Aspergillus calidoustus and Talaromyces columbinus infections in chronic graft-versus-host disease.

Advancements in allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant (alloHSCT) procedures have improved patient outcomes over the last two decades, though invasive fungal infections (IFIs) remain a significant risk. The incidence of IFIs in alloHSCT recipients is estimated at 6%, with a mortality rate of 13%, and Aspergillus species are the most common pathogens involved. Posaconazole is effective in preventing IFIs post-transplant and is standard care during neutropenia or when managing graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) with high-dose steroids.

The Impact of Telehealth on Obstetrical Outcomes during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objective:  Nationwide, obstetric clinics modified prenatal care to include telehealth visits in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, enabling the opportunity to investigate its impact on patient outcomes. We hypothesized that use of prenatal telehealth visits would increase the number of prenatal visits, decrease the frequency of urgent triage/emergency department (ED) visits, and improve perinatal outcomes. This study aimed to determine the impact of telehealth on number of obstetric prenatal visits and urgent triage/ED visits amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Longitudinal fNIRS and EEG metrics of habituation and novelty detection are correlated in 1-18-month-old infants.

Introduction: Habituation and novelty detection are two fundamental and widely studied neurocognitive processes. Whilst neural responses to repetitive and novel sensory input have been well-documented across a range of neuroimaging modalities, it is not yet fully understood how well these different modalities are able to describe consistent neural response patterns. This is particularly true for infants and young children, as different assessment modalities might show differential sensitivity to underlying neural processes across age.

Risk of COVID-19 death in cancer patients: an analysis from Guy's Cancer Centre and King's College Hospital in London.

Background: Using an updated dataset with more patients and extended follow-up, we further established cancer patient characteristics associated with COVID-19 death.

Methods: Data on all cancer patients with a positive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction swab for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) at Guy's Cancer Centre and King's College Hospital between 29 February and 31 July 2020 was used. Cox proportional hazards regression was performed to identify which factors were associated with COVID-19 mortality.

Conducting clinical research in a resource-constrained setting: lessons from a longitudinal cohort study in The Gambia.

Clinical research conducted to Good Clinical Practice (GCP) standards is increasingly being undertaken in resource-constrained low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) settings. This presents unique challenges that differ from those faced in high-income country (HIC) contexts, due to a dearth of infrastructure and unique socio-cultural contexts. Field experiences by research teams working in these LMIC contexts are thus critical to advancing knowledge on successful research conduct in these settings.

Longitudinal infant fNIRS channel-space analyses are robust to variability parameters at the group-level: An image reconstruction investigation.

The first 1000 days from conception to two-years of age are a critical period in brain development, and there is an increasing drive for developing technologies to help advance our understanding of neurodevelopmental processes during this time. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) has enabled longitudinal infant brain function to be studied in a multitude of settings. Conventional fNIRS analyses tend to occur in the channel-space, where data from equivalent channels across individuals are combined, which implicitly assumes that head size and source-detector positions (i.

Pregnancy-Related Change in pQCT and Bone Biochemistry in a Population With a Habitually Low Calcium Intake.

In pregnancy, changes in maternal calcium (Ca) economy occur to satisfy fetal Ca demand. It is unclear whether maternal mineral reserves facilitate these requirements and no data exist from sub-Saharan Africa. The aim was to determine skeletal changes with peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) and bone biochemistry between early second and third trimesters.

Factors Contributing to Sex Differences in Mice Inhaling .

is a respiratory fungal pathogen and an allergen, commonly detected in flooded indoor environments and agricultural settings. Previous studies in Balb/c mice showed that repeated inhalation of live and dry spores, without any adjuvant, elevated allergic immune response and airway remodeling. Sex-specific differences can influence host-pathogen interactions and allergic-asthma related outcomes.

Dyspareunia is associated with chronic pain in premenopausal women with sickle cell disease.

Objectives: Pain is common in women with sickle cell disease (SCD), but the prevalence of dyspareunia in this unique patient population is unknown. In this study, we sought to determine whether chronic pain is associated with an increased prevalence of dyspareunia in premenopausal women with SCD.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of premenopausal women with SCD was systematically assessed for symptoms of dyspareunia and chronic pain using a standard questionnaire.

Composite biomarker panel for prediction of severity and diagnosis of acute GVHD with T-cell-depleted allogeneic stem cell transplants-single centre pilot study.

Aims: Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality following allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical utility of a composite biomarker panel to help identify individuals at risk of developing aGVHD, and to help predict and differentiate between severity of aGVHD following T-cell-depleted allogeneic HSCT.

Methods: We retrospectively analysed our cohort of biopsy confirmed patients with aGVHD, who underwent T-cell-depleted HSCT and matched them with negative controls without any evidence of aGVHD.

Baseline cytokine profiling identifies novel risk factors for invasive fungal disease among haematology patients undergoing intensive chemotherapy or haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Background: Invasive fungal disease (IFD) is a disease of immunocompromised hosts. Cytokines are important mediators of innate and adaptive immune system. The aim of this study was to identify cytokine profiles that correlate with increased risk of IFD.

Triazole antifungals used for prophylaxis and treatment of invasive fungal disease in adult haematology patients: Trough serum concentrations in relation to outcome.

Triazole antifungal drugs are widely used for the prophylaxis and treatment of invasive fungal disease (IFD). Efficacy may depend on attaining minimum effective plasma concentrations. The aim of this study was to ascertain the proportion of samples in which the recommended concentrations were achieved in patients given these drugs in relation to outcome.

Prospective evaluation of the cost of diagnosis and treatment of invasive fungal disease in a cohort of adult haematology patients in the UK.

Objectives: The direct cost of invasive fungal disease (IFD) includes antifungal drugs as well as diagnostic tests. The aim of this study was to determine these costs.

Methods: A total of 203 haematology patients were enrolled into the study and followed for a median of 556 days.

A comprehensive diagnostic approach using galactomannan, targeted β-d-glucan, baseline computerized tomography and biopsy yields a significant burden of invasive fungal disease in at risk haematology patients.

Invasive fungal disease (IFD) is difficult to diagnose. We investigated the incidence of IFD and risk factors using the revised European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and the Mycoses Study Group (MSG) definitions. Patients (N = 203) undergoing intensive therapy with expected neutropenia ≥10 d were recruited prospectively and followed for a median (range) of 556 (12-730) d.

The effect of prepubertal calcium carbonate supplementation on skeletal development in Gambian boys-a 12-year follow-up study.

Context: Calcium intake during growth is essential for future bone health but varies widely between individuals and populations. The impact on bone of increasing calcium intake is unknown in a population where low calcium intake, stunting, and delayed puberty are common.

Objective: To determine the effect of prepubertal calcium supplementation on mean age at peak velocity for bone growth and mineral accrual.