A potential benefit from infectious disease specialist and stationary ward in rational antibiotic therapy of complicated skin and skin structure infections

Background: Management practices of complicated skin and skin structure infections (cSSSI) were compared between two areas with similar healthcare structure and low prevalence of antimicrobial resistance.Methods: The high affinity to public health-care in the Nordic countries enabled population-based approach used in this retrospective study. The study population (n=460) consisted of all adult residents from Helsinki (Finland) and Gothenburg (Sweden) treated in hospital due to cSSSI during 2008-2011.Results: The majority of patients in Helsinki (57%) visited more than one ward during their hospital stay while in Gothenburg the majority of patients (85%) were treated in one ward only. Background and disease characteristics were largely similar in both cities but patients in Helsinki were younger [mean(SD) 59(18) versus 63(19) years, p=.0117], and greater proportions had diabetes (50% versus 32%, pPeer reviewe

Cancer chromosome breakpoints cluster in gene-rich genomic regions

Cancer cells are characterized by chromosome abnormalities, of which some, in particular balanced rearrangements, are associated with distinct tumor entities and/or with specific gene rearrangements that represent important steps in the carcinogenic process. However, the vast majority of cytogenetically detectable structural aberrations in cancer cells have not been characterized at the nucleotide level; hence, their importance and functional consequences are unknown. By ascertaining the chromosomal breakpoints in 22 344 different clonal structural chromosome abnormalities identified in the karyotypes of 49 626 cases of neoplastic disorders we here show that the distribution of breakpoints is strongly associated (P < 0.0001) with gene content within the affected chromosomal bands. This association also remains highly significant in separate analyses of recurrent and nonrecurrent chromosome abnormalities as well as of specific subtypes of cancer (P < 0.0001 for all comparisons). In contrast, the impact of band length was negligible. The breakpoint distribution is thus not stochastic—gene-rich regions are preferentially affected. Several genomic features relating to transcription, replication, and chromatin organization have been found to enhance chromosome breakage frequencies; this indicates that gene-rich regions may be more break-prone. The salient finding in the present study is that a substantial fraction of all structural chromosome abnormalities, not only those specifically associated with certain tumor types, may affect genes that are pathogenetically important. If this interpretation is correct, then the prevailing view that the great majority of cancer chromosome aberrations is cytogenetic noise can be seriously questioned

Sperm DNA fragmentation index and cumulative live birth rate in a cohort of 2,713 couples undergoing assisted reproduction treatment

Objective: To study how the choice of the first assisted reproductive technology treatment type affects the cumulative live birth rate (CLBR) in couples with high sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI). Design: Longitudinal cohort study. Setting: University-affiliated fertility clinic. Patient(s): A total of 2,713 infertile couples who underwent assisted reproductive technology treatment between 2007 and 2017 were included in the study. All in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatments (up to three fresh treatments and all associated frozen-thawed embryo transfers) offered to the couples by the public health care system were included, in total 5,422 cycles. Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): The primary outcome was the CLBR. The secondary outcomes were the fertilization rate and the miscarriage rate. The IVF and ICSI groups were defined according to the method applied in the first treatment cycle. Result(s): In the IVF group, the CLBR values were higher for couples with normal DFI compared with those for couples with high DFI (≥20%) (48.1% vs. 41.6% for conservative CLBR estimate and 55.6% vs. 51.4% for optimal CLBR estimate after adjustment for female age, respectively). No DFI-dependent difference was seen in the ICSI group. Conclusion(s): Our results demonstrated that a high DFI predicts a statistically significantly lower CLBR if IVF and not ICSI is applied in the first cycle of assisted reproduction

Vibration thresholds in carpal tunnel syndrome assessed by multiple frequency vibrometry : a case-control study

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common compression neuropathy, but there is no gold standard for establishing the diagnosis. The ability to feel vibrations in the fingertips is dependent on the function in cutaneous receptors and afferent nerves. Our aim was to investigate vibration perception thresholds (VPTs) in patients with CTS using multi-frequency vibrometry.Methods: Sixty-six patients (16 men and 50 women) with CTS, diagnosed from clinical signs and by electroneurography, and 66 matched healthy controls were investigated with multi-frequency vibrometry. The VPTs were assessed at seven frequencies (8, 16, 32, 64, 125, 250, and 500 Hz) in the index finger and little finger bilaterally. The severity of the CTS was graded according to Padua and the patient's subjective symptoms were graded according to the Boston carpal tunnel questionnaire. Touch thresholds were assessed using the Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments.Results: Patients with CTS had significantly higher VPTs at all frequencies in the index finger and in 6 out of 7 frequencies in the little finger compared to the controls. However, the VPT was not worse in patients with more severe CTS. Patients with unilateral CTS showed significantly higher VPTs in the affected hand. There were no correlations between VPTs and electrophysiological parameters, subjective symptoms, or touch threshold.Conclusions: Patients with CTS had impaired VPTs at all frequencies compared to the controls. Since the VPTs are dependent on function in peripheral receptors and their afferent nerves, multi-frequency vibrometry could possibly lead to diagnosis of CTS

Procedural pain in lumbar punctures and the impact of preparation in pediatric cancer patients

Aim: Childhood cancer patients are subjected to recurring painful medical procedures. In low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), where the majority of the world's childhood cancer patients live, pain management is often unsatisfactory due to limited resources. This study aimed to evaluate the possibility of conducting a preprocedural preparation for lumbar punctures (LPs) at a pediatric oncology unit in a LMIC and to assess whether this intervention would decrease procedural pain and fear. Methods: Patients aged 5-18 who underwent LPs between February 25, 2017, and April 12, 2017, were eligible and invited to participate. Included patients were interviewed to assess the procedural pain and fear in conjunction with the LP and the patients' understanding of why an LP was done. Closest caregivers and the medical staff were interviewed to compare the perceptions of pain. The study was conducted in two separate phases; patients included in the period of February 25-March 9 underwent LP according to routines without preparation while patients included in the period of March 10-April 12 received procedural preparation with information. Results from the interviews from the two study groups were compared. Results: Out of 79 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 76 were included and preparation was successfully implemented for 25 of them. The pain decreased significantly (P = 0.022) after preparation. The physicians underestimated the patients' pain (P < 0.0001). The understanding of the reason for the LP increased significantly among patients (P = 0.0081) and their caregivers (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: Preparation by preprocedural information, created to fit the situation at a state-run hospital in a LMIC, is feasible and efficient

Whey protein hydrolysate: Functional properties, nutritional quality and utilization in beverage formulation

The objective of the study was to analyze the functional and nutritional properties of enzymatically hydrolyzed whey protein concentrate (WPC) and to formulate a beverage mix. WPC hydrolysates were produced using fungal protease and papain, at time intervals of 20, 40 and 60min and were analyzed for proximate composition and functional properties. A beverage was formulated with hydrolyzed WPC, skim milk powder, cocoa, liquid glucose, sugar and vegetable fat and analyzed for physicochemical properties, sensory attributes and keeping quality. Results revealed that the protein content of WPC was 75.6 and decreased slightly on enzyme treatment (69.6). The water absorption capacity of WPC was 10ml/100g and increased in enzyme treated samples from 16 to 34ml/100g with increase in the time of hydrolysis. Emulsion capacity (45ml of oil/g of control WPC) showed a decreasing trend with increasing time of hydrolysis. Enzyme treatment slightly increased the foam capacity in three samples but lowered foam stability in all. The gel filtration pattern of enzyme treated samples showed an increase in low molecular weight fractions. The amino acid profile showed higher content of methionine in samples treated with enzymes, compared to the control. The in vitro protein digestibility of untreated WPC was 25 and increased in all treated samples to varying degrees (69–70). Formulated beverage had 52 protein, 10 fat and 6.6 ash. There were no significant differences in the sensory attributes of formulated and commercial beverage. The formulated beverage could be stored well in a PET container for 30 days

Midlife development of type 2 diabetes and hypertension in women by history of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

Background: Women with history of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are at increased risk of early onset cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes (T2D). We aimed to investigate the extent to which HDP is also associated with midlife development of T2D and hypertension above and beyond established risk factors. Methods: We included parous women who attended population-based structured clinical visits at age 50 and 60 years in Sweden 1991-2013 (N = 6587). Women with prior diabetes mellitus, stroke, or ischemic heart disease at age 50 years were excluded. Data on reproductive history were collected from registries. To study the association between history of HDP and the between-visits development of T2D, hypertension, and clinical risk factors of cardio-metabolic disease (body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and total cholesterol), we utilized multivariable adjusted regression models (logistic, log binomial, and linear regression, respectively). Models included data on outcome risk factors at age 50 years, e.g. BMI, 75 g 2 h oral glucose tolerance test result, and mean arterial pressure, respectively. Results: Between ages 50 and 60 years, 5.8% of initially disease-free women developed T2D and 31.6% developed hypertension. History of HDP was associated with increased risk of developing T2D between age 50 and 60 years even when adjusting for risk factors, including BMI, at age 50 years (odds ratio (OR) 1.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.29-2.98). By contrast, the higher risk of developing hypertension observed in women with history of HDP (relative risk (RR) 1.47, 95% CI 1.22-1.78) was attenuated when adjusted for risk factors (RR 1.09, 95% CI 0.94-1.25). Participants with a history of HDP had higher mean BMI and blood pressure at age 50 years, with levels roughly corresponding to those observed at age 60 years in unaffected women. Conclusions: Women with history of HDP are not only at higher risk of cardiometabolic disease during their reproductive years, but HDP is also associated with midlife T2D development above and beyond established risk factors

The value of pregnancy complication history for 10-year cardiovascular disease risk prediction in middle-aged women

Women with a history of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP; preeclampsia and gestational hypertension) or delivering low birth weight offspring (LBW; &lt; 2500 g) have twice the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aimed to study the extent to which history of these pregnancy complications improves CVD risk prediction above and beyond conventional predictors. Parous women attended standardized clinical visits in Sweden. Data were linked to registries of deliveries and CVD. Participants were followed for a first CVD event within 10 years from age 50 (n = 7552) and/or 60 years (n = 5360) and the predictive value of each pregnancy complication above and beyond conventional predictors was investigated. History of LBW offspring was associated with increased risk of CVD when added to conventional predictors in women 50 years of age [Hazard ratio 1.68, 95% Confidence interval (CI) 1.19, 2.37] but not at age 60 (age interaction p = 0.04). However, at age 50 years CVD prediction was not further improved by information on LBW offspring, except that a greater proportion of the women who developed CVD were assigned to a higher risk category (categorical net reclassification improvement for events 0.038, 95% CI 0.003, 0.074). History of HDP was not associated with CVD when adjusted for reference model predictors. In conclusion, a history of pregnancy complications can identify women with increased risk of CVD midlife. However, considered with conventional risk factors, history of HDP or having delivered LBW offspring did not meaningfully improve 10-year CVD risk prediction in women age 50 years or older

Effectiveness and Safety of the European Society of Cardiology 0-/1-h Troponin Rule-Out Protocol : The Design of the ESC-TROP Multicenter Implementation Study

Chest pain is one of the most common complaints at the emergency department (ED), and it is commonly the perceived likelihood of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) that drives management. Guidelines from the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) recommend the use of a 0-/1-h high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) protocol to rule out or in ACS, but this is mostly based on observational studies. The aim of the ESC-TROP trial is to determine the safety and effectiveness of the ESC 0-/1-h hs-cTnT protocol when implemented in routine care. Adult chest pain patients at 5 EDs in the Skåne Region, Sweden, are included in the trial. The 0-/1-h hs-cTnT ESC protocol supplemented with clinical assessment and electrocardiography (ECG) is implemented at 3 EDs, and the other 2 EDs act as concurrent controls. Outcomes will be evaluated during the 10 months after the implementation and the corresponding 10 months of the previous year. The 2 co-primary outcomes are (a) acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and all-cause death within 30 days in patients discharged from the ED, and (b) ED length of stay of the same patients. Secondary outcomes include the proportion of chest pain patients discharged from the ED and the number of ruled-out patients undergoing objective testing within 30 days. The ESC-TROP trial will determine the performance and applicability of the 0-/1-h hs-cTnT ESC protocol supplemented with clinical assessment and ECG when implemented in routine ED care. It will provide evidence whether 0-/1-h hs-cTnT testing is safe, effective, and feasible, and whether widespread implementation as recommended by ESC guidelines should be supported

The value of pregnancy complication history for 10-year cardiovascular disease risk prediction in middle-aged women

Women with a history of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP; preeclampsia and gestational hypertension) or delivering low birth weight offspring (LBW; < 2500 g) have twice the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aimed to study the extent to which history of these pregnancy complications improves CVD risk prediction above and beyond conventional predictors. Parous women attended standardized clinical visits in Sweden. Data were linked to registries of deliveries and CVD. Participants were followed for a first CVD event within 10 years from age 50 (n = 7552) and/or 60 years (n = 5360) and the predictive value of each pregnancy complication above and beyond conventional predictors was investigated. History of LBW offspring was associated with increased risk of CVD when added to conventional predictors in women 50 years of age [Hazard ratio 1.68, 95% Confidence interval (CI) 1.19, 2.37] but not at age 60 (age interaction p = 0.04). However, at age 50 years CVD prediction was not further improved by information on LBW offspring, except that a greater proportion of the women who developed CVD were assigned to a higher risk category (categorical net reclassification improvement for events 0.038, 95% CI 0.003, 0.074). History of HDP was not associated with CVD when adjusted for reference model predictors. In conclusion, a history of pregnancy complications can identify women with increased risk of CVD midlife. However, considered with conventional risk factors, history of HDP or having delivered LBW offspring did not meaningfully improve 10-year CVD risk prediction in women age 50 years or older