Specifically associated PCR products probed by coincident detection of two-color cross-correlated fluorescence intensities in human gene polymorphisms of methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase at site C677T: a novel measurement approach without follow-up mathematical analysis

Whole blood samples of known methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) genotypes from 24 individuals were examined at site C677T. Their amplified DNA products were assessed by two-color fluorescence cross-correlation measurements and agarose gel electrophoresis/capillary gel electrophoresis. DNA subpopulations were identified which were not associated with the proper genotype by primer combinations and cycling conditions called multiplexes. We confirmed that DNA analysis by two-color fluorescence cross-correlation measurements allowed the detection of fluorescence signals specifically associated with the proper genotypes in a mixture of amplified nontarget DNA molecules without DNA sizing. The measurement approach does not require complex, follow-up mathematical analysis and is applicable to any single nucleotide polymorphisms. The simple immunogenetic model showed how the approach works to reveal specific DNA target by preventing detection of nontarget DNA. Under those experimental conditions, a new ultrasensitive, and specific method for clinical immunologists is born.     

Impact of COVID‐19 on wound care in Germany

Recent studies showed that the COVID‐19 pandemic caused collateral damage in health care in terms of reduced hospital submissions or postponed treatment of other acute or chronic ill patients. An anonymous survey was sent out by mail to patients with chronic wounds in order to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on wound care. Sixty‐three patients returned the survey. In 14%, diagnostic workup or hospitalisation was cancelled or postponed. Thirty‐six percent could not seek consultation by their primary care physician as usual. The use of public transport or long travel time was not related to limited access to medical service (P = .583). In ambulatory care, there was neither a significant difference in the frequency of changing wound dressings (P = .67), nor in the person, who performed wound care (P = .39). There were no significant changes in wound‐specific quality of life (P = .505). No patient used telemedicine in order to avoid face‐to‐face contact or anticipate to pandemic‐related restrictions. The COVID‐19 pandemic impaired access to clinical management of chronic wounds in Germany. It had no significant impact on ambulatory care or wound‐related quality of life. Telemedicine still plays a negligible role in wound care.     

Omega-3 Poly-Unsaturated Fatty Acids for the Prevention of Severe Neutropenic Enterocolitis in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Neutropenic enterocolitis is a potentially fatal complication of myeloablative chemotherapy in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are precursors of potent anti-inflammatory prostaglandins. Our aim was to explore the safety and effectiveness of omega-3 PUFA added to parenteral nutrition in protecting leukemia patients from severe enterocolitis. Fourteen patients with acute myeloid leukemia who received omega-3 PUFA in a Phase II trial were compared with 66 consecutive control patients not getting this intervention. We performed crude and adjusted comparisons, using inverse probability of treatment weighting for adjusted analysis, and blind outcome assessment to minimize assessor bias. Primary outcome was severe enterocolitis (≥Grade 3). The crude odds ratio of Grade 3 colitis or higher was 1.36 (95% CI 0.37 to 4.96, P = 0.64), and the adjusted odds ratio was 0.79 (95% CI 0.35 to 1.78, P = 0.57). There was little evidence to suggest differences between groups in serious adverse events and overall mortality. Our results provide little evidence that addition of omega-3 PUFA is beneficial in this condition. Routine treatment with omega-3 PUFA is currently not warranted.     

Repair of Left Ventricular Assist Device Driveline Damage Directly at the Transcutaneous Exit Site

With increasing support duration of cardiac assist devices, transcutaneous drivelines remain a weak point of the therapy. First, they can be an entry point for infections, and second, cable lesions and even electrical failures due to material fatigue and eventual carelessness can occur. We report a case of a damaged outer sheath of a ventricular assist device driveline cable directly at the exit site, where the standard repair procedure with self‐fusing tape may lead to biocompatibility problems and irritation of the entrance through the skin. Therefore, a new procedure was developed using a special sleeve expander tool and a highly expandable latex tubing to stabilize the defect in a flexible and biocompatible manner. A patient experienced a fracture of the outer sheath of a HeartWare HVAD driveline directly at the skin entrance (approximately 15 mm long, 5 mm distal from the skin). The metal strands and the electrical functionality were yet not affected, therefore, a pump exchange was not indicated. After considering several conventional solutions for repair as not applicable, a new approach was developed: a sleeve expander tool was applied, which allowed radial stretching of the latex tubing. After preparations of the tool and the cable site, the pump was briefly disconnected, the tubing was moved over the connector and was released at the site of fracture. The problem could be solved by keeping the cable's flexibility and without additional risks to the skin. Within a still ongoing (5‐month) follow‐up, the skin entrance returned to perfect condition and no further intervention was necessary. In conclusion, this method allows a quick stabilization and repair of damaged driveline isolations even near the exit site, resulting in a biocompatible surface and consistent flexibility of the cable.     

What is still missing in acute-phase treatment of stroke: a prospective observational study

Early recognition of stroke symptoms and activation of emergency medical service (EMS) positively affects prognosis after a stroke. To assess stroke awareness among stroke patients and medical personnel in the catchment area of Verona Hospital and how it affects stroke care, we prospectively studied timing of acute stroke care in relation to patients’ characteristics. Patients admitted to Medical Departments of Verona University Hospital between January 1st and December 31st 2009 with a diagnosis of TIA or stroke were enrolled. Outcome measures were: time between (i) symptoms onset and hospital arrival, (ii) hospital arrival and brain CT scan, blood examination, ECG and neurological evaluation. The following patient/event characteristics were also collected: means of hospital arrival, sex, age, degree of disability, type of event (first or recurrent) and acute-phase treatment. Of 578 patients providing complete information, 60 % arrived to the emergency department with the EMS (EMS+ group), while 40 % arrived on their own (EMS?). EMS+ group was older than EMS? (mean age 76.2, SD 13.2, vs. 72.3, SD 13, respectively), displayed more severe symptoms (mRS 4 vs. 2) and shorter time interval between symptoms onset and hospital arrival, hospital arrival and CT scan, ECG, laboratory tests and neurological evaluation (p < 0.0001); 22 % of the EMS+ patients were stroke recurrences versus 29 % of the EMS? (p = 0.058); 85 % of thrombolised patients were EMS+. We conclude that there is a lack of awareness of stroke symptoms and risks of recurrence even among patients who already had a stroke and among medical personnel.     

Dropouts in sublingual allergen immunotherapy trials – a systematic review

Participant dropouts can reduce the power of allergen immunotherapy clinical trials. Evaluation of the dropout rate and reasons for dropout are important not only in the planning of clinical studies but are also relevant for adherence to immunotherapy in daily clinical practice. A systematic review was carried out in order to establish the overall dropout rate among published double‐blind, placebo‐controlled randomized clinical trials of sublingual immunotherapy for respiratory allergic diseases. Dropouts were analysed in regards to allergen, formulation, treatment schedule, participant age, study size, number of centres and type of allergic disease. Relative dropout rates in placebo and active groups as well as reasons for dropout were also assessed. A total of 81 studies, comprising 9998 patients, were included. Dropout rates in sublingual immunotherapy controlled studies do not appear to be a major problem with a composite dropout percentage of 14% (95% CI:11.9–16). Furthermore, they are not different for active compared to placebo‐treated participants. This lends support to the positive clinical outcomes seen in meta‐analyses of these trials.     

Cluster of African trypanosomiasis in travelers to Tanzanian national parks

Game parks in Tanzania have long been considered to be at low risk for African trypanosomiasis; however, nine cases of the disease associated with these parks were recently reported. The outbreak was detected through TropNetEurop, a sentinel surveillance network of clinical sites throughout Europe.