Impact of modified-release opioid use on clinical outcomes following total hip and knee arthroplasty: a propensity score-matched cohort study

Modified-release opioids are often prescribed for the management of moderate to severe acute pain following total hip and knee arthroplasty, despite recommendations against their use due to increasing concerns regarding harm. The primary objective of this multicentre study was to examine the impact of modified-release opioid use on the incidence of opioid-related adverse events compared with immediate-release opioid use, among adult inpatients following total hip or knee arthroplasty. Data for total hip and knee arthroplasty inpatients receiving an opioid analgesic for postoperative analgesia during hospitalisation were collected from electronic medical records of three tertiary metropolitan hospitals in Australia. The primary outcome was the incidence of opioid-related adverse events during hospital admission. Patients who received modified with or without immediate-release opioids were matched to those receiving immediate-release opioids only (1:1) using nearest neighbour propensity score matching with patient and clinical characteristics as covariates. This included total opioid dose received. In the matched cohorts, patients given modified-release opioids (n = 347) experienced a higher incidence of opioid-related adverse events overall, compared with those given immediate-release opioids only (20.5%, 71/347 vs. 12.7%, 44/347; difference in proportions 7.8% [95%CI 2.3–13.3%]). Modified-release opioid use was associated with an increased risk of harm when used for acute pain during hospitalisation after total hip or knee arthroplasty.     

Immunotherapy: A new standard in the treatment of metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Renal cell cancer (RCC) represents 2%-3% of all adulthood cancers and is the most common malignant neoplasm of the kidney (90%). In the mid-nineties of the last century, the standard of treatment for patients with metastatic RCC was cytokines. Sunititib and pazopanib were registered in 2007 and 2009, respectively, and have since been the standard first-line treatment for metastatic clear cell RCC (mccRCC). Renal cell cancer is a highly immunogenic tumor with tumor infiltrating cells, including CD8+ T lymphocytes, dendritic cells, natural killer cells (NK) and macrophages. This observation led to the design of new clinical trials in which patients were treated with immunotherapy. With the growing evidence that proangiogenic factors can have immunomodulatory effects on the host’s immune system, the idea of combining angiogenic drugs with immunotherapy has emerged, and new clinical trials have been designed. In the last few years, several therapeutic options have been approved [immunotherapy and immunotherapy/tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI)] for the first-line treatment of mccRCC. Nivolumab/ipilimumab is approved for the treatment of patients with intermediate and poor prognoses. Several checkpoint inhibitors (pembrolizumab, nivolumab, avelumab) in combination with TKI (axitinib, lenvatinib, cabozantinib) are approved for the treatment of patients regardless of their International mRCC Database Consortium prognostic group and PD-L1 expression. There is no specific and ideal biomarker that could help in selecting the ideal patient for the appropriate first-line treatment.     

CNS Maturation Process in Children and Adolescents in the Northern Region of the Russian Federation and Its Reflection in the Dynamics of Integral EEG Parameters

Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology - We present here results from analysis of the formation of brain bioelectrical activity in children and adolescents living in the northern region of Russia...     

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.     

血清IL-17A OXA对老年髋部骨折全麻术术后认知功能障碍的预测价值

目的:探讨血清白介素17A(IL-17A)、食欲素A(OXA)对老年髋部骨折全麻术术后认知功能障碍的预测价值及影响因素分析.方法:选取本院185例老年髋部骨折全麻术患者作为研究对象,根据术后认知功能障碍分为认知功能障碍组(POCD组,51例)和非认知功能障碍组(NPOCD组,134例).采用酶联免疫吸附试验法检测血清IL-17A和OXA水平,绘制受试者工作曲线(ROC)分析血清IL-17A、OXA水平对POCD的预测价值,同时应用多因素logistics回归分析POCD的影响因素.结果:与术前比较,术后两组血清IL-17A水平明显上升(P<0.01),而OXA水平明显下降(P<0.01).术后与NPOCD组比较,POCD组血清IL-17A水平升高(P<0.01),而OXA水平降低(P<0.01).ROC曲线分析显示,血清IL-17A和OXA对POCD预测最佳截断值分别为33.96pg/mL、249.70pg/mL,AUC分别为0.843和0.799.Logistic回归分析显示,年龄、术前合并症种类数≥3、血清IL-17A≥33.96pg/mL和OXA≤249.70pg/mL是POCD的影响因素.结论:血清IL-17A和OXA水平与老年髋部骨折全麻术术后认知功能障碍密切相关,可作为预测POCD的生物标志物.