Disease spectrum and management of children admitted with acute respiratory infection in Viet Nam

OBJECTIVE

To assess the acute respiratory infection (ARI) disease spectrum, duration of hospitalisation and outcome in children hospitalised with an ARI in Viet Nam.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective descriptive study of ARI admissions to primary (Hoa Vang District Hospital), secondary (Da Nang Hospital for Women and Children) and tertiary (National Hospital of Paediatrics in Ha Noi) level hospitals in Viet Nam over 12 months (01/09/2015 to 31/08/2016).

RESULTS

Acute respiratory infections accounted for 27.9% (37 436/134 061) of all paediatric admissions; nearly half (47.6%) of all children admitted to Hoa Vang District Hospital. Most (64.6%) of children hospitalised with an ARI were <2 years of age. Influenza/pneumonia accounted for 69.4% of admissions; tuberculosis for only 0.3%. Overall 284 (0.8%) children died; most deaths (269/284; 94.7%) occurred at the tertiary referral hospital. The average duration of hospitalisation was 7.6 days (median 7 days). The average direct hospitalisation cost per ARI admission was 157.5 USD in Da Nang Provincial Hospital. In total, 62.6% of admissions were covered by health insurance.

CONCLUSION

Acute respiratory infection is a major cause of paediatric hospitalisation in Viet Nam, characterised by prolonged hospitalisation for relatively mild disease. There is huge potential to reduce unnecessary hospital admission and cost.

Prevalence of restless legs syndrome and sleep quality in carriers of the fragile X premutation

This study examined the relationship between the fragile X premutation and restless legs syndrome (RLS). Demographic, medical history and survey responses related to sleep were collected from 213 participants (127 carriers and 86 age matched controls). Subjects were asked about the presence of the four formal diagnostic criteria for RLS. Individuals with the premutation were 1.9 times as likely to meet criteria for RLS (95% CI 1.1–3.2, p=0.025) as controls. Premutation carriers with RLS also experienced significantly worse symptoms than matched controls with adjusted mean scores of 15.1±8.8 vs 7.9±4.4, respectively on the International Restless Legs Scale (IRLS). As markers for domains of sleep disturbance, all subjects completed the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISA) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Premutation carriers demonstrated significantly more pathology on these tests except for the ESS where there was a trend towards increased daytime sleepiness in carriers. RLS joins a host of other conditions that should be carefully screened for in those carrying the fragile X premutation and sleep should be a focus for clinicians providing care to them.

Comparison of diagnostic clinical samples and environmental sampling for enterovirus and parechovirus surveillance in Scotland, 2010 to 2012

Human enteroviruses (EV) and parechoviruses (HPeV) within the family Picornaviridae are the most common causes of viral central nervous system (CNS)-associated infections including meningitis and neonatal sepsis-like disease. The frequencies of EV and HPeV types identified in clinical specimens collected in Scotland over an eight-year period were compared to those identified in sewage surveillance established in Edinburgh. Of the 35 different EV types belonging to four EV species (A to D) and the four HPeV types detected in this study, HPeV3 was identified as the most prevalent picornavirus in cerebrospinal fluid samples, followed by species B EV. Interestingly, over half of EV and all HPeV CNS-associated infections were observed in young infants (younger than three months). Detection of species A EV including coxsackievirus A6 and EV71 in clinical samples and sewage indicates that these viruses are already widely circulating in Scotland. Furthermore, species C EV were frequently identified EV in sewage screening but they were not present in any of 606 EV-positive clinical samples studied, indicating their likely lower pathogenicity. Picornavirus surveillance is important not only for monitoring the changing epidemiology of these infections but also for the rapid identification of spread of emerging EV and/or HPeV types.

MD Anderson experience with off-study regorafenib in patients with advanced colorectal cancer

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Background: Regorafenib was approved by the FDA on September 27, 2012 following the CORRECT trial demonstrating an overall survival (OS) benefit compared to placebo in pts with advanced treatment-refractory CRC (Grothey A. et al: Lancet. 2013;381:303-12). Little data exists regarding patient treatment outcomes outside of reported clinical trial data. Methods: Pts seen at MD Anderson Cancer Center with a diagnosis of gastrointestinal malignancies since October 1, 2012 were evaluated for regorafenib therapy; electronic clinic records were reviewed for pt treatment data, toxicity, and survival outcomes. Results: 61 pts were identified; 4 pts were determined to have GI malignancy other than CRC [appendiceal cancer (n=3) and duodenal cancer (n=1)] and were omitted from this analysis. Median age was 58 years (range 30.5-83.3), M:F 37:20 (65%:35%), KRAS non-mutant/ KRAS mutant 26/31 (46%:54%), BRAF mutant n=3 (5%); Median time from diagnosis of metastatic disease to initiation of regorafenib therapy was 27.7 months (range 5.9-112.3); 8 pts (14%) had enrolled in clinical trials prior to starting regorafenib. The initial starting dose was 160 mg (n= 38, 66.7%), 120mg (n=18, 31.5%), and 80mg (n=1, 1.8%) respectively. Dose reductions or interruptions were required in 25 pts (43.8%); 14 patients (24.5%) discontinued therapy due to toxicity. The most common grade 3 adverse event was hand-foot reaction (n=12; 21%). One pt initiated on 120 mg was able to tolerate dose escalation to 160mg. Seven pts (12.2%) had stable disease radiographically for more than 2 months and 2 had a confirmed partial response (3.5%). Median OS was 9.1 months (95% C.I. 5.3-12.8) and median time on regorafenib therapy was 2.2 months (range 0.2-10.3). Following regorafenib discontinuation 12 pts (21%) were enrolled on phase I trials. Conclusions: In this pt population palliative regorafenib therapy was associated with modest efficacy and significant toxicity. Dose reductions or interruptions were common (43.8%) even despite a large number of pts being initiated on a dose lower than the recommended initial dose (33.3%). Further studies may be required to determine the optimal tolerable dose in pts with advanced CRC.

Second-line systemic treatment for advanced cholangiocarcinoma

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Background: Five-year survival for advanced cholangiocarcinoma (aCC) is reported at 5-10%. For advanced, unresectable patients, gemcitabine plus platinum (GEM-P) combination chemotherapy is common practice as first-line treatment with progression free survival (PFS) of 8 months and overall survival (OS) of 11.7 months. Data regarding chemotherapy treatment after first-line progression is limited. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with aCC from 1/1/2009 to 12/31/2012 who received second-line chemotherapy at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC). Median PFS was the primary endpoint. Secondary objectives included disease control rate (complete response + partial response + stable disease) and OS. Inclusion criteria: aCC diagnosis, progression on first-line therapy, and reimaging studies at MDACC. Exclusion criteria: patients who received localized treatment for aCC prior to second-line therapy or consolidative chemoradiation, mixed histology tumors, and those with a history of another malignancy. Results: 56 patients were identified, with the majority having intrahepatic aCC (95%). 80% of patients received gemcitabine based first-line treatment (GEM-P +/- erlotinib, GEM monotherapy). Second-line systemic treatment included GEM-P (19.6%), GEM + fluoropyrmidine (GEM-FU) (28.6%), fluoropyrmidine combination (FU-combo) (37.5%), and other consisting of chemotherapy or biotherapy monotherapy or combination (14.3%). Total median PFS was 2.7 months (95% CI = 2.3 to 3.8). Disease control rate was 50% with a median OS of 13.8 months (95% CI = 12 to19.3). No significant difference in PFS or OS was identified between the four second line treatment groups. A higher CA 19-9 at the start of second line treatment correlated with a worse survival (p= <0.01). Conclusions: This retrospective study revealed a 50% disease control rate, median PFS of 2.7 months, and a potential for improvement in OS in patients who received second line systemic treatment. Agents that may be considered include GEM + FU, FU-combination therapy, or GEM-P if not given first line.

Prevalence and risk of migraine headaches in adult fragile X premutation carriers

FMR1 premutation carriers are common in the general population (1/130-260 females and 1/250-810 males) and can be affected by fragile X-associated tremor ataxia syndrome, fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency, anxiety, depression, hypertension, sleep apnea, fibromyalgia, and hypothyroidism. Here we report the results of a pilot study to assess the prevalence and risk of migraine in FMR1 premutation carriers. Three hundred fifteen carriers (203 females; 112 males) and 154 controls (83 females; 71 males) were seen sequentially as part of a family study. A standardized medical history, physical examination and confirmation of diagnosis of migraine headaches were performed by a physician. The prevalence of migraine was 54.2% in female carriers (mean age/SD: 49.60/13.73) and 26.79% in male carriers (mean age/SD: 59.94/14.27). This prevalence was higher compared to female (25.3%; mean age/SD: 47.60/15.21; p =  0.0001) and male controls (15.5%; mean age/SD; 53.88/13.31; p =  0.0406) who underwent the same protocol and were confirmed to be negative for the FMR1 mutation by DNA testing. We hypothesize that the increased prevalence of migraine headaches in FMR1 premutation carriers is likely related to the mitochondrial abnormalities that have recently been reported. Screening for migraine should be considered when evaluating FMR1 premutation carriers in the future.

Altered mTOR signaling and enhanced CYFIP2 expression levels in subjects with fragile X syndrome

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common form of inherited intellectual disability and autism. The protein (FMRP) encoded by the fragile X mental retardation gene (FMR1), is an RNA-binding protein linked to translational control. Recently, in the Fmr1 knockout mouse model of FXS, dysregulated translation initiation signaling was observed. To investigate whether an altered signaling was also a feature of subjects with FXS compared to typical developing controls, we isolated total RNA and translational control proteins from lymphocytes of subjects from both groups (38 FXS and 14 TD). Although we did not observe any difference in the expression level of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) for translational initiation control proteins isolated from participant with FXS, we found increased phosphorylation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) substrate, p70 ribosomal subunit 6 kinase1 (S6K1) and of the mTOR regulator, the serine/threonine protein kinase (Akt), in their protein lysates. In addition, we observed increased phosphorylation of the cap binding protein eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) suggesting that protein synthesis is upregulated in FXS. Similar to the findings in lymphocytes, we observed increased phosphorylation of S6K1 in brain tissue from patients with FXS (n = 4) compared to normal age-matched controls (n = 4). Finally, we detected increased expression of the cytoplasmic FMR1-interacting protein 2 (CYFIP2), a known FMRP interactor. This data verify and extend previous findings using lymphocytes for studies of neuropsychiatric disorders and provide evidence that misregulation of mTOR signaling observed in the FXS mouse model also occurs in human FXS and may provide useful biomarkers for designing targeted treatments in FXS.

Clinical involvement in daughters of men with fragile X-associated tremor ataxia syndrome

Women with the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) premutation often have concerns about neurological and medical problems, as they become older and if their fathers experience fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). We therefore determined the prevalence of these problems in 110 daughters of men with FXTAS [mean age of 44.8 years (SD 8.2)]. We compared them with 43 female controls with normal FMR1 alleles [mean age of 43.8 years (SD 8.1)] and 36 premutation carrier daughters of parents with the premutation, but without FXTAS [mean age of 43.5 years (SD 7.7)]. Overall, daughters of men with FXTAS have a higher prevalence of neurological symptoms including tremor, balance problems, memory problems, and dizziness, menopausal symptoms, and psychiatric involvement including sleep problems and anxiety when compared with non-carrier female controls. Reported balance problems and menopausal symptoms were significantly higher in daughters of men with FXTAS than in carrier daughters of parents without FXTAS, suggesting the potential influence of background gene effects. Therefore, neurological, psychological and gynecological surveillance should be warranted to better provide appropriate counseling, management and care for daughters of men with FXTAS. Biological markers of additional gene effects that predispose individuals with the premutation to FXTAS need to be developed.

A pilot open label, single dose trial of fenobam in adults with fragile X syndrome

Objective:

A pilot open label, single dose trial of fenobam, an mGluR5 antagonist, was conducted to provide an initial evaluation of safety and pharmacokinetics in adult males and females with fragile X syndrome (FXS).

Methods:

Twelve subjects, recruited from two fragile X clinics, received a single oral dose of 50–150 mg of fenobam. Blood for pharmacokinetic testing, vital signs and side effect screening was obtained at baseline and numerous time points for 6 h after dosing. Outcome measures included prepulse inhibition (PPI) and a continuous performance test (CPT) obtained before and after dosing to explore the effects of fenobam on core phenotypic measures of sensory gating, attention and inhibition.

Results:

There were no significant adverse reactions to fenobam administration. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed that fenobam concentrations were dose dependent but variable, with mean (SEM) peak values of 39.7 (18.4) ng/ml at 180 min after the 150 mg dose. PPI met a response criterion of an improvement of at least 20% over baseline in 6 of 12 individuals (4/6 males and 2/6 females). The CPT did not display improvement with treatment due to ceiling effects.

Conclusions:

Clinically significant adverse effects were not identified in this study of single dose fenobam across the range of dosages utilised. The positive effects seen in animal models of FXS treated with fenobam or other mGluR5 antagonists, the apparent lack of clinically significant adverse effects, and the potential beneficial clinical effects seen in this pilot trial support further study of the compound in adults with FXS.

Microscopic pulmonary embolisation of an indwelling central venous catheter with granulomatous inflammatory response

Indwelling catheters can disintegrate into tiny fragments and embolise. Once the fragments are detected radiographically, they can be removed using vascular intervention techniques. Rarely, indwelling catheters dwindle into inextricable pieces that embolise into minute pulmonary vessels and lymphatics, causing granulomatous changes microscopically. The present study reports a 54-yr-old female who had received several indwelling central lines during several abdominal surgeries over a 5-yr period. The patient developed a noncaseating granulomatous skin lesion followed by exertional dyspnoea a few months later. Chest radiographs and computed tomography showed diffuse interstitial infiltrates. Open lung biopsy showed two types of granulomas: 1) peri-lymphangitic and peri-bronchiolar non-necrotising granulomas consistent with sarcoidosis; and 2) distinct foreign body granulomas. In some of the foreign body granulomas, confocal Raman spectroscopy identified the presence of bisphenol-A-polycarbonate, a polymer commonly used in biomedical devices. The patient improved following treatment with prednisone followed by methotrexate. The present case illustrates an interesting combination of two causes of granulomatous disease, the importance of examining all biopsy specimens from sarcoidosis patients for foreign particles and the rare occurrence of microscopic embolisation of catheter fragments to the lung with foreign-body giant cell reaction to them.

Survey of Theileria parasite infection in cattle in Cambodia and Vietnam using piroplasm surface protein gene-specific polymerase chain reaction

A survey of Theileria parasite infection in cattle in Cambodia and Vietnam was carried out by using allele-specific polymerase chain reaction. A total of 137 blood samples from draught animals in Cambodia and 40 blood samples from dairy cattle in Vietnam were analyzed. In Cambodia, 69 out of 137(50.4%) samples were PCR-positive containing mainly the Thai and the C type parasites. In Vietnam, 11 (27.5%) samples were positive and all were of the Thai type parasite.

[The anatomical basis and sources of error of selective and supraselective gastric vagotomies (author's transl)]

An anatomical study, based essentially upon 38 dissections of formol-preserved specimens, was used to identify the different characteristics of the vagus nerve which might have an influence on different vagotomy techniques. The arrangement of the different vagal structures (principal and accessory) at the oesophageal orifice is described in full. The most criminal branches are pointed out with particular emphasis. Distribution branches unknown or poorly known up to the present have been demonstrated. The principal nerves of the lesser curvature and their endings are reviewed in the context of supraselective vagotomy. The discussion emphasis the most important anatomical details relevant to the achievement of adequate supraselective vagotomy.