Amyloidosis and the Kidney: An Update.

Various types of systemic amyloidosis can wreak havoc on the architecture and functioning of the kidneys. Amyloidosis should be suspected in patients with worsening kidney function, proteinuria, and multisystem involvement, but isolated kidney involvement also is possible. Confirming the amyloidosis type and specific organ dysfunction is of paramount importance to select the appropriately tailored treatment and aim for better survival while avoiding treatment-associated toxicities.

Predictors and outcomes of acute kidney injury during autologous stem cell transplantation in AL amyloidosis.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication after high-dose melphalan and autologous stem cell transplantation (HDM/SCT) in patients with light chain (AL) amyloidosis. However, its incidence, predictors and outcomes are not well known.

Methods: This observational study included 223 patients with AL amyloidosis who underwent HDM/SCT.

Segmentation of Glomeruli Within Trichrome Images Using Deep Learning.

Introduction: The number of glomeruli and glomerulosclerosis evaluated on kidney biopsy slides constitute standard components of a renal pathology report. Prevailing methods for glomerular assessment remain manual, labor intensive, and nonstandardized. We developed a deep learning framework to accurately identify and segment glomeruli from digitized images of human kidney biopsies.

Diagnostic Accuracy and Reproducibility of Predicting Cul-de-Sac Obliteration by General Gynaecologists and Minimally Invasive Gynaecologic Surgeons.

Objective: Knowledge of rectouterine cul-de-sac state and consistent classification among surgeons are important in the surgical management of women with endometriosis. The objective of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy and interobserver and intraobserver agreement among general gynaecologists (GGs) and minimally invasive gynaecologic surgeons (MIGSs) in the prediction of cul-de-sac obliteration at off-line analysis of laparoscopic videos.

Methods: Five GGs and five MIGSs viewed 33 prerecorded laparoscopic video sets off-line to determine cul-de-sac obliteration state (non-obliterated, partially obliterated, or completely obliterated) on two occasions (at least 7days apart).

Sensory characterization of bowel cleansing solutions.

Aim: To evaluate the sensory characteristics of commercial bowel cleansing preparations.

Methods: Samples of 4 commercially available bowel cleansing preparations, namely polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution (PEG), PEG + ascorbic acid (PEG-Asc), sodium picosulfate (SPS), and oral sodium sulfate (OSS) were prepared according to the manufacturer's instructions. Descriptive analysis was conducted (n = 14) using a 15-cm line scale with the Compusense at-hand(®) sensory evaluation software.

Outcome of Ewing sarcoma in a multidisciplinary setting in Lebanon.

Treatment of Ewing sarcoma (ES) necessitates coordinated multi-disciplinary care. We analyzed outcome for 39 patients treated at a single institution in Lebanon, a developing country with available multidisciplinary treatment modalities, where financial barriers to care are overcome by a fundraising system. Median follow-up was 58 months.

Predicting the outcome of induction of labour.

Objective: To test whether prediction of delivery outcome is feasible in post-term nulliparous pregnant women, using a published model and a locally produced model combining clinical and ultrasound assessment.

Methods: This is a prospective pilot study of 53 nulliparous women seen in a postdates clinic between 40 weeks four days and 41 weeks three days of gestation. They underwent a routine assessment including transabdominal ultrasound to determine amniotic fluid index, a Bishop score, and translabial ultrasound to determine the station of the fetal head at rest and bladder neck descent at rest and on valsalva.