Autoantibodies against the platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex in patients with chronic ITP

Chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is caused by an antibody reactive with platelet-associated antigens. The present studies provide direct evidence that some patients with chronic ITP have autoantibodies against the platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa complex. Microtiter wells, coated with a monoclonal antibody (2G12) specific for GPIIb/GPIIIa were reacted with GPIIb/GPIIIa contained in a platelet extract. Control wells containing the same antibody were reacted with a cell extract containing no GPIIb/GPIIIa. After washing, the wells were reacted with patient or control plasma, and IgG binding was detected using 125I-Fab2-anti-human IgG. Assay values were expressed as binding ratios (cpm GPIIb/GPIIIa wells/cpm control wells). Plasma from 5 of 56 patients with chronic ITP had ratios (1.36-3.14) greater than 3 standard deviations above the mean (+/- SD) of control plasmas--0.93 +/- 0.12. Elevated values were also noted in two patients with anti-P1A1 antibody (ratios greater than 30) and in one patient with Hodgkin's disease and an ITP-like syndrome (ratio 1.53). Normal values were noted in 34 patients with a variety of immune and nonimmune diseases. Plasma from two of the positive ITP patients was reacted with 125I-surface-labeled platelets and, after solubilization, the IgG and bound antigen were precipitated with Staph-A. Autoradiographs from SDS- PAGE electrophoresis of the Staph-A-bound proteins shows two radioactive bands consistent in size with GPIIb and GPIIIa.     

Systematic review of enhanced recovery after gastro-oesophageal cancer surgery

Introduction

Fast track methodology or enhanced recovery schemes have gained increasing popularity in perioperative care. While evidence is strong for colorectal surgery, its importance in gastric and oesophageal surgery has yet to be established. This article reviews the evidence of enhanced recovery schemes on outcome for this type of surgery.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted up to March 2014. Studies were retrieved and analysed using predetermined criteria.

Results

From 34 articles reviewed, 18 eligible studies were identified: 7 on gastric and 11 on oesophageal resection. Three randomised controlled trials, five case-controlled studies and ten case series were identified. The reported protocols included changes to each stage of the patient journey from pre to postoperative care. The specific focus following oesophageal resections was on early mobilisation, a reduction in intensive care unit stay, early drain removal and early (or no) contrast swallow studies. Following gastric resections, the emphasis was on reducing epidural anaesthesia along with re-establishing oral intake in the first three postoperative days and early removal of nasogastric tubes.In the papers reviewed, mortality rates following fast track surgery were 0.8% (9/1,075) for oesophageal resection and 0% (0/329) for gastric resection. The reported morbidity rate was 16.5% (54/329) following gastric resection and 38.6% (396/1,075) following oesophageal resection. Length of stay was reduced in both groups compared with conventional recovery groups in comparative studies.

Conclusions

The evidence for enhanced recovery schemes following gastric and oesophageal resection is weak, with only three (low volume) published randomised controlled trials. However, the enhanced recovery approach appears safe and may be associated with a reduction in length of stay.     

Timing of elective surgery and risk assessment after SARS-CoV-2 infection: an update

The impact of vaccination and new SARS-CoV-2 variants on peri-operative outcomes is unclear. We aimed to update previously published consensus recommendations on timing of elective surgery after SARS-CoV-2 infection to assist policymakers, administrative staff, clinicians and patients. The guidance remains that patients should avoid elective surgery within 7 weeks of infection, unless the benefits of doing so exceed the risk of waiting. We recommend individualised multidisciplinary risk assessment for patients requiring elective surgery within 7 weeks of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This should include baseline mortality risk calculation and assessment of risk modifiers (patient factors; SARS-CoV-2 infection; surgical factors). Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection with previous variants increased peri-operative mortality risk three-fold throughout the 6 weeks after infection, and assumptions that asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic omicron SARS-CoV-2 infection does not add risk are currently unfounded. Patients with persistent symptoms and those with moderate-to-severe COVID-19 may require a longer delay than 7 weeks. Elective surgery should not take place within 10 days of diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection, predominantly because the patient may be infectious, which is a risk to surgical pathways, staff and other patients. We now emphasise that timing of surgery should include the assessment of baseline and increased risk, optimising vaccination and functional status, and shared decision-making. While these recommendations focus on the omicron variant and current evidence, the principles may also be of relevance to future variants. As further data emerge, these recommendations may be revised.     

Depression and chronic medical illnesses in Asian older adults: the role of subjective health and functional status

OBJECTIVE: Depression in elderly is reportedly associated with a number of specific chronic illnesses. Whether each of these co-morbid associations results uniquely from disease-specific psychobiological responses or is mediated by non-specific factors like subjective health and functional status is unclear. METHOD: Analysis of data of 2,611 community-dwelling Chinese aged 55 and older, including depressive symptoms defined by Geriatric Depression Scale score >or= 5 and self-reports of specific chronic illnesses. RESULTS: The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 13.3%, lower in those without chronic illness (7.5%), and higher in those with illnesses (13.2-24.2%). Crude Odds Ratios (OR) were significantly elevated for hypertension, eye disorders, diabetes, arthritis, ischemic heart disease, asthma/COPD, stroke, osteoporosis, heart failure, thyroid problem, and gastric problem. In multivariable analyses, only asthma/COPD [OR:2.85, 95% Confidence Intervals (CI): 1.36, 5.98], gastric problem (OR:2.64, 95% CI: 1.11, 6.29), arthritis (OR:1.87, 95% CI: 1.02, 3.42) and heart failure (OR:2.11, 95% CI: 0.98, 4.58) remained independently associated with depressive symptoms, after adjusting for comorbidities, subjective health and functional status, cognitive functioning, smoking, alcohol, psychosocial and demographic variables. CONCLUSION: Most comorbid associations of depressive symptoms with specific chronic illnesses are explained by accompanying poor self-reported health and functional status, but some illnesses probably have a direct psychobiological basis.     

Brief informant screening test for mild cognitive impairment and early Alzheimer's disease

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recent research has attempted combinations of instruments to improve screening accuracy for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early Alzheimer's disease (AD). We compared Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Immediate and Delayed Recall (Logical Memory I and II; LM-I and LM-II, respectively), a single-item informant report of memory problem (IRMP), and a four-item Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (4IADL) scale, and combinations of these tests. METHOD: The tests were administered together with Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) to subjects who were cognitively intact (CDR = 0, n = 88), and with diagnoses of MCI (CDR = 0.5, n = 37) and early AD (CDR = 1-2, n = 19). RESULTS: Screening accuracy (receiver operating characteristic area under curve, AUC) for identifying MCI or MCI-AD was lowest for MMSE (AUC 67.6% for MCI or 77.9% for MCI-AD), and better for IRMP (79.5 or 83.2%), 4IADL (76.9 or 84.7%), LM-I (81.2 or 87.1%) and LM-II (86.1 or 90.8%). Combining IRMP, 4IADL and LM-II was most accurate (AUC 91.7% for MCI or 94.5% for MCI-AD); sensitivity: 86.5 or 89.3%; specificity: 86.4 or 88.6%. However, combining IRMP and 4IADL gave nearly as good accuracy (AUC 87.2 or 91.6%); sensitivity: 86.5 or 85.7%; specificity: 79.5 or 85.2%. CONCLUSION: A brief instrument combining an IRMP and 4IADL items is potentially useful in screening for MCI and early AD.     

Diverticulite solitaire du c?lon droit

Diverticula of the right colon are a rare clinical entity. Diverticulitis can occur with these lesions, but the diagnosis is frequently missed as the presentation is similar to that of acute appendicitis and can mimic other acute intraabdominal infections such as cholecystitis. The authors report a case of solitary diverticulitis of the right colon in a young woman, an incidental discovery during surgery for suspected appendicitis, with emphasis on the diagnostic and therapeutic modalities.     

The first report of a patient with interrupted inferior vena cava,multiple post-renal veins and azygos-hemiazygos continuation

The first case of a patient with interrupted inferior vena cava, four post-renal veins and an azygoshemiazygos continuation is presented. The complicated anomalies were omphalocele and atrial septal defect. Cine-magnetic resonance imaging and cardiac catheterization showed an anomalous retroaortic left innominate vein, azygos-hemiazygos continuation in the prerenal portion, arch formed renal vein in the renal portion and four embryonic vessels in the post-renal portion. Combination of these anomalies in the major venous system suggested that the inferior vena cava had failed to form and that the bilateral embryonic venous system, postcardinal and supracardinal veins persisted to be the systemic venous channels.