Clinical,neurophysiological, and skin biopsy findings in peripheral neuropathy associated with hepatitis C virus-related cryoglobulinemia

Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cryoglobulinemia commonly causes disabling complications including peripheral neuropathy and neuropathic pain. In this prospective clinical, neurophysiological, and skin biopsy study we aimed at assessing clinical characteristics and risk factors of peripheral neuropathy and neuropathic pain in patients with HCV-related cryoglobulinemia. We enrolled 69 consecutive patients with HCV-related cryoglobulinemia. We diagnosed neuropathic pain with the DN4 (Neuropathic Pain Diagnostic) questionnaire, and rated the various neuropathic pains with the Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI). All patients underwent a standard nerve conduction study to assess Aβ-fiber function, laser-evoked potentials to assess Aδ-fiber function, and skin biopsy to assess C-fiber terminals. Of the 69 patients studied, 47 had a peripheral neuropathy, and 29 had neuropathic pain. Patients with peripheral neuropathy were older than those without (P < 0.0001). While peripheral neuropathy was significantly associated with the duration of HCV infection (P < 0.01), it was unrelated to the duration of cryoglobulinemia and cryocrit (P > 0.5). The severity of peripheral neuropathy significantly correlated with the duration of HCV infection (P < 0.05). Laser-evoked potential amplitudes were significantly lower in patients with than in those without neuropathic pain (P < 0.05). Conversely, no difference was found in nerve conduction study and skin biopsy findings (P > 0.05). Our findings show that peripheral neuropathy is related to age and HCV infection, rather than to cryoglobulinemia, and neuropathic pain is associated with damage to nociceptive pathways as assessed with laser-evoked potentials; this might be useful for designing more effective clinical interventions for these common HCV related-cryoglobulinemia complications.     

右美托咪定在颅脑肿瘤手术中的应用

目的探讨右美托咪定在丙泊酚复合芬太尼麻醉下行颅脑肿瘤手术中的优化作用。方法拟行择期手术的小脑幕上肿瘤患者42例,ASAⅠ或Ⅱ级,随机均分为两组。麻醉诱导前,右美托咪定组(D组)于20min内静脉输注右美托咪定负荷剂量1μg/kg,随后静脉输注0.4μg·kg-1·h-1维持至手术结束;对照组(C组)静脉输注等量生理盐水。以丙泊酚、芬太尼、顺阿曲库铵完成麻醉诱导,气管插管。术中以BIS为指导,七氟醚静吸复合维持麻醉。记录麻醉诱导前(T0)、气管插管时(T1)、打开硬脑膜(T2)、关上硬脑膜(T3)、拔除气管插管即刻(T4)时MAP、HR、颅内压(ICP)的变化。记录呼气末七氟醚浓度和术中芬太尼总量、手术时间、术后拔管时间、术后止吐药的使用情况。结果 T1~T3时C组ICP,T1~T4时MAP明显高于T0时和D组,T4时两组ICP明显低于T0时,且D组明显低于C组(P0.01);T1~T4时D组HR明显慢于T0时和C组(P0.01)。D组芬太尼总量、呼气末七氟醚浓度明显低于C组,拔管时间明显短于C组(P0.01)。D组血管活性药物使用率明显低于C组(P0.01)。结论在颅脑肿瘤手术中,右美托咪定在稳定血流动力学、控制颅内压及术后复苏方面显著优化了常用的丙泊酚复合芬太尼全麻方案,同时减少了阿片药物及吸入麻醉药物用量。     

Acute kidney injury due to tubular intraluminal monoclonal light chain crystals mimicking acute pyelonephritis

Tubular intraluminal inflammatory cells may be seen in kidney biopsies of patients with pyelonephritis, cell-mediated transplant rejection, autoimmune tubulointerstitial nephritis, allergic reactions, or in association with monoclonal light chain casts. When casts in a native kidney are primarily composed of granulocytes, the cause is most commonly acute pyelonephritis due to an ascending bacterial urinary tract infection. We report a 57-year-old man with acute kidney injury and an intense intraluminal neutrophil response to monoclonal lambda light chain crystal containing casts.     

Laparoscopic surgical management of localized recurrent ovarian cancer: a single-institution experience

Background

Optimally, secondary cytoreduction is acknowledged as a valid option in terms of oncologic outcome for patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer. In cases of localized relapse, a laparoscopic approach has been attempted at various institutions, but studies on its role for this subset of patients still are limited. This report describes the authors’ experience using laparoscopic secondary cytoreduction for patients with localized recurrent ovarian cancer. The results from a retrospective analysis of a prospective case series are reported.

Methods

Between October 2011 and May 2013, 29 patients with localized recurrent ovarian cancer were selected for a laparoscopic cytoreduction. Two conversions to laparotomy occurred. The analyzed outcome variables included stage and site of disease, type of surgical procedure, operative time, blood loss, length of hospital stay, complications, and oncologic outcome.

Results

The median operating time was 188 min. The median estimated blood loss was 150 mL, and the median hospital stay was 4 days. Complete debulking was achieved for 96.2 % of the patients. No intraoperative complications occurred, and postoperative complications were noted in only one patient. The median disease-free survival time was 14 months.

Conclusions

For selected patients, laparoscopy is a feasible and safe approach to optimal cytoreduction for patients with localized recurrent ovarian cancer.     

Individual and perceived community determinants of sense of community: The role of universalistic values

Research on the determinants of the psychological sense of community (PSoC) is of particular importance to community interventions. A cross-sectional study involving 778 residents in an Italian local community explored through a mediation model the effects on PSoC of an individual cultural variable that has been scarcely investigated in PSoC research, that is, values–specifically, universalism–, and a perceived contextual variable, that is, the assessment of community services (a component of residential satisfaction). Results showed that universalism increased PSoC both directly and indirectly, having an effect also on the evaluation of community services, which, in comparison to values, showed a greater direct impact on PSoC. Limitations and implications for community interventions are discussed.     

Feasibility of perinatal mood screening and text messaging on patients’ personal smartphones

Archives of Women's Mental Health - Screens and adjunctive treatments for perinatal mood are available, but barriers prevent many women from receiving them. Mobile technology may help bypass...