Maternal type of CMV infection and sequelae in infants with congenital CMV: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common congenital infection. Intrauterine transmission may occur following primary (PI) or non-primary (NPI) maternal infection and result in both neonatal symptomaticdisease and long-term complications.The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was the qualitative and quantitative comparison of neonatal symptomatic disease and long-term sequelae of congenitally CMV infected children born following maternal PI or NPI.

The role of IL-17, IL-23 and IL-31, IL-33 in allergic skin diseases.

Purpose Of Review: Allergic skin diseases such as urticaria, atopic dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis are among the most common skin diseases with severe socioeconomic consequences. The pathogenesis of allergic skin diseases is complex. This review provides an overview of cytocines IL-17, IL-23, IL-31 and IL-33.

Otolaryngology in the COVID-19 pandemic era: the impact on our clinical practice.

Purpose: To give an overview of the current knowledge about COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on otolaryngology clinical practice.

Methods: Recent findings about SARS-CoV-2 virus and the COVID-19 infection it causes are reviewed. In addition to international databases and in the absence of hard scientific data, literature search included reports published online from scientific societies and other institutions.

Low expression of miR-20b-5p indicates favorable prognosis in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, especially in patients with non-infiltrated regional lymph nodes.

Purpose: Tumor recurrence and distant metastasis are very common in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). In this study, we examined the potential prognostic value of microRNA-20b-5p (miR-20b-5p), a component of the tumor-related miR-106a/363 cluster.

Materials And Methods: Total RNA was purified from 105 tissue specimens resected from patients having undergone surgical treatment for primary LSCC.

Occult tethered cord syndrome: a reversible cause of paraparesis not to be missed.

A 15-year-old female former gymnast with a history of pectus excavatum was reviewed due to unexplained paraparesis and urinary incontinence since age 10. Symptoms were commenced with intolerable upper back pain and development of a soft mass at the sacrum that remitted spontaneously. Brain and whole spine MRI imaging and blood and CSF testing were normal.

Computed Tomography-Guided Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation of the Gasserian Ganglion Using an Alternative to Hartel Anterior Approach: A Bicentral Study.

Background: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is associated with multiple mechanisms involving peripheral and central nervous system pathologies. Among percutaneous treatments offered, radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFT) is associated with longer duration of pain relief. Mostly due to anatomic variation, cannulation of the foramen ovale using the Hartel approach has a failure rate of 5.

Considerations on biologicals for patients with allergic disease in times of the COVID-19 pandemic: An EAACI statement.

The outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2-induced coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic re-shaped doctor-patient interaction and challenged capacities of healthcare systems. It created many issues around the optimal and safest way to treat complex patients with severe allergic disease. A significant number of the patients are on treatment with biologicals, and clinicians face the challenge to provide optimal care during the pandemic.

In vitro activity of ceftolozane/tazobactam alone and in combination with amikacin against MDR/XDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from Greece.

Objectives: We evaluated the in vitro activity of ceftolozane/tazobactam and comparator agents against MDR non-MBL Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates collected from nine Greek hospitals and we assessed the potential synergistic interaction between ceftolozane/tazobactam and amikacin.

Methods: A total of 160 non-MBL P. aeruginosa isolates collected in 2016 were tested for susceptibility to ceftolozane/tazobactam and seven comparator agents including ceftazidime/avibactam.

Percutaneous imaging-guided techniques for the treatment of benign neuropathic pain.

To date, conservative management including physical and/or systemic pharmacologic therapy is considered as the first line approach for the management of neuropathic pain syndromes. In the era of an opioid overdose crisis with an increased concern upon the risks and harms arising from the misuse of medicines for pain management, percutaneous minimally invasive techniques such as nerve infiltrations as well as neurolysis or neuromodulation techniques can be proposed to control pain and improve life quality. Computed tomography can serve as an ideal guiding technique due to its specific characteristics including precise anatomic delineation, high spatial resolution and good tissue contrast.

HIV care in times of the COVID-19 crisis - Where are we now in Central and Eastern Europe?

Introduction: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has hit the European region disproportionately. Many HIV clinics share staff and logistics with infectious disease facilities, which are now on the frontline in tackling COVID-19. Therefore, this study investigated the impact of the current pandemic situation on HIV care and continuity of antiretroviral treatment (ART) supplies in CEE countries.

Insufficient glucocorticoid receptor signaling and flattened salivary cortisol profile are associated with metabolic and inflammatory indices in type 2 diabetes.

Purpose: Impaired negative feedback and hyperactivation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis characterizes type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a key mediator of HPA axis negative feedback; however, its role in linking hypercortisolemia and T2DM-associated hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and inflammation is not yet known.

Methods: In peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 31 T2DM patients and 24 healthy controls, we measured various GR-signaling parameters such as phosphorylated GR (pGR-S211), GRα/GRβ gene expression and GC-sensitivity [using the basal and dexamethasone (DEX)-induced leucine zipper (GILZ) and FK506 binding-protein (FKBP5) mRNA levels as well as the basal interleukin (IL)-1β protein levels].

Prognostic Biomarkers in Early-stage Gastric Adenocarcinoma Treated With Adjuvant Chemoradiotherapy.

Background/aim: Early-stage gastric cancer has a high risk of recurrence, despite trimodality therapy with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. To improve patient selection for adjuvant chemoradiotherapy, we evaluated the prognostic significance of immunohistochemical and genetic biomarkers in patients with resected gastric adenocarcinoma.

Patients And Methods: Tumors from 119 patients were subjected to immunohistochemistry for 12 protein biomarkers, as well as next-generation sequencing.

Mutations in Myosin 5B in Children With Early-onset Cholestasis.

Objectives: Mutations in Myosin 5B (MYO5B) are known to be associated with microvillous inclusion disease (MVID) a genetic cause of neonatal intractable diarrhoea. More recently, they have been reported in children with cholestasis but without typical gastrointestinal symptoms of MVID. We describe our series of children with cholestasis and mutations in MYO5B.

The effect of transfusion on immune responses in thalassemia.

Background: Regular transfusions are the gold standard therapy for β-thalassemia and are often complicated by secondary-iron overload and alloimmunization. We assessed the frequency of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and the levels of cytokines implicated in Th-responses in 49 patients 33 TDT and 16 NTDT in order to investigate the contribution of transfusion and its complications on immune responses.

Materials And Methods: Tregs were characterized with flow cytometry.

Bilateral Femoral Neuropathy: A Rare Complication of Drug Overdose due to Prolonged Posturing in Lithotomy Position.

Background: Bilateral femoral neuropathy is an uncommon complication of various surgical and nonsurgical procedures, such as pelvic/abdominal surgery or vaginal delivery. . We report a case of a 41-year-old male who was found unresponsive against the wall in a "lithotomy-type" position with both knees flexed at approximately 90 degrees and both hips flexed and externally rotated at approximately 90 and 60 degrees, respectively, 24-48 hours after a drug overdose (combination of dihydrocodeine, paracetamol, diazepam, and amitriptyline).

Population pharmacokinetics of colistin and the relation to survival in critically ill patients infected with colistin susceptible and carbapenem-resistant bacteria.

Objectives: The aim was to analyse the population pharmacokinetics of colistin and to explore the relationship between colistin exposure and time to death.

Methods: Patients included in the AIDA randomized controlled trial were treated with colistin for severe infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. All subjects received a 9 million units (MU) loading dose, followed by a 4.

Depression following graft-versus-host disease in a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: A case report.

There is increasing evidence to suggest an association between depression and inflammation, with patients suffering from immune mediated-disorders exhibiting higher levels of depression. Inflammation in depression is a potential target for the development of novel treatment strategies. The present study presents a clinical case in which a patient with an underlying inflammatory condition acutely developed a severe depressive episode resulting in a sudden, dramatic change in their clinical picture.

Late-life depression in people from ethnic minority backgrounds: Differences in presentation and management.

Background: An elevated risk of late-life depression has been suggested in older adults from minority ethnic groups, but little is known about ethnic group differences in symptom and treatment profiles. The current study aimed to compare symptoms and types of treatment between ethnic groups in patients with late-life depression.

Methods: Data were extracted from the Clinical Record Interactive Search (CRIS) system , which provides access to the anonymised electronic health records of a large mental health care provider in South London.

A Cortical Substrate for Square-Wave Jerks in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.

Background And Purpose: Square-wave jerks (SWJs) are the most common saccadic intrusion in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), but their genesis is uncertain. We aimed to determine the characteristics of SWJs in PSP (the Richardson subtype) and Parkinson's disease (PD) and to map the brain structures responsible for abnormal SWJ parameters in PSP.

Methods: Eye movements in 12 patients with PSP, 12 patients with PD, and 12 age-matched healthy controls were recorded using an infrared corneal reflection device.

Length of stay, cost, and mortality of healthcare-acquired bloodstream infections in children and neonates: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To estimate the attributable mortality, length of stay (LOS), and healthcare cost of pediatric and neonatal healthcare-acquired bloodstream infections (HA-BSIs).

Design: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: A systematic search (January 2000-September 2018) was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane, and CINAHL databases.

Clinical indications for image-guided interventional procedures in the musculoskeletal system: a Delphi-based consensus paper from the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR)-Part II, elbow and wrist.

Background: Although image-guided interventional procedures of the elbow and wrist are routinely performed, there is poor evidence in the literature concerning such treatments. Our aim was to perform a Delphi-based consensus on published evidence on image-guided interventional procedures around the elbow and wrist and provide clinical indications on this topic.

Methods: A board of 45 experts in image-guided interventional musculoskeletal procedures from the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology were involved in this Delphi-based consensus study.

Safety and efficacy of percutaneous microwave ablation for post-procedural haemostasis: a bi-central retrospective study focusing on safety and efficacy.

Objective: To review safety and efficacy of percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) for post-procedural haemostasis.

Methods: Institutional databases retrospective research identified 10 cases of iatrogenic bleeding who underwent percutaneous MWA for post-procedural haemostasis. Ultrasound examination with Doppler and contrast enhancement identified a source of active bleeding prior to ablation; additionally they were used as guiding modality for antenna insertion whilst, post-ablation, assessed the lack of active extravasation.