Activity

  • Axelsen Bering posted an update 1 day, 4 hours ago

    01-1.05, p  less then  0.001) alongside with the whole enterococcal bacteremias trend (IRR 1.02, 95% CIs 1.01-1.04, p = 0.002). find more A progressive increase in vancomycin-resistant E. faecium (VREfm) bacteremias was observed. Resistance to tigecycline and linezolid was rarely reported. The incidence of enterococcal bloodstream isolates is increasing in Italy, together with the prevalence of VREfm. Resistance to linezolid, a cornerstone drug used in the treatment of VRE bloodstream infection, remains negligible.Introduction Colorectal cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, underscoring the need for novel therapies. Despite the successes of new targeted agents for other cancers, colorectal cancer suffers from a relative scarcity of actionable biomarkers. In this context, the intestinal receptor, guanylyl cyclase C (GUCY2C), has emerged as a promising target.Areas covered GUCY2C regulates a tumor-suppressive signaling axis that is silenced through loss of its endogenous ligands at the earliest stages of tumorigenesis. A body of literature supports a cancer chemoprevention strategy involving reactivation of GUCY2C through FDA-approved cGMP-elevating agents such as linaclotide, plecanatide, and sildenafil. Its limited expression in extra-intestinal tissues, and retention on the surface of cancer cells, also positions GUCY2C as a target for immunotherapies to treat metastatic disease, including vaccines, chimeric antigen receptor T-cells, and antibody-drug conjugates. Likewise, GUCY2C mRNA identifies metastatic cells, enhancing colorectal cancer detection, and staging. Pre-clinical and clinical programs exploring these GUCY2C-targeting strategies will be reviewed.Expert opinion Recent mechanistic insights characterizing GUCY2C ligand loss early in tumorigenesis, coupled with results from the first clinical trials testing GUCY2C-targeting strategies, continue to elevate GUCY2C as an ideal target for prevention, detection, and therapy.Purpose To identify the clinical characteristics of acute retinal necrosis (ARN) and clarify factors associated with poor visual prognosis. Methods a nationwide multi-center retrospective chart review study was performed in Japan using data from the medical records of 149 consecutive ARN patients. Demographics, ocular signs, virologic testing of intraocular fluids, and treatment were examined. Factors associated with poor visual prognosis were investigated by regression analysis. Results At initial presentation, anterior chamber cells or mutton-fat keratic precipitates (97%), unilaterality (93%), and yellow-white retinal lesions (86%) were recognized. In the clinical course, rapid circumferential expansion of retinal lesions (39%), development of retinal break or retinal detachment (55%), and optic atrophy (43%) were recorded. Four variables were identified as associated with poor visual prognosis. Conclusions The present study identified clinical characteristics and factors associated with poor visual prognosis of ARN.Context There is a lack of consensus about the appropriate moment to assess a potential wish to hasten death (WTHD) in patients with life-threatening illness, despite evidence of its positive appraisal among patients. Objectives To evaluate the practical potential and acceptability of questions about the WTHD in the first palliative care (PC) clinical encounter. Design A proof-of-concept single-arm unmasked trial. Subjects We enrolled 30 advanced cancer patients, 16 inpatients and 14 outpatients in their first PC clinical encounter. Measurements We assessed the WTHD using a semistructured interview guide, the Assessment of the Frequency and Extent of the Desire to Die (AFEDD) embedded in a multidimensional needs assessment carried out during the first PC encounter. Information about practical potential [patients consider the assessment (a) important and (b) helpful] and acceptability [patients (a) understand and (b) are not bothered by the questions] was obtained. Results Thirty-two patients were approached and 30 (94%) agreed to participate. The WTHD was present in two outpatients and eight inpatients. The question to assess WTHD were well understood by 94% of patients and was considered not bothersome by 87% and quite or very helpful by 80%, regardless of whether they had WTHD. Conclusions The results support that clinicians can integrate screening for the WTHD in usual clinical practice within a multidimensional needs assessment. Patient acceptability suggests that this as a part of patient-centered care including in the first PC clinical encounter. Further studies are needed to confirm efficacy and safety in larger and different populations.Purpose This study aimed to uncover the fertility-related concerns and uncertainties in adolescent and young adult (AYA) childhood cancer survivors. Methods In this qualitative study, participants were recruited from an oncohematology outpatient clinic at a university hospital in Brazil. Twenty-four AYA cancer survivors, aged 18- 24 years (13 men and 11 women), participated in individual semistructured interviews focusing on two parts-sociodemographic and clinical variables and guiding questions that enabled understanding of the concerns and uncertainties regarding the risks of infertility and their impact on relationships and the need for guidance. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Results Four themes were identified from the data-(1) knowledge about fertility, (2) emotional impact and fertility-related uncertainty, (3) sharing the possible risk of infertility with partners, and (4) need for information on possible loss of fertility. Conclusion The meanings attributed to the loss of fertility after cancer treatment uncovered the need for health professionals to organize survivor services in line with the survivors’ needs, and include reproductive concerns and uncertainties in this planning. The study results provide insights for the development of health care services that meet the real needs of this particular population that has long-term follow-up demands.

    To report a case of relapsing thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) in a patient treated with infliximab for chronic uveitis.

    A 57-year-old African American woman with chronic anterior and intermediate uveitis, treated with infliximab for more than 1 year, presented with fatigue, dark colored urine, and ecchymosis on her extremities. She was diagnosed with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and recovered after treatment. After a remission period of 8 months, she was treated again with infliximab for recurrent intraocular inflammation. She developed a relapse of TTP 4 weeks after reintroducing infliximab.

    Relapsing thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura can be a rare complication associated with infliximab. To our knowledge, it has not been reported in the literature to date.

    Relapsing thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura can be a rare complication associated with infliximab. To our knowledge, it has not been reported in the literature to date.