Enhancing the prognostic accuracy of the RETREAT score with AFP-L3 and DCP tumor markers.

The RETREAT (Risk Estimation of Tumor Recurrence After Transplant) Score is a validated tool to predict post-transplant HCC recurrence risk. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) bound to Lens culinaris agglutinin (AFP-L3) and des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin (DCP) measured at transplant predict worse post-LT survival and may improve the RETREAT score. Our cohort comprised 284 patients transplanted for HCC who were within or downstaged to Milan, with 23 (8.

Viral infection and allergy status impact severity of asthma symptoms in children with asthma exacerbations.

Background: Although viral infection is known to be associated with asthma exacerbations, prior research has not identified reliable predictors of acute symptom severity in virus-related asthma exacerbations (VRAEs).

Objective: To determine the effect of asthma control and viral infection on the severity of current illness and evaluate biomarkers related to acute symptoms during asthma exacerbations.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled 120 children with physician-diagnosed asthma and current wheezing who presented to Arkansas Children's Hospital emergency department.

Rhinovirus and Asthma Exacerbations.

Rhinovirus (RV) is ubiquitous and typically causes only minor upper respiratory symptoms. However, especially in children and adolescent asthmatics, RV is responsible for most exacerbations. This ability of RV to drive exacerbations typically requires the concomitant presence of exposure to a bystander allergen.