Association of admission blood glucose level and clinical outcomes in elderly community‐acquired pneumonia patients with or without diabetes

IntroductionCommunity‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) is the major cause of infection‐related mortality worldwide. Patients with CAP frequently present with admission hyperglycemia.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the association between admission blood glucose (ABG) level and clinical outcomes in elderly CAP patients (≥80 years of age) with or without diabetes.MethodsIn this single center retrospective study, 290 elderly patients diagnosed with CAP were included. Demographic and clinical information were collected and compared. The associations between admission blood glucose level and the 30‐day mortality as well as intensive care unit (ICU) admission and invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) in elderly CAP patients with or without diabetes were assessed.ResultsOf the 290 eligible patients with CAP, 159 (66.5%) patients were male, and 64 (22.1%) had a known history of diabetes at hospital admission. After adjusting for age and sex, the logistic regression analysis had identified several risk factors that might be associated with clinical outcomes in elderly patients with CAP. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that admission glucose level > 11.1 mmol/L was significant associated with ICU admission, IMV, and 30‐day mortality both in non‐diabetic and diabetic patients. Furthermore, Kaplan–Meier analysis indicated that patients with higher admission glucose level were correlated statistically significantly with 30‐day mortality in patients with CAP (P < 0.001).ConclusionAdmission blood glucose is correlated with 30‐day hospital mortality, ICU admission, and IMV of CAP in elderly patients with and without diabetes. Specially, admission glucose > 11.1 mmol/L was a significant risk factor for 30‐day hospital mortality.     

When muscle quivers and undulates

We describe a patient who presented with fatigue and pulling sensation in his lower limbs. He had continuous muscle contractions over his trunk (myokymia) which pointed towards the diagnosis of Isaacs syndrome which was confirmed by strongly positive CASPR2 antibodies in blood.     

A Case of Linear Exacerbation of Atopic Dermatitis with Secondary Prurigo Nodularis

Inflammatory acquired Blaschko-linear dermatoses (IABLD) are a continuous concept involving diseases such as lichen striatus, blaschkitis, and atopic dermatitis. However, atopic dermatitis that showed increase in severity along Blaschko lines is rarely reported on its own. Herein, we report a rare case of atopic dermatitis with secondary prurigo nodularis along Blaschko lines, which may be valuable in broadening the concept of IABLD. A 28-year-old male presented with multiple, pruritic, brownish nodules on the left lower extremity along Blaschko lines for 3 to 4 years. The patient had atopic dermatitis since childhood. Histopathologic findings revealed compact orthohyperkeratosis, hypergranulosis, spongiosis, and irregular acanthosis in the epidermis. Fibrosis with vertically arranged collagen fibers and perivascular lymphohistiocytic infiltration were shown in the upper dermis. We diagnosed the case as secondary prurigo nodularis along Blaschko lines, accompanied by the preceding atopic dermatitis. We hypothesized that the patient’s underlying atopic dermatitis increased in severity along Blaschko lines, and prurigo nodularis occurred due to frequent scratching. The lesions improved with topical methylprednisolone cream, oral antihistamines and intralesional triamcinolone injection.     

伴内耳畸形的人工耳蜗植入患者SLC26A4(PDS)基因突变分析

目的探讨伴内耳畸形的人工耳蜗植入患者SLC26A4（PDS）基因突变发生的概率、突变类型,以及SLC26A4（PDS）基因突变与各种内耳畸形及术中听神经电诱发复合动作电位（ECAP）检出率之间的关系。方法选取48例伴有内耳畸形的人工耳蜗植入者及50例健康对照。取外周血提取基因组DNA,经聚合酶链反应扩增SLC26A4（PDS）基因全部编码区,包括2～21号外显子,扩增产物纯化后直接测序分析突变。48例患者在人工耳蜗植入术中通过神经反应遥测（NRT）技术,直接近场记录听神经电诱发复合动作电位（ECAP）。结果前庭水管扩大组中70．3％（26／37）、其他内耳畸形组中18．2％（2／11）的患者发现有SLC26A4（PDS）基因突变。本研究中共发现15种突变类型,其中有8种为新发现的类型。IVS7-2A〉G是最常见的SLC26A4（PDS）基因突变类型,45．9％（17／37）的前庭水管扩大患者发现此种突变。在伴内耳畸形的人工耳蜗植入者患者中,未发现SLC26A4（PDS）基因突变与术中听神经电诱发复合动作电位（ECAP）检出率之间有相关性。结论SLC26A4（PDS）基因突变是前庭水管扩大畸形的主要病因,IVST-2A〉G是其最常见的突变类型。     

Unmasking Myocardial Dysfunction in Patients Hospitalized for Community-Acquired Pneumonia Using a 4-Chamber 3-Dimensional Volume/Strain Analysis

Lower respiratory infection was reported as the most common fatal infectious disease. Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and myocardial injury are associated; yet, true prevalence of myocardial injury is probably underestimated. We assessed the rate and severity of myocardial dysfunction in patients with CAP. Admitted patients diagnosed with CAP were prospectively recruited. All the patients had C-reactive protein (CRP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTnl) tests added to their routine workup. 2D/3D Doppler echocardiography was done on a Siemens Acuson SC2000 machine ≤ 24 h of diagnosis. 3D datasets were blindly analyzed for 4-chamber volumes/strains using EchobuildR 3D-Volume Analysis prototype software, v3.0 2019, Siemens-Medical Solutions. Volume/strain parameters were correlated with admission clinical and laboratory findings. The cohort included 34 patients, median age 60 years (95% CI 55–72). The cohort included 18 (53%) patients had hypertension, 9 (25%) had diabetes mellitus, 7 (21%) were smokers, 7 (21%) had previous myocardial infarction, 4 (12%) had chronic renal failure, and 1 (3%) was on hemodialysis treatment. 2D/Doppler echocardiography findings showed normal ventricular size/function (LVEF 63 ± 9%), mild LV hypertrophy (104 ± 36 g/m²), and LA enlargement (41 ± 6 mm). 3D volumes/strains suggested bi-atrial and right ventricular dysfunction (global longitudinal strain RVGLS =  − 8 ± 4%). Left ventricular strain was normal (LVGLS =  − 18 ± 5%) and correlated with BNP (r = 0.40, p = 0.024). The patients with LVGLS >  − 17% had higher admission blood pressure and lower SaO₂ (144 ± 33 vs. 121 ± 20, systolic, mmHg, p = 0.02, and 89 ± 4 vs. 94 ± 4%, p = 0.006, respectively). hs-cTnl and CRP were not different. Using novel 3D volume/strain software in CAP patients, we demonstrated diffuse global myocardial dysfunction involving several chambers. The patients with worse LV GLS had lower SaO₂ and higher blood pressure at presentation. LV GLS correlated with maximal BNP level and did not correlate with inflammation or myocardial damage markers.     

艾滋病相关淋巴结病理改变及其与淋巴结中CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的相关性

目的探讨艾滋病患者淋巴结组织中CD4 CD25 调节性T细胞的表达、分布及其与病理改变的相关性。方法对22例活检及13例尸体解剖的HIV/AIDS患者的淋巴结进行组织学观察和病理分期,采用免疫组织化学法对淋巴结组织中的CD4 CD25 调节性T细胞特异性标记物FoxP3进行检测。结果35例艾滋病患者的淋巴结中,1～4期分别有5、4、14和12例。所有淋巴结组织中均检测出FoxP3的阳性表达;在1、2期病变淋巴结内,FoxP3阳性细胞数量较多,分布于滤泡间区和副皮质区;3、4期随着淋巴细胞的数量衰竭,阳性细胞数量的减少更加明显。结论艾滋病患者淋巴结中存在有CD4 CD25 调节性T细胞,随着淋巴结病变的进展其数量减少或耗竭。     

Fibrinogen concentrate – a potential universal hemostatic agent

Background: Human fibrinogen concentrates have been commercially available for decades for substitution therapy in hypofibrinogenemia, dysfibrinogenemia and afibrinogenemia. Accumulating new data suggest that fibrinogen plays a critical role in achieving and maintaining hemostasis, particularly in patients suffering from acquired fibrinogen deficiency during massive bleeding, where benefit from early intervention with fibrinogen concentrate appears to be important. Objective/methods: This work focuses on pasteurized fibrinogen concentrate, with special emphases on product characteristics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, laboratory monitoring, dosing, clinical efficacy, safety and tolerability. Future clinical and laboratory perspectives on fibrinogen are discussed and outlined. Results/conclusion: Pasteurized fibrinogen concentrate is derived from human plasma. Its half life is 2.7 days in patients with congenital fibrinogen deficiency. For congenital and acquired deficiency in vivo recovery rates vary from 60% to 109%. Reportedly, administration of pasteurized fibrinogen in patients with congenital deficiency is efficacious. Acquired deficiency of fibrinogen appears to be an early event in seriously bleeding patients, preceding critical levels of platelets or other coagulation factors. Experimental animal studies, as well as clinical observations suggest a beneficial role of early substitution with fibrinogen in management of critical traumatic and surgical bleeds. Pasteurized fibrinogen concentrate is well tolerated and associated with a low incidence of adverse thrombo-embolic events.     

Cardiac drug use in pregnancy: safety,effectiveness and obstetric implications

Morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular disease is increasing in pregnancy. The physiologic changes of normal pregnancy serve as a ‘stress test’ on the cardiovascular system. This may lead to the unmasking of a latent underlying cardiac condition or the new onset of maternal cardiovascular disease, with an attendant increase in adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Some women with pre-existing cardiac conditions may be receiving medications that need to be altered during pregnancy owing to a risk of adverse effects on the developing fetus, but for most cardiac conditions, there are safe and effective treatment options. Women should be educated that abrupt discontinuation of cardiac medications during pregnancy usually poses a greater risk than the medications themselves, and a plan of judicious drug selection should be implemented (ideally prior to conception).     

Approach and treatment of the adult acquired flatfoot deformity

Adult acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD), embraces a wide spectrum of deformities. AAFD is a complex pathology consisting both of posterior tibial tendon insufficiency and failure of the capsular and ligamentous structures of the foot. Each patient presents with characteristic deformities across the involved joints, requiring individualized treatment. Early stages may respond well to aggressive conservative management, yet more severe AAFD necessitates prompt surgical therapy to halt the progression of the disease to stages requiring more complex procedures. We present the most current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to AAFD, based on the most pertinent literature and our own experience and investigations.