Treatment of Late Class II Antibody-Mediated Rejection Status Postkidney Transplantation: Two Case Reports

We are describing the successful treatment of two cases of late Class II antibody mediated rejection status postkidney transplantation. The first patient was treated with a combination of plasmapheresis, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and stenting of the transplanted renal artery. The second was treated with IVIG and pulse steroids.     

家庭群居爆发型新型冠状病毒肺炎的临床与胸部HRCT表现

目的 探讨家庭群居爆发型新型冠状病毒肺炎（简称"新冠肺炎"）（novel coronavirus pneumonia，NCP）的临床与胸部HRCT表现特点。方法 收集2020年2月3所医院经核酸检测阳性确诊的新冠肺炎患者10例（4个家庭），其中男性6例（中位年龄60.5岁），女性4例（中位年龄59岁）。所有患者均接受胸部CT扫描并行薄层HRCT重建，由两名10年以上工作经验放射科医生共同阅片分析新冠肺炎HRCT病变发生部位、形态、分布、密度等特点，以及治疗前后HRCT征象变化。并收集临床和实验室指标进行分析和总结。结果 本组4个家庭中首例确诊病例均有武汉确诊病例或武汉疫区接触史，4例为输入型病例（占40%），平均潜伏期5 d。实验室检查中5例（50%）外周血白细胞总数降低，4例（40%）淋巴细胞明显降低；8例（80%）C-反应蛋白增高，10例（100%）乳酸脱氢酶增高。10例（100%）患者胸部CT均有阳性表现，其中7例（70%）表现为双肺散在分布磨玻璃密度影（ground glass opacity，GGO），病变界限大多清楚。8例（80%）累及多个肺叶，2例（20%）为单肺叶病变。绝大多数病灶位于胸膜下和肺外周处，以双肺下叶为著。5例患者（50%）病变内可见细支气管充气征，9例患者（90%）病变内可见增粗细小血管影。7例患者（70%）治疗后复查胸部CT，3例（30%）原肺内胸膜下病变出现不同程度实变及纤维化，2例（20%）实变影转变为GGO，1例（10%）原肺内GGO消失，又出现新发GGO，1例（10%）病变范围有增大。结论 新冠肺炎具有家庭群居爆发的特点，均可有输入性病例，潜伏期较短，其胸部HRCT表现具有一定特征性，且有助于治疗后患者病变动态观察；结合流行病学和实验室检查有助于对NCP做出临床诊断和提供疫情防控的可靠依据。     

An oral vaccine for type 1 diabetes based on live attenuated Salmonella

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a metabolic disease that is initiated by the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic insulin-producing beta cells that is accompanied by the development of antigen-specific antibodies and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). Several studies have shown that vaccination with diabetic autoantigens provides some protection against this process. In this report we describe a new oral vaccine that utilizes live attenuated Salmonella for simultaneous delivery of autoantigens in conjunction with immunomodulatory cytokine genes to immune cells in the gut mucosa. Recent data showed that live attenuated Salmonella is a safe, simple and effective vector for expression of antigens and cytokines by antigen-presenting cells (APCs) of gut-associated lymphatic tissue (GALT). This novel strategy was tested by fusion of the diabetic autoantigen preproinsulin with Salmonella secretory effector protein (SseF) of pathogenicity island-2 (SPI2). In this way the autoantigen is only expressed inside the host immune cells and translocated to the host cell cytosol. In addition Salmonella was used to deliver the gene for the immunomodulatory cytokine transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) for host cell expression. Oral co-vaccination of 8 week-old non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice with three weekly doses of both the autoantigen and cytokine significantly reduced the development of diabetes, improved the response to glucose challenge, preserved beta cell mass, and reduced the severity of insulitis compared with controls and autoantigen alone. Combination therapy also resulted in increased circulating levels of IL10 four weeks post-vaccination and IL2 for 12 weeks post-vaccination, but without effect on proinflammatory cytokines IL6, IL12(p70), IL17 and IFNγ. However, in non-responders there was a significant rise in IL12 compared with responders. Future studies will examine the mechanism of this vaccination strategy in more detail. In conclusion, Salmonella-based oral vaccines expressing autoantigens combined with imunomodulatory cytokines appears to be a promising therapy for prevention of T1D.     

One stage reconstruction of the floor of the mouth with a subcutaneous pedicled nasolabial flap

BackgroundNasolabial flaps have been recognised as versatile flaps for a variety of defects in the face, nose, lip and the oral cavity. Random pattern inferiorly based nasolabial flaps (NLF) have been utilised for covering small defects on the anterior floor of the mouth, but usually require a second stage procedure to divide the flap base. A subcutaneous pedicled inferiorly based nasolabial flap can provide a one stage repair of moderate sized defects of the floor of the mouth after de epithelialisation of the base of the flap.AimTo evaluate the feasibility of a single stage reconstruction of intermediate sized defects in the oral cavity with an inferiorly based pedicled NLF. The study includes the indications of use of the flap, flap design, technique, and the complications rate. The incidence of secondary procedures and the final functional and the aesthetic results will also be evaluated.Materials and methodsA group of 20 patients presented with (T1–2) squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity have been treated at the Department of Surgery, National Cancer Institute, Cairo; in the period between January 2008 and September 2010. The pathology was confirmed with an incision biopsy and all metastatic work were carried out confirming that all patients were free from distant metastasis at presentation. Preoperative assessment also included assessment of the stage of the disease, the flap design and patient fitness for general anaesthesia. All patients underwent surgical excision combined with reconstruction of the defect with a subcutaneous inferiorly based pedicled NLF. The proximal part of the flap was routinely de epithelialised before it has been tunnelled through the cheek so a one stage procedure could only be required.ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 62.3 ± 6 years, range (52–69 years). All patients were diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma. The anterior floor of the mouth constituted 40% of the defects, the lateral floor of the mouth 20% and the inner surface of the cheek 40%. There was no reported major complication; and only one patient suffered a reactionary haemorrhage that required re-exploration to secure the bleeder. A single procedure was adequate in most patients (80%), only 20% of patients required revision of the scar at the donor site or release of the tongue. The overall aesthetic results were either very satisfactory or satisfactory in the majority of patients (90%). Two patients were not satisfied with the final aesthetic results, one suffered from ectropion and the other had a donor site wound healing problem. The functional results (deglutition, speech) were satisfactory in most patients (70%), all were edentulous.ConclusionAn inferiorly based pedicled NLF is a reliable flap for the reconstruction of small and medium sized defects in the oral cavity. The flap can be best utilised for old edentulous and high risk patients where it can be used as a single stage procedure which is particularly useful in those types of patients. The flap can be safely combined with neck dissection even when the facial artery was ligated.     

Clinicopathological analysis of papillary thyroid cancer with PIK3CA alterations in a Middle Eastern population

CONTEXT: Genetic aberration in phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway has been detected in numerous and diverse human cancers. PIK3CA, which encodes for the catalytic subunit of p110alpha of PI3K, is amplified in some cases of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Mutations in the PIK3CA have also been identified in thyroid cancers and, although relatively common in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, are uncommon in PTC. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to investigate genetic alterations like PIK3CA gene mutation, PIK3CA amplification, RAS, and RAF mutations and to further explore the relationship of these genetic alterations with various clinicopathological characteristics in Middle Eastern PTC. DESIGN: We used the fluorescence in situ hybridization technique for analysis of PIK3CA amplification from 536 PTC cases, and selected amplified samples were further validated by real-time quantitative PCR. Mutation analysis was done by direct DNA sequencing of PIK3CA, N2-RAS, and BRAF genes. RESULTS: PIK3CA amplification was seen in 265 of 499 PTC cases analyzed (53.1%); PIK3CA gene mutations in four of 207 PTC (1.9%); N2-RAS mutations in 16 of 265 PTC (6%); and BRAF mutations in 153 of 296 PTC (51.7%). N-RAS mutations were-associated with an early stage (P = 0.0465) and lower incidence of extrathyroidal extension (P = 0.027), whereas BRAF mutations were-associated with metastasis (P = 0.0274) and poor disease-free survival (P = 0.0121) in PTCs. CONCLUSION: A higher incidence of PIK3CA alterations and the possible synergistic effect of PIK3CA alterations and BRAF mutations suggest their major role in Middle Eastern PTC tumorigenesis and argue for therapeutic targeting of PI3K/AKT and MAPK pathways.     

成人动脉血气分析标本采集技术的研究进展

本文在文献回顾的基础上对目前成人动脉血气分析采血部位、采血用具、穿刺方法等情况进行归纳分析,旨在为临床护士采集血气分析标本提供参考。     

Prevalence of Noncardiac Multimorbidity in Patients Admitted to Two Cardiac Intensive Care Units and Their Association with Mortality

BackgroundCurrent cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) practice has seen an increase in patient complexity, including an increase in noncardiac organ failure, critical care therapies, and comorbidities. We sought to describe the changing epidemiology of noncardiac multimorbidity in the CICU population.MethodsWe analyzed consecutive unique patient admissions to 2 geographically distant tertiary care CICUs (n = 16,390). We assessed for the prevalence of 0, 1, 2, and ≥3 noncardiac comorbidities (diabetes, chronic lung, liver, and kidney disease, cancer, and stroke/transient ischemic attack) and their associations with hospital and postdischarge 1-year mortality using multivariable logistic regression.ResultsThe prevalence of 0, 1, 2, and ≥3 noncardiac comorbidities was 37.7%, 31.4%, 19.9%, and 11.0%, respectively. Increasing noncardiac comorbidities were associated with a stepwise increase in mortality, length of stay, noncardiac indications for ICU admission, and increased utilization of critical care therapies. After multivariable adjustment, compared with those without noncardiac comorbidities, there was an increased hospital mortality for patients with 1 (odds ratio [OR] 1.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10-1.54, P = .002), 2 (OR 1.47; 95% CI, 1.22-1.77, P < .001), and ≥3 (OR 1.79; 95% CI, 1.44-2.22, P < .001) noncardiac comorbidities. Similar trends for each additional noncardiac comorbidity were seen for postdischarge 1-year mortality (P < .001, all).ConclusionsIn 2 large contemporary CICU populations, we found that noncardiac multimorbidity was highly prevalent and a strong predictor of short- and long-term adverse clinical outcomes. Further study is needed to define the best care pathways for CICU patients with acute cardiac illness complicated by noncardiac multimorbidity.     

A phase II study of continuous infusion recombinant human granulocyte- macrophage colony-stimulating factor as an adjunct to autologous bone marrow transplantation for patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in first remission

Recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) clearly hastens myeloid recovery in patients with relapsed hematologic malignancies undergoing autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT). In efforts to further improve neutrophil engraftment and shorten hospital stay in ABMT patients, rhGM-CSF was administered by a potentially more potent route (continuous infusion) to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) patients with better BM reserve (first remission). Time to myeloid engraftment was compared with that of NHL patients treated in first remission at our institution on a similar ABMT protocol but without growth factor support (controls). Median neutrophil engraftment (absolute neutrophil count, 500 cells/microL) in first remission patients treated with rhGM-CSF was 14 days, compared with 22 days in controls (P = .0001). Hospital stays were also significantly reduced for rhGM-CSF patients (P = .0003). Platelet engraftment did not differ between the two groups. Persistent fever and generalized serositis were the primary toxicities. rhGM-CSF, delivered by this route, was efficacious but more toxic than 2-hour rhGM-CSF infusions previously reported by other investigators. Future alterations in both dose and schedule may retain comparable efficacy yet diminish toxicity.     

北京市新农合大病保险实施效果分析与评价

目的:测算分析北京市新农合大病保险对患者疾病经济负担的减轻作用,对制度实施效果进行评价。方法:按照经济发展水平和大病保险承办方式选取北京市三个区县,再从中选择大病患者较多的2~3个乡镇。通过与大病保险管理者进行访谈,了解其运行现状;对样本乡镇全部大病患者进行问卷调查了解患者主观感受,收到有效问卷497份。利用新农合管理中心信息平台测算患者疾病经济负担。对定量和定性资料分别采用统计分析与主题框架法进行分析。结果:经大病保险报销,三个区县大病患者平均自付费用明显减轻,实际补偿比均有不同程度的提高,但灾难性卫生支出情况无显著改善。结论:应通过提高大病保险起付线与报销比例,拓宽报销目录等举措提高其补偿水平,重点缓解极重患者疾病经济负担。