Lipid profiles and outcome in patients treated by intravenous thrombolysis for cerebral ischemia

OBJECTIVE:To determine whether low low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) but not high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglyceride concentrations are associated with worse outcome in a large cohort of ischemic stroke patients treated with IV thrombolysis. METHODS:Observational multicenter post hoc analysis of prospectively collected data in stroke thrombolysis registries. Because of collinearity between total cholesterol (TC) and LDL-C, we used 2 different models with TC (model 1) and with LDL-C (model 2). RESULTS:Of the 2,485 consecutive patients, 1,847 (74%) had detailed lipid profiles available. Independent predictors of 3-month mortality were lower serum HDL-C (adjusted odds ratio [(adj)OR] 0.531, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.321-0.877 in model 1; (adj)OR 0.570, 95% CI 0.348-0.933 in model 2), lower serum triglyceride levels ((adj)OR 0.549, 95% CI 0.341-0.883 in model 1; (adj)OR 0.560, 95% CI 0.353-0.888 in model 2), symptomatic ICH, and increasing NIH Stroke Scale score, age, C-reactive protein, and serum creatinine. TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, and triglycerides were not independently associated with symptomatic ICH. Increased HDL-C was associated with an excellent outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 0-1) in model 1 ((adj)OR 1.390, 95% CI 1.040-1.860). CONCLUSION:Lower HDL-C and triglycerides were independently associated with mortality. These findings were not due to an association of lipid concentrations with symptomatic ICH and may reflect differences in baseline comorbidities, nutritional state, or a protective effect of triglycerides and HDL-C on mortality following acute ischemic stroke.

Decreasing frequency of plasma exchange complications in patients treated for thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura-hemolytic uremic syndrome, 1996 to 2011

Plasma exchange (PEX) treatment for patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura-hemolytic uremic syndrome (TTP-HUS) has risk for major complications.

Design, conduct, and analysis of a multicenter, pharmacogenomic, biomarker study in matched patients with severe sepsis treated with or without drotrecogin Alfa (activated)

A genomic biomarker identifying patients likely to benefit from drotrecogin alfa (activated) (DAA) may be clinically useful as a companion diagnostic. This trial was designed to validate biomarkers (improved response polymorphisms (IRPs)). Each IRP (A and B) contains two single nucleotide polymorphisms that were associated with a differential DAA treatment effect.

Behavior of SD-OCT-detected hyperreflective foci in the retina of anti-VEGF-treated patients with diabetic macular edema

Hyperreflective foci (HFs) are observable within the neurosensory retina in diabetic macular edema (DME) using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). HFs have also been seen in wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), although the origin is still unknown; however, they reduced significantly during anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) therapy, and their baseline amount seemed to correlate with treatment success. In this study the behavior of HFs was evaluated during anti-VEGF therapy for DME.

Prognostic importance of Gleason 7 disease among patients treated with external beam radiation therapy for prostate cancer: results of a detailed biopsy core analysis

To analyze the effect of primary Gleason (pG) grade among a large cohort of Gleason 7 prostate cancer patients treated with external beam radiation therapy (EBRT).

Two to twenty-year survivorship of the hip in 810 patients with operatively treated acetabular fractures

The aims of the study were (1) to determine the cumulative two to twenty-year survivorship of the hip after open reduction and internal fixation of displaced acetabular fractures, (2) to identify factors predicting conversion to total hip arthroplasty or hip arthrodesis, and (3) to create a predictive model that calculates an individual's probability of early need for total hip arthroplasty or hip arthrodesis.

Cost-effectiveness of 12-month therapeutic assertive community treatment as part of integrated care versus standard care in patients with schizophrenia treated with quetiapine immediate release (ACCESS trial)

To compare the 1-year cost-effectiveness of therapeutic assertive community treatment (ACT) with standard care in schizophrenia. ACT was specifically developed for patients with schizophrenia, delivered by psychosis experts highly trained in respective psychotherapies, and embedded into an integrated care system.

Impact of age and comorbidities on long-term survival of patients with high-risk prostate cancer treated with radical prostatectomy: a multi-institutional competing-risks analysis

Survival after surgical treatment using competing-risk analysis has been previously examined in patients with prostate cancer (PCa). However, the combined effect of age and comorbidities has not been assessed in patients with high-risk PCa who might have heterogeneous rates of competing mortality despite the presence of aggressive disease.

Long-term intraocular pressure changes in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration treated with ranibizumab

BACKGROUND/AIMS To investigate the long-term effects of multiple intravitreal injections (IVTs) of ranibizumab (Lucentis) on intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration. METHODS In 320 eyes, IOP measurements were performed at baseline prior to injection and compared with IOP measurements of the last visit. Correlations between mean IOP change and total number of IVTs, visual acuity or patient age were tested. RESULTS The mean IOP increase was 0.8 ± 3.1 mm Hg (p < 0.0001). Seven eyes showed final IOP values between 22 and 25 mm Hg. The mean follow-up was 22.7 ± 14.1 months. No further correlations between IOP change and number of IVTs, visual acuity or patient age have been found. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated a statistically significant IOP increase in patients treated with repeated injections of ranibizumab. However, IOP increase required no glaucoma treatment during the study. Therefore, repeated injections with ranibizumab can be considered safe with regard to long-term IOP changes in patients without ocular hypertension or glaucoma.

Morbidity in 201 patients with small sized meningioma treated by microsurgery

The management of patients with small, often asymptomatic meningiomas is controversial and includes observation, microsurgery (MS) and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). The purpose of this retrospective study was to analyze the morbidity and the extent of removal after MS for small (< or =3 cm) intracranial meningiomas and compare these results to those of SRS reported in the literature.

Loss of heterozygosity 1p36 and 19q13 is a prognostic factor for overall survival in patients with diffuse WHO grade 2 gliomas treated without chemotherapy

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to elucidate the impact of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) for chromosomes 1p36 and 19q13 on the overall survival of patients with diffusely infiltrating WHO grade 2 gliomas treated without chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We assessed the LOH status of tumors from patients harboring WHO grade 2 gliomas diagnosed between 1991 and 2000. Patients were either followed after initial biopsy or treated by surgery and/or radiation therapy (RT). Overall survival, time to malignant transformation, and progression-free survival were last updated as of March 2005. RESULTS: Of a total of 79 patients, LOH 1p36 and LOH 19q13 could be assessed in 67 and 66 patients, respectively. The median follow-up after diagnosis was 6 years. Loss of either 1p or 19q, in particular codeletion(s) at both loci, was found to positively impact on both overall survival (log-rank P < .01), progression-free survival, and survival without malignant transformation (P < .05). Tumor volume (P < .0001), neurologic deficits at diagnosis (P < .01), involvement of more than one lobe (P < .01), and absence of an oligodendroglial component (P < .05) were also predictors of shorter overall survival. The extent of surgery was similar in patients with or without LOH 1p and/or 19q; RT was more frequently resorted to for patients without than for patients with LOH 1p/19q (30% v 60%). CONCLUSION: The presence of LOH on either 1p36 or 19q13, and in particular codeletion of both loci is a strong, nontreatment-related, prognostic factor for overall survival in patients with diffusely infiltrating WHO grade 2 gliomas.

CYP2E1 genotype and isoniazid-induced hepatotoxicity in patients treated for latent tuberculosis

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether pharmacogenetic tests such as N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) and cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) genotyping are useful in identifying patients prone to antituberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity in a cosmopolite population. METHODS: In a prospective study we genotyped 89 patients treated with isoniazid (INH) for latent tuberculosis. INH-induced hepatitis (INH-H) or elevated liver enzymes including hepatitis (INH-ELE) was diagnosed based on the clinical diagnostic scale (CDS) designed for routine clinical practice. NAT2 genotypes were assessed by fluorescence resonance energy transfer probe after PCR analysis, and CYP2E1 genotypes were determined by PCR with restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients (29%) had INH-ELE, while eight (9%) presented with INH-H leading to INH treatment interruption. We report no significant influence of NAT2 polymorphism, but we did find a significant association between the CYP2E1 *1A/*1A genotype and INH-ELE (OR: 3.4; 95% CI:1.1-12; p = 0.02) and a non significant trend for INH-H (OR: 5.9; 95% CI: 0.69-270; p = 0.13) compared with other CYP2E1 genotypes. This test for predicting INH-ELE had a positive predictive value (PPV) of 39% (95% CI: 26-54%) and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 84% (95% CI: 69-94%). CONCLUSION: The genotyping of CYP2E1 polymorphisms may be a useful predictive tool in the common setting of a highly heterogeneous population for predicting isoniazid-induced hepatic toxicity. Larger prospective randomized trials are needed to confirm these results.