Prevalence and determinants of hepatitis delta virus infection among HIV/hepatitis B-coinfected adults in care in the United States.

Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection increases the risk of liver complications compared to hepatitis B virus (HBV) alone, particularly among persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, no studies have evaluated the prevalence or determinants of HDV infection among people with HIV/HBV in the US. We performed a cross-sectional study among adults with HIV/HBV coinfection receiving care at eight sites within the Center for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Clinical Systems (CNICS) between 1996 and 2019.

The Hepatitis C Care Cascade During the Direct-Acting Antiviral Era in a United States Commercially Insured Population.

Background: Periodic surveillance of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) care cascade is important for tracking progress toward HCV elimination goals, identifying gaps in care, and prioritizing resource allocation. In the pre-direct-acting antiviral (DAA) era, it was estimated that 50% of HCV-infected individuals were diagnosed and that 16% had been prescribed interferon-based therapy. Since then, few studies utilizing nationally representative data from the DAA era have been conducted in the United States.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of brolucizumab versus aflibercept for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) in Italy.

Background: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common and chronic eye condition characterized by the presence of progressive degenerative abnormalities in the central retina (macula). Notably, neovascular, or wet, AMD (nAMD) occurs when new, abnormal blood vessels grow under the macula causing scarring of the macula itself and resulting in a loss of central vision, visual distortion, and an impaired capacity of perceiving colour contrast and intensity. Brolucizumab, a new generation anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) monoclonal antibody, was approved by the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of nAMD.

Retrospective Analysis of the Pharmaco-Utilization of VEGF Inhibitors and Health Care Costs among Patients with Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Other Ocular Diseases in Italy.

This Italian retrospective study aimed to analyze the pharmaco-utilization of anti-VEGF drugs and health care costs among patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) or other ocular diseases. A retrospective analysis was performed on administrative databases of Italian entities covering approximately six million individuals. Across January 2010-December 2017, patients aged ≥50 years with a prescription of intravitreal anti-VEGFs were included as "wAMD" patients [by wAMD hospitalization or intravitreal injections] or as "other ocular diseases" patients [by hospitalization for other ocular disorders or intravitreal injections, with concomitant diabetes diagnosis or dexamethasone treatment].

Recurrent bleeding and thrombotic events after resumption of oral anticoagulants following gastrointestinal bleeding: Communication from the ISTH SSC Subcommittee on Control of Anticoagulation.

Background: Gastrointestinal bleeding frequently complicates anticoagulant therapy causing treatment discontinuation. Data to guide the decision regarding whether and when to resume anticoagulation based on the risks of thromboembolism and recurrent bleeding are scarce.

Objectives: We aimed to retrospectively evaluate the incidence of these events after anticoagulant-related gastrointestinal bleeding and assess their relationship with timing of anticoagulation resumption.

Update on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth-leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide and the fastest-rising cause of cancer-related death in the United States. Given the strong association between tumor stage and prognosis, HCC surveillance is recommended in high-risk patients, including patients with cirrhosis from any etiology. The diagnosis can be made based on characteristic imaging findings, with histologic confirmation primarily reserved for patients with atypical imaging findings.

Gold Nanoparticles Radio-Sensitize and Reduce Cell Survival in Lewis Lung Carcinoma.

It has been suggested that particle size plays an important role in determining the genotoxicity of gold nanoparticles (GNPs). The purpose of this study was to compare the potential radio-sensitization effects of two different sized GNPs (3.9 and 37.

Epidemiology, Natural History, and Treatment of Hepatitis Delta Virus Infection in HIV/Hepatitis B Virus Coinfection.

Purpose Of Review: Limited data exist on the prevalence, determinants, and outcomes of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection among HIV/hepatitis B virus (HBV)-coinfected persons. This review provides current evidence on the epidemiology, natural history, and treatment of HDV infection in patients with HIV/HBV coinfection and highlights future research needs.

Recent Findings: Cross-sectional studies in Europe, Africa, South America, and Asia show that the prevalence of HDV among HIV/HBV-coinfected patients ranges from 1.

Estimated glomerular filtration rate using a point of care measure of creatinine in patients with iohexol determinate GFR.

Introduction: Determination of creatinine and estimation of Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) rapidly before injection of contrast media provides early detection of high-risk patients for acute kidney failure. Hence, a rapid point-of-care (POC) device (result in 30 s) allowing creatinine measurement and eGFR could be of interest. To validate this method, we considered a population referred for measuring GFR.

Transplantation in foreign nationals: Lower rates of waitlist mortality and higher rates of lost to follow-up posttransplant.

A controversial issue in the transplant community is whether or not to provide deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) to noncitizen/nonresidents (NCNRs) who travel for liver transplantation (LT). The expectation is that transplantation of NCNRs will not compromise access for US citizens/residents (USCRs), and that NCNRs would have similar post-LT follow-up. This has never been formally assessed.

The thoracic outlet syndromes: Part 2. The arterial, venous, neurovascular, and disputed thoracic outlet syndromes.

The thoracic outlet syndromes (TOSs) are a group of etiologically and clinically distinct disorders with 1 feature in common: compression of 1 or more neurovascular elements as they traverse the thoracic outlet. The medical literature reflects 5 TOSs: arterial; venous; traumatic neurovascular; true neurogenic; and disputed. Of these, the first 4 demonstrate all of the features expected of a syndrome, whereas disputed TOS does not, causing many experts to doubt its existence altogether.

The thoracic outlet syndromes: Part 1. Overview of the thoracic outlet syndromes and review of true neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome.

The thoracic outlet syndromes (TOSs) are a group of etiologically and clinically distinct disorders with 1 feature in common: compression of 1 or more neurovascular elements as they traverse the thoracic outlet. The medical literature reflects 5 TOSs: arterial; venous; traumatic neurovascular; true neurogenic; and disputed. Of these, the first 4 demonstrate all of the features expected of a syndrome, whereas disputed TOS does not, causing many experts to doubt its existence altogether.

Technical and clinical evaluation of the VITROS® Immunodiagnostic Products 25-OH Vitamin D Total Assay--comparison with marketed automated immunoassays and a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method.

Background: The study was conducted to evaluate the technical and clinical performance of the VITROS® Immunodiagnostic Products 25-OH Vitamin D Total Assay, and compare it with the performance of five marketed automated assays and a liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry reference method (LC-MS/MS).

Methods: Three hundred patient serum samples were used to compare the correlation of the VITROS® 25-OH Vitamin D Total Assay with both the other immunoassays and the LC-MS/MS method, using Passing-Bablok regression and Bland-Altman analyses. Concordance of the diagnosis of vitamin D status was calculated to test the agreement between the different assays.

Primary prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism in ambulatory cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) often complicates the clinical course of cancer disease. The risk is further increased by chemotherapy but the safety and efficacy of primary thromboprophylaxis in cancer patients treated with chemotherapy is uncertain.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy and safety of primary thromboprophylaxis in ambulatory cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

Gamow-Teller transition strengths from 56Ni.

A new technique to measure (p,n) charge-exchange reactions in inverse kinematics at intermediate energies on unstable isotopes was successfully developed and used to study the (56)Ni(p,n) reaction at 110 MeV/u. Gamow-Teller transition strengths from (56)Ni leading to (56)Cu were obtained and compared with shell-model predictions in the pf shell using the KB3G and GXPF1A interactions. The calculations with the GXPF1A interaction reproduce the experimental strength distribution much better than the calculations that employed the KB3G interaction, indicating deficiencies in the spin-orbit and proton-neutron residual potentials for the latter.

Thrombophilia and outcomes of assisted reproduction technologies: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Thrombophilia has been associated with pregnancy complications and recurrent miscarriage. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the controversial association between thrombophilia and failures of assisted reproduction technology (ART). A systematic search of the literature for studies reporting on thrombophilia in women undergoing ART up to April 2011 yielded 33 studies (23 evaluating anti-phospholipid antibodies, 5 inherited thrombophilia, and 5 both) involving 6092 patients.

Obesity, poor muscle strength, and venous thromboembolism in older persons: the InCHIANTI study.

Background: Both obesity and the decline in muscle strength, which often occur with aging, are accompanied by functional and metabolic changes that may affect the risk of thrombosis. This study evaluated whether obesity and poor muscle strength are associated with venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Methods: Objectively confirmed VTEs were assessed at baseline and more than a 6-year follow-up in 1,045 participants more than or equal to 60 years enrolled in the InCHIANTI study.

Incidental venous thromboembolism in ambulatory cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

While the association between cancer and symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE) is well established, the incidence and risk factors for incidental VTE in cancer patients remain unclear. The medical records of 1,921 consecutive cancer patients starting chemotherapy from January 2003 up to March 2009 were identified. Patients with a positive history of VTE were excluded.

Fibromyalgia syndrome in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus. The Boston City Hospital Clinical AIDS Team.

Purpose: To prospectively assess rheumatic manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease in a municipal hospital clinic population in which intravenous drug use was the most common risk factor for HIV infection.

Patients And Methods: Patients with documented HIV infection were evaluated for rheumatic disease using a standardized questionnaire and examination. Patients with fibromyalgia were compared with HIV-infected patients without fibromyalgia and with fibromyalgia patients without known risk factors for HIV infection.

Metastatic melanoma cell heparanase. Characterization of heparan sulfate degradation fragments produced by B16 melanoma endoglucuronidase.

Heparan sulfate (HS), a prominent component of vascular endothelial basal lamina, is cleaved into large Mr fragments and solubilized from subendothelial basal lamina-like matrix by metastatic murine B16 melanoma cells. We have examined the degradation products of HS and other purified glycosaminoglycans produced by B16 cells. Glycosaminoglycans 3H-labeled at their reducing termini or metabolically labeled with [35S]sulfate were incubated with B16 cell extracts in the absence or presence of D-saccharic acid 1,4-lactone, a potent exo-beta-glucuronidase inhibitor, and glycosaminoglycan fragments were analyzed by high speed gel permeation chromatography.

Heparan sulfate degradation: relation to tumor invasive and metastatic properties of mouse B16 melanoma sublines.

After transport in the blood and implantation in the microcirculation, metastatic tumor cells must invade the vascular endothelium and underlying basal lamina. Mouse B16 melanoma sublines were used to determine the relation between metastatic properties and the ability of the sublines to degrade enzymatically the sulfated glycosaminoglycans present in the extracellular matrix of cultured vascular endothelial cells. Highly invasive and metastatic B16 sublines degraded matrix glycosaminoglycans faster than did sublines of lower metastatic potential.

High-speed gel-permeation chromatography of glycosaminoglycans: its application to the analysis of heparan sulfate of embryonic carcinoma and its degradation products by tumor cell-derived heparanase.

A high-speed gel-permeation chromatographic system for analyzing glycosaminoglycans which uses two 0.7 X 75-cm stainless-steel columns containing Fractogel (Toyopearl) TSK HW-55(S), was developed. Glycosaminoglycans were applied and eluted with a 0.