Fifty shades of graft: How to improve the efficacy of faecal microbiota transplantation for decolonization of antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Background

Spontaneous decolonization of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) takes time: approximately 25% after 30 days for carbapenem-producing Enterobacteriaceae or extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae. Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been proposed as a new strategy to promote decolonization in order to reduce the risk of superinfection due to these ARB. This paper discusses the literature on the use of FMT for this indication, and the improvement levers available to promote its efficacy.

Managing invasive aspergillosis in haematological patients in the era of resistance polymerase chain reaction and increasing triazole resistance: A modelling study of different strategies

Objectives

Triazole resistance in Aspergillus spp. is emerging and complicates prophylaxis and treatment of invasive aspergillosis (IA) worldwide. New polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests on broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) fluid allow for detection of triazole resistance at a genetic level, which has opened up new possibilities for targeted therapy. In the absence of clinical trials, a modelling study delivers estimates of the added value of resistance detection with PCR, and which empiric therapy would be optimal when local resistance rates are known.

The War on Prevention II: Battle Metaphors Undermine Cancer Treatment and Prevention and Do Not Increase Vigilance

ABSTRACT

Bellicose metaphors for cancer are ubiquitous. But are they good metaphors for health communicators to use? Because metaphors can guide reasoning about abstract concepts, framing cancer with metaphors of battle, war, and enemies leads people to apply attributes of these concepts to cancer. The current research investigates how this affects inferences about cancer treatment, prevention, and monitoring. Battles and war are usually seen as being difficult. Indeed, reading about a person’s “battle” or “fight” against cancer makes cancer treatment seem more difficult (studies 1–4). One way to approach a battle is to surrender and give up control. Consistent with this implication, battle metaphors increase fatalistic beliefs about cancer prevention (e.g. believing that there is little one can do to prevent getting cancer; study 3). Finally, even though battles invoke vigilance and action, Study 4 failed to find that such metaphors motivate people to immediately see their doctor when imagining a cancer scare. These findings suggest that bellicose metaphors for cancer can influence the health beliefs of nonpatients in ways that may make them less willing to enact healthy behaviors     

Prolonged mechanical ventilation after cardiac surgery: substudy of the Transfusion Requirements in Cardiac Surgery III trial

Purpose

Prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV) is a major complication following cardiac surgery. We conducted a secondary analysis of the Transfusion Requirements in Cardiac Surgery (TRICTS) III trial to describe MV duration, identify factors associated with prolonged MV, and examine associations of prolonged MV with mortality and complications.

Methods

Four thousand, eight hundred and nine participants undergoing cardiac surgery at 71 hospitals worldwide were included. Prolonged MV was defined based on the Society of Thoracic Surgeons definition as MV lasting 24 hr or longer. Adjusted associations of patient and surgical factors with prolonged MV were examined using multivariable logistic regression. Associations of prolonged MV with complications were assessed using odds ratios, and adjusted associations between prolonged MV and mortality were evaluated using multinomial regression. Associations of shorter durations of MV with survival and complications were explored.

Results

Prolonged MV occurred in 15% (725/4,809) of participants. Prolonged MV was associated with surgical factors indicative of complexity, such as previous cardiac surgery, cardiopulmonary bypass duration, and separation attempts; and patient factors such as critical preoperative state, left ventricular impairment, renal failure, and pulmonary hypertension. Prolonged MV was associated with perioperative but not long-term complications. After risk adjustment, prolonged MV was associated with perioperative mortality; its association with long-term mortality among survivors was weaker. Shorter durations of MV were not associated with increased risk of mortality or complications.

Conclusion

In this substudy of the TRICS III trial, prolonged MV was common after cardiac surgery and was associated with patient and surgical risk factors. Although prolonged MV showed strong associations with perioperative complications and mortality, it was not associated with long-term complications and had weaker association with long-term mortality among survivors.

Study registration

www.ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02042898); registered 23 January 2014. This is a substudy of the Transfusion Requirements in Cardiac Surgery (TRICS) III trial.

     

Effect of reverse manual wheelchair propulsion on shoulder kinematics,kinetics and muscular activity in persons with paraplegia

Objective: Shoulder pain after spinal cord injury (SCI) is attributed to increased mobility demands on the arms and negatively impacts independence and quality of life. Repetitive superior and posterior shoulder joint forces produced during traditional wheelchair (WC) locomotion can result in subacromial impingement if unopposed, as with muscular fatigue or weakness. ROWHEELS^® (RW), geared rear wheels that produce forward WC movement with backward rim pulling, could alter these forces.

Design: Cross sectional.

Setting: Research laboratory at a rehabilitation hospital.

Participants: Ten manual WC users with paraplegia.

Outcome measures: Propulsion characteristics and right upper extremity/trunk kinematics and shoulder muscle activity were collected during ergometer propulsion: (1) self-selected free speed reverse propulsion with RW, (2) matched-speed reverse (rSW), and (3) forward propulsion (fSW) with instrumented Smartwheels (SW). Inverse dynamics using right-side SW rim kinetics and kinematics compared shoulder kinetics during rSW and fSW.

Results: Free propulsion velocity, cycle distance and cadence were similar during RW, rSW and fSW. Overall shoulder motion was similar except that peak shoulder extension was significantly reduced in both RW and rSW versus fSW. Anteriorly and inferiorly directed SW rim forces were decreased during rSW versus fSW propulsion, but posteriorly and superiorly directed rim forces were significantly greater. Superior and posterior shoulder joint forces and flexor, adductor, and external rotation moments were significantly less during rSW, without a significant difference in net shoulder forces and moments. Traditional propulsive-phase muscle activity was significantly reduced and recovery-phase muscle activity was increased during reverse propulsion.

Conclusion: These results suggest that reverse propulsion may redirect shoulder demands and prevent subacromial impingement, thereby preventing injury and preserving independent mobility for individuals with paraplegia.     

How well do platelets prevent bleeding?

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A second wave of COVID-19 in Cook County: What lessons can be applied?

During the ongoing public health crisis, many agencies are reporting COVID-19 health outcome information based on the overall population. This practice can lead to misleading results and underestimation of high risk areas. To gain a better understanding of spatial and temporal distribution of COVID-19 deaths; the long term care facility (LTCF) and household population (HP) deaths must be used. This approach allows us to better discern high risk areas and provides policy makers with reliable information for community engagement and mitigation strategies. By focusing on high-risk LTCFs and residential areas, protective measures can be implemented to minimize COVID-19 spread and subsequent mortality.  These areas should be a high priority target when COVID-19 vaccines become available

During the current public health crisis, many agencies and media outlets are reporting COVID-19 health outcome information based on the overall population of Cook County. As we have demonstrated, overall COVID-19 case counts and mortality can be misleading (details in >Story Map 1). Moreover, they offer little guidance for delivering public health interventions to high risk populations, a critical need during this second and potentially more devastating wave of the pandemic. The University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health’s Public Health Geographic Information System Program (UIC-SPH-PHGIS) and Purdue research team has been examining spatial and temporal patterns of COVID-19 mortality with a focus on the significant loss of life from COVID-19 among Long-Term Care Facility (LTCF) residents in contrast to mortality in the community among residents of private households (non-LTCF; referred to as household population, HP). The goals of the study are:

• Improve the accuracy of commonly quoted COVID-19 mortality indicators;
• Gain a better understanding of spatial and temporal distribution of COVID-19 deaths;
• Examine the role of race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status in COVID-19 mortality;
• Identify population and organizational parameters that can inform strategies for public health interventions.

Prioritizing the allocation of resources based on reliable information is a prerequisite of a successful mitigation strategy and immunization plan. Findings from our research have significant practical implications. The state and federal government face a series of policy decisions both due to the recent surge in positive cases and, when the time comes, the need to rationalize distribution of vaccines to high priority groups beyond healthcare workers and nursing home residents in critical areas. The research team seeks to modify prevailing practices in order to derive reliable information that guides policy decisions. At this stage of the study, we identified high-risk LTCFs and residential areas (HP) of Cook County from readily available, real-time mortality data.     

Novel Risk Factors for Progression of Diabetic and Nondiabetic CKD: Findings From the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study

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A Diagnostic Algorithm for Posterior Fossa Tumors in Children: A Validation Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:Primary posterior fossa tumors comprise a large group of neoplasias with variable aggressiveness and short and long-term outcomes. This study aimed to validate the clinical usefulness of a radiologic decision flow chart based on previously published neuroradiologic knowledge for the diagnosis of posterior fossa tumors in children.MATERIALS AND METHODS:A retrospective study was conducted (from January 2013 to October 2019) at 2 pediatric referral centers, Children''s Hospital of Philadelphia, United States, and Great Ormond Street Hospital, United Kingdom. Inclusion criteria were younger than 18 years of age and histologically and molecularly confirmed posterior fossa tumors. Subjects with no available preoperative MR imaging and tumors located primarily in the brain stem were excluded. Imaging characteristics of the tumors were evaluated following a predesigned, step-by-step flow chart. Agreement between readers was tested with the Cohen κ, and each diagnosis was analyzed for accuracy.RESULTS:A total of 148 cases were included, with a median age of 3.4 years (interquartile range, 2.1–6.1 years), and a male/female ratio of 1.24. The predesigned flow chart facilitated identification of pilocytic astrocytoma, ependymoma, and medulloblastoma sonic hedgehog tumors with high sensitivity and specificity. On the basis of the results, the flow chart was adjusted so that it would also be able to better discriminate atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors and medulloblastoma groups 3 or 4 (sensitivity = 75%–79%; specificity = 92%–99%). Moreover, our adjusted flow chart was useful in ruling out ependymoma, pilocytic astrocytomas, and medulloblastoma sonic hedgehog tumors.CONCLUSIONS:The modified flow chart offers a structured tool to aid in the adjunct diagnosis of pediatric posterior fossa tumors. Our results also establish a useful starting point for prospective clinical studies and for the development of automated algorithms, which may provide precise and adequate diagnostic tools for these tumors in clinical practice.

In the past 10 years, there has been an exponential increase in knowledge of the molecular characteristics of pediatric brain tumors, which was only partially incorporated in the 2016 World Health Organization Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System.¹ The main update in the 2016 Classification was the introduction of the molecular profile of a tumor as an important factor for predicting different biologic behaviors of entities which, on histology, look very similar or even indistinguishable.² A typical example is the 4 main groups of medulloblastoma: wingless (WNT), sonic hedgehog (SHH) with or without the p53 mutation, group 3, and group 4. Although they may appear similar on microscopy, these categories have distinct molecular profiles, epidemiology, prognosis, and embryologic origin.³Subsequent to the publication of the 2016 World Health Organization Classification, further studies have identified even more molecular subgroups of medulloblastoma with possible prognostic implications⁴ and also at least 3 new molecular subgroups of atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT)⁵ and several subgroups of ependymoma.⁶ MR imaging shows promise as a technique for differentiating histologic tumors and their molecular subgroups. This capability relies on not only various imaging characteristics but also the location and spatial extension of the tumor, evident on MR imaging, which can be traced to the embryologic origin of the neoplastic cells.^5,7-10One approach to the challenge of identifying imaging characteristics of different tumors in children is to use artificial intelligence. Yet despite this exciting innovation, correctly identifying the location of the mass and its possible use as an element for differential diagnosis still requires the expertise of an experienced radiologist. Previously, D''Arco et al¹¹ proposed a flow chart (Fig 1) for the differential diagnosis of posterior fossa tumors in children based on epidemiologic, imaging signal, and location characteristics of the neoplasm. The aims of the current study were the following: 1) to validate, in a retrospective, large cohort of posterior fossa tumors from 2 separate pediatric tertiary centers, the diagnostic accuracy of that flow chart, which visually represents the neuroadiologist''s mental process in making a diagnosis of posterior fossa tumors in children, 2) to describe particular types of posterior fossa lesions that are not correctly diagnosed by the initial flow chart, and 3) to provide an improved, clinically accessible flow chart based on the results.Open in a separate windowFIG 1.Predesigned radiologic flow chart created according to the literature before diagnostic accuracy analysis. The asterisk indicates brain stem tumors excluded from the analysis. Double asterisks indicate relative to gray matter. Modified with permission from D''Arco et al.¹¹