Relationship between cognitive reserve, brain volume, and neuropsychological performance in amnestic and nonamnestic MCI

Cognitive Reserve (CR) is a theoretical construct that influences the onset and course of cognitive and structural changes that occur with aging and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). There is a paucity of research that examines the relationship of CR and brain volumes in amnestic (aMCI) and nonamnestic (naMCI) separately. This study is a retrospective chart review of MCI patients who underwent neuropsychological evaluation and brain MRI with NeuroReader™ (NR). NR is an FDA-cleared software that standardizes MRI volumes to a control sample. Classifications of aMCI and naMCI were based on Petersen criteria. CR was measured as education, occupation, and word reading. Data analysis included bivariate correlations between CR, neuropsychological test scores, and NR-brain volumes by MCI subtype. The Benjamini-Hochberg method corrected for multiple comparisons. The sample included 91 participants with aMCI and 41 with naMCI. Within naMCI, positive correlations were observed between CR and whole brain volume, total gray matter, bifrontal, left parietal, left occipital, and bilateral cerebellum. Within aMCI, no significant correlations were observed between CR and brain volumes. Positive correlations with CR were observed in language, attention, and visual learning in both aMCI and naMCI groups. The current study adds to the minimal literature on CR and naMCI. Results revealed that CR is associated with volumetrics in naMCI only, though cognitive findings were similar in both MCI groups. Possible explanations include heterogeneous disease pathologies, disease stage, or a differential influence of CR on volumetrics in MCI. Additional longitudinal and biomarker studies will better elucidate this relationship.

A Gamified Social Media-Based Head and Neck Radiology Education Initiative of the American Society of Head and Neck Radiology: Viewership and Engagement Trends at 3 Years

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Social media has made inroads in medical education. We report the creation and 3-year (2018-2021) longitudinal assessment of the American Society of Head and Neck Radiology Case of the Week (#ASHNRCOTW), assessing viewership, engagement, and impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on this Twitter-based education initiative.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Unknown cases were tweeted from the American Society of Head and Neck Radiology account weekly. Tweet impressions (number of times seen), engagements (number of interactions), and new followers were tabulated. A social media marketing platform identified worldwide distribution of Twitter followers. Summary and t test statistics were performed.

RESULTS

#ASHNRCOTW was highly visible with 2,082,280 impressions and 203,137 engagements. There were significantly greater mean case impressions (9917 versus 6346), mean case engagements (1305 versus 474), case engagement rates (13.06% versus 7.76%), mean answer impressions (8760 versus 5556), mean answer engagements (908 versus 436), answer engagement rates (10.38% versus 7.87%), mean total (case + answer) impressions (18,677 versus 11,912), mean total engagements (2214 versus 910), and total engagement rates (11.79% versus 7.69%) for cases published after the pandemic started (all P values < .001). There was a significant increase in monthly new followers after starting #ASHNRCOTW (mean, 134 versus 6; P < .001) and significantly increased monthly new followers after the pandemic started compared with prepandemic (mean, 178 versus 101; P = .003). The American Society of Head and Neck Radiology has 7564 Twitter followers throughout 130 countries (66% outside the United States).

CONCLUSIONS

Social media affords substantial visibility, engagement, and global outreach for radiology education. #ASHNRCOTW viewership and engagement increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Does pre-diabetes predict the extent of coronary artery disease?

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Extensive coronary artery disease (CAD) is common in diabetes mellitus. This relation between the extent of CAD and prediabetes (pDM)is less well established.

Purpose

To explore whether non-diabetic hyperglycaemia, assessed by HbA1c, is associated with extent of angiographic CAD, independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods

Retrospective cohort analysis of consecutive patients, without known DM undergoing coronary angiography for stable angina, who were screened for hyperglycaemia over 18 months. HbA1c was measured; pre-diabetes was defined as HbA1c 5.7-6.4%.Extent of CAD was assessed using the SYNTAX score. Presence of CAD was defined as visually estimated ≥50% luminal obstruction in arteries ≥1.5 mm diameter. Age, BMI, risk factors for CAD, HbA1c, total and LDL-cholesterol were recorded. The pre-diabetes and normal groups were compared using Mann-Whitney test for continuous variables and chi-squared test for categorical variables. Multiple logistic and linear regressions were used to assess the effect variables on SYNTAX score. Spearman rank correlation was used to assess the relation between HbA1c and SYNTAX score.

Results

1071 patients had angiograms done. 207 had DM, 19 had new diagnosis of DM and 181 missed the screening leaving 664 who had HbA1c measured. 51 poor quality angiograms were excluded from SYNTAX calculation. Data was analysed for 613 (306 normal, 307 pDM) patients. The patients with prediabetes were older, had higher prevalence of risk factors, BMI, fasting glucose and SYNTAX score. HbA1c (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.32 to 3.25, p=0.002) and the presence of pDM (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.32 to 2.69, p&lt;0.001) independently predicted the presence of CAD. HbA1c (Coefficient 2.42, SE 1.09, p=0.027) and the presence of pDM (Coefficient 2.25, SE 0.92, p=0.015) independently predicted the SYNTAX score. The correlation between HbA1c and SYNTAX score was weak but significant (Spearman's coefficient 0.206, 95% CI 0.129 to 0.281, p&lt;0.0001).

Conclusion

HbA1c predicts the extent of CAD as measured by SYNTAX score in patients without known diabetes. Presence of pre-diabetes is an independent predictor of extent of CAD.

Radio-Pathomic Maps of Cell Density Identify Brain Tumor Invasion beyond Traditional MRI-Defined Margins

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, contrast-enhancing margins on T1WI are used to guide treatment of gliomas, yet tumor invasion beyond the contrast-enhancing region is a known confounding factor. Therefore, this study used postmortem tissue samples aligned with clinically acquired MRIs to quantify the relationship between intensity values and cellularity as well as to develop a radio-pathomic model to predict cellularity using MR imaging data.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This single-institution study used 93 samples collected at postmortem examination from 44 patients with brain cancer. Tissue samples were processed, stained with H&E, and digitized for nuclei segmentation and cell density calculation. Pre- and postgadolinium contrast T1WI, T2 FLAIR, and ADC images were collected from each patient's final acquisition before death. In-house software was used to align tissue samples to the FLAIR image via manually defined control points. Mixed-effects models were used to assess the relationship between single-image intensity and cellularity for each image. An ensemble learner was trained to predict cellularity using 5 × 5 voxel tiles from each image, with a two-thirds to one-third train-test split for validation.

RESULTS

Single-image analyses found subtle associations between image intensity and cellularity, with a less pronounced relationship in patients with glioblastoma. The radio-pathomic model accurately predicted cellularity in the test set (root mean squared error = 1015 cells/mm²) and identified regions of hypercellularity beyond the contrast-enhancing region.

CONCLUSIONS

A radio-pathomic model for cellularity trained with tissue samples acquired at postmortem examination is able to identify regions of hypercellular tumor beyond traditional imaging signatures.

Knowledge assessment and outcomes of otolaryngology practice amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in a busy ENT department

INTRODUCTION

Otolaryngology health personnel are at high risk of acquiring COVID-19 disease and, hence, are likely to have high stress levels. This study was designed to evaluate the feedback of otolaryngology healthcare workers in ENT departments who are managing patients in the coronavirus pandemic.

METHODS

A questionnaire focused on all aspects of healthcare delivery was completed by otolaryngology healthcare workers.

RESULTS

The findings, based on statistical analyses, included high stress levels and inadequate disease-related information in these workers.

CONCLUSIONS

Healthcare authorities need to take care of issues related to mental health in healthcare professionals in addition to spreading awareness about safe practices. Further studies are needed to continuously monitor feedback from personnel as the coronavirus pandemic unravels in the future.

Perioperative intravenous contrast administration and the incidence of acute kidney injury after major gastrointestinal surgery: prospective, multicentre cohort study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to determine the impact of preoperative exposure to intravenous contrast for CT and the risk of developing postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery.

METHODS

This prospective, multicentre cohort study included adults undergoing gastrointestinal resection, stoma reversal or liver resection. Both elective and emergency procedures were included. Preoperative exposure to intravenous contrast was defined as exposure to contrast administered for the purposes of CT up to 7 days before surgery. The primary endpoint was the rate of AKI within 7 days. Propensity score-matched models were adjusted for patient, disease and operative variables. In a sensitivity analysis, a propensity score-matched model explored the association between preoperative exposure to contrast and AKI in the first 48 h after surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 5378 patients were included across 173 centres. Overall, 1249 patients (23·2 per cent) received intravenous contrast. The overall rate of AKI within 7 days of surgery was 13·4 per cent (718 of 5378). In the propensity score-matched model, preoperative exposure to contrast was not associated with AKI within 7 days (odds ratio (OR) 0·95, 95 per cent c.i. 0·73 to 1·21; P = 0·669). The sensitivity analysis showed no association between preoperative contrast administration and AKI within 48 h after operation (OR 1·09, 0·84 to 1·41; P = 0·498).

CONCLUSION

There was no association between preoperative intravenous contrast administered for CT up to 7 days before surgery and postoperative AKI. Risk of contrast-induced nephropathy should not be used as a reason to avoid contrast-enhanced CT.

Study of Spectrum of Chromosomal Rearrangements in Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

Introduction

Recurrent pregnancy losses (RPLs) are seen in up to 15-20% of all clinically recognized pregnancies, 1-2% of women in general population. Repeated losses are seen in 5-10% of women. The prevalence of chromosomal rearrangements is 6.65% in couples with repeated pregnancy losses. Two to 4% of RPL are associated with parental balanced reciprocal and Robertsonian translocations.

Materials and Methods

The study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in New Delhi, and in total, 204 couples with RPL enrolled in the study.

Results

In total, 4490 couples presented to the obstetric clinic, of which 204 (4.5%) couples had repeated pregnancy losses. Cytogenetic analysis was done in 198 couples. Out of total 198 patients, 14 patients (7.1%) had cytogenetic alterations. Most common aberrations observed were structural rearrangements, of which reciprocal translocations were more common. In our study cohort, all the couples had maternal age of ≤ 35 years and all the alterations were seen either in mother or in both parents.

Discussion

Our study highlights that cytogenetic alterations not only are common in first trimester miscarriages, but are an important event in miscarriages presenting at later period of gestation and in young mothers as well.

International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) report, data summary of 45 countries for 2012-2017: Device-associated module

BACKGROUND

We report the results of International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) surveillance study from January 2012 to December 2017 in 523 intensive care units (ICUs) in 45 countries from Latin America, Europe, Eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and Western Pacific.

METHODS

During the 6-year study period, prospective data from 532,483 ICU patients hospitalized in 242 hospitals, for an aggregate of 2,197,304 patient days, were collected through the INICC Surveillance Online System (ISOS). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-National Healthcare Safety Network (CDC-NHSN) definitions for device-associated health care-associated infection (DA-HAI) were applied.

RESULTS

Although device use in INICC ICUs was similar to that reported from CDC-NHSN ICUs, DA-HAI rates were higher in the INICC ICUs: in the medical-surgical ICUs, the pooled central line-associated bloodstream infection rate was higher (5.05 vs 0.8 per 1,000 central line-days); the ventilator-associated pneumonia rate was also higher (14.1 vs 0.9 per 1,000 ventilator-days,), as well as the rate of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (5.1 vs 1.7 per 1,000 catheter-days). From blood cultures samples, frequencies of resistance, such as of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to piperacillin-tazobactam (33.0% vs 18.3%), were also higher.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite a significant trend toward the reduction in INICC ICUs, DA-HAI rates are still much higher compared with CDC-NHSN's ICUs representing the developed world. It is INICC's main goal to provide basic and cost-effective resources, through the INICC Surveillance Online System to tackle the burden of DA-HAIs effectively.

Support of nursing homes in infection management varies by US State Departments of Health

BACKGROUND

In many countries, healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are problematic in long-term aged care living facilities. In the United States (US), HAIs occur frequently in nursing homes (NHs). Identifying effective practices for state Departments of Health (DOHs) to help NHs improve infection prevention and control and reduce HAIs is necessary.

AIM

As a first step, the objective was to systematically examine and catalogue the variations in state intentions and activities related to HAI prevention in NHs.

METHODS

An environmental scan of state DOH websites, HAI plans, and HAI state infographics was conducted. Data were collected on 16 items across three domains: (1) intentions to reduce HAIs in NHs, (2) actions to reduce HAIs in NHs, and (3) website usability.

FINDINGS

State infection control support for NHs varied widely. Most states (92%) mentioned NHs in their HAI plans and 76% included NHs in their infographic. Half has an HAI prevention advisory council, while one-third had a state HAI prevention collaborative. Only 57% of HAI plans that mentioned NHs included training materials on HAI reduction. The most common training available was on antibiotic stewardship.

CONCLUSION

Many US states have room for improvement in the support they provide NHs regarding infection prevention and control. Specific areas of improvement include: (1) increased provision of training materials on HAI reduction, (2) focusing training materials on common HAIs, and (3) NH engagement in collaboratives aimed at HAI reduction. More research is needed linking DOH activities to resident outcomes.

Efficient and environmentally sustainable domino protocol for the synthesis of diversified spiroheterocycles with privileged heterocyclic substructures using bio-organic catalyst in aqueous medium

An efficient and environmentally sustainable synthetic protocol has been presented to synthesize structurally diverse spiroxindoles spiroannulated with indenopyrroloimidazoles, pyranopyrroloimidazoles, chromenopyrroloimidazoles, and imidazopyrrolopyrimidines involving three-component reaction of isatins, hydantoin, and β-diketones in the presence of green and sustainable bio-organic catalyst, β-amino acid, 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid (taurine), in aqueous media. The synthetic efficiency, operational simplicity, and reusability of catalyst make the present synthetic protocol cost effective, time efficient, and eco-friendly to synthesize molecules with structural diversity and molecular complexity and expected to contribute significantly not only to drug discovery research but also to pharmaceutical and medicinal chemistry.

P1930Pharmacodynamic effects of vorapaxar as an add-on antiplatelet therapy in patients with and without diabetes mellitus: the optimizing anti-platelet therapy in diabetes mellitus (OPTIMUS)-5 study

Background

Vorapaxar (Vora) is a protease-activated receptor (PAR)-1 inhibitor which when added to dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in patients with a history of myocardial infarction (MI) or with peripheral arterial (PAD) reduces thrombotic cardiovascular events at the expense of increased bleeding. The efficacy of Vora is enhanced in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) compared to non-DM. However, the differential pharmacodynamic (PD) effects of Vora in DM vs non-DM patients are unknown. Moreover, although withdrawal of aspirin has emerged as a strategy to reduce bleeding when adjunctive antithrombotic therapies are used, the PD effects of Vora after stopping aspirin in DAPT treated patients is unknown.

Purpose

To assess the PD effects of Vora in addition to standard DAPT as well as in combination with clopidogrel following aspirin withdrawal in patients with and without DM.

Methods

This was a prospective parallel-design PD study conducted in post-MI or PAD patients with and without DM. Patients on DAPT with aspirin (81mg/qd) and clopidogrel (75mg/qd) were divided in two groups according to DM status. Each cohort was treated with Vora (2.5mg/qd) in addition to DAPT (i.e., triple therapy) for 30 days and afterwards stopped aspirin and maintained treatment with Vora plus clopidogrel (i.e., dual therapy) for other 30 days. PD testing using 5 different assays was conducted at 3 time-points: baseline (while on DAPT); after 30 days of triple therapy; after 30 days of dual therapy. The primary endpoint was the non-inferiority of CAT (Collagen-ADP-TRAP)-induced aggregation, a marker of global platelet reactivity, of Vora plus clopidogrel (dual therapy) vs Vora plus DAPT (triple therapy).

Results

The PD population was composed of a total of 64 patients (DM, n=30; non-DM, n=34). Although adding Vora to DAPT significantly reduced CAT-induced aggregation, stopping aspirin was associated with an increase in CAT-induced aggregation in both DM (mean difference=12; 95% CI: 3 to 21; p=0.010) and non-DM (mean difference=10; 95% CI: 4 to 16; p=0.003), thus not meeting the primary endpoint of non-inferiority (Figure). The magnitude of such increase was higher in DM compared with non-DM (p=0.036). Although Vora abolished TRAP-induced aggregation in both DM and non-DM patients, it did not affect markers of clot kinetics including speed of thrombin generation. Aspirin withdrawal was associated with a marked increase in makers sensitive to cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) blockade; markers of P2Y12 signaling were higher in DM compared to not DM after aspirin withdrawal.

CAT-induced aggregation

Conclusion

Adjunctive treatment with Vora reduces platelet-mediated thrombogenicity without affecting clot kinetics in both DM and non-DM patients while on DAPT. However, platelet-mediated thrombogenicity is increased after aspirin withdrawal, a phenomenon which is enhanced in DM patients underscoring the pivotal contribution of the COX-1 signaling pathway in these high risk patients.

Acknowledgement/Funding

The study was supported in part by an investigator initiated study grant from Merck

P1934Platelet inhibitory profiles of prasugrel versus ticagrelor in patients with CYP2C19 loss-of-function genotypes undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: results of a randomized feasibility study

Background

Although clopidogrel is the most widely used P2Y12 inhibitor, loss-of-function (LOF) allelic variants located within the hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C19 gene lead to attenuated bioactivation, increased rates of high platelet reactivity (HPR), and worse outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Drug regulating authorities have suggested using alternative P2Y12 inhibitors (i.e., prasugrel or ticagrelor) in these patients. However, tailoring antiplatelet therapy in clinical practice according to results of genetic testing has been limited due to lack of access to promptly available results. Moreover, there are no head-to-head pharmacodynamic (PD) comparisons of prasugrel vs ticagrelor among patients with CYP2C19 LOF alleles.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using rapid genetic testing in clinical practice and to compare the PD effects of prasugrel vs ticagrelor in patients undergoing PCI with CYP2C19 LOF alleles.

Methods

This was a prospective, randomized study conducted in patients with stable coronary artery disease and non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome scheduled for left heart catheterization (LHC) with the intent to undergo PCI. Patients underwent rapid genetic testing using the Spartan RX assay, which defines CYP2C19 genetic status within 1 hour, allowing patients to be genotyped the same day of their LHC. Patients who were carriers of at least one LOF (*2 or *3) allele were randomized to receive either prasugrel [60mg loading dose (LD) - 10mg/day maintenance dose (MD)] or ticagrelor (180mg LD - 90mg b.i.d MD). Blood samples for PD analysis by VerifyNow were collected at 5 time points: baseline (prior to PCI), 30 minutes, 2 hours, 24 hours (or at hospital discharge whichever came first), and 1–4 weeks post-LD. All patients were treated with aspirin. The primary endpoint of our study was the non-inferiority in platelet reactivity, measured as PRU, at 24 hours of prasugrel vs ticagrelor in LOF allele carriers.

Results

A total of 781 consecutive patients scheduled for LHC were genotyped, of whom 223 (28.5%) were carriers of at least one LOF. Of these, 65 patients underwent PCI and randomized to prasugrel (n=32) vs ticagrelor (n=33). PRU levels at 24 hours were 33 vs 36 (prasugrel vs ticagrelor; mean difference = −3; 95% CI: −28 to 22; p=0.814) meeting the primary endpoint of non-inferiority. Both prasugrel and ticagrelor significantly reduced PRU to a similar extent with no differences between groups at all other time points (Figure). Accordingly, HPR rates were low and similar between groups.

PRU by VerifyNow

Conclusion

Rapid genetic testing using the Spartan assay is feasible providing results in a timely fashion in a real-world clinical practice of patients undergoing PCI. Among patients with CYP2C19 LOF carrier status, prasugrel and ticagrelor are associated with similar levels of platelet inhibition.

Acknowledgement/Funding

Genetic testing was provided by Spartan RX

Patient experiences and health system responsiveness among internal migrants: A nationwide study in 13 Indian cities

OBJECTIVE

To report various components of health system responsiveness among poor internal migrants who availed the government health facilities in 13 Indian cities.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cluster random sampling was used to select 50,806 migrant households, of which 14,263 households avail the government health facility in last six months. In addition, 5072 women, who sought antenatal care and 3946 women who had delivery in government health facility during last six months were also included. Data on different domains of health system responsiveness were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire, developed based on the World Health Survey of WHO.

RESULTS

Of the eight domains of responsiveness, namely, autonomy, communication, confidentiality, dignity, choice, quality of basic facilities, prompt attention and access to family and community, seven domains, except the 'choice', are assessed, and they are moderate. Only about 30% of participants said that doctor discussed on treatment options (autonomy). And 50-60% of participants said positively for questions of clarity of communication. About 59% of participants acknowledged the confidentiality. Not more than 40% of participants said they were treated with dignity, and privacy is respected (dignity). The responses to quality basic amenities, prompt attention and access to family and community domains are fairly satisfactory.

CONCLUSIONS

This study has implications as many urban poor, including migrants do not utilize the services of public healthcare facilities. Hence, a responsive health system is required. There should be a policy in place to train and orient healthcare workers on some of the domains of health system responsiveness.

Oncological benefits of postoperative radiotherapy in node-negative early stage cancer of the oral cavity with isolated perineural invasion

Perineural invasion has been widely regarded as a poor prognostic factor in cancer of the oral cavity, but adjuvant treatment based only on this is still debatable. We have made an effort to address the question in a retrospective analysis of data from 2009-15 of patients with early node-negative cancers of the oral cavity. Patients with perineural invasion were divided into those who were treated with radiotherapy and those who were not. The records of a total of 169 patients were analysed, and 118 were given adjuvant radiotherapy and 51 were not. The median (range) duration of follow up was 45 (26-86) months. Of 169 patients, 47 (28%) developed recurrence, 28 in the treated, and 19 in the untreated, group. There was a significant disease-free survival benefit for adjuvant treatment (p = 0.047) but no overall survival benefit (p = 0.54). We conclude that adjuvant radiotherapy should be considered for patients with perineural invasion, even in early cancers of the oral cavity.

Deep eutectic solvent promoted synthesis of structurally diverse hybrid molecules with privileged heterocyclic substructures

Structurally diverse hybrid molecules; indenopyrroloimidazoles, imidazoindoles, chromenopyrroloimidazoles and imidazopyrrlopyrimidines, have been synthesized using DES as a sustainable solvent and promoter.

An efficient and environmentally sustainable domino protocol for the synthesis of structurally diverse spiroannulated pyrimidophenazines using erbium doped TiO2 nanoparticles as a recyclable and reusable heterogeneous acid catalyst

An efficient and environmentally sustainable domino protocol has been presented for the synthesis of structurally diverse spiroannulated pyrimidophenazines involving a four component reaction of 2-hydroxynaphthalene-1,4-dione, benzene-1,2-diamine, cyclic ketones and amino derivatives in the presence of erbium doped TiO2 nanoparticles as a recyclable and reusable heterogeneous acid catalyst. The present synthetic protocol features mild reaction conditions with operational simplicity, excellent yield with high purity, short reaction time and high atom economy with the use of a recoverable and reusable environmentally sustainable heterogeneous catalyst.

Effect of prior dengue infection on severity and outcome of Japanese encephalitis

Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus and dengue virus are closely related flaviviruses but interaction between them is scarcely studied in humans. The objective of this study was to compare the outcome of JE patients who are positive and negative for dengue IgG antibodies. Patients of acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) fulfilling predecided inclusion and exclusion criteria underwent a detailed standardized workup incorporating JE IgM testing in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or serum. Dengue IgG in serum was tested in all. Outcomes and clinical features were compared between JE patients who were dengue IgG positive and negative in hospital and after 3 months. A total of 182 patients of JE were enrolled over 3 seasons. After excluding equivocal cases, hospital outcome was compared between 105 dengue IgG-positive and 50 dengue IgG-negative patients. Dengue IgG-positive patients had a significantly better outcome (relative risk 1.4; 95% confidence interval 1.1-1.8). On follow-up after 3 months, again, outcome was significantly better among 95 dengue IgG-positive patient than 47 dengue IgG-negative patients (relative risk 1.3; 95% confidence interval 1.01-1.8). Presence of pre-existing dengue IgG antibodies in JE patients is associated with improved outcomes.

Epidemiology and resistance pattern of bacterial isolates among cancer patients in a Tertiary Care Oncology Centre in North India

OBJECTIVES

To examine the epidemiology of microbiologically documented bacterial infection and the resistance pattern, among cancer patients undergoing treatment at RGCIRC, Delhi.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Retrospective observational study in which culture reports obtained over 1 year in 2013, were analyzed.

RESULTS

13329 cultures were obtained over 1 year in 2013 and were analyzed. 23.6 % samples showed positive culture with majority being gram negative isolates (67.9 %). E. coli was the commonest gram negative isolate (49.4%) followed by klebsella (29.7%) and Staph. aureus was the commonest gram positive isolate. There was high incidence of ESBL in blood and urine (87.2% & 88.5%) and BLBLI were also high (78% & 83.9%). Carbapenem resistance was comparatively low (10%) and colistin sensitivity was quiet high (> 95%).

CONCLUSIONS

Prevalence of MRSA and VRE in our institute is very less, whereas prevalence of ESBLs and BLBLI isolates amongst gram negative infections is around 80%. Gram negative isolates had poor sensitivity to cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones.

Incidence and prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus among the native Arab population in UAE

Background and objectives There is a paucity of information about the epidemiology of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) amongst Arabs. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence and prevalence of SLE among the native Arab population of United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods Patients with SLE were identified from three sources: medical records of two local tertiary hospitals (four years; 2009 to 2012), laboratory requests for serum double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid and serum anti-nuclear antibody and confirmed histopathologic diagnosis of SLE (skin and kidney biopsy specimens). All the patients identified with SLE met the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology. Incidence and prevalence were calculated using the state records of the UAE native population as the denominator. The age-adjusted incidence was calculated by direct standardization using the World Health Organization world standard population 2000-2025. Results Sixteen new cases (13 females and three males) fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology SLE criteria. The mean (±SD) age at time of diagnosis was 28.6 ± 12.4 years. The crude incidence ratio (per 100,000 population) was 3.5, 1.1, 2.1 and 2.1 in years 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, respectively. The age-standardized incidence per 100,000 population for the four years was 8.6 (95% confidence interval 4.2-15.9). The age-standardized prevalence of SLE among the native population according to the 2012 population consensus was 103/100,000 population (95% confidence interval 84.5-124.4). Conclusion The age-adjusted incidence and prevalence among UAE Arabs is higher than has been reported among most other Caucasian populations. Furthermore, the prevalence of SLE in UAE seems much higher than other similar Arab countries in the Gulf region.

Utility and limitations of multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification technique in the detection of cytogenetic abnormalities in products of conception

Background and Introduction: Chromosomal abnormality is found in about half of first-trimester abortions. Karyotype is the gold standard to detect chromosomal abnormalities. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) offers advantage over karyotype in terms of lower failure rate, faster turnaround time, and much higher resolution than conventional karyotyping and found to be 98% concordant with conventional karyotype.

AIM

We performed this study to look for the utility of MLPA in diagnosing chromosomal abnormalities in first-trimester abortions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MLPA using subtelomeric SALSA probe sets (P036 and P070) was used to detect cytogenetic abnormalities in products of conception in missed/spontaneous abortions.

RESULTS

A total of ninety abortus samples were analyzed by MLPA. Successful results were provided in (67) 74.4% of the cases while no conclusion could be drawn in 25.6% (23) of the cases. Fifty-five (82.1%) cases were cytogenetically normal and 17.9% (12) had some abnormality. Aneuploidy was detected in 8 (66.7%) cases, 3 (25%) had double-segment imbalance, and one (8.3%) had partial aneuploidy.

CONCLUSION

We suggest that MLPA is a good substitute to traditional karyotype.

Pulmonary vascular morphology as an imaging biomarker in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

Patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) have morphologic changes to the pulmonary vasculature. These include pruning of the distal vessels, dilation of the proximal vessels, and increased vascular tortuosity. Advances in image processing and computer vision enable objective detection and quantification of these processes in clinically acquired computed tomographic (CT) scans. Three-dimensional reconstructions of the pulmonary vasculature were created from the CT angiograms of 18 patients with CTEPH diagnosed using imaging and hemodynamics as well as 15 control patients referred to our Dyspnea Clinic and found to have no evidence of pulmonary vascular disease. Compared to controls, CTEPH patients exhibited greater pruning of the distal vasculature (median density of small-vessel volume: 2.7 [interquartile range (IQR): 2.5-3.0] vs. 3.2 [3.0-3.8]; P = 0.008), greater dilation of proximal arteries (median fraction of blood in large arteries: 0.35 [IQR: 0.30-0.41] vs. 0.23 [0.21-0.31]; P = 0.0005), and increased tortuosity in the pulmonary arterial tree (median: 4.92% [IQR: 4.85%-5.21%] vs. 4.63% [4.39%-4.92%]; P = 0.004). CTEPH was not associated with dilation of proximal veins or increased tortuosity in the venous system. Distal pruning of the vasculature was correlated with the cardiac index (R = 0.51, P = 0.04). Quantitative models derived from CT scans can be used to measure changes in vascular morphology previously described subjectively in CTEPH. These measurements are also correlated with invasive metrics of pulmonary hemodynamics, suggesting that they may be used to assess disease severity. Further work in a larger cohort may enable the use of such measures as a biomarker for diagnostic, phenotyping, and prognostic purposes.

Muscular Hamartoma of Intestine Causing Intestinal Obstruction

Hamartomatous causes of small bowel obstructionare uncommon and of them, most are attributed to inflammatory bowel diseases and also certain medications such as NSAIDs. We describe a case of muscular hamartoma in a patient without prior chronic medical condition with brief review of literature.

Solifenacin is effective and well tolerated in patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity: Results from the double-blind, randomized, active- and placebo-controlled SONIC urodynamic study

AIMS

To investigate the effect on urodynamics of 4 weeks treatment with solifenacin succinate in patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) due to multiple sclerosis (MS) or spinal cord injury (SCI).

METHODS

SONIC was a prospective, multicenter, double-blind, phase 3b/4 study investigating the efficacy and safety of solifenacin 10 mg in patients with NDO due to MS or SCI. Patients (n = 189) were randomized to placebo or active treatment (solifenacin 5 mg, 10 mg or oxybutynin hydrochloride 15 mg) for 4 weeks, after a 2-week, single-blind, placebo run-in period. The primary endpoint was change in maximum cystometric capacity (MCC) from baseline to end of treatment. The primary analysis compared solifenacin 10 mg versus placebo; all other comparisons were considered secondary. Secondary endpoints included changes in urodynamic parameters, patient-reported outcomes, and safety assessments.

RESULTS

In the primary analysis, solifenacin 10 mg significantly improved mean change from baseline MCC versus placebo (P < 0.001) and was associated with improvements in bladder volume at first contraction and at first leak as well as detrusor pressure at first leak. Similar results were obtained for oxybutynin versus placebo. Patient perception of bladder condition significantly improved with solifenacin 10 mg versus placebo (P = 0.041). There was a clear improvement in quality of life (QoL) in the solifenacin arms versus placebo. The overall incidence of adverse events was low.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with NDO due to MS and SCI, 4 weeks of treatment with solifenacin 10 mg improved urodynamic variables and QoL versus placebo and was well tolerated. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:414-421, 2017. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.