Brainstem phaeohyphomycosis due to Curvularia lunata (Cochliobolus lunatus) in a cat

A 13-year-old female neutered domestic short-hair cat was presented with chronic progressive vestibular ataxia, lethargy and anorexia. Clinical examination revealed bilateral mucopurulent nasal discharge. Neurological examination revealed obtundation, a right head tilt, ambulatory tetraparesis, generalised vestibular ataxia, decreased postural reactions in all limbs, right Horner's syndrome, spontaneous conjugate jerk rotatory nystagmus and right positional ventral strabismus. Neuroanatomical localisation was observed in the right central vestibular system. Computed tomography revealed a solitary ill-defined contrast-enhancing mass lesion at the level of the right cerebellopontine angle. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed mild mononuclear pleocytosis and fungal elements. CSF culture was positive for Curvularia spp. Further tests for underlying diseases were all negative. The cat was treated with antibiotic and antifungal treatment, but it deteriorated rapidly and was euthanased. Necropsy of the brainstem mass lesion revealed pyogranulomatous inflammation. Panfungal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and subsequent sequencing identified Curvularia lunata in the formalin fixed brain tissue. This is the first report of brainstem phaeohyphomycosis by Curvularia lunata (Pleosporales) in a cat. In addition, this is the first report among animal and humans where fungal elements of Curvularia lunata were found in the CSF cytology. Opportunistic fungal pathogens should be always considered within the differential diagnoses list in cats with neurological signs and advanced imaging findings compatible with solitary mass lesions in the brain. In feline patients with pyogranulomatous meningoencephalitis and a suspicion of a fungal aetiology, panfungal PCR for the ITS region and sequencing should be performed regardless of the absence of fungal elements in histopathology

Treatment trends in allergic rhinitis and asthma: a British ENT survey

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Allergic Rhinitis is a common Ear, Nose and Throat disorder. Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis are diseases with similar underlying mechanism and pathogenesis. The aim of this survey was to highlight current treatment trends for Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>A questionnaire was emailed to all registered consultant members of the British Association of Otorhinolaryngologists - Head and Neck Surgeons regarding the management of patients with Allergic Rhinitis and related disorders.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Survey response rate was 56%. The results indicate a various approach in the investigation and management of Allergic Rhinitis compatible with recommendations from the Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma guidelines in collaboration with the World Health Organisation.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A combined management approach for patients with Allergic Rhinitis and concomitant Asthma may reduce medical treatment costs for these conditions and improve symptom control and quality of life.</p

The interplay of KRAS mutational status with tumor laterality in non-metastatic colorectal cancer: An international, multi-institutional study in patients with known KRAS, BRAF, and MSI status

Background: Although the prognostic relevance of KRAS status in metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) depends on tumor laterality, this relationship is largely unknown in non-metastatic CRC. Methods: Patients who underwent resection for non-metastatic CRC between 2000 and 2018 were identified from institutional databases at six academic tertiary centers in Europe and Japan. The prognostic relevance of KRAS status in patients with right-sided (RS), left-sided (LS), and rectal cancers was assessed. Results: Of the 1093 eligible patients, 378 had right-sided tumors and 715 had left-sided tumors. Among patients with RS tumors, the 5-year overall (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) for patients with KRASmut versus wild-type tumors was not shown to differ significantly (82.2% vs. 83.2% and 72.1% vs. 76.7%, respectively, all p >.05). Among those with LS tumors, KRAS mutation was associated with shorter 5-year OS and RFS on both the univariable (OS: 79.4% vs. 86.1%, p =.004; RFS: 68.8% vs. 77.3%, p =.005) and multivariable analysis (OS: HR: 1.52, p =.019; RFS: HR: 1.32, p =.05). Conclusions: KRAS mutation status was independently prognostic among patients with LS tumors, but this association failed to reach statistical significance in RS and rectal tumors. These findings confirm reports in metastatic CRC and underline the possible biologic importance of tumor location

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Characteristics and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in multi-transfused patients with β-thalassemia. Experience of a single tertiary center

Background/Aim: The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with transfusion dependent thalassemia (TDT) has been increasing, where viral hepatitis and iron overload are the two established HCC risk factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the etiological factors of HCC development and to evaluate the possible factors associated with survival in our cohort of TDT patients with HCC. Methods: Records of patients with TDT diagnosed with HCC from 2008 to 2018 were reviewed. Liver iron concentration (LIC) has been assessed by the signal-intensity-ratio MRI. The diagnosis of HCC was made by a 3-phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and patients were staged and treated for HCC according to Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) grading system. Results: Forty-two TDT patients with HCC have been included. Most of them (78.5%) were anti-HCV positive, 59.5% HCV-RNA positive, and 16.5% had serological markers of resolved HBV infection. Patients with HCV infection have been treated successfully with either PegIFNa±Ribavirin or with the new direct antivirals (DAAs). At the time of HCC diagnosis, all patients with chronic HCV infection were HCV-RNA negative, 78.5% had underlying cirrhosis, and the vast majority (98%) had average or mild elevated LIC values. According to the BCLC system, patients were classified as 0-A: 28.5%, B: 57% and C-D: 14.5%. HCC has been treated with loco-regional treatment in 78.5% of our patients, while the rest have received sorafenib. Twenty-eight patients (66.5%) died due to HCC with a median survival time of 6 months (range: 2-60). Using the Cox proportional hazard model, the only factors associated with poor survival were BCLC stages C and D. Conclusions: In conclusion, BCLC staging is the main prognostic factor of survival in patients with TDT who develop HCC. © 2019 JPR Solutions. All rights reserved

Addendum: Oil-In-Water microemulsions as hosts for benzothiophene-based cytotoxic compounds: An effective combination. [Biomimetics, 3, 13, (2018)] DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics3040033

It was brought to our attention that due to recent changes in the regulation that governs the Ph.D. program at the University of Thessaly, it is mandatory to state the academic institution the Ph.D. student is affiliated with. This was omitted in [1], and we would like to add the following information to the affiliation line for the first author, Ioanna Theochari: "Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Viopolis, 41500 Larissa, Greece". Line numbers within the affiliation section have been rearranged and changed as follows: Ioanna Theochari 1, Vassiliki Papadimitriou 1, Demetris Papahatjis 1, Nikos Assimomytis 1, Efthimia Pappou 1, Harris Pratsinis 2, Aristotelis Xenakis 1 and Vasiliki Pletsa 1,* 1 Institute of Biology, Medicinal Chemistry & Biotechnology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece; [email protected] (I.T.); [email protected] (V.Pa.); [email protected] (D.P.); [email protected] (N.A.); [email protected] (E.P.); [email protected] (A.X.) 2 Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Ageing, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre of Scientific Research "Demokritos", 11635 Athens, Greece; [email protected] * Correspodence: [email protected]; Tel.: +302-107-273-7541 has been corrected to Ioanna Theochari 1,2, Vassiliki Papadimitriou 1, Demetris Papahatjis 1, Nikos Assimomytis 1, Efthimia Pappou 1, Harris Pratsinis 3, Aristotelis Xenakis 1 and Vasiliki Pletsa 1,* 1 Institute of Biology, Medicinal Chemistry & Biotechnology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece; [email protected] (I.T.); [email protected] (V.Pa.); [email protected] (D.P.); [email protected] (N.A.); [email protected] (E.P.); [email protected] (A.X.) 2 Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Viopolis, 41500 Larissa, Greece 3 Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Ageing, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre of Scientific Research "Demokritos", 11635 Athens, Greece; [email protected] * Correspodence: [email protected]; Tel.: +302-107-273-7541. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. The change does not affect the scientific results. The manuscript will be updated and the original will remain online on the article website, with a reference to this addendum. © 2018 by the authors

Pericardial hernias in adults: A systematic review of the literature

OBJECTIVES: A pericardial hernia is defined as the protrusion of abdominal viscera through the central tendon of the diaphragm into the pericardial sac. It is a rare clinical entity whose symptoms vary considerably. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical manifestations of and the optimal surgical treatments for pericardial hernias. METHODS: PubMed and the Cochrane bibliographical databases were searched (last search: 20 April 2019) for studies on pericardial diaphragmatic hernias in the adult population. RESULTS: Eighty studies met our inclusion criteria and reported on 85 patients (62 men and 23 women) with a mean age of 55.86 ± 15.79 years (mean ± standard deviation) presenting with a pericardial hernia at health care facilities. The leading aetiology was trauma (56.5%) followed by iatrogenic interventions (30.6%). The most common herniated organs were the transverse colon (49.4%) and the greater omentum (48.2%). Seventy-one patients (83.5%) underwent an open surgical repair, whereas 14 (16.5%) had a laparoscopic approach. Mesh or a patch was applied in 41.9% of cases. A postoperative morbidity rate of 16.9% was recorded, whereas the mortality rate reached 2.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Pericardial hernia is a rare disease characterized by abdominal organs herniating into the pericardium. It requires a high degree of suspicion for early diagnosis, and all medical professionals should be encouraged to report such cases to clarify the best available therapeutic approach. © 2019 The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved