The efficacy and safety of tacrolimus as mono- and adjunctive therapy for vitiligo: A systematic review of randomised clinical trials

There is currently no definitive treatment for vitiligo; various modalities include immune modulators phototherapy and skin camouflage. We investigated the efficacy and safety of topical tacrolimus either as monotherapy or combined therapy in the treatment of vitiligo. Electronic systematic search of the literature was carried out using four major databases. Randomised clinical trials (RCTs) that reported the use of topical tacrolimus in the treatment of human vitiligo have been included in a systematic review and meta-analysis. Meta-analysis was conducted via RevMan, and risk of bias was assessed through the Cochrane quality assessment tool. The protocol was published through PROSPERO (CRD42018112430). A total of 19 studies including 814 patients were included in our systematic review. The random-effects-model meta-analysis of two studies revealed that the tacrolimus and narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) combination therapy rates is better than NB-UVB alone in inducing >75% repigmentation [RR 1.34 (95% CI: 01.05–1.71), P = 0.02]. Tacrolimus and steroids had similar potency in acheiving >75% repigmentation [RR 1.02 (95% CI: 0.19–5.51), P = 0.98]. Meta-analysis of two studies revealed that the fractional laser and tacrolimus combination therapy is no better than tacrolimus alone in causing >75% repigmentation [RR 2.11 (95% CI: 0.87–5.09), P = 0.10]. Further investigating tacrolimus as mono- or adjuvant therapy for vitiligo is highly recommended. Combining tacrolimus to other treatment options such as steroids, phototherapy and laser may be superior to using tacrolimus alone.     

Impact of Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Creation on Intermediate-Term Model for End-Stage Liver Disease Score Progression

Purpose

To assess the impact of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation on Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score temporal progression in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Materials and methods

In this single-institution retrospective study, 256 consecutive patients who underwent TIPS creation between 1999 and 2013 were identified for potential investigation. Inclusion criteria for analysis consisted of at least 6 months of post-TIPS clinical follow-up with available lab values at 1, 3, 6, and, if available, 12 months post-TIPS for MELD score calculation. Patients who were lost to follow-up or expired within 6 months, lacked sufficient lab follow-up, or underwent liver transplantation within 6 months of TIPS were excluded from the study cohort. Within-patient variance in MELD score was assessed using repeated-measures analysis of variance.

Results

Sixty-six patients met criteria for study inclusion. TIPS were created for variceal hemorrhage (n = 26) or ascites, hydrothorax, or portal vein thrombosis (n = 40). Hemodynamic success rate was 97% (64/66) and median portosystemic pressure gradient reduction was 13 mm Hg. Median baseline MELD score was 14 (range 7–26). Low MELD scores (≤10, n = 16) increased in sequential scores over 1-year follow-up (median increase +3.5), intermediate MELD scores (11–18, n = 34) showed general stability in successive scores over 1-year follow-up (median increase +1), and high MELD scores (≥19, n = 16) decreased in serial scores over 1-year follow-up (median decrease −4); these trends are compatible with published MELD progression tendencies in cirrhotic patients without TIPS. However, the MELD score changes were not statistically significant (P = .172) on within-subject comparison.

Conclusions

Among patients with liver cirrhosis who recover from the procedure, TIPS creation does not alter the natural MELD score evolution during intermediate term follow-up, and as such does not significantly alter liver transplant candidacy.     

Anestesia em criança operada para lábio leporino associado à síndrome de Patau

Patients with Patau's syndrome (Trisomy 13) have multiple craniofacial, cardiac, neurological and renal anomalies with very less life expectancy. Among craniofacial anomalies cleft lip and palate are common. These craniofacial and cardiac anomalies present difficulties with anesthesia. We therefore describe the anesthetic management in the case of a Trisomy 13 child for operated for cleft lip at 10 months of age.     

Adverse effects of melatonin on rat pups of Wistar–Kyoto dams receiving melatonin supplementation during pregnancy

This report documents an incidental finding during a study investigating the effects of melatonin supplementation on the development of blood pressure in SHR. Administration of 10 mg/kg/day of melatonin in drinking water during pregnancy to Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) dams caused a loss of more than 50% of the pups by the age of three weeks and 95% by the age of 6 weeks. There was no maternal morbidity or mortality in the two strains or death of any of the SHR pups. No obvious physical defects were present but mean body weight was lower in the surviving WKY rats when compared to that of melatonin supplemented SHR or non-supplemented WKY pups. The reason for the high mortality in WKY pups is uncertain and appears to be strain if not batch specific. There is a need for caution in its use, particularly during pregnancy, and clearly necessitates more detailed studies.     

Effectiveness of esophageal dilation in relieving nonobstructive esophageal dysphagia and improving quality of life

OBJECTIVES: The role of empiric esophageal dilation in improving esophageal dysphagia with nonobstructive esophageal lumen is not clear. We wished to determine the impact of esophageal dilation with a large-diameter dilator on dysphagia and quality of life in such patients. We also assessed relative prevalence of esophageal versus oropharyngeal dysphagia and nonobstructive versus obstructive esophageal dysphagia in ambulatory patients. METHODS: Ambulatory patients presenting with swallowing complaints were evaluated by history and physical examination, speech therapy evaluation, dynamic barium oropharyngeal swallowing study, and barium esophagram plus upper endoscopy. Patients diagnosed as having nonobstructive esophageal dysphagia were offered participation in the study. Eligible candidates were randomized to either 56-French (the study group) or 40-French (the control group) Pilling dilators. All patients were treated with proton pump inhibitors. Patients completed questionnaires for dysphagia score, diet score, and quality of life (SF-36) at baseline, at 1 month, and then at follow-up visits at 1- to 3-month intervals for up to 12 months. RESULTS: Of the 125 patients complaining of swallowing difficulties, 6 (5%) were diagnosed as having oropharyngeal dysphagia and 119 (95%) had esophageal dysphagia. Of the patients with esophageal dysphagia, 84 (67%) had nonobstructive dysphagia. A total of 30 patients participated in the study. Seventeen patients were randomized to the study group and 13 were randomized to the control group. The baseline dysphagia, diet, and quality-of-life scores were comparable between groups. Dysphagia in both groups improved after dilation compared with baseline; however, the difference in the degree of improvement between the two groups was not significant. In addition, there was no significant difference in improvement of the quality of life between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Most patients with esophageal dysphagia have a nonobstructing esophageal lumen. Our prospective, randomized, controlled study does not support the practice of empiric esophageal dilation for patients with nonobstructive esophageal dysphagia. Improvement in both groups suggests the possibility that it occurred due to proton pump inhibitor therapy, lending credence to the hypothesis that esophageal hypersensitivity to acid contributes to symptoms in most patients with nonobstructive esophageal dysphagia, which is the predominant category of dysphagia.     

Lack of crucial role of mast cells in pathogenesis of experimental colitis in mice

Mast cell alterations have been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic ulcerative colitis (UC). We studied the effect of mast cell deficiency on the severity of inflammation in a murine model of colitis. Colitis was induced in mice using dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). Mast-cell-deficient mice (WBB6F₁/J-W/W^v;N=17) and normal littermates (WBB6F₁/J-+/+;N=17) were administered DSS 4% w/v for seven days, then water alone for one week, followed by 5% DSS for six days. Animals were sacrificed at the end of the protocol. Segments of proximal, mid-, and distal colon of each animal were processed for histopathological examination. Mortality and morbidity (diarrhea and weight loss) for each group were assessed. There was no significant difference between the two groups in either their clinical parameters (mortality and morbidity) or the severity of colitis as graded histopathologically. Our findings suggest that mast cells are not crucial for the development of DSS-induced colitis.     

Mesenteric inflammatory veno-occlusive disorder: a rare entity mimicking inflammatory bowel disorder

Mesenteric inflammatory veno-occlusive disorder (MIVOD) is a rare variety of inflammatory bowel disease. In addition to the case presentation, pathogenesis, and conflicting clinical, endoscopic, and computed tomography findings, we present for the first time the angiographic findings that would provide important clues to distinguish MIVOD from the chronic idiopathic variety of inflammatory bowel disease and confirm the diagnosis of MIVOD. Final diagnosis is made on full-thickness biopsy. Although medical treatment of MIVOD is unsuccessful, surgical resection of the involved segment results in resolution of symptoms.