors and strengthened the emerging signal about the association between vitiligo and imiquimod, TNF-alpha inhibitors and interferons. New signals were shown with selective immunosuppressants including alemtuzumab and interleukin inhibitors.     

Peyronie’s disease: Contemporary evaluation and management

Peyronie’s disease is a common yet poorly understood condition characterized by penile pain, curvature, sexual dysfunction and psychological bother. Peyronie’s disease represents a penile wound healing disorder, and is thought to arise from exuberant scarring in response to penile trauma in genetically predisposed men. In the absence of active treatment, the majority of men experience stable or worsening symptoms, with few reporting spontaneous resolution in penile curvature or other deformity. In contrast, penile pain improves or resolves in the majority of men. Treatment options vary based on symptom severity and stability. Several oral therapies are commonly prescribed, although to date there are no strong data to support any oral agents as monotherapy for Peyronie’s disease. Other options including penile traction therapy and intralesional injections result in modest improvements for many patients, particularly when used early after symptom onset. Penile straightening through approaches, such as penile plication and plaque incision or partial excision and grafting, represent the most rapid and reliable approach to correct penile curvature once the symptoms have stabilized. Side-effects vary based on the type of surgery carried out, and include penile shortening, sensation changes and erectile dysfunction in the minority of men. In patients with drug refractory erectile dysfunction and Peyronie’s disease, placement of a penile prosthesis will address both issues, and is associated with high levels of patient satisfaction. The current review provides a practical approach to the modern evaluation and management of patients presenting with Peyronie’s disease.     

Identification of international metastatic renal cell carcinoma database consortium (IMDC) intermediate-risk subgroups in patients with metastatic clear-cell renal cell carcinoma

Majority of patients with clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) at first line (1L) treatment are classified in the intermediate-risk (IR) subgroup according to International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC) score. As these patients have different prognosis, the aim of this study is to better characterize IR patients in order to better tailor the treatment. Retrospective analysis was performed from IGReCC (Institut Gustave Roussy Renal Cell Carcinoma) database. Overall survival (OS) was defined from start of 1L therapy to death or last follow-up. A multivariable Cox model with backward selection procedure (α = 0.01) and a Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analysis were performed to identify which prognostic factors were associated to OS in IR patients.From 2005 to 2017, 777 patients with ccRCC were treated with an anti-VEGF 1L therapy. Among 571 evaluable patients for IMDC score, 290 (51%) were classified as IR. With median follow-up 5.8 years (min: 0, max: 12.4) 212 deaths (73%) were observed and median OS was 25 months. Only platelet count was significantly associated to OS (hazard ratio 1.88 [95% CI 1.27–2.88] p = 0.0017). Median OS for patients with PLT > UNL was 18 months [95% CI 12–23] versus 29 months [95% CI 21.4–35.7] for patients with normal PLT count. The selection of PLT count was confirmed on bootstrap samples and was also selected for the first split of the CART-tree analysis.Patients in the IR group have a heterogeneous prognosis. Elevated PLT count seems identifies a subgroup of patients with poor outcome in the IMDC intermediate-risk population with ccRCC.