COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness among healthcare workers: a hospital-based cohort study.

Objectives: Healthcare workers (HCWs) were the first to be prioritised for COVID-19 vaccination. This study aims to estimate the COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness (VE) against SARS-CoV-2 symptomatic infection among HCWs in Portuguese hospitals.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Rare manifestations of refractory extrapulmonary sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic disease, characterised by histopathologic presence of non-necrotising granulomas, primarily affecting the lungs (>90%). We present three cases predominantly characterised by uncommon extrapulmonary manifestations of sarcoidosis, where only one had pulmonary involvement. We describe three female patients, between the second and third decades of life, whose sarcoidosis was a diagnostic challenge due to their atypical extrapulmonary manifestations, from which we highlight: livedo reticularis and painful subcutaneous nodules with uncommon localisation, size and histology, being the first reported case of extensive subcutaneous nodules triggered by intramuscular penicillin; extensive symptomatic and refractory osseous involvement; and dispersed erythema nodosum affecting the entire body surface.

Comparison of MRI response evaluation methods in rectal cancer: a multicentre and multireader validation study.

Objectives: To compare four previously published methods for rectal tumor response evaluation after chemoradiotherapy on MRI.

Methods: Twenty-two radiologists (5 rectal MRI experts, 17 general/abdominal radiologists) retrospectively reviewed the post-chemoradiotherapy MRIs of 90 patients, scanned at 10 centers (with non-standardized protocols). They applied four response methods; two based on T2W-MRI only (MRI tumor regression grade (mrTRG); split-scar sign), and two based on T2W-MRI+DWI (modified-mrTRG; DWI-patterns).

Extensive Phenotypic Characterization of T Cells Infiltrating Liver Metastasis from Colorectal Cancer: A Potential Role in Precision Medicine.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide, with liver metastasis being its main cause of death. This study harvested fresh biological material from non-tumor and tumor tissue from 47 patients with CRC liver metastasis after surgery, followed by mechanical cellular extraction and stain-lyse-wash direct immunofluorescence technique. Here, 60 different T-cell populations were characterized by flow cytometry.

use of a vena caval filter in the SVC in an adolescent with upper deep vein thrombosis.

Vena caval filters remain as a useful tool in patients with deep vein thrombosis and contraindications to anticoagulation. Although they are rarely used in paediatric patients, they have been shown to be safe and effective when used in the inferior vena cava.In this case report, we describe the use of a retrievable vena caval filter in the superior vena cava in an adolescent with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia with extensive thrombosis of the right upper neck veins as a means to reduce the risk of pulmonary embolism.

Phlegmasia cerulea dolens: a swelling, cyanosis and discolouration of the extremity in the ICU.

Phlegmasia cerulea dolens is a rare entity that causes critical limb ischaemia, which may lead to amputation of the limb and may be life-threatening. Here, we describe a case of a healthy man in his 50s with multiple trauma who was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a central hospital for neuromonitoring following splenectomy for the stabilisation of a hypovolaemic shock. On admission to the ICU, the patient developed a swollen and white leg.

NET-RMDs study: networks of fatigue and pain in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases - protocol for an international cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Fatigue and pain are the main symptoms of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). Healthcare professionals have a primary role in helping patients to manage both these symptoms, which are part of a complex network of co-occurring factors including sleep problems, psychological distress, social support, body weight, diet, inactive lifestyle and disease activity. The patterns of relationships (networks) between these factors and these symptoms, fatigue and pain, are largely unknown.

Familial amyloidosis of the Finnish type: clinical and neurophysiological features of two index cases.

Familial amyloidosis of the Finnish type (FAF) is a rare multisystemic disorder caused by mutations in the gelsolin gene. The clinical presentation is typically characterised by a triad of ophthalmic, neurological and dermatological findings. FAF has been reported in several countries, primarily in Finland and recently in Portugal.

2022 EULAR recommendations for screening and prophylaxis of chronic and opportunistic infections in adults with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases.

Objectives: To develop EULAR recommendations for screening and prophylaxis of chronic and opportunistic infections in patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRD).

Methods: An international Task Force (TF) (22 members/15 countries) formulated recommendations, supported by systematic literature review findings. Level of evidence and grade of recommendation were assigned for each recommendation.

Cervical inflammatory mass: a very late complication following neonatal oesophagocoloplasty for oesophageal atresia.

We report the case of a man in his 40s who presented to our emergency department with a history of fever and a red, swollen and painful neck mass. Shortly following his birth, a congenital oesophageal atresia had been managed surgically with colonic interposition graft. Contrast CT of the neck revealed filling and distention of a colic stump with content of stasis and infection.

2021 EULAR points to consider to support people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases to participate in healthy and sustainable paid work.

Aim: As part of its strategic objectives for 2023, EULAR aims to improve the work participation of people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). One strategic initiative focused on the development of overarching points to consider (PtC) to support people with RMDs in healthy and sustainable paid work participation.

Methods: EULAR's standardised operating procedures were followed.

Severe Pneumonia Caused by SARS-CoV-2: A Novel Cause of Platypnoea-Orthodeoxia Syndrome.

Unlabelled: Platypnoea-orthodeoxia syndrome (POS) is a condition characterized by dyspnoea and hypoxaemia while sitting or standing, which improves during decubitus. It is usually caused by intracardiac right-to-left shunting through a patent foramen ovale but may also occur due to pulmonary ventilation-perfusion mismatch of other aetiologies. A new cause of POS was recently described: SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia.

A serious and unusual presentation of congenital isolated ACTH deficiency due to TBX19 mutation, beyond the neonatal period.

Summary: Congenital isolated adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) deficiency due to T-box transcription factor-19 (TBX19 mutation) (MIM 201400; ORPHA 199296) usually presents in the neonatal period with severe hypoglycemia, seizures, and sometimes prolonged cholestatic jaundice. We report a case with an unusual presentation that delayed the diagnosis. A 9-month-old female patient with no relevant personal history was admitted to the emergency department due to a hypoglycemic seizure in the context of acute gastroenteritis.

Faecal calprotectin and rectal histological inflammatory markers in cystic fibrosis: a single-centre study.

Objective: To analyse the association of faecal calprotectin with the genetic and clinical characteristics of paediatric patients with cystic fibrosis (PwCF). In a subset of these patients, we aimed to associate histological inflammatory features of rectal mucosa to faecal calprotectin levels.

Methods: In a prospective study, faecal calprotectin levels were collected in all 23 PwCF attending our paediatric centre, together with demographic and clinical data.