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Context.--The histologic features in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) are evolving, and histologic indicators of patients' poor prognosis are not yet fully established. Objective.--To evaluate the independent histologic predictors of 28-day mortality in ACLF patients on core-needle liver biopsies. Design.--Core-needle biopsies from patients with a diagnosis of ACLF (n = 152) as per the European Association for the Study of the Liver criteria were included during 8 years. Liver biopsies from 98 patients with compensated chronic liver disease were included as disease controls for histologic comparison. Features of ongoing changes, such as hepatic necrosis, hepatic apoptosis, cholestasis, hepatocyte degeneration, bile ductular proliferation, Mallory-Denk bodies, steatosis, and extent of liver fibrosis, were analyzed for predicting short-term mortality (28 days). A P value of Results.--In our cohort of ACLF patients, the following etiologies for acute decompensation were identified: alcohol, 47 of 152 (30.9%); sepsis, 24 of 152 (15.7%); hepatotropic viruses, 20 of 152 (13.1%); drug-induced liver injury, 11 of 152 (7.2%); autoimmune flare, 9 of 152 (5.9%); mixed etiologies, 5 of 152 (3.2%); and cryptogenic, 36 of 152 (23.6%). On histologic examination, hepatic necrosis (P Conclusions.--Dense lobular necroinflammatory activity is a clinically independent histologic predictor of 28-day short-term mortality in patients with ACLF., Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) syndrome is characterized by abrupt hepatic decompensation secondary to acute insult in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD), having high short-term mortality. (1-3) The diagnosis and [...]

We wanted to evaluate if optical coherence tomography angiography OCTA findings could predict the functional outcome in extracranial carotid artery atherosclerotic disease (ECAD) associated stroke. This exploratory study was performed on adults with acute ischaemic stroke due to ECAD at 3–6 weeks following stroke onset with risk factor matched controls without carotid artery stenosis. Twenty-three stroke patients (cases) and 23 controls were enrolled. There was significant difference between cases and controls in deep vessel density at the macula (p =.0007) and in radial peripapillary capillary perfusion density (RPCPD) at the optic nerve head (ONH) (p =.0007). Statistically significant difference was noted in the total superficial vessel density (SVD) at the macula (SVD within 1 standard deviation [SD] versus SVD beyond 1 SD of control data) in the ipsilateral eye and functional outcome at 3 months (poor versus very good outcome, modified Rankin scale [mRS] 0–1 versus mRS 2–6, respectively; p =.0361). There was statistically insignificant correlation between the RPCPD at the ONH and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at admission, mRS at discharge, and mRS at 3 months following stroke onset (r =.33, r =.35, r =.39; p =.11, p =.09, p =.06, respectively). The findings of this exploratory study suggested that OCTA findings may predict 3 month outcomes in cases of ECAD-related stroke and could be useful in decision making in future intervention studies as to whether intervene or not in patients having critical or non-critical ECAD for preventing stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to devise a low-cost indigenous gelatin-based vascular phantom and to compare this newly constructed phantom with a commercially available phantom. METHODS: This was a randomized crossover study conducted at a tertiary care hospital of India. The aim of the study was to develop a prototype low-cost gelatin-based vascular phantom and compare it with a commercially available phantom. Gelatin, psyllium husk, corn starch, antiseptic liquid, food-coloring agent, latex balloons, and metallic containers were used to prepare the gelatin phantom. The newly prepared gelatin model was labeled "Model A" and the commercially available gelatin model was labeled "Model B." Emergency medicine residents (n = 34) who routinely perform ultrasound (USG)-guided invasive procedures were asked to demonstrate USG-guided in-plane and out-of-plane approach of needle-tracking in both the models and fill out a questionnaire on a Likert scale (1-5). An independent supervisor assessed the image quality. RESULTS: The cost of our phantom was USD 6-8 (vs. USD 1000-1200 for commercial phantom). The participants rated the ease of performance and tissue resemblance as 4 (interquartile range [IQR]: 4-5) for both the models "A" and "B." The supervisor rated the overall performance as 4 (IQR: 3-4) for both the models. In all the parameters assessed, model A was noninferior to model B. CONCLUSION: The indigenously developed vascular phantom was noninferior to the commercially available phantom in terms of tissue resemblance and overall performance. The cost involved was a fraction of that incurred with the currently available commercial model. The authors feel that gelatin-based models can be easily prepared in resource-constraint settings which may be used for USG-guided training and medical education in low- and middle-income countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the efficacy of combination of Bhramari pranayama and om chanting as an adjunct to standard pharmacological treatment on asthma control, quality of life, pulmonary function, and airway inflammation in asthmatic children. Children (n = 110; 8–15 years) with uncontrolled or partly controlled asthma were recruited from the Pediatric Chest Clinic of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. Eligible participants were randomized to either home-based online Bhramari pranayama and om chanting plus standard treatment (YI + ST) group, or standard treatment (ST) alone group. Primary outcome measures were 12-week change in level of asthma symptom control; asthma control questionnaire (ACQ) score, spirometry indices, impulse oscillometry parameters, and pediatric asthma quality of life questionnaire (PAQLQ) score. Secondary outcome was a change in fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) levels at 12 weeks. Beginning from the enrollment, every participant was evaluated at 0, 2, 6, and 12 weeks. After 12 weeks of intervention, higher proportion (68.2%) of children were found to have controlled asthma symptoms in the YI + ST group as compared to ST group (38.5%) according to per protocol analysis (p = 0.03). When compared to ST group, children in YI + ST group showed significantly lower ACQ score, higher PAQLQ score and reduced FeNO levels. No significant changes were observed for the lung function parameters. Children practicing Bhramari pranayama and om chanting for 12 weeks have better asthma symptom control, quality of life, and reduced airway inflammation than those taking standard pharmacotherapy alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The aim of the present study was to evaluate polymorphisms of fat mass and obesity (FTO; rs9939609) and vitamin D receptor (VDR, FokI (rs2228570), BsmI (rs1544410), ApaI (rs7975232), and TaqI (rs731236)] genes on weight loss after lifestyle interventions in Asian Indians. Methods In this 6-month pre-post intervention trial, 110 overweight/obese men and women underwent diet and exercise interventions for 180 days resulting in reduction in body weight, (5.1 kg, p < 0.001), waist circumference, and skinfolds. Results Association of the following genotypes was seen in those with [greater than or equal to]5% weight loss: TT of FTO polymorphism; 35 (81.4%) [OR (95% CI) AT, 2.5 (0.6, 10.9); TT, 6.9 (1.6, 28.2); with reference to AA], tt of VDRTaqI polymorphism, 12 (92.3%) [OR (95% CI); tt, 32.2 (2.4, 436.4); TT, 0.5 (0.08, 3.1); all with reference to Tt], bb of VDRBsmI polymorphism; 27 (65.8%) [OR (95% CI) Bb, 0.2 (0.04, 0.9); bb, 10.6 (0.9, 120.3); all with reference to BB] after adjusting for other genotypes. Further, analysis of combined influence of genotypes conferring maximum weight loss showed that the following had high odds of [greater than or equal to]5% weight loss: (1) TT of FTO gene in combination with BB/Bb of VDRBsmI and TT/Tt of VDRTaqI [OR (95% CI) 5.1 (1.5, 17.4)], (2) bb of BsmI and AA/AT of FTO and tt of TaqI [OR (95% CI) 3.2 (0.3, 31.7)], and (3) bb of BsmI plus TT of FTO and tt of TaqI. Conclusions The above observations suggest a significant and independent role of the genotypes of FTO and VDR in influencing weight loss after lifestyle intervention in Asian Indians., Author(s): Seema Gulati [sup.1] [sup.2] [sup.3] , Anoop Misra [sup.1] [sup.2] [sup.3] [sup.4] , Rajneesh Tiwari [sup.2] , Meenu Sharma [sup.2] , Ravindra M. Pandey [sup.5] , Ashish Datt Upadhyay [...]

Background and Aims Thiopurines are viable option for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] in resource-limited countries. However, data on the effect of disease duration at thiopurines initiation on long-term effectiveness are limited. Method We performed a propensity matched analysis of a retrospective cohort of patients with ulcerative colitis [UC] and Crohn's disease [CD]. Patients initiated on thiopurines early in the disease course [≤2 years] were compared with those started late [>2 years]. Effectiveness was defined as no requirement for hospitalisation, anti-tumour necrosis factor [TNF] agents, or surgery, and minimum steroid requirement [≤1 steroid course in 2 years] during follow-up. Results A total of 988 [UC: 720, CD: 268] patients were included (male: 665 [60.8%], median age: 40 [32–51] years, median follow-up: 40 [19–81] months). Overall effectiveness at 5 and 10 years was 79% and 72% in UC, and 69% and 63% in CD, respectively. After propensity score matching, there was no difference in 5- and 10-year effectiveness between early and late thiopurine initiation groups either for UC [81% and 80% vs 82% and 74%; p  = 0.92] or CD [76% and 66% vs 72% and 51%, p  = 0.32]. Male sex for UC (negative: hazard ratio [HR]: 0.67, 95% confidence interval [CI): 0.45–0.97; p  = 0.03), and ileal involvement [positive: HR: 3.03, 95% CI: 1.32–6.71; p  = 0.008], steroid-dependent disease [positive: HR: 2.70, 95% CI: 1.26–5.68; p  = 0.01] and adverse events [negative: HR: 0.47, 95% CI:0.27–0.80; p  = 0.005] for CD were predictors of thiopurine effectiveness. Conclusion Thiopurines have sustained long-term effectiveness in both UC and CD. However, early thiopurine initiation had no better effect on long-term disease outcome compared with late initiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Colistin, a polymyxin antibiotic often reserved for treatment of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative infections, exhibits a narrow therapeutic index. Careful consideration of the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) parameters of colistin is essential to maximize its efficacy and minimize toxicity. Both thrice-daily and twice-daily administration regimens have been employed, with critically ill patients posing unique challenges regarding colistin's PK/PD. Methods: This retrospective observational study compared the mortality rates, cure rates, length of hospital stay, nephrotoxicity, and readmission rates associated with thrice-daily and twice-daily administration of a fixed total daily dose of 9 million international units (MIU) of colistin in 151 critically ill patients with multidrug-resistant Gram-negative infections. Propensity score matching with a 1:5 case-control ratio was performed using XLSTAT software (by Addinsoft), and outcomes were analysed using logistic regression analysis. Results: Thrice-daily dosing of colistin was recorded in 125 patients, and twice-daily dosing in 26 patients. A total of 73 patients were included in the final analysis after propensity score matching. The 28-day mortality rates, clinical cure rates, and microbiological failure rates were comparable between the two groups (Odds ratio (OR) [95% confidence-interval (CI)] = 0.48 [0.07-3.46], P=0.467; 1.67 [0.31-8.90], P=0.548; 0.13 [0.001-19.5], P = 0.428, respectively). Hospital readmission rates within 90 days (OR [95% CI] = 1.05 [0.12-9.10], P=0.964) and duration of hospital stay (Beta coefficient = 1.55, P=0.683) were also comparable between the two groups. The incidence of nephrotoxicity-related AKI events during Colistin therapy was significantly lower with the 4.5 MIU twice-daily regimen (OR [95% CI] = 0.04 [0.004-0.35], P=0.004). Conclusion: Twice-daily colistin administration significantly reduces the risk of nephrotoxicity-related AKI events compared to thrice-daily administration in critically ill patients with multidrug-resistant Gram-negative infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]