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  • Estrada Farah posted an update 1 day, 4 hours ago

    Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a life-threatening systemic mycosis widely reported in the Gran Chaco ecosystem. The disease is caused by different species from the genus Paracoccidioides, which are all endemic to South and Central America. Here, we sequenced and analyzed 31 isolates of Paracoccidioides across South America, with particular focus on isolates from Argentina and Paraguay. The de novo sequenced isolates were compared with publicly available genomes. Phylogenetics and population genomics revealed that PCM in Argentina and Paraguay is caused by three distinct Paracoccidioides genotypes, P. brasiliensis (S1a and S1b) and P. restrepiensis (PS3). P. brasiliensis S1a isolates from Argentina are frequently associated with chronic forms of the disease. Selleck OSI-774 Our results suggest the existence of extensive molecular polymorphism among Paracoccidioides species, and provide a framework to begin to dissect the connection between genotypic differences in the pathogen and the clinical outcomes of the disease. Hospital palliative care is an essential part of the COVID-19 response but data are lacking. We identified symptom burden, management, response to treatment, and outcomes for a case series of 101 inpatients with confirmed COVID-19 referred to hospital palliative care. Patients (64 men, median [interquartile range IQR] age 82 [72-89] years, Elixhauser Comorbidity Index 6 [2-10], Australian-modified Karnofsky Performance Status 20 [10-20]) were most frequently referred for end-of-life care or symptom control. Median [IQR] days from hospital admission to referral was 4 [1-12] days. Most prevalent symptoms (n) were breathlessness (67), agitation (43), drowsiness (36), pain (23), and delirium (24). Fifty-eight patients were prescribed a subcutaneous infusion. Frequently used medicines (median [range] dose/24 hours) were opioids (morphine, 10 [5-30] mg; fentanyl, 100 [100-200] mcg; alfentanil, 500 [150-1000] mcg) and midazolam (10 [5-20] mg). Infusions were assessed as at least partially effective for 40/58 patients, while 13 patients died before review. Patients spent a median [IQR] of 2 [1-4] days under the palliative care team, who made 3 [2-5] contacts across patient, family, and clinicians. At March 30, 2020, 75 patients had died; 13 been discharged back to team, home, or hospice; and 13 continued to receive inpatient palliative care. Palliative care is an essential component to the COVID-19 response, and teams must rapidly adapt with new ways of working. Breathlessness and agitation are common but respond well to opioids and benzodiazepines. Availability of subcutaneous infusion pumps is essential. An international minimum data set for palliative care would accelerate finding answers to new questions as the COVID-19 pandemic develops. CONTEXT Pediatric palliative care (PPC) can improve quality of life for children with life-threatening conditions and their families. However, PPC resources vary by state and within a state, PPC resources and personnel are often inequitably distributed towards urban areas with major hospital systems. A community needs assessment (CNA) that evaluates the current status of PPC and pediatric hospice care can help identify gaps and opportunities to improve PPC access. OBJECTIVES A CNA was performed in the state of Georgia to explore the scope and gaps of PPC and hospice services and plan for what is needed to grow PPC and hospice services. METHODS The CNA utilized a mixed-methods approach, including a community profile, literature search, windshield survey, key informant interviews, and a quantitative online survey. The methodology is outlined in a companion manuscript, entitled “A Methodological Approach to Conducting a Statewide Community Needs Assessment of Pediatric Palliative Care and Hospice Resources.” RESULTS Four key themes were identified from synthesis of primary and secondary data collection defining and providing PPC, the environment for PPC in Georgia, coordination and collaboration, and the future of PPC in Georgia. Recommendations to improve PPC services in Georgia were categorized by feasibility and importance. High feasibility, high importance recommendations included expanding PPC education for both providers and patients, and creating a formal network or coalition of PPC providers and allies who can work collaboratively at multiple care levels across Georgia in expanding PPC services. CONCLUSIONS In Georgia, this assessment provides the foundation for next steps in coordinated efforts between hospital-based clinicians, state hospice and palliative care organizations, and state policy makers to ultimately expand PPC care available to children and families. Transcriptional factors (TFs) play a central role in governing gene expression under physiological conditions including the processes of embryonic development, metabolic homeostasis and response to extracellular stimuli. Conceivably, the aberrant dysregulations of TFs would dominantly result in various human disorders including tumorigenesis, diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases. Serving as the most evolutionarily reserved TFs, Fox family TFs have been explored to exert distinct biological functions in neoplastic development, by manipulating diverse gene expression. Recently, among the Fox family members, the pilot roles of FoxAs attract more attention due to their functions as both pioneer factor and transcriptional factor in human tumorigenesis, particularly in the sex-dimorphism tumors. Therefore, the pathological roles of FoxAs in tumorigenesis have been well-explored in modulating inflammation, immune response and metabolic homeostasis. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the impressive progression of FoxA functional annotation, clinical relevance, upstream regulators and downstream effectors, as well as valuable animal models, and highlight the potential strategies to target FoxAs for cancer therapies. OBJECTIVE To assess the effects of perineural corticosteroid and 5% dextrose water (D5W) injections in patients with mild-to-moderate ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE). DESIGN A prospective, randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial (6 months follow-up). SETTING Outpatients of local medical center settings. PARTICIPANTS Thirty-six patients with mild-to-moderate UNE were randomized and 33 participants were included in the final data analysis. INTERVENTIONS Patients were administered a single perineural injection with 5 mL D5W and 3 mL corticosteroid (10 mg/mL) mixed with 2 mL normal saline under ultrasound guidance in the dextrose and steroid groups, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The visual analog scale digital pain or paresthesia/dysesthesia score was the primary outcome. The secondary outcomes were the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire, motor nerve conduction velocity, and cross-sectional area (CSA) of the ulnar nerve. The measurement assessment was conducted before and 1, 3, 4, and 6 months after injection.